Senior Living Information Blog

Nursing home reform bill - Senate bill #685

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!

Three Observations on Senior Living | Blog | Healthcare Design

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

What if your parents need money? Great article from Cincinnati.com

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

55+ Housing a study of builders & buyers

Metlife has released the second phase to Housing for the 55+ Market: Trends and Insights on Boomers and Beyond.  The study includes two surveys: one that examines current consumer preferences and home buying decisions and a second of National Association of Home Builder (NAHB) members involved in 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.

• The majority prefer the suburbs (32% close-in suburbs and 31% outlying suburbs). A rural community is preferred by 28%, and 9% want to live in a central city.

• About one-quarter of respondents do not care 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 an environment-friendly home if it would save $1,000 annually in utility costs.

• Most respondents listed proximity to a shopping center and proximity to a hospital/doctor’s office as influencing their choice for a new community.

• Technology features, home security systems, and structured wiring  are important to consumers.

• Builders indicated their customers’ motivations for relocating. Sixty-three percent reported a desire for a maintenance-free lifestyle, 46% want to move closer to children/family, and 32% desire lower living costs.

Senior Living Advocates Assemble on Captiol Hill

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

February is "Heart Healthy" Month

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!

Seniors for Living's list of helpful caregiving resources on Twitter

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

You can also follow me on Facebook!

Alzheimer's - There's an app for that.

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 an improved interaction with caregivers and visitors. Grandchildren, for example, can find familiar music, games, or activities in apps that can be enjoyed together perhaps stimulating discussion by one who is normally 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!

Communicating in Alzheimer's World

Alzheimer's Reading Room: Communicating in Alzheimer's World 

After repeatedly correcting my mother, telling her she just ate, and watching her 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 disease

If 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!

Social media opens social world to elderly, disabled

  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.