RetirementHomes.com - Senior Living

8 Questions You Need to Ask When Looking for Home Care

aadmin — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 17:17:08 +0000

Seeking the services of a home care agency usually comes at a critical time - when you or a loved one is recovering from surgery, or need care for a chronic illness.

Receiving quality assistance in this time of need is of utmost importance, and knowing exactly what kind of home care services you may need - such as skilled nurses or household support - is a good place to start.

No matter what type of support you need, however, knowing what questions to ask when considering a home care agency can be crucial. Here are eight important questions that can help guide you through the process and help you make the right choice.

Is The Agency Licensed? Most states require agencies to be licensed and subject to regular reviews. In many cases, those reviews are available through your state health department. An important note: Not all states require licensing, so be sure that check what your state's requirements entail.

What Type Of Employee Screening Is Done? It's important to know how an agency selects and train its employees. Can the agency provide references who've had experience with the agency? Also be sure to ask if the caregivers are licensed and insured, and if background checks are done on them.

What Type Of Supervision Is There? Ask if the agency has supervisors assigned to oversee the kind of care the patient is receiving. Moreover, do these supervisors make visits, and how often?

Is There A Written Care Plan? Will there be a plan of care in writing before services begin? This plan should include details about a variety of things - from medical equipment needed, specific care needs, as well as input from the doctor. You should also make sure that they will provide you with a copy of the plan.

What Are Their Financial Procedures? Make sure that the agency provides written statements explaining all of the costs and payment options. Ask for literature explaining all the services and fees. Of course, it's important to know what fees are covered by health insurance or Medicare. Check to make sure what your own health insurance coverage provides.

Is The Caregiver A Good Fit? Naturally, you want to be comfortable with the caregiver and it can be of vital importance when it comes to quality of care. Does the aide have a positive, friendly attitude? Are you or your loved one comfortable working with them and having them around the house?

Is There A Patient Bill Of Rights? Most agencies provide what is known as a 'Patient Bill of Rights' that covers all of the rights and responsibilities of the agency, patients and caregivers. It's also helpful to get an annual report or other informational materials about the provider.

How Often Is Care Available? Check to see if caregivers are available around the clock, seven days a week. Also, ask what procedures are in place should a caregiver not show up for a scheduled shift. Is there a system in place that will quickly send another caregiver to fill in?

Again, choosing the right home care agency for you and your loved one is an important decision. But asking the right questions to obtain the information you need before making that decision can make the process much easier.

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Elder Abuse

Senior Living

7 Tips for Communicating with Someone with Dementia

aadmin — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 14:02:32 +0000

Dementia is a progressive illness that can affect an individual's ability to remember a conversation, fact or name of family members or friends. This can be frustrating not only for the person with the illness, but for people around them. They could be having a conversation and forget what they were talking about by losing train of thought or have difficulty in organizing words logically. When communicating with someone who has dementia or Alzheimer's Disease, there are several ways to help improve conversation.

1. Use familiar words and speak clearly and slowly. This allows time for a response and to comprehend what is being said.

2. Be patient and supportive. You need to let the person know that you understand what they are saying and show that you care about what it is they are talking about.

3. Give encouragement to keep trying to say what is on their mind. Sometimes the person with dementia will get frustrated or stop talking, but with a little encouragement they may continue what they were talking about or start up a new conversation.

4. Give time to respond. Avoid any kind of interruption. If the person with dementia has trouble organizing their thoughts then let them know that you are there to listen. Don't interrupt when they are speaking and allow them to say what is on their mind and when there is a pause let them know you want to hear what they have to say.

5. Give simple choices. Always avoid anything that may be too complicated such as a large menu of choices. Go to a familiar restaurant and ask them what they want, and suggest their favorite dish. Otherwise they may feel frustrated because they can't remember what certain foods taste like or what certain things are.

6. Avoid correcting the person with dementia. This is not encouraging them to keep talking when you correct what they say, or correct the facts they are talking about. This will help prevent arguing, as well.

7. Limit distractions around you as much as possible. Sometimes this can be very difficult, but if it is hard to hold a conversation then ask them to point out what they are referring to or write it down or even use gesturing. This allows for a wider range of communication to happen.

