One of the most difficult decisions children face as they grow up is what to do with their aging parents. Elder generations, the ones who shaped the World we live in, deserve all our respect but the time comes when children need to step in and act on the behalf of their aging parents. The time always comes when a decision needs to be made about the living situations of senior citizens. Are they OK living at home alone? Should they be placed in a senior care place, and if so, what kind? Following a few simple guidelines will make it much easier to find the right living situation for any senior citizen.
The first step in choosing a senior independent living situation is to confer with the senior citizen’s doctor. Talking to their doctor will provide two vital starting points in the process. First off, their doctor can provide a deep knowledge of the senior’s level of health which will be vital in choosing whether a senior needs independent living or more of an assisted living scenario. Secondly, a visit with the doctor can yield an initial list of facilities to consider for the senior citizen.
The next step should be to thoroughly investigate each facility before narrowing choices. Find out, through online searches and an in person visit, all the programs and assistance that a facility offers to senior citizens. Determining the expense and location of a facility in proximity to family members in the area is important. Many places have varying prices depending on the level of care a senior needs; try to tailor the facility to the needs of the senior. Keep the senior’s health in mind at all times, a facility that is more expensive but can easily transition the senior’s care from independent living to assisted living would be worth the extra money if the senior’s health is fragile. Make sure to visit any facility and see firsthand what the living conditions are, observe the staff interacting with seniors, and find out all the programs they offer to keep senior citizen’s happy, entertained, and healthy.
The most important step in the process is to include the senior citizen in the selection of a facility, as long as they are mentally capable of assisting. It will ease everyone to have the senior citizen involved in the process. This way they won’t feel as though they are being abandoned, and you will know your beloved parent is safe and happy in the independent living scenario you have chosen.
Finding a senior housing facility, whether for yourself or a loved one, can be confusing. There are so many names and levels of care that it can feel overwhelming. It’s a hard enough decision emotionally, you don’t need to complicate matters by being faced with options that aren’t always clear. Here are the three main types of housing for seniors, and what they offer. Nursing Homes Nursing homes, sometimes called Skilled Nursing Facilities, will offer the most comprehensive care in senior housing. They offer round the clock medical care, as well as physical therapy, spiritual support, meals, and other professional services. This option is best for those with chronic ailments, debilitating diseases, or other disabilities that require constant care with daily routines. Assisted Living Assisted living provides extensive medical care, meals, and household care for those who do not have serious medical conditions. The staff of an assisted living facility will help in preparing meals, dressing, grooming, and basic care. They also allow the residents to participate in social activities. Assisted living is best suited for individuals who can still maintain their independence with help needed in a few areas. Independent Living An independent living senior housing community will allow seniors who are self-sufficient enjoy a private community. This living situation provides easy to maintain homes or condos that offer security and comfort. They also will provide activities for members of their community. This is a good option for those who want to continue living independently, but don’t want to have to worry about the upkeep or security concerns of a private home. Retirement Communities A retirement community is unique in that they offer the three mentioned housing choices all together in one community. These facilities can see a person through their retirement years, from complete independence to 24 hour care. This is ideal for those who have a condition that they know will worsen over time. As their individual needs change, the community will be able to provide the attention needed.
You can find non-medical senior care services through home care agencies, assisted living facilities, or independent caregivers. Online resources such as Care.com or AgingCare.com can help you locate providers in your area. It's important to thoroughly research and interview potential caregivers to ensure they can meet the needs of your loved one.
Choosing the perfect senior living apartment is key to your happiness in your new home or for the happiness of a loved one. Selecting an apartment is something that should be done only after different apartment complexes have been toured and compared. By following these simple steps you can ensure that you have thoroughly researched the complexes you are interested in before making any life-changing decisions. Step One- Learn the Amenities Some complexes offer workout centers, laundry facilities, media rooms, pools, and more for residents to take advantage of. If there is a particular amenity you are interested in, check to see if the complexes you are touring have it available. If you don’t think you’d use the extra amenities and resources, you can save yourself some money by checking out simpler, basic, communities. You indirectly pay for these features through your rent, so why pay more for the amenities if you are not going to use them? Step Two- Know the Level of Assistance Some senior living apartments are very independent, giving residents a comfortable home where they can still perform everyday tasks completely on their own. Other facilities have nurses and medical staff to help with activities that may not longer be easy to accomplish alone. There are complexes from completely independent, to extremely dependent, with everything in between. Every person’s needs are different, so make sure the apartments you choose have the level of assistance you want. Step Three- Know the Rules Different complexes have different rules that may conflict with what you are wanting for your new home. Check their pet policy if you are an animal owner to make sure your friend(s) can stay with you. Also, inquire about the complex’s guests policy if you plan on having relatives or friends stay the night regularly or for prolonged periods of time. While some apartments just require a notice of guests staying over, other complexes simply do not allow extended stays. You don’t want to be unhappy with your apartment selection because you did not look up the complex’s policies beforehand.
