Caring for Your Aging Parents
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| | Housing Options for Aging Parents
| In-Home Care
| Assisted-Living Facility
| Nursing Home
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When to consider
| Parent can live independently but needs some assistance
| Parent can live independently but needs some assistance
| Parent can't live independently and requires regular
nursing care
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Types of care provided
| - Medical care (nursing or health aide)
- Household help
- Companion or caretaker services
- Meal delivery
- Transportation
| - Rental rooms, apartments, or houses
- Housekeeping services
- Meals
- Social activities
- Transportation
- May provide limited health-care services
| - 24-hour access to medical care
- Custodial care: some help eating, bathing, dressing,
or taking medications
- Skilled nursing care
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Potential advantages
| - Can remain in familiar surroundings
- May be less expensive than assisted-living or
nursing home care if limited services are needed
| - Staff available 24 hours a day
- Social interaction with other residents
- May have home-like atmosphere
| - Social interaction with other residents
- Access to round-the-clock medical care
- May have special care units for individuals with
Alzheimer's disease or related conditions
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Potential disadvantages
| - Strangers in home
- Can be difficult to coordinate care
| - Limited privacy
- Long waiting lists
- High fees for extra services
| - Limited privacy
- Long waiting lists
- Very expensive
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What you need to do
| - Assess hazards and functionality of home, renovate
if necessary
- Check credentials of agency or individual providing
service
| - Research facility thoroughly
- Consult an attorney before signing a contract
| - Research facility thoroughly
- Consult an attorney before signing a contract
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