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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.

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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, 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.

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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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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.

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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

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Difference Between Assisted Living and Nursing Homes

If you are wondering what the difference between assisted living and nursing homes are, this post will help you understand.  Many of us have visited a loved one and left feeling less confident about their ability to take care of themselves while living alone.  During these visits, often around the holidays, families realize that seniors in their lives no longer consistently have the ability to care for themselves.  This is the time to start thinking about senior living services, and there are a lot of options.

Understanding your options for senior retirement types will help you select the best option for your loved one.  Knowing the difference between assisted living and a nursing home makes the selection much easier.

Differences Between Assisted Living & Nursing Homes

The most significant different between assisted living and nursing homes is the visual presentation of the building and the scope of medical services provided at the location.

Décor and Appearance

When you tour these types of senior care facilities one of the first things you’ll notice is the difference in appearance.  Assisted living communities generally are decorated to resemble home or apartments while nursing homes tend to lean toward institutional properties.

In addition, assisted living residents typically have their own apartment style living quarters while nursing homes will have residents share spaces.

Medical & Assistance

Assisted living residents are seniors who might need some help with daily tasks but do not have a need for round the clock medical observation.  Seniors just needing some custodial care fit in well in assisted living communities.

In contrast, seniors who have complex medical conditions and need 24 hour a day medical monitoring benefit greatly from nursing homes.  Nursing homes also offer things like respiratory care, speech therapists, and other services geared toward seniors with more complex medical care needs.

 

Similarities Between Assisted Living & Nursing Homes

While there are some significant difference between the tow types of senior care services, there are many similarities between assisted living and nursing homes.  One of the major items both care types offer is help with “Activities of Daily Living”, which include help with showering, bathing, getting dressed, and other personal care tasks.

Read about the other things they have in common below:

Medications

Most seniors have been prescribed a number of medications that they need to take.  The frequency and dosage of these medications is critical in most cases, and needs to be followed carefully.  Seniors who are struggling to remember when or how much to take can end up in the hospital.  Both types of care manage medications for seniors living with them to ensure they are following the directions for each of the prescriptions.

Chores & Transportation

One common reason for seniors to choose to move into one of the two options is the help they receive with chores and transportation.  Taking care of laundry, dusting, mopping floors, and driving to the store or doctor appointments becomes too much.

Cooking & Nutrition

A big chore that either type of care provides is cooked meals and balanced nutrition.  Seniors are served 3 meals a day which are supplemented with snacks.  This is a great feature of both senior care types as it takes a major chore off seniors list of activities and helps get them the nutrition they need to stay healthy.

Social & Active

As seniors age they typically end up living alone and that isolation puts seniors at a higher risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression. Both types of senior care offer activities that are geared to meet seniors needs for emotional, physical, and even spiritual support.

Safe Properties

While the two types of properties may be decorated differently they do share the same needs for safety.  The rooms in both types of facilities are typically equipped with emergency call systems, grab bars, and handrails to keep seniors safe.

Assisted Living In Arizona

If you’re a senior or the family of a senior searching for quality assisted living in Arizona; SLS Communities can help!  With 5 locations in the state you’ll be able to find a great option for yourself or your loved one.  We offer assisted living, memory care, and independent living services so seniors can choose the level of service they currently prefer, while still having the option to easily move to higher levels of care when or if needed. For more information about SLS Communities assisted living services please call 928-284-9077 or read more on our assisted living page.

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Checklist For Assisted Living

Are you in search of an assisted living checklist which helps highlight the important things to look for when touring assist living facilities?

It is important that you are prepared when looking for an assisted living facility. Knowing the difference between various assisted living centers is also important, as no two communities or facilities are alike.

To stay ahead and remain organized, follow the checklist below, which can be downloaded. You should always compare differences between assisted living communities, and ask questions that assist in determining which community is the best fit for your loved one.