These seven tips will help improve the conversation you will have with a family member or friend that has dementia. It can be frustrating for everyone involved, but with a little patience and encouragement to keep a conversation going, communication will become a little easier.

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More seniors are finding love in retirement communities

aadmin — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 16:39:17 +0000

Valentine’s Day 2015 may have come and go, but that doesn't mean the love stops on February 15. The growing number of older people across Canada and the United States means that love isn’t just for the young, and love doesn’t just look like the hit book (and movie) Fifty Shades of Grey; love can come in many different colours and shades.

Fran Greene, a New York-based ‘Flirting, Dating, and Relationship Coach’ with a focus on older people, as well as the author of ‘The Flirting Bible,’ told RetirementHomes.com that Baby Boomers and seniors can sometimes find the dating scene challenging because they likely never expected to be single and looking to mingle while in their 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s or even older.

“No one expects at this stage of life to be back out there looking for love. My clients feel that at their age everyone is taken and it is so awkward and uncomfortable to be out there dating again,” Greene said.

Nonetheless, while it comes at a surprise for Boomers and seniors to be looking to meet their special someone at an older age, Greene said that they may actually find it easier to be on the dating circuit in their 50s or 60s than when they were decades younger.

“Meeting new people when you are older can actually be easier because the stakes are lower. At this point in your life it does not have to focus on marriage or even living together,” Greene said.

Jamison Gosselin, vice president of marketing, communications and resident enrichment for the Holiday Retirement chain, has seen it before. Holiday Retirement has more than 300 senior living communities across the United States, and with the growth of the senior living industry across North America, there are more Baby Boomers and seniors than ever before who are looking for love in retirement homes.

“This time of year, you can’t help but be reminded of love. And while there’s something to be said for being ‘young and in love,’ the growing trend of seniors finding love when they move into senior living communities proves you are never too old to fall in love,” he said.

“In our communities, seniors are much more active than they were in the past. They enjoy socializing and participating in numerous daily activities, which fosters new friendships—some of which even turn into romance,” Gosselin told RetirementHomes.com.

Lakeview Park, a Holiday Retirement community in Fenton, Missouri, will be host to a special wedding in May, when 85 year-old Nina weds her beloved, Phil.

“I kept seeing Phil at many of the activities the community offers. We would chat afterwards and started hanging out on our own, and our friendship just grew from there into love. We are quite excited for our wedding in May,” Nina said.

And if you are looking for new love this year, the first step is simple, but it still may take some work: being social.

“Take advantage of anything and everything that could potentially lead to making a new friend or getting a date. Don't turn down social invitations that have the possibility of meeting new people,” Greene said.

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Practical tips for interacting with an Alzheimer's sufferer

aadmin — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 18:30:22 +0000

By all estimates, there are over 4.5 million people in the U.S. afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease and the Alzheimer’s Association found that the illness is the sixth most common cause of death in the United States, a jump of 68 percent from 2000 to 2010.

If you feel that a friend or family member is showing the signs of the onset of Alzheimer’s you should encourage them to seek medical attention and go with them to discuss stages and expectations with the physician.

Medical Assessment When Alzheimer’s is Expected

Physicians may suggest a blood test to determine if the APOE-e4 gene is present, it is the strongest risk gene for Alzheimer's as well as other tests such as Mental Status Tests, Mood Assessment, Mini-Cognitive and perhaps a brain imaging test.

These combined will help assess the patient and let the caregiver know what stage they are in and the specific type of care required.

