While you and other families provide 75 percent of long-term care in this country, at some point it may become impossible to provide care in the home. Necessary care may be too specialized, too expensive, or may be required 24 hours a day. For many families, moving a loved one to a residential care setting is the most difficult decision they will ever face.
Residential Care May Be The Right Decision If:
- The person has health needs that can’t be met at home.
- The caregiver is emotionally and physically exhausted and family and community resources have already been tried.
- The person can’t be safely cared for at home.
- The caregiver’s safety is at risk.
- Although the person you care for may not need residential care now, it’s smart to prepare for that possibility. It’s stressful to arrange for care during a crisis; you may find yourself with care you would not have chosen if you had more preparation time.