Whether you’re an older adult looking for an independent living community or someone looking for assisted living services for a loved one, it’s important to consider all your options. There are steps you can take to help you make an informed decision and ensure all your needs will be met.
The Oscar and Ella Wilf Campus for Senior Living has been providing elder care and services to people in Somerset, New Jersey, and the surrounding areas for more than 40 years. Here, we discuss what you should look for and consider when seeking elder care.
Consider Your Needs and Preferences
There are many kinds of elder care services and programs available, with key differences between the levels of care, services, cost, and more. When deciding on the best kind for you or your loved one, it’s essential to consider the needs and preferences of the person needing the care. Important components to factor into the decision include the person’s:
- Goals
- Abilities and level of assistance needed
- Medical conditions and healthcare needs
- Budget
- Interest in amenities and social events
These factors can help you narrow down what types of elder care services are suitable for you or your loved one, and which are not.
Do Your Research
Once you know the needs and preferences of the person needing care, you can do more specific research on the types of elder care that are best for them. Common types of elder care services include:
- Assisted living: This is a live-in setting for adults who need more help with things like bathing, hygiene, and managing medical conditions from professional caregivers.
- Independent living: This is like a retirement community for older adults with amenities, recreation activities, and on-site staff.
- At-home care: This is when trained staff visit people at home to help them with a variety of tasks, whether they are medical or non-medical.
- Hospice care: This is care for people experiencing limiting or end-of-life illnesses to help reduce their pain and manage symptoms.
For an older adult who is still active and looking for a retirement community setting, an independent living community is the most suitable option. However, if a person needs more assistance with medical conditions and daily tasks, an assisted living or at-home care program is better. Doing research into the different types helps you narrow down your decision even further.
Look at Several Options
After you’ve determined the type of elder care you need, like assisted living, you’ll want to look at several different options of that specific type. This is because assisted living and other elder care communities can differ widely based on their:
- Size
- Location
- Cost
- Services
- Staffing
This is why it’s important to consider different places, to understand what you prefer and what you don’t. You may also want to take tours of different communities to get a feel for what they’re like.
Ask Questions
As you visit different elder care locations, you want to ask specific questions about what to expect. This information lets you know all the ins and outs of the place so you can make a final informed decision. Some questions to consider asking include:
- What are your qualifications?
- What services do you provide and when?
- What are your policies and procedures?
- What is your staffing ratio?
- What types of units are available?
- Are there activities or amenities for residents?
- Is there transportation available?
- Are there any religious or spiritual programs?
- Do you offer short-term stays?
These are just some questions to ask the elder care team at different locations, ensuring the one you choose will meet your needs.
Learn More About Elder Care at The Oscar and Ella Wilf Campus for Senior Living
If you’re an older adult looking for an inviting community providing high-quality elder care services, look no further than The Oscar and Ella Wilf Campus for Senior Living. Located in Somerset, NJ, and serving the surrounding areas, The Oscar and Ella Wilf Campus for Senior Living follows Jewish tradition but offers our services to people from all walks of life. To request more information on our elder care services, call us at 732-649-3502 or email [email protected].