Assisted Living Becomes a Top Option with New Technology and Respite Care Advances
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One thing that many people immediately think about when they hear the term ‘assisted living’ is a permanent, end-of-life care option for aging men and women. In reality, assisted living is first and foremost about living life to the fullest, with help (assistance).
It’s easy to miss some important information about assisted living, though. One notable example is the fact that most people are not aware of the respite care options some quality assisted living facilities offer elderly men and women.
Imagine your elderly parent trying assisted living out for a few days or weeks.
Assisted Living Five Forks SC – Assisted Living Becomes a Top Option with New Technology and Respite Care Advances
You might be one of those estimated 44 million family caregivers supporting elderly and disabled loved ones throughout the United States (Forbes). If so, you have probably felt the pressure build in your life time and time again.
Every week, things get tougher, you become more frustrated constantly running here and there, trying to focus on your career, your own family, and other obligations, and there never seems to be enough time to get all of those things done.
Have you ever wished you could just get a break from it all? Get a couple days or a few weeks to yourself and not have to worry about your aging mother or father? Most people reach that point within a few weeks or, at most, a couple of months. Yet, they feel this is their responsibility and any time the topic of assisted living is brought up, they see that as a permanent solution, not something temporary.
Yet, when you find a quality assisted living facility, one that offers respite care, you can get the time away that you need, time to focus on yourself, perhaps your own teenage children, your spouse, your career, your friends.
What does ‘respite’ care really mean?
That depends on the assisted living facility. For some, they may offer short-term stay options for elderly men and women. If a senior only needs to stay at their facility for a couple of weeks, that may be more than fine.
What if an elderly person does fairly well on their own during the day, maybe with some support from that family member, but nights are tougher? A quality assisted living facility may offer overnight stay options. They may even provide the option for seniors to stay with them for a few days during the week where they return home for the weekends, for example.
How does technology fit in?
With advancements in technology, health monitoring and telecommunication options, like video calls, help family stay more connected with those loved ones who are at assisted living.
With experienced staff, nurses and even doctors who may regularly visit a facility, the senior can have their primary care physician stay on top of their health more accurately with the latest technology while those seniors feel closer to their children, their grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren thanks to video calls, social media, and more technology coming on board each and every year.
