A place for senior living provides care for senior citizens. The type of care given can vary dependent on the facility. There are nursing homes for those that need skilled nursing care, also called convalescent homes or care homes. These are places for those needing help will all parts of daily activities. These homes are not just for seniors though but can have patients of younger adult years as well. Many people in these senior facilities also receive physical or rehabilitative therapy as well.
A nursing senior living home can be reimbursed by Medicare, which is a federal program for those that contributed to Social Security and Medicare when they were working. These homes are licensed by the states which have different laws and regulations regarding them. Not all senior living homes choose to participate in Medicare or Medicaid. If the nursing home passes an inspection, then it is certified and subject to federal law and regulations. Nursing homes that do participate in Medicare or Medicaid are required to have licensed practical nurses on duty twenty four hours a day. Also a registered nurse must be on duty at least eight hours a day, seven days a week. These facilities are managed by a licensed nursing home administrator. Administrators have no standardized training and licensing requirements, though most states require a federal license. There are also senior living facilities for those that do not need the full care of a nursing home and these places are called assisted living. This type of place is more home like and has twenty four hour supervision. Many of these assisted living facilities are large homes that have been converted to apartments. These living structures provide a sense of community with an independent lifestyle even though some assistance is needed. To find a Sioux Falls senior living facility, visit Washington Crossing. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5066481
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Evaluating the Needs Before you start looking for the best senior living residences New Hampshire has to offer it is a good idea to understand the needs of your loved one. Make sure that the facility you choose will be able to provide any medical needs. Nurses on-call are fine, but your best bet would be to have a licensed nurse at the facility at all times. Will there be someone qualified to dispense medications to the resident when necessary? Will transportation be available for residents to keep appointments, curative or otherwise? If necessary, will the facility allow outside medical specialists? Just Like Home One of the greatest reservations in taking your loved one to an assisted-living facility is the apartment conditions. The average facility will have the basics but when you love someone, you want them to be happy. That generally means that the living arrangements should be more than adequate. Climate control, carpet floors and a walk-in shower are great but, will your loved one have access to Wi-Fi, so they will be able to Skype you when they need to. Do they provide staff to keep the apartment clean and comfortable for your mother or father? Can they warm something up in the microwave if necessary? Dinner Is Served Many adults don't like to cook and the older they get the more they look forward to eating out. This is not just an opportunity for them to stay out of the kitchen it also gives them some time to socialize with other people in their age group. Make sure that the facility you are considering will have a restaurant style dining room for the residents. Staff should also be somewhat knowledgeable on dietary restrictions, which would complement the health and medical needs of your loved one. Dealing with Boredom The last thing you need is to park your loved one in a facility and watch them stare at the walls. Jeopardy may provide some brain stimulation, but that is only for thirty minutes a day. Look for a facility that opens the door for a variety of activities, including outings to the mall or the beach. Bridge night can be fun, but if you want your mother or father to feel alive, the facility should offer a lot more than that. Many adults feel isolated from the outside world at an assisted-living residence; make sure that the world comes to your loved one. Coping With Change More often than not, the reason for your loved one requiring extra care is due to some lifestyle change. In some instances, this change could be triggered by the passing of the significant other. In all likelihoods, the children will be going through their own grief, which means that the parent that made it to the facility will be all alone. Your facility should be able to address these concerns right there or by catering for outside support groups. In the final analysis, the only thing left to consider will be the budget. A multifaceted Amherst senior living community such as Bentley Commons at Bedford can ensure that your loved one gets a refreshing take at life once again whether they need a traditional assisted living approach or the dream of the free souls-independent living opportunity. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9082009 Aging comes with many new challenges and decisions. As housework and day-to-day tasks become harder, it is important to make the correct decision about the future of yourself or loved one. Going to stay with a relative is not an option for every senior and that is why all independent senior living options should be considered.
