At Elder Living Advisors, we understand that families want to find the best senior housing Massachusetts has to offer. This often means spending time sorting through all of the available senior care options. In order to choose the right environment for your loved one, you must understand the difference between assisted living and long-term senior care. And with some help from senior housing experts, you will be able to make a wise decision.
Types of Senior Housing
There are many senior housing options available, ranging from the simplest assisted living to 24-hour skilled nursing care. The right choice for your loved one depends on a number of factors, including location, cost, and required services. That’s why it’s important to research multiple facilities to make sure you select one that will be able to meet all of your loved one’s needs. It is often useful to consult with senior care advisors who can help you find the best elder housing options in your area.
Senior Assisted Living
An assisted living facility may offer a variety of potential services, even if they are not needed right away. Some people find that simple home maintenance is all they need to continue living independently. In an assisted living community, senior residents may live in private or semi-private units. These facilities often include help with:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Grooming
- Dining
- Basic Medication Management
Some assisted living facilities also offer more intensive health care and access to various medical professionals. However, these services are usually limited.
Long-Term Senior Care
Long-term care typically goes far beyond what an assisted living facility can provide. People who need one-on-one attention for memory care, mobility, rehabilitation, and more may prefer these facilities.
With this type of service, around-the-clock care is the primary goal. Some seniors may only need long-term senior care while recovering from a surgery or injury, while others may live in the facility indefinitely.
How to Choose the Right Elder Housing Option
As a general rule, senior housing experts recommend selecting a facility that provides all of the services that are currently needed, with a little room to grow. For example, someone who is able to attend to almost all of their needs may do very well in an assisted living facility. By comparison, a person who needs frequent help might do better in a long-term care environment.
Consistency and predictability are important for health and overall happiness, especially as people get older. Typically, it is better to choose a living arrangement that offers more care options than your loved one currently requires. That way, as their needs change, the living facility will still be able to accommodate them.
Are you in need of a trusted senior care expert who can help you make practical choices for your loved one? Look no further than Elder Living Advisors. Our senior housing experts will sit down with you to discuss your loved one’s needs and match you with the perfect living arrangement. To learn more about our services or schedule a free consultation, call us at (781) 999-3994.
