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Senior Living Experts prides itself as a means for seniors to find the best living style for senior independence. For some it can mean finding non-medical in home care; while others prefer assisted living facilities.
Our goal is to help you find the best option to fit your needs. As it is explained here focus is on many different areas; while trying to find the best way to keep seniors independent. Let’s compare in home care and assisted living.
Non-medical home care is sometimes referred to as caregiving, in home care, or home care assistance. The main points of this type of lifestyle are listed below.
In most cases assisted living is referring to living in senior facilities that offer various degrees of help to the residents.
You can see our local average price listings for the Chicago area; but remember we can provide services beyond just Chicago.This listing provides average cost information for non-medical in home care services by state.This listing provides average cost information on assisted living by state.
National Senior Independence Month is a time to celebrate the options we now have as we age. Only you can decide what gives you the most independence, along with safety and affordability.Senior Living Experts is here to offer anyone free assistance in finding the best option for aging in the right place for you. We want seniors to not only embrace senior independence but understand the options available as you age well no matter where you choose to do it!Photo by brenkee (Pixabay)
Scleroderma patients benefit from assisted living facilities with mobility support and continuity of care, as well as monitoring organ function. Around 300,000 people in the US struggle with scleroderma. Females with scleroderma outnumber men around four-to-one. All ages can be afflicted, though this condition raises additional health concerns and complications for seniors. Diagnosing can be tricky, but most individuals with this health condition are diagnosed by age 55. The symptoms and signs of scleroderma require medical intervention, and assisted living is a viable and practical option.
While there is no cure for scleroderma, there are interventions that can detect issues and predict complications. These approaches can also contribute to making the individual more comfortable. These interventions might include a regimen of medications, physical and occupational therapy, and surgical procedures, according to your provider’s recommendations.
Those living with scleroderma may notice some difficulty with mobility and movement, as this can become limited as the skin becomes swollen or tight. Joints and muscles may feel stiff, making it more challenging to walk and complete basic tasks. Scleroderma patients may also contract Raynaud's disease, which can cause permanent damage and possible infection to the fingers and toes. This may require surgical amputation in severe cases. assisted living staff can help patients recover after surgery and provide the physical therapy needed to return to their normal routine. Adaptive devices may help individuals with mobility, such as walkers or canes, but also with simple strategies such as larger-handled utensils which can make a world of difference when eating.
Seniors with scleroderma may develop pulmonary hypertension, which causes the blood vessels in the lungs to shrink and narrow. This manifests in shortness of breath, which at times, may require oxygen. When this persists, it can cause permanent lung damage and breathing issues, that could require a lung transplant in some isolated instances. Staff at assisted living residences can provide respiration as needed, as well as provide some different types of respiratory therapy that could increase and improve oxygenation and the ability to breath.Patients with scleroderma that are experiencing edema, or swelling and fluid build-up, may also experience breathing difficulty that can be improved with interventions that target the swelling. This might include prescription medications, elevated legs during sleeping, and a low-salt diet.
Scleroderma can wreak havoc with the organs, including your kidneys and heart. Symptoms of kidney failure include headache, vision trouble, edema, shortness of breath, and inability to urinate. Congestive heart failure is a risk of the scarring that scleroderma can cause around the heart. Symptoms of inflammation around the heart include chest pain and difficulty breathing due to fluid build-up. assisted living facilities have on-site medical personnel to keep residents comfortable while assessing their organ function regularly.
Scleroderma can cause difficulty swallowing, in addition to breathing, which brings about the need for personal support with activities of daily living, or ADLs. Staff at assisted-living facilities can help with eating, drinking, and prevent the risk of aspiration, which could lead to pneumonia especially in older populations. Heartburn is another common side-effect of the esophageal issues that scleroderma may cause; assisted-living staff will make residents more comfortable when experience these symptoms, and may be able to plan a diet that is non-acidic and that doesn’t cause heartburn to flare-up.
Scleroderma is a long-term, often-progressive illness that can get worse over time. The facilities and staff at Senior Living Experts provides a holistic solution to scleroderma symptoms that can improve quality of life. Symptoms may manifest and exacerbate which speaks to the need of a continuum of care, as varied situations crop-up with scleroderma, such as dental problems. As scleroderma causes facial skin to tighten, this can decrease the size of your mouth, which makes taking care of your teeth more challenging. Dry-mouth is another symptom, which increases the propensity for periodontal disease and decay. It is important to be vigilant when it comes to predicting and treating scleroderma symptoms.Senior Living Experts has a lot to offer seniors with scleroderma, including these five daily functions. Ongoing assessment is key when treating scleroderma patients, since this is a long-term, often progressive medical condition. Contact Us for more information related to senior residential care facilities for support and treatment of advanced scleroderma, for the support and medical intervention needed to take back your life.Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/scleroderma/home/ovc-20206014
https://www.gstatic.com/healthricherkp/pdf/scleroderma.pdf
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176357.php
http://www.scleroderma.org/site/PageNavigator/patients_whatis.html#.WTVlYWjyvIV
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/331197-overview
“Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” has practically become part of American culture at this point, but sometimes medical alert systems aren’t enough- that’s why you’ve moved your elderly parent to a senior living community. Part of the reason is the fear of falling, as falling for seniors can often be detrimental, leading to broken bones and long healing times, so avoidance is key. Senior living communities here in Chicago, from Artis, to Brookdale, to Presbyterian Homes take steps by ensure the health and safety of their residents.
When working with elderly in senior care one of the most important things to know is a resident's history, this includes their medical and cognitive history, as well as if they’ve ever fallen in the past. Knowing if a resident suffers from symptoms like vertigo can be key in keeping the appropriate living environment to fit their needs. Also being aware of what medications residents take and their side effects is good for fall prevention. Cognitive wellness also plays a role in falling diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s can greatly affect balance. Parkinson's specifically has a symptom of postural instability and gait disturbance (PIGD) which can lead to falls. Knowing falling history can also be helpful in assisted living facilities so staff can try to avoid past problems.
