How To Transition Into An Assisted Living Community Stress-Free

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How To Transition Into An Assisted Living Community Stress-Free

While transitioning your elderly loved one into an assisted living facility is certainly a big step, it doesn’t have to be a stressful one. By taking the time to find the right place, prepare your loved one for the move, and help him or her get settled after moving, you can ensure that the transition into assisted living is seamless for everyone involved. 

In this post, our assisted living professionals at St. Paul’s Senior Services have put together a guide on how to transition into an assisted living community stress-free. Below, you’ll find advice and recommendations from our experts on every step of the transition into assisted living — from searching for an assisted living community to settling in after the move and everything in between. Read on to learn more, and reach out to our San Diego, CA assisted living community here at St, Paul’s today!

Finding the Right Assisted Living Community

Assisted Living CommunityBefore beginning any sort of move, it’s important to do your research and decide on the best assisted living memory care community possible for your loved one. Finding the right place is a process that will require significant outreach on your part to help get a clear idea of the amenities and services offered at each, as well as what life is like for the residents. In the preliminary stages of research, it’s a good idea to visit the website of each prospective assisted living community on your list to see if they offer the type of care your loved one needs. For instance, if your loved has dementia at any stage, memory care facility is a must. If your loved one has more specific needs, we recommend giving each community a call to speak with the staff and learn how they can personally accommodate your loved one.

After completing initial research and outreach, it’s vital to tour each of your top prospective assisted living communities. Above all other forms of research, taking a tour will give you and your loved one a chance to experience life firsthand at each assisted living community. (It will also give you ample time to familiarize your loved one with his or her new surroundings, which will go a long way in easing the transition for whichever assisted living community you choose.) On your tour, don’t be shy to ask your tour guide questions. This will give you a better idea of some of the subtler aspects of life at a given community, and will also give you insight into the staff that works there.

Keep an eye out for things that seem out of place or inhospitable when taking your tour. Does the staff seem unhappy, or overly eager to “sell” you on the facility? Are the outdoor grounds poorly maintained? Do the indoor areas seem dated or unclean? Most importantly, observe the residents and your own loved one’s reaction to the community. Do they seem unhappy or overly subdued? Happy and healthy residents are the single most important piece of proof that an assisted living community is doing a good job. (Your own loved one’s initial reaction to an assisted living home is important, too, but bear in mind that this can change over time.) Beyond that, use your discretion and choose a home with well-maintained facilities, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and a large list of amenities and services to accommodate the needs of your loved one.

Familiarization: Before the Move To Assisted Living

A little familiarization can go a long way in easing the transition into assisted living for your loved one. As mentioned above, one of the easiest ways to familiarize your loved one with an assisted living community is to take him or her on tours with you. Many communities will also allow you to schedule visitations where you can bring your loved one in for a more personalized appointment. During these visits, have your loved one interact with the staff, eat a meal, and experience the grounds and amenities as much as possible. Helping your loved one take in his or her new surroundings as much as possible before moving will help make the move that much smoother.

Organizing and Downsizing

Assisted LivingFor many seniors, moving into an assisted living community can be a daunting proposition simply because of the property they’re leaving behind. Every day stresses such as personal belongings, home responsibilities, and other loose ends can act like anchors that keep seniors (and their families) from making the move to assisted living. By making a concerted effort to organize and downsize with your loved one, you will help ease the some of the stresses associated with moving.

Transitioning into Assisted Living

Take time to go through your loved one’s belongings with him or her, and, if you can, offer to store some of them in self-storage or in your own home. Make a list of the things your loved one wants to complete, and try to finish them well before scheduling a move. With enough organization and downsizing, both you and your loved will feel much more ready to make the move into an assisted living community.

Familiarization: During and After the Move

No matter who you are, moving to a new place can feel somewhat uncomfortable. Even if you absolutely love your new quarters and community, it may take some time for your new house or apartment to really feel like a home. Seniors moving into assisted living are no exception to this rule. Help your senior loved one feel at home in his or her new assisted living community by making an effort to organize his or her living quarters in a way that’s both familiar and comfortable. Bring old furniture along with you, and keep room layouts the same as they were in your loved one’s old home as much as possible. Try to visit whenever you can, and encourage your loved to get involved with the community’s planned activities. Involvement in assisted living activities will make your loved one feel happy and part of a larger community. Scheduled activities and outings may also ease any feelings of homesickness or unfamiliarity. Come out and enjoy the activities with your loved one — you’ll find that there’s a lot of fun to be had and memories to be made.

Learn More About Transitioning into Assisted Living

Interested in learning more about how you can make the transition into assisted living as seamless and stress-free as possible for yourself and your loved one? Our staff here at St. Paul’s Senior Services would love to speak with you. Explore our website to learn more about our San Diego, CA senior assisted living communities, and reach out to us at (619) 239-6900 today!

