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Pets In Assisted Living

Moving from your home to assisted living can be overwhelming especially if you are going to lose your beloved pet. But some assisted living facilities are pet friendly. There may be some restrictions as to the kind of pet, the size and the number of pets, so read on to learn more.

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Pet Ownership Benefits For Seniors

It is a fact pets are good the emotional and physical wellbeing of a senior. it helps them to live longer, happier and healthier. Pets give seniors a further sense of purpose, helps them retain an active lifestyle and has proven social benefits. Other pet ownership benefits include:

  • Stress reduction
  • Depression reduction
  • Greater spontaneity
  • Mental stimulation
  • Lowers cholesterol
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Decreases loneliness
  • Increased learning
  • Higher survival rate following a heart attack
  • Higher spirits for those with a memory impairment
  • Better self-esteem

Pet Friendly Senior Housing

As of the fall of 2017, 78% of senior communities welcomed pets and that number is increasing for assisted living communities as well. More senior comunities and assisted living facilities are realizing pet ownership is important and some even have “community” cats and dogs and even pet chickens! Some are even starting to offer grooming anda pet care among its extra services. However there may be weight limits for your pet and a maximum number of pets allowed as wel las a fee or additional deposit.

Pet-Friendly Community Questions

  • What are current ruels regarding pets?
  • Is there a safe area to take your dog or cat for a walk?
  • Is there a place for your pet to do its business?
  • Is the pet area well-lit at night?
  • How much of a deposit or fee is required upon move-in?
  • Are the rooms in your unit large enough for a pet?

Find Quality Assisted Living Care With SLS Communities

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If you’re looking for the very best assisted living in Phoenix; SLS Communities can help!  We have 5 locations in the Phoenix Valley that seniors and their families can choose from. With great amenities such as meticulously manicured landscaping, swimming pools, theater rooms, on-site salons, and much more! SLS Communities delivers today’s seniors the very best assisted living care services in the Phoenix, Arizona area.

Check out our locations below

For more information about assisted living and senior living services please call 480-348-0300.

Assisted Living, Senior Living
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Ten Fun Things To Do With Someone In Assisted Living

Are you searching for activities for seniors? This post should help.

1. Group Exercise Classes

Group exercises, such as yoga, Tai Chi or Feldenkrais, are social and fun ways to enhance flexibility, balance and is essential in helping prevent accident and/ or falls in seniors. Some facilities even provide chair exercise programs, and some other facilities, water exercise programs, which may appeal to seniors dealing with arthritis.

2. Walking Clubs

Walking throughout the community is an easy way for seniors to keep active, and when walking with others it’s an easy way to make friends. Some facilities can even arrange transportation so that walking club members can walk in nearby parks or designated walking areas.

3. Gardening Clubs

Gardening is an excellent way for seniors to get outdoors, stay active and socialize with others. When gardening, planting and weeding can help seniors unwind and relax; but not only that, they get to reap the benefits of their efforts: gorgeous flowers and scrumptious veggies.

4. Book Clubs

If the senior in your life is has been or is an avid reader, chances are they will love the opportunity to share their opinions about books they’ve read with other seniors. Not only do book clubs help seniors stay sharp, mentally alert and in touch with the rest of the world, they also add a huge social element.

5. Life Story Exercises

There can’t be a more substantial activity for seniors than capturing their life story, by writing them down in a journal or by collecting their pictures and keepsakes together in a scrapbook — not only does it let them keep a part of their story, they get the opportunity to look back on their own life experiences.

6. Lectures and Continuing Education Classes

Increasing one’s knowledge base is a great way for seniors to keep themselves mentally alert and involved. To help with this, some facilities offer on-site lectures or continuing educational classes while others can arrange for their residents to utilize the academic and offerings of nearby colleges or universities.

7. Art Classes

For seniors who have worked hard all of their lives just to make a living, retirement usually opens the door to newly discovered creativity. Using watercolor and acrylic painting as well as sketching and drawing are all top priorities on the list of artistic expression and making art in a group type setting can be a pleasant way to socialize with others.

8. Pottery and Ceramics Classes

Crafts such as pottery or ceramics are also usually high on the activity list of retirement facilities. Shaping wet clay allows seniors a release for their creativity and gives them inspiring hands-on learning opportunities that can be perfect for seniors that have low vision.

9. Jewelry Making

Designing and making jewelry is another enjoyable craft that can help seniors enhance their fine motor skills and gives them an outlet for their creative side – as an added bonus the seniors get the benefit of wearing, giving them as gifts, or maybe even selling the jewelry they create.

10. Music

What can be more refreshing for seniors than making or listening to music? Senior retirement communities integrate music into the lives of their residents in a lot of ways. Not only do they bring musicians in for on location concerts, and they like their seniors to make their own music by singalongs or through karaoke.

