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Assisted Living & Dementia Care

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5 Tips for Selecting the Perfect Senior Living Community

  1. 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 Dementia Care and which one would be the best fit for you.
  2. 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. 
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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 & Dementia 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.

Dementia: The Stages at a Glance

Understanding a dementia diagnosis can help us to support our loved one or help us to educate our loved ones in our own journey through dementia. Education of the stages of dementia can help us to plan and to take out some of the unknown. 

Stages

EARLY STAGE :  Early dementia is usually mild. Expect growing forgetfulness, confusion, and difficulty with complex tasks. Use this time to help independence last as long as possible and to plan ahead together for the future.

MID-STAGE : In mid-stage dementia, previously manageable tasks become more difficult. Be proactive and maintain a safe environment. Accidents, injuries, and infections are serious threats to a dementia patient; you can avoid these with attention and care.

LATE STAGE : While we think of dementia mainly as a memory problem, late-stage dementia also affects the body. Advanced dementia patients and families find great support in our around-the-clock personalized care. The smaller community size and home-like environment at New Haven greatly benefits those in need of additional protection and attention.

Does everyone go through the stages the same?

The simple answer is no. It is important to know the typical behaviors and symptoms we usually see with dementia and to work with your health care professional through the stages. Each person will go through a unique journey as with any diagnosis. It is important to have a great team to support you through the process. 

New Haven is here to help. A dementia diagnosis affects the whole family. Make sure that self-care and emotional support for family caregivers is part of your dementia treatment plan. Look for support groups, respite care, and other proactive ways to reduce the emotional toll of caregiving. With skilled and loving care, a senior can still enjoy happy, fulfilled, and healthy years after a diagnosis of dementia.

Contact us today with your questions or to discuss our wide range of care options. Schedule a tour at https://calendly.com/newhavenassistedliving and Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/newhavenassistedlivingandmemorycare

Music and Memory

Music can bring back some of our fondest memories. Those memories can take us to another time and place where we can experience a wide range of emotions, first dances and first losses. For people who may have memory concerns; connecting with things that are meaningful can improve overall satisfaction with their lives.

Personally Meaningful Music: The Utah University of Health Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s disease article discussed that personally meaningful music is an alternative route for communicating with patients who have Alzheimer’s disease. It helps people find renewed meaning and connection in their lives through music that they personally identify with.

How Does Personalized Music Make a Difference?

  • Beloved music helps to reduce depression and anxiety and can also moderate pain.
  • Musical favorites tap deep memories and can improve quality of life.
  • Participants are happier, more social, and receptive to care and family visits.
  • Personalized music can help to reduce reliance on anti-psychotic, anti-depressant, and pain medications.

What is Music & Memory?

Grounded in extensive research, Music & Memory helps people living with a wide range of cognitive and physical challenges to find renewed joy in life through musical favorites. Our team is trained to develop personalized playlists, delivered through iPods, a key element in the individual’s plan of care.

Does Every Assisted Living and Dementia Care offer this program?

Specialized : Not everyone offers this type of program but at New Haven we have several locations that offer music and memory. As a Music & Memory Certified Care Organization, we are proud to offer the powerful benefits of personalized music as part of our continuing effort to provide the highest quality care.

The Music and Memory program has been shown to have many positive effects such as:

  • Happier and more social seniors.
  • Better relationships between seniors, staff, and families.
  • Calmer and more supportive social interactions.
  • Fewer behavior management issues.
  • And, for some, the possibility of using fewer anti-psychotic medications.

Who Can Participate?

Anyone can benefit from the power of listening to musical favorites. As we build our program, we will be able to offer it to all who are interested. Often effective for a variety of impairments and disorders:

  • People with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia
  • Individuals who are bed-bound, on dialysis or ventilators
  • People with chronic pain
  • Those receiving hospice care

New Haven offers many services to help your loved one have meaning in their lives, check out our link, https://newhavenassistedliving.com/music-and-memory  and. schedule a tour with us at https://calendly.com/newhavenassistedliving and Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/newhavenassistedlivingandmemorycare

  • https://musicandmemory.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Utah-Univ-of-Health-Journal-of-Prevention-of-Alzheimers-Disease.pdf

What Can Senior Care Offer You?

