If you struggling to take care of an aging family member you are not alone. No matter how deep your love for family or the depths of your compassion, elder care can be time consuming and exhausting. Overtime, the burn-out that comes from constant caretaking—while still trying to live your own life—can create feelings of guilt and resentment. Before that happens, you owe it to yourself and your family members to consider an eldercare group home.
Caretaking an Aging Family Member is Tough
Even if the elder family member who is in your care does not have significant medical needs, tending to their daily routine, social needs, and regular medical appointments is a tremendous amount of “extra” that gets brought into your life. Should your senior family member also have behavioral or mental/emotional special needs, caretaking becomes a taxing full-time job.
If you work outside the home, are responsible for children, or simply don’t have the experience to properly tend to an older family member, you are heading down the path of caretaker burnout. Eventually, the intense pace and emotional demands of caretaking will compromise your own health and the the quality of your relationships.
An elder care group home may be an ideal option for your situation as well as for the social, emotional, and physical wellbeing of your older family member.
What is an Eldercare Group Home?
Group homes are facilities that provide ample health and personal services for elders who need assistance with daily living. Along with essential activities of daily life, eldercare group homes provide fulfilling social environment and emotional support for seniors who are no longer able to live on their own.
Should your senior family member have behavioral or emotional special needs, a group home can be an ideal crossroads for retaining their independence while being surrounded by caring, professional staff who are trained to provide appropriate support as it is needed.
Knowing that your family member is in a safe, caring, and monitored environment allows you to relax into the ebb and flow of your own life. Perhaps more importantly, you can now focus on having a quality relationship with your elder family member rather than being overwhelmed by caretaking duties.
Is a Group Home Right for Your Older Family Member?
The group home model has been adopted from a model that was initially used with teens and young adults with significant behavioral and emotional issues. Elder group homes are ideal for seniors who are struggling with health conditions such as:
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Memory loss
- Mood disorders
- Personality disorders
- Post-traumatic stress
- Schizophrenia
- Substance abuse or addiction
A well-run eldercare group home can improve a person’s quality of life as they age or help them manage serious health conditions. A group home, however, is different from an assisted living community.
What Services are Offered at Senior Group Homes?
Behavioral group homes for seniors in the Phoenix metropolitan area differ from traditional assisted living communities in several ways. Group homes usually feature:
Staff who are experts in diagnosing and treating a variety of psychiatric disorders and behavioral health concerns in senior citizens
- On-site counseling services and medication, if applicable
- Customized behavioral plans designed by licensed mental health professionals
- Structured and enriching activities that reinforce positive behaviors
- Social support from caregivers and peers that build a sense of community
- An intimate, family-like atmosphere, often in a residential house
- Access to 24/7 supervision and support as needed
Laundry and meal prep is usually taken care of for residents. Many medical and personal services are also available. In a group home, your family member will also have supervision and assistance with things like mobility and daily tasks.
How to Find a Senior Group Home for Your Family Member
Selecting a behavioral group home for an aging loved one can be time-consuming and challenging to do on your own. Working with a placement service is an ideal way to have the information you need vetted and organized in a way that allows you to focus on what matters most:making the right choice for your aging family member.
Integrity Senior Placement makes the process as streamlined and stress-free as possible for every family we work with. Our placement managers are highly experienced and skilled at assessing seniors’ psychosocial and emotional needs. More than just assessment, we get to know about you, your concerns, and we get to know your loved one, too. Your family member is considered family to us, too.
Based on careful assessment, our in-depth conversations, and a review of medical needs, we will research and recommend appropriate group home settings and services for your family member.
Throughout the greater Phoenix and Scottsdale metro areas, Senior Integrity Placement provides the peace-of-mind you’re looking for when placing your aging loved one in a living environment that will be both fulfilling and beneficial for them.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you, help your aging family member enjoy greater quality of life.