Question

Sam’s grandfather, who is beginning to show signs of frailty, may soon be unable to live independently. After visiting several nursing homes, assisted-living residences, and professional home care providers in the area, Sam is confused about which type of arrangement would be best for his grandfather. From what you have learned about development during late adulthood, 1. What criteria should be used to decide where Sam’s grandfather should live? 2. What issues should concern Sam regarding his grandfather’s well-being in a new residence? 3. Briefly describe the features, programs, and services of an optimal assisted-living residence.

Answer 1

1. In making the decision about the appropriate type of institutional care for his grandfather, Sam could benefit from a basic awareness and understanding about the age related developmental changes in his grandfather’s physical, social, cognitive and emotional life. While his grandfather may be showing initial signs of physical weakness associate director with old age, there are other things which would determine whether his grandfather could still be relatively independent and benefit from partial care provided by home nurses, or whether he is completely unable to carry out his everyday tasks without external help.

Moreover, If there is an accompanying cognitive decay such as in the form of initial onset of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, then the level of cognitive functioning becomes a pertinent criteria for deciding between institutionalised assisted care residences and nursing homes over professional home care providers.

Furthermore, the financial position of Sam’s family would be a determining criteria for deciding the practicality of the care services. While at- home nurses can help to ensure a continued sense of independence and familiarity while helping the meet their needs, many elders find it difficult to financially support themselves due to loss of job with old age and increased health expenditure. Thus, state funded old age residence programmes and other community facilities can be helpful in assuring Sam and his other family members that his grandfather would have a stable and comfortable time in these residential institutions in his old age.

Choosing a senior living community can be a monumental decision. One of the primary differences which separates one senior living community from another is their purpose and mission: what is the institution’s guiding approach to senior care. Some will focus on recreating a new family of elder residents from a diverse section of the population and allow the members to explore a sense of belonging and positive growth, in terms of their social and emotional well being. Others will focus more on the physical and mental health of the residents and engage them in age appropriate physical activities and games.

There is no single right choice. For Sam and his family, any decision about the appropriate care giving setting should be asked on an empathic understanding of their elder family member’s life needs and whether they themselves can live in such a environment. Ultimately, Sam would have to ask the question from his grandfather’s perspective : Can I see myself calling it home and being happy there?