This is the final part of a nine part series on finding the right senior living community. This article was written by Jim Moore of Moore Diversified Services (http://www.m-d-s.com/) and published on the Assisted Living Federation of America website (http://www.alfa.com/).
9. Carefully Consider What the Future May Hold
As we all age, all of us will experience increasing levels of frailty and other health complications. You need to understand how the community will justify and charge for the costs of increased services that may be needed. Also, consider the community's policies if it were to determine it could no longer care for you or your loved one. It may seem like an uncomfortable dialog, but knowing the answers to these questions can provide long-term comfort for you and your family.
Senior Solutions Management Group is one of the leading senior housing operators in the country providing the following services to older adults: independent-style living, assisted living, continuum of care retirement communities. We hope you have enjoyed this series and welcome your questions about our facilities and how we might assist in the search for a senior living community.
This is the eighth part of a nine part series on finding the right senior living community. This article was written by Jim Moore of Moore Diversified Services (http://www.m-d-s.com/) and published on the Assisted Living Federation of America website (http://www.alfa.com/).
8. Get Several Detailed, Objective Inputs
Always get a balanced perspective about life in a community you're considering by talking to the professional staff, current residents' family members, and the residents themselves. Ask about a typical day and how staff are involved. Ask about oppportunities for social interaction. Most importantly, ask current residents and their families:
- How do you currently feel about your earlier move-in decision?
- How did you work through the complex decision-making process?
- What were the biggest hurdles you overcame before you actually made the decision?
- If you knew then what you know now, what would you do differently?
Getting inside the minds of residents and their families will help you decide whether the particular community is a good fit.
Senior Solutions Management Group is one of the leading senior housing
operators in the country providing the following services to older
adults: independent-style living, assisted living, continuum of care
retirement communities. We welcome your questions about our facilities
and how we might assist in the search for a senior living community.
This is the seventh part of a nine part series on finding the right senior living community. This article was written by Jim Moore of Moore Diversified Services (http://www.m-d-s.com/) and published on the Assisted Living Federation of America website (http://www.alfa.com/).
7. Balance First Impressions with Reality
Take first impressions of a community seriously, but balance those initial impressions with other factors. Some first impressions might include the overall neighborhood setting - the quality of the landscaping, the campus layout, and the residence's exterior. When you enter a residence, think about your comfort level. Check out the public spaces and remember they are a shared extension of the private living space. Remember that you aren't trying to replace the total living area of your current home. You're making an informed trade-off between a relatively large home with a more appropriate sheltered living that offers an exstensive array of services specifically designed for this stage of your or your loved one's life.
Senior Solutions Management Group is one of the leading seniors housing operators in the country providing the following services to older adults: independent-style living, assisted living, continuum of care retirement communities. We welcome your questions about our facilities and how we might assist in the search for a senior living community.
This is the sixth part of a nine part series on finding the right senior living community. This article was written by Jim Moore of Moore Diversified Services (http://www.m-d-s.com/) and published on the Assisted Living Federation of America website (http://www.alfa.com/).
6. Address the Price vs. Value Dilemma
Throughout your life, you've probably been conservative in making most of your purchase decisions. If senior living is the right fit, it will likely be the most important purchase you ever make. So should you seek the lowest price - buying a commodity - or decide on a comfortable, high-value community of choice? It's important to both consider affordable value and optimum life satisfaction.
Senior Solutions Management Group is one of the leading seniors housing operators in the country providing the following services to older adults: independent-style living, assisted living, continuum of care retirement communities. We welcome your questions about our facilities and how we might assist in the search for a senior living community.
Depression is an insidious problem for anyone, but in the elderly it is often overlooked. It is not to be considered a normal part of growing older, but addressed as a medical condition that responds very well to treatment. Since many people don’t recognize or report the problem, and fear stigma for being weak and unable to “snap out of it”, they suffer needlessly and in silence. What looks like irritability and withdrawal can be a clear signal of depression. Other symptoms include loss of interest in usual activities, a loss of pleasure, poor appetite and weight loss, pervasive feelings of sadness, tearfulness, memory impairment, increased pain complaints, anger, and sleep disturbance such as early morning awakening and insomnia. Increased anxiety and thoughts of suicide must be addressed. Statistically, Caucasian men in the 70-80 age group make up the highest rate of successful suicide since they tend to have access to lethal means such as guns. The good news is that depression is absolutely treatable, and medications are safe, not addictive. The most important thing a loved one can do is insist on a visit and discussion with the primary care doctor. The MD can begin medication and also refer to a geriatric specialist. Talk therapy can speed the recovery in conjunction with medication. There is no reason to assume it is a normal or unavoidable part of aging. Treatment of depression can improve quality of life and restore meaning and purpose to living in a senior community because it allows the individual to interact and enjoy his or her peers, and to accept care and support from staff, which hastens adjustment to the change from home to assisted care. Family members are able to feel comfortable with the move and have less guilt as well. Depression is a serious illness, but imminently treatable. Life in later years should be as comfortable as possible and addressing this illness helps not only the elder but family and caregivers as well.
This is the fifth part of a nine part series on finding the right senior living community. This article was written by Jim Moore of Moore Diversified Services (http://www.m-d-s.com/) and published on the Assisted Living Federation of America website (http://www.alfa.com/).
5. Strike a Delicate Balance Between Affordability, Price, and Value
Senior living is a value-enhanced and service-enriched offering - and as such, it may appear expensive. But with the variety of options available and a careful look at true living expenses, you may be less sensitive to price. Put costs in perspective by first objectively evaluating your or your loved one's current cost of living. You may be surprised to find that the assisted living option is less expensive than your current cost of living. This can be especially true when you consider expenses like real estate taxes, home maintenance, and insurance, along with the comprehensive services that are all provided by a senior living residence.
Senior Solutions Management Group is one of the leading seniors housing operators in the country providing the following services to older adults: independent-style living, assisted living, continuum of care retirement communities
We welcome your questions about our facilities and how we might assist in the search for a senior living community.