Hospice care is a type of senior care that is designed for people who have an incurable health condition. As per the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, “Hospice is defined as a model of care that emphasizes compassion and values quality of life for those facing life-limiting illness or injury. Hospice is unique in that it uses a team-oriented approach to provide quality medical care and pain management, as well as emotional and spiritual support specific to each patient.” Hospice care aims to help seniors with managing their symptoms and live their remaining days with dignity. Most people associate hospice care with providing care at the home. Yet seniors can also benefit from hospice care services at an assisted living community. In fact, it is reported that around one-third of assisted living residents receive hospice care in their community. The caregivers take the necessary steps to provide additional care when a senior resident at the assisted living facility becomes terminally ill. Hospice care is covered by Medicare and most of the health insurance policies, so it usually does not incur any additional expenses. Sometimes, assisted living facilities collaborate with a specialized hospice care provider to make sure that their residents receive quality care in the community during their last months of life. It is seen that the early adoption of hospice care at an assisted living facility can help seniors in many ways. Hospice healthcare professionals can help seniors as well as their family members to prioritize their goals […]

One of the most beneficial aspects of moving to an assisted living care facility is that they help seniors with managing different types of medications. The professional caregivers at assisted living communities will help with administering the right dosage as well as ensuring that the medications are ordered appropriately. They can also schedule a medication review for seniors with physicians and pharmacists so that the senior can understand and lower the risk of potential side effects due to multiple drug interactions. What is a Medication Review? Seniors above the age of 65 are often prescribed multiple medications, some taken multiple times a day. This can increase the possibility of potential conflicts or duplications, especially when multiple physicians are involved. Reviewing the medications with a professional pharmacist will help to recognize if the prescribed medicines need to be adjusted or if they counteract the action of another medication. A medication review will also help to keep an eye on the expiration dates as well as see which ones the senior no longer needs to take. It is a known fact that modern pharmaceutical technology helps to lower the chances of a dangerous drug interaction. However, there can be instances when a senior uses different pharmacies for different types of prescribed medicines. The senior could be taking a few over-the-counter drugs too. That is why it is important to consult with a pharmacist to understand the effects and potential contradicting actions of all prescription and over-the-counter medications. As pharmacists are experienced in […]

Seniors can often seep into boredom and solitude, especially when they are away from their loved ones in an assisted living care facility. Assisted living communities understand this and offer many opportunities for their senior residents to do something meaningful with their free time. Researchers have established that when people do something productive, they find a sense of purpose in life, which works to benefit their overall health. Being involved is also seen to reduce stress and anxiety in seniors. That is why assisted living facilities do their best to inspire seniors to stay engaged and live a contented life. How Assisted Living Communities Motivate Seniors to Get Involved Assisted living is rooted in a community lifestyle, which allows seniors to interact and socialize with like-minded people. They offer a wide variety of activities and recreational opportunities to their residents, which help to boost community-involvement, entertainment, and socialization. Below are some of the ways, in which senior care facilities inspire seniors to get involved and lead happier lives. Workshops and Classes Assisted living communities organize different classes and workshops for seniors to participate in and explore their creative side. This can range from cooking classes and painting sessions to book clubs and many other interactive workshops, which are enjoyable and promote senior socialization. This way, seniors can stay up to date with the current events and connect with people having similar tastes. Dancing Dancing is a fun activity for people of all ages. Seniors can benefit from dancing in a […]