Living at Home or Living In A Community - Pros and Cons

Lets talk PATHWAYS:  Personalized Support for Those Experiencing Cognitive DeclineDecember 5, 2024 By CC Young StaffThis time of year is filled with gatherings, which means you may be spending more quality time with your family members, particularly your parents and older relatives. While time spent together is a blessing, it can also highlight changes brought on by aging. If you believe someone you love is experiencing mild cognitive decline, there are options for keeping them safe while maintaining their independence and quality of life.This year, CC Young Senior Living in Dallas launched the Personal Assistance Toward Health and Wellness As You Succeed (PATHWAYS) program. Designed to serve as a bridge between Assisted Living and Memory Support, PATHWAYS provides extra support and structure in an intimate, small-group setting.We sat down with Nena Paris, CC Youngs Administrator, Assisted Living and Memory Support, to better understand the PATHWAYS program and who can benefit from it. Here are seven takeaways.PATHWAYS was created to fill a need between Assisted Living and Memory Support. The program came about because, often, Memory Support units can have long waitlists and fill up quickly. Truthfully, sometimes people with cognitive impairment dont necessarily need full Memory Support, as theyre not at risk of eloping, or leaving the community without supervision. CC Young has recognized that theres this middle group people who need a little more guided assistance and structure with their daily activities but are not qualified for full-blown Memory Support.PATHWAYS can actually slow cognitive decline. Research has shown that a guided program like PATHWAYS can in fact slow cognitive decline and help people stay engaged. Our program does this by providing residents with personal interaction, along with physical and emotional support, as a way to enhance their overall wellness and quality of life in a positive environment.PATHWAYS promotes resident wellness. At CC Young, we focus on whole-person wellness, using the 7 Pillars of Wellness as defined by the International Council on Active Aging: physical, social, spiritual, intellectual, emotional, vocational, and environmental wellness. Thats also the backbone of the PATHWAYS program, which promotes active aging regardless of cognitive issues. From these pillars, we have designed a comprehensive therapeutic program to support the needs of those with mild cognitive impairment in a joyful, engaging environment.PATHWAYS offers an intimate caregiver-to-resident ratio. Part of what makes PATHWAYS so successful is that the CC Young staff works closely with residents, which means the staff will notice any cognitive changes. In fact, at 1 caregiver to 7 people, the caregiver-to-resident ratio in PATHWAYS is better than both Assisted Living and Memory Support, which are 1 to 25 and 1 to 10, respectively. That also results in PATHWAYS residents becoming like family, as the staff truly gets to know them.PATHWAYS is not just for CC Young residents. Its true anyone from the Dallas community who has a need for the program can become a PATHWAYS resident. Upon entering the PATHWAYS program, your family member would also become an Assisted Living resident in The Hillside at CC Young.PATHWAYS is a less stressful transition for both family members and residents. It can certainly be stressful for families to face the decision of whether or not their family member should enter Memory Support. PATHWAYS offers a comforting solution for both them and their loved ones, as it lessens the pressure of deciding whether full Memory Support is needed now. The PATHWAYS resident may be able to live out their days in the PATHWAYS program or eventually transition to Memory Support, if the need arises.PATHWAYS keeps residents engaged and prevents isolation. To keep PATHWAYS residents engaged, the program takes an active and intentional approach to life enrichment activities, which includes participating in activities on the Assisted Living calendar as well as a specialized PATHWAYS calendar. The biggest differentiator for PATHWAYS is that a dedicated support staff member helps residents plan their day and escorts them to the activities. Since we purposely guide residents to keep them engaged, they are able to remain active and enjoy a better quality of life, while also avoiding any isolation that can be a symptom of cognitive decline.PATHWAYS is just one more service that CC Young offers current and prospective residents and their families. When we noticed an increase of older adults experiencing various levels of cognitive decline but not necessarily to the level of needing Memory Support we wanted to do something about it. We put our heads together and created a solution: PATHWAYS.If you are noticing cognitive decline in someone you love, we encourage you to have a conversation to express what youre observing. Talking to your primary care physician is a good place to start. CC Young is also happy to provide information, so feel free to give us a call at 214-305-9662.

