01.29.11
Posted in Assisted Living, Assisted Living Facilities, Elder Care, Elderly Care at 10:59 pm by admin
We’ve seen it happen to Grandma, Aunt Jane, and the sweet elderly lady at church. These elderly loved ones are shrinking before our eyes, and we wonder, is this a normal part of aging? At what point should we be concerned? We know muscle and bone mass is gradually lost as we age due to a decrease in hormones, metabolism, and activity, but there is cause for pause when an elderly loved one’s weight is dropping too quickly.
What causes unintentional weight loss?
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There are three primary categories for the causes of unintentional weight loss in the elderly, phycological, medical, and age-related. Age-related unintentional weight loss includes the typical factors we’ve already discussed: loss of muscle and bone mass. One of the leading psychological causes of unintentional weight loss is depression. Unintentional weight loss could also be an indication of another underlying medical condition including gastrointestinal problems and another leading cause of unintentional weight loss: cancer. Other factors that can contribute to unintentional weight loss are dementia, restricted diet, changes in the ability to taste and smell, and stress.
How much weight loss is too much?
Experts say a 5-10% drop in overall weight within 12 months or less could be cause for concern and should prompt a visit to the doctor. Excessive weight loss could be a sign of a serious underlying problem, or it could bring on other medical issues, so a doctor’s care should be sought.
Is unintentional weight loss preventable?
Depending on the underlying cause, unintentional weight loss could be preventable. Many elderly people lack necessary vitamins in their diet or experience a decrease in their body’s ability to absorb them. Also a lack of protein in their diet can be a common factor in excessive weight loss in elderly people. A doctor may order lab tests to identify any underlying medical problem or suggest dietary changes. Sometimes previously instated restrictive diets are lifted in order to re-establish appropriate weight. Whatever the cause, seeking a health care provider as quickly as possible after noticing excessive weight loss is a good idea.
For help finding retirement housing or assisted living housing options from California to Washington DC, use the tool at the top of the page to begin your search.
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Posted in Assisted Living, Assisted Living Facilities, Elder Care, Elderly Care at 1:21 pm by admin
Living in Waco
Waco, TX just might be the most accessible city in the Lone Star State. By that, I mean it is situated in the most convenient location, with all of Texas’ major metropolitan areas with reach. Dallas is under two hours to the north, and Austin is two hours to the south. Houston and San Antonio are reachable as well, with a drive that won’t take four hours.
Waco is home to more than one hundred ten thousand Texans, fifteen thousand of which are over retirement age. That is thirteen percent of the population. Of course, people of retirement age love to move to Texas because of the warm weather, the low cost of living, and the relaxed pace of life. I suppose they like to stay for the same reasons.
Waco, in addition to being senior friendly, is also a college town. It is home to Baylor University, which has about fifteen thousand students–more than ten percent of the city’s population. It is also famous for being the birthplace of Dr. Pepper. If you come to town, you can see the Dr. Pepper Museum, or take in a Baylor Bears division 1 football game.
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Understanding Assisted Living Options in Waco
Waco seniors who need elderly care can find all sorts of options. There are facilities that can meet them wherever they are at. For example, if Waco seniors need full time care by a medical staff, a Waco nursing home might be in order. If, however, they don’t need medical help, but need assistance with daily activities like taking a bath or transferring positions, they could settle into an assisted living community. In these facilities, residents live in their own apartments, but have access to community for dining, activities, and general assistance. In this sense, assisted living is a “best of both worlds” type of elder care. They can have independence, but have help at the same time.
There are special types of Waco Elder Care as well, such as memory care. This is a special type of care that focuses on treating seniors who have developed dementia, especially alzheimer’s disease. Memory care can be part time or full time. Families who care for their loved ones at home often take advantage of memory “respite care” during the day, which is often held at a full time memory care facility. But regardless of how long a patient is there, memory care focuses on keeping a senior safe and comfortable, and nurturing them as best as possible.
Seniors who want a place to retire can find good retirement options in the city of Waco as well. This might include one of the luxurious retirement options in the central Texas region. There are golf retirement centers, and other facilities that are centered around recreation and enjoying the outdoors.
