But what kind of residential care community?
All of the options can be overwhelming.
For a long time I didn’t know the difference between, say, Memory Care and Assisted Living; I thought that they were just marketing terms.
They aren’t.
Many types of communities are specifically defined by each individual state, but this is an overview of some terms that you’re likely to hear.
We’ve talked in the past about deciding if and when to move. We also discussed why it’s so important to start this conversation early.
“It’s really hard to make the call of when it’s time to move if you wait until things get out of hand.
Obviously the time for a big change lies somewhere between ‘sure, mom’s doing well’ and ‘I just don’t know what to do.’ But when? How do you know?”
“From what I’ve seen, it’s pretty common for people living with dementia and their families to overestimate what they’re able to do on their own….”
–Is it time to move?
(from MySimpleC, posted 12/19/2011 )
In “Staying at home (for now, at least)” we talked about some of the many resources available to those who choose to remain at home. Sometimes this is called “aging in-place.”
But what if you have the conversation and decide that it’s time to move? Continue reading
Memory care. Assisted living. Nursing home. Continuing care retirement community. Skilled Nursing. Independent living. Residential care…the list goes on and on. Overwhelmed by endless options for eldercare communities, lots of us throw up our hands and avoid the topic until it’s absolutely necessary or just choose to muddle through on their own…even those who might be helped by residential care.
Obviously the time for a big change lies somewhere between “sure, mom’s doing well” and “I just don’t know what to do!” But when? How do you know?
Let’s look at how residential care decisions are made. I’d also like to learn about the decisions you’ve had to make early-on regarding future care options.
First off, I want to admit that, in the past, I’ve tended to support people living with symptoms of dementia living at home for as long as possible. To me, that meant someone would remain in her home until she had trouble with “Activities of Daily Life” (also sometimes called ADLs). That’s industry-speak for “things you do everyday”: getting dressed, using the restroom, eating, etc. Once she couldn’t take care of herself, then it’d be time to execute the back-up plan.
Continue reading
MySimpleC.com 
