Assisted Living Facilities Part 1

assisted livingAre you trying to find the right assisted living facility (ALF) for your loved one or yourself? Are you overwhelmed by questions and unable to find the answers you need? Perhaps you are looking for answers to questions such as, ‘How does assisted living work? Who pays for your stay at the facility?’ You’ll find the answers to these questions and many others right here. We want to make it as simple as possible for you to transition from your home to assisted living.

People are living longer and finding ways to prolong their health so they can enjoy retirement. You or a loved one can find a wonderful retirement community that will make you feel at home, and meet all your care needs.

It’s becoming more important to find an assisted living facility that is a good match for your loved one and provides high-quality care. Doing your research upfront will help you make the best decision before your loved one moves in. It is possible to visit multiple care facilities and compare them on many essential aspects.

Take a moment to review some of the most frequently asked questions about assisted living facilities.

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is a care solution that enables seniors to maintain their independence while receiving personalized, 24-hour assistance. From helping with daily activities like meal preparation and housekeeping to providing social support when needed – ALFs strive to provide the best possible quality of life for elderly individuals in need of extra help maintaining an active lifestyle.

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What You Need To Know About Assisted Living & Independent Living

assisted livingEach loved one is different, so their care needs are unique. You need to be aware of all options available and distinguish between them in order to find the right senior living option. There are many options for elder care. Independent living is a type for active, independent seniors who want to live in a community with other senior citizens, but without having to worry about home maintenance. Assisted living is a step beyond independent living. Assistive living communities provide the same benefits and more complete care for seniors who require assistance with daily activities like dressing, bathing, or preparing meals. To compare the amenities and services offered by assisted living and independent living, take a closer look:

Independent living vs. assisted living

Independent living communities offer apartments or small homes with full amenities. Apartments in assisted living communities have fewer amenities and more safety features.

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Things To Look For In An Assisted Living Community

assisted living communityIt is difficult to choose the right assisted living community for you or your loved one. The factors that will determine the “right” community for you or your loved one include your budget, how much care you need, personal preferences, your health status, and what your interests are. There are many factors to consider so we suggest that you get clear before you begin looking at ALFs in your local area. These categories can be helpful in focusing your search on the communities that best suit your needs.

  • Budget: How much money can you afford to spend on an assisted living facility in Myrtle Beach per month? Compare this to the average cost for your region. This information can help you set realistic expectations and modify your plans to find the best care for your needs.
  • Care and health need: Do your loved ones require additional assistance beyond basic ADLs. Is a chauffeur necessary or is a nurse on-site to assist with medication administration? Services available at facilities may not only offer assistance with ADLs but can also vary so make sure you are aware of what services you require.
  • Interests and sociability: Do you enjoy socializing with others? You should choose a facility with your preferred amenities and activities for residents.
  • Your preferences and tastes: What are your priorities when it comes down to ALFs? Are spacious apartments, clean facilities, or luxurious features and designs more important to you? You can narrow down your search to include only those communities that match your criteria by identifying what is most important to you.
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Memory Care for Alzheimer’s & Dementia: How does it differ from assisted living?

assisted livingLife changes when your loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Even people who think they are prepared for it, even those who think they are prepared, aren’t. You are now able to help your loved one plan for the future, advocate for them, and also involve them in finding a memory care facility. This is a huge task for anyone, and you may feel overwhelmed and exhausted without the right support.

There are many reliable and excellent services that can be found online to help keep your loved ones safe and happy.

It can be hard to find the right resources. This is especially true for dementia, which is a progressive condition that may require resources for memory care and assisted living. The immediate needs of your loved one may not be the same as what they will require in the future.

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Assisted Living Downsizing: Why It Shouldn’t Be Scary Part 1

assisted livingFor older adults who have lived in their home for many years, and have amassed a lot of memorabilia, the idea of moving can be scary. It doesn’t have to be difficult to downsize into assisted living communities. All you need is a plan.

