Explaining the Costs and Benefits of Respite Care

It's a difficult decision to make, but sometimes it becomes clear that our older loved ones need more care than we can provide at home. If you're struggling with the decision of whether or not to place your parent or spouse in an assisted living facility, this blog post is for you. Here are some signs that it might be time to start considering assisted living.1. Are simple activities becoming difficult?Assisted living facilities are designed to help seniors with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. If your loved one is struggling with any of these activities, it might be time to consider assisted living.2. Does your loved one have difficulty with living independently?Another sign that assisted living might be the best option is if your elderly loved one is having difficulty paying bills, getting around to run simple errands, or attending appointments. If getting from point A to point B has become a challenge, assisted living can help. Most facilities offer transportation services for their residents and have services on-site for a variety of needs. 3. Has there been a decline in your loved ones hygiene or appearance?Has your loved one started to neglect their personal hygiene? Are they no longer keeping up with their usual grooming routine? This could be a sign that they need assistance with activities like bathing and dressing.4. Are you noticing changes in mood or behavior?Sometimes changes in mood or behavior can be a sign of declining health. Has your usually cheerful loved one become withdrawn or depressed? Do they have sudden outbursts of anger? These changes could be indicative of a larger health issue that might be best addressed in an assisted living facility.Making the Decision TogetherOnce you have decided that assisted living is the best option, its important to involve your loved one in the decision-making process as much as possible. Let your Senior Care Authority advisor assess their care needs, explain the options, and schedule tours of places that best fit the needs of your family. Include your loved ones in the process as much as possible so they feel that they are part of the decision to choose the next place they will call home.  If possible, try not to wait too long as adaptive skills can decrease with the progression of age or cognitive decline.Finding the best senior living setting for your loved one can be an overwhelming task, but you dont have to go through it alone. The experts at Senior Care Authority are here to help! We offer a variety of services designed to help seniors live their best life possible. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you and your family. 

At Vincentian, Patient and Family Centered Care is a fundamental approach that shapes every aspect of healthcare delivery. This philosophy places individuals at the heart of all decisions and actions, recognizing that each person has unique needs, preferences, and communication styles.Core PrinciplesThe cornerstone of this approach is the partnership between caregivers, patients, residents, and their families. This collaborative model ensures that care is tailored to individual needs, promoting not just health but overall thriving.Understanding the Patient ExperienceTo truly grasp the patient and resident experience, Vincentian employs several strategies:Shadowing: Staff members may follow patients or residents throughout their day to gain firsthand insights into their experiences.Observation: Careful monitoring of daily routines and interactions helps identify areas for improvement.Continuous Learning: The organization maintains an open dialogue with those they serve, constantly adapting to feedback and new information.Practical ApplicationsPatient and Family Centered Care manifests in various practical ways:Personalized Scheduling: Therapy sessions are arranged around preferred mealtimes or sleep patterns.Tailored Welcome: New residents receive personalized invitations to activities matching their interests.Flexible Care Plans: Care routines are adjusted to accommodate individual preferences and habits.Fostering ConnectionVincentian recognizes that the need for human connection doesn't diminish with age or in care settings; in fact, it becomes even more crucial. Their approach emphasizes:Intergenerational Interaction: Programs that bring together different age groups, fostering mutual learning and growth.Holistic Wellness: Strategies addressing all aspects of well-being, from physical health to social and emotional needs.Community Building: Creating environments where residents don't just coexist but thrive together.Designing for Individual NeedsThe organization goes beyond basic care to create living spaces that truly feel like home. This is achieved through:Resident Councils: Groups that provide input on community decisions and improvements.Experience Workgroups: Teams dedicated to enhancing the overall resident experience.Adaptive Design: Spaces and programs that evolve based on resident feedback and changing needs.Inclusive EnvironmentVincentian strives to create an atmosphere that is welcoming and accommodating to all. This includes:Diverse Programming: Activities and events that cater to a wide range of interests and abilities.Accessible Spaces: Physical environments designed to be navigable by residents with varying levels of mobility.Cultural Sensitivity: Recognition and celebration of the diverse backgrounds of residents and staff.Continuous ImprovementThe organization maintains a commitment to ongoing enhancement of their care model. This involves:Regular Feedback Loops: Mechanisms for residents and families to share their experiences and suggestions.Staff Training: Continuous education for caregivers on the principles of Patient and Family Centered Care.Innovation in Care: Exploring new technologies and methodologies to improve care delivery and resident quality of life.By embracing this comprehensive approach to Patient and Family Centered Care, Vincentian creates a nurturing environment where individuals are not just cared for but truly valued and empowered. This model recognizes that each person's journey is unique, and by tailoring care to individual needs and preferences, Vincentian helps ensure that every resident can live their life to the fullest, maintaining dignity, autonomy, and a sense of community throughout their care journey.  Give them a call today to learn more about what makes them different.

