Today’s seniors have more choices than ever when it comes to deciding on where they should live as they get older. Traditional nursing homes have expanded to include a greater range of assisted living homes and senior apartment communities that are styled to function just like a regular personal home – but with greatly needed assistance and additional opportunities to socialize.
Many older adults find it necessary to move from the home that they currently live in. Some of the reasons for moving can include:
• The neighborhood has deteriorated and safety is a concern
• To be near children (more than half of those 65+ live within 1 hour of a child)
• Size and layout of a home (including multi-levels or staircases)
• Maintenance costs and requirements
• Proximity to necessary services and shopping, especially if they are no longer driving
• Need for daily assistance with medications and household tasks
Some assisted living communities are built like small, self-contained ‘neighborhoods’, with housing units styled to include private bedrooms and bathrooms, with a common living area and kitchen. 24-hour basic care is provided, along with meals, laundry services and transportation.
Apartment style living is also popular, with small apartments that also have the benefits of common dining and living, along with a dedicated staff and plenty of social activities and group transportation to shopping, as well as private transport for personal appointments.
Another lifestyle choice includes senior high-rise centers that offer different levels of care depending on the changing needs of the residents. These senior centers often include a ‘buy-in’ plan, much like purchasing a home, along with monthly care and maintenance fees. For seniors and families who have the financial means, this option can offer a lifetime of extended care. Housing ranges from stylized apartment living for independent seniors to moderate care and assistance to full time nursing care. As the seniors continue to age, they stay in the same high-rise building, but move from floor to floor as their needs change.
While many older adults choose to ‘age in place’ at home, often with constant or live-in help, many relocating seniors find satisfaction in group settings which can help them maintain social interaction and friendships, along with the benefits of having helpful, friendly staff and medical professionals around them.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Healthy Lifestyles for Older Adults – The Importance of Exercise
All of us have come to realize the importance of exercise in our lifestyles – regular, planned exercise routines help lower cholesterol, keep our hearts healthier, and of course strengthen our muscles and improve our stamina. Exercise is also very important to the overall wellness of older adults.
Staying fit with exercise and physical activity benefits people of all ages and physical conditions. Developing a consistent exercise program of walking, stretching and range of motion exercises can help prevent or delay a number of infirmities that face seniors as they continue to age, including dementia and decreased memory functions.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) report that even moderate exercise and physical activity can improve the health of seniors who are frail, or who have diseases that accompany aging.
Some older adults are reluctant to get up and get out. They may be fearful that they will fall or that strenuous exercise can hurt them. The NIH actually tells us that exercise is safe and beneficial for people of all age groups, and that older adults will hurt their health more with inactivity.
The first and most important step is to visit with your loved one’s doctor to determine what types of exercise will be safe and beneficial. Your may want to consider talking with a fitness instructor or physical therapist that specializes in working with older people. They can recommend the amount and length of activity to start with. As for anyone, a good physical fitness plan starts off slowly and builds up over time as the person becomes more fit and active.
Some of the areas that are especially important for seniors include strength, balance, flexibility and endurance. A trained professional can help you determine what areas need the most work and a good action plan to get started with.
It’s also important to recognize that it is never to late to get started with some type of exercise. Over time, exercise can both improve a senior’s overall health as well as prevent further deterioration in certain areas. Even if your loved one has never exercised or is confined to a wheelchair, therapeutic exercise can help their mental and physical state.
Getting older doesn't mean you have to lose all your strength or your ability to do everyday tasks. Exercise can help older adults feel better and enjoy life more, even those who think they are too old or too out of shape. It’s great to get moving at any age!
Staying fit with exercise and physical activity benefits people of all ages and physical conditions. Developing a consistent exercise program of walking, stretching and range of motion exercises can help prevent or delay a number of infirmities that face seniors as they continue to age, including dementia and decreased memory functions.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) report that even moderate exercise and physical activity can improve the health of seniors who are frail, or who have diseases that accompany aging.
Some older adults are reluctant to get up and get out. They may be fearful that they will fall or that strenuous exercise can hurt them. The NIH actually tells us that exercise is safe and beneficial for people of all age groups, and that older adults will hurt their health more with inactivity.
The first and most important step is to visit with your loved one’s doctor to determine what types of exercise will be safe and beneficial. Your may want to consider talking with a fitness instructor or physical therapist that specializes in working with older people. They can recommend the amount and length of activity to start with. As for anyone, a good physical fitness plan starts off slowly and builds up over time as the person becomes more fit and active.
Some of the areas that are especially important for seniors include strength, balance, flexibility and endurance. A trained professional can help you determine what areas need the most work and a good action plan to get started with.
It’s also important to recognize that it is never to late to get started with some type of exercise. Over time, exercise can both improve a senior’s overall health as well as prevent further deterioration in certain areas. Even if your loved one has never exercised or is confined to a wheelchair, therapeutic exercise can help their mental and physical state.