Senior Apartments There are apartment complexes that cater to the specific demands and needs of the elderly. Generally, residents have to be 55 or older to be able to join an apartment complex. Rent on these apartments typically include services like transportation and recreational programs. Meals tend to be served in a communal dining area. Apartments for the elderly differ from nursing homes because in these complexes there are no medical personnel present. Continuing Care Retirement Communities For those in relatively good health, but with the potential problems in the future, a continuing care retirement community is a better option. These communities offer independent senior living and a nursing home environment. This combination allows the residents to transfer within the same community when more medical assistance is needed. Seniors who need regular assistance in their daily lives can enjoy an apartment, where they can come and go as they please. Residents who need more help can move to assisted living, which gives them the partial independence while gaining access to continual medical attention. The biggest benefit of this type of community is that the resident can transfer within the same environment to get the necessary care, while living independently as long as possible. Retirement Communities Another option is retirement communities, which have a minimal age of 55 or 60. They also have fees included in the rent to cover amenities such as transportation and recreational options. Instead of being an apartment building, these communities are made up of smaller homes, duplexes, townhouses, and even mobile homes. Another feature is that the residents can choose to purchase their property rather than just rent. However, if the property is purchased there is typically still a low monthly fee to cover the cost of a wide range of amenities. Independent senior living isn't for everyone. Some elderly citizens are in excellent health and have a home in which they can easily maintain. These people may also choose to hire a house cleaner to help with the occasional upkeep or even remodel parts of the home to make it easier to get around. Either way, they maintain their homes without moving into a special apartment or community. Still, others may find that their health is failing very quickly. In this case, home health or a nursing home may be the best choice to ensure their medical needs are tended to. Aging doesn't have to mean losing independence. In order to retain the same level of freedom, while having less day-to-day stress, a senior-citizen community may be the best option. When considering Independent senior living, Baldwin County visit Premier Plastic Surgery. Learn more at http://www.allianceseniorservices.com/services.php. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9102617 If you're not aware of the different levels of senior living available, or the different types of lifestyle options for the elderly, let's look at the ways a senior citizen can live out their golden years. The retirement options available are vast because senior living is a broad term that includes all of the following options.
Independent living options are for those who are capable of caring for themselves but prefer living in a community setting designed for those of age 55 and older. Continuum care retirement communities are for those who want to live self-reliant while having aides and skilled nurses if needed. Congregational care or pastoral care is an ancient ideal of spiritual and emotional care that can be found in all beliefs. Active senior apartments are for those in good health that are still active in their day-to-day routine. Assisted living facilities are for those who want to remain communally dynamic but may need assistance with daily living actives, such as bathing, grooming, medication and meals. Most residents live in studio apartments. Skilled nursing centers are settings for those who need long-term care. This may include other services provided by Medicare or the state. Alzheimer's and memory care centers are also for those with dementia. Here you will find opportunities for social, artistic, musical, educational, gardening, and other activities in a home-like atmosphere. In-home care is a growing trend where there is a distinction between "home health care" meaning nurses, and "home care" meaning non-medical based care. Respite care is someone you hire to give yourself time off from caring for somebody. Hospice care is a belief of care that focuses on reducing the intensity of pain in a chronically or seriously ill person. This method attends to their spiritual and emotional needs, as well. Adult day care is a non-residential facility that maintains the health, social support, and nutritional needs of adults who need temporary care and short-term rehabilitation after a hospital discharge. Once you know what type of care you need, it's time to think about how you'll pay for it. Do you qualify for any services sponsored by your church, state, or any affiliations you may have, such as the VFW? There are also some other monetary aspects that can have a major influence on selecting the best care. Some alternatives include leveraging your home to pay for care, family-based care, and any supplementary insurance you may own. Luckily, there are a myriad of senior living opportunities available, and you can find one that gratifies your every need. Once you filter through all the aspects of your life-diet, language, therapy services, religion, and personal activities such as art, music, and gardening-you should be able to find your perfect place. Contact the senior living specialist in your area today to see how they may serve you. To learn more about their options for senior living, Alsip, IL residents should visit http://thepointeslf.com/. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9203705 Retirement communities seem like a great idea on the surface: like a cruise ship for seniors. Social opportunities, wellness opportunities, fine dining, special holiday functions, maintenance services, housekeeping; some have nurse stations, and some have full time LVN's represent a picture of complete care just waiting to put it's arms around your aging parent.
