When your loved one starts needing more help than you can give, it can be hard to know what to do. Some families worry about safety at home, while others feel unsure about what options exist beyond private care. The good news is that with professional senior care, you have plenty of options, all built around a mix of comfort, wellness, and peace of mind.
There are 3 primary 24-hour care options for seniors:
- Assisted living
- Memory care
- Care suits
Each option offers a unique type of environment and level of support. Through professional senior care, you have the flexibility to choose what fits your loved one’s individual situation.
What Is Assisted Living?
When a loved one values independence, it’s natural to resist the idea of professional support. Fortunately, there’s a care option focused on blending personal autonomy with around-the-clock care. It’s called assisted living, and it’s extremely helpful for those in need.
Assisted living is designed for older adults who need help with daily tasks, but would like to stay independent wherever they can. When an activity like bathing or personal grooming challenges them, caregivers step in to help. Your loved one gets the exact level of care they need to maintain their quality of life.
Beyond care, residents enjoy a vibrant lifestyle that includes freshly prepared meals, transportation, and housekeeping. Communities also offer group activities, games, and outings, which create all kinds of new, valuable social opportunities.
Who Is Assisted Living For?
Assisted living is a great fit for seniors who:
- Struggle to manage medications or take them on time
- Have difficulty preparing meals or keeping up with household chores
- Feel isolated or have fewer opportunities to socialize
- Struggle with mobility or recovery from a recent injury
- Need reminders or support with hygiene and dressing
All of these indicate that your loved one would benefit from a move to assisted living.
What Is Memory Care?
When dementia or cognitive decline are at play, memory care stands out. This long-term care option is specifically designed to support those with memory-related conditions. Memory care is all about restoring dignity and quality of life to those in need.
In memory care, every team member undergoes additional training. They’re experienced in caring for seniors living with memory loss. Every day, these teams go above and beyond to offer personalized support to every resident.
Even the environment itself plays a role. The buildings are secure and easy to navigate, which helps reduce anxiety and safety risks that dementia sometimes causes. Every day is carefully structured to bring predictability to every resident’s life. Together, these factors make a significant difference in your loved one’s daily life.
Who Is Memory Care For?
Memory care is ideal for seniors who:
- Wander, forget names or places, or get lost easily
- Experience sudden mood changes or unexplained fearfulness
- Have difficulty completing familiar tasks like making tea or dialing a phone
- Repeating the same questions or forgetting conversations
- Safety concerns such as leaving the stove on or doors unlocked
If these sound familiar, memory care can likely help your loved one.
What Is a Care Suite?
A Care Suite is our way of round-the-clock care in a comfortable and warm setting. It’s a higher level of care than assisted living, and it’s a little different than memory care. Rather than focusing on memory-related conditions, life in one of our Care Suites is about taking care of a person’s medical and physical health.
Residents in a care suite receive 24-hour nursing care, medication administration, and personalized care plans. Our team consists of licensed healthcare professionals and physical therapists, so your loved one is in excellent hands. Meanwhile, the environment is quiet and home-like, which gives your loved one the comfort of a smaller setting.
Unlike traditional clinical settings, care suites are built to feel cozy and warm. Meals, activities, and daily interactions are designed around each person’s preferences and medical needs. This way, your loved one can live comfortably, all without worrying about their own health.
Who Can Live in a Care Suite?
A care suite may be the right choice for someone who:
- Is recovering from surgery, illness, or a hospital stay
- Requires 24-hour nursing care or clinical support
- Needs help managing chronic health conditions
- Has mobility challenges that need close monitoring
- Benefits from personalized care in a quieter environment
If your loved one requires advanced medical support, life in a Care Suite can likely help.
How to Choose the Right Type of Senior Care
Choosing between assisted living, memory care, or a care suite depends on your loved one’s needs, preferences, and health. Start by evaluating how much support they need with daily living, along with their emotional and social wellness.
It helps to think about:
- How much daily help does my loved one need right now?
- Are there memory-related changes impacting their safety or routine?
- Has their doctor recommended any specific type of care?
- What kind of social engagement or routine would they benefit from?
- Would a smaller or quieter care setting suit their personality?
Think about current care needs—but also consider what might change over time. Many families find it helpful to tour a potential community, ask questions, and speak with team members about available support.
Find the Perfect Community Today
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to 24-hour care. However, understanding your options makes the journey easier. Even better? Whether your loved one needs support with daily living or more hands-on care, we can help.
Here in our community at Round Lake Senior Living, we’re happy to offer several care levels to residents in need. This way, your loved one can stay in one place as their needs evolve—and we’ll be here every step of the way. Book a tour with us today to see for yourself!
