11.14.10
Posted in arthritis, Assisted Living, care at home, Caregiver, Elder Care, Elderly Care, Home Health Care, Senior Citizen at 9:54 am by admin
Possibly one of the most preventable yet sometimes life-threatening incidents seniors face is falling down. Brittle bones, unstable balance, slower reaction time all contribute to the hazardous nature of an incident that in the younger years was not such a big deal. For many seniors, a simple fall can be a big time set back for even an active senior. Healing usually takes longer and other complications can arise when you are immobilized.
My own active Grandmother took a fall in her favorite restaurant, broke her hip, and ended up wasting away in a nursing home where she was exposed to a secondary infection that weakened her dramatically and ultimately ended her life. While not every fall ends in severe injury or death, any serious fall takes its toll on a senior’s health. Something to consider especially since many senior falls are preventable.
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Providing Steadying Support
The answer to preventing falls may be as simple as using a cane for walking to help stabilize your balance or even just taking the arm of someone steadier on their feet. Many seniors balk at the idea of using a cane. It took some convincing to talk my own father into using such a support device. It wasn’t until we found one that suited his sense of style and individuality, that he finally warmed up to the idea. No cane-like walking device would do; he chose a six-foot, hand-carved walking staff with built-in flute on the top end. Whatever floats your boat, right? It provide just enough support to keep him steady. Having to shift to a walker later on was a harder sell, but he liked the idea of a walker that converted into a seat. Again, the dual purpose device appealed, and it gave him a place to get the rest he needed to stay steadier on his feet. Walkers designed with a personalized pocket storage system might do the trick for someone else.
Making the pathways smooth and clear
One of the biggest causes of falls often lies in the senior’s own home. Steps, uneven ground, obstructed pathways, and loose throw rugs are often the biggest culprits of senior falls. Replacing steps with ramps or adding grab bars and hand rails can make a huge difference in safety. Putting in smooth pathways in outside areas further reduces falling risks. Removing throw rugs and thick carpets and replacing them with rubber mats, or no carpeting at all is a quick fix. Making clear paths through the house is an absolute must. Removing stacks of stuff, low decor, and rickety furniture that will not safely offer support if grabbed will hugely reduce the senior’s risk of falling. Adding proper lighting such as motion sensor lights or night lights particularly for nighttime trips to the bathroom or kitchen will also go a long way to keeping seniors on their feet.
Caution when out and about
In the hustle and bustle, seniors often forget physical limitations and caution when they’re out and about. Having someone along to ofter a steadying arm and watch for wet floor signs, uneven ground, slick surfaces, traffic, or obstructions maybe the best excuse ever for making most outings a social event with a friend or family member. Remembering that senior reaction time might be a bit slower than it used to be might be added motivation for caution when venturing out into the fast lane of the grocery store or busy sidewalk.
Taking these few simple steps to preventing senior falls may be one of the simplest yet worthwhile things you can do for yourself or the senior you love. It is family elderly care, and it is worth your while.
If you need TX assisted living, or senior housing in any other state, submit your area information in the box at the top of this page.
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11.11.10
Posted in Assisted Living, Assisted Living Facilities, care at home, Caregiver, elderly and education, Elderly Care, Elderly Diseases, Senior Citizen, Taking Care of a Loved One, Texas Elderly Care Services at 12:15 pm by admin
It’s November 11th today: Veteran’s Day! Today, we honor our loved ones who served to protect our nation through many years of wars, and conflicts, and those who stood on a wall to defend our freedom. In a land where every group out there is asking for more funding, these military veterans are the ones who deserve our highest attention. Since they pout their lives on the line for us, the least we can do is make sure they have the ability to live as comfortably as possible, and have full abilities to take advantage of opportunities, just like the rest of us.
Many Veterans are now becoming senior citizens. The baby boom generation includes millions of military veterans who are now retired, or planning to retire very soon. These brave men and women, many of whom fought during the Vietnam War, one of the most difficult struggles of the last century, are now wondering what should come next. Should they stay at home, or move into an elderly care facility where their medical needs are watched over, and they are relieved of the daily responsibilities that come with living in your own home. The cost of Assisted Living, however, often seems prohibitive. So many seniors who would love to move into an Assisted Living community, end up passing it up.
