Before Considering the Care Options for Today's Seniors  Exploring living alternatives for seniors, when remaining alone in their own homes is no longer practical or possible, can be a very time consuming and difficult process. Usually families have no idea how or where to really begin. "Should we bring someone into the home such as a home health service, or perhaps look at Day Care? Is the small setting of a neighborhood Adult Family Home the best match, or is the new Assisted Living we pass by day by day the best match?" Among the many factors to consider before choosing and the appropriate type of care facility are: Personality - Each person has their unique temperament just as each care facility has its own character. Every effort must be made to MATCH the senior with the environment that will be most conducive for their total well-being. It may not be prudent to select a facility that reflects an atmosphere totally unaccustomed to the person, with the hope that the individual will adjust. Yet, at the same time, the older person can learn new ways of relating to self and others. They have lived through many events and changes in society. For example - within the US, a 80 year old or older person has moved from the horse and buggy to cars, planes and rockets, not to mention the computer, which many seniors utilize for e-mail to stay in touch with their children and grandchildren. What a tremendous monument to adaptability! Has the person typically been --- A THINKER - desires space, privacy, private environmental places. Pursuing solitary activities, working quietly alone, reading, meditating, and participating only in activities which involve few or no other people. Does the person experience a sense of being ALONE when surrounded by people? A SOCIALIZER - appears to be energized by people. This type of person has the need to have lots of opportunities available for interaction with others. Does the person experience loneliness if not in contact with a variety of people on a regular basis? Beside each facility having its own personality, each care-giver (nurse, aide, owner, actual care provider or assistant) also have theirs. There are character traits in all of us that are either acceptable or bothersome to someone else. When considering a care setting, it is very important to weigh the traits of both the care giver and your family member or friend. What characteristics would be helpful and provide the proper stimulus for a healthy atmosphere? Is the person typically one who responds best to someone who is... decisive - firm - down to earth - fun loving - intellectual - sympathetic & tender - persuasive - religious - highly organized and structured - nurturing - goal oriented - energetic - a male - a female? Another important factor to consider: PAST LIVING ENVIRONMENT. The type of environment the person has been accustomed to, is an important consideration when selecting a new surrounding. It is usually difficult for any of us to move from what has been familiar and comfortable. A drastic change in live style is not always recommended, unless the person has expressed a desire for that change. Our life style often reflects our personality, unless this setting has been imposed upon us by other factors. HAS THE PERSON BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO... Owning their own home for a long period of time? If this is the case, there will be many personal items, such as furniture, pictures and other personal memorabilia which will be difficult to leave behind. Will the new surrounding be able to accommodate some of these important items? Did the person enjoy the great outdoors, gardening or hiking, or were they bookworms? Did they enjoy the theater and plays, do they have pets? Will these interests be possible in their new setting? Living in an apartment or condo? If they have been accustomed to this setting, perhaps they are more likely to adjust easier to smaller living areas and having others living close to them. Living in a retirement complex? In this setting they have grown accustomed to having lots of socialization opportunities along with their own private space. They have also grown familiar to have many people around them within their own age and interest bracket. Sharing meals and a lifestyle in common with others will not be foreign to them. HAS THE PERSON BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO LIVING WITHIN... A rural or country setting, a small community - a large metropolitan area? A short distance from family members - in a certain area for a long time period? An upscale area - an inner city area - a middle income area? A certain ethnic community or area? If you are trying to help someone, but you are not familiar with the individual - take the time to talk to them, find out about them and about their background. The information you gather can make the difference between selecting a facility that will be conducive to their total well-being OR simply helping the chosen facility to fill a vacancy. Many of us in this so called "Sandwich Generation" work outside the home, raise children and/or grand-children, help our husbands/wives succeed, are volunteers in schools, churches and service clubs. Time is always of utmost essence. Some of us are baby-boomers - we are not there yet, but we feel the need to plan ahead and therefore we want to understand what options are available. Consumers today have many more choices for care settings than ever before. The Senior and Disabled Services Division in many States regulate these settings more than ever. Our State and Federal legislators continue to evaluate and propose new rules and regulations governing care services and facilities in order to assure quality care for seniors. Each facility has to be licensed under a certain category depending on their ability to provide care. These distinctions are more than just a licensing category. Each category has its own philosophy of care along with rules and regulations governing them. The State makes the determination which category a particular facility qualifies for. Explore the many options available today. Taking the time to plan ahead and look at all the alternatives is a task our seniors deserve. It is our way to give back to them what they have given our society. Appropriate care placement is all about ensuring seniors continued quality of life. Click Here to consider another important factor - FINANCES
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