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Elder care: where will my dad stay when we're on vacation?

Author: Lisa Coleman
Published: Jul 30 2013

Taking care of an elderly family member is commendable, but it can also become a full-time job. In order to provide your family with the opportunity to go on vacation without ignoring the medical needs of your eldest member, it is important to look into a short-term assisted living facility. Fortunately, there are several places that offer assistance on a temporary basis, and this will enable you to leave town without having to worry about whether or not your elderly relative is receiving the proper care.

How can I Find a Short-Term Facility?

Elder care, vacation, holiday

Finding an assisted living or respite facility that features a short-term option may take some research, but you should begin by doing a search on Google for your area. To get the best results use keywords when doing your search to be sure all local listings are listed in the top of your search. For example, if you live in Dunwoody, GA then input "assisted living Dunwoody GA." Another option is to contact each of the facilities in your area to inquire about their various care options. Make sure that the community you select is equipped to provide all of their typical services to a short-term resident.

What Type of Services Should I Expect?

Assisted living facilities offer a wide range of different services. Because of this, you will need to ask each place that you consider to give you a detailed list. Some of the most common options include prepared meals, medicine management, exercise and wellness programs, socialization and life enrichment activities, a 24-hour call system and a furnished suite. If the community closest to you does not offer all of these features to short-term residents, it is a good idea to expand your search until you find a place that does. After all, it is important to ensure that your family member remains safe and comfortable while you are out of town.

How can I Determine the Quality of the Facility?

It can be difficult to figure out whether or not a facility is high-quality during a simple visit. However, you should keep an eye on the little things to see if the staff pays attention to their surroundings. For example, if the furniture is torn or excessively dirty, it is not likely that the facility places a large enough emphasis on providing quality care. There are also several review websites that will let you learn about the personal experiences of other people. Although it is important to take reviews with a grain of salt, you can learn whether or not a facility is desirable by weighing the good reviews versus the negative ones. Additionally, you should pay attention to the existing residents. If they look like they are all relatively happy, it is likely that the community provides them with a comfortable environment.

As long as you do some thorough research and carefully read through the contract, you should be able to find a suitable short-term assisted care facility for your elderly family member. This will allow you to take a vacation without feeling guilty, and it will also provide your family member with the opportunity to socialize with other people of their age.

Lisa Coleman writes to share the quality options available for a person who takes care of an elderly family member at home when they are planning to go away on vacation. Dogwood Forest, a facility for assisted living Dunwoody GA- based, is a community with fully staffed and certified professionals where a senior family member can stay for a short period of time and receive around the clock care.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/48394718@N00/5344419117/

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