You and your parent tour a facility. The people are so nice. The place looks like a fine hotel. Everyone is so happy to see you. It must be heaven. Oops, trying to avoid that! But as the last stop on route, except of course for some of you, not a bad place to hang your silk scarf, and support hose. "That beautiful apartment is how much?" $5,000 dollars a month..."and up!!!!????" You swallow. Subtle, but hard. Your parent imagines friends,fun, privilege, bridge players, and chocolate. So where does your rent go? I will give you a hint: it is not dining services, or housekeeping, or maintenance, or capital improvements of health care, or activities. In many upscale senior living communities, you may be surprised to discover that over 40-50% of the operational dollars go to marketing and not to services that directly benefit your parent. The reason is simple, senior residents move into these communities when they have an average of 5 years left to live. Sad, but factual. So inherent in all "retirement communities" is a lot of resident turnover, even when residents are content within their community. Just imagine the numbers, when the residents are not content. When a resident dies, an apartment becomes empty, and corporate revenues shrink. Some corporations have silent partners (investors), who do not appreciate declines in occupancy levels. Less occupants, less profits. So a tremendous amount of your rent dollars are spent attracting a continual stream of new residents. 40-50% of the yearly budget at the property level is spent on marketing, and the recruitment of future residents. There is even greater turnover, of course, when the services are so-so. I was given $2.40 per person per meal, based on two meals per day in one such upscale retirement community in La Jolla California, as recently as 2007. Marketing first, nutrition? Somewhere much farther down the list. The caretaking mission represented by these corporations is really not their mission. Profit, not people, again is the mission. The mission of most of these communities is NOT to keep your parents content with cruise ship five star services, no matter what they say to you, during your "free" marketing tour and lunch. The corporate mission is to keep the building full, create large revenues, make tremendous profits,purchase more properties, turn them in to more goldmines. Oh, the hours spent in departmental leadership meetings, working on the shape of the spin. Until late 2007, I functioned as the Dietary Director for one such "for-profit" corporation. This Carlsbad company, proudly announced, at the 2006 dietary conference for all dietary directors, that they made a NET profit of $11 million dollars with their 23 properties nationwide. More shocking is the fact that some of their properties went much of the year below full occupancy. You can just imagine the profit at full occupancy. Al ot of profit for a company that on my campus, outside of dining services, had a lot of resident turnover, unhappiness with other services, and four executive director turnovers in two years! It is only about occupancy folks. The rest is marketing. I am not alone in my understanding of just how senior living communities operate. But, people on the inside of the industry, do not speak up because: they are care-givers, and need these jobs. Some, like me, become disillusioned care-givers, and leave the industry. Find the honest broker on your marketing tour, and call them later for a personal chat. They will tell you. Most workers, and local property leadership in these companies are disillusioned too. Or they have darker motives for staying in silence. There are many things I discovered in my tenures, that have turned me off to retirement communities as a viable future option for aging adults. I have not even touched on the average direct care-giver to resident ratios of 1 to 20 :at the very best. This ratio is at the very root of the problem. Try caring for twenty parents with two hundred challenges daily per parent, and you will get the picture. The cloth just does not stretch to cover the need. Higher corporate costs drive operational changes that should concern adult children seeking quality residential solutions to caring for their aging parents. I do not believe that all upscale retirement communities really fulfill their care giving promises: and today there are a lot of other alternatives you should also consider.For this much rent ( and more), similar services, are offered for this inclusive price: you should, and do expect five star level housekeeping, fine dining complete with special holiday programming; wellness programs that focus on fall prevention, strength training, and balance education for your parent; maintenance (toilets do have their problems, so do air conditioners/heaters, elevators). If you are still considering an upscale independent living community of 100 to 500 occupants, consider this: every year, you can expect a cost of living increase of 5-9 % in these communities: whether you like it or not. And trust me, the corporation can always defend the reasons for the increase. You will have only the choice to pay or move. Are independent living communities really full of independent living seniors? Retirement communities usually bill themselves as housing for independent living residents: those with minimal mobility and functionality issues. But in the last twelve years, I have seen less truly independent residents, and more highly dependent, borderline assisted living or early dementia type residents move in. The corporation is motivated simply by the drive to keep the place full. This creates a great demand on service personnel, often untrained. If your parent is very independent, it can be depressing. Your high functioning parent may be seated in the dining room, at dinner, with someone with incontinence issues. Or worse. So before you sign that rental agreement, remember what I have shared with you : current and future residents are hunted constantly by full time marketing people to keep the building full. We had 140 residents, and two full time marketers: they were each required to make 50 phone call contacts each day to "prospects". Be comfortable but observant, when taking a marketing tour of a community: observe the care giving ratio; study the interaction of the residents with each other, and with department heads, peak into administrative offices, talk with the maintenance director and the dietary director about the challenges of their positions. Call them later to ask about what they didn't say. Find out about the property's budget: anyway you can. Look at the food served; tour the kitchen, look in those walk-ins. Fresh, homemade preparations or commercial preparations? Sit down at lunch with a random group, and not of the marketer's choosing. Always try to take an 'unplanned' tour, to get the most honest insight. In conclusion, you may get more services, of a better quality, in smaller board and cares, than you will in large retirement communities. Retirement communities do have a huge socialization advantage: a lot more prospective playmates for your parents. But they are not for everybody. Make sure to take an industry savvy professional along with you while you are touring, and examining what you really ARE getting for your rent. Sande J Cagan , C.E.C.; M.P.H. is currently co-producing the "Transform Aging Tour 2009": you can visit her website at http://www.transformaging.org Ms. Cagan is a former Dietary Director and Executive Chef for an upscale senior retirement community in La Jolla, California. She is an N.I.H Certified Senior Fitness Specialist, and author of the upcoming publication "Transform Aging Cookbook". She is an active aging advocate, and partner in the very popular "Wellderness Retreats" for women over fifty. You can also visit her blogs: http://www.transformaging.blogspot.com - http://www.insideseniorliving.blogspot.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1048702 With the population growing older, there are many senior living options available depending on a person's age, lifestyle, and health. Older adults may choose to live independently in a community of homes, condominiums, or apartments with nearby services geared to them. Another option may be a facility that offers assistance with daily activities such as medication, meals, and basic healthcare. There are also places that offer full time nursing care for the elderly with specific health issues that need more constant supervision and attention. Some businesses offer the full range of services, while others may only provide one or two. Consider the different options based on your or your loved one's particular situation.
Independent Many people over the age of 65 enjoy their independence, and the extra time they have in retirement. However, they may not have as much energy or desire to maintain a home, yard, and all the responsibilities that come along with homeownership. Maybe their house is too large or they are having trouble navigating the steps of their multi-level home. They may not feel comfortable driving long distances and would like to have the convenience of the services they use most often close by. Independent senior living communities allow you to continue to do most things for yourself such as cooking, cleaning, and basic chores, but are located close to drug stores, groceries, medical facilities, activity centers, and even shopping. Some communities may offer a choice of a home, condominium, or apartment style residence. A community that also has a nearby transitional facility for additional assistance or nursing care would be most beneficial, so you could easily move to the next phase of care if needed. Assisted This type of senior living arrangement offers the resident their own space, but usually with more oversight and staff for basic needs such as medication reminders, health oversight, therapy and monitored activities, and meals. This type of facility may offer a combination of independent and assisted services, depending on the resident's needs. Large rooms are available that allow you to have some of your own belongings from home, to make it feel more like your own place. In some facilities, there may be apartment style accommodations available that are still a part of the overall campus with regular staff and monitoring. This is a good option for the older adult who may have