Are you looking for Waco Assisted Living or some other TX Assisted living community? Use the silver info box at the top of this page, and enter the city and type of care you need. You’ll be on your way!
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Posted in Elder Care, Elderly Care at 11:57 am by admin
It happens to the best of us. You wake up one morning stiff, tired, puffing, and wondering why you ate that salsa last night. You know that “I shouldn’t feel this old” thought? It could be a sign of a serious condition, or it could be a sign that you may need to make some changes to accomodate natural bodily changes that everyone goes through as they age. As you age, your metabolism slows, muscles break down, fat is rearranged, and your body struggles to keep up. If your diet or activity level doesn’t change to accomodate these body system changes, you could be joining an increasing number of elderly people on the fast track to obesity.
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Defining Obesity
Before we get into senior weight issues, let’s define obesity. Obesity is a condition of being overweight to the point of potentially causing serious physical conditions. Obesity is measured by comparing a person’s weight and height using something called Body Mass Index (BMI). To measure in the obese range a person’s BMI would have to exceed 30kg per meter squared. As we age, muscle mass breaks down and is replaced by fat tissue. So even someone who doesn’t appear to be very overweight, could actually be obese if much of their muscle mass has been replaced by fat.
Is Elderly Obesity a serious problem?
Many studies have shown that obesity in younger years and middle age can have much more serious consequences than elderly-onset obesity, but that doesn’t mean obesity isn’t a problem if it hits you after 65. The Healthcare field has been inundated with a huge increase in required care due to an increase in the number of elderly patients who are overweight or considered obese. Obesity in the elderly contributes heavily to elderly disability and disfunction. Many people upon reaching their golden years experience new medical issues that may be caused or exacerbated by obesity: high blood pressure, sleep apnea, heart disease, diabetes, immobility, hip and knee pain, cancer, osteoarthritis inability to function as normal, and depression. Just a few good reasons to join healthcare experts in the fight against elderly obesity.
With proper dietary changes, regular and appropriate exercise, and attention to any other underlying health issues, elderly obesity is preventable. Your doctor can advise you on what kind of changes you may need to focus on. Often doctors will recommend overal nutritional dietary changes such as decreasing fat and sugar and increasing fiber as well as including moderate exercise (gradual resistance strengthening or endurance exercise) in your daily routine. Usually the most effective diet changes and exercise plans are the ones you can follow through on, so finding activities and nutritious foods you enjoy will help immensely. You may not have to join the gym or buy Weight Watchers frozen foods. You might just have to find a friend to walk with, join a gardener’s club, or have an excellent excuse to go golfing. And why not take a gander down the produce aisle? You might just find out that you love stir fry and steamed veggies! For most elderly people who want to combat obesity, diet changes don’t have to be radical or exercise extreme, but even if extreme measures must be taken, isn’t it worth it to have better quality of life, energy, and strength?
Need help finding other senior housing, from Oregon Assisted Living to New York Retirement Centers? Put your info in the box above and begin your search!
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01.21.11
Posted in Alzheimer's Disease, Assisted Living, Assisted Living Facilities, Assisted Living Safety, care at home, Caregiver, Elder Care, Elderly Care at 11:34 pm by admin
For patients and families struggling with Alzheimer’s disease in an assisted living facility or at home, life can be immensely stressful. Not only is there the emotional strain of losing memories and relational connections, there is the new problem of sudden, unexpected, and totally inexplicable outbursts. As one Alzheimer’s expert said, “When you’ve seen one case of Alzheimer’s Disease, you’ve seen one case of Alzheimer’s Disease.” In other words, the disease is unpredictable, making emotional outbursts all the more jarring. And while the family suffers from these uncomfortable moments, the senior in their care is obviously struggling more. After all, something is bothering them and unsettling them.
Fortunately, the emotionally complex and “jumpy” nature of Alzheimer’s Disease can be tamed–or at least calmed–in some cases, by something very non-medical: pets.
Before I go into specifics here, I want to draw a parallel between seniors with Alzheimer’s and children. Both groups are unable to care for themselves. The world does not make sense to either of them. Both can be drawn into their own world by the most trivial things… And both of them seem the world through “new” eyes. So it should be no surprise that senior adults with memory ailments respond so similarly to pets as children do.