Senior Care Options

Senior Care Options

Today’s options for Senior Care and support are very different than in the past. In the past you had one option of a “nursing home” type of environment. Families often felt they had no choices and little hope for a rewarding and meaningful future for their loved one.

Today, we have so many different types of support and care that promotes independence and meaning for everyone involved. 

Staying Home

At Home Caregivers: At times, the caregiving of our loved one may need many people to be successful. Caregivers can be hired as private caregivers or through an agency. Private caregivers are often less expensive while agencies will do strict background checks and screenings which also increases the cost of the service and the cost of that is reflected in the fees. Both are great options for families who are wanting to keep their loved ones at home. What if you need more than a few hours of care? You might consider respite care. 

Respite Care: Whether you’re going on a vacation or business trip, have an unplanned emergency, or simply need a break from the demands of caregiving, you can leave your loved one in our capable hands for a few days, a few weeks, or a few months while you take care of other things. He or she will have the chance to spend time with other seniors and participate in all the social activities we offer—plus get hands-on assistance with health or memory issues if necessary—and you’ll have a chance to recharge.

Independence with Support

Assisted Living: Our approach to assisted living is one that emphasizes flexibility, independence, and a rich quality of life. Whether a resident simply needs light assistance with day-to-day activities or more hands-on care for health management, we can provide the personalized support necessary to live a full and active life. If you haven’t looked into assisted living recently, you may be surprised at the level of care we can provide—and how closely we can tailor it to each senior’s unique needs

When you need more support

Memory care: Caring for seniors with memory loss is one of the things we do best, and we hire and train only the most compassionate and dedicated staff for this very purpose. We see our dementia care residents as unique individuals with inherent dignity, and we take great pride in creating a home for them that honors that. Our programming for dementia care – including our Music and Memory program – is designed to help residents improve their cognitive function while they build friendships and engage in things they enjoy.

Skilled Nursing Care: These facilities, many know them as Nursing Homes, Rehab or Long-term care facilities, provide 24 hour a day care by licensed nursing care professionals. This can be provided for a short period of time or for an extended period of time. These facilities may also offer therapies such as PT, OT or SLP and can help people recover from strokes, wounds, broken bones and many other conditions after release from the hospital. Typically, an Assisted Living or Dementia Care program will be needed when your loved one is released from Skilled Nursing Care. 

New Haven offers many of these options and we can help you to find the right fit for you or your loved one. Schedule a tour with us at https://calendly.com/newhavenassistedliving and follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/newhavenassistedlivingandmemorycare.

Managing Stress for Seniors

Senior Care: Managing Stress

Stress

Managing stress for seniors can be difficult and create numerous not only health but emotional concerns. The most important thing to remember is that you are in control of your own actions and reactions. Learning to deal with your own stress properly can have a profound impact on not only you, but those that are close to you as well.

We need to have the right amount of stress or tension in our lives to get us moving and motivate us to be our best. Too much stress, though, can be dangerous for your physical, mental, and emotional health, especially if we feel like it is out of our control or we do not feel like we can deal with it.

Body Reactions

Our Bodies: Let us think about our bodies for a minute – 

  • has anyone ever had a headache that they think might have been caused by stress? 
  • or felt like there is a heaviness in your stomach?
  • felt nervous and worried for a long time?
  • felt pressured, hassled, and hurried?
  • felt angry, irritable, and moody?
  • had trouble sleeping for more than one night?
  • felt sad, hopeless, or depressed?
  • felt like you are turning red or feel flushed?

Those can be the result of stress and are just a few ways that it can affect your body as well as your emotions. 

Stress Management Ideas

Stress Reduction: Finding ways to reduce your stress can help you to make it through the changes that can occur due to health, finances or loss of someone or something.

