There was a time when mom became too frail to take care of herself, the only option was “the nursing home”. Now our options have improved a lot. We have independent living facilities, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and nursing homes. Many of these have the look, feel and amenities of a resort. In fact, many of them refer to themselves as “retreat centers.”

They are really nice, but some can also be very expensive. But for the elderly loved one who wants to stay in their home, the home where they feel safe surrounded by neighbors they trust and the home of memories we now have in home care for the elderly.

Elder care or senior care includes a wide range of services provided over an extended period of time to people who need help to perform normal activities of daily living due to cognitive impairment or loss of strength or control muscular.

Elder care may include rehabilitative therapies, skilled nursing care, palliative care through hospice and social services, as well as supervision and a wide range of supportive personal care provided by family caregivers and/or home health agencies. Elder care can also include training to help older people adjust to or overcome many of the limitations that often come with aging. If appropriate, elder care can, at best, be provided in the home first.

Where do we start when looking for elder care resources for a loved one? Resources that can help seniors stay in their own homes are the first place to start. A variety of independent living services are now available to help seniors care for themselves in their own home despite their changing physical needs. This can help, delay, or prevent the move to a nursing home or assisted living altogether.

Senior care resources that can help seniors stay in their own home:

The following are just some of the national resources available and a good starting point. It would be more helpful to you if you did a Google or Bing computer search using these national names linked to your location. For example, “American Society on Aging Peoria AZ”.

AARP (formally The American Association for Retired Persons) is the largest organization for adults age 50 and older. There is a part of the website that offers many resources for housing and mobility options for seniors.

visiting angels is a provider of non-medical home care services for the elderly and an assisted living service in elderly care. Visiting Angels offers a variety of personalized services to help seniors remain in their own homes. Visiting angels are specialists in the care of the elderly.

American Society on Aging – The American Society on Aging is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the knowledge and skills of those who work with older adults and their families. This site offers helpful resources on a variety of topics related to aging and elder care and tips on caring for the elderly.

major web – This site is designed for professionals and families alike seeking information on elder care and long-term care, and includes links to information on legal, financial, medical, and housing issues, as well as policy, research, and statistics .

National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification – NRCSHHM is a nonprofit organization that promotes aging in place and independent living for people of all ages and abilities. The website contains excellent resources on senior housing, senior care, and home modifications.

By using available resources, home care for the elderly becomes a viable option. Elder care doesn’t have to mean you have to do it alone. Gaining insight into elder care issues makes the transition to aging an easier path to follow.