If you have considered placing a loved one into senior care, you may be asking yourself, “What’s the first step?” After acknowledging the need for outside assistance, first you must decide which of the five senior care services is best. These senior care types range from independent to intensive senior care. So which is right for you and your loved ones? 
- Independent Living: The most minimal assistance approach, independent living, is best suited for aging seniors who are able to live on their own and self-reliant in their day-to-day needs, but who wish to scale back, downsize, and live without the added stress that comes with home maintenance. The provided security of a senior living community, like Regency Retirement Village of Tuscaloosa, allows comfort to those that feel vulnerable living alone. This lifestyle of senior living is ideal for individuals with few medical problems and are free to come and go, however they please.
- In-Home Caregiving: The transitional assistance approach, in-home caregiving, is intended for individuals that can no longer live alone, but also don’t require urgent medical assistance from a higher level of care. This approach can range from a caregiver checking in several times a day, every other day, or even weekly to ensure the senior is getting help with daily activities or errands. This method of care is commonly used during early transitions of healthcare. The benefit of in-home senior care? Senior parents can age in place. The downside? The transition into a senior care community or nursing home can become a quick reality, as health conditions often worsen and assisted living becomes essential rather than merely optional.
- Assisted Living: The parental assistance approach, assisted living, is targeted towards seniors that need help performing their daily activities, like bathing, dressing, and administering medications. This senior care option combines housing, support services, and “apartment living with help when you need it.” At Regency, our assisted living community allows seniors to seek an active life, yet take advantage of readily available assistance with daily help with activities and routines, as needed.
- Respite Care: The temporary assistance approach, respite care, is ideal for individuals who are in between care stages, or need temporary care, typically ranging from a week to a month, depending on their situation. Respite stays may also serve as a trial run before moving into a senior living community. At Regency, our respite care program allows seniors to receive all of the provided services and amenities our residents receive. Many respite residents enjoy their stay so much, they decide to move in soon after. A visit can be just what they need to overcome dread based on misconceptions about what awaits them.
- Memory Care: The specialized assistance approach, memory care, is recommended for seniors with the onset of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Memory care can offer senior residents the attention and activities they need to experience a healthy and stimulating life through their golden years. At Regency, senior quality of life is the greatest concern. Families can take comfort knowing that loved ones are in good hands. Our staff and team of caregivers are here to provide support to families with seniors during the time of transition and circumstance.
Some seniors may worry that leaving their home means transitioning to a clinical environment like a nursing home, but that is not the case here at Regency. They can experience an active, stimulating life with fun activities for many years – with the support they need to deal with the issues that come naturally with aging.
With any medical decision, it is recommended to get the professional opinion of your loved one’s primary health provider or physician to suggest the best level of senior care. If you or your loved ones are uncertain of the appropriate senior care, our team of dedicated caregivers and licensed professionals are available for a free consult and assessment to determine the best type of care for you and your loved ones. We trust that the provided information on level of senior living and care is helpful when choosing the appropriate senior care options.
Written by: Katie Hanley