  • Stress should be managed and do not look to eliminate it completely. 
  • Remember that some stress motivates us. 
  • Talk about your stress. 
  • Time spent talking with others is valuable, even when you have a lot on your plate. “Getting it off your chest” allows you to release it and reduce the feeling of being alone in this journey.
  • Complete tasks as you can; focus on completing quick ones first. 
  • Having too many “to-dos” can be stressful, even if none of them are excessively big.
  • Completing the small tasks will clear up your mind to focus on larger things

Self-Care and Balance: Stress can start a destructive cycle and taking care of yourself can be neglected, which leads to more stress. People who devote too much time in one area of their life often struggle to deal with stress when that area is threatened. 

  • Make a point to focus on your needs, such as eating well, keeping a consistent sleep schedule, exercising, and other forms of self-care.
  • Ensure you balance your time and energy between several areas, such as your career, family, friendships, and personal hobbies. 
  • Overextending yourself will bring on more stress, balance is the key. 
  • Set aside time to relax and have fun every day, without interruptions. 
  • Spending time on ourselves’ usually gets ignored when things get hectic. 
  • However, when that time is neglected, everything else becomes overwhelming and stressful.

Caregiver Stress: Caregiving can create a unique stress. Caring for others and not caring for our own needs can create exhaustion, stress and at times a hopelessness. Looking for outside resources can seem overwhelming and finding a place where you feel comfortable can be difficult. 

At New Haven, we have consistent healthy dining options, active/fun activities, therapeutic activities to reduce stress…find out more about how New Haven can help with stress and offer a comfortable environment, we are one of the tools you can use to reduce stress. 

Learn more about how New Haven can help here

Just Remember

When you are in the middle of stress, problems can feel bigger than they are. 

  • Take a moment and think about how important your stressors are in the big scheme of things. 
  • Take the five-year approach, will it matter in five years? 
  • Keeping a journal and writing down your feelings, can help to release the fears and stressors. 
  • Remember to be kind to yourself.
  •  Encourage rather than criticize yourself. 
  • Treat yourself the way you would treat a friend in the same situation

For more information, go to www.newhavenassistedliving.com or call one of our senior living specialist today to find out how New Haven can offer care and support and to get more information about our community and how we can work together to manage stress.

Follow us on Facebook for more information on Senior Living.

https://www.facebook.com/newhavenassistedlivingandmemorycare

***This information is not designed to take the place of mental health counseling or professional help. Please contact a mental health professional to provide ongoing mental health support and/or 911 in case of an emergency.

What is Respite Care?

what-is-respite-care
Many seniors who are not ready for full-time assisted living may still benefit from respite care. But what is respite care? Often, seniors and their families or caregivers don’t really understand what senior respite care is and miss out on taking advantage of this wonderful option.

what-is-respite-care

Unlike assisted living, dementia care, or other kinds of residential living options, respite care is short-term. A respite stay can be as short as a day or as long as several months, or anywhere in between. Seniors enjoying respite enjoy the same perks as long-term residents, including delicious food, socialization and activities, and 24/7 access to help and support. 

Benefits of Respite Care for Seniors

Many families learn about respite care after a senior family member develops a medical need. Recovery from an illness, injury, or surgery can take longer for seniors, and self-care may be more difficult. 

Respite care in an assisted living residence is a good way to get short-term help with activities of daily living (ADLs) including bathing, dressing, medication management, and handling mobility challenges. Once a senior has recuperated enough to manage these things without help again, they return home. There’s no long-term commitment; just the confidence and security of having an extra helping hand while it’s needed.

For other seniors, these challenges with ADLs are usually met by a family caregiver. When that caregiver needs to travel or take a break, respite provides a worry-free, safe place to go.

Benefits of Respite Care for Caregivers

Sometimes, a senior isn’t the one who needs respite. Respite is a resource for family caregivers. Sadly, many families aren’t aware that respite is available to them. 

