Switching from Assisted Living to In-Home Care
The purpose of assisted living is to provide immediate access to care while maintaining comfort and quality of life. While there are many ways older adults can benefit from this approach to care, some seniors prefer to make the switch back to a home setting if they’re able to do so. If this is something your older loved one is getting ready to do, here’s what you can do to make the process as smooth as possible.
Prepare the Home First
Whether your loved one will be living with you or in a home of his or her own, it’s important to get the living space ready before the switch is actually made. Typically, a senior-friendly home includes:
- No loose rugs or other potential fall hazards
- Easy access points if mobility is an issue
- Appropriate home modifications that might include ramps, a stair lift, and a walk-in bathtub instead of a traditional tub/shower
If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of Dallas elder care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.
Get a Physical & Mental Health Update
If your loved one has been in an assisted living facility for a while, get an update on his or her overall condition before he or she returns to a home setting. Make sure to get a general overview of both physical and mental capabilities and issues to make it easier to develop a care plan based on his or her current needs.
Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Dallas Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
Seek Input from Your Loved One
Even if your loved one first brought up the idea of transitioning back to care provided at home, keep him or her informed and involved during the entire process. Do this by seeking his or her input about home living and care arrangements and other steps involved in the transition. What this does is ensure your loved one is comfortable and not overly stressed as the switch is made.
Make Arrangements with a Local Doctor
It’s generally best to see if your loved one can continue to visit a doctor he or she already knows and feels comfortable with. If this isn’t possible, do some research to find a local doctor specializing in the type of medical care your loved one needs.
Determine How Care Will Be Provided at Home
If care will involve assistance from family members, it can be helpful to designate a primary caregiver who can also coordinate care efforts with other family members. Another option is professional in-home care. What’s good about this type of care is that it can be provided only when needed, so it’s affordable and can always be adjusted as your parent’s needs change over time. Round out your loved one’s home-based care needs as the transition is made by also considering:
- Local senior transportation services
- Medication delivery services
- Meal delivery services if you have concerns about proper nourishment
Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Dallas live-in care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional live-in caregivers from Home Care Assistance to enhance his or her quality of life. To learn about our premier in-home care options, give us a call at [hca_phone] today.