Finding the Right Senior Care

Finding the right senior care can be challenging. Does your loved need home care, senior living, assisted living, personal care, memory care or another form of elder care? Here in Allentown and across the Lehigh Valley there are numerous options.

This graphic helps evaluate some fundamental aspects of senior care. It will point you in the right direction and at least be a starting point for a conversation. Please note that the below information is intended for informational purposes only, and decisions should be made only after discussing your situation with a qualified professional. Have Questions? Call the senior living experts at Heather Glen Senior Living at 610-841-4478 to point you in the right direction.

Reading the Senior Care Map

1. If you do not need care in the imminent future it is still wise to have a plan in place should you need additional care. It is recommended that you continue to stay active, engage in social activities and have your financial and legal matters in order. Be sure to discuss your end-of-life wishes with your family. Having a well defined plan of care will ease the burden for your family.

2. & 3. Having a plan of care, working with a doctor and forming a strategy to address the memory deterioration may slow the advancement of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Sometimes individuals are able to remain home safely with the help of reliable family members and other caregivers. This includes having a caregiver assisting with home help, companionship and personal care tasks. It could also include attending an adult day care center or an all-inclusive care program. For individuals who value social interaction, it is important to continue attending family, volunteer, church, and other events as you are able. Family caregivers should also seek caregiver support groups.

4. Individuals with sharp minds but needing some assistance around the house benefit from home care. They can receive weekly hours of service proportional to their needs and direct the caregiver to help where necessary, including transportation to doctors or other appointments, running errands, personal care, light housekeeping and more. These individuals may also consider adult day programs that provide transportation to and from the adult day centers. All-inclusive care is also an option. Family caregivers also benefit from the assistance in receiving respite and personal time.

5. & 6. Those looking to relocate may benefit from the well-rounded offerings of senior and independent living facilities and personal care homes / assisted living facilities. These communities are age-friendly, accessible and offer options for group outings and other activities. Those who are mobile may prefer a senior or independent living community as they are not in need of the support services offered by the personal care homes / assisted living facilities. For those who need assistance with activities of daily living, a personal care home / assisted living facility would provide the services necessary to fit their needs.

7. & 8. Individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia will want to consider senior / independent living as long as they are accompanied by a spouse or family caregiver, or supported with caregiving services. Another option is a personal care or assisted living facility. Those in more advanced stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia should seek information on personal care or assisted living facilities that have services on-site, including secured dementia units and trained staff.

Financial Matters
One aspect that each individual will need to assess in all care outcomes is the cost of each level of care. One must consider their financial resources and work with a qualified professional to understand which options can be afforded. In some cases, the individual will pay from their own resources as government programs, insurances, and other outside funding programs may not suffice.

If you mapped a care need to senior living, assisted living or memory care then Heather Glen Senior Living may be a good option for you or your loved one. Heather Glen is a personal care home that provides a safe living environment for the elderly. Heather Glen also provides activities, nutritious meals and assistance to residents with their activities of daily living (grooming, bathing, toileting, dressing, etc.). Heather Glen also has a memory care community for residents with Alzheimer’s or related dementia. Call 610-841-4478 to learn more.