Senior Care Options in 2021
New year, New challenges, and New plans. Amid the uncertainty associated with the COVID-19 outbreak, a lot of families are forced to rethink care options for loved ones to protect and keep them safe and healthy. What are the biggest challenges facing seniors and their families with the pandemic in effect and the current lockdown as we move into 2021? This is exceptionally important when it comes to older adults in our communities. How can we plan for this uncertainty? What factors can we take into consideration when choosing senior care options for ourselves or our loved ones while the pandemic is in effect?
2020 was a challenging year for a lot of seniors and their families. Elderly day programs and senior community centres closed because of the pandemic restrictions limiting activities that seniors could do for mental stimulation and socializing. Assisted living facilities are having a lot of outbreaks which result in a lot of seniors testing positive for COVID -19 and unfortunately some losing their lives. The guidelines for seniors in assisted living prevented and limited family members from visiting their loved ones. A lot of facilities were short staffed which made it difficult to attend to all the 1 on 1 needs of every resident which the family usually tended to when they visited. Social and physical interactions changed, affecting the mental health of many seniors and families. Fortunately, vaccination doses are now available and being rolled out to the most vulnerable and essential frontline workers, bringing hope for a fresh and bright year ahead, 2021, hoping that situation will change for the better.
With the current COVID restrictions in place, we still need to come up with senior care options to keep them safe, independent, comfortable, and healthy not forgetting the importance of mental health and affordability of the senior care options available.
According to a survey done in Ontario, 95% of seniors say they would prefer to die in their homes, however different circumstances do not always allow this to happen. Quality of life is much improved in the home because you are in your own environment. There are less germs and the food is better. In the last 15 years home care has exploded. The trend is moving towards the client and away from the institution. With an increased aging population and an ever-decreasing health care provider population you can see why change is needed.
Home care is care that takes place in the home or community. Home care can take place in a house, apartment, retirement home, nursing home, clinic, school, and in the community. The community can include flu clinics and immunization clinics, day programs, rehabilitation, and school programs. Home care services can be set up in different ways; private request, private insurance, WSIB, Veteran's Affairs, and the LHIN depending on the situation and the reason the home care is required. The majority will need a referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner. Receiving care at home allows seniors to remain comfortable and independent in a familiar setting while being surrounded by loved ones. Senior Home care funding options can include the LHIN (government funded), Veteran’s Affairs, Private insurance, employer benefits or private care. The health home care services available are to supplement the care the client's family and friends provide. It is best for the client to be as independent as possible. The services are not intended to replace what is already in place, just supplement it with either private or publicly funded services. Most of the times families are not aware that they can also have a combination of both public and private pay services.
Assisted Living care options are for seniors who can no longer live safely in their homes but meet the criteria for care. They can live independently in their own apartment or individual room near other residents or community members. The facilities generally provide a home-like setting and are physically designed to promote the resident's independence and provide 24-hour support.
After meeting the eligibility criteria, you will be offered a place in the residence, if there are no places available then you or your loved one would be placed on a wait list. The costs associated with assisted living often include rental accommodation and hospitality services. Personal assistance care services will be an additional cost for the family either through a home care services agency or through the facility themselves.
Before choosing between home care and assisted living, it is important to sit with the family and caregivers in place to determine your needs and wishes, risk associated with staying alone, doctors’ recommendations, presence of any chronic diseases and how far advanced they are.