SENIOR LIVING
MICHELLE RAINER Director of Marketing & Sales The Delaney at South Shore
How RESPITE CARE Can Be Used to TEST DRIVE ASSISTED LIVING
Moving your parents or loved one to assisted living is a decision that requires a lot of thought and research . There are so many different aspects of an assisted living community to consider that , without visiting communities , there ’ s no real way to know if it meets all your requirements , or if you , your parents or loved one will even like it . One of the ways to get a better picture of what assisted living is like in each community is to take advantage of their respite care program . A short respite stay will give you and your loved ones an idea as to what the community is like , what services they offer , and if it ’ s the right choice for them . What Is Respite Care ?
Respite care is short-term substitute care that provides temporary relief , or respite , for caregivers . Brief breaks are essential for caregivers to be able to continue providing quality care while juggling life ’ s many responsibilities . A typical respite stay lasts between a few days to two weeks , though longer-term stays lasting several weeks are available .
Respite care can be tailored to the needs of individual seniors , but you ’ ll generally find a standard set of services offered . Medication management , assistance with activities of daily living , meal preparation , transportation , and supervision and companionship are the cornerstones of respite care services . Test Driving Assisted Living Through Respite Care
In respite care in a community with assisted living , short-stay residents may have access to the community ’ s services and amenities in addition to care services . Taking advantage of this access is ideal for seniors to see if they would enjoy their lifestyle as a full-time resident . It ’ s also a great chance to meet other residents and see if they would fit in . Additionally , this temporary residency is an opportunity for the senior and their family members to get to know community team members who would be providing care on a day-to-day basis . Questions to Ask
If you choose to use respite care as a test run option for assisted living , consider asking the following questions of community leaders , staff and residents . The answers should provide a good foundation for making an even more informed decision .
• Could I or my parents or loved one envision moving to and living in this community ?
• Does the community provide the appropriate levels of care needed ?
• Does the assisted living community have activities that are important to me ?
• Do residents feel free to live life as they have been and keep to their preferred schedule ?
• Does this assisted living community fit my or my parent ’ s or loved one ’ s personality ? Can I see myself making friends here ?
• What are all the services provided in assisted living care ?
• What meal plans and dining services are offered ?
• How does the community keep the families of residents informed about their well-being and any changes to community services ?
• What is the monthly fee for living in the community ? How would this fee change if additional services are required or requested ?
38 MOMENTUM