Caring for Those with Alzheimer’s

Once diagnosed, the following tips can help those with Alzheimer's Disease:

Limit choices so the person does not have to make decisions which can be difficult and frustrating.
Remove distractions such as TV while the person is eating, bathing or doing other activities, as this distraction may take their mind away from the task at hand.
If the individual has difficult remembering things from the past, often they comforted by music from their past.
Make sure they are in a safe environment, where they can easily get around with a walker
Use cabinet locks and make sure drawers within reach don’t contain harmful objects or medication.
Make sure to keep a comfortable temperature; those with dementia or Alzheimer’s tend to be more sensitive to cold.
Make sure you have fire alarms and fire extinguishers readily available in case they forget to turn the stove burners off.
If the senior with Alzheimer’s experience difficulty communicating, write things down. Suggest that friends/family send notes rather than call. They can review the notes and may not remember a phone call.
Speak to the person face-to-face and maintain eye contact.
Don’t try to finish their sentences, let them try to respond.
Use short sentences and make just one point to avoid confusion. Use easy words that they will be able to easily understand.
Avoid words like: him, her, it, they, etc., they may not remember who you are talking about, use names instead.
If they are able to do so, you may want to play a simple game like Bingo, puzzles or easy card game.
Read something a chapter from a book they may have read in the past and enjoyed.
Look at photo albums, specifically with photos of the individual at an earlier time in life, which may spark reminiscing about the past.

Surely, tending to those with Alzheimer’s can be challenging, but knowing these simple tips can help you get through this difficult time and help the individual suffering from the disease a better quality of life.

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What Hospice Care Does

aadmin — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 09:47:33 +0000

Hospice is a special type of health care for terminally ill patients and their families. Hospice care workers are trained to provide a significant level of support and comfort to patients and their families. Hospice care is only resorted to when a life-limiting sickness fails to respond to treatments.

While hospice care doesn't elongate the patient's life or hasten death, it is designed to improve the overall quality of the patient's last days. The healthcare workers of hospice are trained to offer a specialized understanding of the necessary medical care.

How is Hospice Administered?

Hospice care is administered through a team-oriented approach of medicine. The workers are specially trained volunteers or caregivers, health care professionals, and even family members. These highly trained individuals work to address every symptom of the patient's disease with a keen eye for moderating the patients discomfort and pain.

Administering this type of health care involves a holistic approach, which includes social, emotional, and spiritual care of the patient, family, and friends. In addition to all of these services, hospice also offers a wide range of counseling and bereavement services to the family and friends both before and after the patient dies.

The Hospice Caregiver

Hospice programs administer palliative care, which is health care focusing on the holistic well-being of everyone involved, including the caregiver. Being a hospice caregiver can be an insanely demanding around-the-clock job. At the same time, being a hospice caregiver can be very rewarding.

However, as a caregiver it is important that you know how to ask for and accept assistance from others. In addition to being able to give the best possible hospice healthcare, accepting assistance allows others to have the opportunity of being of service.

Undoubtedly, care giving takes a significant time commitment. While actually knowing the amount of time required can be nearly impossible, caregivers frequently design rotation schedules with other trusted loved ones. In either case, caregivers will usually have to take a significant amount of time off of work at some period.

Where is Hospice Administered?

Generally, hospice care is provided in the patient's home, nursing home, or a friend's home where the patient is most comfortable. However, there are in-patient hospice care facilities available to assist if necessary. The entire hospice focus is on the comforting the patient, not on administering a cure for the illness.

Hospice staff is available for questions from caregivers 24 hours a day. The hospice staff is also readily available to conduct in-home visits at any time to manage any issue that may arise.

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Joie de Vivre! Top Destinations to Retire by the Beach

aadmin — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 12:56:21 +0000

‘Joie de Vivre’ or the ‘Joy of Life’ is something that takes on a whole new meaning when you retire. This is particularly true if you retire by the beach to enjoy a laidback lifestyle with plenty of excitement.

If you think life after retirement means spending long days sitting indoors parked in front of the TV, or pottering in the garden waiting for flowers to bloom, then you are quite mistaken. If you are on the lookout for more excitement, and plenty of fun in the sun, sand, and surf, then retirement destinations by the beach is for you.

Be it in your home country, or in lands far away, a coastal setting offers an idyllic getaway to enjoy a carefree lifestyle, spending days soaking up the sun, engaging in thrilling water sports, and taking in heavenly sunsets. It's a life full of possibilities and new adventures that offers the chance to make new friends, or spend quality time with that special someone, sharing in the joy of life.