Fortunately, there is help for these veteran seniors. A little known Pension fund that can be a massive benefit to these men and women. The “Improved Pension” Benefit of the Veterans Administration includes a benefit for Aid and Attendance. How much aid is available? Alot. A single veteran can receive as much as $1632 per month, and a married couple up to $1949 per month. Even surviving spouses can benefit from this. They can receive $1055 per month.
This benefit is not for those who want to move into a luxurious retirement home. It is for veterans who need medical help in a skilled nursing facility or an assisted living community and cannot afford it. The medical problems do not have to be strictly related to their service, however. And it would also cover other types of caregiving, such as home care expenses for those who still want to live in the comfort of their familiar surroundings.
Consider how much this benefit could help. Most TX Assisted Living facilities can cost between $2500 and $400 per month (although he benefit is national, of course, not just for Texans). For a married couple, this is a lot of money. However, the Improved Pension benefit can affectively cut this amount in half, making it actually doable.
Are you a military veteran who wants to retire in an Assisted Living environment? Could you use this type of financial assistance? Visit VeteranAid.org to read more about the Improved Pension benefit for Aid and Assistance, and find out if you apply. Make sure you read through the application process, as it explains in detail what documents to prepare and submit. Also, if you need to find an Assisted Living facility in Texas or any other state, use the “Find Senior Housing” tool at the top of this page.
One final word to you or your loved as you look into this benefit: Thank you. For everything.
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11.10.10
Posted in Alzheimer's Disease, Assisted Living, Assisted Living Facilities, dementia, Dimentia, Elder Care, Elderly Care, Senior Citizen, Texas Elderly Care Services at 5:19 pm by admin
According to a new study just released and written about in the Wall Street Journal, smokers appear to have a significantly higher risk of getting Alzheimer’s or Dementia than the average citizen.
For most people, this might not be a surprise. The effects of smoking on a person’s lungs, and the subsequent risks of developing lung cancer have been explored ad nauseum. Every one knows that smoking is bad for you. However, the fact that it appears to be able to affect a neurological disease like Alzheimer’s is very interesting.
Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a form of Dementia. Common “Senior Moments” and memory decay do not necessarily indicate Alzheimer’s. Most seniors will experience those things as a natural mark of the aging process. Alzheimer’s, however, is much more severe. It is one of the top ten causes of death in the United States, and it afflicts millions of Americans right now. Recent numbers indicate that there might be more than five million cases. Seniors are for more likely to get it than others, of course. As a form of Dementia, Alzheimer’s is a disease that decreases brain activity. It affects not only the memory, but all parts of the brain. It can severely hamper a person’s thinking processes, and even their subconscious ones. It can be catastrophic to a senior’s independence, and it can cause immense emotional hardship on the family. That is not to mention the natural damage it does physically, causing a host of problems all over the body, including the heart.
So for seniors who smoke, the news that their habit could contribute to something as difficult and daunting as Alzheimer’s could be a sufficient wakeup call.
The study, which was documented by Shirley S. Wang, says that after 20 years of research and observation, says that heavy smokers (people who smoke two or more packs a day) who continue their habit into their 50′s and 60′s are far more likely to develop Alzheimer’s and Dementia. How much more likely? Get this: 157% more likely to develop Alzheimers, and 172% more likely to get vascular dementia.
As for those who smoke less than that, from from one to two packs a day, the results were not quite as heavy, but still significant. There was a 44% greater chance of getting Alzheimer’s, and 37% greater chance of developing dementia.
One of the study’s authors, Dr Rachel Whitmer, explains how this might happen:
“We know smoking compromises the vascular system by affecting blood pressure and elevates blood-clotting factors, and we know vascular health plays a role in risk of Alzheimer’s disease,”
What This Means, Practically
Many seniors who have reached old age (especially those who have a solid family health history) often feel like they have earned the right to “coast.” And that might be true. But for heavy smokers, the danger has not disappeared just because they made it through life smoking. For them, this study really ought to sound an alarm. If Alzheimer’s really is so emotionally damaging (which it is), and if it is really so dangerous (which it is), and if it really is such a frustrating enigma that drains people’s strength, feelings, and finances (yes, it does!), then all seniors who want to smoke really ought to take heed. After all, if you want to see the family and know the grandchildren, you need to keep your mind sharp. When that goes, everything else can go, too.
