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Category: Planning for Your Family

Home Care or Assisted Living: A Comparison

 October 28, 2021

Exploring different senior living options for you or an aging loved one can feel overwhelming. You want to make the right choice for you or your loved one’s health and happiness, while also respecting your family’s desires regarding staying at home or transitioning to a senior living community. Both senior living arrangements have benefits and drawbacks worth considering. In this article, we’ll help clarify your options when choosing between assisted living and non-medical home care for seniors so that you can make the best, most informed choice for you and your family.

What is Non-Medical Home Care?

When you hire non-medical home care, a home care aide will come to you or your loved one’s home and stay—either round-the-clock or on a pre-determined schedule. This person, sometimes called a senior care companion or home aide, can help perform daily tasks provide companionship.

Non-Medical Care versus Skilled Home Health Care

It’s important to note the difference between non-medical care and home health care. Nearly anyone—even without a medical license—can perform non-medical care. In fact, the burden often falls on a family member, who isn’t paid for these services.

On the other hand, home health professionals are skilled medical professionals who can often administer medications, offer occupational therapy services, change wound dressings, and assess overall health. If you or your loved one is experiencing health concerns or if you’re worried about moving safely around the house, home health care is worth considering. Unfortunately, home care for seniors, both medical and non-medical, can be expensive and the costs can quickly add up to thousands of dollars a month, particularly if round-the-clock care is needed.

What Is Assisted Living?

In an assisted living community, staff is available 24/7 to provide non-medical care services. You or your senior loved one receives care and companionship she or he whenever it’s necessary.

In addition, an assisted living community often provides social activities from group yoga classes to movie night to keep residents engaged with life. Many also offer wellness programs, healthy meal options and transportation. If you opt for in-home non-medical care, you’ll have to pay separately for these types of services.

Non-Medical Home Care or Assisted Living?

Caregivers and seniors often believe non-medical home care is a suitable, more cost-effective option to assisted living. They might even believe non-medical home care gives a senior more freedom. For an older adult who wishes to age in place, in-home care may be the right option. Here are some of the key differences between the two to consider:

Assisted Living vs. Home Care Comparison Table
 

Assisted Living

Home Care
What types of care are provided? In assisted living, residents may need some help with transportation, medication management, housekeeping and other specific activities of daily living such as dressing and personal care, but still live independently. Care may include:

  • Bathing and personal hygiene
  • Medication reminders (although in most states they cannot administer medication)
  • Getting dressed
  • Help eating
What other services are offered? Residents receive three nutritious meals each day and access to life enrichment programs and social activities like yoga classes and movie nights to keep residents engaged with life. Services may include:

  • Light housekeeping
  • Cooking
  • Transportation
  • Companionship
What is the living situation like? Assisted living communities are designed to feel home-like and residents typically live in their own apartments or suites with private baths and kitchenettes. Home care allows for aging in the comfort of your own home, but modifications to the home might be necessary to maintain independence.
How much does it cost? The median cost of assisted living in the United States in 2021 was $4,300 per month, according to Genworth’s most recent Cost of Care Survey. In 2021, the average cost of a home health aide $5,148 per month.

Another major benefit of assisted living is that your care is spread out across an entire team instead of one individual. If your home health aide calls in sick or needs to care for someone else, few alternative options are available. Assisted living means your loved one will always have the care they need, when they need it.

Note: Your money may go further in an assisted living community since large expenses like rent and dining are included, along with a wide variety of activities and close companionship with other older adults you can’t get with a home aide. Download our FREE Guide to the Cost of Senior Living eBook to learn more about how assisted living may be more cost effective than you think.

When analyzing all factors, including costs, it’s important to remember the following:

  • A senior who uses non-medical home care must pay the home aide, along with all the usual expenses such as meals, mortgage, taxes, and utilities
  • Assisted living includes non-medical care, as well as a place to live, transportation, some meals, home maintenance (including lawn care), and utilities
  • Assisted living provides services when you or your loved one needs it, round-the-clock

Move or Stay?

