Betty's Journey to Assisted Living at age 98

Are Assisted Living fees negotiable?Assisted living fees are generally not negotiable in the traditional sense, as they are often set by the facility based on factors like location, level of care needed, and the services offered. However, there may be some flexibility depending on the situation. Here are a few ways fees could potentially be adjusted or minimized:1. Apartment Choice and Amenities:Different Pricing Tiers: Many assisted living facilities offer a range of apartment types, such as studios, one-bedrooms, or even shared apartments. Larger or more private spaces often come with higher fees, so opting for a smaller or shared space could save you money. Also, amenities like a private bathroom or kitchenette could influence the cost.2. Length of Stay:Discounts for Long-Term Commitments: Some facilities might provide discounted rates for residents who sign long-term contracts (e.g., a 12-month or 24-month agreement). This is not universal, but its worth asking if they have any such offers, especially during the negotiation phase.3.  Move time frame:Should you be able to move quickly (less than 30 days), some facilities may offer an incentive to motivate you.  On the hand, if you are thinking about moving in the distant future, you wont have much leverage to negotiate.4.  Community Fee:There are times when the Community Fee can be negotiated, however if the facility has a lot of demand, they may not be open to offering any incentives of discounts.5. Care Needs:Reassessing Care Levels: The initial fee often reflects an estimated care level based on the assessment done when the person moves in. If it turns out that the person needs less care than originally anticipated, the fee may be reduced. On the other hand, if the care needs increase over time, the fee will likely go up. If you feel the level of care is being overestimated, its worth discussing a reassessment.5. Incentives or Promotions:Financial Assistance or Special Offers: Facilities may offer discounts, like waived move-in fees, or special deals during certain times of the year. Additionally, some may offer financial assistance for specific circumstances (e.g., veterans benefits, financial hardship, or transitioning from a hospital).6. The Bottom Line:Too good to be true offer: Facilities that offer deep discounts are doing so to increase sales. This might be a sign that they are having issues with occupancy.  Keep in mind that deep discounts affect the communitys bottom line so this could have an impact on the quality of care and services in the future.Rate lock is a prime example: A annual rate lock may sound appealing (no increase in your rental rate), however as operational costs rise, the facility will need to absorb these increases.  If they cant raise the rent, there could be cost reduction measures taken, which impacts staffing, quality of care and services.For information, go to:  www.seniorhousingsolutions.net 