Click here to read the full article
If you are looking for help with Alzheimers care or TX Assisted Living facilities, use the box at the top of this page. You can find listings across Texas and across the nation! Elderly Care is no longer hard to find!
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11.08.10
Posted in Assisted Living, Dialysis Assisted Living, Dimentia, Elder Care, elderly and education, Elderly Care, Elderly Diseases, pain releif, Senior Citizen, Taking Care of a Loved One at 11:07 am by admin
Seniors are living longer, healthier, and better lives thanks to public awareness, elderly care research, and a proactive shift to preventative medicine. Many of the following deadly illnesses can be prevented or managed with a healthy lifestyle and early medical intervention.
1. Heart Disease
Heart disease includes heart failure, heart attack, and arrhythmia, which impair the heart’s ability to beat regularly and effectively, impacting blood circulation. Heart disease is often found in conjunction with other conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, poor diet, and lethargy. Genetics also plays a roll in heart disease.
Heat disease prevention begins with sticking to a healthy diet and regular exercise regime as well as quitting smoking. Quickly identifying and treating potential health risks and complicating factors such as diabetes, and high blood pressure can go a long way to reducing your risks of having potentially serious heart disease. Check with your doctor if you are concerned about any of the above or if heart disease runs in your family.
2. Cancer
The types of cancers affecting seniors vary from colon cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, to skin cancer. The older a person gets, the more susceptible they are to developing any of the above cancers.
Prevention of cancer is still being heavily researched, and many scientists and doctors disagree on the best course of action to prevent cancer, but most will agree that catching cancer earlier rather than later allows time for treatment and increases your chances of survival. Annual check-ups may be your best defense.
3. Stroke (cerebrovascular disease)
The loss of speech, muscular control, or vision is cause by a stroke, also called cerebrovascular disease. A stroke is usually caused by a blood cot which either prevents blood flow to the brain or causes the brain to hemorrhage.
Prevention of strokes is tricky, but science tells us that seniors with high blood pressure or diabetes have an increased risk of having a stroke. Keeping those risk factors under control may be the best way to prevent a stroke. Also, catching early warning signs, such as a mild stroke, may give you and your doctor a strategy for preventing a major stroke.
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4. COPD
That irritating cough that just won’t go away, may not just be irritating if it’s due to COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). This disease is often associated with heavy cigarette smoking or long-term exposure to air-born toxins and starts with a deep cough and mucus in the lungs.
Prevention of COPD may be as clear cut as stopping smoking or avoiding toxic working environments. Treatments may include inhalers or surgery to alleviate symptoms.
5. Pneumonia
Cold and flu season, during the winter, is one of the most likely times for seniors to contract pneumonia, an infection or inflammation of the lungs. Pneumonia really becomes deadly when it’s combined with other chronic diseases.
The pneumococcal vaccine may prevent some types of bacterial pneumonia, and the flu shot may also prevent one type of viral pneumonia. Otherwise just avoiding gatherings during the peak of cold and flu season, washing hands before eating and after returning home. Physical and breathing exercises may also help improve your lung capacity. Avoid smoking and second-hand smoke. When using chemicals, wearing a mask and protective clothing and working in a well ventilated area may prevent aspiration pneumonia.
6. Diabetes: Type II
Type II Diabetes is also known as adult onset diabetes, and is a metabolic disorder that affects the way your body responds to insulin and stores sugar (energy). The many long-term complications from diabetes are what make it so deadly since they can affect the eyes, kidneys, heart, blood vessels, immune system, and nerves. The risk of heart attack is dramatically increased for people with this type of diabetes.
Prevention of Type II Diabetes lies mostly in correctly managing it to avoid the serious complications associated with the disease. Diet and exercise are key for managing diabetes.
7. Accidents
Accidents are not an illness, obviously, but they become a big deal when you’re a senior. Slowed reaction, decreased muscle control, and brittle bones contribute to the danger of senior accidents whether it’s a fall at home or a car crash.