The decision to move to assisted living or to age-in-place with help from a home aide is a difficult one. Find a Five Star Senior Living community near you to see if the environment, services and amenities would be the right fit for you.

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When to Move from Assisted Living to Memory Care

 October 21, 2021

It can seem like just another one of those “senior moments” at first. Maybe your dad is starting to have more difficulty with familiar tasks at his assisted living community. A team member calls to tell you he hasn’t been participating in activities due to losing track of time and his way around the community. One of the harder to accept explanations is that your dad may be showing signs of dementia, leaving you and your family with a difficult choice: should he move from assisted living to memory care?

Dementia is a scary word that many associate with a loss of control and the ability to live a fulfilling life. It can be heartbreaking to watch a loved one struggle to recognize their grandchildren or recall that beloved family vacation. A dementia diagnosis, though, doesn’t mean your loved one still can’t find joy and purpose in life. It may just be a sign that it’s time to move them into a community with specialized care and a team that understands how to meet their growing needs with compassion and understanding. This is where memory care comes in.

What is Memory Care?

Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia affect people differently. Over time, it can progress from new problems with words when speaking or writing to issues that affect your loved ones’ safety and quality of life. That’s why the team in a memory care community is made up of memory care specialists trained to help each memory care resident enjoy a life filled with dignity, purpose and moments of engagement.

Memory care isn’t just for helping residents be safe, it is for creating moments of joy by building on each resident’s personal narrative to help them feel successful and connected. Making your loved one feel at home—and offering plenty of opportunities for fun and belonging—are at the heart of a dedicated memory care community. Five Star Senior Living’s award-winning, innovative Bridge to Rediscovery program provides those moments of joy and stimulation, and so much more. Whatever your loved one’s passions and abilities, Bridge to Rediscovery tailors their surroundings and activities around them. Meeting all the resident’s needs is the mission, from basic tasks to helping them find a sense of purpose and connection.

How is Memory Care Different from an Assisted Living Community?

Assisted living and memory care communities offer some similar services, help with the activities of daily living, dining, programs and more. Memory care communities are designed to provide specialized care for residents with dementia. Memory care team members have additional training and experience caring for seniors with dementia who can sometimes express challenging behaviors.

At Five Star Senior Living, we use the phrase relate, motivate and appreciate. Memory care should relate to each resident’s life experiences so they feel connected to the world around them. We motivate people by focusing on what they enjoy, and we appreciate by inviting participation and giving choices. P

rograms that include the five domains of wellness: cognitive, sensory, group, motor and purpose help individuals with dementia flourish. A variety of therapies such as music therapy, aroma therapy, art therapy, pet therapy, and horticultural therapy are quite helpful to encourage those with memory conditions to engage in the world around them. The activities of daily living (ADLs) offered in assisted living—like bathing and grooming—are still available, but memory care goes the extra step to give your loved one the specialized attention they need to continue to live a healthy and enjoyable life in a safe, secured environment.

4 Ways to Know It’s Time to Move from Assisted Living to Memory Care

It’s not uncommon for people to be more forgetful as they age. That’s what makes dementia so difficult to spot. It can seem harmless at first—a slight disorientation to time and place or stumbling on certain words—before escalating. Those signs of dementia could mean it’s time to make the move to memory care. Here are four key things to watch out for that could signal that it’s time to transition.

  1. Regular Confusion: We all forget to do the dishes or take out the trash every now and then. If your loved one is frequently losing track of time, having trouble expressing themselves or wandering, memory care will be the best choice.
  2. Less Active in the Community: Was your dad once a pool shark in the billiards club, but hasn’t shown up in a while? Maybe he stops by the activity room every now and then but seems distant and disinterested in whatever is going on. Dementia might be making these activities more challenging, and they would benefit from gentler, more cognitively stimulating activities.
  3. Requiring More Help: Is your loved one experiencing difficulties with the daily activities and are they exhibiting a decline in their cognitive abilities and decision-making skills? For example, a parent who has always done a good job managing finances and now their bills are overdue.
  4. Wandering: Becoming lost or exit seeking behaviors can occur at all stages of dementia and there are a variety of causes. Wandering is a sign that your loved one requires a safe and controlled environment.

Your loved one deserves to live an engaging, purposeful life in a setting that is custom tailored to their strengths and abilities. And you deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your loved one lives where they are safe, and have a sense of purpose and belonging. A dementia diagnosis is difficult to grapple with, but you and your loved one don’t have to face it alone. Moving them into a memory care community can help them receive the specialized care they need to live a meaningful life full of joy and laughter.

If you think your loved one is showing signs of dementia and it might be time to move them from assisted living into memory care, find a memory care community near you and meet with the team there to discuss your questions.

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How to Move a Parent with Dementia into Assisted Living

 February 19, 2021

When a parent has Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, adult children may struggle to keep them safe and engaged at home. It is a difficult condition to navigate, especially if family members work outside the home. From nutritional struggles to concerns about wandering, caring for a loved one with dementia can be all-consuming. It sometimes leads families to explore memory care assisted living programs in hopes of improving the senior’s quality of life and their safety.

A specialty dementia care program, like the Bridge to Rediscovery at Five Star Senior Living, meets the residents where they are – looking at their current abilities to create a lifestyle that supports engagement so that they  can enjoy their best quality of life. These programs also provide a secure environment that supports freedom while reducing the risk of wandering.

But for many adult children, the idea of moving a parent with memory loss to an assisted living community can create stress and anxiety. It can also lead loved ones to feel guilty about their inability to manage a parent’s care at home.

How can you help a senior loved one with dementia successfully transition to a new environment? We have some tips you might find useful.

4 Tips for Moving a Parent with Dementia

 

  1. Make it familiar: For people with memory loss, being surrounded by familiar things helps to decrease their stress and anxiety. This becomes more difficult to do as the dementia progresses, so it takes thoughtful planning. Think about the items your parent uses and touches most often. Maybe it’s a throw they cover up with in their favorite chair. Or it could be a cherished photo from their wedding day. Try to recreate their home environment in their new assisted living apartment or suite. Hang their bathrobe up in a place they immediately notice it. Cover their bed with a quilt or comforter they might recognize. Place family photos all around the apartment before they arrive. Whatever belongings signal “home” to your parent are important to incorporate into their new space. One of the signatures of Five Star’s Bridge to Rediscovery Memory Care program is the keepsake box that includes special mementos. Our community team will teach you how to create one for your loved one.
  2. Moving time matters: Adults with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia usually have good and bad times of day. While the disease can be unpredictable, it will help to schedule a move to coincide with their best time of day. For many seniors with dementia, morning is the easiest time, especially if they experience sundowner’s syndrome. If possible, have a relocation company or loved ones move belongings while you keep your parent occupied. Once the new apartment is settled, you can introduce them to their new residence. We have shadow boxes displaying our residents’ pictures and item of personal interest by the entrance to their residence to make it easy to locate and to give a reassuring feeling of belonging.
  3. Create a reminiscence board: When a senior has dementia, they may have difficulty with verbal skills. This makes it more challenging for the staff to get to know them. You can help by creating a reminiscence board or scrapbook with photos of family members along with names and descriptions. Share it with the team members  ahead of time so they can look it over before your parent’s arrival. Once they move in, you can keep it in a prominent place in the apartment to share with staff and visitors. Our Bridge to Rediscovery neighborhoods help the family to complete a detailed life narrative. We learn all about each individual’s story, their career, their hobbies, their like and dislikes and more. This helps make the transition much more comfortable for everyone.
  4. Music as therapy: Many people find the healing harmonies of music to be beneficial. This is true for adults with dementia, too. During this time of transition, play some of their favorite music softly in the background. This can help decrease the anxiety your loved one is likely feeling and unable to verbalize. Set up a small CD player with a few of their favorite musicians. Ask the care team to turn it on when you can’t be there.

