Aisha Washington, Certified Senior Advisor
Loving Home Care

Articles - Special

    When parents become older, many adult children start considering living arrangement options for them. Most adult children are not comfortable having their elderly parents living alone, because they’re afraid the parent may injure themselves or have a health related emergency, yet not have anyone close by to provide immediate assistance.
    Aging parents who are still fairly healthy and active particularly dislike the idea of living in a nursing home. Their adult children also have fears of how well the nursing home will care for their parent.  Thankfully there are many alternatives to nursing homes, which open up more living arrangement options that both the aging parents and their children can be happier with.
    Let’s look at several nursing homes alternatives:
Homecare Service
    If the parents prefer to remain independent and in their own home, then home care service is the way to go.  Homecare services range from skilled nursing care to nonmedical assistance with activities of daily living such as cooking, housekeeping, grocery shopping, transportation to doctor’s appointment, hygiene care, and companionship. When you have an experienced aide or sitter coming to your parents’ home, then there is no need for them to leave their home just to receive nonmedical assistance.  Homecare will enable your parents to continue enjoying their independence and the comfort of their own home.
Senior Retirement Communities
    There are many communities available that cater specifically to senior citizens who still want to live independently. A senior retirement village or community is designed to have emergency staff available 24 hours a day, but the residents live independently in their own apartments or townhouses.
    Senior retirement communities often have community recreation rooms and centers with planned events each day so that your aging parents can make friends, socialize, and have fun. Some senior communities even organize day trips and events for those seniors who are more mobile and adventurous than others.
Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity
    Another popular type of living arrangement is the Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity (ECHO),which is when the parents live on the property of a family member, but in separate and independent housing of their own. A manufactured home or RV can be placed on the property or you can build a small cottage, guesthouse or basement apartment. Aging parents would have a small home of their own, while still having family close at hand for company or emergencies.
Senior Daycare/Centers
    As your parent becomes more elderly, consider getting them involved with some of the senior services around your own community.  If you worry about your parent’s health and safety while you’re at the office, you can take them to the daycare or senior services center in your area. These are usually staffed by professionals with medical and emergency training, and they can make sure your parents get food and medication, plus it gives your parents people to talk to and spend time with throughout the day.