Preventing accidents could be as easy as knowing your physical limitations and asking for help.
8. Septicemia
Septicemia includes any major infection that enters the bloodstream, poisoning the entire body.
Seniors should be quick to go to the doctor if they have fever, shaking chills, changes in mental status, or bleeding into the skin. The doctor may be able to localize and treat infections quickly, preventing serious major infections that lead to septicemia. Also, having flu and pneumococcal vaccines reduce a senior’s risk of developing septicemia.
9. Nephritis
Nephritis is better known as kidney disease. Nephritis is caused by toxic chemicals, bacterial infections, or alcohol abuse, which damage our body’s filtering system, the kidneys.
10. Alzheimer’s Disease
More and more attention is being turned toward Alzheimer’s Disease since complications associated with the disease can be deadly. Alzheimer’s causes loss of memory, mental reasoning, and eventually motor skills and organ function.
Alzheimer’s Disease does not have a cure, and more research needs to be done to define better treatments, but most experts agree that maintaining a healthy lifestyle with healthy diet and exercise will help, and being proactive by quickly seeking medical help may reduce your risk of developing the disease or at least slow the symptoms.
Awareness and healthy living will go a long way to protecting you or the senior you love from becoming a casualty of one of these ten illnesses. If you are looking for FL assisted living, or senior housing around the country, use the search bar at the top of the page.
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11.06.10
Posted in Alzheimer's Disease, Assisted Living, Assisted Living Facilities, Assisted Living Safety, dementia, Dimentia, Elder Care, Elderly Care, Elderly Diseases, Senior Citizen at 4:57 pm by admin
Caring for Alzheimer’s disease is one of the least most difficult functions in the world of elderly care. Maybe that is because it is one of the most difficult ailments to understand. There are millions of families around the country who are struggling with it right now. For them, it is not just an issue of memory loss. It is an issue of perplexion and heartache.
The good news is that families no longer have to figure out how to deal with Alzheimer’s disease by themselves. There are countless ways for family caregivers to get help fighting this disease, while helping their loved ones to be comfortable and as happy as possible.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Contrary to popular belief, Alzheimer’s disease is not just “common memory loss.” Yes, there is a sort of memory loss that can occur with age, but Alzheimer’s does not. Alzheimer’s is a form of Dementia. Dementia is a decrease of brain activity, not just in memory. Alzheimer’s is a particularly dangerous form of dementia. There are between 2.5 and 5 milion Americans who suffer from Alzheimer’s. And unfortunately, many of these people end up dying from the disease. Alzheimer’s is the seventh leading cause of death in America.
So what can a family do when their loved one shows signs of Alzheimer’s disease? Ultimately they have two choices: care for them in a home setting, or put them in a full time elder care community that specializes in memory care. It is not a good option to leave them to live alone, since Alzheimer’s causes serious problems in every day life.
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Alzheimer’s Care at Home
For families who are able and willing, home care is probably the best option for dealing with Alzheimer’s. That is because it is easier for dementia patients to be around familiar settings. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s at home:
- Keep the day full of activities. Make sure to include activities which are familiar to them. If possible, make connections with skills that they used to use in their career. If they get upset, switch to a new activity.
- Form routines with those activities. Routines are extremely important for Alzheimer’s patients. If there are things your loved one would do every day, try to bring those in as well. Familiartiy is your ally.
- Communicate with gentleness, calmness and brevity. Do not complicate the issue with confusing sentences. And do not let your own frustrations come through. That does not mean you should patronize, as if you are talking to a child. Just let your kindness come through in your patience and your clarity.
- Utilize help services, for your sake and your loved ones. Cargiving is not easy in any situation, but especially when dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. If you are not careful, you may end up frustrated and burned out. So be sure to check into local respite care and adult day care services. These are often linked to long term assisted living centers. They can look after your loved one for any length of time, from a few hours to a few days. Remember, if you are not well taken care of, you will not be able to take care of them.