The aging process is not always kind. With age, many senior citizens feel that their independence is being taken away. For safety or health reasons, families often have to make a tough decision regarding the aged loved one’s ability to continue to live alone. This is an especially difficult situation when the older person is successfully maintaining their independence to some degree. This person might still drive, still do the shopping and cleaning, but often slips in the shower or forgets to take medication as directed. This senior citizen may be an ideal candidate for an independent living facility. An independent living facility provides the best of both worlds for the resident and the family. The resident maintains independence, often allowed complete freedom to drive, shop, clean, prepare meals, have guests, and perform grooming routines as desired. However, the facility will provide staff to check in on the resident on a routine basis. The staff member will monitor the resident’s safety and health conditions, including medication administration, hygiene, nutrition, living conditions, and vital signs as indicated. Additionally, a staff member may be assigned to assist the resident in other aspects of daily life, such as mail, banking, appointment setting, and a variety of other personal affairs. Should the resident’s needs progress so that a higher level of care is needed, staff members will alert the family and facility administrators, at which time decisions can be made about the most appropriate placement of that loved one. This frequent, skilled monitoring provides many families with the peace of mind that their relative is enjoying the quality of life that they’re familiar with, as long as their mental or physical health allows. Independent living is something that no one wants to give up. Unfortunately, there often comes a time when it is no longer safe for a person to live without at least a limited amount of supervision. Independent living facilities offer an answer to the family’s concerns while still affording the elderly adult the opportunity to maintain the dignity gained from independence.
You can start by researching online for affordable seniors communities in your area. Check for government-subsidized housing programs, community organizations, and local senior centers for assistance. Consider reaching out to social workers or nonprofit organizations that specialize in helping seniors find affordable housing options.
form_title=Find an Assisted Senior Living Facility form_header=An assisted living facility can help seniors retain some of their independence and remain safe and secure. What are you looking for when it comes to your loved ones happiness?=_ What medical issues should the facility be aware of?=_
When we think of senior living arrangements and facilities for the aging population, we tend to picture rocking chair porches and quiet surroundings. Baby boomers have changed the entire landscape surrounding senior living quarters nowadays. Most seniors today are far more active than your grandparents were and they want to continue living a social and active lifestyle well into their nineties and beyond. The activity level of the senior may dictate which housing complex they choose to call home. Many senior living facilities come fully equipped with social gathering rooms that are used for everything from bingo games to line-dancing lessons. Many more senior living complexes offer excursions to local casinos and theater events. Senior living does not have to mean inactive living. In fact, many of the senior living facilities coordinate with community groups such as the VFW and local senior citizens committees to plan trips and group-discounted vacations. There are many senior living facilities that cope with the population that is not as mobile as most seniors tend to be. There are transportation vehicles available to shuttle senior residents to doctor appointments and shopping markets should that need arise. Still many more senior living facilities have a full-time nurse at the facility for medication distribution. There are dining facilities at most of these complexes to provide the seniors with well-balanced meals. Which senior living facility you select for yourself or your loved ones will depend upon several factors such as their mobility, activity levels and the availability of care available (if needed). Location of the facility in proximity to family or friends may also be a consideration because you do not want your senior living to feel more like imprisonment. Relocation to a senior living complex should be as seamless as is possible to avoid the seniors from feeling isolated from familiar faces. Wherever you choose to place yourself or your loved ones, you can realize that this does not have to be a permanent move. If you are not satisfied with the senior living facility that you have chosen, you can always move to another.
form_title=Senior Housing form_header=11003 What is the current living arrangement for the care recipient?*= {Select One,Home (lives alone),Home (lives with spouse),Home (lives with partner),Home (with care services),Assisted Living,Residential Care Home,Lives with family,Hospital,Nursing Home,Retirement Community} How is the care recipient getting around?*= {Select One,Independent,Walker,Cane,Temporarily immobile due to injury,Wheelchair - can propel self,Wheelchair - needs help to propel,Bedridden - unable to bear weight} Would you like any personal care services along with regular care? (see below for specific personal services)*= () Not sure - prefer to see all options. () No - personal care services are not required. () Yes - care recipient needs the personal services selected below. () Bathing () Eating/feeding () Dressing/grooming () Toileting () Dispensing medication What is the length of time for housing or care needed?*= {Select One,Not sure - prefer to see all options.,Long-term care (10 weeks or more),Short-term care (Less than 10 weeks)} Who is it that you are needing care for?*= {Select One,Mother,Father,Spouse,Son,Daughter,Grandparent,Other Relative,Friend,Client,Myself}
Southern California Senior Resources can help you to find an appropriate new senior living community for your elderly loved one. The service is always free. Visit at www.socalseniors.com
SeniorLiving.com is an online directory for senior communities. Check their for ones in your area, as well as some good information. RetirementLiving.com is another site that acts as a directory for senior living communities. As friends or family who know of loved ones in a nearby senior community. Find out if they would recommend a particular place.
