The difference between Assisted Living and Independent Living

When nursing facilities are out of the question and home care is never possible, you are met with the decision on whether to move an elderly loved one to an assisted living facility or an independent living facility.  But is there a difference?  While both facilities foster independence and provide their residents their much needed privacy, the difference lies in the elder care needs they can address.

Independent living facilities are ideal for seniors who are still able to take care of themselves, but will require some assistance in doing house chores or meal preparations.  These facilities function like regular communities, but with the convenient access to medical care, dining and entertainment.  Some of these facilities and communities may even provide 5-star accommodations to give their residents the feel of being in a permanent vacation.  What independent living facilities provide primarily is a relaxing environment where seniors can enjoy their golden years.

Assisted living facilities, on the other hand, cater to seniors with physical disabilities or mental conditions.  In addition to assistance with chores and meal preparations, these facilities may also aid their residents in daily activities such as taking medication, bathing, dressing and eating.  They also offer programs and activities aimed at encouraging socialization between residents.

Most facilities under this category may provide specialized programs for those suffering from a form of dementia.

Choosing between the two facilities will depend on the type of care your loved one will require, as well as the tasks he or she can no longer accomplish independently.  

But matters get even more complicated when both aging parents will require different needs.  What if either parent is suffering from a debilitating condition, such as Alzheimer’s? 

Fortunately, both needs can be addressed by a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC).

Continuing Care Retirement Communities are campuses which provide a wide spectrum of elder care services.  By combining both facilities mentioned above with access to skilled-nursing care, elderly couples with different needs may live within the same vicinity.

These facilities offer two contract types:  an all-inclusive “Life Care” plan where a resident can have access to all health care services, and “fee for a service”, where a resident can select health care services a la carte.

Whether you choose an assisted living facility, an independent living community, or a continuing care retirement community, rest assured that your senior loved one can enjoy their golden years in a safe and secure environment. 

What will be the future of elder care services be like?

The growing elderly population and the aging baby boomer generation have brought about many developments in the elderly care service industry.  And with the expectations and demands of the coming senior generation coupled with our current economic situation, what directions will the senior care and senior living industry be heading?

Here are a few trends you might be seeing in the future of senior care:

1. Say good bye to sterile, nursing home facilities.  Years from now, you’ll be seeing a massive shift from the traditional and hospital-like setting of the nursing home model to more personalized senior living options like assisted living and independent living, where active seniors can live a rich life with little or no assistance in everyday activities.  Factors like rising costs of skilled nursing facilities and cuts in Medicare may propel this change to a nearer future date. 

Some facilities have, in fact, taken assisted living to a whole new level.  Now there are a great number of niche senior communities, ranging from culture-based to lifestyle-based retirement housing options, where residents can enjoy being around like-minded individuals, or other elderly people from the same culture.

2. Increase and improvements in the in-home care industry.  As more and more seniors prefer to age in place than move out, increase in the demands for in-home care services could result to improvement of the in-home care technology and a massive employment growth in the in-home care sector.  Trends like “senior-friendly” communities and multigenerational homes may also become the norm in the future for the in-home care industry.

3. “Senior-friendly” technology – The wireless technology that has revolutionized the way we live will definitely transform senior care.  While we certainly won’t be seeing care giver robots in the near future yet, there are already a plethora of options we can choose from to improve the quality of life of our senior loved ones, right at our fingertips (no puns intended).  “Connected Home” computer systems and mobile device applications are already in-use in many senior-care facilities to track medication intake and vital signs of their residents. 

4. “Aging green” – The “Going Green” movement has definitely entered the senior care territory.  Eco-friendly assisted living facilities are now becoming one of the trends du jour in the senior living industry, and they offer long term benefits, too!  While it may require a sky-high initial investment for the building of eco-friendly infrastructures and getting an LEEED certification, the “green” amenities can save a great deal of money in the long run.  Plus, their residents get to have an opportunity to be environmentally minded as they reach their golden years. 

Some of these trends may still be in development while others are already in existence.  And as expected, not everyone may be too happy with the trends in the senior care industry.  But whatever the consensus is, you will always have the last say in which elder care option you choose.

Finding the Best Memory Care Facility for your Elderly Loved One

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How Retirement Communities Can Help Slow Down Aging

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Keeping your Brain Young and Healthy

As we age, our brains also go through various changes.  Some of the major risk factors associated with aging are neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer.  Cognitive impairment is also inevitable.  But there are some things you can do to help sharpen your brain and reduce the risk of memory loss as you get older.  Here are a few:

1. Use mental stimulation. Engage in any mentally stimulating activities like reading or brain teasers like word puzzles and math problems as they may help you maintain and improve cognitive functions.  You can also get assistance from your senior helpers doing activities that also require mental effort, such as drawing or painting. According to studies, activities that involve mental functions stimulate connections between nerve cells and may help the brain generate more new cells.  This will gradually build up into a reserve that may help fight against cell loss.