Getting older doesn't mean you have to lose all your strength or your ability to do everyday tasks. Exercise can help older adults feel better and enjoy life more, even those who think they are too old or too out of shape. It’s great to get moving at any age!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Getting Help for Mom and Dad – How to Get Started with In-Home Assistance
As we get older, we find it more and more difficult to keep doing many of the ordinary tasks required to keep up a home – laundry, meal preparation, and housekeeping can become harder to keep up with. If you have older adults in your family, you may see gradual changes in their ability to maintain their home – or you may see a sudden decline in their ability or interests to keep up.
How do you know when it's time to consider in-home assistance for your aging parents?
Try watching for these possible warning signs:
• Personal hygiene changes like a lack of interest in bathing or brushing their teeth or an inclination to wear the same clothes day after day
• Passive responses and a lack of interest in social engagement
• Clutter in a house that was formerly very neat or the house not being cleaned on a regular basis
• Lack of food in the refrigerator or placing to-go orders instead of regular meals
• Tiredness and constant complaints that can indicate depression or isolation
• Forgetfulness - like leaving food cooking on the stove, leaving the faucet on, not taking mediations as prescribed, the phone left off the hook or bills left unpaid
• Missing appointments to see their doctor, dentist, hairdresser and others
It may be time to bring a caregiver into the home that can help your loved ones maintain order in their lives and stay focused on personal health and well-being. Start looking for a caregiver by talking to friends or co-workers – they may be able to recommend a good service or individual. Check references, check the BBB and also contact state agencies who monitor senior care. You may need to interview several people or services before finding the right fit.
It’s often most helpful to include the seniors in the discussion and decision regarding in-home care. Your loved ones may feel insulted or fearful at the beginning, so treat the topic with patience and compassion for their feelings. You may meet with some (or a great deal of) resistance at first. It may be good to ease into the situation by bringing in a helper for just a few hours a day to help with light housekeeping or errands and let the seniors get used to the idea gradually. In some instances, the caregiver can simply be a companion to drive older adults to the movies or church.
Once you have brought someone in, you also have to manage the relationship. List the duties you and your loved one expect the caregiver to perform and clearly communicate the duties and the timing with the caregiver. Clearly explain your expectations and set boundaries for the caregiver’s personal phone calls, breaks, etc.
Make sure all family members and the caregiver understand that the paid worker is not a family member. The caregiver should NOT have access to credit or ATM cards, checks or any of the family finances. Also, monitor the relationship the caregiver has with your loved ones. If your or your parents feel uncomfortable or incompatible with the caregiver, take action immediately.
In-home assistance is an active step to prolong older adults’ ability to live in their home for as long as possible. Hiring an in-home caregiver is a proactive step that can help seniors continue to lead healthy, active and happy lives.
How do you know when it's time to consider in-home assistance for your aging parents?
Try watching for these possible warning signs:
• Personal hygiene changes like a lack of interest in bathing or brushing their teeth or an inclination to wear the same clothes day after day
• Passive responses and a lack of interest in social engagement
• Clutter in a house that was formerly very neat or the house not being cleaned on a regular basis
• Lack of food in the refrigerator or placing to-go orders instead of regular meals
• Tiredness and constant complaints that can indicate depression or isolation
• Forgetfulness - like leaving food cooking on the stove, leaving the faucet on, not taking mediations as prescribed, the phone left off the hook or bills left unpaid
• Missing appointments to see their doctor, dentist, hairdresser and others
It may be time to bring a caregiver into the home that can help your loved ones maintain order in their lives and stay focused on personal health and well-being. Start looking for a caregiver by talking to friends or co-workers – they may be able to recommend a good service or individual. Check references, check the BBB and also contact state agencies who monitor senior care. You may need to interview several people or services before finding the right fit.
It’s often most helpful to include the seniors in the discussion and decision regarding in-home care. Your loved ones may feel insulted or fearful at the beginning, so treat the topic with patience and compassion for their feelings. You may meet with some (or a great deal of) resistance at first. It may be good to ease into the situation by bringing in a helper for just a few hours a day to help with light housekeeping or errands and let the seniors get used to the idea gradually. In some instances, the caregiver can simply be a companion to drive older adults to the movies or church.
Once you have brought someone in, you also have to manage the relationship. List the duties you and your loved one expect the caregiver to perform and clearly communicate the duties and the timing with the caregiver. Clearly explain your expectations and set boundaries for the caregiver’s personal phone calls, breaks, etc.
Make sure all family members and the caregiver understand that the paid worker is not a family member. The caregiver should NOT have access to credit or ATM cards, checks or any of the family finances. Also, monitor the relationship the caregiver has with your loved ones. If your or your parents feel uncomfortable or incompatible with the caregiver, take action immediately.
In-home assistance is an active step to prolong older adults’ ability to live in their home for as long as possible. Hiring an in-home caregiver is a proactive step that can help seniors continue to lead healthy, active and happy lives.
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