Aging in place is the act of growing old where you choose to live. There is a huge movement among seniors that want to live at home and retain the same type of rights that would have in a facility setting. There are new regulations in place to help people that wish to stay at home, while they age.
General Info
Aging In Place
Thursday, February 2nd, 2012, Assisted Living Concerns, General Info
Assisted Living History
Monday, January 30th, 2012, General Info, Life in Assisted Living
Before the invention of assisted living facilities (AFL), people had a choice of aging at home with a family caregiver, a home health nurse/aide, or going into a nursing home. The idea of assisted living facilities is loosely based on group homes and apartments that were available for disabled and special needs individuals. Many of the residents, in these types of homes, needed limited help in their everyday activities (activities of daily living or ADLS). Most of the time this help is very limited and may only mean that an aide stops in to do a check on the resident or other minor things.
Older Drivers
Monday, January 16th, 2012, General Info
We have all been behind the slow car that is being driven by the elderly man or woman and felt aggravation. We wonder why they can’t speed up or just get off the road because we’re all in a rush to get where we are going.
Signs of Alzheimer’s Family May Miss
Monday, October 24th, 2011, Alzheimers Care, General Info
Alzheimer’s disease tends to begin gradually with unnoticeable signs, and then it progresses into symptoms that are easily recognized. The beginning stages, though, are where it gets tricky for family members. It is not uncommon for family members to miss some of these signs.
You’ve Won! Mail Scams
Monday, August 29th, 2011, General Info, Resident Care
Your aging mother calls, she just received a large check in the mail. Not just any check, but a check for several thousand dollars! No catch – the senders just ask that the check be deposited and once it clears in about seven day, send them a small few (usually one or two hundred dollars) to cover their processing fees. After a thorough examination and several phone calls, you determine the check is, in fact, a legal check from a real bank account.
What do you do?
Assisted Living Advocacy
Monday, July 18th, 2011, Assisted Living Concerns, General Info
Did you know that every community has advocacy programs for seniors? It does not matter if you live at home or in an Assisted Living facility, you are entitled to advocacy for your concerns. The federal government has a website devoted to locating your local senior advocate organizations : www.eldercare.gov
This website lists every advocacy group in your community. You can also find your local Long Term Care Ombudsman by searching your state and zip code.
This website lists every advocacy group in your community. You can also find your local Long Term Care Ombudsman by searching your state and zip code.
When you are in need of advocacy your local senior groups can help you. By providing information, speaking to administrative staff on your behalf, or helping you apply for benefits such as Medicaid. Becoming a member of one of these groups also gives you the chance to learn and perhaps become an advocate yourself.
Current Alzheimer’s Treatments
Monday, July 4th, 2011, Alzheimers Care, General Info
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has a long list of medications that are prescribed. The type of medication depends on the severity of the disease at the time of examination.
Cholinesterase inhibitors-
These drugs are prescribed for individuals in the mild to moderate stages of AD. Cholinesterase inhibitors may help with certain behavioral issues and may help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease for a short time. All of the cholinesterase inhibitors work the same way, by helping the brain chemical acetylcholine avoid breakdown. As the disease progresses, these drugs may lose their ability to help reduce the signs and symptoms of AD.
Diversify Your Funds
Monday, June 20th, 2011, General Info
Even when the economy is in a depressed state, investing can be profitable. Placing money in stocks and bonds now can help secure your future. People are finding it harder to keep up with the high costs of long term care, an additional income from stocks could be the difference between living comfortable in your retirement community or being evicted when your savings run dry. Savvy investors think far ahead and follow their investments closely. If you are unsure about investing on your own, consult an established stock broker, friends may be able to offer advice on a trustworthy broker in your area.
Stocks and bonds are not the only way to save for your long term care needs. A few ideas include:
Frontotemporal Dementia
Monday, June 6th, 2011, Alzheimers Care, General Info
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a type of dementia that at one time was very hard to distinguish from Alzheimer’s disease. Today, medical advances have made it possible to map and see images of the brain. Thanks to these advances, physicians can positively differentiate between Alzheimer’s and Frontotemporal dementia without a postmortem exam.
FTD has an average onset age of 60. This is not a concrete number because some cases of FTD have been observed in patients as young as 21 years of age. Alzheimer’s disease is most commonly diagnosed at or after the age of 70.
