Tag Archives: Assisted Living Facility
Depression In Aging Parents: Warning Signs To Watch For
Senior living, depression in seniors The National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates that more than 6.5 million seniors had depression in 2009. Even though the data is years old, many people still do not consider severe depression to be a concern for elderly parents. What’s worse is that depression in seniors sometimes goes undetected. Many senior living experts opine that a senior who is upset could come off as grumpy. One could consider appetite loss a side effect of becoming older. Seniors may be more likely to worry about death because they are nearing the conclusion of their life. Being sad about becoming older is normal given that we all want to be younger. The physical symptoms of aging or certain behavioral features can indeed be signs of depression. As a result, depression is never properly diagnosed and is instead attributed to aging. This is regrettable because senior depression is common, remains undiagnosed and untreated, and can have catastrophic repercussions. Knowing the warning signals is crucial if your parent begins to exhibit symptoms of depression, which is not a typical outcome of aging. Causes Of Depression In Seniors Seniors do not develop clinical depression as a result of aging; although your parents may be sad that the years have flown by. Again, almost every senior can endure bodily changes and mental fluctuations. However, you and any caregivers should be concerned if these symptoms persist for more than a few weeks. Why are older people more prone to depression? According to […]
Read More
Understanding Home Care Services
Seniors may require home care services at some time in their lives. In fact, the majority of seniors will tell that they would want to remain at home for as long as possible. They can accomplish this through the use of a home care provider, either with the help of a close friend or a compassionate expert. Finding home care can include letting a stranger into your house, which can be a scary thought. The hesitation you experience will be replaced with gratitude because the advantages they offer far surpass any drawbacks. What Is Home Care? Working with a stranger is frequently a requirement of home care services, but don’t worry—home care experts have the best training in the medical field and are licensed. There might also be a nurse on hand, depending on the kind of home care you get. Family members can also offer home care, but if they lack the necessary training, their capabilities may be limited. A home care professional may assist you with running errands, cooking meals, reminding you to take your medicines, and even being a companion. Some healthcare professionals can assist you in taking care of wounds and severe injuries while also offering palliative care. Different Types Of Home Care Services There are three primary categories of home care services. These are: Personal Care And Companionship Usually, a nurse is not needed to help with this kind of home care. These in-home carers will typically help you with routine duties like meal preparation, […]
Read More
What You Should Know About Senior Assisted Living
As with many issues associated with growing old, assisted living has long been a topic that almost everyone does not focus too much on until they require it. At that time, you may have many questions to ask service providers about senior assisted living. It may seem overwhelming to you to answer all those questions at once. This is why we will discuss many pieces of important information about the said living arrangement here. A State Licenses And Regulates Assisted Living Facilities The assisted living industry is state-regulated in the United States of America. Every single state in the nation determines a unique set of laws for assisted living and implements those pieces of legislation. In almost every state, the Department of Health (DOH) oversees assisted living arrangements. The same goes for assisted living facilities New York locations. Not Every Assisted Living Community Is Created Equal Never assume that you know this living arrangement well just because you have been to one of the communities. Each assisted living community is unique in some way as well as has its own standards and philosophies of care. For that reason, it is best for families to go to at least two assisted living locations before arriving at any decision. Providers of quality assisted living New York services will also encourage and welcome family visits. It Is A Cost-Effective Living Option For Seniors Pricing structures may vary by community, but almost every assisted living location offers a good bang for your buck. This […]
Read More
Average Cost For Someone Living In Assisted Living
Taking care of an aging loved one can be exhausting, both physically and emotionally. Studies report that family caregivers are at an increased risk of depression, stress, anxiety, heart diseases, and many other serious health conditions. Caregiver stress is a fact. Even those family members who live far away and take part in coordinating care for the senior loved one who lives alone at home report symptoms of mental and physical stress. Many family members understand the importance of professional senior care and choose to enlist the assistance of senior care professionals to ensure the health and happiness of their senior loved ones. For many, this means seeking out an assisted living facility. Assisted living communities can bring forth a safe environment, together with activities that can improve the standard of living of your senior loved one. Many people are wondering if they will be able to afford the costs of assisted living, together with the other discretionary expenses of their senior loved ones. If you are one among them, read along to know more about the costs of assisted living. Assisted Living Costs Assisted living communities can vary much when it comes to financial expenses. Nonetheless, there are a few things that most assisted living communities across the country share. A monthly fee is one among them. Residents of assisted living communities should pay a monthly fee that covers their apartment rent and most utilities and includes amenities like caregivers who can help with daily activities, […]
Read More
Why Senior Living Can Be A Safer Option Than Aging In Place?