Another helpful way a senior living facility avoids falls is preventative exercise and workout plans that focus on a resident's core muscles. Exercises that emphasize balance are key and many can be done inside without gym equipment.
Tripping can often lead to a fall for seniors so avoiding tripping hazards is important to senior care facilities. One way to do this is by minimizing clutter in residents' rooms and walkways. Staff should be attentive to fallen items and displaced furniture. Adding grippy flooring in areas is also helpful. Marking any step or ramp incline brings awareness to seniors on the obstacle and helps them ask for assistance if needed.
Hand and guard rails are also useful tools of avoidance. Many senior care facilities are careful in the placement of these by placing them in key areas like by beds, toilets and bathtubs can help seniors maintain their balance in tough situations. In long stretches of hallway rails are also useful to help with fatigue when walking by giving residents a place to hold for stability.
As we age our eyesight often declines too, so by having areas well-lit it helps to improve senior's awareness of their surroundings which can help them reduce trips and falls. Proper bright lighting is both cost effective and easy. Key areas such as communal spaces, bedrooms, and hallways should always have good lighting.
Another key aspect to fall avoidance in assisted living is adequate staff and aids. Residents should always be able to contact staff via call buttons or other tools. Having friendly staff available and ready to help and assist reduces the chances of a senior trying to do something on their own with the potential risk of a fall or injury.
When looking into senior living in the Chicagoland area these 6 tips are a necessity for any facility to avoid falls for the wellness of your loved ones. Whether in Barrington, Lake Barrington, North Barrington, Lake Zurich, Deer Park, Inverness, Bull Valley, Crystal Lake, Schaumberg, and Hoffman Estates, safety should be a top priority while you age!
There are a number of signs that point to the need for looking into the many senior living options available to you for an aging loved one. However, finding the perfect fit isn't always easy; which is why Senior Living Experts can help make your decision easier.
It has been my experience that too many families wait until thereis a crisis to consider assisted living for their loved one. When acrisis happens, the senior is usually frail and unable to takeadvantage of all the benefits assisted living has to offer.
Many families tell us the wished they would have moved their loved ones sooner.
What are some signs that it is time to seriously consider assisted living?
Difficulty performing daily activities:
Memory loss:
Medication concerns:
Lack of Socialization:
Fear:
Safety concerns:
Patricia Grace is one of the many passionate elder care advisers that I follow on Twitter. I recently ran across this article of hers and had to share as it is such a common question I get when people find out what I do. Here is the beginning of the article:Making the decision to move a parent or loved from their home intoan assisted living, retirement or nursing community is never an easydecision. If you find yourself questioning the safety of your parent(s)living alone then perhaps you and your family should consider thefollowing:• Are you concerned your loved one might wander off and not find their way home?• Are you unable to provide daily social interaction with your loved?• Are you getting frustrated and angry caring for your loved one?Ifyou answered yes to these questions then the time might be right tomove that elderly person to a senior housing community. Although makingthe decision to move a loved one can be very emotional and difficult,once it has been accomplished it can lead to an improved quality oflife for everyone involved.Talking about making changes in your loved one's life and discussing the number of senior living options available can be a difficult but important conversation and we can help find the option that's right for you.Photo by kimheimbuch0 (Pixabay)
I’m the youngest of seven kids. Irish/Catholic? How ever did you guess? Our parents lived in their home for about twenty-five years and were seventy-nine and seventy-six. They both survived cancer and at this point, neither of them had a significant diagnosis of any sort. We began to notice though that their days were filled with obligations only, such as doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping, car and home maintenance. There was absolutely no fun, no relaxation, and it certainly didn’t look like the “Golden Years”.My dad started to get softly addicted to trying to figure out his computer and the Internet, which fascinated him. Mom was starting to feel that he was occupied only by screen time and expressed to us kids that it was monopolizing his days. As my dad’s gait became worse, we worried about the stairs in the home. The outside home maintenance he insisted on doing himself, even though between the seven of us, we were willing to make a schedule to help.Three out of four of the daughters in the family work for seniors in some capacity. I help seniors in finding senior living and home care options in the Chicagoland area. My sister Eileen is an Elder Law Attorney and Rita is the Sales and Marketing Director for a Continuing Care Retirement Community. The four daughters sort of take the lead on any issues or concerns we have with mom and dad. We collaborate on what to do moving forward and we fill our three brothers in from there. It works well! We’re lucky to have a functioning dynamic in our family where all of us want to work collectively toward the best scenario for our parents.After the seven of us communicating and agreeing that mom and dad needed a change in their living arrangement, we decided to ask them to meet one Saturday afternoon. We started the conversation with some of our concerns such as dad going outside shoveling after a fresh snowfall, or mom taking care of the household duties, but never having any kind of outlet of her own. We talked about the need for socialization that would be at their fingertips, instead of the effort in making plans, which didn’t seem to happen anymore. We talked about the negative effects of too much screen time to dad, and suggested that if given more easily accessible active opportunities, he may take advantage of those more readily.And as the tears started flowing on both sides, we talked about wanting more for them in their later years. Keeping up with day- to- day obligations………..don’t we all hope for more than that in our later years? It was so hard. We all felt sadness, guilt, and as if we just started some sort of grieving process. We did. We felt the loss of what mom and dad used to be capable of and the great memories made in their house. We grieved the fact that we were the children being raised by mom and dad. Now, who is calling the shots? That’s a hard pill to swallow on both sides, I believe. We knew this was the worse, before it could get better.It’s not an easy process and I don’t take for granted that my siblings provide an invaluable support system. But as hard as the conversation was, it needed to be done. Our parents were failing before our eyes. Here are some tips and observances I have noticed over the last twenty years of working for seniors:
Some may even say they are “declining”. A lot of seniors are fearful of falling and being alone, especially at night. However, it’s not often you will hear the senior say, “I think I’m ready to change my living arrangement, can we go look at some senior living communities?” If you hear this, you have been blessed! More often, it’s the adult child bringing up the possibility of changing living arrangements, and you know what? Often times your senior loved one experiences a sense of relief when you say those words.
