National Assisted Living Week September 11-17, 2011: Live Life

National Assisted Living Week begins on, Sunday, September 11, 2011.  Many assisted living residents are the people who made significant contributions to our community; teachers, business people, civic leaders, public officials, parents, and now grandparents. 

Assisted living has emerged as a popular senior living option for those elderly people who need some assistance with activities of daily living, but are able to live and function for the most part on their own.  A typical assisted living home offers 24-hour monitoring of its residents, common cares, including meals, housekeeping, laundry services, bathing, dressing, ambulating, and medication assistance while respecting their dignity and enhancing their quality of life.  There is specialized Alzheimer’s care units designed with safety features for those suffering from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

How Can I Tell When My Loved One Needs More Help Than I Can Provide?

The following warning signs may indicate that it’s time for a talk about assisted living: 

• Your loved one needs more help than family and friends are able to provide.
• They feel lonely and isolated in their home.
• Family members are worried for their safety.
• The refrigerator is empty or filled with spoiled food.
• You notice frequent bruises on your loved one.
• Your loved one wears the same clothes over and over again.
• The house and yard isn’t as clean as it used to be.
• Your loved one become increasingly forgetful.
• Your loved one seems depressed.
• You notice strange or inappropriate behavior. 

Choosing an Assisted Living Home

The most important factor when choosing an assisted living home is that it feels friendly, safe, and comfortable for your loved one and family.  Things to consider when choosing an assisted living home; does the staff speak with you and appear genuinely interested in you, do they interact warmly with residents, do residents appear happy, do they appear to be enjoying and interacting with others, does it feel homey to you, is there an activity program, are there home cooked meals that are appealing, nutritious, and appetizing, do they handle health problems, is the facility in compliance with state and local licensing requirements. 

In evaluating assisted living, cost most likely will be a consideration, so take the time to check if you’re loved ones long term insurance, health insurance, or governmental programs will cover any of the costs of assisted living. Don’t assume that expensive means better; make sure you understand how the facility bills or do additional services require additional costs, and understand their rate increases.  Your goal should be to find the right facility where you feel most at home that is best for your loved one and family. 

Lori Schuler is the Marketing and Activity Director for Central Wisconsin Senior Living.

Promises Made and Kept

Could there be anything that causes more guilt in adult children then ‘the promise’ that parents ask of us when they are usually in pretty good shape or at the end of their life. We agree to do what they ask, not thinking to far ahead. They may ask the promise of remaining in their home or to take care of their loved one when they pass.

It’s natural that we want to care for them. At first we figure we’ll stop over at the house and do what they need us to do. It’s kind of a pleasant way to help out, show our love, and share quality time. That can work for awhile but as years go by and care needs rise, we find ourselves faced with the facts that it is very difficult to raise our families, work our jobs, run to Mom and Dad’s everyday and meet their everyday needs. It is understandable to feel stress and anger that affects your health, and the feeling of not having control of your own life. 

With some guilt we start looking for other options, we may start with at home care giving. The guilt from someone who is not family hired to help and that is not what you intended. You were not trained to care give for your loved one; you can’t be there all the time. You have to do something knowing they will be safe and not alone all day.

Then the day comes where in-home care can’t handle all of their needs and their health issues. You know you have to break your promise, the one you agreed to. Our parents have visions of nursing homes of years ago. You will still be honoring the promise by choosing the best placement for your parent. Through thorough research and understanding there are alternative living arrangements like assisted living homes allowing your loved one to receive assistance with respecting there dignity and enhancing their quality of life. Even when your parents are placed in an alternative home, you are still a caregiver; they need you as their advocate.

The best part of this, you can let go of the guilt and enjoy them again. You aren’t doing everything for them, and you aren’t to worn out to be pleasant, you can be the person who visits, without all the exhaustion that used to make you feel frustrated and angry. Using the help of a good facility providing them with the best care humanly possible allows you to do it without guilt because you have done your best. You will continue to do your best honoring ‘the promise’ of taking care of your parents or parent.

Senior Independent Living: Change Is Never Easy

"Change always comes bearing gifts."

~ Price Pritchett

Price Pritchett’s quote on change is one that offers a fresh take on change, a subject we all like to discuss when change happens to someone. While we offer our friends and family a response “change is never easy,”  the truth of the matter is that oftentimes change can be difficult to accept but something we all must deal with.

The generation termed Baby Boomers is now on the threshold of change as they contemplate revising their living arrangements. According to The Baby Boomers Webplace the generation that became teenagers between 1953 and 1977, heavily influenced by television and the generation to experience the first major geo-political repositioning of the world since the Roman Empire (aka The Cold War) now find themselves concerned about out-living retirement assests, caring for elderly parents and concern for their own retirement lifestyle.

Thinking about moving can be a source of stress but exploring your options and planning ahead can help relieve that anxiety. 

Independent Living or Other Senior Housing?

What is the difference? 

Independent living is classified as any housing arrangement designed exclusively for seniors, generally aged 55 and older. Housing options cover a wide variety of options from freestanding homes to apartment-style living. The major difference between independent living and other housing options is overall health and assistance in daily living activities. If home upkeep and maintenance has become overwhelming or your simply looking for a community with more transportation access and opportunities to socialize, an independent living facility may be a good option.

If you or a loved one requires round-the-clock help with eating, dressing or personal hygiene, other housing options such as assisted living or nursing homes may be a better fit.

For those who desire the ability to maintain an independent lifestyle, Pioneer Place is an outstanding and affordable choice.

The building that houses Pioneer Place was built in 1931 and at one time was home to Lullabye Furniture Company. The building, listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings, was renovated into a beautiful Independent Living apartment complex.

For today’s senior population exploring their housing options, thinking about giving up the familiar for a new living arrangement is a major decision. What you need from an independent living faciltiy depends upon your own situation. Knowing what to look for in an independent living facility can help you make the decision that is right for you or your loved one.

One of the first things that you can expect after your initial contact with the staff at Pioneer Place will be to schedule a discovery interview which will determine which one of the 19 different floor plans will best suit your lifestyle and your needs.

There’s No Place Like Home

It isn’t just Dorothy who longed for the comfort of home; our holiday carols are filled with references to being home for the holidays. Maintaining a home is a source of pride but as we age, it can also be a burden. Yard maintenance, difficulty keeping up the cleaning those extra rooms after the children have moved out. Maybe your home is difficult to access making it increasingly difficult for you to leave home, leaving you or your loved one more isolated. It might be worthwhile for you to take a look at your current living situation to see if an alternative will allow you more freedom and flexibility.

Upcoming blog post: What to expect in a discovery interview