Adjusting to a New Environment Adjusting to an Assisted Living or Skilled Nursing Facility can be a

When it comes to your loved ones, when to move from assisted living to memory care can be as difficult to discern as any other care decision youve made. When you first noticed your aging parents were requiring increased levels of care, you made the tough decision to entrust that care to an assisted living community. Now, however, youre wondering if their cognitive changes may require more specialized care.At Grace Pointe we are most concerned with the well-being of your loved ones, and understand how tricky it can be to know when to make the move to memory care. We want you to be equipped with the tools necessary to know when to move from assisted living to memory care. Lets start with a recap of who assisted living is best suited for.When Assisted Living is BestAssisted living is designed to provide as much autonomy as your loved ones are capable of, ranging from higher levels of supervision to only needing assistance with activities such as walking to meals. This form of care is a good fit for aging parents who require higher levels of assistance and promotes a balanced lifestyle as well as social interaction.This form of care allows your parents or loved ones the opportunity to age in place while still being themselves. There may come a time when basic assistance for leading a normal life is no longer what they need. When to Move to Memory CareWatching your loved ones begin to struggle with their memory can be unnerving. How can you help them through these changes? Memory care professionals are equipped to assist with this transition and have specialized training to help residents with dementia and Alzheimers. Memory care facilities operate with a higher staff-to-resident ratio, which provides your loved one with personalized care that aims to maintain routine and enhance their quality of life (APlaceForMom). This form of care can provide an increased level of comfort for patients who were previously living in an assisted living setting. The tailored approach of memory care helps residents to feel like they belong, and with the specialized environment, they can do more for themselves.Spotting the SignsSpotting signs that suggest a move to memory care can be tricky, and at times easily written off as normal. Its important, though difficult, to catch these signs early. By appreciating a need for memory care early, your loved one will benefit from the consistent structure of memory care and afford them a smoother transition. This article provides an extensive list of the early signs for memory care, but here are a few of the big most prominent ones.Displacement. This may look like wandering, getting lost, or elopement, which is when your loved one wanders away from a safe area, which are key factors in the decision to move to memory care.Neglect for routine. Withdrawing from social interactions, scheduled activities, and normal eating habits, as well as ceasing to perform daily self-care. Increased aggression. This can be caused by an increased sense of fear or confusion, or from an unmet need theyve grown unable to communicate.Remember Whos on the TeamOftentimes it can be difficult to pick up on these signs on your own. When it comes to our loved ones, we naturally think of them as they always have been; capable and independent individuals. Thats why its important to remember who is on your loved ones team. The assisted living professionals working closely with your loved ones will undoubtedly be the first to recognize an increasing need for memory care. Making Grace Pointe a Part of the TeamAt Grace Pointe, we offer specialized support for our memory care residents. From Alzheimers to other forms of dementia, our staff cares for the varying needs of an individuals diagnosis.As your loved ones needs become more complex over time, we provide activities that are designed to tap into their interests and skills. With Memory Care at Grace Pointe, weve designed a home for those you hold dear that encourages physical wellness and comfort, and enhances their quality of life.Make Grace Pointe a part of the team and trust that your loved one is getting the quality care they deserve. Learn more about our memory care service and schedule a tour with our team of experts.

When you or a loved one are recovering from a hospitalization or are being discharged from a rehabilitation center such as a skilled nursing facility (SNF), you may need short-term transitional home care. Our nurse-led care and team-focused approach are designed to optimize your health and well-being.Even if your loved one is receiving skilled nursing care from another agency (such as a Medicare-approved group), the companion care and personal care services we offer through BrightStar Home Care South Minneapolis Metro provide a wonderful supplement. These services can help meet basic needs such as light housekeeping, companionship, family respite, dressing, personal hygiene and ambulation (walking and moving around).  Professionally delivered care can help reduce undesirable outcomes such as re-hospitalization, medication errors and falls; it may even reduce long-term healthcare costs by helping to prevent the health conditions from getting worse.Short-Term Transitional Home Care ServicesA Registered Nurse (RN) from BrightStar Home Care South Minneapolis Metro oversees the plan of care to help provide a safe transition back home. Our team provides a wide range of services to support a variety of health needs such as:COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease): Well coach proper inhaler use, provide medication reminders and support habits to improve wellness.Diabetes: We will conduct foot inspections and perform blood glucose level checks, as well as provide family education.Heart Attack/AMI (Acute Myocardial Infarction): Well provide education and support to develop new lifestyle habits that promote heart health.Heart Failure: Well help manage medication adherence, diet and exercise.Pneumonia: Well provide RN-led medication management, help manage oxygen therapy and offer personal care.Post-Operative: We will assist with surgical recovery in the comfort of home.Stroke: We will help with activities of daily living (ADLs) like eating, dressing and mobility, as well as promote fall safety, offer medication reminders and provide transportation to physician appointments or therapy (physical, occupational and/or speech).Therapy for Post-Op or Stroke: We also have physical, occupational and speech therapists who can provide rehabilitation in your home.Care Paths Deliver Superior OutcomesOne of the unique services we offer is Care Paths for Falls and Change of Condition. Although care paths are fairly common, weve taken this approach farther by building person-centered and condition-specific Care Paths based on your loved ones unique needs, current conditions and past medical history.Using our proprietary technology, our caregivers are able to help predict and prevent a fall or worsening of your family member's current condition. When a change of condition is identified, we will communicate that information immediately to the supervising nurse at BrightStar Home Care South Minneapolis Metro and/or your loved ones physician so any needed action can be taken. If you or your loved one would prefer to receive transitional care at home instead of receiving short-term, facility-based care, please call us at 952.300.3698 or contact us online. We look forward to sharing how we can help.  Or visit us at - https://www.brightstarcare.com/locations/south-minneapolis-metro/

When a loved-one is discharged from a hospital or facility, their recovery isnt necessarily complete once they return home. In fact, it's often just beginning. Readjusting to daily routines can be stressful and increases the risk of an avoidable re-admission. Senior Helpers makes the transition from hospital to home easier with Staying Home Safe - a unique approach to care management that is built around patient goals and creating a safe environment for recuperation.It all starts with a planOur customized in-home assessments take stock of what your loved one needs to successfully recover and builds a care plan around their condition and goals. We provide only the most appropriate assistance with our personal care services to support their ongoing success.Our care plans are designed with your input and we work to keep you in the loop on whats happening with those you love. We are the eyes and ears that spot small problems before they become bigger ones.Strengthening Circles of CareWe're there when you're not able to be and we work with everyone involved in your loved one's care doctors, nurses, care managers to make care more efficient. Accessible TransportationRegular visits to the doctor and any necessary follow-up appointments are important to a successful recovery. If your loved one needs a ride, we can provide one. If they need reminding that they have an appointment, transportation to the store or to visit with friends, we do that too. Medication Reminders and Prescription PickupImproper use of medications can lead to a slower recovery. We can pick medications up at the pharmacy and help make sure that your loved one is taking the medications they need, when they need them. Nutrition Planning, Food Shopping and Meal PreparationEating nutritious meals is very important to maintaining good health. It becomes even more important when special dietary requirements are necessary, such as with diabetes or congestive heart failure. We can help ensure compliance with any post-discharge nutrition orders by preparing meals to meet your loved one's specific needs. If your loved one is scheduled for discharge, contact Senior Helpers to help develop a care plan that makes sense for your family. Let us provide you with the peace of mind and confidence that your loved one is going home - and staying home - safely.  Contact Senior Helpers today for more information at 952-892-8403 or visit our website at https://www.seniorhelpers.com/mn/burnsville