It can be tough for older adults to rely on others for help, just as its difficult for family members to watch them decline. At a certain point, assisted living might be the best option for you or your loved one.You may have considered assisted living communities, but when is the right time to move forward? Here are 11 signs it might be time for assisted living. Plus, we added a bonus sign at the end!Signs It Might be Time for Assisted Living1. Memory ChangesMemory loss is normal as we age. For example, your loved one might forget why they entered a room or where they put the keys. But certain signs can raise forgetfulness to a new level.Examples include:Confusion about where they areGetting lostAsking the same question over and overIn these cases, assisted living communities can provide support and care to meet their needs. You can also consider an assisted living community with a memory care facility if needed.2. Cleaning and Household Chores Have Gone DownhillEven younger people have trouble keeping up with household maintenance sometimes, and age can make it harder to bend down, carry a laundry basket, or get on a stepstool to change a lightbulb.Rather than normal chore neglect, look for a clear sign of a lack of household upkeep.Examples include:Consistent dust and dirt around the floorsSmelly or stained clothingDishes repeatedly piled up in the sinkThis sign is even more important if messiness is a change from your loved ones previous habits. An assisted living community can help, as they provide cleaning services and remove the stress of maintaining an entire household.3. Assisted Living Facility Transportation Would HelpAt a certain point, driving might become dangerous if your loved one has cognitive impairments, slow reflexes, or other issues. You may notice signs of driving troubles from the passenger seat, or it might take your loved one getting a ticket or damaging their vehicle (we hope not).Assisted living communities provide transportation that can take your loved one from their home to shopping centers and doctors. Using the facilitys transportation service enables your loved one to still have some alone time, a sense of independence, and even a sense of dignity because they can run their own errandsand they can do it without using their own vehicle. 4. Eating ChangesPay attention to significant weight loss or changes to eating habits.Check for signs like:A reduced appetiteForgetting mealsLacking an adequate amount of fluidsWhile its good to ask a doctor about changes to eating habits to see if theres an underlying physical health problem in your loved one, its also possible that these signs would improve through the nutritious meals and check-ins that an assisted living facility provides.5. Personal Hygiene ConcernsSimilar to your loved one failing to keep up with home cleaning and maintenance, they may also neglect their personal hygiene.Notice signs like:Body odorDirty hairUnclean clothingSome other signs, such as an unclean home and weight loss, can also indicate that older adults neglect self-care. An assisted living community can support your loved one who self-neglects through regular meals, check-ups, and more.6. Spending Too Much Time AloneIts not bad to spend or enjoy time alone. However, it can become problematic if your loved one isolates too much. Many older adults make time for family and friends, join social groups, and head to daily activities at the senior center. However, others may live alone and be cut off from social ties for the most part.Its hard for some people to maintain a social life when they no longer have connections in the workplace and may have lost their spouse, who kept up social connections. Some people are better at being social than others, and some have decreased abilities that keep them from participating.Whatever the reason, isolation can contribute to poor health outcomes. Also, its often connected to other signs like poor hygiene and living conditions. If you notice isolation in your loved one, consider that assisted living communities bring people together for daily activities like meals and offer scheduled social interaction.7. Declining Medical ConditionsIts common for aging adults to have chronic health conditions like high blood pressure. While it is possible to manage health conditions from home, look for signs that your senior loved ones physical health is declining and chronic conditions are worsening. For instance, your loved one may have had multiple hospitalizations.These signs could indicate that your loved one is having difficulty managing the condition. Assisted living professionals could properly care for them and provide services like medication management and disease control. This can help with improved health and overall, well-being.8. Trouble Keeping Up with Daily TasksPart of an older adults failure to manage a health condition could be forgetting or neglecting to take medication. This sign can be included with failing to manage daily tasks.In addition to skipping important medication, your loved one might neglect other responsibilities.Examples include:Not paying billsNeglecting petsSkipping doctors appointmentsThese are signs of a need for extra support. Assisted living facilities can help individuals with these tasks by providing assistance with check-ins, transportation, medication management, and some medical care, including memory care if needed.9. Family Members Dont Give Enough HelpFamily members can be a great support for aging parents, but its not always enough. After all, family members have other responsibilities like work and children to take care of. Many families may not have the time, ability, or energy to care for an aging adult.Even if they can help, there may be gaps when no one is available, and a family member is generally not the same as a trained professional in senior care. Keep this in mind for yourself as an adult child, as you may not be able to fully care for your loved one, or you may have caregiver stress.While assisted living does not provide around-the-clock care like a nursing home, the staff is available to provide assistance when needed, and many of the residents consistent needs, such as meals, are taken care of. Assisted living falls on the spectrum of senior living options between independent living and a nursing home.10. Safety ConcernsSafety is an important concern regarding your senior loved one, especially if your aging parent is living alone. Keep an eye out for signs that your loved one may not be safe in their own home.Examples include:FallsDifficulty using stairs at homeWanderingDriving incidentsAssisted living can provide a secure environment that includes check-ins and various forms of support. It can take away numerous dangerous situations and provide safety features.For instance, assisted living communities offer transportation to replace your loved one driving independently and provide meals, which removes potential cooking hazards.11. Poor Mental HealthIn addition to physical health, its important to consider mental health. You might notice that your loved one has signs of depression or another concern. Or they seem sad or anxious a lot.It is possible that specialized care of assisted living could help; it provides benefits that can support mental wellness.Examples include:Proper nutritionStimulating activitiesA supportive environmentSocial connectionsIn addition, the trained professionals working at an assisted living facility can check on your parents mental health regularly and ensure your loved one is taking their medication if any is needed.11 1/2. Your Loved One Likes the Sound of Assisted Living CommunitiesOur bonus sign is that your loved one may actually want to live in an assisted living community or are at least ready to check some out. This is great news, as it can often be challenging to convince someone to give up their familiar surroundings and move to a senior care facility sometimes, its the hardest battle of all.How CarePatrol Helps You Find Assisted Living Your loved one might recognize that they could use some extra help and may like the idea of being more connected to others. Once you have them on board, it will be much easier to check out assisted living facilities and find the right one.CarePatrol has locations across the nation with local senior care advisors ready to help you with your senior care needs. Finding the right assisted living facility is often time consuming. Our local senior care advisors know the communities inside and out and can direct you to the one that best suits your needs. The best part? Its no cost to aging adults or their families. To get started, find a CarePatrol Local Senior Care Advisor near you and give us call, or request more information online.