Oh they won’t act happy, no! They will tell you all of the reasons why they should stay in their home, or all the reasons why they don’t need a caregiver to help them out in their home, but deep down inside, they agree. Here is yet another time when it will get worse before it gets better. The senior may give you the cold shoulder or lay some guilt on you at this point. It’s okay. You have made it this far, so test your armor and keep pushing forward. Most seniors are ready, but they will never tell you that. ! It will get better. I promise.
This way, the staff is familiar with the senior and can detect any changes that the physician should become aware of. Also, it’s important that as the senior’s health status changes, they have become connected to their new home, environment, routine, and staff. Versus waiting until a major health status change to make the move out of their home, now they senior is not only grieving the process of leaving their home, but they’re also grieving their prior better health.
It’s too much all at once. My family’s proactive stance with our parents served us well when eighteen months after their move, my dad was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure and Vascular Dementia. Our mom was diagnosed with Dementia as well. So to have gotten these diagnoses was a major blow. But we were so thankful that we took action when we did so that we were dealing with the “new normal” of learning about these diagnoses and how to treat them, versus the diagnoses plus the enormity of moving our parents at the same time.
Take action when your senior loved one is healthy. Do not wait for a crisis. Decisions will be made hastily and that will result in a more traumatic transition for your loved one. Get ahead of any future diagnosis so when/if that time comes, your senior loved one is declining in the comfort of what has now become their home.
Whether we promised our family we would never place them in senior living, or feeling that nobody can take care of them the way family can, or preserving assets for as long as possible are all ways that we may be getting in the way of your loved one realizing their full potential as an aging adult.
If there are no assets owned by the senior, it is true that family may need to collaborate on caring for their loved one in order to keep them at home. When their care becomes too advanced, Medicaid skilled nursing would be the option at this point. The family would want to either apply for Medicaid for their loved one or see an Elder Law Attorney to do it. They may also want to consider pre-planning a funeral with any assets that may be left. As hard as it is to discuss these things, it’s reality. However, if there are assets, sometimes making the decision to transition to senior living while still healthy can protect your financial future.
As I mentioned, my parents were diagnosis free when they first made the transition to their Continuing Care Retirement Community. Because of this, they were able to get what is called a “Life Care Contract”. This means that even as their level of care goes from independent living, to assisted living, to skilled nursing, they will never pay market rate for a higher level of care. They will continue to pay the rate they are currently paying in independent living (barring any yearly increases which 3-6% is normal for senior living). This is a protection of their assets and had they waited until one of them had a diagnosis to make a move, they would not have qualified for this Life Care Contract.
The truth is, the staff who choose to work in senior living communities are a different breed. They genuinely enjoy the seniors they work for everyday and consider them to be like family. There is real ownership taken of the happiness and dignity that the residents are made to feel on a daily basis. So when family visits, they are seeing the best in their loved one. Most often when I call my parents, they aren’t home. This is a good thing! They are busy doing activities from after breakfast until 3:30pm when “Jeopardy” comes on! Even sometimes in the evening, they are downstairs watching entertainment of some sort.
This has become their home. A home that just so happens to have any kind of activity at your fingertips available all day everyday. A home that serves them great meals so this is no longer a chore of moms. A home where they have met new friends and meet up with them for dinner, card games, and swimming dates. Make sure you are not in the way of your senior loved one experiencing their Golden Years to the fullest. They will love their new lifestyle. It may take some transition time, but they will love it. Oh, and remember the cold shoulder you may have gotten? That will eventually fade as well.
I often suggest to my clients to get your senior’s doctor involved. Calling up the doctor and asking for assistance in bringing up the subject at the next appointment or if you choose to bring it up, having the doctor site reasons why he/she is encouraging a lifestyle change. A lot of seniors view their physicians’ opinions as extremely valuable and rely on their guidance. So, having the doctor help support you can be a great tool to take at least some of the weight off of your shoulders.
Another option is to work with a Geriatric Care Manager, Nurse Practitioner, or Senior Counselor to help your loved one hear concerns of yours, but through an unrelated third party. We know that we often get the brunt of any anger our loved one may have once they know your proposed plans for them. However, when the information is coming from a third party, it may come across as more objective and your senior may take it and truly contemplate a change.
AARP in a December 2011 article listed the “6 Signs of Caregiver Burnout” as feeling furious one minute and sad the next, catching illnesses easily, snapping at everyone, not exercising, no social life, and being the one and only go-to caregiver. According to an article written by S. Zarit in 2006 titled, “Assessment of Family Caregivers: A Research Perspective”, estimates show that about 40%-70% of caregivers have significant symptoms of depression and one quarter to one half of these caregivers meet diagnostic criteria for Major Depression.
Caregivers have the hardest job in the world, in my opinion. They can’t do it forever and they can’t do it alone. At some point, assistance needs to be brought into the home via caregiver service or the seniors’ living situation needs to change. A lot of guilt surrounds the concept of “giving up” and changing the seniors living arrangement instead of charging forward with the hardest job in the world. But who is this really helping? The senior is not being socialized, not enjoying their lives. They feel safe at home, yes, but if they are still on this earth, than there is life to be lived! So go live it! Even if it’s different and more limited than in the past, there are still friendships to be made, new hobbies to try, new freedoms to experience that home cannot give the senior.
Take “giving up” out of the equation and replace it with “giving more”.
At home, there comes a point where you’ve done all you can do. The access to personalized care, activities, three meals a day, housekeeping services, and transportation is ready and waiting to be taken advantage of to the fullest extent by the senior. At some point, the caregiver needs to hand the baton to the senior living community that is well equipped in its’ physical plant to safely allow residents to navigate their apartments, and has the loving staff who make sure residents are happy and well cared for on a daily basis. There is strength in numbers and more support that a community provides. Give more doesn’t mean the caregiver gave up.
When we raise teenagers, we hear the term “tough love” a lot. It means that what we’re about to do or say to the child won’t be well received, but we are confident that one day, the child will realize it was all out of love. It came from the heart. It was not easy, but it was for the best.
At some point, the roles reverse in life. It’s a strange feeling. Giving tough love to your parent or senior loved one is no different. It comes from a place in your heart that wants to protect the life of a person that you love so much. A little tough love certainly never hurt anyone. The outcome is usually a very good one. Getting there may be bumpy, but the end result which is happiness, safety, and dignity for our elderly loved one is worth every uncomfortable, strange feeling during the process.
My good friend, Jill Herrmann, called me about two years ago thinking it was time for her mom, Adele, to consider a move. Adele was in a large home about a half hour from Jill, so it was a bit of a trek to get to her. Adele’s passion is to dance! She travels to Indiana from the Chicago area every Wednesday to go to a dance they have there! Even though Adele is definitely a mover and a shaker, Jill could see the signs of dementia in her mom and knew they needed to get ahead of a further decline.Reluctantly, Adele toured several communities with Jill and I to find the right fit. They found a Continuing Care Retirement Community for Adele that allowed her to choose all of the finishes in her apartment and she was also able to keep her beloved dog. When Adele first moved in, she felt like an outcast. She felt that friendships had already been made and wasn’t sure where she fit in. Jill and I knew in just a short time, with Adele’s larger than life personality, she would soon be running the ship!I’m proud to share this latest text with you that I got from Jill over this past weekend. It reads: “Hello Sunshine, I had to tell you this! Last night, Adele told me that she hated to admit it, but I was right about her new community. She loves it and the people are so wonderful. She has made so many friends. She told me that she loves the interaction everyday! I can’t tell you what a relief it was to me. I cried of joy! Thank you my friend. “Anything worth anything in this world is not always easy to get, but happiness, no matter the age, is worth fighting for every time. The conversation is not an easy one to have, and it may sting for a while causing sadness and grief. But as you can see from Adele’s story, and the fact that my parents are always out and about doing something new everyday, the transitions seniors make turn out to be very worth the challenges. Our seniors deserve the best that the world has to offer. Age is a number. Life is to be lived to the fullest. The answers are out there. Have the courage to seek them and hold your senior loved ones hand all along the way. They’ll see the light eventually, and when they’re ready, they’ll turn to you and say, “Thank you for loving me the way you do.”
Retirement communities in the Gurnee area have five tips to help prevent infection that work. These include proper hand hygiene, good oral habits, and immunizations. People get sick; but when an older person catches a cold or gets infected with the flu, it can cause some life-threatening consequences. Preventing infection and the transmission of germs are key priorities among those that work with older populations, as many may have compromised immune systems that could make them especially susceptible to diseases, illnesses, and viruses. Senior Living Experts can help you find practitioners to offer preventative strategies for avoiding illness, and for preserving health and well-being for seniors.
Preventing infection is a group effort, especially in communal living situations. Do what the hospitals, nursing homes, and healthcare facilities do to prevent the spread of contagions, germs, and infection- especially during times of healthcare crisis, such as during flu outbreaks.
Wash hands frequently and insist that providers and caregivers do the same; better yet, make sure they wear gloves. Make sure to follow techniques for hand-washing to ensure the prevention of germs and transmission of infectious diseases:
Good oral care and hygiene is directly linked to the prevention of illnesses and infection. Plaque on the teeth can break-free and travel through the bloodstream, blocking arteries leading to your major organs. The result may be a heart attack, stroke, or dangerous blood-clot. There is a common misconception that seniors who wear dentures are excluded from the risks of poor oral and dental hygiene, which is simply untrue. Wash, brush, and soak dentures to prevent bacteria, rinse your mouth thoroughly after meals, and brush the inside of your mouth daily.
Immunizations are key in avoiding infectious illnesses and diseases, like an outbreak of influenza. Retirement communities frequently sponsor clinics and events that offer free or discounted immunizations and vaccines for seniors, which can make these healthcare options accessible and convenient. Regular visits to your doctor will pinpoint immunizations needed to prevent disease, while also sharing with you the risks or potential side-effects.
Sniffling, sneezing, and coughing is inevitable; the problem comes from the transmission of germs from the hands of those that are ill to objects, fixtures, and people around them. Learn the ‘vampire-cough’ technique to avoid spreading germs through the air.Cough and sneeze like Dracula:
Retirement communities suggest avoiding contact with others who are struggling with illness or not feeling well. Furthermore, if you don’t feel well, stay at home and try to contain your germs until it passes. Contact your physician for recommendations and treatment. Retirement communities are screening staff for symptoms daily, which is key, as well as informing visitors of potential infection risk. Keeping infection contained until treated may be the best approach in communal living situations.Also, staff or caregivers that are not feeling well should not be permitted to work or provide services until they receive an endorsement from a medical provider on or off-site. These individuals are exposed to a variety of individuals, illnesses, and bacteria daily; when their immune systems are jeopardized by a virus or illness, they could be contagious to the clients in their care. Retirement communities and acute-care settings have specific protocols in place that do not tolerate sick staff coming into these healthcare environments.
There are times and situations that can cause concern regarding an outbreak or epidemic of an infectious illness. Maintain regular check-ups with your doctor- and make sure those that provide care also get a clean bill of health before working closely with your loved one. An infectious disease or illness can provide life-altering consequences for seniors or others with compromised immunity systems.Senior Living Experts is available online to help connect consumers with the providers, services, and practitioners needed to improve health and overall quality of life. Let their support professionals assist you in finding residential, assisted-living, or acute nursing care for your loved one, or work with them to find caregivers in your area. Use these tips to mimic the protocols of healthcare settings and prevent the transmission of germs and spread of infection to keep your senior safe and well.
Assisted living facilities benefit from the hard work of patient transport, which contributes to fewer injuries, increased safety, improved comfort, and overall reduced risk factors. Transporting patients is something that requires skill and physical ability; whether transporting a senior safely to an appointment or helping someone with a mobility issue bathe, this is a task that – if not done properly- can lead to serious injury. Caregivers and individuals that transport patients are often referred to as the ‘feet’ of a facility, and this is an accurate misnomer; visit and browse online resources to find transport professionals, qualified caregivers, and healthcare organizations in your region.
A common reason why seniors stay at home and socially withdraw has to do with transportation hurdles. The obstacles facing many who live with mobility issues or disabilities can confine them to their home and decrease social interaction. It is estimated that over 500,000 seniors never leave their residence because they don’t have a means of transportation. When it comes to a lack of adequate transportation, 31% of individuals with physical disabilities indicate problems getting where they need to go compared to 13% of the general population voicing this same complaint.
Transporting patients is not as simple as showing up with a vehicle; many may require lifts, rails, or other safety measures to ensure injury doesn’t occur. Healthcare facilities assert that transporting any patient is a critical moment in care- and one that should never be underestimated or harried. assisted living facilities typically train and invest resources in providing skill-sets to staff that prepares them for safe transports. Proper patient transport eliminates many hazards and complications that can arise when trying to move someone with a mobility issue or disability:Protects the patient. Naturally, the goal of safe patient transport is to protect the person being transported. Safe handling practice and techniques are taught in healthcare settings to reduce risks to the patient, as well as to familiarize transporters with equipment and devices, such as lifts.Keeps staff safe. Staff can become injured when transporting patients, particularly if protocols are not followed. Injuries leave healthcare settings short-staffed, can drain resources, and cause professional caregivers to leave the field. Devices and mobility aids are as prudent in protecting the transporter as the patient.Curbs caregiver injury. Additionally, many caregivers and loved ones may attempt to move, transport, or accompany seniors with disabilities or mobility issues, which can result in injuries. If the caregiver is not trained and qualified to transport, they should reach out to services and aides in the area for assistance. The risks to caregivers could be life-altering accidents which result in pricey injuries and painful repercussions.Prevents property damage. Anyone using transport devices, like ceiling lifts or vehicle lifts, should be trained thoroughly to avoid any potential damage to the equipment. Comprehensive instruction regarding the utility of lifts and supports will reduce the incidence of damage or deterioration.Reduces overall risks. Seniors and consumers with disabilities are not the only ones who utilize transport; critically ill patients may also require this level of care and support when attending routine appointments, engaging with others, or simply completing ADLs (activities of daily living). Critically ill patients are at an even higher risk of harm from transport, which in some instances, may include death. The chance of infection jumps every time a vulnerable person leaves the confines of a home or hospital setting; make sure that they are transported with the utmost care.
National Patient Transportation Week is an observation each November that pays attention and tribute to those that provide transport, care, and support to individuals living with disabilities. This annual observance recognizes the dedication of those that work in the field of patient care and lauds transporters who contribute to keeping patients safe across the US. This is the perfect time to call out those that support and assist you or your loved one regularly, as well as a great opportunity to dedicate some time and donate efforts to someone living with a mobility issue or physical disability. Make this year’s observance be your cue to give something back.
Do your homework and refer to online resources when seeking reliable and reputable transport services to assist your loved one, client, or consumer get where they need to go. Narrow-down the field of services and practitioners with client feedback, online ratings, and reviews to find professionals in your geographic area to assist in the transport of someone with a mobility issue or physical disability.Let Senior Living Experts guide you in the right direction and help you find qualified patient transport, practitioners, and healthcare in the region. From the comfort of home, review feedback, reviews, and contact information for service providers that will help your loved one maintain autonomy and quality of life. Transport is one piece of assisting seniors with mobility issues and disabilities, and it is an integral one; recognize the dedication that professionals in this field possess by observing National Patient Transportation Week in November.
Aging well and safely is a common goal for everyone, which is why it’s important to understand that living alone increases the risk of death. This increased risk can be attributed to a variety of reasons and can be addressed with some fairly easy decisions.
Studies have shown that living alone can result in a number of physical, mental and health issues that can result in increasing the risk of death. Most researchers conclude that the increased risk of death comes from a combination of reasons.
The focus of senior living facilities is to provide safe housing that accommodates the specific needs of the residents. Senior Living Experts can help you determine what works best for your particular needs while keeping in mind the needs of the future and your financial abilities.
Senior Living Experts offers free services to help you find living conditions that embrace aging safely. Living alone increases the risk of death but accepting a style of living that encourages quality of life as you age can help you live a healthier, happier life.(C*C) “Loneliness in Older Persons A Predictor of Functional Decline and Death” by Perissinotto CM, Cenzer IS, Covinsky KE., Archives of Internal Medicine - June 2012(C*CC*C) Journal of American Medicine – JAMA Research HighlightsPhoto by Windsor Senior Living
When we think of elder abuse, most of us think of financial exploitation. That is the misuse or withholding of an older person's resources by another. I can think of plenty of examples.But we also need to think of other types of abuse that can be going on such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, confinement, passive neglect (caregivers failure to provide life necessities) and willful deprivation (a caregiver that willfully denies medication, care, food etc thereby exposing them to risk of physical, mental or emotional harm.)Elder abuse does not discriminate. Any ethnic backgrounds and social status can be affected as well as men and women. It is estimated that only 1 in 10 cases are even reported.If you suspect abuse, you can be a "voluntary reporter". By law, anyone making an elder abuse report in good faith has civil and criminal immunity from liability and professional disciplinary action.The reporter is NOT disclosed without the written permission of the reporter or by order of a court. Anonymous reports are accepted.The Department on Aging's 24 hour Elder Abuse Hot line is 1-866-800-1409Services are provided though local community agencies - for more information visit the state of Illinois elder abuse site.