When to Make a Transition to Dementia Care

Finally, if you are wondering how to tell if it is time for your parent to move to a memory care community, we have a resource that can help you decide. When to move from Assisted Living to Memory Care outlines signs and concerns that indicate a senior should make a move to a community that can offer more specialized care.

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How to Evaluate Senior Living Communities

 February 1, 2021

If you or a family elder are searching for a senior living community, you might be wondering how to make an informed choice. It can be easy to let attractive interiors play a role in your decision. While a clean, well-cared-for community is essential, other factors are even more important while evaluating senior living.

Quality of support services, team member experience, and a dedication to resident happiness and safety are just a few. Let’s take a more in-depth look at how to assess senior living communities.

6 Tips to Objectively Evaluate Senior Living Communities

  1. Start your search online.
    Most senior living communities have both a website and a presence on social media channels. You can start online to get a basic understanding of what levels of care they offer, as well as their services and amenities. The photos and posts on social media channels, especially Facebook, can also provide a glimpse into the daily life of a community. Read the online reviews to get a feel for the community. Analyze the negative reviews as well as the positive ones. Was there a response? Did the response demonstrate an open, collaborative mindset?
  2. Ask friends and professional advisors for referrals.
    Word of mouth is a great way to add (or subtract) a senior living community from your potential list. Ask those you know and trust if they have been through this search for a loved one. People who have done this understand how important this decision is and are generally willing to share their experiences. Do you have friends who have lived in the community? Do you have friends or colleagues who have loved ones who have lived there?Don’t forget to ask your professional advisors. Your physicians, clergy, legal and financial advisors, realtors, and other trusted resources that are part of your circle of influence are often a wealth of knowledge for you. At Five Star, we suggest that you ask these individuals, “If it was your Mom, would you choose that community?”
  3. Make phone calls to narrow the search
    Once you have a preliminary list of senior living communities to evaluate, create a list of questions to ask when you call. Block out some uninterrupted time to contact each community. Make sure to take detailed notes during your phone calls. You may think you’ll be able to remember what you talked about, but speaking with multiple communities can make that tough to do.Pay attention not only to the information that you gather. Observe the community representative in you and your story. Did they listen with interest? Did they ask you questions to determine your needs and wantsCommon Questions About Senior Living is a good article to review when you are developing your list of questions. From costs to pets, it contains helpful information.
  4. Review state survey results for communities
    Each state has different regulations for senior living communities. The licensed service lines including Assisted Living, Memory Care and Healthcare (skilled and rehab) will be surveyed by the state regularly to determine if they are complying with state regulations.Most states publish their survey results online. This makes it easy for older adults and their families to review them. For those states that don’t publish results online, ask to see a copy during your visit.For communities that have skilled nursing and rehab, and take Medicare and/or Medicaid – the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) publishes a star rating that can be found at www.cms.gov
  5. Schedule an in-person or virtual tour
    A tour, whether in person or virtual is an important component of your selection process. Often, at Five Star, we find that families want to make multiple visits.When you tour, pay close attention to resident and team member interactions, how clean and tidy the community looks, and whether residents appear engaged. Does the environment seem positive and friendly? Does it look and feel like a place your family member could call home? Did team members greet you, were you introduced to associates and residents?
  6. Weigh the pros and cons
    Finally, sit down and carefully review your notes. Think about what you liked and didn’t like, as well as how well each community met your needs and your wants Some communities will be easier than others to eliminate. If you are able, it’s typically a good idea to visit any senior living community that is a serious contender more than once.Another option, if available, is to take advantage of a community’s respite program. Through this program, a potential resident can enjoy a short stay and experience the community first hand. This gives both the prospective resident and the family to make a more comprehensive evaluation.

Transitioning to a Senior Living Community

At Five Star Senior Living, we intend to be the educator and to help you make wise senior living choices. We are here to be your Trusted Resource.

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Nearer My Mom to Me: The Pros and Cons of Seniors Moving Closer to Family

 December 16, 2020

As families grow and evolve, the question of how best to care for aging parents becomes increasingly important. One solution is seniors moving closer to family, sometimes even across the country. This move can provide numerous benefits, such as enhancing the quality of life for aging parents and giving family members peace of mind. Being nearby allows for more frequent visits, the ability to offer immediate help, and the emotional comfort that comes with proximity.

However, relocating and moving closer to family is a significant decision for all involved with its own unique set of challenges. Just Google “move my parent closer to me” and you’ll find plenty of articles listing all the reasons why you shouldn’t. The transition can be stressful, involving logistical, financial, and emotional considerations. Understanding the pros and cons of such a move is crucial for making an informed decision that best supports the well-being of both the seniors and their family members.

At Five Star Senior Living, we see ourselves as a trusted partner to the families we serve, and if moving Mom (or Dad) closer is something you’re pondering, we want to offer some advice.

What to Consider if you are Thinking about Moving a Parent Closer to Family

The Emotional Toll

Moving can be emotionally challenging, especially for seniors who may be leaving behind a familiar environment, life long friends, and social networks. Assess the potential for social isolation and think about how you will help them build new connections.

Family Dynamics

Reflect on how the move will affect family dynamics and responsibilities. Having a parent nearby can strengthen family bonds but may also add stress if not all family members are on the same page about caregiving roles. Open and honest communication with all family members, including adult siblings, is key to ensuring that everyone understands and agrees on the level of involvement and support expected.

Continuity of Care

Consider the potential disruption in continuity of care. If your parent or parents have been seeing the same doctors for years, a move might mean losing these established relationships and having to start over with new healthcare providers. If they were to move closer, ensure that your parent will have access to quality healthcare facilities and services designed for seniors. Research local hospitals, primary care physicians, and specialists to ensure they meet your parent’s needs now and in the future.

Living Arrangements

Evaluate the suitability and sustainability of potential new living arrangements. Whether your parent will be moving into your home, an apartment, or a senior living community, considerations around safety, accessibility, and care need to be made. Does your parent require help with errands and transportation, simple home modifications like a grab bar or a ramp, or do they need around the clock care? Where can their needs be met?

Financial Implications

Analyze the financial impact of the move. This includes the cost of selling a home, moving expenses, and any changes in living expenses. Factor in the cost of healthcare, potential home modifications, and any additional support services that might be needed. Investigate financial resources and benefits available in the new location, such as local senior programs, tax benefits, and subsidies that could assist with the transition. Programs can vary state-to-state, so it may be beneficial to do a side-by-side comparison before relocating.

Is a Senior Living Community the Solution?

Before making any decisions, be sure to include your parent or parents in the discussion. What do they want? If together you decide a move is worth making, consider a local senior living community.

A senior living community can be an excellent solution for moving an older parent closer, as it provides a balanced blend of independence, support, and social engagement tailored to their specific needs. Whether opting for an independent living community or an assisted living community, these environments are designed to offer safety, convenience, and a vibrant social life. Independent living communities provide a maintenance-free lifestyle with various amenities and activities, fostering an active and fulfilling life for seniors who are still relatively self-sufficient.

On the other hand, assisted living communities offer additional support with daily activities such as medication management ensuring that residents receive the care they need while maintaining as much independence as possible. Both types of communities also provide opportunities for social interaction and community involvement, which can significantly enhance a senior’s quality of life and sense of well-being, that is in addition to being closer to you of course!

Find a Five Star Senior Living community near you to learn more and to schedule a tour.

