Blog Archives - New Haven

5 Tips for Selecting the Perfect Senior Living Community

Get Educated on The Various Types of Senior Living Communities-Complete an internet search for communities near you. Gather as much information on those communities as you can by requesting information directly from community or online. Know the different types of communities and the difference in services offered. Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care and which one would be the best fit for you.
Consider Your Budget- Determine what sort of monthly budget you are able to afford and narrow down your search accordingly. Consider financial resources such as VA Aid & Attendance for Veterans, Long Term Care insurance, home equity, personal income and savings or financial support from family.
Tour Communities - once you have narrowed down your research schedule a tour. Talk to current residents, staff and families to get a good feel of the community’s culture. Dive into the services and amenities offered and see if those align with what you are looking for. Discuss rates and care cost and make sure to ask for additional or hidden fees not disclosed on rate sheet. Re-tour unannounced, visit during a meal or enjoy a meal to experience a meal. Invite your family to tour and request feedback. Gather as much information as you can when you visit the community to assist you with making your decision.
Select a Community -Once you have narrowed down your search, select a community that feels right to you. Decide on a move in date. Determine what furniture you will bring with you. Obtain measurements of the apartment you chose. Determine what pieces of furniture and decor you will bring with you. Have fun decorating and create a space that brings you joy and comfortable for you.
Getting Settled In- Transitioning from home to a community is a major life change. As you or your loved one settles into their new space it is important to get connected with other residents and staff, participate in activities and get acquainted with the lifestyle. Enjoy all the services and amenities the community has to offer; chef prepared meals, housekeeping and personal laundry services, compassionate staff, enjoy coffee on the patio or gazebo, get familiar with the layout of the community and go for a walk. Life begins again when moving into a senior living community. There are many opportunities to make new friendships, regain independence and continue to live a thriving lifestyle.

If you are interested in learning more about senior living communities such as New Haven, please call 512-667-0077 today to visit with one of our team members.

www.newhavenassistedliving.com

Is Senior Living Right for you?

Is Senior Living right for you? Listen to what some of our residents are saying after making the decision to move into New Haven.

“If I would have known what life was like living in an assisted living, I would have made the decision to move sooner. I have met new friends while attending the daily activities offered. My health has improved overall, I am exercising often and eating well-balanced meals. I love having privacy when I want and can be as social as I want” - Betty

“I enjoy the fellowship with some of the other residents. It was important to me that I had someone available to assist me on the days I didn’t feel well. I came to New Haven after an injury and was limited to a wheelchair. With physical therapy and help from the staff I am now walking with a walker and feeling better” – Jim

Web banner panoramic image of happy senior man and woman couple sitting together at home smiling and happy with perfect teethSeniors who transition into assisted living have a better chance at saying physically, emotionally and mentally connected as they age, compared to those Seniors who choose to stay at home.

New Haven recognizes the importance to keeping the body and mind active through the various Life Enrichment programs that contribute to our resident’s overall health and wellbeing. Staying active, eating healthy, sleeping well and taking care of oneself can slow the risk of mortality for seniors as they age. Seniors that live on their own succumb to bad habits when no one is around to encourage an active lifestyle. New Haven understands the importance of our residents sustaining a healthy diet, one that is rich in nutrients can help with cognition function as well as nutrition intake. New Haven offers a dining program where our residents enjoy three nutritious Chef prepared meals a day.

Statistics show that both personal and environmental resources are important to aging well, senior living communities offer a unique combination of personal competence and environment that determines an optimal level of function. Senior Living residents report lower level of stress with being able to handle situations knowing they are surrounded by a support system day and night.

There are many benefits New Haven Assisted Living & Memory Care have to offer. New Haven provides very individualized care, robust activity programs and specially designed communities that help seniors continue to thrive with all the comforts of home. Visit us today to determine if senior living is right for you.

6 Facts About Senior Living That May Surprise You

Senior Living Means Not Having to Compromise Fun for Freedom

New Haven Assisted Living and Memory Care is all about personalizing your families stay as much as possible. Our caring staff wants you and your loved one to feel all the comforts of home during their stay. Each community offers a robust Life Enrichment program providing an active environment each day. Residents have the luxury of planning their own day. They can be as active as they want or as private as they choose. For some, moving into a senior living community can be very intimidating. New Haven wants your loved ones move to be as easy and comforting as possible.

Here are 6 facts about Senior Living that may surprise you.

Misconception: Senior living is arranged for a one-size-fits-all.

Fact 1: New Haven offers tailored personalized care and services to fit each resident’s unique needs. Due to our size, we are flexible to meet your loved ones needs.

Misconception: Once you move into a community you cannot leave with family or friends.

Fact 2: New Haven encourages residents to enjoy time with family and friends, whether it be within our community or outside of our community.

We encourage family and friends to visit at any time. Your family is our family.

We even allow our residents to go on vacations with families, everyone needs a vacation!

Misconception: You won’t be able to make friends.

Fact 3: Transitioning into senior living can be difficult. The team at New Haven makes every effort to ensure your loved one is engaged and part of our daily social and recreational activities.

Our residents enjoy companionship over delicious meals, friendship and caring are optimized. Limiting the number of units keeps our group small. This allows our residents to connect with others quickly and the feeling of insecurity or depression is minimized.

Misconception: There is no reason to move while you are still healthy.

Fact 4: Seniors who transition early into assisted living have a better life. They stay more physically, emotionally and mentally connected as they age, compared to those Seniors who choose to stay at home.

Staying active, eating healthy, sleeping well and taking care of oneself can slow the risk of mortality for seniors as they age. Seniors that live on their own succumb to bad habits when no one is around to encourage an active lifestyle.

Misconception: It won’t feel like home.

Fact 5: New Haven designed each of our residences to feel like a single-family home. Our small cozy size helps each new resident transition comfortably from their previous home.

New Haven provides very individualized care, robust activity programs and specially designed communities that help seniors continue to thrive with all the comforts of home.

We offer all private bedrooms and private bathrooms, residents can personalize their private apartment space to their liking. Our goal is for our residents to feel at home the moment they step in the door.

Misconception: It is far too expensive.

Fact 6: Many seniors first concern when looking for a senior living community is cost. However, it is important to examine overall cost of daily living for our seniors.

Consider your budget. Determine what sort of monthly budget you are able to afford. Consider financial resources such as VA Aid & Attendance for Veterans, Long Term Care insurance, home equity, personal income and savings or financial support from family.

New Haven Tomball Assisted Living Expansion

Accepting Deposits Now!

New Haven Tomball is expanding in Tomball, Texas. We are now building a world-class 28 bed assisted living community near our specialized memory care center in Northwest Houston. Come visit our existing and growing campus.

We are accepting deposits now! Call Marion to get first choice of your personal room in our Assisted Living Community in Tomball!

We are working with industry domain experts in architecture and construction with experience in gerontology and aging.

We will be having an open house on Wednesday, February 13th at 2 PM at our Tomball Memory Care campus @ 609 S. Pine Street Tomball, TX.

Come visit and walk the site, see how we are incorporating world-class amenities at this new 28 bed Assisted Living campus in Tomball TX.

New Haven Tomball Assisted Living Expansion Set

For more information please call:

Contact our Executive Director

Marion Hattix

PH: 832-576-2587

marion@newhavenassistedliving.com

Heart Health Month at New Haven

5 Heart Healthy Habits For Seniors

No matter what age you are, you can keep your heart healthy. It does take some effort and possibly some changes in your every day routine. For example: eating a heart healthy diet and increasing your activity level. Here are some suggestions to keep your, your parent’s or Senior loved one’s heart in great shape!

Eat Healthy

As we age our bodies change, less muscle mass, our bodies burn fewer calories so it is important to maintain a healthy weight.

Eating a heart healthy diet is essential in ones overall health and well-being. You can start eating healthier that by eating less red meat and incorporating more foods rich in Omega-3 acids such as salmon or trout. Eggs are also a delicious food that offers high protein along with vitamins and minerals. Try to get at least five servings of vegetables and fruits per day. Fruit and vegetables are low in calories and high in vitamins, minerals and fiber. Dairy or milk products provide Vitamin D and calcium, so do soy, rice, and almonds. Fiber rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, whole-grains and nuts will also help lower blood cholesterol.

Get Updated Information on Medication Management

In order to avoid possible complications with medications, schedule frequent Physician visits to review your regimen. Make sure you’re taking your medications as prescribed by your Physician. Pre-sort pills in daily reminder boxes if you take multiple medications. Know which medications you can take together, and which medications you can’t. Also pay attention to which medications need to be taken with foods or liquids. Watch for side effects and make sure to talk about them. Dispose of old drugs that are expired or medications that are discontinued by your Physician.

Get Plenty of Sleep

Sleep can have many effects on seniors that most might ignore. Poor quality sleep may cause memory loss or forgetfulness. Feeling groggy or less alert might lead to increased falls. Consuming too much caffeine throughout the day can affect sleep quality. Maintaining a regular bed and wake time schedule will help your body get used to a pattern. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Proper sleep helps keep your mind alert, preserves energy levels, and helps you live life to the fullest.

Stay Mentally Healthy

Many Seniors deal with mental stress, depression and anxiety. These can worsen their overall quality of life. Connecting with others as often as possible helps with isolation and loneliness. Staying in touch with family and friends which can also help create opportunities for Seniors to interact with others in their neighborhood or Assisted Living communities. Exercise can also improve mental health and might be just as affective as medications. Relieving stress, can also benefit psychological health. Getting fresh air, and a change of scenery can help boost ones mood and can be as simple as taking a walk outside. Mental exercises such as puzzles, reading and brain exercises are also important to stay mentally healthy.

Watch for Vision Changes

An annual eye checkup is a simple, low-stress way to keep tabs on your eyes and overall health. What many folks do not realize is that an eye exam can also uncover symptoms of significant health problems.

During American Heart Month in February – let’s keep #ourhearts healthier, together.

5 New Year’s Resolutions for Seniors

Here at New Haven Assisted Living we pride ourselves on not only caring for our residents but having the ability to share our insights with everyone on things you can do at home and in the community to keep our seniors safe.

1. Stay Active

Physical activity is important for older adults. Exercise such as walking, chair aerobics, water aerobics, tai chi and stretching can help control weight, build muscles and bones, improve balance, posture and mood. Even if you suffer from heart disease, diabetes or arthritis, many of these conditions may get better with mild to moderate physical activity!

2. See your Doctor Regularly

Regular wellness visits with your healthcare provider is important. Discuss any changes in your health, review advance directives and medications. Annual screening tests are important to remember. Ask your doctor if you should be getting any new booster or immunization shots.

3. Protect Yourself From Falls

Falls are the leading cause of injuries and death among older adults. Eliminate items in your home that are trip hazard like, throw rugs, excess furniture and wet floors. Exercising can increase your strength, balance and flexibility and help avoid falls. Ask your Doctor to check your medication to make sure you are not taking anything that can make you more likely for a fall. Insert safety rails or grab bars in your bathroom and install night lights so that it is easier to see at night.

4. Keep An Active Mind

Being physically active is just as important as staying mentally active. Our brain controls happiness and as we age, mental health is an important part of being able to live independently. Some stimulating activities include arts and crafts, word games, crossword puzzles, bingo, jigsaw puzzles, trivia and reading. Keeping an active mind is essential to a healthy well-being.

5. Rekindle An Old Friendship OR Find New Friends

You are never too old to find new friends or reach out to an old one. There are many ways to connect such as social media, write a letter, a phone call or video chat. Staying social is a great way to connect with friends in your community. Attending Church, exercise classes, Senior Centers, Volunteering, and visiting with your neighbors. Socialization is vital to your health physically, mentally and emotionally.

5 Tips for Keeping Your Senior Cool in the Heat

1. Serve Cooler Foods

Keep your loved one cool this Summer hot season with some chilled and healthy alternatives to the bbq. Hot foods can increase the risk of heat exhaustion.

Add a smoothie. Smoothies are healthy fast and easy to whip up on a hot summer day. You can add extra protein powder for higher nutritional value.

Sip on chilled gazpacho soup. It always seems odd to drink cold soup, but this one is packed with vitamins and minerals to help replace what is lost when sweating and is easy to digest.

Share a fruit platter. Keep a fruit platter at the ready. These contain vitamins and nutrients and fruits like watermelon pack in some extra hydration.

2. Hydrate

High temperatures make us sweat more no matter our age. To maintain healthy seniors we want to make sure that they are hydrated to prevent heatstroke.

Sip liquids throughout the day. We lose minerals that help us absorb nutrients in the body when we sweat. Keep water bottles at the ready for easy access and to encourage your senior to drink more. You could also encourage this by adding fresh orange, strawberries or cucumber for easy sipping.

Add electrolytes. You may want to monitor to add electrolytes to water to replace what is lost when sweating. This may be of greater significance when going through a heatwave.

Cut the caffeine. Caffeine is a diuretic and works against staying hydrated. Opt for a fresh herbal tea or herbal ice tea with ice is even better.

3. Opt for Cooler Clothing

Planning a day trip? Staying outside for a better part of the day? Make sure your senior is wearing lightweight breathable clothing. A looser lighter fit will prevent overheating of the body.

Light colored clothing. Lighter colored clothing reflects the sun and doesn’t absorb the heat.

Wear a hat. The bigger the better. A nice wide brim for a day trip out will help keep the sun off their head, neck and shoulders.

Sunglasses. Sunglasses are not only a style statement but the elderly can have trouble adjusting to the changes in light on a brighter day. Sunglasses will help prevent eye strain and headaches.

4. Stay out of the Sun

While it’s really nice to head out and enjoy a sunny day opting for the indoors and some AC can be a dream. Being cooped up inside can still be a downer on a Summer day but you can venture out keeping these tips in mind.

Shady Spaces – Opt for shady spaces and places when going out and use the trails and shade of trees or awnings if you’re in a for a city walk. If necessary, use some sun umbrella’s to stay out of the direct light.

Go out early or late. The really hot days can have temperatures soaring before noon but going out early or later will avoid the hottest peek times.

Sunscreen. SPF 30 or higher if your senior is going outside to prevent sunburn from aging and more sensitive skin.

5. Cool Baths

You really don’t want the bathroom to feel like a sauna in this heat so be sure to encourage your help you senior to enjoy a cool bath temperature. You don’t want to contribute to heat exhaustion.

Cool or lukewarm temperatures. After a long hot day outdoors this will be more refreshing and assist with bringing down the body temperature from being outdoors.

Cold wet towel. A cool wet towel on the back of the neck can also help in cooling down the body after sun exposure and hot days out.

Warning Signs of Heat Stroke

It’s no fun to stay indoors during the hotter months but it’s important to take these tips into account to protect you senior from heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

If you don’t live with your loved one, or perhaps it’s your neighbor, be sure to check on on them a couple of times a day. If they are experiencing headache, neausea, dizziness, rapid heartbeat or difficulty breathing then be sure to call 911 or use their medical alert system.