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But don’t take our word for it. Check out this quote from an expert at the Mayo Clinic:
“A pet is a medication without side effects that has so many benefits. I can’t always explain it myself, but for years now I’ve seen how instances of having a pet is like an effective drug. It really does help people.â€
Dr. Edward Creagan
Oncologist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Quoted from DeltaSociety.org
Dr. Creagan is not alone in his perspective. Doctors and experts all over the country have noticed and written on the benefits of animals on a person’s blood pressure, stress levels, and overall sense of health and well being.
Therapy dogs, of course, help millions of seniors and disabled Americans every year. This includes seeing eye dogs, and dogs to protect the mentally challenged: people with downs syndrome, autism, and all manner of ailments that would cause a person to be more vulnerable to injury and attack. And more recently, medical professionals have begun to use therapy dogs for Alzheimer’s patients, with positive results. Many patients have a noticeable decrease in aggression, a lift in social skills, and on overall reprieve from depression that so often plagues them.
So, how can this work, exactly? Several ways. The first is for caregivers who care for a loved one at home. If the family dog or cat is still alive and still well-behaved, make sure grandma gets lots of interaction with her if the two have any kind of rapport. But these criteria will not match most people’s circumstances. So for those who sometimes put their loved one in respite care or adult day care, ask about pet therapy. Many of these facilities are employing the assistance of animal professionals for several hours per day. These can include people from the Society to Prevent Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). The nice thing about going through these types of groups is that the animals are generally going to be very well trained.
A well trained animal can be just the thing that an Alzheimer’s patient needs. Many patients come alive the minute they see their new “best friend.” Even those who are not prone to any kind of speech or purposeful expressions light up when the dog enters the room. Are they, at some subconscious level, remembering pets they used to have over the long course of their life? Perhaps they are. We will never know. But I suspect it is something simpler. I suspect that there is some instinct that is created into these animals. An instinct to protect and care for people. This is why therapy dogs work so well in so many environments. And this is also why they can put up with so much abuse (especially from kids! I could tell you stories…).
But I will leave the psychology to medical experts. I don’t know why so many seniors seem to react well to pet therapy, especially seniors who are suffering from one of the most baffling ailments out there. But they do. Many of them do! And if your loved one is suffering from any form of dementia, and all the loneliness that comes with it, you might want to look into the possibilities of pet therapy. Here is one place to start . For more info on assisted living facilities from Oregon to Florida, visit our homepage and being your search!
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01.18.11
Posted in Assisted Living, Caregiver, Elder Care, Elderly Care at 4:44 pm by admin
It’s a new year, friends, and that means we have to start thinking about our favorite thing in the whole world… taxes 
For families involved in elderly care, taxes can often get even more complicated. This is especially true if the senior being cared for can no longer handle their own finances by themselves, or who know longer feel confident to make decision regarding their taxes. Where can a person turn?
Tax Aides for Seniors
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One great avenue is provided by the AARP. Tax Aides work at local AARP offices around the country. They are volunteers, and their chief aim is to help low and middle income senior adults file their returns. These Tax Aide volunteers typically begin their work in February, and continue all the way through tax day. At many of the offices, the filer can file his or her return electronically, which can significantly speed up the process (in the event of a refund, this is awesome!) To learn more about AARP Tax Aide volunteers, click here.
Since these are volunteer tax helpers, it is fitting mostly for seniors who have pretty straight forward taxes. However, if it is a more complicated return, then you will definitely want to rely on professional tax preparers, which will not be free, of course 
Here is a link some general guidelines to look for from the IRS webpage.
Tax Deductions for Elderly Care
If you, the caregiver, need help, you would be wise to look into a program like TurboTax, or to take your return to a professional service like H&R Block. But when you do, remember that there are many, many expenses that you have incurred as a full time caregiver that you can deduct on your taxes, provided the elder can be claimed as a dependent. That’s good news for you! Here are just a few ideas:
- Mileage for trips to the doctor
- Some adult day care costs
- Medically prescribed hearing aides, crutches, wheelchairs, etc.
Of course, you can only claim these deductions if you are eligible. So if you think that you might be eligible to file your taxes and claim your senior loved one as a dependent, you definitely want to talk to a professional tax preparer first. Because we are not professional tax folk. Here is a good website to consult for more information.