When most people think of caffeine, they picture coffee, restlessness, and many sleepless nights. For older adults, however, having caffeine can offer more health benefits than just a quick extra boost of energy. While having too much caffeine can come with some negative side effects, growing research showcases it can help aid in cognitive health, reduce inflammation, and improve physical performance.So what is caffeine, exactly?Caffeine is a naturally occurring compound called a trimethlxanthine, a stimulant that effects the central nervous system. It is found in a variety of plants and can be produced synthetically. Caffeine is in a lot of common food and beverages such as coffee, tea, energy drinks, and some protein drinks. It also is found in products derived from cacao beans (chocolate), kola nuts, yerba mate, and gaurana berries.Caffeine helps increase levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine. Because of its stimulant capabilities, it is considered a drug, which can have both benefits and risks.How can caffeine help the aging process?Assist in reducing chronic inflammation: A study in the journal Nature Medicine found that older adults who consumed caffeine regularly had lower levels of inflammation. This correlation suggests that caffeine may help the body stay at a healthier level of inflammation. Improve alertness and the ability to focus: Those neurotransmitters mentioned above are linked to attention, alertness, and focus. Caffeine also helps block adenosine, a neurotransmitter that makes influences feelings of fatigue.  Boost physical performance: Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system with neurotransmitters, helping enhance functional performance and manual dexterity.Elevate mood and positive feelings: As mood disorders like depression and anxiety can become more prevalent as we age, caffeine can create a short-term mood lift and a greater sense of motivation to accomplish tasks.What are the negative effects of caffeine in older individuals?Disruption in sleep patterns: As we age our bodys metabolism changes, metabolizing caffeine a lot slower than we once were able to. Even consuming small amounts in the afternoon/evening could interfere with the ability to fall asleep, reducing the quality of sleep and energy levels during the daytime.  Increased anxiety: Since caffeine stimulates the nervous system, it can often lead to restlessness or even panic-like symptoms in certain individuals. Digestive issues: Over time, our digestive tract can become more sensitive to food and drinks we ingest. Caffeine can irritate the stomach lining, increasing acid production, which can trigger heartburn or acid reflux.  Increased risk of high blood pressure and heart palpitations: When consuming caffeine, blood pressure can temporarily increase as well as heart rate. In turn, this can increase the risk of complications with cardiovascular issues. Risk of overconsumption of caffeine: The recommended limit is 200 mg per day for older adults. 400 mg per day is the maximum limit that is safe, including all caffeine consumedeven in chocolate! Consuming more than the recommended amount can increase risk of symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, tremors, or in extreme cases neurological damage and cardiac issues.  Overall, caffeine intake can play an important role in health, whether through its benefits or its risks. It is important to take it in moderation, and check on your health and wellbeing to make sure it is helping and not harming.In addition, in the Assisted Living department here at Kavod Senior Life, residents are free to enjoy caffeine as part of our meals or on their own in their apartments, on outings or with their families and friends. Our Care Managers and Wellness Coordinators do keep an eye on resident medications and any possible negative effects of caffeine consumption. They do this to ensure residents are not putting themselves at risk of any negative effects while still enjoying items like coffee, tea and of course chocolate.Check out more information on Assisted Living, https://www.kavodseniorlife.org/assisted-living/, our amenities https://www.kavodseniorlife.org/amenities/, and more!Sources:Caffeine: What It Is, Benefits and Side EffectsIs Coffee Bad? How Caffeine Might Slow Down Aging | TIMECaffeine: How much is too much? Mayo ClinicThe Effects of Caffeine on Different Age Groups | Healthfully9 Reasons Why (the Right Amount of) Coffee Is Good for You | Johns Hopkins MedicineHow Caffeine Affects Digestive HealthCrafted with the help of ChatGPT

It is commonly know that as we age, our skin changes. Normal aging includes skin becoming thinner and more fragile, as well as the potential of developing drier skin, wrinkles, age spots, and more seriously an increased risk of skin cancer. To help keep skin as healthy as possible while aging, it is best to develop a skin care routine. Unfortunately, according to Civic Center, 64% of people who already have a skin care routine (or dont have a skin care routine but are looking to start one), have felt somewhat or very stressed at the idea. It can be overwhelming to know which products to include, how many products are needed, and in what order do products need to be applied.The good news is that a skin care routine doesnt have to be complicated! At its core, a great every day way to care for skin includes cleansing, moisturizing, and using a sunscreen, as follows: Step 1: Cleanse.Cleansing your face with a facial cleanser/soap in the morning can help remove any build-up of sweat or oil from your hair or pillowcase. Mature skin should be treated with a mild and non-irritating cleanser that helps promote the skins natural oils. However, too much cleansing can dry out the face, so if your skin is especially dry, simply washing with water in the morning may be sufficient.Step 2: Moisturize.This is one of the most crucial steps. Even those with more oily skin should continuously moisturize in order to rehydrate the face. Use a moisturizer that is fragrance and oil-free is best for sensitive skin types. You can also use a moisturizer with these focused ingredients to target specific issues:Hyaluronic Acid  helps replenish the skin, adds extra moisture while locking it in to give lasting effects.Retinol  Accelerated retinol formulas help visibly improve the look of texture, wrinkles, and fine lines.Vitamin C  helps with discoloration, uneven skin tone, and brightening. Step 3: Protect.Sunscreen is one of the most important and vital steps in the skin care routine. Applying a sunscreen with at least 30 SPF helps protect the skin from UV rays and decreases the chance of skin cancer. Sunscreens can either be mineral or chemical based.Mineral-based sunscreens block the suns rays from penetrating the skin through ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.Chemical sunscreen protects the skin from UV rays by absorbing them with ingredients like Octocrylene or Avobenzone.Starting with these three simple steps or continuing with them is a great way to keep the skin in good shape, no matter your age. Once you get in the swing of things, you can always check with a dermatologist or skin expert for additional recommendations or steps you can take to keep your skin at your best.Most of all, remember to smile your face will glow, no matter what!