My
last newsletter about alternate facilities prompted a lot of response
saying that people can stay at home with proper help such as home health
care, medical care, etc. Technology has provided ways to monitor people
at home while they are alone.
However, every person is different, every family is different and everyone in a family is different. And what is best for one family and their loved one is different for others. Therefore staying home is not for everyone which is why I started the discussion about facilities and their different levels of care.
For a senior to stay home they should have the following:
- Great Support System to monitor and avoid and respond to crisis
- Ongoing Medical attention
- Healthy Nutrition—a way to get food and someone to prepare it
- Emergency Plan in medical and weather emergencies
- Appropriate Socialization
- Financially stable
- Safe Environment
I am sure we can add to this list but it is a good start. And it has been proven that for most people staying home is the healthiest and best for them. Changing an environment can be detrimental to those in the aging process especially people with dementia. When faced with this difficult decision families need to weigh all options. I always suggest to try to keep someone home first…the facilities are always there.
