Reply to What's the best elder model to unburden our own children

Forum Index » Eldercare

Reply to "What's the best elder model to unburden our own children"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I find the idea of living in a community solely comprised of old people to be profoundly depressing.[/quote]

I thought this too till I took a tour with my parents.  It was like a mini college campus.  There were lots of activities, clubs, and social events.  The dining options were quite good.  It was not like a nursing home where people are just waiting to die. [/quote]

And IMO the most important part is that you are guaranteed a Smooth transition (in a CCRC) to the higher level of care.  Meaning, the IL living spouse can Walk (all inside) to see their spouse in higher level care.  They can even (if appropriate) take them "out and back to IL" for the day under their own supervision (if at a lower level of memory care or assisted living).  Being able to see your spouse daily is huge for both spouses wanting to stay alive and being content.

I've heard of too many friends whose parents end up at different facilities and you have to make an effort to transport them for a few hours on weekends to see each other.

Also even in the higher level care, it's more enjoyable when you likely already know some of your fellow residents from IL times.

[/quote]

I wish my parents had enough savings for a CCRC for exactly this reason. My dad will be in memory care soon, and my mom will be driving every day to visit. I know that will take a toll on her. She will feel compelled to visit and spend lots of time  there or else feel guilty, but what is she going to do when she visits? Sit there and listen to all the residents talk nonsense? It's going to be soul crushing. I wish they could be in a CCRC or some other facility with mixed care levels. She could instead visit a few times a day but for short visits just to make contact and check in. Or bring him back to her apartment to visit with the dog, but then return him to memory care if he gets agitated or overly confused.

There is a higher end CCRC near me that is like a college dorm or campus like a PP mentioned, and that is my retirement goal. [/quote]

Your description is accurate!  My parents talk all the time about the residents who do just that ---bring the memory care or assisted living person back to IL/apartment for part of the day and take them to meals in IL.  For the early stages of Memory care and assisted living this is often possible.  And I think (it only seems logical) would make everyone happier--everyone gets to feel like "the old days" yet have the safety/comfort of knowing you can easily return them to the care when they are tired (or the caregiving parent is exhausted).  I cannot imagine having to drive daily to see a spouse.  Same for my parents---it will also be easier for them to admit when they need to transition to memory care or assisted living and get their doctor to fill out the forms simply because they know it's not a huge change.

the assisted living/memory care/nursing care part is safe (especially for memory care that is needed), they have a HUGE outdoor area so in nice weather they take residents outside as much as possible (nature is a good thing for everyone).  
They have a pet therapy dog, that was gotten as a puppy (just under a year).  He is trained and does well with the residents.  The IL residents can even sign up and volunteer to walk him (my parents did for a bit when physically able to and literally every phone call used to start with them telling me about the dog and their adventures on walks)

But for memory care/assisted living/nursing care, he lives on campus and spends 7am until 8pm with the residents.  He brings them great joy (as you cannot have your own pets anywhere but IL), and it's just well known that therapy dogs are good for elderly.

[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics