Education

Luckily his beautiful buildings live on making our skyline so recognizable.Bruce Graham, 84, the architect behind the Sears (OK Willis) Tower and the John Hancock died in his home due to complications from Alzheimer's disease. You can read the article about him and his accomplishments in the Chicago Tribune.

Urge Your State Legislators to Protect Frail Seniors and Reform Nursing Homes in Illinois!

Thousands of seniors live in unsafe environments at many nursing homes in Illinois. They have to share space with dangerous individuals. They have suffered physical, mental, or even sexual abuse. They often are given the wrong medications, including dangerous anti-psychotic drugs.

This is wrong, and it must be stopped.

AARP is working with legislators and dozens of organizations to reform the way in which Illinois nursing homes operate. We believe nursing home residents should live in safe environments and get the care and treatment they need. And the State must be able to protect residents, and punish violators.

You can help them make nursing home reforms a reality – but your voice must be heard.

Call your State Legislators today at 1-888-616-3322 and urge them to support Senate Bill 685 so nursing home residents get the care they need, and are safe from danger!

Assisted living isn't exactly recession-proof, but it has a solid customer base because it's need-driven business. If an adult has health problems that make independent living untenable, then a move must be made, despite the cost or current economic conditions.

via www.nytimes.com

We have seen some of the negotiations going on in the communities here in Chicago as well. Contact us if you are searching for senior living or assisted living in Chicago. We can help clarify some of the specials that the properties are offering!

It seems that every day I have a similar conversation with friends and colleagues.  “I can’t get our family on the same page about our elderly parent.  It’s like my brother came in from another planet.”  I laughed the first time I heard that statement but realize that’s exactly how I felt about my brother!

via www.transitionagingparents.com

Another great post on Dale's Blog.  Thanks for sharing so much of your personal story Dale, it helps us all!

We’re seeing more diversity in senior housing developments. Smaller developments – some with as few as six, eight or ten units – can easily come into single-family neighborhoods because they don’t have to change zoning requirements. On the other end of the spectrum, we’re also tracking larger senior housing facilities that are able to offer a wide range of services and amenities for residents. The larger developments are having difficulty finding financing in this market but the midsized developments – 40 to 80 units – are seeing some success.

via www.healthcaredesignmagazine.com

Recently we were contacted by a son regarding his lonely and isolated mother. She was living along and was not able to care for her home as she had done in the past. Her son took notice and contacted us right away. Kerry answered all of his questions and helped him select a few places that would be the best fit for his mother.Although she was skeptical, his mom agreed to look into senior living. They toured a few communities and fell in love with one that recently opened in the western suburbs.The staff understood that the transition was going to be difficult as this was such a big change in her life. They helped support her and she is now thriving in her new environment. Because she had been depressed and alone for so long, there was a lot of concern that she would not adjust which is not uncommon.After two months we are happy to report that she is active and participating in all the events at the community and is happy about her decision.And her son? He is at ease knowing his mom is safe and happy.Follow Senior Living Experts on Facebook and get to know how we can help you or one of your friends who may be going through a similar situation.Photo of Kerry Quirin, senior living advisor taken by John Cox - Downer's Grove Reporter

I am doing my taxes this week so it reminded me to post this. I am not an accountant, I have to hire one because I could not even begin to figure out my taxes even if I used an EZ form. So, I am not qualified to give you any advice on this subject. But I can give you the link for the IRS form 502.

Tax deductions for the cost of assisted living?

I finally finished my taxes! What a wonderful feeling to not have that looming over my head. In fact the state of Illinois provided me with a refund in one week. I e-filed it on Friday and had it by the very next Friday in my account!All this tax talk got me to thinking about something that I sometimes mention to families I work with even though I don't know that much about it. I have heard that the cost of assisted living can be tax deductible. So I decided to do a little research on the Internet. Since you can't believe everything you read on the Internet, and since everyone's situation is different you need to seek the advice of your CPA. And a CPA I am not, just ask my CPA (who is awesome by the way if anyone needs a recommendation...)Anyways, as you may all know, if you itemize your deductions on Form 1040, Schedule A, you may be able to deduct expenses you paid that year for medical care (including dental) for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents.You may deduct only the amount by which your total medical care expenses for the year exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. You do this calculation on Form 1040 Schedule A in computing the amount deductible.The cost of items such as false teeth, prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, laser eye surgery, hearing aids, crutches, and wheelchairs are deductible medical expenses. And according to the IRS website medical expenses include insurance premiums paid for accident and health or qualified long-term care insurance. (Some websites I read disputed this.) More eligible medical tax deductions can be found on the IRS's website In the case of assisted living, you are paying for care but you are also paying for room and board. So technically the room & board would not count toward the total medical expenses. However, the entire amount would be if the person was classified as 'chronically ill' - An individual is chronically ill if, within the previous 12 months, a licensed health care practitioner has certified that the individual meets either of the following descriptions. He or she is unable to perform at least two activities of daily living without substantial assistance from another individual for at least 90 days, due to a loss of functional capacity. Activities of daily living are eating, toileting, transferring, bathing, dressing, and continence. And while Alzheimer's patients may not technically need help with their ADL's they do require a substantial amount of care and guidance in order to insure their safety.If you are paying for a patient to be in an assisted living carefacility for the above reasons, you may take the deduction from yourreturn. The patient must qualify by the above criteria and in additionmust be related to the payer.Good to know as the costs of quality care are ever increasing and lately, incomes are decreasing.Again, please consult an accounting professional if you are in this situation. I am going to go spend my tax return and pump some money back into the economy by treating myself & my husband to a nice dinner.

An estimated 38 million Americans provide care to an aging relative. The president's proposed budget for 2011 adds $103 million for programs that help elderly adults stay in their homes through in-home services, transportation and other support programs.

via news.cincinnati.com

Metlife has released the second phase to Housing for the 55+ Market: Trends and Insightson Boomers and Beyond.  The study includes two surveys: one thatexamines current consumer preferences and home buying decisions and asecond of National Association of Home Builder (NAHB) members involvedin 55+ housing in 2008 and 2009.

Key findings include:

• 63% plan to age in their current homes, 12% plan to buy another home, and 26% are unsure.
• Themajority prefer the suburbs (32% close-in suburbs and 31% outlyingsuburbs). A rural community is preferred by 28%, and 9% want to live ina central city.
• About one-quarter of respondents do notcare about the impact building a home has on the environment. While 23%said they are concerned, it does not drive their decision. Only 12%said they are willing to pay an average of $6,732  for anenvironment-friendly home if it would save $1,000 annually in utilitycosts.
• Most respondents listed proximity to a shopping center andproximity to a hospital/doctor’s office as influencing their choice fora new community.
• Technology features, home security systems, and structured wiring  are important to consumers.
• Buildersindicated their customers’ motivations for relocating. Sixty-threepercent reported a desire for a maintenance-free lifestyle, 46% want tomove closer to children/family, and 32% desire lower living costs.

More than 120 ALFA members and senior living advocates from across the nation --from New York to California --left an impressive footprint on Capitol Hill last week with the largest single advocacy event ever held by the Assisted Living Federation of America. 

Participants raised awareness of assisted living as a great  long term care option for seniors in more than 470 one-on-one meetings at 150 offices of Senators, House members and key committee staffers. The turnout was more than twice the size of last year’s fly-in.

``This federal fly-in marked a turning point for the senior living industry’s outreach to the U.S. Congress,’’ said Richard Grimes, ALFA’s President and CEO. ``This show of strength established a platform for the philosophy of care we provide to America’s seniors: a philosophy that embraces independence, respect, dignity, choice and quality care.’’

In its sweep of Capitol Hill, ALFA members explained the differences between the philosophy of assisted living and other long term care options. A number of ALFA Board members noted that a significant number of key lawmakers and staff still did not fully appreciate the differences between assisted living and skilled nursing care.

ALFA members advocated for consumer-friendly and potentially life-saving measures such as the National Silver Alert Act which would create a national system for locating missing seniors who wander because of complications from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The measure is similar to the Amber Alert system for locating missing children.

They also engaged in frank discussions on the so-called Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA)which would eliminate the secret ballot for employees in deciding whether or not to join a labor union and the so-called Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act that would bar America’s seniors from engaging in voluntary pre-dispute arbitration agreements with senior living providers.

Attendees at the fly-in included executives from Emeritus Senior Living, Brookdale Senior Living, Sunrise Senior Living, Assisted Living Concepts, Five Star Senior Living, BMA Management, New Perspective Senior Living, Bell Senior Living, Benchmark Assisted Living, Brightview Senior Living, Chancellor Health Care, Country Meadows Retirement Communities, Direct Supply, Inc.,  Somerford Corp., Integral Senior Living, Senior Care, Inc., Silverado Senior Living, Signature Senior Living and Horizon Bay Retirement Living.

``Education is the key,’’ said Loren Shook, the founder and CEO of Silverado Senior Living. ``If our legislators understand what we do, they will support us because it is the quality of life they wish for themselves and their loved ones.  

ALFA also encourages executives to invite lawmakers from every level of government to visit communities so they can fully appreciate the impact of abstract policies discussed in hearing rooms on the seniors they represent.   By exposing lawmakers and policy makers to a variety of communities, they can see firsthand the wide variety of options available to seniors and the great work performed by the senior living industry.  `

via www.alfa.org

Please join the Loyalton of Joliet for a Lunch & Learn with Genesis Rehab Services
On how to keep your Heart Healthy!!!!

When: February 17, 2010
Time: 12:00pm
Where: The Loyalton of Joliet
3320 Executive Dr.
Joliet, IL 60431


Please RSVP

(815) 725-2364 – ask for Stacy

for updates on other local community events, follow us on facebook!

The two met at the breakfast table at Emeritus Senior Living on June 15. It was Plummer's first day at the swanky assisted living facility on Barton Road, and the 84-year-old Vecchetti had been living there for about eight months.

via www.sbsun.com

What a great story for Valentines Day. I love hearing stories of those finding love in Senior Living. Have a great day everyone!

Thank you to Seniors for Living for compiling a helpful list ofCaregiving resources that they follow on Twitter.  Thank you especiallyfor including @seniorlivingexp we are honored to be part of such agreat group of people!

You can also follow me on Facebook!

Kimbery Clark has partnered nationwide with doctors and hospitals to help staff and management on the front lines about the best practices and guidelines to help reduce healthcare associated infections (HAI's)

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at any point in time,1.4 million people worldwide suffer from infections acquired inhospitals.

A Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report published in March-April2007 estimated the number of U.S. deaths from healthcare associatedinfections in 2002 at 98,987.

To learn more about the impact of healthcare-associated infections for both medical professionals and patients, please visit www.haiwatch.com.

Apps for All recently released a new app for iPhone, iTouch and iPad to those with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers. It helps to identify apps that will improve the quality of life specifically those that will calm, lift spirits or engage the user.According to the description, "The goal is to leverage these app-inspired activities resulting in animproved interaction with caregivers and visitors. Grandchildren, forexample, can find familiar music, games, or activities in apps that canbe enjoyed together perhaps stimulating discussion by one who isnormally less communicative."The app is .99 cents and you can read more about it or purchase the Alzheimer's App by clicking this link!P.S. Follow Senior Living Experts on Facebook!

Alzheimer's Reading Room: Communicating in Alzheimer's World Afterrepeatedly correcting my mother, telling her she just ate, and watchingher get frustrated or angry, I finally realized something had to change-- this something was me. I had to change......I love Bob's Blog, the Alzheimer's Reading room. This is one of my favorite articles because it speaks to anyone of us who has found themselves a little (.....) frustrated when trying to communicate with someone with Alzheimer's diseaseIf you are in that situation now, take a second and click the link at the top of this post a read his post. (And anything else on his site for that matter.) Keep up the great work Bob!

