Utilizing Volunteer Services Before Assisted Living

 Although nobody is ever excited about putting their loved ones in a Nursing Home or Assisted Living Facility, many people are too quick to do so when they see things going poorly. They assume that just because their loved one’s health and independence are wearing down that they have to completely alter their environment. This is especially true of families who live a little a little ways away from their aging parents.

Here’s a common scenario: a senior begins to have trouble with IADL’s (Instrumental Activities for Daily Living) like cooking and driving. his eyesight is wearing down, and he gets tired too quickly to stand for an hour in the kitchen. The family gets really concerned. They’re not close enough to help him, so they reach for a phone book to find an Assisted Living Home.

If you are one of those family members, you might be overreacting. Does your parent or grandparent’s limitations actually warrant full- time care? Or is there another way to help manage his newfound limitations?

Most communities across the US have built their own network of volunteer services for seniors. These services can be of huge assistance for your loved one. Even though you can’t be there to give him rides or prepare his meals, there might be other people who can. Here are a few examples:

■ Meals-on-Wheels is a national program that offers home delivery of lunches to seniors who are not able to drive themselves. This is an excellent program, and one that is perfect for elders who need assistance but not supervision.

■ Friendly visitor programsSometimes a senior citizen just needs a ride to the supermarket and a friendly conversation to remind him that he isn’t alone. The Friendly Visitor program is designed with that kind of person in mind–a person who does not have family living close by, but who needs the benefits that come from personal contact. These volunteers are good people who want to help however they can.

■ Senior centers Sometimes we are quick to overlook Senior Centers as a healthy, vibrant part of the senior community. Not only are senior centers fun places to network and develop a social life, they are also hubs for all kinds of Elder Care information, including these very valuable Volunteer Services and many, many others. Could your loved one use these services? Would meal deliveries and friendly visitors help to minimize his impairments? Would a senior center help him find new avenues for friendship and functionality? If so, then you should probably take a breath and HOLD OFF on the Assisted Living Option. After all, if there is a way for him to maintain his independence, don’t you owe it to him to help him do that?