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3 Phases of Elderly Care

For family caregivers considering assisted living for a loved one,
it’s important to understand the way in which elderly care needs progress.

As you evaluate senior care options, it’s important to understand the way in which elderly care needs progress with age. You’ve likely already seen your parent or loved one’s needs increase over time, and you know they will continue to evolve. Though the timeline involved can be unpredictable, the progression of elderly care unfolds in stages that aren’t so difficult to anticipate.

Navigating the Changes of Aging

Avendelle’s specialized caregivers are devoted to being of service from moment to moment in daily life – as well as to managing the momentous whole-life changes taking place for your loved one. We’re committed to helping seniors – and their families – navigate the confusing, uncertain, and often scary transitions that come with aging. Eldercare is our calling, and we’ve been helping seniors and their loved ones for over 13 years. We have the personnel, resources, and experience to soften these transitions and to adjust to seniors’ changing needs over the long term. Ultimately, we hope to make life easier and more enjoyable for everyone we serve.

Three Phases of Need

  1. Early

Common Early Care Solutions

  • Home Health Aides
  • Homemaking Services
  • Once-Daily Visits
  • Congregate Living

In the early phase of elderly care, seniors begin to require more consistent help. In addition to household chores, aging adults can struggle to stay active in social activities and hobbies. Family members and friends are often very involved in meeting care needs at this stage, but the demands of elderly care will inevitably extend beyond family resources. The early phase is the ideal time for finding a long-term care solution, even though this can be difficult due to all the responsibilities caregivers are already juggling. Making the transition to an assisted living home early, however, makes the most of the opportunity for aging in place. Avendelle’s unique model for delivering multiple levels of senior care in the setting of small, residential homes gives residents the chance to truly get to know one another, as well as their caregivers, and to make themselves at home.

  1. Moderate

Common Moderate Care Solutions

  • Adult Day Care
  • Increased Home Health Aide Assistance
  • Longer or More Frequent Visits Daily
  • Memory Care

In the moderate phase of need, aging seniors require more consistent and specialized care. Safety becomes a more pressing issue, as do daily life activities like mobility, nutrition, and hygiene. Maintaining healthy routines and minimizing physical risks are essential. During this phase, it’s common for seniors remaining in their homes to become isolated and to withdraw from social settings. Individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia may struggle with sundowning or other behavioral challenges. Families that do not have a long-term care plan in place during the moderate stage are likely to become significantly burdened by the demands of elderly care.

  1. Progressed

Common Progressed Care Solutions

  • Assisted Living
  • Hospital Care
  • Inpatient, Short-Stay Rehabilitation
  • Nursing Home Care
  • Hospice Care

The progressed stage of elderly care is often the most challenging for both seniors and their loved ones. Medical and physical needs increase, while other areas of life tend to fall away. Reducing pain, planning for end-of-life care, and maximizing quality of life may become primary priorities. Once elderly care needs have progressed, professional caregiving is crucial for ensuring seniors receive adequate care and families can make the most of their time together.

Extending Quality of Life

Throughout this country, informal caregivers can be found striving to meet their loved ones’ needs during all three phases of elderly care. Unfortunately, doing so can take a significant toll on caregivers while putting both seniors and caregivers at risk. At Avendelle, we strive to relieve families of the stress, exhaustion, and overwhelming responsibility that accompany the family caregiving role. Our assisted-living homes provide comprehensive safety and security to reduce the risk of falls and accidents that can cause seniors’ care needs to accelerate.

By entering an environment tailored to the needs of aging seniors early in the need for care, your loved one can enjoy highly individualized attention without hours of worry on your part. New issues can be spotted early by trained professional caregivers, and essential daily needs for assistance, medication management, social interaction, and nutrition will be met with certainty. By working together, we can enhance your loved one’s quality of life and the duration of time they’re able to spend in a residential setting. To learn more about Avendelle residential care homes, request more information today.