Should You Choose Houston In-Home Care or Senior Housing?

This Following Story Should Give You A Better Idea On How To Deal With Choosing

Rachel sat at her sewing machine with her favorite apron. As the fabric continued to be pulled under the needle, Rachel looks up at Jordan, giving her a big smile. Jordan had been Rachel’s caregiver for the last three years and Rachel wanted to give Jordan her favorite apron to wear. Rachel delighted in the fact that Jordan would don this apron while she prepared meals for the two of them. Jordan smiled back, treasuring these special moments with Rachel. This is just one of the reasons why Jordan loved her career.

Jordan knew that Rachel’s worsening arthritis made it difficult for Rachel to sew; however, she understood that sewing was one of Rachel’s favorite hobbies and that she would continue to sew for as long as possible. Both Jordan and Rachel wore the many pieces of clothing that Rachel so lovingly created. Jordan knew that she would treasure these clothes for many years to come.

Jordan thought about Rachel and her sewing machine and wondered if an assisted living facility would allow Rachel to bring her sewing machine with her if she moved into senior housing. Jordan considered Rachel’s current lifestyle and her love of her home. Jordan had been with Rachel for several years and knew how much Rachel wanted to remain in her home. Rachel’s husband, Joe, had passed away over a year ago. Their four-bedroom home was too large and Rachel had a hard time maintaining it. Rachels’ grown children wished that she would move into a senior living community located near the downtown area and their homes.

Jordan remembered when Rachel’s son handed Rachel a handful of pamphlets describing senior housing choices. Jordan still remembered how those pamphlets described how they were the perfect choice for widows that would require Houston in home or long-term care. The glossy photos in the pamphlets showed different caregivers brushing the seniors’ hair, feeding residents and reading books to elderly residents.

Rachel had told her son that the photos showed caregivers doing everything and the seniors not capable of doing anything on their own. Although Rachel had difficulty getting into bed, bending over, climbing the house and getting up from a chair, she was not ready to give up her independence. Rachel said although arthritis had made it difficult to do these things that she refused to sit still and let someone spoon feed her. She said her arthritis interfered in some things, but she was still able to do many things herself, including her beloved hobby, sewing.

Jordan understood how Rachel’s arthritis affected her day to day life; Rachel’s children, on the other hand, did not realize how many things Rachel was still capable of doing herself. Jordan was there to help Rachel with any activities that she struggled with; however, she loved helping and allowing Rachel to have as much independence as was possible. Jordan did not voice her concerns or thoughts because she did not want to Rachel or her children to think that she was complaining. Jordan loved her job; however, she was worried about what would happen if Rachel lost the use of her hands or knees or if Rachel fell.

Rachel’s son went on to explain that the pamphlets did not show all that the senior living facility had to offer. He explained that the facility was filled with others that were Rachel’s age and how beautiful the facility was. The assisted facility would be there to help Jordan with daily tasks; however, they would not keep her from doing the things that she could do herself. Rachel’s son knew how independent she was and knew that she liked to go to her appointments by herself. Her son told her that the assisted living facility could provide transportation and allow her to go to her appointments alone. He also explained that she wouldn’t need to worry about yard work, laundry or housekeeping at the facility.

Rachel asked if Jordan could come with her to the senior housing facility. Rachel’s son told her that Jordan would be able to go with her to the assisted living facility and be her personal caregiver in Houston. Another concern of Rachel’s was the cost of living in the facility. Her son explained that the long-term insurance policy that she had would help pay for the facility and the continued care by Jordan. All Rachel needed to do was to pack up her clothes, photographs and her treasured possessions, including her beloved sewing machine.

Rachel’s son said that he had crunched the numbers and found out that her living expenses would actually decrease by moving into a senior care facility. Rachel’s home would sell quickly and the proceeds from the sale would go into a trust for Rachel. The mortgage payment and the utilities were much more than the cost of the assisted living facility. Rachel would get a private room. Furthermore, the assisted living facility would provide all of Rachel’s food, which meant there would be no money spent on groceries. Rachel’s son also explained that the cost savings of the assisted living facility would allow Jordan to provide Rachel with additional caregiving hours.

Jordan looked forward to spending more time with Rachel. Rather than taking on multiple clients from her agency, Jordan wanted to provide full-time care for Rachel. The assisted living facility option would make this possible. Because Jordan and Rachel had developed a close relationship, Jordan being with Rachel made the transition more comfortable.

Jordan and Rachel began meeting other residents in the assisted living facility. Rachel loved showing her newfound friends her’s and Jordan’s clothing that she had made. Jordan loved wearing these love-sewn pieces of clothing. They were not only beautiful but also showed the friendship that the two of them had forged.

Once Rachel had moved into the assisted living facility, Jordan was able to work longer shifts, concentrating on providing Rachel with the care she deserved. Because Jordan no longer needed to cook or clean, she was able to spend more time helping Rachel. Whenever Jordan needed assistance moving Rachel, the caring staff were there to lend a hand. Soon, Jordan forged friendships with many people at the senior facility, including other residents and staff members. Each morning when Jordan arrived, she would enter Rachel’s room and spend time with Rachel.

One day, Rachel showed Jordan a beautiful mug that one of her friends at the assisted living facility had surprised her with. Rachel said with pride that this mug would sit beside her beloved sewing machine. Jordan smiled and was thankful for the new friends that Rachel had made and how much better care Jordan was able to provide to Rachel thanks to the assisted living facility.

In Conclusion

We hope this story gives you an idea of what you might be dealing with in deciding with your loved one what is right for them. If you have any immediate questions, please feel free to call us or contact Assisting Hands Houston today! Visit our blog for more related articles and more insight.