some minor health problems, needs regular medication, or suffers from poor motor skills. This ensures they will get their medication as needed, will have good meals, and have the opportunity to stay active. Nursing Care For older adults with rather serious medical issues, a nursing care facility may be the best senior living option. Since a hospital is for more acute needs, this type of arrangement is a good choice when a person will need daily attention on a more constant basis. Adults who cannot or need assistance to walk, who need to be fed, cannot bathe themselves are examples of who may benefit from this type of specialized care. Sometimes this level of care can be provided in a person's home. However, a business specializing in this service can usually offer other amenities such as nutritious meals and other activities that may prove beneficial to the resident's overall well being. Where you may spend your golden years is an important decision. Make sure you do your research to find the right senior living community or facility for you, for now and for the future. When considering senior living, Canton residents visit Crystal Creek Assisted Living. Learn more about this facility at http://crystalcreekassistedliving.com/. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8787389 As you age, you may begin thinking about how you are going to take care of yourself in the future. Injury, age-related illness, and even fear of being entirely alone can make you think of staying in some kind of assisted facility - and you wouldn't be alone. Today, roughly 10% of people in their older years choose this kind of environment for increased safety and assistance as well as for their own enjoyment. Learn how you can gain freedom and security by choosing among the independent senior living communities in your area for a great place to live.
Wonderful Support When you choose this type of environment, you find yourself surrounded by people just like you who are trying to regain their original lifestyles even as they get older. A number of studies throughout the years have shown that social interaction can improve the mental acumen of seniors and of mental care patients, so the importance of this social interaction cannot be underestimated. You can make great new friends, have neighbors who share the same interests as you, and feel welcome and comforted knowing you will always have people nearby to talk to and spend time with. Professional Care Many independent senior living communities have full-time nurses and certified nursing assistants that work in the area to offer help with the things you need, such as grooming and hygiene, medical checkups, blood pressure screenings, medication reminders, and more. With a team of medical professionals by your side whenever you need them, you can feel confident thriving on your own while still having access to assistance for daily tasks. Fun Activities If you love to play board games, spend time online, or watch your favorite movies, imagine how much more exciting these activities can be when you have other people around you who love to do them as well. In independent senior living communities, activities and games are often set up so residents have the opportunity to get out of their apartments and take joy in fun scheduled games or activities. You can play Bingo with your friends, go for a group walk, or take advantage of your residence's computer lab. Comfortable Space You can rent an apartment that is designed to help you move around easily so you can live comfortably. Many independent senior living communities offer furnished apartments for people who live in them, and these residences come equipped with amenities designed to improve overall safety, such as hand railings and walk-in tubs. With additional features like emergency call buttons, you can feel confident about being able to take care of yourself even when you live alone. Often, an apartment with a single bedroom is all the room you need to live comfortably. When you want to live alone but worry about how you are going to care for yourself, independent senior living communities can give you the freedom you deserve. Caring staff members are available to assist you with medical and physical needs, you'll have fun and engaging neighbors, and there are many planned activities that you can do. If you wish to be on your own but still want the comfort that assisted facilities can provide, then this kind of dwelling is for you. Explore your many local options so you can choose the perfect apartment or home for your needs. When seeking independent senior living communities, Livonia, MI residents can learn more by visiting http://oakmontcommunities.com/care-services/enhanced-independent-living/. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9033868 No two individuals age in the same way. Some seniors need extensive care to help with physical or medical challenges, while others are just looking for a lifestyle change. Today, there are a host of options available for older individuals, so it's important to choose the right accommodation for yourself or a family member. To accurately choose the ideal senior living option, know what is available.
