At What Age Should You Consider Senior Care?
Making the decision to enter a senior care facility is an important one. Many people assume that when you reach a certain age, you should immediately consider making that decision.
The reality is that it’s not that simple. Senior care was designed to accommodate elderly individuals who could no longer take care of themselves. Whether you’re 50 or 70, senior care is a perfect option if you fit this scenario.
Nonetheless, what is the age in which you should consider senior care? Families with elderly loved ones will ultimately make the decision, but there are some factors that help you determine when the right time might be.
Age Doesn’t Matter
Every person is different. Some people are well into their 70s and they are able to protect and look after themselves with minimal supervision. Many of these people are also in great physical shape and lead very exciting lives.
Other people who are above middle age struggle from several health issues or get weaker as time progresses. These people may be in need of senior care services at a “younger” age to help them live their life normally.
Ultimately, the decision to enter a senior living facility heavily depends on if relatives are no longer able to look after a loved one. This factor is much more vital than age and is the most important thing to evaluate when considering senior care.
Keep in mind that there are different levels of care, including Vancouver independent senior living, assisted living, memory care, and hospice care.
Dementia is a Major Factor
Approximately 50 million people across the globe are suffering from Alzheimer’s dementia. Dementia leads to the rapid deterioration of a person’s cognitive function, rendering them unable to live a normal life.
Dementia eventually leads to death, and a diagnosis can be extremely difficult to deal with. While there is treatment available for dementia and memory-related illnesses, it might be the time to start looking at options for senior care in the future.
Making these preparations will help in transitioning your loved one in the care of certified professionals that will provide the utmost care.
Senior Care is a Family Decision
The decision to place a loved one in senior care is an important, but very difficult one. It should not be decided by one person, unless they are solely responsible for their relatives. Getting together with your family to determine if senior care is the most ideal choice is important. If your family is noticing that a loved one has reached a physical or mental state where they cannot take proper care of themselves, have a family meeting, ask questions, and determine which route you would like to go for getting them the right care.
Senior Care is Often the Last Resort
In the end, senior care is often the last choice families make when they are no longer able to take care of their relatives themselves. If you’re able to take care of them in the short-term, great! But you can save yourself time and grief by considering senior care immediately to make the transition to a care home easier when your family can no longer care for your loved one.
You don’t have to overburden yourself when there are qualified professionals ready to assist you in caring for your elderly loved one. Instead of senior care being the last resort, it should be a major consideration when a loved one passes retirement age or suffers a major illness or disability.