10 Things to Know About Assisted Living for Seniors  Finally, when the time comes that one has to look for another place to live in, it is not easy to decide on the right one. For many the decision of where to live and the choice of assisted living is ideal as it offers the independence that one may require together with the assurance of a safe environment and the required care. This guide will help you learn what assisted living is, why it may be a good fit, what to look for, and how to choose the right one. 1.  What Is Assisted Living?  Assisted living is one type of senior living which can help meet the personal care needs of the residents which include the basic activities such as bathing, dressing and taking medication. While the nursing homes cater for the elderly with intensive care needs, assisted living facilities help the elderly to live independently while at the same time meeting their care needs.2. Benefits of Assisted Living  Independence with Support: The residents are allowed to live independently but they can seek help in case of need.   Social Interaction: Communities provide a means through which residents can engage in activities, functions and other people.   Safety and Security: The facilities are located in a way that they have 24/7 staff and emergency response system.   Peace of Mind for Families: Family members can be relieved knowing that their loved ones are well taken care of in the company of other people their age.3. Who Is a Good Candidate for Assisted Living? Assisted living is ideal for seniors who:   He or she has difficulties in performing ADLs but does not need medical attention on a regular basis.   Who needs a group home setup to avoid the feeling of isolation.   Who needs a safe environment and facilities that are easily accessible to him or her.4. Services Offered in Assisted Living Communities Typical services include:   Cleaning and ironing, washing and ironing of clothes, cleaning furniture and beddings.   Food preparation, the meals are also prepared in seniors a way there that appointments will and suit running the errands.5. What to Look for in an Assisted Living Community When researching communities, consider:   Location: The proximity to other members of the family as well as other crucial amenities.    Amenities: These are fitness units, restaurants, and refreshment areas, and the outdoor relaxation zones.   Staff-to-Resident Ratio: Check if there are enough employees to give the best care to the residents.   Resident Reviews: Learn from the first-hand experience of other people and the testimonies they have to talk about it.6. Costs and Financial Options The costs of assisted living also differ depending on the location, type of service offered, and the facilities provided. Ways to meet the costs include;   Long-term care insurance   Veterans benefits   State or federal programs7. Common Mistakes to Avoid  Skipping Tours: People shouldnt neglect the facilities because they should also get to meet the atmosphere and the people.   Ignoring Contracts: It is advisable to read the fine print so that one is well informed on the services, charges and rules to expect.   Making Quick Decisions: It is always wise to make comparisons between the various companies in order to come up with the best choice.8. How to Transition Smoothly  Involve the Senior: This will help them to be part of the decision making thus making them comfortable with the new home.   Personalize Their Space: Bringing things such as pictures or a chair that you would like to have in your new home.   Stay Connected: It is therefore important that frequent visits and check-ups can help the person to cope with the change easily.9. Assisted Living vs. Aging in Place Some of the old people prefer to stay in their homes while others need a little bit more structure that can be difficult to get with in-home care. This can assist families to determine the pros and cons of the two and therefore come up with the best decision.10. How to Start the Search  Start your search process on the internet and other sources like recommendations from friends or professionals.   It is advised that one should visit several facilities and ask questions that may include the services offered, the personnel and the charges.   Do not trust your feelings? Make sure the environment looks and feels safe and welcoming to be in.Additional Tips for Success  It is advisable to go at any time of the day or take a meal in the facility to see what other people are doing.   Communicate with the staff and other residents to get a general picture of the culture of the facility.   Go through the list of goals and make sure that the selected community will fully meet the needs of your loved one.  Selecting an assisted living community is a significant decision; however, if done right, it can yield a good living environment for seniors. Therefore, it is important to know the advantages, disadvantages, and the factors to consider when seeking for the right place. Looking for assistance when it comes to figuring out your next step? For free assistance or help, please call 800-201-9989 or email info@seniorsbluebook.com. 

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.