Assisted Living Checklist:

The following assisted living checklist should be used each time you call or visit a facility. Just download the checklist to make sure all the important questions are asked:

  • Do the staff members have the experience needed to diagnose and/or handle the issues of recipient?
  • Is staff able to provide medications?
  • How many staff members are on night shift?
  • What is resident to staff ratio?
  • Are nurses staffed 24/7?
  • What apartment types are available?
  • Are there assessments prior to admission?
  • What experience and training does staff have?
  • Are you able to describe your residents?
  • What are your payment and billing policies?
  • What are the monthly expenses for different apartment types?
  • What is your discharge process?
  • Are all services covered by the monthly fee? If not, what will additional costs be for extra services?
  • Is there a waiting list? If so, what is your wait list policy and how long is the wait?
  • If a resident needs a change, what services do they have available?

Assisted Living Tour Checklist

The following are things to know when taking a tour of an assisted living facility. You should also download the assisted living tour checklist to have with you.

  • Observe community events.
  • Focus on the cleanliness.
  • Look at the courtyard or outside area.
  • Does staff seem friendly?
  • Ask the staff and security questions, focus on how they respond.
  • Speak with some residents.
  • Eat one of the meals, what is it like?
  • Ask about personal care.
  • Learn the criteria for moving in or out.
  • Always follow your gut instincts.

Click Here To Download The Assisted Living Checklist 

About SLS Communities Assisted Living

SLS Communities Assisted Living communities are more than just another retirement community.  We offer welcoming, compassionate, and professional assisted living services to our valued residents.  We have locations in the Phoenix Valley that offer sunny summers and warm winters.  The communities are conveniently located near great restaurants, entertainment, gold courses, a wide variety of shopping centers, sports areas, cultural centers, and naturally all of the medical services desired withing just a few miles.

SLS Communities always strives to be the best retirement communities in Arizona by staffing our locations with the best professionals and offering residents active, vibrant, and a comfortable lifestyle that is as flexible as it is fun and exciting!

To schedule a tour of one of our assisted living communities please call 480-348-0300

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Assisted Living vs. Independent Living Differences

If you’re searching for Assisted Living vs. Independent Living Differences this post will help you understand the benefits of both types of retirement living services. It can appear the difference between assisted living and independent living can be non-existent for people that are not familiar with the variety of nuances with care and housing options that are available for seniors. To choose the best possible living situation for seniors requires understanding what makes these two community types different.

Living Space Layouts

There is a range of housing arrangements that is encompassed by the independent category, from communities with apartment style structures, to housing co-ops. Typically, residents will live within their own space and have a space to gather, referred to as the common area. This allows socializing with other community members. Another terms for independent living include, active adult community, retirement community, senior apartments, retirement home, 55+ community, or Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC).

With assisted living, the general arrangement is apartment-style. Depending on the location, units may have full kitchens, but some may not. For assisted living communities which specialize in seniors that require memory care, security is usually increased, including added surveillance, ensuring doors are always locked, etc.). Also, cognitively impaired residents may not be allowed to have apartments with a kitchen, for safety reasons.

Amenities and care services

The goal of independent living communities is to enable residents to have an easier day-to-day routine. This enables seniors to remain independent for as long as possible. It is common for independent living to provide housekeeping and landscape services, security surveillance, meal preparation, and various other events and activities. However, the majority of independent living communities do not staff full time nursing or medical care providers. “The top advantage of an independent living community is receiving assistance with housekeeping and meal tasks, and a centralized hospitality service building for seniors to socialize” said Regina Wallace, Hebrew Home at Riverdale’s director of independent senior apartments and assisted living program. Hebrew Home is an organization providing geriatric service in Riverdale, New York. “Within these type of communities, the focus is not really with hands-on care.”

Assisted Living Details

The focus of assisted living is more aimed at assisting older adults that require help with certain activities, such as laundry, taking prescription medications, and bathing. These type of communities have round the clock staff, including some form of medical professional, often a certified nurse practitioner. In addition, some facilities have special units designed for memory care, for those with mild to moderate dementia. Although, assisted living communities do not offer an intensive amount of hands-on care that is required for seniors with physical or more serious mental ailments.

Shared Benefits of Both Retirement Community Types

Both assisted living and independent living communities offer scheduled recreation unique to specific facilities. Some of the more common activities include field trips, game nights, discussion and support groups, exercise classes, holiday celebrations, and continued education courses. In addition, transportation services are provided for shuttling residents to grocery stores, doctor appointments, and additional errands.

Ways to pay and other finical considerations

With independent living, rent is the primary cost for representing residents, according to Wallace. For seniors that live in Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) or a community which providesspecialize recreational activities, such a private golf course, could have extra expenses, such as a joining or membership fee.

Assisted Living Finances

With assisted living communities, seniors that require special are that is not covered under the standard rent contract will have additional expenses if a professional caregiver must be hired for assisting the resident.

In addition to differences in the health-related level of help residents are offered, the largest disparity between assisted living and independent living is the access of finical resources that both seniors and families may use to help with covering cost of living within the communities.

Independent Living Finances

Because residents are not provided a medical care service in independent living communities, government healthcare programs, such as Medicaid or Medicare will not cover the expense. Rather, seniors have to use their Social Security, retirement savings, pension income, or other personal funds for paying the cost of independent living communities.

Meanwhile, with assisted living expenses, seniors may use personal funds and savings. Specific long-term care insurance, life settlements, Aid and Attendance benefits of Veteran’s Administration, annuities and reverse mortgage funds can be used as well. Assisted living care coverage with Medicare is limited, typically only covering short-term stays, such as temporary illness or surgery recovery. Some financial assistance is offered by Medicaid as well, but guidelines vary between states.

Assisted Living & Independent Living in Arizona

If you or someone you know is considering the benefits of assisted or independent living the state of Arizona is one of the best places in the United States to do it.  SLS Communities has multiple locations in Arizona for assisted living and independent living in the state of Arizona.  Our communities are geared to be welcoming, friendly, and compassionate to residents living in any of our retirement living communities.

For more information about either assisted living or independent living
please contact us by calling 480-348-0300.

Assisted Living, Independent Living
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Memory Care vs. Assisted Living

If you’re searching “Memory Care vs. Assisted Living” you’re likely a family member trying to find out what option is best for your beloved senior family member.  Making the right choice for your mom, dad, aunt, or uncle is important as you want to make sure they are getting the care they need in a compassionate and friendly setting.

When it comes to long-term senior care, assisted living and memory care are options that are quickly growing. Discover the main differences between these two forms of care, including the expenses, types of services provided, and how to determine the best community.

Defining Long-Term Care and Assisted Living

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, at some point in life, nearly 70% of adults aged 65 or older will require long-term care.

As loved ones become unable to live independently, that is when the caregiver must face the challenging decision of which form of care to use, as long-term care options are not all the same. The two quickest growing forms of residential senior care include memory care and assisted living facilities, but do you know the differences in the two, or the main factors in determining which is best?

Assisted living is an available option if your loved one is still vital and active, but simply is unable to live independently and require help with daily activities, such as eating, dressing, or bathing. The Assisted Living Federation of America defines assisted living as “long-term care which combines support services, health care, and housing as required.” It is common for assisted living to provide personal care services, such as medication management, transportation, and around the clock care. Generally, seniors within assisted living communities also have options of a shared apartment or private room, depending on budget and preference.

As loved one’s age, they may need some added assistance with daily tasks, or require nursing care that I more specialized if they are suffering from age-related health conditions that affect mobility, such as dementia. In this case, assisted living communities are limited in the type of services that they can offer, but some are equipped to offer memory care services, commonly within a dementia special care unit (SCU).

Furthermore, assisted living facilities are not regulated by the government, but they must be licensed by the state of their location.