It is important to plan ahead to minimize stress and create an apartment that centers your life. People make the mistake of putting everything down on the floor when they get into the assisted living facility. They didn’t plan anything ahead of time.

Assisted Living Downsizing

Plan.

It is a process of downsizing that includes several days of high productivity and some time to reflect. Set dates and get out your calendar when you see a move in the future. You should set goals for each day and write down the people who are needed to achieve them. Get your family and friends involved so that they can be available to help you when the time comes.

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Tip To Celebrate Fall in Assisted Living

assisted livingFall is a wonderful time of the year. There are so many things to do even for the residents of assisted living facilities. Fall is a great time to go outside to enjoy the changing leaves, especially since the weather cools down, so we don’t have to worry too much about heat stroke. You can also enjoy the traditional harvest foods.

You are wrong to think that older Americans should be denied the wonderful aspects of fall because they are getting older. These are just a few of the many ways that you can enjoy autumn with your loved ones, regardless of their age.

1) Take a hike

It is great to get outside and walk around. Autumn is a good time of the year. It’s cool enough to not worry about heatstroke and warm enough to not worry about frostbite. It is also the most beautiful season of the year. You can admire the changing leaves and the late-blooming flowers by simply walking around your neighborhood.

These walks can be made into a game with family and friends by having them spot the most autumn colors or taking the best picture.

If your loved one is unable to walk or uses a wheelchair, we are blessed with beautiful sidewalks and stunning scenery in our assisted living community. Stop by to see us!

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3 Ways To Make Assisted Living Easier For Loved Ones This Fall

assisted livingThe Spooky Season is here and you may prefer horror fiction to your everyday life. However, the idea of moving into assisted living is a frightening prospect for many older Americans. But, of all the scary things in life, we don’t believe that moving into assisted housing should be. Having to live in assisted living is one of the worst nightmares.

We have tips for making the transition to assisted living less frightening, whether you are worried about your own move or those of your loved ones.

Find the right assisted living community for you

It can make the transition easier for you and your loved ones by making sure that you are connected to the right assisted living community. When weighing the pros and con’s of assisted living communities, there are many things you should consider:

  • Cost: While money is not the only factor, an assisted living community that can meet all your needs will not be able to help you if your budget doesn’t allow for it. Before you begin looking into assisted living communities, you should first take a hard look at your finances.
  • It’s all about location. They may want to relocate to a warmer area or to be near their family. It can help to come up with a list ahead of time so you can check it against your various assisted living options to see which one meets the greatest number of your requirements/preferences.
  • Reviews are important in every aspect of life, from dating to business. The reputation of the assisted living facility you choose is no exception. We are always supportive of high-quality assisted living communities but the truth is that not all communities can meet our high standards. It is important not to leave your loved ones’ care to chance. Do your research ahead of time so they are in good hands.

Give it time for reality to set in

It is a great way to convince your loved one to move into assisted living immediately. Don’t wait until your loved one is absolutely in need of assisted living. Give them notice months or even years ahead of the time they will be moving into assisted living. Talk to your loved one about the many benefits that assisted living has. Ask them about their dreams for their golden years, and then suggest ways that assisted living could fit in that vision.

Take them on a tour

Fear of the unknown is what we are most afraid of. Even though there is nothing to fear, it can be a frightening image that we create in our heads. You can prevent your loved one from falling for this trap by taking them along on a tour of the assisted living community. They will be able to see it firsthand and begin to imagine what life would be like. They will soon be more comfortable with the idea of moving there.

We can help you with everything, including a tour and general information about what your loved ones can expect when they move to assisted living. To begin your transition to an assisted living community that is better for you, all you need to do it to reach out.

At Reflections Assisted Living, we do our best to make your loved ones feel at home. Call us today to know more about our assisted living services.

Like our Facebook page for more great info about assisted living communities.

Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest
219 Middleburg Dr
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-0700
https://www.reflectionsassistedliving.com/

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

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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