While the beach may be just a “beach” to some, each coastal destination offers a truly unique experience. In the Caribbean, the island of Ambergris Caye in Belize is an ideal option. Fans of ‘Temptation Island’ know the picturesque isle was used as a location for two seasons of the reality TV show. Look forward to plenty of beach side areas to enjoy life by the sea. Discover the second longest barrier reef in the world within easy reach, offering plenty of diving and snorkeling.

Spain's Costa del Sol is another top destinations to retire by the beach. The seemingly never-ending Andalucian coastline offers spots of sublime seclusion by the sea, perfect for those looking to get away from it all. Amid these tranquil beaches, there are captivating villages and towns, adding to the charm of the region’s sun drenched shoreline.

Asia also offers enchanting beach destinations for retirement exotic flair. Vietnam's Hoi An makes a good spot for retirement. This busy seaport is well known for its pristine beaches. For a break, explore the town to find ancient buildings and Chinese temples which provide rich cultural insights.

Consider Thailand's Phuket, a beach destination surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea. This magical island is set in golden shores, lush greenery, and awe-inspiring rocky headlands. There is a large retirement community here where one can find like-minded individuals and couples looking to share in new adventures.

Sri Lanka is known for its golden coastlines and famed for its rich culture and cuisine. It offers several beach locales well suited for those interested in active retirement living. Consider staying at the retirement village of Heritage Grove in Negombo, along the island’s West Coast, with its soft sandy beaches in a tropical paradise.

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Standards of Care in Long Term Care in Canada

aadmin — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 11:59:49 +0000

Everyone knows that the senior population is growing fast. By 2051 one in four people in the population is likely to be a senior over the age of 65. Yes, this will put a strain on our healthcare system, but this has been known for years yet what has been done to prepare? Very little!

Working in retirement home in Scarborough, Ontario, I see this every day. On a daily basis we get phone calls from social workers and families saying that they need immediate care for a senior. We spend a great deal of time educating families who are told that their loved one is ready for discharge from hospital and they don’t know where to turn. They end up at our home often with very little information and are distressed, confused and frankly without being given the information they need to make an informed decision.

Retirement homes in Canada are now regulated by the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA) and prior to this many were voluntarily members of ORCA that provided standards of care and regular inspections to ensure quality standards were met. I agree, not all retirement homes are affordable but plenty are, and with tax credits available to seniors living in retirement homes it is a viable choice for today’s seniors. The cost of a bed in a LTC facility is approximately $2875 per month, retirement homes can offer private accommodation for not much more than this. Long Term Care is dealing with much more chronic conditions now than ever before, providing care for our most fragile seniors. Retirement homes are a place of fun and vitality and can be a great option.

Retirement homes will never be the same as living in your own home, but it can be the next best thing – with full activity calendars, nursing staff on hand, accessibility to doctors it can provide the social aspect of life that many of today’s seniors are lacking by living at home alone.

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Assisted Living

CCRC Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Senior Living

International Day of Families 2013: A focus on seniors

aadmin — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:59:08 +0000

Today, May 15, is the International Day of Families. Established by the United Nations (UN) 20 years ago, today’s commemoration is meant to identify and promote the biggest issues facing families around the world.

The International Day of Families has a different theme every year, and in 2013, the theme is Advancing ‘Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity,’ and one focus is on older people, and the unique challenges individuals face with aging, including the increased need for health and social care.

In honour of this year’s International Day of Families theme, here is a snapshot of the world’s seniors:

There are nearly 7.1 billion people on the planet, and more than half a billion of them are aged 65 and older, according to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Although aging populations are often seen as a Western phenomenon largely impacting the developed world, some of the largest projected population increases for seniors and the elderly is expected to take place in large developing countries such as China and China. Together, these two nations will be home to an estimated 600 million seniors by the year 2050.

In terms of overall proportion, however, Europe will likely be the grayest continent by mid-century, with about 30 per cent of its total population expected to be aged 65 and over, according to the Census Bureau projections.

With aging often comes health ailments, and in the United States and Canada, there are about 50 million adult caregivers offering their support to the elderly. The vast majority of these people are family members, but about 15% of these are professional caregivers.