Home caregiving is often like a full-time job that you take on in addition to all the other responsibilities of life. No matter how willing you are, how much you love your parent, and how sure you are that it’s the right thing to do, the extra stress is real. 

One of the most important things that family members can do to make sure that they are able to continue to provide top-level care for their parents is to care for themselves. While it may seem that you should never take a break, keeping your own stress and fatigue under control is key. Senior caregiving is a marathon, not a race, and it’s important to pace yourself. 

Family caregivers may use respite to:

  • Complete home or work projects that require unbroken focus or attention
  • Rest and rejuvenate with extra sleep, spa time, exercise classes, or a night out
  • Travel for business
  • Take a relaxing vacation
  • Spend time with friends

Taking the time to enjoy these kinds of activities helps maintain energy, motivation, and a sense of identity while caregiving. Good mental health care, rest, and regular breaks help prevent caregiver burnout, which is a serious problem for family caregivers to be aware of.

Are you interested in learning more about respite or scheduling a respite stay at New Haven? Click here now to get started.

Why the Flu Shot is Extra Important for Seniors This Year

why-seniors-need-the-flu-shot-in-2020
With all the talk about Coronavirus, sometimes you can almost forget that other diseases still exist. However, flu season is still on its way just like every year. And in fact, it’s more important than ever for seniors to have their flu shot this 2020 season. 

why-seniors-need-the-flu-shot-in-2020

What is the Flu?

A lot of people think of the flu as a stomach bug, or maybe a bad cold. Actually, the flu (short for influenza) is a specific virus that affects the lungs. Flu usually hits hard and fast, coming on quickly and making most people feel quite ill with symptoms like fever, cough, fatigue, and body aches. 

Even a mild case of the flu can last for a few days to a couple of weeks of sickness. In severe cases, flu can last longer and hit harder and can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and even death. Seniors are especially at risk from the flu due to age-related changes in the body’s ability to fight off disease.

Although the flu is a single disease caused by a single type of virus, the flu virus changes and mutates every year. This is why the flu can make you sick over and over instead of being an illness that you get once and never get again. Even if you had flu once, by the next season it will have changed so much that your body doesn’t recognize that it’s the same disease and won’t protect you.

What is the Flu Shot?

The flu shot is a vaccine that protects against the flu. It does this by exposing your immune system to a small amount of dead flu virus in order to teach your body how to fight it off. 

Because the flu virus changes so much from year to year, the vaccine needs to change as well. This is why getting a new flu shot every year is so important. Last year’s flu shot cannot protect you from the kind of flu going around this year. Doctors and scientists work throughout the year to analyze the newest strains of flu and create a vaccine that will protect against those they think are most likely to be a problem during each flu season.

It’s important to know that the flu shot does not have live virus in it. It cannot make you sick or give you the flu. You may feel unwell for a day or two after getting the shot because your immune system is learning how to fight off the flu virus. This is not the same as having the flu.

Why is the Flu Shot Extra Important in 2020?

Many symptoms of the flu are similar to symptoms of COVID-19. Often, the only way to tell the difference between flu and COVID-19 is through medical testing at a doctor’s office. 

It is possible to get sick with the flu and COVID-19 at the same time. This is an extremely dangerous situation, especially for seniors who are already at higher risk from both diseases. There is evidence that having flu and COVID-19 together can make you sicker than either virus alone.

Many seniors who get the flu need hospital treatment. In fact, most flu-related hospitalizations are patients over the age of 65. Right now, because of COVID-19, the doctors and nurses who treat respiratory disease are already under a heavy caseload. One way to help reduce the burden of caring for COVID-19 patients is to help reduce the number of flu patients coming into the hospital. Getting a vaccine is the best way to do this.

Who Should Get the Flu Shot?

All people over the age of 65 should have a flu vaccine, as should caregivers and family members who see them regularly. Remember that it is easy for friends or family to catch the flu somewhere else and pass it on to a senior during a visit before they even realize they are sick.

