Consider the following scenario: you are researching options for two of your elderly loved ones, a married couple. One partner has a dementia-based illness and
needs daily care, while the other is relatively healthy but cannot handle the stress of being their spouse’s full-time caregiver. While there’s certainly the option of moving them both into a senior care facility, their different care needs create a complicated situation.
Whether this is a hypothetical scenario or something you’re facing right now, there are many factors to consider as you search for a facility that meets the needs of both partners. You’ll need to know how much care each partner requires, understand how important it is to keep the couple together, and budget for the cost. Luckily, we’re here to help you get started. Let’s go over each factor and show how you can keep your elderly loved ones together as they
transition to assisted living.
Find Out How Much Care Is Needed
The first step in the process is to discover the right amount of care for each member of the couple. Broadly speaking, there four levels of care:
- Independent Senior Living: The senior can handle most activities of daily living (ADLs) without assistance; however, they are choosing to move into a senior living facility in order to embrace a worry-free lifestyle. This facility may or may not include the other levels of care on the same campus.
- Assisted Living: The senior needs help with certain ADLs, like bathing and dressing. Because of this, they should not be living on their own. However, they are still capable of some independence throughout the day.
- Skilled Nursing: The senior’s health is declining, or they have a serious illness that requires 24/7 access to registered nurses and doctors.
- Memory Care: The senior has a dementia-related disease such as Alzheimer’s.
A memory care facility will help to keep them safe while providing care that helps them to stay calm and happy.
In any scenario, it’s best to
consult with a professional to determine how much care your loved ones are likely to need now and in the future. This way, you can understand if an assisted living community would be right for you and your family. Heathwood Assisted Living has been around for decades and can help provide the resources you need.
Know the Benefits of Keeping an Elderly Couple Together
If your elderly loved ones require different amounts of care, there are many reasons to find a facility that offers a broad enough spectrum of care to keep them together. Some people may not be receptive to the idea of assisted living, so having their spouse along with them for the move can help to ease the adjustment. There are also potential financial benefits. For instance, a couple that can share a room in an assisted living facility may be able to save on costs such as housekeeping. Living together will also help the mental health of both, as there will be less chance for feelings of loneliness.
You should expect that both spouses’ care needs will change with time. Another benefit of living in the same facility is that both will have access to all the different services the facility offers. That way, when one or both spouses must move from independent living to assisted living or from assisted living to skilled nursing or memory care, they can stay in the same facility and minimize the stress of moving.
Be Prepared for the Cost of Care
The price of senior living services will depend on the needs of the people involved. In most cases, couples will only be charged rent for one unit, with an extra fee for the spouse. Please note that you will also be responsible for any additional services needed. Costs vary widely depending on the facility, type of care needed, and what benefits are available to each member of the couple. For the most accurate figures, it’s best to talk directly to the care facility that you’re considering.
Assisted Living Options for Couples
If you’re looking for assisted living for your elderly loved ones, consider
Heathwood Assisted Living & Memory Care. We have locations in
Penfield, NY and
Williamsville, NY, and we cater our services to the individual needs of each patient. This includes doing everything we can to allow elderly couples to stay together as long as possible.
We also do everything we can to make each of our facilities a place that feels just like home. Our friendly, caring, and professional staff will take care of the daily chores, leaving your loved ones with more time to enjoy social and recreational activities or just relax and spend time together. As your loved ones’ needs change, we can adjust and accommodate to make sure they are each getting everything they need.
Heathwood is now in its third generation of ownership, but our dedication to service and our patients hasn’t wavered since we opened our doors in 1978! Let us show you how we can care for your loved ones throughout their golden years. If you’d like to learn more about our living options,
please contact us today
or check out our
FAQs!