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6 Transportation Resources for Seniors

 November 25, 2020

From the time a young adult reaches legal driving age, hopping in the car represents freedom and independence. The same is true for a senior who has been driving for decades. As we grow older, however, safety becomes an issue.

Some elders continue to drive despite not feeling especially safe doing so. It might be to avoid asking a friend or family member for a ride to the doctor, grocery store, or other essential appointments. Having a list of reliable, affordable transportation options might be the key for all parties involved.

Here are a few suggestions for creating a list of safe and reliable ride options.

Where to Find Transportation Options for Older Adults

 

  1. Community level programs: Start your search locally with your area agency on aging or neighborhood senior center. If you need help locating these organizations, you can search online by visiting the Senior Center Directory or the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging.
  2. Medical system van service: If a senior needs transportation to and from medical appointments, see if the provider’s network offers any services. Some hospitals, rehab centers, and physician groups are part of bigger health systems that offer complimentary transportation in company-owned vans. Most will pick up patients at home and drop them off afterwards.
  3. Volunteer transportation programs: The National Center for Mobility Management is another resource to explore. They maintain a database of volunteer transportation services for older adults. Search their site to check for programs near your loved one’s home.
  4. Public transportation: While public transportation might sound intimidating to seniors who are unfamiliar with it, some local municipalities offer transportation designed for people with mobility challenges and disabilities. Call your township supervisor or mayor’s office to find out what is available.
  5. Senior living communities: When the time comes for a family elder to give up driving, moving to a senior living community might be another solution to consider. Many communities offer transportation. Transportation team members can schedule rides to and from essential appointments and social outings for residents.
  6. Rideshare services: Many people associate ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft with out-of-town travelers or young adults, but seniors utilize them too. Some rideshare companies, such as Lyft, are working diligently to attract older clients. If your aging loved one doesn’t want to book transportation through a cell phone app, GoGoGrandparent can help. Seniors can call them for help arranging transportation anytime. Additionally, “Are Ride Share Services a Transportation Option for Seniors?” is a good article to help you learn more.

Transportation at Five Star Senior Living

At Five Star Senior Living communities, residents can take advantage of transportation services for errands, appointments, and outings to local destinations like restaurants and shopping centers. Contact a Five Star Senior Living community nearest you for more information on resident transportation.

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Free Resources for Dementia Caregivers to Explore

Being a caregiver for a loved one who has Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia can be both rewarding and challenging. It often leaves caregivers navigating a rollercoaster of emotions. Many wonder how well they are doing caring for their family member or friend. If you find yourself in this situation, learning more about your loved one’s disease might help.

Fortunately, there is a wide range of information online to help you gain confidence in your caregiving abilities.

7 Free Dementia Resources for Family Caregivers

1. Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association is one of the foremost authorities on the disease worldwide. Their website is rich with information and tools designed for people with the disease and their caregivers. One popular feature is educational guides you can download at no cost. They cover a variety of topics, such as driving after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, treatment options, and care partner packets.

2. ALZConnected

Created by the Alzheimer’s Association, this resource helps caregivers remember they aren’t alone. Finding and connecting with those who share your path is easier with ALZConnected. The site is home to forums for adults with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia and their family caregivers. You’ll find advice and support for coping with some of the most physically and emotionally difficult aspects of this journey.

3. National Center on Caregiving

Created by the Family Caregiver Alliance, a leader in caregiving, this site hosts online support groups and chat forums. You’ll also find tools, information, and opportunities to learn more about advocating for people with dementia. Learn more about the NFCSP support program.

4. AFA Care Connection webinar series

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) shares many great resources on their site, including a dementia caregiver webinar series. Past topics range from home safety to using cognitive behavioral therapy to help a senior with Alzheimer’s overcome insomnia. There is no cost to watch or use these tools.

5. National Institute on Aging

Another site to visit is the Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Dementias page at the National Institute on Aging. Here you will find resources on topics ranging from dementia basics to connecting with a clinical trial near you.