No vaccine is 100% effective. Because of this, some people feel that it is not worthwhile to get the vaccine at all. However, the more people who are vaccinated, the fewer people will get sick at all. In addition, if you get the flu after having the vaccine, you are likely to be much less sick.

Want more information about senior health and wellness? Check out these other recent posts from our blog:

  • Recognizing UTIs in the Elderly and Why It’s Important
  • Understanding Remote Health Care

Dealing With Grief About Dementia

dealing-with-grief-about-dementia
The days after a dementia diagnosis are a blur of doctor visits, assessments, questions, planning, and processing. For many seniors and their families, the first and most powerful experience after a dementia diagnosis is grief. Understanding this grief better can help you cope while moving forward with caring for your loved one.

dealing-with-grief-about-dementia

Understanding Different Kinds of Grief

A dementia diagnosis represents a huge loss. However, the feelings about it are complicated because it is a loss that will happen in the future. This type of grief is called anticipatory grief. The anticipation of a future loss can be harder to bear than the actual moment when it comes. In part, this may be because anticipatory grief is a way of preparing yourself for what will happen. 

Another common type of grief is ambiguous grief. This happens when a loss feels incomplete or undefined. Because your loved one is still alive, there is not a clear, single moment of loss to point to. Ambiguous grief feels complicated and messy. You may even feel guilty for grieving because your loved one is still with you.

These complex types of grief are very real and very normal. You may experience them intermittently throughout the experience of living with or caring for dementia. Recognizing and making room for your grief is one of the best ways to cope and move through it.

Dementia and the Stages of Grief

You’ve likely heard of the stages of grief before. Being informed about these helps you better recognize your feelings, step back, and take space to engage in self-care.

While we speak of grief as having stages, the reality is not always clear-cut or predictable. You may revisit certain ideas again and again, or in an unexpected order. It’s also impossible to know how long each individual may take to work through their grief. What one person may process in weeks could take another person months or even years.

The stages of grief include denial, anger, bargaining, guilt, sadness, and acceptance. It’s particularly important for caregiving family members to be aware of denial, anger, and guilt.

Grief Pitfalls for Caregivers

Denial is a way in which you may distance yourself from painful feelings of loss. While it is a normal, important part of the grieving process, caregivers must pay close attention to avoid clouding of their judgement. Denial about new or worsening symptoms of dementia can lead to costly and sometimes tragic delays in treatment. 

Many carers also struggle with anger. Often, anger is triggered by frustration when a parent or spouse can’t meet expectations based on their past abilities. Or you may feel angry at friends or family members whose grief does not mirror yours, or who aren’t directly involved in caregiving. 

When you become angry, give yourself space to breathe, rest, and safely express your feelings, such as journaling, speaking with a counselor, or physical exercise. Remember that your anger is a normal part of grieving. This helps prevent outbursts that could be harmful to relationships or caregiving goals.

Finally, when caring for an ailing family member, guilt can be treacherous. Many carers, especially those caring for a spouse or parent, feel guilt about the idea of taking a break or using respite. Any tiny mistake or lapse in caregiving can open the door to painful guilt.

You may also feel guilt as dementia progresses beyond your ability to manage. You may feel a responsibility to provide care that does not match your level of training or availability. Or, you may worry that seeking professional help means that you have failed your parent in some way.

Remember that dementia is a serious disease. There comes a point for most families when the reality of dementia demands more than their personal ability to provide care. In the same way that you would not expect to provide all care for other serious illness, such as cancer, there is no shame or failure in seeking professional nursing care for dementia.

Cycles of Grieving

Often, families revisit the same kinds of grief repeatedly as dementia progresses. With each new stage of cognitive decline, there are also new losses to deal with.  As memories, physical ability, and independence dwindle, families often feel that they have to say goodbye to their loved one more than once. Each new loss triggers the grief process in a new way.