11. Music Therapy

Music has great healing power, but particularly for those who suffer from dementia. Some assisted living facilities, specifically those dedicated to memory care, hire trained musical therapists to entertain its residents and provide small-group mental stimulation. In some facilities, seniors that have a background in musicianship can even partake in to provide entertainment or music therapy for their friends, family, and neighbors.

12. Pet Therapy

Rubbing a dog’s belly typically makes a lot of us feel warm and fuzzy inside, and it’s especially comforting to those who had to give up their pets when they had to move into a retirement facility. Pet therapy plans that bring in dogs to snuggle with seniors can fill that gap.

13. Outings

Even though there is a lot to do inside a senior living facility, plenty of seniors love the chance to participate in group outings. To help with this, retirement facilities take seniors on day trips to libraries, concerts and sports events as well as arranging seasonal trips such as viewing the holiday lights prior to Christmas.

14.Wii Sports

The senior in your life may not be able to shoot a basketball anymore, but the Nintendo’s Wii allows your senior move their body instead of pushing buttons or using a joystick, is a nice alternative. There are a ton of games your sports-minded senior can play, including tennis, bowling, golf and the previously mentioned basketball.

Find Quality Senior Living SLS Communities

These are just some of the reasons people love retiring in Arizona.  Share with us the reasons you’ve loved visiting Arizona or why you love living in the state!  If your considering retiring in Arizona don’t forget to check out the senior living services we provide.  In addition to assisted living we offer independent living, memory care, and home care services in the state of Arizona.  All of our service are rendered by the highest trained and skilled senior care providers whether at one of our locations or in senior’s own homes.

Source:

Pollock, Kris. “Beyond Bingo: 14 Activities for Elderly People That Aren’t Boring.” Beyond Bingo: 14 Activities for Elderly People That Aren’t Boring, The Arbor Company, 13 Apr. 2018, blog.arborcompany.com/14-activities-for-elderly-people-that-arent-boring.

Find enjoyable activities for seniors at Desert Winds Retirement Community.

Activities for Seniors, Assisted Living, Senior Living
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Great Balance Exercises For Seniors

How Seniors Can Keep Healthy This Summer

As you get older, it is more important than ever to maintain your balance to minimize the risk of an injury or even life-threatening fall. Read more here to learn about some balance exercises seniors can do to keep themselves in shape.

Disclaimer: You should speak with a medical professional before undergoing any exercise regime. Use proper safety precautions and have assistance available when you exercise.

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Standing On One Foot

  • Grip a sturdy chair to ensure balance and stand on one foot.
  • Hold this position for ten seconds.
  • Repeat this ten times.
  • Repeat ten times with the opposing leg.
  • Then repeat fifteen times with both legs (one leg at a time!)

Heel To Toe Walking

  • Take the heel of one foot and place it in front of the toes of the other foot so they are almost touching or lightly touching.
  • Focus on a spot ahead of you so you maintain a sense of steadiness as you walk. Step forward placing your heel just in front of the foot you have just moved forward.
  • Repeat for twenty steps.

Balance Walk

  • Raise your arms to shoulder height.
  • Again focus on a point to help maintain steadiness as you walk.
  • Step forward in the same way you dod when doing the Walking Heel To Toe exercise.
  • Repeat for twenty steps.

Back Leg Raises

  • Take a sturdy chair and grip it for balance.
  • Slowly breathe in.
  • Breathe out very slowly, as you lift one leg back without bending your knee or pointing your toes. Do not lean forward!
  • Hold the position for a count of one.
  • Breathe in while lowering your leg once more.
  • Repeat this ten to fifteen times.
  • Repeat this ten to fifteen times with the alternate leg.
  • Repeat this ten to fifteen times with both legs.

Side Leg Raises

  • Gripping a chair for balance, stand with feet slightly apart and slowly breathe in.
  • Keeping your back straight and toes pointing forward, slowly breathe out while lifting one leg out to the side. SLightly bend the leg you are standing on.
  • Repeat these steps ten to fifteen times.
  • Repeat these steps ten to fifteen times with the alternate leg.
  • Repeat these steps ten to fifteen times with both legs.

Find Quality Assisted Living Care With SLS Communities In Arizona

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If you’re looking for the very best assisted living, memory care, and senior living services in Phoenix; SLS Communities can help! We have 5 locations in the Phoenix Valley that seniors and their families can choose from. With great amenities such as meticulously manicured landscaping, pools, theater rooms, on-site salons, and much more SLS delivers seniors the very best senior living services in Arizona.

Check out our locations below

For more information about assisted living and senior living services please call 480-348-0300.

Assisted Living, Senior Living
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What Are Some Benefits of Assisted Living?

Do you want to find out more about “what are some benefits of assisted living?”, if you are, keep reading to learn more about the benefits of assisted living. When you are making the decision to move your loved one into an assisted living facility, it is usually hard for everyone involved. Today’s loved ones are met with a ton of choices when it comes down to finding new living arrangements.

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Making a move to assisted living can feel scary, overwhelming, and just plain difficult. It can mean rifling through decades of household items, saying farewell to a family home, and the end of a chapter in life.

It is also is the start of a brand-new journey with brand new opportunities and new adventures awaiting today’s seniors each day.

8 Benefits Of Assisted Living

  1. Prevent Social Isolation

Seniors living that are alone face a higher risk for social isolation and increased feelings of depression and loneliness. In an assisted living facility, seniors live in community-like surroundings with friends and staff encouraging involvement in social events. Our communities have lively and diverse activity calendars that allow residents to start new hobbies, join fitness classes, and possibly even travel to destinations they’ve never been before.

  1. Around The Clock Professional And Compassionate Care

Residents in assisted living usually need help with activities of daily living, like dressing, bathing, taking care of their hygiene, medication assistance, and more. Our communities offer 24/7 care to ensure that needs are being met and each resident is getting the attention they need and deserve. Each staff member is trained to provide the care residents require in a way that protects their privacy and encourages dignity.

  1. A Focus On Independence And Fun

Although these communities are wonderful places to receive personalized care, assistance is provided with a focus on independence and fun – making sure residents are doing what they can when they can do it. We are always here to extend a helping hand by providing assistance or maybe joining residents for a meal or an afternoon stroll.

  1. Extended Free Time

It’s time to put away the house cleaning, yard work, and home upkeep. Assisted living communities are designed to be hassle-free. Residents won’t have to worry about cleaning, cooking, the mopping. It satisfies us to work for each of our residents, letting them catch up on a book trilogy, plan a trip across the state, take an interest in a new hobby, or invest more time in a lifelong dream.

  1. Appetizing Meals

Meals in assisted living are specially created to benefit our senior’s health. With nutritious meals prepared by highly trained chefs, residents in these communities enjoy savory meals that are not only good at promoting their health, but they taste good too. Additionally, elegantly designed dining rooms promotes mealtimes with friends, making each dinner, not just another meal but a fun social occasion.

  1. Readily Available And Safe Transportation

When driving starts to become unsafe, or owning a car becomes too much of a bother, assisted living communities offer dependable transportation to local shopping, outdoor concerts, social events, and doctor or dentist appointments. Reliable transportation helps our residents get to where they need to go, as they need it.

  1. An Investment In The Future

When moving into an assisted living, it is a move into a lifestyle that encourages healthy senior living and opens an abundance of options for the future if needs should ever change. Each of our residents has a personalized, custom care program that is regularly assessed by a medical team, making sure that any change in health is observed when it happens, resulting in early diagnosis and, in the long run, better treatment.

  1. Peace Of Mind

All of these benefits work collectively to create the most significant benefit: peace of mind. Friends and loved ones of residents can rest easy, knowing their loved one is being well taken care of in a home-like environment where their needs are being met. Seniors themselves can rest easier too, with the understanding that they have a family in their community who is there for them, cheering them on, and helping them make the most of each day.

Find Quality Assisted Living Care With SLS Communities

(480)-348-0300
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If you’re looking for the very best assisted living in Phoenix; SLS Communities can help!  We have 5 locations in the Phoenix Valley that seniors and their families can choose from. With great amenities such as meticulously manicured landscaping, swimming pools, theater rooms, on-site salons, and much more! SLS Communities delivers today’s seniors the very best assisted living care services in the Phoenix, Arizona area.

Check out our locations below

For more information about assisted living and senior living services please call 480-348-0300.

Assisted Living, Senior Living
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How To Find An Assisted Living Facility?

If you are searching for an assisted living facility, read on! This post will help make you make some of the most important decisions.

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Choosing The Right Assisted Living Facility

With so many different facilities to choose from, the choice of which assisted living facilities shall I consider can be very intimidating. The good news is if you are prepared the search will be much easier. Consider these factors:

  • Decide what you want and need
  • Discover locations that match those wants and needs
  • Judge locations using multiple resources

Finding An Assisted Living Facility

Start by thinking of your own desires and needs and think about a preferred location. Is it important to be near local medical professionals and hospitals or would you rather have a place close to entertainment and shopping options? Or perhaps you may want to be near your grandchildren and children. Think about your living arrangements. Will you need an additional bedroom to entertain guests, or perhaps a patio or a small kitchen? Are any of these important to you, movie theaters, pools, putting greens, art studios, bars, salons and on-site cafe’s? Lastly, work within a preset budget. Prioritize your list from your must have’s and your want’s to determine communities that may meet your requirements.

Questions When You Are On An Assisted Living Guided Tour

  • What background checks and training are required of staff?
  • What happens if I run out of my savings and available monies?
  • When would a resident be forced to move out of the facility?
  • Is there a medical professional or registered nurse available 24/7/365?
  • Can this community accommodate me if in the future I need a higher level of care?
  •  Do you hold my residence if I have a long term stay at a rehabilitation facility or long-term hospital stay?
  • How many apartments or rooms are currently empty?
  • How are services billed?
  • Do you participate in VA Aid and Assistance, Medicaid Medicare, long-term care insurance or any other payment program?
  • Can I see a contract that details all the rules, regulations and fees?
  • Can I have my own furniture and a pet?
  • May I continue to see my own physicians?
  • Can I leave and arrive at my convenience?
  • Are any activities prohibited in apartments or private rooms?