6. Community Resource Finder

Families are often unsure where to turn after a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Community Resource Finder, from AARP and the Alzheimer’s Association, makes finding support easier. You can search for local care options, medical services, and more for free.

7. Family Caregiver Toolbox

Created by the Caregiver Action Network, the Family Caregiver Toolbox has videos on caregiver topics, including some specifically for dementia. As is true of the resources listed above, there is no charge to use these tools.

Finally, if you think you may need more support in the form of residential memory care living options, contact the Five Star Senior Living team to learn more about a community near you.

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How Often Does a Healthy Senior Need to See the Doctor?

 November 19, 2020

Let’s face it, few of us are excited to make a doctor’s appointment. If you feel well and consider yourself healthy, it’s easy to think you don’t need an annual checkup. So, is it really necessary to see the doctor when you aren’t sick?

How frequently you should see a doctor when you feel healthy is a question often debated by adults. This is especially true for those who suffer from white coat syndrome, a term used to describe anxiety experienced during physician appointments. For some, white coat syndrome can be serious enough to cause a rapid rise in blood pressure.

While there’s no hard and fast rule on how often a healthy senior should visit their doctor, at least one wellness visit a year is essential.

4 Reasons Seniors Need a Yearly Physical Exam

 

  1. Screenings: A yearly checkup gives your physician an opportunity to evaluate the need for and schedule routine health screenings, such as mammograms and colonoscopies.
  2. Bloodwork: This visit will also give your doctor an opportunity to order and review routine bloodwork. Cholesterol screening, vitamin deficiencies, and diabetes testing are a few common ones.
  3. Immunizations: Your doctor will likely discuss an immunization schedule with you. This can include when to get a flu shot and if you need a pneumonia or shingles vaccine.
  4. Early intervention: When you are feeling great, an annual physical lets your physician confirm there’s nothing wrong. It also gives the doctor an opportunity to identify small issues before they become big problems. For example, frequent headaches might be a symptom of seasonal allergies that can be managed without medication. Your physician can likely offer some suggestions.

Take Advantage of the Medicare Wellness Visit

Medicare Part B and many Medicare Advantage plans will pay for one physician visit each year to assess a senior’s health. If you’ve been participating in Medicare Part B for at least one year, you are entitled to a Medicare Wellness Visit.

Fortunately, your Medicare Part B deductible won’t apply to this visit. However, there may be a co-pay or deductible that applies to any screenings or tests your doctor orders. If you have questions, speak with the billing specialist at your physician’s office for clarification.

Health & Wellness at Five Star Senior Living

Seniors looking for other ways to stay healthy may also want to consider moving to a senior living community. Independent living often provides ample access to activities and facilities. For example, Five Star Senior Living communities prioritize wellness and many offer amenities like pools, walking paths, fitness centers, and more. Dining and nutrition is something we take pride in too.

To learn more about the the healthy lifestyles a senior living community can provide older adults, contact us today!

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How Alzheimer’s Impacts Family Caregivers

When a senior loved one lives with Alzheimer’s disease, the impact on the entire family is significant. It can be physically exhausting and emotionally draining. While caregiving for a family member can be a labor of love, juggling so many responsibilities and difficult emotions can be overwhelming.

From safety concerns to diet and hydration, the tasks are many. Then there is the sorrow from watching a loved one’s decline. It’s a path 15.7 million Americans find themselves on.

When a Senior Loved One Has Alzheimer’s Disease

It’s common for family caregivers to experience health problems of their own. Those cited most often include:

  • Headaches
  • Sleep issues
  • Digestive problems
  • Sadness or depression
  • Stress, agitation, or anxiety
  • Neck and back problems
  • Unintended weight gain or loss
  • Prehypertension or high blood pressure

Protecting your own health—mental and physical—when you are a family caregiver is essential.