As always, if you need more information regarding Texas Assisted living or other senior care, visit our homepage.
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01.01.11
Posted in Assisted Living, Elder Care, Elderly Care, exercises at 1:44 am by admin
As many health-conscious baby boomers look for ways to remain active throughout their senior years, many fitness programs are answering the call for age-appropriate exercise programs. Many seniors are interested in maintaining and improving their flexibility, range of motion, muscle tone and overall strength. Of course regular and appropriate exercise is vital to achieving these goals. One important aspect of anyone’s exercise routine is the one that pays attention to core muscle groups (back, pelvis, and abdomen), but this core muscle group focus may become even more important for seniors who want to improve their posture, joint stability, range of motion, balance, and overall strength and flexibility.
The exercises in Pilates specifically target the core muscles to improve muscle alignment, tone, strength, mobility, and flexibility through gentle yet powerful controlled stretching, traditional resistance, deep breathing, and balance exercises. Pilates is not some new-fangled fad program, but has been tested and proven worthy by millions of people since it was born in the mind of Joseph Pilates in 1883.
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There is an obvious question here for those who also read our article on yoga for seniors: what is the difference between yoga and pilates? They both sound the same? And which is better for seniors?
Here are the basic differences between the two. First, yoga works entirely “on the mat” with various positions. Pilates, in contrast, uses mats and machines. Also, while yoga stresses mental and physical harmony (and sometimes involves various forms of eastern mysticism), Pilates involves building physical fitness through low impact, low repetition exercises. The result of a seasoned Pilates workout is a stronger, leaner body, while the result of a Yoga exercise is increased physical balance and physical peace. Which one should seniors choose? That’s a great question that is much better left to their physicians!
Today many fitness centers, senior centers, elderly care centers, hospitals, and even physical therapists are borrowing Joseph Pilates’ effective exercises and making them available to seniors everywhere. From Galveston to El Paso, many seniors are able to find a pilates class offered right in their neighborhood. What if you can’t find a class specifically for the elderly? Most pilates instructors are trained to show modified exercises that will be safe and effective for anyone whether age is slowing you down, or you’re recovering from a back injury. Not interested in trying to keep up with the youngin’s? Keep your eyes open and ask around, you may find one specifically designed for you.
Pilates is an excellent exercise program for people of various ages and abilities. Many seniors enjoy better mobility, strength, energy, posture, and less pain after a few weeks of regular pilates exercise. As with any exercise program, be sure to check with your doctor before beginning any new exercise program.
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12.29.10
Posted in Elder Care, Elderly Care, Nursing home at 7:31 pm by admin
If you are looking for the best nursing homes in all of Dallas elderly care, there is one place you need to look: the rankings from Medicare and US News & World Report. Each quarter, US News issues a list with the top nursing homes in the nation, based on periodic reviews and inspections based on a consistent criteria. Here are the three categories they are rated for on a level of one to five stars:
Health Inspections: Has the home met safety standards for food preparations and general health conditions.
Nurse Staffing: This rating is graded by the typical number of hour of care a resident receives per day from nursing staff
Quality Measures: Rates based on whether patients are receiving the type of care they need (for anything from medication to changing bed pans to vaccinations, etc.)
The most recent round of inspections and grades gave these Dallas / Fort Worth area nursing homes a rating of Five stars based on those three criteria:
The Plaza At Edgemere Health Care
8502 Edgemere, Dallas, TX 75225
(214) 615-7045
The Plaza at Edgemere is a small, twenty-two bed facility that accepts Medicaire. They received 5 stars for Health Inspections and nurse staffing, and 4 stars for quality measures for an overal 5 star rating.
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Trinity Terrace
1600 Texas St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 338-2400
Trinity is a 60 bed non profit medicare facility that scored a stellar five star rating after earning five stars for health inspections and quality measures, and four stars for nursse staffing.
Life Care Center Of Plano
3800 W Park Blvd, Plano, TX 75075
(972) 612-1700
The Life Center of Plano is a 120 bed facility that accepts both medicare and medicaid. It received 5 stars for Health inspections and nurse staffing, and 4 stars for quality measures. The final tally: 5 stars.