2. Exercise. Studies show that exercising can also improve brain functions.  This may encourage the development of more nerve cells, which will increase the connection between brain cells. As a result, your brain functions better and your mind remains sharper.

3. Improve your diet.  A healthy diet may help lower the risks of mental deterioration.  You can ask your caring companions to help you improve your diet by (1) reducing calorie intake; (2) reducing consumption of saturated fats and cholesterol from animal fat (3) increasing food rich in vitamin B, folic acid, B6 and B12, such as green leafy vegetables and fortified cereals.

4. Lower your blood pressure. High blood pressure levels also increase the risk of cognitive impairment as you age.  Stay lean by exercising regularly, avoid stress, have healthy and balanced diet, and limit alcohol consumption.

5. Lower your blood sugar. Diabetes is one of the risk factors of dementia.   Seek medical advice if your blood sugar is abnormally high.  Otherwise, eat plenty of fiber-rich food and stay active by exercising.   

6.  Fight bad cholesterol.  High levels of bad cholesterol is another factor that could increase the risk of dementia. Fight bad cholesterol by exercising, eating healthy, watching your weight and saying no to any forms of tobacco.

7. Drink responsibly. Excessive alcohol intake could increase the risk of getting dementia so limit consumption to two glasses a day. 

8. Rest and relax. Stress caused by anxiety, depression, sleeping deprivation and exhaustion may lead to cognitive impairment.  Get plenty of restful sleep to maintain a good mental health. 

9. Watch your head, physically.  Moderate to severe head injuries caused by physical trauma could lead to cognitive impairment.  So protect your head at all times. 

10. Reach out and make new friends.  Social ties may help improve your mood and this, in turn, can help lower blood pressure and increase life expectancies.  This could help prevent degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer.

Providing Dementia Care at Home

For most dementia patients, receiving dementia care at home is more ideal.  The prospect of having close friends and family members intimately involved in care giving in a familiar environment can be reassuring for an elderly person suffering from memory loss problems. 

However, providing memory care at home is not without setbacks, especially if the elderly patient’s needs suddenly change without a warning. 

But with meticulous planning and proper assessment of patient’s needs, plus patience and understanding on the part of the live-in caregiver, providing in-home care to an elderly person with dementia can be a success. 

Here are a couple of tips on how to make in-home care for people with dementia effective:

• Re-design your elderly loved one’s home.  Making a few adjustments in the family home where your elderly loved one lives can help minimize likelihood of injury and distress to people with dementia.  These adjustments can be as simple as installing handrails in the toilet area.
• It’s all about the routine.  Establishing a routine is crucial in creating a comfortable environment for your loved one with dementia.  It doesn’t have to be rigid.  But, activities must happen at predictable times of the day.  This will minimize confusion and disorientation people with dementia are prone to suffer.  You can employ subtle cues, such as dimming the lights for downtime or opening the curtains to signal wake up time, to help your elderly loved one follow the schedule. 
• Easy-to-follow activities.  Daily activities do more than just enriching the lives of people with dementia.  They can also promote the use of cognitive and motor skills.  However, be careful when choosing activities for your loved ones.  Some may be too complex or too challenging for a person with dementia and this can be frustrating.  It may result to behavioral changes such as aggression. 
• Go for activities which will not only stimulate the senses but also provide therapy.  Animal assisted therapies are a good example. 
• Provide opportunities for socialization.  Whether it’s visiting the local park, or receiving visitors, providing opportunities for socialization can reduce depression and feelings of isolation among people with dementia.  However, schedule these activities at a time when your loved one is more relaxed and open.  This will vary from person to person. 
• Take a break – Time-offs are not a luxury, but a necessity.  A few hours to a few days breather can help you recharge and detoxify to help you face the challenges of providing memory care at home head on, once you get back.

Respite programs like adult day-care or day health care can give you a few hours break to run errands or go to work.    

However, it is important to note that these tips are not 100% foolproof.  Factors like the level of care required as well as the stage of dementia your loved one is in can play a huge factor in the success or failure of providing in-home dementia care. 

Peoples Care In Home Care takes quality very seriously. Their goal is to respond to those specific needs and ensure that they deliver the best quality care that you deserve. http://goo.gl/sCxWSd

www.peoplescareinhomecare.com - Care That Makes a Difference! Call today at 951-892-7198.