Photo by Rene Sibulangcal from Pexels
At the very least the extra layer should keep me warm, as it is so cold here in Chicago this week.
All kidding aside, I recently read an article about a recent study the AARP conducted – “The Costs of Long-Term Care: Public Perceptions Versus Reality in 2006” – where they surveyed 1,456 people ages 45 and up. They found out that while 60% said they were familiar with long-term services, only 8% even came close to estimating the average monthly cost of a nursing home ($6,266). Most gave a much lower estimate. I find this to be accurate in real life when I talk to new families.
People were also found to not know who pays for nursing care or for help with ADL’s like bathing and dressing. More than ½ incorrectly believe Medicare pays for assisted living and for extended nursing home care. (Yeah, no.)
They offered up a link to “test your knowledge of long-term care” which can be found here at www.aarp.org/longtermcare.
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Last week, we began highlighting Chicagoland individuals that go out of their way to help those vulnerable to COVID-19. Our #MentionMonday this week goes out to Mark Molinari, the football coach and Architecture and Engineering teacher at Downers Grove South High School, and other teachers in that department are creating face shields for area hospitals and healthcare workers. Pictured is an employee of Edward Hospital, Naperville, Illinois receiving masks.
Here is his letter to friends and family of Downers Grove South High School:
"Tuesday, Scott Parker, Ryan Altenburg, Mike Heinz and I came together to work on developing a prototype for Face Shields. We were able to come together and develop a relatively inexpensive shield that uses all the 3D printers we have South High. We are close to making 80 per day 7 days a week. We have been able to give away over 200 to all across the state and locally to hospitals.Not all health care workers are able to receive a face shield. If you have family, relatives or loved ones that would benefit from these shields, fill out the form. I think its important for District 99 employee families have access to these. Keep in mind we are trying to do the best we can with time and resources please only order what you need. Once the form is completed, someone from our team will contact you when your shield is ready and where you can pick your shields up."
This is what community looks like!--------------------------Keep in mind that there are tons of resources in Chicago, mostly those to help seniors. Here are just some:
We're happy to be surrounded by so many amazing people, including Mark. Interested in How Senior Living Communities are Keeping Coronavirus away? Our friends around Chicago are doing their best to keep seniors safe.
Seniors and hoarding is a more common problem than you may realize. Referred to as Diogenes Syndrome or Senile Squalor Syndrome, seniors who may have never lived in hoarding conditions can become affected; changing the lives of everyone involved.
There are a variety of possible reasons why an aging parent or loved one starts hoarding.
There are a number of ways to approach and deal with seniors and hoarding. Utilizing a service such as Senior Living Experts can be an option that offers an unbiased third party that can present alternative solutions to help remove them from their current unsafe conditions and lifestyle.Options can include:
The dangers of hoarding can be life threatening for anyone, but especially for seniors; creating unsanitary conditions and obvious fall risks. Seniors and hoarding needs to be addressed before the problem becomes too overwhelming for everyone involved. Photo by misteraitch
Some assisted living facilities in Chicago offer tips for traveling with an Alzheimer patient or loved one with dementia. Make your loved one comfortable and keep things calm amid your hectic holiday schedule- that likely includes travel. As the holidays approach, traveling may be necessary to visit family or friends away from home. When bringing your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, make some accommodations and prepare to ensure everyone’s comfort during this festive time of year. If you need additional caregiver support, visit Senior Living Experts for a comprehensive list of resources in your region.
assisted living facilities in the area know the obstacles and hurdles to smooth-travel during the holidays- and anytime. Take advantage of their experience in caregiving for those with dementia and use their recommended strategies for a joyous journey:
Make sure to always carry medical records and medications with you; don’t trust them to checked-luggage or leave them behind. Also, buy an ID bracelet for your senior and make them wear it; have it inscribed with their name and contact information in the event they wander or become separated from you. Don’t rely on a drug store, pharmacy, or grocery on the road- instead, stock up before leaving home with the items your loved one needs and enjoys, such as snacks, drinks, bottled water, and hygiene products.
Keep travel at no more than four hours before stopping. Take frequent, lengthy breaks if possible. Also, try to keep visits with family or friends brief and frequent, and don’t plan too much. Take your time and try to maintain a calm, laid-back attitude. It may be best to keep seniors with advanced dementia symptoms closer to home, in familiar surroundings, and near trusted providers in the event of an emergency or crisis.
Plan-ahead and take time to explain to your loved one about the journey and reiterate as needed to avoid anxiety later. If you are planning on visiting family or dear friends, let them know that your senior struggles at times with dementia, in the event you need to change plans or shorten visits. Keep communication open, honest, and use humor in situations that may seem awkward or uncomfortable for anyone. Remember to enjoy spending this time with your senior and that they cannot help exhibiting symptoms associated with their condition, whether it be forgetfulness or aphasia during conversations.
Remember to give your loved one with dementia some space during travel and trips away from home. Provide privacy and a place to decompress after busy days on the road; opt for a quiet hotel rather than the hectic home of a friend, for instance. Don’t leave your loved one unassisted in unfamiliar surroundings, however, as it can be disorienting to those with dementia symptoms. It may make sense to assign a buddy to your loved one to keep an eye and lend a hand as needed during the journey.
Bring some familiar items to distract and calm an anxious senior during travel; carry snacks, water, and any other items that will make your senior comfortable during the journey. It may also be helpful to bring some things that can help to ground and orient your senior, such as old photos, books, or plush toys. These items will be recognizable to your loved one and can provide some comfort during times of stress or anxiety.
It is critical to take care of yourself when caregiving for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, especially during travel or on trips. It can help to make sure that you are your best self with adequate rest, good nutrition, and a clear head. Choose not to over-imbibe in holiday cheer when traveling with your loved one or caregiving for someone with dementia. Enlist the help of others traveling along in caregiving and assisting your loved one during events, family gatherings, or visits. This will give you some time to rest and recharge during a busy schedule and many responsibilities.