Checklist For An Assisted Living Facility Visit

  • Are the grounds well maintained? Is anything broken or run-down?
  • Do you see stains, dirt or smell odors? (An odor contained to a small area may suggest a recent accident, whereas an odor in a larger area suggests a problem.)
  • Are appropriate safety measures in place? (Look for grab bars, call buttons, emergency exit guides on walls, safety locks on doors and windows, overhead sprinklers and smoke detectors.)
  • Are the residents friendly, happy and well-groomed? (Ask residents how long they have lived there and how they feel about the facility.)
  • Do the residents seem board or willingly taking part in social activities?

Assessing An Assisted Living Facility

When you visit a facility, remember the staff need to sell you on their facility. They are not the best people for making a determination when you are making a decision. Speaking to residents and family members of people already living at the facility is a very good idea as is contacting the ombudsman covering the local area. If the facility is a Medicare provider, Medicare provides a five-star rating based on staffing, quality of resident care and health inspections.

Find Quality Assisted Living Care With SLS Communities

(480)-348-0300
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If you’re looking for the very best assisted living in Phoenix; SLS Communities can help!  We have 5 locations in the Phoenix Valley that seniors and their families can choose from. With great amenities such as meticulously manicured landscaping, pools, theater rooms, on-site salons, and much more SLS delivers seniors the very best assisted living care services in Phoenix, Arizona.

Check out our locations below

For more information about assisted living and senior living services please call 480-348-0300.

Assisted Living
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When Is the Right Time to Move From Assisted Living to Memory Care?

If your loved one’s dementia is progressing, it may be time to shift from assisted living to memory care. The decision can be a difficult one, since there is no single guideline for deciding when it’s time to make a change.

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Transitions can be hard, particularly for those with dementia. You need to think about financial considerations, too, as the higher level of care at a memory care community usually comes with a higher price tag.

Selecting a community that helps residents make the change can make the decision easier. Families thinking about a senior living community for their loved one should consider what might happen if the loved one ultimately needs memory care. Continuous care in the same community offers great comfort to seniors and the people who love them.

The Difference Between Assisted Living and Memory Care

An assisted living community caters to seniors with a wide range of needs and conditions. In a memory care community, the community as a whole is designed around the individual needs of those with dementia. This means that memory care is a little more comprehensive. Your loved one will spend their days with highly experienced people at managing dementia and will soon become friends with other seniors living with the disease.

Other factors that make memory care unique include:

  • A focus on safety: Seniors with moderate to advanced dementia may wander or lose their ability to think acutely. Memory care communities are intended to keep them safe, without compromising their independence too much.
  • A more proactive method to socialization and activities: Dementia often means a loss of flexible thinking and socialization skills. Elderly living in assisted living usually can manage their own social lives. Those that are in memory care communities might need help socializing, choosing how to spend their days, and controlling their relationships.
  • Sharp awareness of sensory issues: Seniors with dementia can be overwhelmed by strange sights and sounds. They can also find great comfort in getting senses stimulated. Memory care communities work to keep seniors engaged and busy without making them seem overwhelmed or in danger.
  • Highly experienced team familiar with dementia: Dementia is more than simple memory loss. It can make it difficult in decision making, thinking clearly, and maintaining relationships. It can cause mobility issues and grooming difficulties. People who have an understanding of dementia know how to assist seniors facing these challenges.

Essential Questions and Considerations

There may not be a single time when you recognize the senior you love requires more thorough care. You may also be concerned that making the transition too soon will put your loved one in surroundings that are too restrictive or stressful. How do you make the decision? Think about some of the following:

If your loved one is living in assisted living already, talk with the people who interact with them on a daily basis. Inquire about your loved one’s behavior. Has it changed? Is he or she still taking part in activities? Or is confusion starting to overwhelm your loved one?

Is your loved one happy? If your loved one is showing signs of depression, becomes isolated, or has stopped making friends, he or she may need additional support of memory care.

Does your loved one’s dementia include symptoms other than their memory loss? If your loved one has started having trouble making decisions, behaving appropriately, or talking with others, a memory care community can certainly help.

Memory Care: A Way to Enjoy Your Relationship

The decision to transition to memory care comes down to one major concern: whether your loved one is content and leading the life they have earned. If your relationship is strained or they are lonely, they may need additional care.

Choosing the right memory care community will not cure your loved one’s dementia. But it can assist your loved one in having a more normal life. Memory care communities support people with dementia by providing assistance with the skills dementia takes away from them. This can make life better for everyone, specifically caregivers. If you’re feeling a little stressed and overwhelmed, know that memory care may be the answer.

