Category: Assisted living for the elderly

Categories
Assisted living care Assisted living for the elderly Senior homes

Assisted Living Community – Fun for All

Skilled nursing facilities

Instead of looking for an independent living facility when a health crisis hits, begin your search early when you have time to consider your options. According to the CDC, there are approximately 16,150 nursing homes in the United States, so researching assisted living facilities is of the utmost importance. When researching facilities, consider the costs and your budget, licensing and accreditation, medical services needed, features needed, and facilities in your area. Even though it can be emotionally stressful to admit a loved one to a nursing home or independent living facility, researching a high-quality facility will ease the anxiety of everyone involved.

When you are researching independent living or nursing home facilities, do they offer quality care?

Make sure every facility you consider for your loved one is state licensed and accredited by outside agencies and found to provide quality and compassionate care to their residents. Also, ask for recommendations of nursing care homes or independent living facilities from friends and neighbors who have been through a similar process with their family members.

Keep in mind your budget as you research long term care facilities

There are many excellent care facilities that offer the type of care you or your loved one need that will fit the budget you have available. If your loved one has money set aside for long term care, you will want to take into consideration how to make the best use of that money in your choice of care facility. Also, financial aid is available for veterans who are in need of services that nursing homes or other care facilities provide. Medicare will cover nursing home costs under certain requirements so include this as part of your financial research.

Three Types of Long-Term Care

  • Skilled Nursing Facility or Nursing Homes – provide 24-hour medical care by nurses, doctors, and nursing assistants to those with illnesses or mental conditions. Staff organizes the facility?s ?extracurricular? activities such as art classes, music performances, social interactions, and holiday celebrations. Typically, those seeking the assistance of a nursing home are the elderly, disabled, and terminally ill; however, they are not only for the elderly but anyone that requires 24-hour care.

    • Residential Care and Assisted Living Communities – offer varying levels of care for seniors who are still living independently, all the way to those who need 24-hour care or supervision. These are more suitable for those who need help with daily tasks like dressing, bathing, and moving around, rather than those with serious illness or medical issues. Offer older adults with limited care needs a simplified lifestyle with amenities like fitness programs, laundry, and housekeeping.

  • Memory Care Communities or Facilities – Specializes in providing care to aging adults with Alzheimer?s, dementia, and other cognitive issues. Approximately 42% of nursing home patients suffer from some form of dementia and Alzheimer?s disease is a common reason patients are admitted into a nursing home. Staff members are trained to help with communication and also help residents manage dementia symptoms like sundown syndrome, wandering, or combativeness. Memory Care Facilities are sometimes housed in larger nursing homes or other facilities.

Looking for the perfect place for your loved one when the health need arises is never easy, especially when you are no longer able to provide the care they need. Involve all family members in your research and the final choice of an independent living facility to make the transition an easier one for your loved one.

Categories
Assisted living for the elderly Senior retirement communities Skilled nursing facility

Knowing When to Move to Assisted Living

Assisted living is something that most people don’t want to consider, but it’s imperative to do it as soon as your health starts deteriorating. Whether you have a family or support system, you don’t want to depend on them all the time, even if they insist. Senior living is a much better option so that you can take control of your medical care, accommodations, and the rest of your life.

However, you have to research some aspects first. “What is a board and care home?” is a common question among seniors looking at assisted living. This option is perfect for people who don’t require much medical attention but still need some help. All seniors assisted living alternatives have various degrees of care depending on what each person requires, which can be ideal because some nursing homes have become impossible to afford.

Once you know it’s time for assisted living 18 questions to ask should include: What types of meals are offered? Are they prepared for COVID? How do they handle emergencies? And what kind of care is provided? You may have other questions, which is why it’s so critical to start thinking about next level senior living as early as possible. Let’s find out more.

While many elderly people will tell you that they are able and willing to stay at home, this is not always the case. Occasionally, a senior may need more help than they are willing to admit. Moving to an assisted living community is a great way for seniors to get the help that they need to live healthy and fulfilling lives, but knowing when it is time to move can be tricky.

If you suspect that a family member or friend may be struggling with daily life at home, there are a few things you can look out for to confirm or refute this assumption. Simply taking a look around the home can tell you a lot about the senior’s level of independence.



Clutter and piles of mail are a big indicator that it may be time to start looking into assisted living homes, especially in the home of a previously-tidy individual. Personal letters or bills that have remained unopened may indicate lapses in memory, and piles of papers on the floor can be a tripping hazard.

Another place to look to make sure your senior is living well is in the kitchen. Moldy or expired foods that have gone unnoticed and an increase in takeout and freezer meals may indicate that the homeowner does not feel comfortable cooking. Signs of fire, such as burnt pots and pans, are a big indicator that a move to an assisted living community might be appropriate.

Of course, one of the best ways to find out a senior’s needs is to check with the senior. If he or she is losing or gaining weight, forgetting to take medication, or neglecting personal hygiene, it may be time for a move. If the senior has lost interest in previous hobbies, fallen out of touch with friends, or refuses to leave the house, he or she may be suffering from depression, and a move to an assisted living community with social activities may be extremely helpful.

The decision to move to a home for senior independent living can be difficult for seniors and their families. Having a frank discussion with the senior about his or her needs is often a necessary step in determining if it is safe for them to stay at home. To learn more, read this.

Categories
Assisted living for disabled Assisted living for the elderly Bloomington il nursing homes

Two Things You May Not Know About Nursing Homes

Long term care facility

Did you know that there are more than 16,000 nursing homes in the United States? In addition, this number is expected to grow in the coming years because much of the baby boomer generation is turning 65 or older. However, there are several misconceptions about nursing care homes, so it is important to learn the facts about these independent living facilities in order to make the correct housing decision for you or a loved one.

– Nursing homes are not only for the elderly. Although the average nursing home resident is 79 years old, people of any age can live in assisted living homes. That is, of course, if they require 24-hour care. This is because the best nursing homes offer comprehensive care that includes everything from personal services to medication distribution and monitoring. This means that whether individuals are elderly, disabled, or have any other conditions that require assistance, skilled nursing facilities are a perfect housing option.

– Nursing homes offer independent living. Nursing homes provide 24-hour care, yes, but they also give residents the opportunity to live more autonomously. In fact, many nursing homes offer social and recreational activities, such as painting classes, mixers, movie nights, exercise classes, trivia nights, and musical performances. These types of activities allow residents to fully enjoy themselves, which gives them the opportunity to live more independently and pleasurably.

Since nursing homes are often misunderstood, it is important to learn the facts about them. For example, not only do these facilities offer care to nearly anyone, but they also provide independent living opportunities, as well. As a result, skilled nursing centers are perfect for anyone who requires 24-hour care and convenient independent living. Helpful research also found here.