C C Young Memorial Home
4829 W Lawther Dr, Dallas, TX 75214
(214) 827-8080
CC Young Memorial is an 88 bed nonprofit nursing home that accepts both Medicaire and Medicaid. They were given four stars both for health inspections and nurse staffing, and five for quality measures. Their overall star ratings was a 5.
Christian Care Center
1000 Wiggins Pkwy, Mesquite, TX 75150
(972) 686-3000
Christian Care Center is a 180 bed non profit nursing home that will accept both Medicare and Medicaid. They received an overall 5 star rating after scoring five stars for Health Inspections, and four for quality measures and nurse staffing.
Woodridge Nursing & Rehabilitation
1500 Autumn Dr, Grapevine, TX 76051
(817) 488-8585
Woodbridge is a 120 bed for profit nursing home that accepts both medicare and medicaid. They received an overall 5 star rating after they scored 5 stars for health inspection and 4 for nurse staffing and quality measures.
Crestview Court
224 W Pleasant Run Rd, Cedar Hill, TX 75104
(972) 291-5977
Crestview is a 125 bed nursing home. They are a for profit company, and they take Medicare and Medicaid. They received three stars for health inspections, four for nurse staffing and five for quality measures. Overall, they got five stars.
Lake Village Nursing And Rehabilitation
169 Lake Park Rd, Lewisville, TX 75057
(972) 436-7571
Lake Village is a 112 bed for profit nursing home that will take medicare and medicaid. They received 5 stars overall after they scored 5 stars in health inspections, four stars on nurse staffing, and three stars for quality measures.
Signature Pointe On The Lake Healthcare Community
14655 Preston Rd, Dallas, TX 75254
(972) 726-7575
Signature Pointe is a 195 bed for profit nursing home. They will take Medicare and Medicaid. Their five star rating came from getting three stars for health inspections, four for nurse staffing, and five for quality measures.
Silverado Senior Living – Turtle Creek
3611 Dickason Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 559-0140
Silverado Senior Living is a small twenty-four bed for-profit nursing home that accepts payment from medicare and medicaid. They received Five stars for both health inspections and quality measures, but only two for nurse staffing. Overall, they came out with five stars.
Arbrook Plaza
401 W Arbrook Blvd, Arlington, TX 76014
(817) 466-3094
Arbrook Plaza is a 120 bed, for profit nursing facility that takes medicare and medicaid as well. They scored 4 stars for health inspections, two for nurse staffing, and a strong five for quality measures. Overall, their rating is a five.
Cottonwood Nursing And Rehabilitation Lp
2224 N Carroll Blvd, Denton, TX 76201
(940) 387-6656
Cottonwood is a 60 bed nursing home that will accept medicare and medicaid. They received just one star for nurse staffing but 5 stars for quality measures and health inspections. Overall rating: 5 stars.
Lone Star Comprehensive Adult Care
1005 Ira E. Woods Parkway, Grapevine, TX 76051
(817) 421-1313
Lone Star is a 132 bed nursing home that accepts medicare and medicaid. Like Cottonwood, they received only one star for nurse staffing, but 5 stars for health inspections and quality measures.
Town East Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center
3617 O’Hare Dr, Mesquite, TX 75150
(972) 284-8600
Town East is a for profit nursing home with 130 beds. They take both medicare and medicaid. They received 5 stars overall after scoring five stars for health and quality measures, but only one star for nurse staffing.
The Legacy At Willow Bend
6101 Ohio Ste 500, Plano, TX 75024
(972) 468-6300
The Legacy is a 60 bed non-profit medicare facility. They scored an overall 5 star rating by earning 5 stars for quality measures and nurse staffing.
Traymore Nursing Center
4315 Hopkins Ave, Dallas, TX 75209
(214) 358-3131
Traymore is a for profit, 88 bed medicare facility. They received 4 stars for health inspections and five for quality measures for an overall 5 star rating.
Broadway Plaza Healthcare Center
5301 Bryant Irvin Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76132
(817) 346-9407
Broadway is a for profit 60 bed medicare nursing home that received five overall stars after earning five stars for health inspections and three for quality measures.