Find Quality Assisted Living  And Memory Care With SLS Communities

(480)-348-0300
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If you’re looking for the very best assisted living, memory care, and senior living services in Phoenix; SLS Communities can help!  We have 5 locations in the Phoenix Valley that seniors and their families can choose from. With great amenities such as greatly manicured landscaping, pools, movie rooms, on-site salons, and much more SLS delivers today’s seniors the very best retirement care services in Phoenix, Arizona.

Assisted Living, Memory Care, Retirement Living Communities, Retirement Wishes
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Questions For Assisted Living Interviews

The choices seem endless when it comes to assisted living communities. There are many different communities out there so asking questions is important. Keep these things in mind when you are looking for assisted living options for a member of your family.

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Questions To Ask About Care

The level of support is the most vital consideration to think about. Yout loved one’s needs and wants need to be taken care of so you have to find a community where the services and amenities meet your requirements. Here are some things to ask:

  • In the monthly agreement what services are included?
  • Are services available a la carte?
  • If comprehensive care options if needed, can my loved one transition?
  • What is the ratio of residents to staff?
  • How do your competitor’s community care services differ from yours?

Questions To Ask About The Specific Community

Your loved one needs to feel at home in their new community, where they can meet new friends and enjoy themselves as well as having a variety of excursions and activities available such as religious practices, exercise facilities, and hair salons. Think about these questions:

  • How are activities chosen for residents, what are the activities and what is the level of participation?
  • Is their menu flexibility options available in the dining experience?
  • What is the social experience like? Do residents spend the majority of their time in their rooms or in common areas?

Questions To Ask About Administration And Costs

You need to know what the cost is and what it includes regarding a senior living community before you commit to it, Examples of things you need to know include:

  • That is included in the monthly fee?
  • How and where does the funding come from for the community?
  • What would the circumstances be to warrant an increase in costs?
  • What are the emergency handling procedures?

It is important to ask the right questions but don’t discount intuition. How does the community make you feel? Are the staff welcoming and warm? Are the residents well taken care of? Is the community safe and clean?

It is a big decision to choose the correct living community for seniors = be prepared with talking points and questions so you can make the best choice possible.

More Articles About Senior Living

Find Quality Assisted Living Care With SLS Communities

(480)-348-0300
REQUEST INFO

If you’re looking for the very best assisted living in Phoenix; SLS Communities can help!  We have 5 locations in the Phoenix Valley that seniors and their families can choose from. With great amenities such as meticulously manicured landscaping, pools, theater rooms, on-site salons, and much more SLS delivers seniors the very best assisted living care services in Phoenix, Arizona.

Check out our locations below

For more information about assisted living and senior living services please call 480-348-0300.

Assisted Living
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How To Move A Parent With Dementia To Assisted Living

To move a parent with dementia to assisted living smoothly involves a few key steps. These steps are knowing when it’s time, and introducing the new home in stages. We all know that moving a loved one into a assisted living can be stressful for everyone. It is possible to make this change without excessive stress, discomfort, or drama. This post will give tips on how to move a parent with dementia into assisted living smoothly.

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There are some signs which will help you decide when it may be time for assisted living.  Dementia assisted living or memory care as it is commonly known is a safe environment for seniors with memory challenges.  The grounds are restricted access and also help keep seniors from wandering and getting lost.  In addition to helping keep seniors safe staff assists with taking medications, personal care, and all other tasks that a senior might need.

Steps To Move A Parent With Dementia To Assisted Living

When it’s become clear that your parent has reached a point where they need assisted living or memory care use these steps to researching the best option.  Caring.com maintains an extensive directory of care facilities who provide specialized care for dementia.  There are additional steps you can take to help manage your parent’s memory care.

Step 1. The Alzheimer’s Association

Most cities and towns have local Alzheimer’s resources that’ll help both you and your parent. Visit their site to learn more about how they can help you with emotional and social support during this time at Alzheimer’s Association.

Step 2. Learn About Dementia

Without knowing what dementia is, what the stages are, or what symptoms to watch for you’ll have no idea if your parent is safe.  It’s important to understand the disorder and provide care when it is needed but respect their autonomy until they cannot care for themselves. Read about the seven stages of dementia.

Step 3. Start Looking For Care Early

If you’ve noticed signs that your parent has dementia it’s a good idea to start looking for potential assisted living and memory care communities early.  It’s always less stressful to do the searching and visits when there isn’t a crisis.  This way when the time comes you’ve already got a great place picked out and can move forward when needed.

Step 4. Find A Geriatric Care Expert

These specialized care coordinators understand the needs of seniors with dementia and can help find the best communities for them.  When there’s an unbiased expert in the room seniors won’t be as focused on if their child is “trying to put them in a home”.  Instead they’ll likely see that there’s a legitimate need for the move and accept it more easily.

Step 5. Hire A Lawyer

When your parent has dementia and enters care facilities many times children will need to have power of attorney rights.  Lawyers can produce the needed paperwork for you to take care of your parent’s estate and see that their finances are taken care of properly.  Seniors should be involved in this process to ensure they feel in control of their care.