Mostly nowadays she hums, occasionally remembering a few words in German. But her neighbors, to a person, still love Lillian Krockerberger's singing. "Oh, what a beautiful soprano!" said Alice Karel, 83. "Just beautiful." "We hear her singing to herself, and she sings for us at parties," said Fran Pelegrino, an administrator at Concord Place Retirement and assisted living community, where Krockerberger lives. She doesn't sing at as many parties as she did when she arrived at Concord Place 20 years ago, Pelegrino said. After all, she was only 85 then. Lilly Krockerberger turned 105 this week. An oxygen tube is wrapped around her head now, helping her breathe. That means her voice isn't what it used to be. But when she offers a few words of "Edelweiss," it's easy to hear that it used to be something. The high soprano has a soft but rich sound, and is on key. From her 12th-floor room at Concord Place, which was once a hotel familiar to thousands of commuters at the junction of Interstate Highways 294 and 290, Krockerberger can look out at the Chicago skyline to the east. It is nothing like when she came to the U.S., in 1921. Born in Germany, Krockerberger lost her mother when she was a child. Her father remarried, but his new wife "was not a nice lady," Pelegrino said. When Krockerberger's father died, Krockerberger moved to Chicago, where relatives took her in. She worked for a wealthy family, whose son had his eye on her. "He wanted to marry her," Pelegrino said, "but she was having none of it." "It was there I met Carl," she said, smiling. The two married after a courtship and moved to west suburban Wood Dale, where he worked as a baker. Carl Krockerberger also played the piano, and the couple often performed in public, mostly in churches. Carl Krockerberger died in 1971, and their two children died, in 1987 and 1991, according to her grandson Carl Krockerberger, 52, of Indianapolis. She is survived by seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, the grandson said. "She does all right, considering," he said. Pelegrino described her as "the mother of this place." Chatting with her many friends, it's easy to see why. "I came here 19 years ago and I was crying," said Yvonne Nummer, 73. "She came up and said to me: 'Don't worry. I'm going to take care of you. You'll be my sister.' She's been wonderful to me." Lillian Krockerberger greeted friends and family with smiles at a recent party for her. Though it was clear she couldn't hear many people as they came up to wish her well, she nodded and smiled. After a round of "Happy Birthday," Pelegrino asked Krockerberger to sing. With the help of a microphone, her version of "Edelweiss" brought the room to a hush. Then Pelegrino asked her to sing "Carl's song." She sang a verse in German, then stopped. As the band started playing again, she was asked what the name of the song was. "At my age," she said. "You don't remember everything. I have it here." She pointed to her heart. "I know it, but I don't remember. I don't have the words." She does still have the voice, though.

via www.chicagotribune.com

Wonderful story in the Chicago Tribune about a resident at one of the assisted living communities that we work with in Chicago.

Come celebrate New Orleans Style with the Victory Centre of Galewood as they celebrate their one year anniversary.  There will be live entertainment, heavy hors d'oeuveres and tours!  (Maybe even some beads?)

Fat Tuesday - February 16, 2010  from 2pm - 6pm

2370 N. Newcastle Ave in Chicago

RSVP by 2/8/2010 to 773-385-5002

This is a great chance to see what supportive living is all about if you have not.

I just read another article about the benefits of social media. Many of us use it for business and for catching up with friends. But what if you had no lifeline to the outside world? Social media tools have now allow those who may have otherwise been isolated and home bound to talk and share and laugh. Provided you are not afraid to learn the new technology, social media can allow some to share their stories and participate in conversations. Which is what its all about. And I always say socialization can be as important as exercise. I love seeing how this new medium continues to grow.Click here to read the article 'Social media opens social world to elderly, disabled.' From the Star News Online.Many of the senior living communities that we work with in Chicago are embracing this and offering classes either their own social media portals for seniors or classes on how to use some of the more popular sites like Facebook. Video chats are also popular and help families far and near check up and check in on their loved ones.

Coming up at Central Baptist Village their "at the movies" events!  Refreshments and snacks will be available.

All movies will be viewed at 1:30 pm

Friday Feb 12 - "August Rush"

Friday March 12 - "The Man Who Knew Too Much"

4747 N. Canfield Ave., Norridge, Ill 

For additional questions call 708-583-8500