To find more information on these and other nursing homes around the state, visit the US News and World Report site directly. If you need to find assisted living residences, use the box at the top of this page.
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12.28.10
Posted in Assisted Living, Elder Care, Elderly Diseases, exercises at 10:06 pm by admin
As seniors get older, their options for exercise become more and more limited. This is unfortunate, because if there was ever a time for them to make proactive attempts to get fit, it is in their senior years. After all, there are a host of ailments and diseases that come about because of inactivity, or are at least made much worse by it. But how can a senior avoid the aches, panes, and general abuse that comes with impact sports and exercise? Here is one idea: Yoga.
Yoga for seniors is becoming a popular activity in elderly care, mostly because it can be an extremely beneficial exercise. The physical affects of yoga are well documented: the exercise helps individuals achieve greater flexibility, lubricate joints and tendons, improves respiratory health, and tone muscles. Likewise, the psychological affects are tremendous as well: yoga fosters a sense of calm well being. People just tend to feel better after practicing yoga.
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Seeing this, it’s obvious why seniors would want to join yoga classes. A typical senior gets weaker and tighter as they sit for long hours. This can result in muscle shortening. They can also develop osteoperosis, and their balance gets worse. This leads not only to greater deterioration of their bones and muscles, but it can lead to accidents as well. Yoga can help to counteract all of these problems. It can help to stretch a senior’s muscles, preventing that tightness and shortening. It can help maintain healthy bones, and best of all, it can help seniors maintain a sense of balance.
Granted, yoga is not a complete exercise program. It is not a cardio workout that can take the place of jogging. But it can be an extremely valuable addition to a senior’s exercise program.
Thankfully, assisted living programs and senior centers are starting to offer yoga programs all around the Texas and around the country. Many yoga studios offer special classes especially for seniors. These classes may be called “gentle yoga,” or something similar. But don’t be dissuaded. These classes can still be immensely helpful for seniors who not only want to feel better about their body but who want to feel better about their life.
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Posted in Assisted Living, Assisted Living Facilities, Bathing, Caregiver, Elder Care, Elderly Care at 7:52 pm by admin
Austin elderly care services are as diverse as the reasons people live in Austin, and as people of Austin themselves.
Austin, TX is the fifteenth most populous city in the United States. It is a college town, where fifty thousand students attend the University of Texas, and where music and arts burst off of every street corner.
People live in Austin for a variety of reasons. Some like the hot weather. And it is hot! Average Austin temperatures in the summer are well into the 90′s, and often jump into the tripple digits for long periods of time! Others like it for the incredibly diverse and quality culture scene. The annual SXSW (South By Southwest) music festival has become one of the most popular festivals of its kind. Indeed, Austin claims to be the live music capital of the nation, rivaling even Nashville, TN for musical props! And beyond that, there are plays and museums up and down the city, which prides itself on its eclectic nature. Event he bumper stickers say “keep Austin weird!”
Senior citizens, too, enjoy the heat, the culture, and the general excitement of Austin, and those are just a few reasons that they choose to retire there. It is a fun, exciting place to live! But there is something else that draws senior citizens to Austin: the senior housing and the quality of the city’s elderly care services, both volunteer and paid. Here are some examples of what seniors in the city of Austin can find.
Austin Senior Centers
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Senior Centers are some of the best resources for seniors looking for elderly care services. They are, for millions of elderly people, a hub for building friendships and for getting much needed information about programs and situations that affect them personally. Here are just a few locations in the Austin elderly care scene:
Senior Activity Center
2874 Shoal Crest Avenue, Austin
(512) 474-5921
City of Austin: South Austin Senior Activity Center
3911 Manchaca Road, Austin
(512) 442-1466
Conley-Guerrero Senior Center
808 Nile Street, Austin
(512) 478-7695
Opportunities for Austin Elderly to Volunteer
Volunteer opportunities can sometimes provide seniors with an excellent way to jump back into life and be productive in a meaningful way. And these opportunities can be more fulfilling even than a previous career was! Here is THE place to contact if you need volunteer ideas in the Austin elderly care world:
County of Travis: Retired Senior Volunteer Program
100 N I H 35
Austin, TX 78701-4138
(512) 854-7787
Volunteer Services to Assist Austin Seniors
Austin Seniors who need a helping hand can easily find assistance through the city’s volunteer network. Not only is the Meals on Wheels program active around the city, Austin has its own “Meals on Wheels and More.” This particular network sets up all kinds of excellent services for Austin seniors including “Mike’s Place,” which works with Alzheimer’s patients, “Care calls” for seniors who need someone to check on them, and “congregate meals,” which provides a socially fun environment for seniors to get together and share a meal. You can call them or visit their website for more information:
“Meals on Wheels and More.”
