Senior Living Information Blog

Video Interview - Senior Housing not slowing

I still think independent living has suffered a little bit from the housing bubble bursting, but the idea in this video is correct.  You can't choose to stop aging, and assisted living is need driven.  You move in then decide what to do with the house.  The video is short and informative, but you do have to get past the ad first where the guy from Law & Order tries to sell you some stock! :)

Senior Housing Not Slowing Video from Mainstreet.com

Local community wins awards

Another one of Senior Living Experts partners, Alden Gardens of Waterford in Aurora IL has won some awards.  They won 3 state awards at the Illinois Health Care Association Convention in Peoria.  To read about the awards and the people who won them check out the article The Art of Senior Care.

What is palliative care?

According to Midwest Palliative & Hospice CareCenter of Illinois, palliative care is:

• Medical care that is provided by an interdisciplinary team to improve your quality of life and relieve suffering
• Addresses physical symptoms, as well as your emotional, interpersonal and spiritual concerns
• Can occur along with treatments that have cure and recovery as their goal

A familiar story about moving into assisted living

I found this article the other day and felt that it really did a good job of showing what happens in a lot of cases when someone finally moves into an assisted living community.  Having worked in them myself I have seen this same story, different names.  Senior is at home, lonely, not eating properly, not taking medications correctly, not safe.  Usually something triggers the acceptance of the move.  And often times, this will happen.  The senior will flourish with proper medication management, good nutrition and socialization.  Of course this does not happen 100% of the time, but if you can do a good job of researching/picking the right place, it just might.

Here is a link to the story, When is Assisted Living the Right Solution for Elder Care?

Assessing assisted living, the top 5 things to consider

It is important to carefully assess all of your needs when searching for senior housing.  From our experience, these are the top 5 things you want to look for.

1. Cost - How much do they charge and how are you going to pay for it?  Some charge a standard monthly fee and some charge for care a la carte.  It is important to realize this when comparing facilities.  In the current economy, do NOT be afraid to ask if they community you are considering is running any specials or incentives - you might save a couple of thousand dollars.  Remember, Medicare does NOT pay for assisted living

2. Location - Where do you want to be - near your current neighborhood, friends and church?  Near your children? It is sometimes best to consider a place that is easiest to get to for friends and family to visit.  The real estate rule is still in effect.. pricing is all about location location location.

3. Care - Make sure the place you choose has the staff and the training to handle the medical issues of the person making the move.  That can include medication management issues, falling or Alzheimer's disease.  I usually recommend that the community has a nurse on staff every day - and hopefully for 12 or more hours a day if possible. 

4. Room Type - This is an area of the greatest adjustment.  Many times the senior is not just downsizing, they are really downsizing.  They may be moving from a 4 bedroom home to a studio apartment.  Check out the cost of each option and keep in mind their furniture.  Remember - the dining room table does NOT have to come with.  You would not believe how many times people tell me they want to bring their dining room table.  (Same people who have been eating off a TV tray in front of the television every night.)

5. Meals - by far the 3 most important activities of the day.  Meal time allows residents to socialize as well as get the nutritious meals they may have been skipping at home.  Is the dining area clean?  Are the residents given a choice of entrees?  Every place I work with will allow you to come in for lunch to try the food.  Take advantage of this!  And if they don't invite you, ask.  If they don't want you to try the food.. .... run!

What to bring with to your new assisted living home?

Remember, this is your new home and you should make it yours.  Most assisted living apartments come unfurnished, though some will rent furniture if needed.  The property can also supply bed lines including pillows (twin bed), towels, washcloths and shower curtains.  I think that bringing your own pillow is the best idea - but you can use the rest and accessorize with your favorite blankets, throws, etc.

Residents may want to bring some of the following: personal toiletries, bath mats, wall hangings and pictures, radio, television, clock, telephone, VCR/DVD player and custom window treatments. 
Furniture required is usually a bed, night stand, lamps, recliner chair or rocker, bookshelf, dresser, chest of drawers.

Don't forget to bring the photo albums and your personality.

Blog Party 2009 - Link up with other great family blogs

March 20- March 27 Join the Ultimate Blog Party!

If you are visiting my blog for the first time because of the party - welcome!  This is basically something I put together 3 years ago because I always learn something new that has to do with senior living or caregiving or resources for the elderly and I thought it would be the best way for me to share all that I have learned.

Looking forward to meeting all of you who visit, please say 'hi'!

Happy first day of spring...

We've decided which Assisted Living is right for us! Now what?

 Before making the actual move there is usually some paperwork that has to be filled out by the family and the doctor before the new resident can move in, especially if its is licensed and regulated by the state.

Depending on the property you choose, the following information is necessary:

• Medicare card/insurance number
• Birth Certificate/driver's license
• Resident physician report (supplied by property completed by physician) - includes physician's name, address and telephone number
• Contact information of other doctors and dentists
• Responsible party's name, address and phone
• Emergency party's name, address and phone
• Pharmacy name, address and phone
• Advance directives such as Living Will or Durable Power of Attorney
• Some properties will also require you to fill out a "DNR" or Do Not Resuscitate" directive

In addition, the community will probably also include an information form for the family to fill out that lists the new residents likes and dislikes, hobbies, prior jobs, family etc.  The more information you can include the better, especially in the case of a person who is moving in with memory impairment.

Free Spring Health Fair April 18 in Norridge, IL

One of our many fantastic senior living partners in Chicagoland is hosting a Free Health Fair open to the public.  With 22 interactive booths and a lecture series, its not to be missed!

Saturday, April 18th
9:00 am - 2:00 pm (easy to drop in when its convenient for you!)

Central Baptist Village
4747 N. Canfield
Norridge, IL 60706

708-583-8500

They are also hosting a "walk-through" of their Independent Living apartments on:

May 21 2pm-4pm & July 18 10am - noon.

If you have any questions about this property, feel free to contact us at Senior Living Experts anytime!

Brain shunt fixes memory & walking problems?

Read an article today in the Sun Times about a man who assumed because he was losing his memory and was having trouble with balance that it was simply a part of 'just getting old'.  Well he had a stroke and they discovered he had normal pressure hydrocephalus, a condition in which fluid accumulates in the brain.  He had a shunt put in and now he is back to normal.  You can read the entire article here.