One of the biggest health risks to seniors, no matter where they live, is the risk of falling, because with brittle bones, the results can be catastrophic.

According to advocacy group Learn Not to Fall, nearly 90% of all fractures among older people are as a result of falls, and that once an older person has experienced a significant fall, they have a one-in-four chance of dying within one year of the injury.

But despite the challenges, the outlook for seniors remains positive. Research from the Pew Research Center has shown seniors and the elderly tend to be optimistic, and with the progress of new technologies, their lives are set to be continuously improving.

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Music brings back Memories for Alzheimer's Patients

aadmin — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:08:20 +0000

Music has permeated business settings for many years, especially the hospitality industry.

Designed music streams through restaurants and hotels to help clients relax, identify with brands, and reach for their pocket books.

Leanne Flask, from Austin, TX, has been in the vanguard of branded background music for over a decade. Now, her aural role has expanded into Co-founder, Chief Content Officer of Coro Health, where she develops streaming music for healthcare environments.

Under Flask's guidance, Coro Health's programs help stimulate cognition and alleviate depression in Alzheimer's patients. The programs are set up on streaming platforms through computers or recently launched apps for iPhone and iPad.

According to Flask, the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) is the center for music, memories, and emotions. The MPFC is one of the last sections of the brain to degenerate in Alzheimer's and remains accessible to music's therapeutic effect.

Alzheimer's patients can lose familiarity with their families, but a song can facilitate the return of memory. Long-term patients with Alzheimer's will talk during familiar songs and recognize family members.

"Alzheimer's brings on stress and sadness for patient and family members," Flask said. "Interaction with family members becomes meaningful by playing a variety of designed music."

Flask’s initiation into music's healing effects began with studies in classical piano, oboe, and opera. She volunteered for a high school program for children with special needs, practicing her musical theater songs during supervision.

While sitting on the floor and singing, a non-communicative autistic boy approached her and crawled up on her lap, put his hands on her throat, and began humming with her. She realized that music was much more powerful than she’d thought.

"It plays in space, and makes us react on many levels."

As a business woman, she branched into branding and music and gained success in music design. But she returned home to Kansas to visit her mother who'd suffered an aneurysm.

“She used to play for me when I sang opera, so I sang for her,” said Flask. "She didn’t recognize anyone else but she recognized me and sang with me.”

Flask predicts that Coro Health's concept will gain wider acceptance in the aging community. “The technology of therapeutic music will evolve,” she said. “All that’s needed is a cell phone or a computer or a tablet.”

Creation of meaningfully designed music gives hope to people with Alzheimer's and their families.

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Family and Personal Care

Senior Living

Commune for Seniors Goes Beyond Materialism

aadmin — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 19:11:56 +0000

The Fellowship Community’s adult home offers a wealth of opportunities for an aging population looking for an alternative to traditional assisted living retirement.

Located in Chesnut Ridge, New York, bordering New Jersey, and only 30 miles from Manhattan, the commune-like setting maintains a farm, a dairy barn with 10 cows, a candle shop, a print shop, a metal shop, a wood shop, and a pottery studio.

ABCNews describes the community as a collection of about 130 men, women and children. Founded in 1966 it's a setting for seniors and aging baby boomers.

A Part of Life - Birth and Death

Administrator Ann Scharff told ABCNews: "We provide a space in which people can prepare to die in a way that is accepted and nourishing to them and fraught with meaning.” Scharff added “it’s not something you run away from, but it’s part of the whole spectrum of life, just as birth is part of life and is prepared for.”

The commune is based on Rudolf Steiner's principles of anthroposophy centered on inner development for those who wish to bring their inner work to benefit the wider world. Some residents enter The Fellowship with a firm grasp of Steiner's philosophy; others learn it over time.

Going Beyond Materialism

Helpers assist the elderly with meals, bathing, and medication. Rather than expecting to being catered-to residents, the seniors help maintain the grounds, do farm work and contribute to the commune's sustainability.

Will Bosch, head of the community's board of trustees told ABCNews, "Communal life and work appeals to people who are dismayed with the materialism of the world and are trying to get above it."

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