What is Palliative Care?

October 11, 2022
, , palliative care

palliative carePalliative care is a specialized medical treatment for people with serious illnesses. This care focuses on relieving the patient’s symptoms and stress. Both the patient and their family will experience an improvement in quality of life.

Palliative care can be provided by specially trained nurses, doctors and other specialists. They work with patients’ other doctors to offer additional support. Palliative care does not depend on the patient’s prognosis. It is tailored to the individual patient’s needs. Palliative care is appropriate for any age or stage of a serious illness and can be provided alongside curative treatment.

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There are different types of assisted living. What is the best arrangement for your senior?

October 6, 2022
, , assisted living

assisted livingHome sweet home is more than a phrase. Many of us see our homes as the safest and most welcoming places to be. We are surrounded by those we love. Many seniors find that aging in place and the familiar comforts of home are not something they want or are able to do safely. So what options do you have? There are many options for assisted living. Each situation is different. We’ll be looking at just a few.

What are some options?

There are many options for senior living. This is a good thing. These include:

Independent Living: Seniors can choose to live independently in assisted living communities or senior housing complexes. These environments offer seniors the opportunity to meet and socialize, as well as help with everyday tasks like cooking and housekeeping. These communities are often smaller and are easier to navigate.

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Assisted Living: Keep Your Senior Loved Ones Happy This Holiday Season

October 3, 2022
, , assisted living

assisted livingThe popular holiday song aptly sums it up: It’s the most beautiful time of year. Kids jingle belling. Marshmallows toasting. Much mistletoe-ing. There is plenty of cheer. For some seniors, however, the most joyous season can also be stressful. The holiday season can be stressful because of the many traditions and memories of a loved one who has passed away. Caregivers have the responsibility to lift seniors’ spirits, help them recall the good times, and create new, joyful memories that can be relived over the years even if they’re living in an assisted living facility.

Senior living communities all across the country are celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah in the same spirit as families around the globe. Our residents are encouraged to participate in holiday activities between now and New Year. Spending time with loved ones, friends, and neighbors is the true reason for the season. It can help you overcome the stress and confusion caused by holidays.

These tips offer caregivers some suggestions on how to deal with the holidays with a senior loved one in an assisted living community.

Decor

To get residents into the holiday spirit, all  Senior Living communities have festive decorations. Encourage seniors to decorate their own living spaces. This is a great way to keep them smiling this holiday season. You can help seniors find family heirlooms and ornaments they treasure that they can display on their own glistening tree. Grandkids can help seniors make their homes more special and warm by helping to organize the project.

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Memory Care: Specialized Support For People With Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia

September 29, 2022
, , memory care

memory careMemory care is a great option if it becomes difficult to care at home for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Memory care is a type of long-term residential care that offers intensive and specialized care to people with memory problems.

Many nursing homes, continuing care retirement communities, and assisted living facilities have memory care “neighborhoods”, which are designed for dementia patients. You can also find standalone memory care facilities.

According to the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (a non-profit that tracks industry trends), memory care is the fastest growing sector in senior housing. As COVID-19 devastated many long-term care facilities, occupancy rates dropped in 2020.

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Senior Caregiver Duties You May Experience

September 26, 2022
, , , senior care

Caregiver

As an elderly caregiver, you may need to help with things like grocery shopping, cooking, managing medication, and even helping with appointments. Caregiver responsibilities will depend on the health and needs of the individual being cared for.

What does it mean to be a caregiver?

A caregiver is someone who takes care of the well-being and health of an individual who requires assistance with daily activities and tasks. A caregiver may be needed by an elderly loved one due to an injury, illness, mobility issues, memory problems, or other chronic conditions that make daily chores more difficult.

Long-term caregiving can have a significant impact on caregivers’ physical and emotional health, depending on how much support is provided. To determine if in-home care is right for you, and if you need more specialized care, consider the health and abilities of your loved one.

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Checklist For Moving to Assisted Living

September 22, 2022
, , assisted living

assisted livingAlthough moving seniors into assisted living can be difficult, there are ways to make the move smoother and reduce stress.

You can simplify and make your loved one’s move easier by making arrangements early and planning for their new space in the assisted living facility.

How to move a parent into assisted living

Moving is not an easy task. You can make sure that your loved one and you have a smooth transition by taking care of these details.

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Assisted Living For A Loved One? How To Make Holidays Joyful For Everyone

September 13, 2022
, , assisted living

assisted livingHoliday stress levels can increase and families who have a loved one in an assisted living facility may worry about how to include them in the festivities.

As opposed to independent living or nursing homes, assisted living residents are usually mobile enough to move around. However, they may have limitations due to advanced age or medical issues.

This can create some burden. Many families don’t know if their relatives should move to be with the family during holiday celebrations. Holiday stressors can cause families to worry about how much time they have to spend visiting relatives, especially if the distance is an issue.

No matter how many times you see your loved ones who are living in an assisted living facility, it will feel as though it’s enough. And you’re going to feel guilty that you should spend more time there. This is what causes anxiety. Do not beat yourself up if it isn’t possible to spend more time.

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Complete Checklist For Moving Your Parents Into Assisted Living

September 9, 2022
, , assisted living

assisted livingNow that Mom and Dad are ready to move into assisted living, the to-do list can seem daunting. You may find that your parents have a lot of stuff, even cherished possessions, they need to sell. The house may need urgent repairs before putting it up in the market. It is possible that your mom or dad feels ambivalent about the idea of moving into assisted living. They may be reluctant to give up their routines and start a new one. It’s perfectly normal.

We have seen all the mistakes in assisted living and Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest is here to help.

This is the Ultimate Assisted Living Checklist

1. Define Expectations

Every rower who competes will tell you that the ride is smoothest when everyone pulls in one direction. It is important to set expectations and make sure everyone is on the same page. This includes your parents, your helpers, and everyone who touches the move. The following steps can be used to define expectations:

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What is the importance of family involvement in caring for residents in assisted living?

September 6, 2022
, , assisted living

assisted livingAssisted living facilities can handle the emotional and physical needs of residents. However, research has shown that families are crucial to improving the quality of resident care.

Assisted Living Guide

It does matter how important the interactions between residents and staff are, and it is vital to build strong relationships between families and long-term residents in an assisted living facility.

The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 provides that family members can be involved in the care of their loved ones when they are admitted to long-term care facilities. This is unless the resident denies it. This act was created to ensure residents within the assisted living community receive the best care possible in their facilities. However, it also highlights the emotional importance of family involvement.

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Reasons Not To Feel Guilty About A Move For Assisted Living

August 30, 2022
, , assisted living

guilt assisted livingIt’s one of the most difficult decisions you will make in your entire life.

Many caregivers feel guilty about putting a parent into assisted living or moving their relative, spouse, or close friend into assisted living, a nursing facility, or memory care.

It’s essential to take someone out of their home if it becomes unsafe or impossible to continue this living arrangement either physically or financially. The reality is that, even though this decision is best for their health or safety, it can still cause guilt and sadness.

Understanding the root cause of guilt is important in helping you to accept the change and reduce stress.

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