No Place Like Home: How Senior Care Homes Are Different Than Other Types of Senior Housing

As nearly half of all seniors need help with daily activities, a high number of them will also need round the clock care from a care facility. However, not all facilities are created equally and some will offer more care and kindness than others. As their needs increase, many seniors choose senior care homes where they’re part of a small community and can get personalized care. Here is why senior care homes are different than other senior housing.

Seniors Find Comfort in Homes

While some senior care facilities have a more institutional feel, senior care homes are built and designed to feel more like a home. They offer the kind of privacy that gives seniors a sense of dignity as they age. In the ideal senior care home you’ll find private care suites with their own private bathrooms. These bathrooms will often be designed to be wheelchair accessible, including showers that are easy to get wheelchairs into and out of.

With full kitchens, living rooms, and dining rooms, senior care homes are meant to allow loved ones to feel at home. The hope is that the space feels welcoming and comfortable no matter what level of care a senior needs.

In senior care homes you can expect staff ratios that are as low as one-to-three so that every resident has someone nearby at all times. Residents with memory care issues and complex medication concerns shouldn’t have to worry about being lost in the shuffle. If any seniors are struggling with behavior issues, well-trained and sensitive staff will address the issue in a personalized way.

Visits Feel Relaxed

At some facilities, visits can feel uncomfortable or rushed. Being able to visit your loved one comfortably in a warm and relaxed setting is key. You want your loved one to feel like a valued member of a community, which is what you get with a senior care home. The staff will know all about both the medical needs and the personality of your loved one. If they have specific emotional or spiritual requirements for their comfort, they’ll get the support they need from staff.

Community activities are also important when residents come to a new place. Staff at senior care homes make a point to learn the interests of each new resident so that they can offer activities that are appealing and suited to their level of interest and capacity. Residents can enjoy an afternoon of listening to music, checking out local wildlife, cooking, baking, crafting, and other activities to help each member enjoy a feeling of autonomy while being cared for. When you visit them, you’ll typically notice how engaged and relaxed they are compared to larger types of care facilities where the environment can be anxiety-producing.

Expect High Standards

With senior care homes, the focus is on providing a higher quality of personal care that’s different from a more clinically focused facility. Homes will be licensed and inspected by state and federal agencies. The Department of Aging and Disability takes care to set high standards for the health and well-being of all residents. Senior care homes typically stand above and beyond the structural and safety requirements for senior care facilities.

When it comes to accessibility, these spaces are second to none. You can expect the emergency exits to be easily accessible for people to use no matter their abilities and you’ll find state-of-the-art safety systems in place.

You can also expect resident records safely secured, and any hazardous materials or medications are going to be in a secure place with access only given to authorized staff. You’ll also find that they even measure things like water temperature to ensure the safety and comfort for all residents.

You may be surprised just how comprehensive senior home care is, even beyond their own legal requirements.

Service is the Key

While every facility offers a few basics like a room, meals and snacks, and laundry services, senior care homes go above and beyond. Every senior has their unique set of needs and interests. Staff at senior care homes know this and so they build care plans with each resident in mind. Expect them to offer help with not only bathing but also dressing and grooming. If your loved one needs help using the restroom, they’ll get that assistance for their own safety and hygiene. As we age, our behavior and cognition changes. The staff at senior care homes know how to monitor to watch for important milestones. If your loved one needs help modifying or controlling their behavior, they’ll get it.

You’ll find that the staff in senior care homes are some of the most experienced professionals in the world of assistive care. There will be plenty of professional staff on hand at all times. Your loved one will also get the benefits of night-time care. There will be people on staff at all hours to help deal with any issues or concerns that arise at any time, day or night.

Senior Care Homes Are A Cut Above

Where some facilities may just house seniors and leave them to ask for help when they need it, senior care homes go the extra mile. Staff will make sure that seniors have everything they need for their health and comfort 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If your loved one needs memory care, check out our guide to what you should be looking for in a memory care facility.