Posts Tagged With ‘ Senior Service ’

When touring senior living communities, here are some questions you may want to consider asking: What types of housing options do you offer for seniors? Some communities offer a continuum of care: independent living, assisted living and memory care. What amenities and services are included? What is the monthly cost and what does it cover? Are there any additional fees or charges that I should be aware of? Most communities charge a one-time community fee, and communities providing meals will charge a 2nd person fee for couples. What level of care and assistance is provided to residents? How do... Continue Reading

Is it Time to Make the Transition to Assisted Living? Making decisions about aging loved ones and their living arrangements can be challenging and emotionally charged. It’s important to recognize the signs that it may be time to make the transition to assisted living. While every individual and situation is unique, there are five signs that can help families determine when this move is necessary. 1. Declining Physical Health. Your loved one is experiencing difficulty with daily activities such as dressing, bathing or maintaining personal hygiene. Frequent falls, chronic health conditions... Continue Reading

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), data consistently shows that cold weather kills more people then hot weather. This may be surprising to most Texans, however, during the Texas winter storm in February 2021, 246 people lost their lives, many to hypothermia. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), states that older adults are at an increased risk of hypothermia because their body’s response to cold can be diminished by underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes, medications and aging itself. Hypothermia can develop in older adults after even relatively mild exposure to... Continue Reading

In my last blog post, I shared ,Red Flags to be aware of when visiting aging family members over the holidays. It’s important to look for changes in their general health and well-being, as well as the safety of their home environment. If you noticed red flags, what comes next? Having an open and respectful conversation about your concerns and their wishes. Most older adults want to remain in their homes. In fact, a recent AARP study found that 77% of Americans want to age in place at home. There are services and tools that make this possible. You can create a safer environment by eliminating... Continue Reading

Many of us live hours or even states away from our aging family members, which can make it difficult to pick up on clues or red flags that they may need help. During the holidays, families come together for in person visits and are often shocked to see how much a loved one has declined over the past year. We see a significant uptick in the numbers of calls we receive in January from families who’ve gone home and realized that their loved one needs help. The following Red Flags will help you know what to look for. 1) Change in Physical Appearance – is your mom, wearing the same clothes... Continue Reading

I personally search google for lots of things, but a google search for senior housing or care options is NOT advised. You truly require the knowledge of a local senior living expert and here’s a perfect example why. A concerned daughter called me a couple of months ago to find a memory care community for her mother. As often happens, she had no idea how advanced her mother’s dementia was until her father, who was mom’s caregiver suddenly passed away. The responsibility of caring for her mom was overwhelming, so she turned to google for a solution. She quickly located a large... Continue Reading

Did you know that some people diagnosed with dementia may not have dementia at all? Surprisingly, it’s estimated that 5 percent of people institutionalized for dementia actually have Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH). NPH is caused when the normal production of spinal fluid goes awry and builds up in brain ventricles, which cushion and nourish the brain. This throws off brain pressure and causes neurological and physical symptoms, such as: Difficulty walking Cognitive challenges Mild dementia Urinary urgency or incontinence NPH can occur at any age, but it’s primarily seen in people age... Continue Reading

Residential homes are great alternatives to large senior living facilities. They feel like a home because they actually are houses rather than a resort or hotel atmosphere, and there’s often a better ratio of caregivers to residents. There are many reasons why you might choose a residential home over another type of senior living, but Hal Cranmer adds even more to the experience. Based in Arizona, his residential homes are next level in terms of health offerings and engaging activities. His residents and caregivers are treated as family, complete with “home movies” – like a parody video... Continue Reading

With the right tools and support, anyone can overcome barriers and have a life worth living. That’s the goal of occupational therapists – like guest Heidi Huynh, OTR, CTRS. Heidi is an occupational therapist that has spent years working with adults in their 50s and into their 100s in a variety of settings, including senior living. Occupational therapy involves helping you do anything you want or need to do safely, more easily, and independently. This is especially important for seniors who need help around the home, especially after hospital visits or injury. With Senior Services Expert... Continue Reading

Searching on your own for a senior living community can be a time-consuming and frustrating endeavor. All too often our agency receives calls from seniors or their adult children who feel completely overwhelmed and frustrated in their search for a senior living community that fits their needs and budget. Here’s a scenario that plays out over and over: An adult daughter posts on Facebook asking for senior living recommendations for her dad. Dad is very social and independent, he only needs meals and the opportunity to make new friends. The responses the daughter receives are all over the place,... Continue Reading