RetirementHomes.com - Skilled Nursing

Nursing home versus home care: How to decide

aadmin — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:51:56 +0000

As the substantial baby boomer population continues to age, more adults are presented with the dilemma of what to do in terms of long-term elder care. Often, the question comes down to whether or not you, or an aging loved ones, should age in place with the assistance of a home health care provider, or move into a nursing home. There are advantages and disadvantages to each, but the answer should be determined based a holistic perspective of what is best for the individual physically and emotionally.

Has an assessment been done recently?

A comprehensive assessment is the best place to start. If the senior is in the hospital, this assessment can be done by the medical team. If the senior is living at home, the assessment can be done by a reputable home health care provider. During the assessment, professionals will determine healthcare needs, social needs, and mental/emotional well-being, as well as the resources available in the home. The results of the assessment can be used to determine a long-term care plan, which may be graduated to include a home health care aide and transition to a nursing home when the time is right.

What is the status of the senior's physical health?

While caregivers are trained to provide basic day-to-day services such as meal preparation, house cleaning, some mobility assistance, bathing and grooming assistance, and medication reminders, they are not medical professionals. If you or your loved one has more serious medical complications, a nursing home can provide trained medical staff, 24/7.

Can the home be easily adapted for accessibility?

One of the main concerns for seniors who age in place is physical safety. The home assessment will determine whether the home is safe, or can be affordably adapted to meet the senior's long-term mobility needs. If it is not an easy retrofit, recommendations may be to move to a smaller, accessible location, or to an assisted living community so the senior can have independence as well as a built-in community of peers and trained staff.

What are the senior's social needs?

Some seniors are true homebodies, with little need for outside stimulation. Others are more social and aging in place can cut them off from friends and loved ones, which often leads to depression. Home health care providers can serve as companions, and transport the senior to favorite groups, activities, appointments, etc. If this is not enough to keep the individual stimulated, or a senior has more progressed stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s, it might be time to transition to a nursing home.

Does the senior need round-the-clock care?

Often, people are under the assumption that if seniors need 24-hour care, they should be moved to a nursing home. This is not always the case. Many home health care services provide 24-hour care, depending on the needs of the individual.

Once you have worked your way through these questions, you will have a better idea of whether home health care or a nursing home care is the right option for your needs.

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Alzheimer's Care

Skilled Nursing

World's oldest person dies at 115 years old

aadmin — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 16:53:09 +0000

Around the world, thanks to better health and nutrition, people are living longer than ever before. But despite the advancements, the world’s oldest people are clustered in countries like Japan, Switzerland, Australia and Singapore.

Japan, ranked first in the list of countries with the longest life expectancies, recently lost its oldest resident, and the oldest person on the planet, with the death of 115 year-old Koto Okubo.

As reported by the Huffington Post, Okubo lived in a Tokyo nursing care facility, in the suburb of Kawasaki City.

Born on December 24, 1897, Okubo was the recognized oldest woman in the world for only a month, following the death in December of 115 year-old Italian-American Dina Manfredini.

According to the news source, Okubo lived in the Tokyo nursing home with her elderly son.

And now, after the passing of Okubu, the title of world’s oldest person has been given to another Japan national, 115 year-old Jiroemon Kimura, a resident of the city of Kyoto.

Do you hope to become a centenarian and live to at least 100 years old one day? How do you plan to stay healthy for so long? Tell us about your plans in the comment section below.

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English School Children bring Christmas Cheer to the Elderly

aadmin — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 17:03:59 +0000

School children spread Christmas cheer to elders by delivering hundreds of chickens in Royal Wootton Bassett, in Wiltshire, England. Two hundred and twenty three chickens were provided as part of Christmas dinners to elderly people across the town, through money raised by the children.

“It is a way of providing the students with an opportunity to contribute to the community by giving something back," Jonathan Hill, Head of Unit 11, told Swindon Advertiser. “The Year 11 students are responsible for raising the money and collecting and delivering the food.”

The students spent a full day delivering potatoes, vegetables, fruit and custard, stock cubes, stuffing, a Christmas cracker, a box of mince pies and a box of chocolates. The chickens came courtesy of a local butchers in Royal Wootton Bassett at a discounted rate.

Students said they really enjoyed taking part. Some residents were very surprised to see them. One of the students thanked the butchers by painting a picture for them.

Christmas cheer is being spread across North American Assisted Living and Continuing Care Residences.

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Family and Personal Care

Skilled Nursing

10 questions to ask in your nursing home search

aadmin — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 17:33:13 +0000

It’s no secret that seniors are the fastest-growing age demographic across North America. And this growing clout of this age bracket means it’s becoming easier to find products and services specially-made for seniors and older people.

But sometimes too much selection can become hard to navigate. When it comes to finding the perfect nursing home for your parent, for example, where do you begin? There are more than 16,000 nursing homes in the United States housing nearly two million beds – that’s an intimidating number.

But when beginning your search, here’s a list of the 10 things you questions you need to answer to help find the best residence for your parent:

1/ Where does your parent’s family, including you, live? It’s an important consideration in deciding where to look first if your family lives in one state, but your parent wants to move to the other part of the country. It’s not impossible, but consider the time, expenses and emotional cost of constantly going to visit hundreds of miles away. Are there any closer options?

2/ What kind of care does your parent need? If your parent is able to feed, clothe, bathe and toilet themselves, but only requires minor assistance, than perhaps a nursing care community isn’t right for them. Instead, an independent living community might be a better option. When you visit local facilities, ask their staff what level of care they offer.

3/ What’s your budget? When evaluating how much you can afford, ask yourself how much money your parent has saved, and how long that might last. Additionally, look into whether the residence has any financial aid possibilities, or whether there are non-profit alternatives.

4/ How many doctors or nurses are at the nursing home at any time? When there’s a medical emergency, it’s good to know that there are health professionals in the same building instead of a 10 minute drive away. It’s also worth asking the nursing home what kind of medical equipment is at the home.

5/ What kind of activities are offered? Multiple studies have shown that exercise – both physical and mental – can assist in strengthening cognitive abilities, both among seniors and the general public. If your parent is suffering from the early stages of dementia, make sure that the nursing home options you’re considering offer excellent opportunities for your parent to strengthen their brains and their bodies.

6/ What do the meals look like? A healthy, nutritious meal can make a big difference for someone with chronic pain and discomfort, so make sure that your parent has meals they look forward to, and are also good for them.

7/ What do the residents and their families think? When you’re on a tour or visit, ask to speak to residents. If that’s not permitted, ask for the contact info of families of residences. They will be honest about their experiences, and will help you in your decision-making process.

8/ Are there enough pull cords? Falls among seniors are common, including in bathrooms. So when you’re in for a visit at the nursing home, take a look at the bathroom and see whether there are pull cords near the toilet and bathtub, and if so, who is alerted when the cord is pulled. No matter where your parent is, you want them to be safe.

9/ How large is the community? There are benefits of both larger and smaller homes, but much depends on personal preferences. Smaller homes may provide a homier atmosphere where residents are all known personally; larger ones may provide better amenities and healthcare options. It’s your decision, but think about it.

10/ What does your parent think? It’s great to compare and contrast the benefits and drawbacks of various nursing homes, but in the end it comes down to what you and your parent think. If you think one location is best, but your parent strenuously disagrees, then maybe it’s not right for them. Ask them, and be open.

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Senior Living

Skilled Nursing

The Six-Part Recipe for Finding a Nursing Home for your Parents

aadmin — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 13:28:29 +0000

More than 1.5 million Americans live in nursing homes, a number that will double by 2030. According to U.S. News & World Report, here are some tips to help aging parents find suitable nursing care.

1. Deterime the actual need of a nursing home.

Local organizations can assist parents to remain at home. Meals on Wheels can ensure that your father is well-nourished. An adult-daycare center can help your mother socialize and fight back depression.

2. Arrange an evaluation if you feel your parent can no longer live at home.

Geriatricians are ideal. They are medical doctors with a specialization in treating older people. Another option is mom or dad's primary care physician, in the event that a geriatrics specialist is unavailable in your area.

3. Seek out community help.

AARP recommends the Area Agency on Aging for a list of local services, including volunteer groups to organize rides for older people for doctors' appointments, and for a comprehensive list of businesses that render in-home nursing care and assisted-living facilities.

4. Hire a professional nursing care provider.

Hiring a personal assistant is an option, if you can afford it. Personal care managers can keep adult children informed about their parents' status and needed services when they live apart. Geriatric care managers can help out people at a loss for good services for an aging loved one. The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers Web site is a valuable web site.

5. Distance is the Number One Priority

Nursing home providers and experts agree that distance is the primary indicator for aged mothers and fathers. Adult children in close proximity, who can visit parents regularly, create a relationship that reduces depression for the elderly and keeps their children in the know.

6. Contact an advocate.

Every state empowers a long-term care ombudsman who follows up on complaints made about specific nursing homes. An ombudsman is knowledgeable about facilities, how they may have made improvement or attracted complaints. Ombudsmans look for transparency from nursing homes to share sensitive information. Older children can gather valuable information about the safety and quality of nursing home care from such advocates.

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Skilled Nursing

Seniors prevented from having sex, report finds

aadmin — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 11:11:45 +0000

RetirementHomes.com reported yesterday that one of the most common misconceptions about aging is that older people don’t have sex.

However, an Australian study, as reported by the Telegraph newspaper, found that in many Australian nursing care homes, elderly residents are effectively being prevented from having sex by staff.

The study, commissioned by the Australian Centre for Evidence-Based Aged Care, discovered that a combination of age discrimination, lack of privacy, and even worry about legal consequences on the part of nursing care homes, have contributed to the practical prevention of sexual activity among residents.