If you are not able to care for your loved one at home, you may want to consider an Alzheimer’s Care facility, also known as Memory Care. Memory Care units will focus on building routines, providing safety, and keeping your loved one comfortable. The staff at Alzheimer’s Care facilities are well trained to deal with the intricacies of Alzheimer’s disease, and will make sure you are involved in the process as well.
Finding Alzheimer’s Care Facilities in Your City
Are you searching for elderly care to help your loved one while they are suffering with Alzheimer’s Disease? Find it right here on this site, by putting your information in the box at the top of this page. Be sure to click the “Alzheimer’s Care” box before you click your search, and if you find a facility that interests you, be sure to request “More Information.” This is a totally free service, so be sure to get information from as many faciliities as you want, with no charge.
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10.31.10
Posted in Retirement, Senior Citizen at 6:52 pm by admin
What is your image of modern elderly care? Do you see a bland, yellow dining room full of seniors eating meatloaf while watching reruns of The Golden Girls? Because if you do, you need to get current. Those are yesteryear’s stereotypes. Today, seniors who live in assisted living or retirement communities can live rich, full lives doing things they have always done, or better still: doing things they have always wanted to do but never could.
Case in point: Everyone has heard of golf retirement communities. They have been made famous in FL Assisted Living facilities and Arizona retirement communities. The idea here is simple. Many seniors–especially senior men love to golf. So instead of playing dominoes with the 87 year old in 32-B who always stays in his bathrobe, why not hit the greens with other active seniors? The idea has caught on so well that you can find golfing retirement communities all over the united states today.
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But golf communities were only the beginning. Today, innovative assisted living and retirement community planners have put fun and adventure back where it ought to be: on the front of the brochure. Their communities focus on giving senior residents some excitement in their golden years. They want to help make retirement a time that is full of joy. I want to give you a glimpse at what some are doing. We’ll start with the simplest and most obvious:
Seaside Retirement
Imagine retiring on the beach! This is not just an option for sunbathers. Seniors are increasingly getting out and enjoying the sun and beaches, whether in swimming, jet skiing, boating, or simply playing tennis in the ocean breeze. There is something about the sea that brings out the freshness and adventure in life. Seaside retirement communities and assisted living homes are especially popular in California and Florida.
Ski Retirement Communities
For seniors who love the mountains and don’t mind the cold, there are a growing number of retirement communities that are built around or next to ski resorts, and they cater to the skiing types. Of course, not everyone who lives in these places does ski. Some just enjoy the environment. Mountains are, in themselves, adventurous. They bring out the excitement for hiking, exploring, and photography.
Vineyard Living
Here is one brand of retirement living that has not yet fully caught on the U.S., but is quite popular in other places like Australia and Europe. Vineyards, and the vineyard lifestyle, are luxurious, but in an exotic way. To live at a vineyard, and be able to sample the fruits of the land… well, that is something that many baby boomers dream of! We wrote about one of these facilities near San Antonio, TX, where there are frequent outdoor wine and cheese events in a gorgeous outdoor poolside setting, complete with live music. How can you beat that?
Mobile Retirement
Okay, granted. This is not the same as formal Assisted Living. But many seniors who love the adventure of being on the road opt for getting a nice recreational vehicle and hitting the road. Leisure RV sites are popping up all over the U.S., as more and more people are trying to conserve money by taking the camper on vacation. But this lifestyle fits many seniors, whether they do it on the cheap, or with a two-hundred thousand dollar luxury motor home. It allows them to sample many sites around the country, while staying in the weather they most enjoy all year round. For those who love change, this can be the ultimate in adventure retirement.
Mobile Volunteer Retirement
Finally, some seniors will find fulfillment and adventure only when they are plugging into a worthwhile cause. There are vibrant networks of senior volunteers whose lifestyle involves taking their RV to a place where they can use their skills to help out on a part time basis. This is a popular option in Christian circles especially. For example, a career carpenter who retires takes his RV to a Christian retreat center. He joins the community for three months out of the year, helping out on various building projects for a few hours a day, and enjoying the clean country air with his wife for the rest of the day.
This is just a sampling, of course. Every year, there are more and more creative ways for seniors to actively live out their golden years.
