Assisted Living is Not the End of the Road

Even though we know that old age tends to rob us of energy, physical abilities and independence, it still surprising to see our own parents and grandparents struggling to walk, eat, see or hear. Perhaps this affects some more than others - those who have spent more time with parents and grandparents, capable adults in their forties who could outwork and outplay anyone in the family. As heart disease, diabetes and Parkinson’s take over, the hero’s of our childhood are relying on more... Read more »

Assisted Living: Conditions to Meet

As much as I hate to admit it, life gets a little harder the longer you live. What used to be a full day’s work can become enough to fill the whole week and even simple things like getting dressed, cooking meals, and cleaning the house can become major accomplishments. Even though I am a home body through and through, I have to admit that a time might come when I would consider switching to an older resident home that provides assisted living. To even consider such a huge change though, several... Read more »

Avoid Nursing Homes by Planning Ahead

Most people see long term care insurance as nursing home insurance when if fact it is the opposite. Long term care insurance provides options to avoid nursing home placement, unless a nursing home is where an individual prefers to live. And please do not misunderstand, nursing homes have changed significantly over time and many are now very clean and nice facilities. However, a nursing home is usually not where an individual would choose to remain for the final days or months of their life unless... Read more »

Home Health Care in Utah

Last week I attended a seminar that was designed specifically to educate families on how to care for aging parents. The doctor giving the lecture stressed the importance of counseling with family members before your health declines about personal wishes regarding health care. Whether you have already arrived at that point in life or not it would be wise to research your choices and discuss them with your children. There are a lot of options available as far as health care is concerned. For example,... Read more »

Should You Move To A Retirement Community?

Many elderly retired people choose to move to a retirement community for various reasons. A large home may have been great when they were raising children and pets. Now that the children have left home to start their own families, there is far too much space to take care of. The garden may also be too big to maintain. It is probably difficult to secure a home properly if the retiree plans to travel extensively. A smaller retirement home or apartment in a retirement community may be the next best... Read more »

Caring for the Elderly

Caring for the elderly is one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs in nursing. Demanding a great deal of tact and care, looking after elderly patients is a trying and testing job, although it is one of the most necessary and most sought after positions in modern times. Elderly patients require care for a number of reasons, and these each carry their own complexities and challenges which must be met by the carer. For some elderly patients, care is a round the clock affair, and this means you... Read more »

Assisted Living: Living Conditions in the Golden Years

To grow old gracefully is ideal for everyone — enjoying and squeezing every valuable minute out of every healthy moment from life. Although the average age of human is lengthening, this fact does yield a greater need for assistance for more who are unable to perform properly the daily tasks when they are older. So, in modern times in the U.S., there have been three options for most seniors to embark on. This brief will go over a bit on each and give a general idea of living choice for senior... Read more »

Not All Assisted Living Centers Are Created Equal

As we get older, our bodies naturally start to fall apart and suddenly things that we once considered simple tasks, can become hard or dangerous for us. Unfortunately, no one is exempt from this process. Even the healthiest individuals are not immune to ageing. One way to cope with the ever growing dangers that accompany old age is to find constant supervision and assistance. For some adult this involves moving in with their children. In many cases, this is beneficial to both the old and the young... Read more »

Getting the Lowdown on Alzheimers disease

The disease does not discriminate between races, but it appears to affect more women than men simply for the reason that they tend to live longer. Alzheimer’s disease, sometimes known as Alzheimers, is the single most common form of dementia but a number of other cases are also known. Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease. As the disease progresses the patient will advance from mild cognitive impairment, when the disease has not yet been diagnosed, to mild and advanced stages of... Read more »

Sensory Loss in Older Adults: Taste, Smell & Touch; Behavioral Approaches for Caregivers

As we age, our sensory systems gradually lose their sharpness. Because our brain requires a minimal amount of input to remain alert and functioning, sensory loss for older adults puts them at risk for sensory deprivation. Severe sensory impairments, such as in vision or hearing, may result in behavior similar to dementia and psychosis, such as increased disorientation and confusion. Added restrictions, such as confinement to bed or a Geri-chair, increases this risk. With nothing to show the passage... Read more »