“For residents with dementia, sexuality is viewed with even greater anxiety, either being labelled 'inappropriate' or a 'challenging' behaviour or as a risk to the resident,” according to the study.

The newspaper cited the study, which mentioned that there are legal implications for many nursing care communities for residents with cognitive decline, but because there are stages to dementia, not everyone with mental decay should be treated the same way, and that there should be multiple approaches to sexuality among seniors.

For example, the study said, people with early stage dementia may be impacted by simply being forgetful, while people with more developed dementia may be significantly less capable of taking care of themselves.

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Senior Living

Skilled Nursing

Sex is a Birthright for Seniors says Psychologist

aadmin — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:02:49 +0000

STDs and how to prevent them. Condoms. Safe sex. These are traditional subjects taught to teenagers in highschool.

The average life expectancy has gone from 50 to nearly 80 over the decades. Modern seniors are seeking the answers to questions that before were non-existent. Erectile dysfunction medications, and how to practice safe sex while living in a long-term care facilities, are real issues.

Doree Lynn, a clinical psychologist and “sexpert”, visited Lynchberg College in Virginia and raised topics from safe sex and sexual aids to the need for communication and the power of human touch.

Lynn, the author of three books and founder of Fiftyandfurthermore.com, has been featured in AARP and Grand Magazine, to name a few media sources.

“Sex is your birthright; it keeps you healthy,” Lynn told The News & Advance. “Sex drive hormones tend to fade with age, but our core sexuality never goes away.”

Lynn promotes more sex education for adults, health care providers and physicians. Older adults need frank and detailed talks about sex; society needs to realize that the elderly are sexually active.

Lynn's sexual secrets for older adults revolves around keeping sex exciting, exercising, and maximizing cognition. Thoughts, feelings and expectations help shape what is sexy. Physical exercise keeps strong bodies and brains.

“Living a longer and more active life includes sex,” Lynn told The News & Advance. “I believe that 50 and 60 can be a whole lot sexier than 18. We can understand ourselves better.”

The rise of STDs in nursing care residences has made Lynn an advocate of condom use at any age.

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Skilled Nursing

Massachusetts elder care center receives national award

aadmin — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:03:12 +0000

Pilgrim Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in Peabody, Massachusetts, was recently awarded with the Silver-Commitment to Quality National Quality Award, which is given to a facility known for exceptional work and commitment to long-care.

This national award was given by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL).

"We are proud to have been recognized as one of the nation’s best senior care facilities," said Tara Gibney, administrator of Pilgrim Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center. "We are committed to providing the very best services possible to our residents and their loved ones, and these awards show that our efforts are succeeding."

These awards are broken down into three different categories - gold, silver and bronze. Facilities have to earn a bronze before they are even considered for a silver, which is only given to less than one percent each year.

Recent retirees have a lot of decisions to make when they start to think about where they are going to live. They may want to look into similar retirement living communities that provide them with their ideal golden year experience.

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Skilled Nursing

When it may be time for 24 hour care

aadmin — Fri, 13 May 2011 12:04:02 +0000

While many older adults want to remain independent, there comes a time where this may no longer be possible. Mobility issues and chronic conditions can make extra care especially necessary. If a parent can no longer walk without assistance and has frailty problems that could cause an accident in an assisted living apartment, it may be time to transition to a nursing home.

Jane Gross recently wrote about her own experience looking for a 24-hour care alternative for her mother in The New York Times.

"As my mother deteriorated in her assisted living facility, I got her three hours a week of personal care.

It wasn't nearly enough. Many nights she couldn't make it to the dining room on her walker," she writes.

So, she faced a decision - an assisted living apartment with constant care or a nursing home. One of the biggest considerations for the family was finances, because it was likely that Gross' mother would run out of money. In this case, Gross viewed nursing homes as a safer alternative, because they also took Medicaid payments.

This ended up being the right choice for the Gross family, even though her mother had originally been adamant in her refusal to go to a nursing home.

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Carefully research home care before choosing

aadmin — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:04:03 +0000

With millions of Americans caring for elderly adults the country, there is an increased need for home care and skilled nursing services that are often hard to fill. While it may be tempting to call the first agency that one sees, these decisions should take time and - most importantly of all - research.

And, once one does have the right kind of professional caregiver, life can be a lot easier and more comfortable for adult children and older adults.

Evelyn Miche has discovered this for herself already, according to The Contra Costa Times.

The great-grandmother, 89, has a home care aide visit her a few times a week for four hours. The aide helps Miche with everything from dish-washing to getting the mail to tending to the garden.

"It's absolutely worth it," Miche told the news source. "I don't have to shop. I don't have to wash dishes."

Just as when it's time for an assisted living facility, it may be wise to first examine the options for home assistance using the internet. This can help give one an idea of the services in the area and the different amenities that each option offers.

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