Step 6. Take A Quick Tour

It’s important that the senior see the new home they’ll be moving to.  You should schedule a time for them to visit the community but not stick around too long.  It’s important that the first visit not feel like you’re getting ready to drop the senior with dementia off.  Try to maintain a positive element in conversation and point out the praiseworthy elements of the community that you know your loved one will like.

Step 7. Introductions & Making Friends

If your senior agrees to a meal or activities at the community you’re considering ask the assisted living staff to pair you with some of the most outgoing and friendly seniors in their community.  Introduce your parent for who they are and what they do best, not that they are considering living there.  When people start making friends, new places become less intimidating.

Step 8. Provide A Temporary Reason

Virtually all seniors would rather stay home and it is even harder for seniors with dementia to understand why a move would be necessary.  A great technique is to introduce a practical reason living at home isn’t possible, temporarily.  Temporary reasons you give might be along the lines of the house needs to get fumigated, painted, or needs extensive construction. This will be a logical reason for them to move temporarily and give them time to enjoy an active and compassionate community.

Staff in these situations are typically informed of the reason the senior is living with them.  This makes a more cohesive transition into assisted living and even the most resistant seniors many times realize the benefits of assisted living after having given it a “test drive” and accept it as a permanent solution.

Step 9. Keeping It Positive

During visits it is normal for loved ones living in assisted living communities to ask about when they are going home. It is important to avoid talking about how they are living there now.  Instead it is much more constructive to focus on asking questions about their new experiences such as food, new friends, and activities.

Step 10. Personalize The Room

It’s easier to make a change to a new home when it resembles a place you’re already comfortable.  Families can personality, decorate, and work with staff to ensure the new living arrangement is as much like home as possible.  These efforts go a long way in helping seniors with dementia feel comfortable in new surroundings.  Some family members have some doubt about making an assisted living room look like a senior’s home.  While it might seem less than honest when it comes to dementia the truth isn’t always constructive.

Step 11. Quick First Visit After Move

Once your parent with dementia has moved into the assisted living community make your first visit short but positive!  It’s common for seniors to ask when they will be returning home.  It’s important to avoid discussing that their new living arrangement is permanent. Redirect conversation if possible to the positive attributes of their dining, activities, and even new people they’ve met and made friends with. After your visit you might call and ask if your parent was excessively upset by the visit.  If so plan a little more time until the next visit to allow them to accept their new surroundings.  Then you can set up a more regular schedule for visiting them in their assisted living community.

Knowing When It’s Time

Caregivers are best served by watching for legitimate signs that dementia is setting in and avoid using arbitrary guideposts to make decisions.  It is a confusing and difficult decision to move a loved one or parent into assisted living or memory care.

There are situations where people say that it is time to move them if a spouse or parent forgets how to use the toilet, or forgets names of loved ones.  There is a chance seniors will never experience these signs yet still be living with dementia.  That means there is a chance that you and your loved one might be holding on and trying to care for a love one with dementia.  Moving the spouse or parent with dementia to assisted living will benefit everyone involved.

Signs Assisted Living May Be Needed

Read through the headings and see if you recognize any behaviors or signs that assisted living and memory care might be the best living situation for your spouse or parent.

1. They are no longer safe at home

The main reason that many families choose to move a parent to assisted living is when the senior is no longer safe.  This happens when there simply aren’t enough resources to guarantee the senior’s safety.  This is typically caused by memory deficiency and you should use the following list to evaluate their safety.

There are a number of questions you should ask yourself when evaluating your senior loved one’s safety.  Ask yourself the following questions to gauge if assisted living or memory care is needed.

  • Is the senior able to take prescriptions according to directions?
  • Are they able to prepare and store food safely?
  • Do they leave oven or burners on after cooking?
  • Are they eating regularly and not losing or gaining weight?
  • Have they fallen recently? Have they fallen repeatedly?
  • Is there any physical aggression towards people or pets?
  • Do they wander away from home, or get lost?
  • Is there a chance that the loved one is being abused?
  • Do they drive without a license or against doctor’s orders?
  • Have they been victimized by scams or likely to be?

When you start realizing that your loved one might not be able to safely care for themselves it is time to consider how assisted living might be the very best living condition for them, and for the people caring for them.

2. When Seniors With Dementia Are Bored

One sign that your loved one might be suffering from dementia is if they are following you around, asking what you are doing or are going to do.  This is clear sign they are lacking stimulation. Everyone needs some kind of daily activities which entertain, challenge, and offer us creative outlets.  Assisted living facilities specifically choose the best types of activities which cater to groups of seniors with dementia to stimulate them in meaningful and engaging ways.

People want purpose in their day.  They want something to get up for that is for them and about them.  Seniors not provided with activities and meaning decline much faster than their counterparts and it can be a major undertaking for a caregiver to provide the necessary stimulation.

