Care for the Elderly

Providing care for the elderly is one of the more important things you can do for anyone who is aging. The trick is, most of us don't really know that much about senior care. Normally, we think of nursing homes, but we have no idea when to use them or what other chocies are available.

Caring for the elderly is really using a set of tools to provide the proper care for the right situation.
Below, I have broken down some of the primary types of care for everyone.


Family Provided Care
This is care provided by the individual's family. This type of care is the most common and is good until the daily needs of the senior are more than your family can manage to provide. 

In Home Care

Search for different types of senior care.

In home caregivers can help you by providing professional-level senior care and helping to reduce the demand on your families very full schedule. This can let you have a minimal impact on the life of a senior while also providing support.

Assisted Living
Nursing homes offer comprehensive care for those with more intensive care needs such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia. They also offer a sense of community and are designed to improve ease of mobility, letting the elderly live a more active life at the home.

*Hospice Care
Hospice care is not for everyone, but if you are facing a terminal condition in your senior years, considering it is part of any planning process. Hospice care focuses on quality of life and a reduction of symptoms. This can mean more time with your family and lived ones. It also includes counseling and support.



I did not include senior living communities as they are not focused so much on care as lifestyle. As you can see, each type of care is best in a different situation. Only you know what care is best for your individual needs. If you are unsure, speak with your doctor and your family for advice, this can help to get you on the right track as you search for care.