Deciding the best route for your parents' senior care requires thought. Your parents' preferences matter even more than yours. You're thinking of the cost, quality, location, and services. They're thinking of the loss of privacy, independence, and income. To make sure you're all in agreement, there are some questions you should ask.
Is Moving the Best Option?
Your parents' home is large. It's too big for them. You want them to move into senior housing, but they want to stay. You're convinced senior housing will be cheaper. Is it really?
When moving into independent or assisted living, there are usually hidden fees. You're quoted a base price of $5,000 a month for assisted living, but you find out after moving in that every cotton swab, bandage, or medical glove used in care is added to the bill. Phone, internet, and even cable TV is often an additional fee.
Some companies charge extra if your parent needs more than X-amount of care each week. If the assisted living covers one hour of care per day and your parent requires 10 hours each week, you'll find extra fees on the bill to cover the additional senior care services.
What Help is Really Needed?
You shift your thoughts to home care. Your parents say they need help with laundry, meal preparation, transportation, and shopping. You were only aware that they were having difficulties with transportation. You should ask why they want more help. It could be they simply dislike certain household chores and would prefer to have someone else take over.
Your mom and dad need to remain as independent as possible. If there are tasks you know they can handle, don't let them give them up. Activity is good for mental and physical health. Talk to the caregiver you hire to ensure your parents are not sitting around all day. Check in regularly to get updates.
How Do Agencies Choose Senior Care Workers?
Find out what process goes into hiring the caregivers working for an agency. You want caregivers who have been carefully vetted. Background checks (criminal and employment), drug tests, and training are all important. See if you're allowed to look at the reports.
Is the House Set Up for Aging in Place?
Your parents want to stay in their own home. How well-equipped is their home for their changing abilities? If your parents have a lot of stairs, what happens if they can no longer climb stairs? Is there an area where they could set up a bedroom on the main level? Will someone visit often enough to check upper levels for leaking pipes and other issues?
Once you have an idea of the services and senior care schedule, make a call. A home care expert can discuss pricing and options.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING HIRING IN-HOME SENIOR CARE IN OAK PARK, IL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE LA GRANGE. CALL TODAY: 708-551-2500.
Is Moving the Best Option?
Your parents' home is large. It's too big for them. You want them to move into senior housing, but they want to stay. You're convinced senior housing will be cheaper. Is it really?
When moving into independent or assisted living, there are usually hidden fees. You're quoted a base price of $5,000 a month for assisted living, but you find out after moving in that every cotton swab, bandage, or medical glove used in care is added to the bill. Phone, internet, and even cable TV is often an additional fee.
Some companies charge extra if your parent needs more than X-amount of care each week. If the assisted living covers one hour of care per day and your parent requires 10 hours each week, you'll find extra fees on the bill to cover the additional senior care services.
What Help is Really Needed?
You shift your thoughts to home care. Your parents say they need help with laundry, meal preparation, transportation, and shopping. You were only aware that they were having difficulties with transportation. You should ask why they want more help. It could be they simply dislike certain household chores and would prefer to have someone else take over.
Your mom and dad need to remain as independent as possible. If there are tasks you know they can handle, don't let them give them up. Activity is good for mental and physical health. Talk to the caregiver you hire to ensure your parents are not sitting around all day. Check in regularly to get updates.
How Do Agencies Choose Senior Care Workers?
Find out what process goes into hiring the caregivers working for an agency. You want caregivers who have been carefully vetted. Background checks (criminal and employment), drug tests, and training are all important. See if you're allowed to look at the reports.
Is the House Set Up for Aging in Place?
Your parents want to stay in their own home. How well-equipped is their home for their changing abilities? If your parents have a lot of stairs, what happens if they can no longer climb stairs? Is there an area where they could set up a bedroom on the main level? Will someone visit often enough to check upper levels for leaking pipes and other issues?
Once you have an idea of the services and senior care schedule, make a call. A home care expert can discuss pricing and options.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING HIRING IN-HOME SENIOR CARE IN OAK PARK, IL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE LA GRANGE. CALL TODAY: 708-551-2500.