3. When Caregivers Are Burning Out

Caregiver burn out is a serious issue for the quality of care seniors get, and for the mental health of the caregivers.  “Burn out” is an term that covers a lot of different difficult situations for care partners.  Burn out can be emotional, physical, or both.  Some caregivers become socially isolated, emotionally exhausted, and might feel like they are losing themselves.  Other caregivers are simply exhausted by the physical exertion of caring for their loved one.  This is common among spouses and with physical exhaustion comes a cost at the caregiver’s own health.

Caregiver Guilt & Stress

Seniors and families never ask for dementia but it is a reality for many people.  Feeling burdened by the workload of caring for the senior and resenting it will leave caregivers feeling guilty, especially when they are unable or poorly equipped to do the job.  Guilt is a feeling which is normal when something is done wrong.  When a caregiver is upset that they aren’t able to go be social and they must fulfill their caregiver roll they might feel guilty for having these thoughts. It isn’t something to feel guilty about.

Find Affordable Assisted Living Services in Arizona

Find affordable assisted living in Arizona with SLS Communities.  We proudly operate assisted living facilities in the Phoenix Valley in Mesa, Surprise, Peoria, and Sedona.  Ultimately the ball is in the court of spouses, children, and doctors when it comes to deciding the right time to move a senior into assisted living or memory care.  There are a lot of signs that can be watched for and there are seven stages of dementia that can be used by doctors and families to know when the time is right.   For more information about our Assisted Living Communities or Memory Care Communities please give us a call.  We make every effort to ensure that the transition for seniors with dementia into our communities is welcoming and positive.

Call for more information or a tour of our facilities today – 480-348-0300

Assisted Living, Memory Care
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Regular Post
Written by webtechs

Dealing With Aging Parents Depression

To deal with aging parents depression it’s important to ensure they’re taking medications, getting enough activity, sleep, social interaction, good nutrition, and they have a sense of purpose.

8 Best Ways To Deal With Depression In Seniors

We all go through upsetting changes in different stages of our lives.  However seniors have a tendency to experience more depression.  This is typically due to being retired and not having a daily rhythm that helps them stay active.  See to it that your parent or parents are following these guidelines to prevent or to recover from depression.

1. Taking Prescriptions

If your loved one has sought treatment for depression and has medications to help cope with and defeat depression it’s important they are being taken. In addition any other medications that are prescribed should be monitored to ensure their health is in tip top shape.  A lack of energy can also lead to depression.

2. Get Them Moving

Physical activity is important at every age, including when we retire.  Not only does physical activity help with depression but it also helps seniors live longer.  Great exercises for seniors include things like doing Tai Chi, walking, or climbing stairs.  To maximize the benefit of exercise it’s a great idea to get the senior into a group who gets regular activity.

3. Quality Sleep Is Key

The first step to great nightly sleep is not taking naps in the daytime.  While this is temping for just about any of us, it will make it harder to go to sleep and stay asleep at night.  Lots of seniors get off their sleep rhythm whenever they retire.  Knowing there’s no alarm that’s going to sound to get to work at 8 makes it seem ok to stay up all night watching TV.  This type of habit aggravates depression and should be avoided.

4. Staying Social

It’s all too easy to isolate when we retire.  But as social beings we still need to have interaction.  Being around other people, especially peers, helps us feel connected.  It also helps us eat better, avoid depression, and simply live better. Great ways to stay social for seniors are community events, visiting family and friends, along with taking part in group outings through communities and church groups.

5. Eating Well

Diet has an impact on how all of us feel, and it’s still true for seniors.  Eating foods that are excessively starchy, full of sugar, or contain saturated fats feed depression.  Offer seniors foods that are rich in fiber such as lean proteins, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.

6. Having Purpose

Having something to get up for is a big part of living.  When we retire there’s not always a job to go to or chores to take care of.  It’s important for us to feel like there’s a reason to get out of bed, groom ourselves, and get out the door.  Doing so makes us more resilient to feelings of depression.  For seniors great ways to have purpose is to volunteer, get involved in hobbies such as yoga, tai chi, or even playing cards.  Another great approach is giving them a plant to take care of.  It gives them a chore that offers responsibility and meaning.

7. Talk To Professionals

Living with depression is no way to live.  If your parent or parents are suffering and none of these tips are helping, talk to doctors and other health professionals. Mental health professionals understand strategies and medications that can promote a better quality of life.  Keep an eye out for changes in behavior and decreased appetite.

8. Consider Assisted Living

Your healthcare professionals may suggest that your parent consider moving into an assisted living community.  These communities help monitor prescriptions, have loads of social activities, promote an active lifestyle, and provide well balanced meals.  Staff also has the ability to help monitor changes in appetite and mood.

Assisted Living Services

If your parent isn’t sleeping, eating, or getting out there’s a good chance they are suffering from depression.  It can be a big job for adult children of seniors to manage their jobs, children, and homes and take care of their senior parents.  Assisted living communities offer the care they need and a chance to overcome feelings of isolation to beat depression.  In addition the activities, well balanced meals, and help with prescription medications all help support a better mood and minimize depression.  Call to find out more about assisted living communities we operate in Arizona.