A Right Place for Seniors has partners, Senior Care Providers, communities and companies that measure up the high standards set by the team. The elderly and seniors they serve deserve the highest level of care.

www.arightplace4seniors will definitely help you find solutions! Call them today at 1-800-804-3840. http://goo.gl/49Ibft

Guaranteed Quality Care at People's Care In Home Care Service

Call (951) 892-7198 for more details or visit their website at www.peoplescareinhomecare.com.

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Aggression

Aggressive speech or actions can be one of the most upsetting aspects of caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease. But the most important thing to remember about verbal or physical aggression, is that your loved one is not doing it on purpose. Aggression is usually triggered by something - often physical discomfort, environmental factors such as being in an unfamiliar situation, or even poor communication. http://goo.gl/c5cBWG

Professional caregivers should keep in mind conditions common to some patients with disabilities and to plan care accordingly. For instance, inactive people with developmental disabilities often suffer from constipation, which can complicate a post-op recovery. Some patients may receive medications that increase their risk of heart disease. Medications also may act differently in a person with a developmental disability. It is encouraged for caregivers to offer patients medications for pain as ordered. It is also suggested that nurses allow the patient a choice to perhaps have someone else in the room with them. http://goo.gl/7GAHst

Dementia is Not a Specific Disease

Dementia is Not a Specific Disease http://goo.gl/IRtYLg

Dementia is not a disease!

Dementia is not considered a disease by itself. Rather, it is a syndrome—or group of symptoms— that can be caused by many different diseases. The symptoms of dementia are often severe enough to keep people from performing normal daily activities.

Coping on Holiday Stress with Patients with Dementia

Holidays are one of the very joyful times that we celebrate but for people with dementia, it is somehow stressful for them and gives them challenges. These challenges don’t just mind our dementia patients but as well as the caregivers who are looking after them.

Depression is common among the seniors population and holidays can increase their feeling of sadness. Persons suffering from dementia may feel a sense of loss during these times. Tendencies are, they may miss someone in the past, recognize a companion around them or feel that someone is missing. Caregivers may also feel that sense of loss since their holidays is not the same with what they have prior. Minding such feelings is quite challenging during holidays when so much is going on. It would be better to consult your doctor before the holidays if your loved ones are going through depression.

It is always noticed that people suffering from dementia lacks enthusiasm and interest in holiday season. Also, live-in caregivers tend to be melancholic that their loved ones may not understand that they can no longer participate in some holiday activities. Basic holiday routines like lighting candles, putting up house decors and having a companion to go over for meal may be too annoying or risky to pursue.

Thus, Holiday season have the ability to upset the usual routines that have been established. Things like changing the daily schedule or the presence of different and new people may upset people suffering from dementia.

It is possible that you feel overburdened when there is traveling involved like during time-offs and seeing relatives. You don’t have to worry about this. It will be okay to ask relatives to see you this year or miss out the reunion altogether.

While some traditions isn’t practical, new traditions may be initiated. Simple activities are safe and fun to do with your loved ones like making your personalized wreaths, baking cookies, listening to holiday musics, reading holiday stories, watching movies, crating photo albums and collage, writing greeting cards, linking up paper chains and stringing of garlands of berries.

It also help to make expectations to be in line with reality. If making a perfect family isn’t possible, then you can look forward to spending holiday in a different way by doing something simple yet special. And it is important to take care of yourself and your own needs while taking care of your dementia patients.

Healthy Eating as You Age

Food provides the energy and nutrients you need to be healthy. Nutrients include proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and water.

Studies show that a good diet in your later years reduces your risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart diseases and certain cancers.

You are what you eat. So when you choose a variety of colorful fruits and veggies, whole grains and lean proteins you'll feel vibrant and healthy, inside and out! For adults over 50, the benefits of healthy eating includes:

• Increased mental acuteness
• Resistance to illness and disease
• Higher energy levels
• Faster recuperation times
• Better management of chronic health problems

As we grow old, eating well can also be the key to a positive outlook and staying emotionally balanced. But healthy eating doesn't have to be about dieting and sacrifice. Whatever your age, eating well should be all about fresh, colorful food, creativity in the kitchen and eating with friends!

PHOTO CREDIT: www.futureoffood.ox.ac.uk

Respect Our Seniors

Treat our seniors just like you want to be treated when you get old. Give them the best of what you can afford to give as their children by way of love and kindness. It's time to give back to them what they had did for you before. http://goo.gl/PMgrlS