If you find that you are revisiting the different stages of grief more than once, remind yourself that this is okay. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and each stage of dementia may feel like it brings you back to where you started. Allowing yourself the space to feel and express these emotions can help. 

Are you coping with a new dementia diagnosis in a loved one, or providing care at home for a senior with dementia? Click here now to learn about our senior care support groups and other resources for families and caregivers like you.

 

Senior Care at Home: Dealing With Mobility Issues

dealing-with-mobility-issues-senior-caregiving
Are you providing senior care at home? At some point, you will find that it’s time to adapt your house to be safer for a parent with mobility issues. 

Depending on your home and its layout, there may be major adaptations or modifications to make. However, if you start with simple changes, you can have a big impact right away while you plan for the bigger things.

dealing-with-mobility-issues-senior-caregiving 

Changes You Can Make Today 

There are some easy things you can do today to make home safer for mom or dad. These require little to no structural modification of your home. Small, common-sense changes can make a big impact on how safe your home is for a senior with mobility challenges or balance problems.

Take a walk through your home. Pay close attention to your feet and note any tripping risks. Are there items on the floor that might endanger a person with balance issues, poor night vision, or who uses a cane or walker? Look for and address trip hazards immediately in order to reduce the risk of falls.

Examples of Trip Hazards

Power cords on the floor: Rather than leaving power cords on the floor, tack them to baseboards. Or, move lights and appliances next to outlets so cords are away from high-traffic areas. 

Loose area rugs or runners: Area rugs or runners on a hardwood or tile floor can easily slip or hit a cane the wrong way, causing a fall. Remove rugs from areas where your parent or loved one may need to walk at night, such as the route from their bedroom to the bathroom. Anchor rugs or runners that do stay to a sturdy non-slip pad. 

Scattered toys or other items: Often, parents get used to stepping over toys, books, clothes, and other items left on the floor. But while it may be second nature to you to roll your eyes at your teenager’s dirty socks and keep going, a senior may not notice them. Never leave loose items like laundry or toys on the floor where a cane or a foot could get tangled in them.

Provide Adequate Lighting: Night vision often begins to fail with age. Plug light-activated nightlights in at regular intervals along walls or baseboards. These can illuminate stairs, trip hazards, and routes to bathrooms or water sources. 

Bathroom assistance: Elevating your toilet seat and buying a shower stool are both quick ways to make the bathroom a safer spot for mom and dad without breaking out the power tools. Simple devices like these make it easier and safer to care for personal hygiene alone.

Adaptive Changes for the Future

Some other changes require more planning and forethought. Adapting a home to be safe for a senior with mobility challenges often means changes beyond rearranging and tidying up. It’s important to factor these modifications into your plan for long-term home care of your loved one.

Safety on the stairs: Navigating up and down stairs is a major challenge for many seniors. You may begin with simple additions like anti-slip strips on each step. However, eventually many seniors with mobility issues may require a chair lift or similar device to be able to get up and down stairs. 

Access to the outdoors: A senior in a wheelchair or struggling with stairs will need ramp or chair lift access. Check that sidewalks and paths are free of cracks, uneven surfaces, or weeds that may form a trip hazard.

Bathroom safety: Bathroom safety is an especially important concern as mobility and balance decline. Begin with installing simple aids like grab bars to reduce the risk of falling. If your parent needs help with bathing or showering, consider a specialized tub or shower door for easier access.

Home Caregiving Skills: Learn How to Lift Safely

If you’re planning to care for an adult with mobility issues, it’s important to learn how to safely lift them. Whether you’re helping your mom get more comfortable in bed or helping lift your dad from a wheelchair to a car, safe lifting helps protect both you and them from injury.

This helpful guide from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons explains not only why safe lifting techniques can help spare you from back injuries or muscle strains but also the step-by-step techniques for safe lifting and movement of an adult in various scenarios and positions. 

Are you considering senior assisted living for a parent with mobility issues or other physical health concerns? Click here to learn more about our assisted living residences or schedule a virtual tour today.

 

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