Use these tips to keep your journey safe and enjoyable- for all. Use the expertise of Chicago’s finest assisted living facilities to create a calm and comfortable environment for your loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, which equates to less stress and fewer symptoms during the trip.If you are looking for a practitioner to help your loved one with dementia, visit Senior Living Experts online resource to find providers and supports in the area. Enjoy traveling this holiday season with your senior, and use these tips to create fond memories for later.
Each year, in May, the Administration for Community Living celebrates Older Americans Month and we're "Celebrating Seniors" with them!
As you can see by their logo provided, this year's focus is "Blaze a Trail" and as a senior that can mean many things. Their focus is in 4 areas of making sure that you are the one to blaze a trail and create a new trend among your friends so they too enjoy their senior years.
1.Getting Involved With Your Community - Referred to as blazing a trail with civic engagement this trail focuses on making a difference within your community by being active and helping others. Here are some facts and ideas to blaze your trail:
2.Financial Security & Savvy - By now the majority of your planning is done; but, how do you guard what you've worked so hard for. Some areas of concern include:
3.Be the New Senior Role Model - Referred to as "Blazing a Trail to Reinvention" as part of the focus on Older Americans Month, this means that notice that people are living longer and better quality lives as we age.
4.Be Healthier as You Age - Often because we are living longer, we are also seeing an increase in chronic health issues. Here are some facts about how you can blaze the trail to wellness:
Senior Living Experts offers free services to help you find living conditions that embrace aging safely. Living alone increases the risk of death but accepting a style of living that encourages quality of life as you age can help you live a healthier, happier life
Here is a great infographic I received last week with some information on fall prevention for older adults (or anyone really!) Enjoy!
Preventing Falls in Older Adults - Built by Easy Climber
Wondering how Assisted Living and Nursing Homes (also known as skilled nursing facilities) differ and which might be best for your loved one? In the last post "Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Are Not The Same Thing!" we tried to show you that senior living facilities are not created equally. That means that nursing homes, and assisted living facilities differ from one another in some important ways. It’s important for you to know what care is available to your loved one across the board. This is called Activities of Daily Living, or ADL. These activities include bathing, dressing, and different types of personal care.
While mom may not need that care at the moment, it’s comforting to know that even the baseline care provided at these facilities is of high quality. Professionals at these facilities are there for you and your loved one, whenever needed. Below you can find out other examples of personal care that are provided at assisted living facilities and nursing homes, alike:
Type/ Example of Care Present in Both Assisted Living and Nursing Home
Medication Management Someone is always there to be sure mom takes the right medicine at the right time
Sense of Community Many opportunities to make friends, and feel emotionally, spiritually and physically uplifted
Supportive Services These include laundry, housekeeping, transportation and more!
Secure Environment From small things like grab bars and handrails in bathrooms to entire emergency call systems
Dietary Health Three well- balanced meals a day as well as nutritious snacks at all times
Let’s delve into ways in which care differs. The major differences exist in the care and services provided, and in the appearance of the facility:
Care and Services- Residents in nursing homes usually require around the clock care. This is because they typically live with more complex health conditions. That is why nursing homes come with nurses, therapists and even respiratory support. Contrastly, residents in an assisted living community generally require what’s called custodial care (hence, a different cost structure. check out our cost calculator). An example of this is memory care or help with moving from one location to another, or taking preventative measures to minimize falls.
Difference in build- This includes the layout and appearance of the institution. While a nursing home generally looks a little institutional because of the type of care provided, an assisted living usually resembles a normal apartment. Nursing home residents are more likely to share a room with another senior, since this expedites the ability to provide quality care. Residents in an assisted living community usually have their own apartment or suite.
Here's an excellent graphic from Brookdale Communities!
We hope this was helpful to you and that you can give some more thought to what type of facility might be the most fitting for your loved one!
That’s the title of the article in today’s CHICAGO TRIBUNE about my services. There is nothing like your first piece of press and to have it in the CHICAGO TRIBUNE on a SUNDAY… well, needless to say I am pretty excited. I actually bought the early edition yesterday since I couldn’t wait. But I had to wait until the online version came out to share it with you in my blog.
Here is the article, which I note is copyright 2006 by the Chicago Tribune and was written by Jane Adler, a Chicago-area freelance writer. Her article, 55 PLUS, is featured in the Sunday Real Estate section of the Tribune. I don't want any lawyers contacting me because I copied and pasted it. I did not write it. If I did, I would have left off the part about any other company that does (something similar but not as cool as) what I do.
Or, you can view it online by clicking here!
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55 PLUS
Free help to set up Mom, Pop
By Jane Adler
Special to the Tribune
Published December 17, 2006
Finding new housing for an elderly parent is never easy.
After her father died, Shelley Crosby worried about her 81-year-old mother who lived alone in Indiana. So Crosby was glad when her mother, Bettye Segraves, agreed to sell her home of 50 years and move to Chicago.
But mother and daughter faced a daunting search for housing. They weren't sure what buildings had vacancies or what type would be most appropriate for Segraves, who has a few health issues but is still independent. Also, Crosby has a busy job as artistic director at the American Girl Theater and didn't have a lot of time to devote to a housing search. "I didn't know what we were going to do," she said.
Help came from a service called Senior Living Experts Inc., a Chicago-based company that assists seniors and their families with housing selections.
After meeting Segraves, the Senior Living representative suggested a building for independent elders, with some services.
Mother and daughter toured three buildings and selected a one-bedroom apartment at the Breakers, a North Side building that offers meals and housekeeping. "Senior Living helped us narrow the housing choices," said Crosby. "It was a godsend."
Services are available to help seniors and their families navigate the maze of senior housing. Geriatric case managers and social-service agencies can help seniors find housing as part of an assessment of the individual's needs. There is also a handful of new services that offer housing advice.