Call 480-348-0300 or Contact Us

Assisted Living, Senior Living
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Regular Post
Written by webtechs

When Is It Time For Assisted Living?

It is time for assisted living when seniors show aggression, have sundowners, aren’t safe alone, care needs increase, or when their caregivers are becoming overwhelmed.

Making the decision to move a loved one to assisted living isn’t an easy decision.

There are signs and symptoms to watch for both in the senior and their caregivers.

We will help you understand more clearly the things to watch for to know when it’s time.

When Is It Time For Assisted Living?

Assisted living is a solution for families and seniors for when care needs exceed what can reasonable be given in the home.  Caregivers compassionately give of themselves and their time to care for the seniors they love.  Knowing when to admit the burden has become too great and avoid becoming ill from the stress is a hard and personal decision.

Care Needs Increase

Most seniors can use a little help with the heavy lifting.  But there comes a point where they need help more than their loved one’s can provide.  If you’re started to wonder if the senior’s safety is at risk or the people caring for them are burning out, it might be time to discuss a move to assisted living.

Senior Wandering

Humans are curious explorers and this doesn’t stop when someone gets dementia.  The problem comes when they aren’t sure where they are and become lost.  They can also fall and get injured while wandering.  This can happen in the blink of an eye while you change the laundry or use the restroom.

Aggressive Behavior

One of the most obvious signs is when a senior becomes physically or violently aggressive.  Family or caregivers may start to feel hurt, offended, and start to resent the senior when they experience this aggression.  This is a clear sign that the senior needs to be considered for assisted living.

Experiencing Sundowners

Sundowners is described as a senior who experiences behavior that’s very aggressive later in the day.  It is a common component of dementia.  When seniors begin responding or acting aggressively later in the day it can be very hard on caregivers.  This can push the needs of the senior past what family can provide.

No Longer Safe Alone

Seniors with dementia are forgetful by definition.  That means they may start cooking and turn on the stove or oven and forget about it.  This obviously can start a fire and be very dangerous.  Other ways seniors become unsafe is if they can’t navigate the home safely with stairs, they forget to take medications, or they are unable to drive safely.

Caregiver Burnout

The people who care for seniors whether it be family or paid caregivers can reach a breaking point with strain.  If the senior’s needs or aggression becomes too high it can be bad for the caregiver.  When caregivers are showing signs of strain like depression, loss of interest, or other common signs of stress it’s important to realize that the senior may be better cared for in an assisted living community.

Caregiver Stress Signs

Caregivers need to be observed nearly as much as seniors with dementia.  There are some common and disturbing symptoms of caregiver stress.  These include thoughts that won’t go away, avoiding people or experiences, hypervigilance, and anxiety that disturbs their life.

Causes of Caregiver Stress

Clearly caring for someone with dementia takes dedication and effort.  In addition to these pressures normal sleeping and eating patterns are disturbed for caregivers. When a person is constantly focused on caregiving and needs to be alert it affects a person physically.

When Caregiving Hurts

In the case where the caregiver is an adult child or especially when it’s a spouse of similar age the emotional, mental, and physical demands can easily become too much.  If a senior falls in the shower and the caregiver is unable to help them, it is a clear sign that assisted living is a better and safer choice.  Not only for the senior but also for those who are striving to care for them and suffering from it.

Caring For The Caregiver

While it’s obvious the senior needs care the caregiver is often overlooked.  With seniors near constant need for care of one kind or another it’s all too easy to neglect caring for oneself as the caregiver.  It is of paramount importance for the caregiver to stay healthy.  It enables them to live better and care for the senior better.

Take A Break

If it’s become clear as a caregiver that you’re burning out, take a break.  Have other family members come and see to the needs of the senior.  Another option is to organize a short stay in a care facility.  Either way will give the caregiver time to see to their own needs such as mental health.  Some caregivers benefit greatly from individual therapy and/or support groups.

Plan For Assisted Living Early

One of the best things a senior and their family can do is prepare a plan for when the move to assisted living should occur.  This relieves the caregiver of the burden of making this decision.  When early signs of dementia are clear it is a perfect time to have this conversation.  Make selections about which assisted living community is best.  Have all of the paperwork done.  It will be much easier to make this transition with a plan in place and the paperwork already done.

Arizona Assisted Living Communities

If you live in or want to retire to Arizona, you’re not alone.  With year round sun and mild winters Arizona is the perfect place to choose assisted living. SLS Communities offers Assisted Living Services at multiple locations near the Phoenix Valley and Sedona, AZ.  We proudly provide the very best of assisted living with compassionate care, chef prepared meals, and apartment style living.  Learn more about why so many seniors call an SLS Community home.

Call 480-348-0300 or Contact Us

Assisted Living
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