When the time comes to find assisted living for your spouse, you’ll want to approach the decision with practicality and compassion. This transition marks a significant and initially uncertain chapter in your life that may feel unsettling. Ensuring appropriate, supportive senior care for your loved one becomes a top priority; remaining together can be just as important.
Thankfully, there is a way to achieve both of those goals. If you or your spouse have medical needs, personal care support requirements, or safety concerns, communities like Sage Oak of Lake Charles can provide what both of you need.
Some spouses decide to remain at home when one needs assisted living, while others focus on moving into these communities with their loved ones; every situation is different. Either way, the first step is determining exactly what they need from a senior community.
Finding Senior Care for Your Spouse: Start Here
The process of finding senior care for your spouse begins with understanding their specific needs and preferences. Start by discussing their health care requirements with their physician. That ensures the chosen senior living community adequately meets your spouse’s medical needs.
These descriptions will help you narrow down the choices:
- Independent living communities are for active seniors who can live independently but desire community amenities and social activities.
- Assisted living communities support daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and medication management while promoting independence.
- Memory care units have specialized programming and caregiving for individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other memory-related issues.
- Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care and rehabilitation services for seniors who require intensive nursing care and supervision.
Once you have the right category, consider the location. Proximity to you, other family members, and friends is vital to your spouse’s emotional well-being, encouraging a sense of connection and support.
Researching potential communities is the next step. Look for ones that offer a range of services tailored to your spouse’s needs, with amenities that help them enjoy their new lifestyle. Visiting these communities allows you to see how they operate and how residents interact with caregivers and each other. It’s also an opportunity to ask questions about their approach to care and what daily life is like for residents.
Supporting Your Spouse After the Move
Once your spouse has moved into assisted living, your role shifts to providing emotional support and ensuring they feel comfortable and valued in their new environment. This transition can be challenging, so maintaining open communication and spending quality time together becomes even more important.
Participating in activities offered by the community can also help them settle in and build relationships with other residents. Call and visit as often as possible, and keep in touch with the caregiving team with questions, updates, and suggestions.
Can a Spouse Live in Assisted Living With Their Partner?
One common question among families is whether a spouse can share an assisted living apartment with their partner. At Sage Oak of Lake Charles, our team recognizes the importance of keeping couples together and has a variety of spacious, luxury floor plans that can accommodate couples.
How Do Couples Afford Assisted Living?
Sharing an apartment within an assisted living community can save couples money. Splitting living expenses like rent and utilities can be more cost-effective compared to separate accommodations.
Couples use various financial strategies to pay for assisted living:
- Personal savings or investments may be enough to cover costs.
- Some long-term care insurance policies cover assisted living expenses, depending on the terms and coverage limits.
- Accessing home equity through a reverse mortgage can generate income for assisted living expenses.
- VA benefits for eligible veterans and their spouses may include financial assistance specifically for assisted living.
What are Veteran Spouse Assisted Living Benefits?
Spouses of veterans may be entitled to senior care VA benefits. These benefits can provide financial assistance for assisted living costs, easing the financial burden and ensuring your loved one receives the care they deserve. Eligibility criteria and application processes vary, so we suggest consulting with a VA representative or an advisor to explore your options.
Sage Oak of Lake Charles: A Supportive Assisted Living Community
Located in the heart of southwestern Louisiana, Sage Oak Assisted Living and Memory Care of Lake Charles is more than just a residence; it’s a community where single and married seniors thrive. Our community is led by a team committed to providing personalized care that meets each resident’s unique needs.
Spouses can live together here in spacious apartments designed for comfort and convenience, ensuring they continue their journey together with dignity and support. Our smaller, boutique-style community offers open-concept homes with 16 residents per home. Each one has an open kitchen, its own chef, and a nursing station.
You and your spouse can also benefit from:
- 1:5 to 1:8 caregiver-to-resident ratio
- Bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene care assistance
- Medication management
- Mobility assistance and Hoyer lifts
- Nursing care
- 24-hour support
- Housekeeping services
- A park-like setting
- Games, parties, and other fun, organized activities
See Why Boutique is Better for Your Spouse (and You!)
Finding senior care for your spouse requires careful consideration and thoughtful planning. Discover peace of mind and compassionate care at Sage Oak of Lake Charles. Together, we can ensure they receive the care and respect they deserve as they embrace this new chapter of life.
Contact us to learn how we can support your loved one’s journey in our welcoming community and options for living together in our comfortable apartments.