5 Survival Tips for Alzheimer’s Caregivers

  1. Get organized: Worries about missing a deadline or appointment cause stress for family caregivers. Alleviate some stress by establishing a system and sticking with it. Organize and update your loved one’s medical history, medication list, physician contact information, and appointments. Setting up 3-ring binders with copies of everything may be the easiest option. If you are comfortable with technology, a few apps can help. Healthspek and CareZone are two to explore.
  2. Accept help: Family caregivers often believe they should handle all aspects of the role alone. Some are driven by concern for their loved one’s quality of care, and others by a sense of duty. They feel the need to independently care for the person who cared for them.
  3. Eat healthy: When you are pressed for time, as most family caregivers are, it’s easy to rely on convenience foods and drive-through restaurants. Unfortunately, these foods typically contain unhealthy fats and high amounts of sodium. If you aren’t able to prepare healthy meals, consider services such as Freshly or Silver Cuisine.
  4. Exercise regularly: Exercise might seem like something a busy caregiver doesn’t have time to do. But exercise offers a variety of health benefits, including better sleep, a stronger immune system, and reduced stress. Regular exercise also helps build muscle strength, which can reduce the odds of caregiving-related injury.
  5. Laugh often: It’s also important to take time to enjoy yourself. Laughing with loved ones helps lower the risk for depression, an issue Alzheimer’s caregivers often struggle with. If you don’t have anyone you can count on to help while you take a break, consider utilizing respite services at an assisted living community.

Respite Care at Five Star Senior Living

With Five Star Senior Living communities in 28 states, you’re sure to find a respite care solution nearby.

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What to Consider Before Moving Near an Adult Child

 October 29, 2020

If you are a retiree beginning the search for a senior living community, you are no doubt wondering where to look. It’s one of the first decisions you’ll need to make. Do you want to stay near your current home or move closer to family?

As more adult children move away to pursue career opportunities, families are often separated by many miles. Deciding whether to move near an adult child’s home or find a senior living community near you can be tough.

Even after you’ve explored communities in both locations, the answer might not be clear. If you are struggling, here are a few factors to consider.

Where to Search for Senior Living

If you take the following factors into consideration, you’ll likely arrive at an informed decision:

1. Is there a chance your adult child will have to move again?

If your adult child moved to a new city or state for their career, is there a chance they’ll have to relocate again? If their job requires them to move every few years, you could find yourself alone in a new place without family nearby. This is important to consider as you make this decision.

2. Which location will offer the best quality of life?

Many retirees want to spend more time with family as they grow older. But relocating and starting over might be tough. This is especially true if you’ve lived in your current neighborhood for decades. While your adult child and their family might also want to see you more, is their life hectic already? Will their schedule permit you to be together as much as you envision?

If you currently have a wide circle of friends and an active social life, it may make more sense to find a senior living community close to your current home.

By contrast, if you don’t have close friends nearby, relocating near family may be a better choice. In the event of an emergency, you will have someone you can count on nearby.

3. Does one location offer better access to health care?

It’s an unfortunate reality that older adults require more health care services than younger adults. Having quick access to hospitals, physicians, outpatient clinics, and specialists will make it easier to get care.

Before you decide, research health care providers in every area you are considering. That will give you peace of mind about the future.

4. How well do you adapt to change?

Moving to a senior living community can be a big transition. If you add the adjustments of moving to a new city, it can be a lot at once. While some people are always excited for new adventures, not everyone enjoys big changes.

If you struggle with change, you might find it very difficult to relocate far from your current home. A nearby senior living community may make the next chapter in life go more smoothly.

Visiting Senior Living Communities

One of the most important factors in making an informed decision about senior living is a personal visit to tour and ask questions. Be sure to ask questions that will provide the insight you need about each community. Make a list before you begin your tours. “What Questions Should You Ask on a Senior Living Tour?” will help you get started.

We invite you to contact us to schedule a tour of a nearby Five Star Senior Living community. With over 125 communities in 28 states, you are sure to find a community near you or near your children!

Contact Us Today

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