Glorious Day - Living He Loved Me - was created in 2011.
It can be very nerve-wracking to help you loved one make a decision to seek out senior housing. It can be more so if your loved one is able to live on their own with minimal assistance, because finding the best senior citizen apartment for their needs can be difficult. Before helping your loved one search for an apartment, it’s a good idea to sit down with them and honestly assess their needs and what type of amenities they would desire. Once you’ve got a list of your loved ones needs and wants, then it’s time to look for a good senior citizen apartment in the area in which they or you live in. Before deciding on a particular place and signing a lease, make sure you check with other senior living complexes, as each one will offer different amenities, have different pricing and will be geared differently for individuals and their needs. Once you’ve narrowed the list down to two or three, then it’s time to make a decision based on what’s best for your loved one. If your loved one has their mental facilities about them, they can and will be able to help you make this decision or will, at the least, be able to state a preference. Ideally, you should choose a senior citizen apartment that offers activities and recreational areas, as well as transportation services to local shopping, restaurants and doctors - this can make things easier on your loved one and will help them to feel more independent. Some senior complexes even offer basic domestic help on a weekly basis, which is good if your loved one has limited mobility or other health issues that make housekeeping difficult. Ultimately, you and your loved one should make the decision about a senior citizen apartment together, so that he or she is in the best place to suit their needs. Make sure that you and your loved one also talk to other tenants or residents in the complex to get the ins and outs of living at that particular place. Being informed is the best way to make a good decision to meet your loved one’s needs.
he was living as a child in Jerusalem and loved the animals there
I'm pretty sure it was a bone in his arm.
How to Choose a Proper Senior Home 1. Know the individual’s medical needs - Ahead of all other considerations when choosing a senior living environment, none is more impactful than the medical attention a new resident will need. Senior living homes and communities offer varying levels of medical care, from nurses who rotate regularly to every unit, to a dedicated doctor available on-call. The cost of a senior living situation will increase, in most circumstances, as the level of available medical care increases. Most of the more severely dependent seniors will be placed in assisted living residences, which also offer varying levels of medical care. 2. Know the individual’s loved ones - Seniors who are placed in a senior living situation may want to be close to those about whom they care most deeply. Procuring a spot at a centrally located senior home, between the homes of loved ones and family, is beneficial to the well-being of the resident and those who come to visit. Centrally located senior living situations reduce the amount of commute on any one individual and encourage more frequent visitation. 3. Know the individual’s hobbies and capabilities - Senior communities focused on the active senior lifestyle are prevalent as life expectancy increases and seniors desire more engaging activity after retirement. Golf course communities are the most popular of all gated senior living communities, often offering a lifetime of free golf with the purchase of a lot or home. Many senior communities will have wellness centers, spa accommodations, restaurants or dining halls, tennis courts and a pool. Organized physical activity is encouraged for older citizens and joining a swimming or tennis club is an excellent way to remain physically engaged. 4. Know the individual’s budget - Regardless of any personal desires, senior living options may be restricted based on budget. It is important to contact any insurance carrier for information on long-term care coverage and government assistance programs for other complementary medical services. Seniors may be able to cut costs in one area, such as prescriptions through a Medicare D plan, to the extent that residence in a nice senior community will not break the budget.
If you are charged with finding a senior living facility for your loved one, there are some things you should be aware of as you begin your search. Follow the tips below to make your search go smoother.Assess your loved one’s needs. As there are different levels of functionality, so are there varying levels of senior living facilities. Even if you are just looking for an assisted living facility, there is a vast difference in the amount of services offered among facilities. Whether your loved one just needs to have someone near in case of emergency or needs daily help with medication, it is important to assess her needs before you begin your search.Start looking for facilities that offer the services that your loved one needs. Take a tour, ask questions, and observe other residents, if possible. If you can, talk to other residents and their family members to see how they feel about the facility.As you are looking at your options, compare the prices and see how they stack up against the services offered. Some assisted living facilities are actually homes that house just three or four residents. Other facilities are skyscrapers where the residents have their own apartments.Once you have narrowed down your choices, make sure that the facilities you have in mind are licensed and ask to see any inspection records. Dig deeply to ensure that the facility you choose hasn’t been fined for neglect or for not keeping up the premises.Involve your loved one in the choice, if possible. After all, this will be her home and she should feel comfortable.Make sure that the facility you choose is a comfortable driving distance from you. No matter how nice the place is, you want to be able to visit often. Relocating your loved one too far away from you could be traumatic for both of you and other family members too.Although it is a daunting process, locating senior living options for your loved one doesn’t have to be a traumatic experience. Take your time and do your research in order to make the transition as stress-free as possible.
Annie Oakley loved to shoot guns