ALFs and Federal Regulation
Friday, May 13th, 2011, General Info, Life in Assisted Living
We have discussed regulations regarding Assisted Living Facilities in a previous article. Many questions concerning ALFs and regulations are asked by both residents and their families. The most frequently asked question is “Are ALFs regulated by the Federal Government?”
Organic Gardening In Assisted Living
Friday, May 13th, 2011, General Info, Resident Care
Organic food is an expensive addition to any menu, not just in the Assisted Living sector. With more people turning to chemical free food, the cost may be well worth it. Chemical fertilizers have been tentatively linked to health problems from asthma to cancer.
Green ALFs?
Monday, May 9th, 2011, General Info, Life in Assisted Living
People are becoming much more aware of how their interaction with the world around them impacts their health. Not only their health but the health of our entire planet. Conserving energy, growing their own food, and doing whatever they can to create a smaller eco-footprint.
Unfortunately not all businesses are on board with this. Big business, such as car makers and even companies that make cleaners have been jumping on the green bandwagon. But hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities are some of the worst offenders when it comes to eco-infractions.
Perry Just Won’t Quit Caring
Monday, April 18th, 2011, General Info
Some people are born to look after others. After a lifetime of caring for the elderly, Charles Perry, president and CEO of the Nevada Health Care Association (NHCA), shows no signs of slowing down.
Assisted Living Spotlight: Atria
Thursday, April 7th, 2011, General Info
Is Your ALF Promising More Than It Can Live Up To?
Monday, April 4th, 2011, General Info, How to Select an Assisted Living Facility
When new residents move into an Assisted Living Facility, often they believe that they are moving into a permanent home. That the ALF will provide medical care and end of life care. Some facilities will take advantage of this mindset by making promises they just are not able to fulfill. This practice is unethical and the best way to avoid falling into the trap of moving into a facility, only to be forced to move out after a series of payment hikes is to understand what an ALF can truly offer, along with your needs.
Assisted Living Referral Companies
Monday, March 21st, 2011, General Info, How to Select an Assisted Living Facility
Have you been searching for Assisted Living facilities online? You are very familiar with the search results claiming to match you with your optimum ALF by this time! Advertisment after advertisement tout this same claim–We’ll find your perfect Facility!
Volunteering: An Important Gift
Wednesday, March 16th, 2011, Assisted Living Activities, General Info, Life in Assisted Living
We have covered social activities, but we have not spoken very much on the topic of volunteering. Sometimes older adults living in assisted living feel that they are wasting their time. Joining in on activities that they feel are somehow still not fulfilling. They miss the enrichment that having a job gave their life, but not all of the stress.
Choosing your Senior Community
Friday, March 11th, 2011, General Info, How to Select an Assisted Living Facility
When it comes time to find the right senior community for you, research all of your available options. The types of ALFs are many – this wide variety of options may seem to make your job more difficult. The truth is, with the variances in facilities you have a better chance of finding the perfect ALF for you.
Time for a new hobby!
Wednesday, March 9th, 2011, General Info, Life in Assisted Living
If you have considered taking up a new hobby after retiring, now is the time to do so. While ALFs and retirement communities offer a wide variety of social opportunities, there are times when a resident wishes to be alone. Hobbies create a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment. Every person, regardless of age needs to be satisfied in their life. Hobbies help fill voids that work and other stressful environments can create in an otherwise happy life.
Dignity in Assisted Living
Monday, March 7th, 2011, Assisted Living Concerns, General Info
When someone thinks of an Assisted Living Facility, often the first thing that comes to mind is the upscale look of the facility. People may assume that because the facility looks so classy that the quality of life will match the scenery.
Top Ten States With 5 Star Nursing/Assisted Living Facilities
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011, Assisted Living Concerns, General Info
US News and World Report published a list of ten states with the highest percentage of 5 stare rankings. This list was published in January 2010.
Power of Attorney
Friday, February 25th, 2011, Assisted Living Concerns, General Info
Power of attorney has been a term used in soap operas and movies for a very long time. We’ve all heard the horror stories: someone’s power of attorney took them for everything they owned. Left the poor person penniless or worse.
American Idol Meets Assisted Living
Friday, February 18th, 2011, General Info
They didn’t meet the infamous Simon Cowell, but nearly one dozen assisted living facility employees auditioned for spots to sing a musical track commissioned by the Assisted Living Federation of America (AFLA).
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