As loved ones age, they may experience health and wellness changes that alter their ideal living environment. Many families look to long-term care options when home care or family caregiver support is no longer enough.
If you find yourself asking, "Is long-term care worth it?" you’re not alone. Explore when to consider long-term care. WesleyLife helps you make an informed decision for your family.
If you’re already asking, “Is long-term care worth it?” it’s important to remember that care for older adults usually evolves. The continuum of care reflects the increasing level of care you or your loved one may need as you age, with unique living environments and services to match.
WesleyLife communities support life across the entire continuum to provide support, assistance, and care with age, including:
For individuals who have significant difficulty managing activities of daily living (ADLs) and/or continuous care needs, long-term care is often the ideal option. Beginning with a lower level of living is helpful to take care of needs early and experience greater social and well-being benefits. Many communities even offer discounts to those who move from one level to another, so residents who transition from independent living to assisted living and long-term care benefit the most from the continuum.
Long-term care is worthwhile for older adults and families navigating a new phase of life in which asking for help is the norm. This style of living is an investment in a loved one’s overall wellness that offers peace of mind for everyone involved by delivering value, safety, and predictability and improving quality of life for caregivers and residents.
Long-term care eases the pressure you face and gives your loved one the attention they need and deserve. Think about which priorities top your list to determine if long-term care is suitable right now.
Helping a parent or grandparent can ease their burden and bring you closer together, but you also have limitations. When health and wellness decline past the threshold of helping around the house or driving to appointments or errands, many family caregivers put their lives on hold and feel guilty when they can’t do more for their loved ones.
Keep your own health in mind to avoid burning out. Caregiver burnout happens when a loved one’s needs exceed your resources and manifests as physical, emotional, and intellectual exhaustion as you struggle to understand their needs and manage 24/7 care.
Burnout can happen regardless of care needs, but is especially common in individuals caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias:
Going up and down the staircase to do the laundry or getting in the bathtub is tougher with age. As your loved one’s health deteriorates, consider the accommodations they need to support their well-being.
One in four older adults in the U.S. suffer a fall each year. Long-term care not only provides around-the-clock care but also includes accessibility features to prevent accidents. Protect your loved one in a community with safety options, including:
If you believe your loved one requires regular health support or that they will soon, take steps to support their clinical needs. Long-term care communities provide 24/7 care to manage the continuous needs of chronic medical conditions, pain disorders, and cognitive decline.
WesleyLife communities employ clinical experts to help your loved with:
Older adults often face increased isolation, especially those who live alone or no longer drive. Between mobility challenges and living in poor proximity to family, they struggle to form connections. The real problem is that isolation compounds on health challenges:
With access to same-age peers and engaging experiences, long-term care communities can do more than give quality care. Help your loved one restore the sense of belonging they’ve been searching for.
Deciding on the right living environment requires careful thought and planning. When is long-term care worth it? When your loved one's care needs exceed what you and they can handle reasonably.
Find peace of mind and balance safety and clinical needs at a WesleyLife community. Transitioning to long-term care can give your family the quality of life and support they deserve. Explore our locations to find a community near you and contact us with any questions.