The decision to move a loved one to an assisted living community can be a challenge for families. This move can be even more difficult if you are searching for a community that can accommodate a senior couple.
Families can simplify the search process with preparation. Creating a list of questions to ask each assisted living community during your search can help you understand how the needs of the couple will match the prospective community.
Learn when it’s time to move a senior couple to a community, and how you can enter the search confidently to make the best choice with your family.
When to Move to a Community Setting
If you serve as a caregiver for your senior parents you understand the challenges involved with coordinating and executing their care. Additionally, if you are a caregiver for your spouse, this brings a whole other set of challenges.
From keeping track of medications and meal preparation, physical challenges with lifting or helping them bathe or use the bathroom, and the deep emotional toll, you may be experiencing caregiver burnout.
You also may be struggling financially to keep up with the daily expenses and home safety modifications required to keep a loved one at home.
Don’t wait until you feel you are drowning to reach out for help. Having a plan to move a loved one to a community as early as possible can generate greater peace of mind for all involved — and ensure no one takes on more than they can handle.
Care Options for Couples
When it comes to senior couples who are caring for each other, the dangers of caregiver burnout are even greater. Whether you both are dealing with an illness or not, there may quickly come a time when one person is unable to properly care for the other. Without a care plan in place, you both may struggle to keep up with your health and other responsibilities.
There also is the issue of caregiving placing a strain on a couple’s relationship. The anxiety associated with caregiving can move couples from a place of aging together peacefully, to struggling to keep up with increasing needs.
The good news is that it never has to get to this point. Many communities, including The Kensington Sierra Madre, offer a full spectrum of clinical support. This means couples who live more independently can “age in place” along with their spouse who requires more assistance.
These types of communities offer:
- Packed social and activity calendars
- Excellent dining options
- Enhanced memory care
- On-site rehabilitation services
- On-site physician’s office
- 24-hour care from licensed nurses
This support spectrum allows those who need specialized care to receive proper treatment, along with those who simply need daily medications and regular doctor’s office visits.
If your loved ones’ care needs change, the team will make the necessary, timely adjustments to ensure they are both getting the support they need.
7 Questions to Ask Assisted Living Communities
You probably will have many questions to ask assisted living communities as you begin your search for the right one. Use these Top 7 questions as a guide to take on tours or ask over the phone.
- What kind of training does your staff have?
- Are staff members available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
- What happens if my loved one’s needs change?
- Do you offer specialized care or memory care?
- What living options are available for couples?
- What types of activities do you offer to residents?
- What are your payment options?
The answers to these questions can help you decide whether the community would be a good fit for your loved ones. Getting their input is important as well, so they can feel comfortable and happy with the decision.
Choose a Community That Focuses on the Couple’s Bond
Asking a community about their options for senior couples will reveal a lot about their approach to couples care. You want the community to place special emphasis on enhancing their bond by noting their unique preferences and routines.
The Kensington Sierra Madre keeps couples happy by maintaining familiar routines and creating opportunities for quality time.
When a couple moves to an assisted living community, they leave behind all the chores and responsibilities that come with owning a home. They now are in a safe, secure, engaging environment where they are free to explore and enjoy the activities they love the most, all while receiving the care they both need.
Options for Couples When One Person Needs Memory Care
At The Kensington Sierra Madre, Our Promise is simple: To love and care for your family as we do our own. If a senior couple is experiencing varying health needs in our community, they will never have to feel the stress of moving out and leaving the other behind.
We have two specialized memory care neighborhoods, Connections and Haven, to ensure the appropriate level of care for spouses who are struggling with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.
In these neighborhoods, safety, security, and comfort are the highest priorities. We work to maintain and enhance the quality of life for your loved one and preserve the couple’s strong bond as much as possible.Please call us today to learn more about our expert, loving team, and to ask us questions about how we can best accommodate your loved ones.