Many of life's patterns are predictable, such as the reversal of parent-to-offspring roles as parents get older. Now, the son or daughter worries if the parent is getting good nourishment. Are they in a safe environment? Can they handle stairs? Are they prone to wander?

As your parents relinquish self-care skills, we provide an excellent resource to help you and your family sort out this often stressful transition. Our options are many, including respite, residential and skilled nursing care at many locations.

The Respite Care Program at Kings Mountain Hospital offers temporary respite care for elderly or disabled adults for up to two weeks. Level I care includes bathing, feeding and grooming. That same support, in addition to administering medication, is provided with Level II care. 

Persons with relative independence may choose a residential community. These multi-level living situations relieve residents of chores such as yard maintenance, security, home repair and meal preparation.

If dementia, wandering or loss of memory and reasoning capacity has rendered your parent a risk to his or her safety, a nursing facility may be the best solution. These environments offer varying levels of care, ranging from general supervision (to prevent wandering) to fulltime skilled nursing support.

These images have no relation to the vast majority of today's nursing facilities. Now known as long-term care facilities, these care environments offer much better surroundings that reflect the vitality of their residents and the many amenities and activities they offer.