 

 

Senior Independent Living or Senior Assisted Living Selecting The Right Nursing Home

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Senior Independent Living or Senior Assisted Living Selecting The Right Nursing Home

Senior housing can take many forms, including senior independent living and assisted living communities, Alzheimer’s and dementia care homes, residential care homes (also known as board and care), and skilled nursing facilities.

An assisted living community for seniors provides care for individuals who need some help with activities of daily living, yet who wish to remain as independent as possible. These senior living communities bridge the gap between independent living and nursing homes. Residents in assisted living communities aren’t able to live by themselves, but they don’t require constant care. Medical care is limited in an assisted living community and each state sets its own limits. Residents are assessed when they move into the community so the community can develop an individualized service plan to ensure that the senior get the best care possible.

senior independent livingThere are about 33,000 assisted living communities in the United States. The number of residents living in a community can range from a few up to 300, with the most common size being between 25 and 120 individuals. Each community offers different levels of care and charges varying rates. The communities range in size from high rises to classic Victorians. Rooms vary from studios to one and two bedroom apartments with kitchenettes.

Residents may suffer from memory disorders, various diseases, or simply need help with mobility, incontinence or other challenges. Assisted living is appropriate for anyone who can no longer manage to live on their own but doesn’t require medical care.

Choosing the Right Assisted Living Community

Facing the difficult task of selecting a senior assisted living facility for your loved one can be an emotionally stressful situation. You will want to ensure you find a community that will treat your loved one with compassion, respect, and dignity. It is important to take your time with this decision. With the right help, it’s possible to enhance the quality of life of your family member as they face the challenges that come with the aging process or a health issue. Because there are many options in assisted living facilities, you will want to take the needs of your loved one into account to ensure they are placed in the best possible assisted living community for their needs.

Things to Consider When Selecting the Right Community

The most common types of assisted living facilities include:

  • Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE)
  • Memory Care Homes (Alzheimer’s and other Dementia)
  • Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC)
  • Independent Living Communities (IND)
  • Assisted Living Communities (ACL)
  • Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF)

Assisted Living CommunityEach type of facility will provide a specialized level of care based on the needs of these types of patients and residents. If your loved one needs very little assistance, you may consider a residential care assisted living facility. This type of home will offer the ability to remain as independent as possible while receiving the care needed to remain healthy and safe. These facilities are ideal for seniors that wish to avoid the responsibilities that come with remaining in their own home, but still are able to live on their own.

Patients with Alzheimer’s or other dementia will require a specialized level of care offered at assisted living facilities dedicated to these illnesses. With a staff that understands the unique challenges of these conditions, your loved one will be cared for with dignity and respect when you select a Memory Care community that specializes in Alzheimer’s or dementia care.

Skilled nursing care facilities are for patients in need of a higher level of care. Seniors with significant health problems, mobility issues, and other challenges will receive a higher level of care when placed in a skilled nursing facility. For up-to-date information consider following Senior Care and Nursing Homes Tomorrow podcast.

 

How to Take Care of Seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease

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How to Take Care of Seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease

One of the common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is the ability to recall past memories and the failure to remember recent experiences. If you notice your parent has this capacity, chances are, he or she is suffering from this disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain syndrome that gradually causes memory loss. It affects a person’s mind and work. The thinking power of a person is slowly deteriorating over time. Medications are a big help and so is family support. Thinking ahead and winning the battle on dementia. You may consider senior care treatment through memory care and family support from senior home health care.

Show of Love

memory careLet’s face it. Some seniors are hard to deal with. They do not want to be told what to do. They do what they want and always insist that they know best. You can make them feel loved by doing little things with them.

If your parents love to cook, spend time with them in the kitchen. Give them simple tasks to do like sorting out vegetable leaves. This easy task makes them feel useful and loved.

Laugh Together

You and your parents have enjoyed a laugh before. Remind them of those times. Laughter is still the best medicine.

Physical Touch

Like a small child, hug your parents. Sleep next to them, even only for a short nap and hold their hands. Touch them as they want to feel important. They have this insecurity of uselessness. A simple touch can do wonders for them.

No Arguments

Instead of arguing with them, try to distract attention by soothing them. Persons with this disease are fond of repeating things. It is inevitable. You have to avoid being too critical. Whenever possible, change the topic. Never let them see your disappointment, frustration and boredom. These reactions injure their self-esteem.

Always see to it that your tone is positive and friendly. Stick to everyday topics like the weather, food, and their hobbies. Try to veer away from abstract topics that require a lot of thinking such as politics.

senior home health careListen

Parents need a listening ear. Whenever they are relating anecdotes of long ago, listen to them seriously and take down notes inside your mind. Accompany them to the doctor. Tell the medical practitioner about their reactions.

Food

Seniors have a different diet. You have to break the monotony by cooking their favorite dish from the past. It can remind them of the times they cooked for you. This can make them feel younger and stronger.

Family Support

It is essential that you ask help from family members. Take turns in making your parents feel loved. Play cards and bingo with them. Look at old pictures with the family and reminisce the good old days when they were younger.

Alzheimer’s diseases may be a frustrating condition, but with your constant support and love, you can help your parents feel a lot better.