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10.30.10
Posted in Assisted Living, Elder Care, Elderly Care, Senior Citizen, Texas Elderly Care Services at 5:41 pm by admin
As we documented last time, in recent years, new senior service organizations have increased dramatically. As the national population reaches retirement age in higher percentages, the number and specificity of these elderly care service organizations has increased as well to provide more comprehensive care for our nation’s elderly. The scope of services offered has widened to include broader-spectrum care for seniors. For example, home-bound seniors now may receive services including everything from in-home nursing and medical care to comprehensive volunteer services such as home maintenance, meal and grocery delivery, and social calls.
A More Holistic Approach to Senior Care
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The shift to a holistic approach to medical care and illness prevention has made a huge impact on the variety of service organizations that are being formed. Senior care has expanded from a physical needs-based field, to one that includes mental, emotional, social, and spiritual care. Organizations are recognizing the need to include opportunities for seniors to build community and maintain social relationships. All of these pieces are vital to maintaining and improving seniors’ over-all health.
Many senior citizen service organizations are forming networks to more effectively address the wide range of needs our seniors may have. For example, the Aging Services Council of Central Texas is a network of businesses, faith-based, nonprofit, and public service providers hoping to offer better services to the seniors of Central Texas and raise more awareness and finances to provide support the growing senior population. The hope is that more senior citizen service organizations across the nation will see the effectiveness of coordinating and networking together to provide more fully for the needs of seniors.
Depending on where you live, getting connected with the appropriate senior citizen service organizations may take some legwork, but you best bet is to start asking questions. Ask your doctor, your church, your TX Assisted Living center, or your senior center and check out the senior citizen service organizations in your area by searching on-line. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Whether you are home-bound or still active, there may be a service organization out there that could greatly enrich as well as prolong your life.
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10.29.10
Posted in Assisted Living, Elder Care, elderly and education, Senior Citizen, Texas Elderly Care Services at 11:20 pm by admin
As Baby Boomers reach 65, more national resources and attention are being shifted to care and prepare for this huge demographic as they enter their senior years. More senior citizen service organizations are arising than ever before, and many senior care organizations are teaming up and creating networks to provide more comprehensive care and easier accessibility to seniors.
Many organizations are expanding their volunteer networks to more fully meet needs of senior citizens all over the United States. Remember Meals on Wheels? This volunteer service has been providing meals for home-bound seniors for over 50 years in the United States. Now the Meals on Wheels organization has expanded in some cities to include minor or major home repairs, dementia and Alzheimer’s respite care, rural service, grocery delivery, care calls, congregate meals, and even pet care!
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Many senior citizen organizations are recognizing the need for specialized services to effectively meet the varied needs of senior citizens. Organizations devoted to Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia care have increased rapidly as the incidence of these illnesses has increased.
Rising costs of nursing home care have lead to the creation of hundreds of new in-home nursing care and senior care coordination businesses. These organizations provide or coordinate and network to provide regular in-home nursing care, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Most of these businesses will design a unique schedule and services suitable to each client’s needs.
Texas Senior citizens are enjoying more individualized care and services than ever before, but with the looming increases in the senior population combined with tight finances, these senior citizen service organizations are facing a serious dillema. How do we provide services to every senior who needs them and who may not be able to afford them? For many senior citizen care organizations, their solution is to band together, form wider networks, broaden their volunteer base, and appeal to American citizens to give generously to non-profit volunteer organizations whose focus is senior care.
The existing senior citizen service organizations are to be commended. The services they are providing are making a huge difference in the lives of many of our seniors, greatly contributing to a better quality of life and care. The best thing seniors and their loved ones can do is get connected to a network in their area and discover just what services are available to them. Information is readily available at your local senior center or TX Assisted Living facility.
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10.19.10
Posted in Assisted Living, Elder Care, Elderly Care, Senior Citizen at 5:44 pm by admin
Last year, we wrote about the advantages that seniors can have by getting a computer. The top reason, for many elders is this: they can see the grandkids. Believe me, I know this is true. My parents, who live two thousand miles away, immediately perk up when I pop up on Skype. They get so excited by the prospect of talking to my four kids. I get excited that they are excited. Technology is cool, isn’t it?