For most individuals, health is the primary motivation for a change in living situation. If their health allows, many individuals opt to stay in their homes. From devices that assist with stairways, to alert systems that notify family or police in case of an accident, there are a number of ways to make your home livable as you age. Visiting nurses and home health care aids are also a great resource for those who wish to retain their independence. Alternative assisted living options offer a fantastic option for older individuals as they allow for increased socialization and assistance with any physical or other health needs that may arise. There are a variety of popular housing choices including independent living facilities and nursing homes. Newer ideas, like the village concept and Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities are also gaining popularity. Independent living is a fantastic choice for those who need minor assistance with daily tasks. This is also a viable option for those who can take care of a low-maintenance residence. The actual housing options can range from apartment complexes to small independent cottages, but each layout is designed to meet the needs of older individuals. These homes are clumped in communities, offering wonderful opportunities for socialization and a sense of community. Assisted living, or residential care, is for individuals who need moderate help with day-to-day activities, including medical assistance. In these types of communities, staff is available 24 hours a day. Nursing homes offer the most involved level of care. In a nursing home, a licensed physician oversees the need of each individual resident and nurses are always on duty. Each type of housing allows for a different level of independence. Adapting to a new lifestyle can have its challenges, but also offers many opportunities and makes care easier for you and your family. Another important factor to keep in mind when comparing senior living options is the price. For some, staying in their home may not make financial sense. For individuals on a fixed income, mortgages and even energy bills can become a major burden. For those needing around-the-clock attention, bills from in-home health care aids can quickly add up. The price for assisted living and nursing homes can add up, but financing is often available to ease the burden on you and your family. Considering your options with senior living? New Orleans seniors don't have to sacrifice their independence when they move to the campus apartments at Belleville Assisted Living. Learn more at http://www.bellevilleno.org/campus-apartments/about-our-campus/. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8669513 Studies support the power of music therapy as a proven way to engage and improve dementia patients' lives. Remarkable changes in behaviour are documented, where severely handicapped people suffering from memory loss suddenly burst into song remembering the words and melodies of tunes from the past. Some patients with severe dementia who no longer remember who they are have been reported to respond to the miracle of music.
Music Therapy and Loneliness Dementia is a progressive disease that leaves patients unable to communicate. This causes sufferers to feel isolated and unable to communicate basic needs. According to Kimmo Lehtonen Ph.D., professor of education at the University of Turku, "music can actually make the mind move." Music is believed to conjure up memories through an emotional connection that ultimately makes human interaction possible again. The Proof that Music Therapy Helps Dementia Patients One case study documented by Lehtonen was recorded with a video camera. Working as a music therapist, Lehtonen recorded a session with an 80-year-old patient suffering from dementia. The treatment administered in this case was the singing of folk songs in Finnish. In response, the patient sang old romantic songs in Italian. Many of these songs were very difficult. Lehtonen noted that the older patient's expressions and voice were filled with authentic emotion that truly moved him. What made this patient's singing so remarkable is that his history indicated that he barely remembered his name. Another noteworthy fact about this case that supports the idea that the emotion of musical memories is what breaks through the symptoms of dementia is the fact that the 80-year-old patient had spent the prime of his life in Florence. A Brief History There are documented uses of this therapy as far back as 2000 years ago. In the 20th century, musicians were requested to play for the WWI and WWII soldiers wounded in hospitals. Doctors realized the emotional and physical benefit of music for healing patients in both psychological and physical ways. The first official music therapy program started in 1944 and was offered at Michigan State University. As evidence that the acceptance of music therapy has grown, 75 educational institutions now offer degree programs in music therapy. Benefits According to the Aging Well online site, there are seven main benefits derived from this type of therapy that positively impact dementia patients. The benefits listed below are the reason music therapy has been accepted as a positive approach to dementia treatment. Musical therapy promotes the following changes:
As more is learned every year about dementia; it becomes obvious why music therapy is working to improve these patients' moods and sense of well-being. Clinical case studies indicate that music affects learning, language skills, memory, expressing emotion and motor responses. Even people with severe dementia respond to music. Based on the undeniable results, music therapy is expected to continue as a viable treatment for dementia sufferers in the future. Article written by Simon who represents MHA Care Homes - MHA is a charity providing care, accommodation and support services for older people throughout Britain. They are one of the most respected charitable care provider in the sector and amongst the largest charities in Britain, providing award winning services and specialist dementia care to older people for nearly 70 years. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7272113 |
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