Memory Care vs Assisted Living

While memory care units may be available on the premises of assisted living communities, they are two different forms of care.

Memory care is a more distinct and focused type of long-term care requiring medical staff that is skilled and experienced in specific types of patients with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other memory issues. Memory care units are also referred to as special care units (SCUs), and generally offer supervised care 24 hours a day that is located in a separate wing or floor than residential communities.

Similar to assisted living, if loved ones are not able to care for themselves because of progressive impairments, memory care is a residential option. Beyond offering help with daily activities, such as with assisted living, skilled staff are trained to help those with impaired cognition or dementia. In addition, the overall security and physical layout of memory care facilities are designed for patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s to minimize wondering behavior, while providing a pleasant environment that is simple to navigate.

Furthermore, memory care facilities also require a generalized state level license, as well as being regulated within 23 states by special care unit disclosure laws that require the care provider to disclose any special services provided. Although, due to these laws not being universal yet, it is important that the caregiver carefully researches a facility prior to deciding on a location.

Long-Term Cost Comparison

Both memory care and assisted living are subject to many of the same factors: size of apartment or rooms, geographical location, shared or private space, and required services. However, when it comes to the overall costs, these are calculated a little differently for each form of care.

Usually, assisted living communities will charge a base monthly rate that covers two or three meals per day, and room and board. On average, the costs of a 1-bedroom apartment in an assisted living facility is $3,300 per month, depending on location. There are facilities that provide housekeeping or laundry within the base rate, while others will charge additional fees for these services. Because of this, it is important thatyou obtain a breakdown of the cost from each facility you look into.

Due to memory care providing more specialized care and round the clock nursing services, which regular assisted living facilities do not provide, it results in costs being higher. On average, it is $5,000 per month, but this can vary greatly. Luckily, there are options that assist in paying these costs for senior care to lower out-of-pocket expenses, including Medicaid, Medicare, and veteransbenefits.

Services Provided in Assisted Living and Memory Care

The regulations on what services should be offered at senior care communities vary by state. However, both assisted living and memory care usually offer basic supervised care, medical monitoring, and daily assisted with activities that include bathing, mobility, and dressing. The following are other services commonly offered by both forms of care:

  • Emergency call system
  • 24-hour security and supervision staff
  • Housekeeping and laundry
  • Three meals per day
  • Exercise and health programs
  • Transpiration
  • Social activity programs
  • Access to medical care

In addition to the base monthly rates, some of these service may be an additional cost.

In addition, memory care facilities will commonly include more structured activity programs that are designed to help nurture residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s. For example, “Reminiscence neighborhoods” is a program offered by Sunrise Senior Living with indoor and outdoor space that’s designed to provide a soothing and safe environment, with trained staff and a variety of familiar activities available.

Assisted Living or Memory Care, Which Should I Choose?

If you are not immediately concerned about dementia or Alzheimer’s and your loved one is still able to be independent, but needing assistance with some activities, assisted living would be the best option.  Although, if your loved one is in need of more detailed care due to memory impairment, you might want to begin considering a memory care facility, or at least an assisted living community with a special care unit for those suffering with memory issues.

Memory Care & Assisted Living in Arizona

Senior Living Services offers Memory Care Services in Gilbert, Mesa, Peoria, Sedona, Sun City, Sun City West and Surprise, Arizona. If you have a family member that would live better, safer, and more healthy is a memory care or assisted living setting SLS Communities has multiple locations in Arizona to serve you and your family.

Our compassionate staff removes the burden of daily chores and worry for seniors to allow them to enjoy activities and social experiences.  Staff tailors the level of care to each resident of our assisted living and memory care living communities to offer residents the level of care they need and want.  If you would like more information about which type of care would fit best, a list of our locations in Arizona, or want to schedule a visit please visit slscommunities.com or call 480-348-0300

Assisted Living, Memory Care
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