Well, I want to add something to that, because I know that buying a laptop is still overkill for many senior citizens. No matter how many frills you eliminate, it is still a complex computer at the end of the day. And it is a big leap for many. Too big a leap, even for the benefits of email and conferencing.
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An Easier Way to See the Grandchildren, “Face to Face”
In the past year, there has been a real breakthrough that we consumers have been waiting for for years: mobile video conferencing. The iPhone 4 got to it first, I think, delivering a way for two iPhone owners to see each other while they are talking. They use a program called “Face to Face.” Other companies have already followed suit. Soon, every smart phone will be including this option.
I don’t want to get too technical here. But I wanted to point out what a great opportunity this is for seniors who don’t want to get a computer. I think about it now because a good buddy of mine just convinced his mother to buy and iPhone 4 for this very reason. Yep, grandkids. She wanted to be able to talk to the grandkids. And now, because my friend has one, too, she can see the little preciouses with just a couple of finger swipes.
Now wait, you say. Mobile phones can be complicated for seniors, too! And yes, this is true. But they are becoming simpler and more intuitive with each passing month. The iPhone, especially, is easy to maneuver. The touch screen interface is bright, and the icons are easy to distinguish. It really does only take a few seconds to be up and running. If they are in an Assisted Living FL community or in a Texas elderly care community or in any other state, it will be even easier, since there are plenty of people there to help them get set up. It really is so much easier than a laptop!
And the fact is, seniors need some form of communication anyway. Senior cell phone use has skyrocketed in recent years, if only because people our age are worried about our parents. So if they have one already, or if you are ready to help them find one, consider getting them a phone that has video conferencing capabilities. Something like an iPhone 4.
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10.15.10
Posted in Assisted Living, Assisted Living Facilities, Atria Senior Living, Elder Care, Retirement, Senior Citizen at 12:47 pm by admin
Today, Assisted Living communities are immensely popular, and there are thousands of them all around the United States. By now, you probably know what they are all about, especially if you read articles on this site often. In a nutshell: Assisted Living facilities are designed for senior adults who do not need full time care, but could really use a helping hand with some important daily activities. This can include housework, medicine, transportation, and bathing, among other things. These facilities are not nursing homes, but they are not quite retirement centers either. They can be a wonderful sort of middle of the road senior care option. But for many seniors, this option can still be something close to terrifying. Moving into an Assisted Living facility requires them to leave home, pack up their belongings, and never come back. It is a big risk, on a personal level: relationally and financially. There is a lot riding on the decision.
Temporary Assisted Living: A Low Risk Option
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But seniors do not need to hedge all their bets on this decision. Today, there are many places that let seniors “test drive” a facility before committing to it long term. They can move in for a couple of days to a month. If they hate it, there is no harm, no foul. There is no obligation.
But it usually will not take a month to decide if the facility is a good fit for them. Many will know in their gut very early on whether the emenities are to their liking. They will get a feel for the clientelle. They will understand if these are people they could be friends with. They will understand whether the level of medical care is appropriate to their unique situation. And, most importantly, they will know if this is a place they can spend the rest of their life.
This low risk option has become common for many facilities today. If you are facing the possiblity of a move to an Assisted Living facility, ask them if they would allow you to stay temporarily before you agree to stay long term. Most facilities will be accomodating.
Here is an interesting option. Some Facilities even open up their doors to seniors who are travelling, like a senior hotel. So, if you live in Florida, and your mom lives in Utah, she could stay in an assisted living FL facility. Or maybe they are coming from Texas, and you live in the Pacific Northwest. They could stay in an Oregon Assisted Living home. It’s a comfy environment anyway. If she enjoys staying the weekend there, who knows? Maybe she could live there down the road!
One facility that is well known for doing this is Atria Assisted Living Communities, but there are others. These communities understand that if they make a good impression on the traveler, there is a good chance that they might end up paying good money to live there some day. So if nothing else, you can count on the vacation being a very comfortable one.
No matter how it works out, just know that this option is a tremendous opportunity for a senior adult who is almost ready to take the plunge. If that is you, your mother or father, you might seriously consider the temporary assisted living option before you sign on. After all, you wouldn’t buy a car before taking a test drive, would you?
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