Senior Living Information Blog

Free professional photos for WWII vets at Belmont Village - Glenview

Belmont Village of Glenview is providing WWII Veterans the opportunity to have a complimentary professional photo portrait created in honor of their service and in celebration of Independence Day. Call Ron at 847-657-7100 to reserve a complimentary photo session on Thursday, June 25.

Local Assisted Living Community sings with Toddlers

One of our partners, Sunrise of Naperville is currently partnering with a toddler music class.  It would be hard to tell who benefits from this more, the seniors or the children.  Music is something that can bring us all together and is something that we share.  The seniors help the children and the children bring them joy.

One resident was said, "I love coming here; there's hope for the future,"  

You can read the entire article in the Naperville Sun.

*photo by Danielle Gardner, news staff photographer

Top 5 tips on talking to your parents about assisted living

Every family is different and everyone is going to have their way of approaching uncomfortable conversations.  Here a 5 things to remember when having this discussion.

1. Do not wait for a crisis to occur to have the talk.  By then it may be too late
2. Do not try to tackle everything at once.  Do it over multiple conversations
3. Get the support of other family members or a professional if necessary
4. Ask open ended questions
5. Be factual.  Do your research before you have the conversation.

Of course these tips can be used for other conversations such as living wills, trusts, home care, 5 wishes, etc.

Why Hire a Senior Move Manager?

We are often unaware of how attached we become to our homes—and their contents—until it’s time to move. This can be especially true for those who have been living in their current homes for the past 30 or 40 years and must suddenly sort through a lifetime of possessions in just a few weeks. In these cases, moving is not just a physical process, but an emotional one as well. Because of the emotional and physical aspects inherent in preparing for a move, it can be helpful to work with a neutral third party such as a Senior Move Manager.

Senior Move Mangers are professionals who have the experience, availability, organizational skills and resources to make the move run efficiently. Most importantly, they have the know-how and objectivity to help with the very emotional process of sorting through possessions.

Senior Move Managers offer a variety of services to help with the moving process:

•    Customized floor plan of the new home.
•    Assistance with sorting and organizing to prepare for the move.
•    Arrange for donation or resale of items.
•    Hire and supervise the moving company.
•    Coordinate with realtors, renovators and other professionals.
•    Managing the move day details.
•    Packing and unpacking services.
•    Arrange and organize furniture and belongings in the new home.

Working with a Senior Move Manager can make the entire moving process less taxing on both you and your loved ones.

This post was graciously written for my blog by Marnie Dawson CRTS, Owner of Dawson Relocation - Professional, Qualified Senior Move Managers.

Ten tips for a smooth transition to assisted living before the move

1. It is very important to involve the senior in the selection if possible. Obviously, if the senior has later stages of dementia this may not be possible.  Though I had an person who was diagnosed and she picked where she wanted to live while she could as she accepted the fact that later on someone else would have to make that decision for her.  It helped everyone and she eventually did move there.
2. Go through some of the "what if's" and keep the end goal in mind. For example:  "What if you fall when you are home alone and you cannot get to the phone to call for help?  Wouldn't all of us have better peace of mind knowing you have 24 help available?
3. Try to make sure everyone in the family is on the "same team".  If everyone knows what the plan of action is and the solution is, the easier this will be.  Not always possible, I know. 
4. Do NOT schedule a move-in for the weekend; try to move during the week when the community if fully staffed.  Trust me, I have seen this first hand and it is never as smooth as a weekday move.  Take a day off, it will be worth it in the long run.  
5. Choose a community that is a good match for the care needs & location.  This is where a service like mine can be very helpful.  On care, you don't want to choose a place that won't be able to service the seniors care needs next year if they increase.  And if the location is convenient for family, the senior will have more visitors.
6. Try to pick a place that nurtures what is important to the senior.  Maybe daily on site religious services are the most important thing.  Or being able to bring their beloved pet.  Or possibly they really enjoy water aerobics and therefore a place with a pool would be key.
7. Visit the community as much as possible before the move to meet residents and staff as well as try the food.  This helps take away some of the fear of "I'm not going to no anyone" or "I won't be able to find anything."
8. Review the contract completely.  Be aware of what is included and what your out is should something happen.  It is also helpful to know the resident rights, and any rules.  For example if the rule is that you have to be dressed to go to breakfast and you know this before hand, it prevents mom going down to breakfast in her robe and slippers and being embarrassed.
9. Create a pro's & con's list.  Pretty self explanatory.  My dad made me write one of these outs when I was choosing which college to attend.  If you have support and help, the pro's list should outweigh the con's list.
10. Listen to the concerns and fears of the senior and address them.  Reassure them that just because they are making this choice, they are not losing control.

Have more tips, please visit my Senior Living Experts website!

Cost of living comparison for assisted living vs. staying home

Shopping for assisted living is not like shopping for a car.  However, many times people are amazed at the cost of assisted living.  Sort of a 'sticker shock'.

You cannot just look at that one big number.  You should look at what you are spending now to stay at home and just may find out that the monthly amount is much higher.

I have attached a worksheet that you can print out and compare costs.

Download COST OF LIVING COMPARISON WORKSHEET

How to help prevent 'swine flu' in assisted living & long term care

Swine Flu.  Its all over the news.  The media is hyping it up and spreading fear (their job I guess.)  They make it sound like a super deadly form of the flu that anyone can get.  Well guess what?  You get "Swine Flu" or H1N1 the same way you get the regular old flu.  Remember that one?  The boring one that an estimated 36,000* people a year die from? 90 percent of those deaths occur in people 65 years and older. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications; more than half of these are people 65 years and older (* CDC website )

The number one way to prevent the spread of germs that cause the flu is to wash your hands.  Then wash them again.  It will help prevent more than just the flu.

Cover your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze with a tissue and then throw that tissue out.  Try to avoid close contact with sick people.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth (especially if you haven't washed your hands.) that is how germs like to 'get in'.

Flu-like symptoms include a high fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches.  If you are experiencing these symptoms it is obviously recommend that you stay home. This is tough in this setting because if you are the resident, you are home.  And if you are a caregiver employed by the facility, you probably can't afford to take a sick day.

If you are sick it is also recommended that you get to a doctor to confirm and get an antiviral prescription if necessary.

So everybody, lets all wash our hands!  With soap and water.  And a wise nurse once told me to do it for as long as it takes you to sing "happy birthday" twice. 

Oh and I think we should take a break from the news every now and again.  So Debbie Downer.

Downers Grove 'Senior Living Expert' is featured in local paper

Our very own Kerry Quirin was featured today in her local paper, the Downers Grove Reporter.  I am very excited of course because it only goes to show what wonderful people I get the honor of working with every day.  You can link to the entire article below below.

Resident works to offer free services to seniors.

*photo taken by John Cox, Downer's Grove Reporter