3227 East 5th Street Austin, TX 78702
(512) 476-MEAL (6325)
Elderly Care Housing in Austin
Finally, most people, when they think of “Austin elderly care services,” would think immediately of assisted living and other forms of senior housing. And Austin has plenty of those!
Here are a few examples of different types of senior care homes in the Austin area:
Barton Hills
1606 Nash Avenue, Austin, TX
(512) 441-6000
Get around the clock care for all sorts of activities for daily living, including dressing, bathing, etc. This is an affordable assisted living center.
The Summit at Westlake Hills
1034 Liberty Park Dr., Austin, TX
(512) 328-3775
The Summit at Westlake Hills is a broad senior care facility that includes fine independent (retirement) living, personalized assisted living care, and nursing home care as well.
Horizon Bay Vibrant Retirement Living
8005 Cornerwood Dr.
Austin, TX 78717
512-238-7200
Horizon Bay offers a comfortable independent living environment for today’s active seniors. You can settle down in a Horizon apartment and take advantage of all the terrific amenities and social activities that are going on all around the facility.
There are dozens more senior housing options in the city. Do you need to find TX assisted living? You can start by filling in your information at the top of this page!
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12.27.10
Posted in Assisted Living, Assisted Living Safety, Elder Care, Elderly Care, Senior Citizen at 12:43 pm by admin
Healthy Seniors Owning Pets
Pet ownership has tremendous benefits for people in any demographic, given the right circumstances, especially senior citizens. Seniors who grow close to their pets are often happier and healthier than those who live alone. It is not difficult to see why. Pets become a source of real companionships for millions of people. They talk to their pet, they feel a connection with them. They feel protected by them, and they feel like they are never alone. And because their pet is dependent on them, they take responsibility for all kinds of things: feeding their pet, taking walks, cleaning up after her. All of these things can help the senior to get physical exercise that they might not otherwise get.
For seniors who are healthy enough to live alone, pet ownership can be a tremendous help. The biggest benefit might be the most subtle. Retired seniors can often suffer from a depressed state of mind that results in a loss of purpose. When they were working in their former careers, at least they felt productive. At least they felt like they were contributing to society. But when they retire, all of that can go away. A pet, however, brings the kind of responsibility to the table that can squelch those feelings. A senior who has to take care of a pet can quickly regain a sense of responsibility, which builds confidence. Add to this the comraderie and exercise benefits, and pet ownership might be a real no-brainer!
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When Seniors Can’t Care for Their Pets
But as a senior ages further and their health begins to go south, they might not be able to take care of their beloved friend by themselves. What happens then?
Fortunately, there are a growing number of elderly care facilities–from nursing homes to assisted living facilities to retirement communities–that allow pets, and able to help care for them. Of course, there are restrictions and fees involved, but the door is opening wider and wider as baby boomers need help but don’t want to abandon their friends. This is definitely worth looking into. Seniors can search for assisted living homes that will allow dogs, cats, birds, etc.
But more often than not, assisted living homes will not allow pets, for obvious reasons. Pets require additional hands, and additional care. That means greater expenses. So if you are unable to find an assisted living home that will take a pet, you might be left with some less attractive options:
1) Find a family member who can take care of the pet. This is a great option if the pet is small and manageable. But if we are talking about a bid dog or a less manageable animal, obviously, family will not be too thrilled.
2) Take an ad out in the paper or on Craigslist and find a good home for the pet. This is not a fun option for the senior, but it might be the best one. If they can’t manage their pet any longer, of if they are unable to take their pet with them to their next living situation, let them have a say in where their pet goes. They might be able to have a say in where their animal ends up.
For help finding assisted living or other senior housing, enter your info above, and begin your search!
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