The senior care industry is full of phrases and acronyms that many of us learn only as we begin to age. You may have heard the common phrase “age in place” and might have wondered what it means. Generally, aging in place means getting older in one location, typically, the family home, making use of support services and resources. Even though the concept can sound good, it might not be the best option to remain as healthy as possible. This is because aging in place can lead to issues with socialization, wellness, and accessibility. In fact, in the middle of this global pandemic, the safest place to be for seniors may be in an assisted living facility or other senior care facilities, instead of isolated homes. Let us see why senior living can be a safer option when compared to aging in place. Accessibility Problems Even though many seniors express a desire to remain at their homes as they age, their homes can no longer work for them and can be unsafe if they use a walker or some other devices to help with mobility. For instance, consider the master bedroom. If it is on the second floor of the home, elder adults with reduced levels of endurance can find it challenging to climb up and down the stairs. To solve this, if the master bedroom is moved to the first floor of the house, the elderly adult will miss out on strength-building activity and will end up […]
Read More
Caring For People With Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a nervous system disorder that affects many people across the world. It affects the brain and spinal cord of the person by damaging the myelin sheath that surrounds the nerve cells and protects them. The damage to the myelin sheath can block the communication between the body and the brain, leading to many symptoms. As per the healthcare experts, it is one of the most difficult diseases to diagnose and treat and is one of the leading causes for a person to move to assisted living facilities. Many Americans suffer from Multiple Sclerosis but only 5 to 10% of this population will need care from nursing homes. Nevertheless, they comprise a significant and increasing number of people seeking such chronic nursing care. Generally, between the ages 20 and 40 years is when a majority of the people experience their very first symptoms linked with Multiple Sclerosis. S Symptoms Of MS The symptoms of multiple sclerosis can range from benign to debilitating. Some of them are: Having troubles with coordination and balance Visual problems Prickling sensation or numbness Thought and memory problems MS can result in problems with standing or walking and may also lead to partial paralysis in the worst cases. Apart from the pins and needles sensation, some multiple sclerosis patients can also experience pain. Dizziness, speech problems, and tremors are some other frequent complaints. About half of the people with multiple sclerosis suffer from cognitive impairments like problems with attention, concentration, […]
Read More
Avoiding Sitting Disease in Seniors in Assisted Living Facility
Exercising is one of the key elements to ensure a healthy life, which is why assisted living communities encourage their residents to lead an active lifestyle. It is also seen that a lack of exercise can be very dangerous to the overall health of seniors and can cause a host of ailments. Sitting disease is one of those conditions, which can in turn lead to a lot of health problems like type II diabetes, heart diseases, decreased flexibility and mobility, and even certain types of cancer. A recent study by Northwestern University found that sedentary behavior could be a potential cause of future physical disability and can make it difficult to manage even basic daily activities like eating, bathing, and dressing. According to the study, “Every additional hour a day you spend sitting is linked to a 50% greater risk of being disabled regardless of how much moderate exercise you get.” Many other studies have also highlighted how prolonged sitting can heighten the risk of chronic kidney disease, circulatory problems, heart disorders, and musculoskeletal issues. Besides, inactivity for a long time can lead to a feeling of isolation in seniors and take a toll on their mental health as well. This makes it very important for seniors in an assisted living facility to follow a regular exercise schedule to stay fit and active. Avoiding Sitting Disease in Seniors A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine said that maintaining a high level of physical activity every day helped to […]
Read More
Understanding Potential Signs of Dementia in Senior Citizens
It is normal for senior citizens to start forgetting things occasionally due to the age-related changes in the body. However, if the instances of memory loss are more frequent or become quite severe, then it could be more than usual forgetfulness and indicate dementia. Below is how you can differentiate between normal age-related memory problems and dementia in seniors. This way, you can make sure that your loved one gets the right type of care services in the assisted living facility. Memory Loss Symptoms in Seniors Poor memory due to aging is not that serious and not a cause of concern at all. The typical memory-loss symptoms in seniors include transience and absent-mindedness. According to Harvard Medical School, these two conditions are common signs of aging. Transience refers to a condition where seniors cannot remember old things due to decreased accessibility of memory. Studies say that this is the brain’s unique mechanism to remove old memories so that there can be enough space for new ones. Absent-mindedness, on the other hand, refers to a condition where seniors start showing inattentive or forgetful behavior. This happens due to the reduced focus of the brain, which is a common side effect of aging. There could be many other factors too, which cause absent-mindedness in seniors, such as boredom, sleepiness, or focusing on personal thoughts instead of paying attention to the external surroundings. The National Institute on Aging says that there could be many health conditions as well, which lead to memory loss […]
Read More
What to Avoid When Looking for an Assisted Living Facility
It requires a lot of time and research to find an assisted living facility that will meet the needs of your loved one in the best way. You need to consider many things when making a choice, which means that there are chances of making a few mistakes as well. So to help you out, below are some of the common pitfalls that you should avoid when looking for an assisted living community. Not Involving your Senior in the Search It is very important to include your elderly parent or grandparent in the search when you are looking for senior care options. He/she is the one who will be spending the rest of his/her days there. So you should make sure that your senior is comfortable with the community. Besides, it will also help you to understand which services and amenities your loved one prefers to have. This will work to ease the move to the assisted living facility as well. Not Navigating the Financing Options Assisted living costs can range anywhere from $2,000 to $7,000 per month or even above that. This depends upon many factors, such as the amenities and services included in the senior care plan, the type of room, the location of the assisted living community, and more. Generally, Medicaid does not offer support for managing the costs of assisted living. However, there are many other options, which could be beneficial here, such as long-term care insurance, life settlement funds, VA benefits, etc. Not Being Aware […]
Read More
How to Decorate your Senior’s Room in an Assisted Living Facility
Decorating the room for your elderly parent or grandparent in the assisted living facility can work wonders to make them feel at home. This is an important part of the transition, which is why most assisted living communities allow residents and their families to decorate their rooms to their liking. The caregivers at the assisted living facility can help to understand what not to do in order to avoid any unnecessary hazards and risks. In fact, you can decorate the room in an assisted living community in such a way that it works to enhance the physical safety of your senior. Below are some tips to help you decorate your senior’s room in an assisted living facility so that it boosts their emotional outlook. Remove Potential Fall Hazards Be aware of elements in the room that can increase the risk of slip, trip, or fall for your loved one. For instance, removing rugs and mats from the floors can help to avoid such issues. At the same time, color coding the floors and corners of the room with brightly colored tape will help your senior to find the way to the bathroom or main door easily. Create a Home-like Environment Light fixtures can greatly affect the ambiance of any room. So if your loved one is used to having a specific kind of lighting at home, installing that in the assisted living facility will help to make them feel at home. You can go for pretty table lamps, overhead lighting, […]
Read More