Senior Living Experts was started about a year ago by Lisa Sneddon. In a typical case, Sneddon talks with the senior's adult daughter over the phone to find out how much care the senior needs. Sometimes, Sneddon meets with the senior. Then Sneddon arranges tours of several places. "Families get overwhelmed. So it's good for me to be there," said Sneddon.
Sneddon's service is free. Something like an apartment-finder service, Sneddon is paid a fee by the building the family selects. Sneddon works with buildings in the suburbs and city. But, she emphasizes, "I send people to places I do not have contracts with. It depends what [the senior] needs."
Another service is A Place for Mom, an online housing referral source. Like the other service, it's free. (The selected building pays the company a referral fee.)
A family member or senior can fill out an assessment at the Web site, and an adviser calls within 24 hours. Or, the family can call a toll-free number and talk to an adviser immediately. The adviser asks about the situation, what the elderly person needs and finances. "Once we have that information, then we give them a list of options that fit their parameters," said Sarah Bentz, marketing director at A Place for Mom, based in Seattle.
A Place for Mom works with about 11,000 buildings nationwide, Bentz said. That makes the service helpful for families who don't live nearby, she added.
It should be noted that these free housing services work with market-rate buildings. The services are meant for people who have the money to pay for an assisted living or retirement building, fairly expensive housing arrangements. If your parent has a low income, your best bet is to contact your area agency on aging .
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Copyright © 2006, Chicago Tribune
Photo by Jahnae Neal from Pexels
Long-term care is very expensive. It really is unfortunate that many families and seniors think that Medicare will pay for their stay in an assisted living facility. Medicare is health insurance. It doesn’t care where you live or really where you are receiving the care.
I went over the range of costs in the last few posts, and also discussed that option of Supportive Living should a senior have no assists and Medicaid is their only option.
When I am trying to help a family find a solution I usually ask the following questions:
What do they think their budget is? How much income does the senior receive monthly (from social security, pensions or income from investments?)? What is the value or equity in their home and will they be selling to home to pay for the care? Is the senior a veteran or a widow of a veteran? (I will talk about this Aid and Attendance benefit in another post.) Do they have long term care insurance? Not many 80 and 90 years olds do, as it really wasn’t a product back when they would have been eligible to pay for it. Though I know many children who have run out and purchased it after seeing how much it will cost if they need long term care and they don’t want to burden their children. My final question is will the family be supplementing the cost in anyway? Some can and some cannot.
What I can never do is assume how much someone has or is willing to pay. I provide them with their options and the costs and it is up to them to determine the quality of care that they can afford.
Photo by Jahnae Neal from Pexels
It's important to keep our minds and bodies busy as we age, which is why we've decided to offer some springtime activities for seniors in today's blog! Keeping active helps us age with better quality of life.
Not everyone can get outdoors and garden or enjoy physical activity in large amounts. However, being active includes both the mind and the body.
Seniors deserve to have intent & purpose. assisted living and/or caregiving should always include springtime activities for seniors that inspire them to enjoy life.
Photo by Tabeajaichhalt / Pixabay
Senior Living Experts advisors are asked questions about cost quite frequently. Last month, we decided to make your questions even more clear by interviewing one of our senior living advisors, Nancy Pappas, on some of the most common cost questions we get. Nancy can be reached at (847) 287-3623.
Q: What is the cost of senior living?
A: That depends on what type of care you need, and whether you need it in your home or outside of your home in a community. It will vary by the type of care that you need and what location you choose.
Q: What is the upfront fee?
A: Typically, you will find an upfront fee. There are two types. One is called an entrance fee which is also known as a buy-in for continuing care retirement communities. It offers you the promise of future healthcare along a continuum. Or, a month-to-month rental basis will typically require a community fee that is non-refundable to help pay for taking care of the common areas and getting the apartment back to its original form.
Q: Does the cost go up annually?
A: Yes. Typically the cost will go up anywhere from 3-6%. This allows communities to provide raises for their employees and keep up with their own expenses, just as when you have increased expenses when living at home.
Q: When are levels of care considered as a resident continues to live there?
A: That depends on the community that you choose. Some communities specifically specialize in one level of care, such as assisted living or memory care. Someone may also need nursing care which will be in a skilled nursing home or you can have a continuum care retirement community that starts with independent living and offers the entire continuum from assisted living and memory care through skilled nursing.
Q: What if mom moves in the middle of the month?
A: You should expect that your community can prorate your monthly cost if they move in the middle of the month.
Q: Do I have to provide financial documents?
A: It depends on the community. Month-to-month rentals typically do not require financial disposure. However, if you are moving into a continuing care retirement community with the future promise of healthcare and they will never ask you to leave because of financial hardship, they will require financial disposure.
Q: If I put down a large entrance fee, when do I get that back?
A: Sometimes you do, sometimes you don’t. There are different types of plans that offer high refundability. High refundability will keep your monthly fee on the higher end. If you go with the plan that goes to a 50% refundability or 0 refundability, you will find that your monthly fee will be kept lower. So, depending on where your income and your assets fall is a good determinant of which plan is best for you.
Q: What are my incidental expenses?
A: Incidental expenses are typically things like toiletries, incontinence products, or medications that are not covered by Medicare, that you are personally responsible for in an assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing facility. Senior Living Experts can be reached at 771-213-7212, and the advisors will be happy to answer any more of your questions about senior living! We are just a phone call away.
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Your expert advisor will accumulate information necessary for proper placement, such as your needs, location, and budget.
We provide numerous recommendations based on the details provided. Our goal is to combine your needs with our knowledge of senior communities.
Your advisor will accompany you on tours so your search can be as thorough as possible. We want what’s best for your loved ones just as much as you do.
After a choice has been made and your loved one has moved into their new home, we will continuously check in to make sure everything is going well.
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Together, let’s begin the journey to finding the home that will enhance the life of your family.
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