If your aging loved one needs assistance with fulfilling daily tasks, it may be time to consider assisted living. It can be scary, overwhelming, and just plain difficult to move into assisted living. It may include sorting through decades worth of personal belongings, bidding a family home farewell, and closing a chapter in your life. However, it marks the start of a fantastic new journey when every day brings fresh chances and new experiences. Below are ways in which an assisted living community may enhance your loved ones health and general well-being.Assistance with Daily TasksIts no secret that as we get older, our bodies tend to grow more brittle, which may make even the simplest chores challenging. The team at an assisted living community is willing to assist, which is fantastic news. Your loved one wont need to worry about laundry, dressing, toileting, or performing any other necessary tasks in their new home. The housekeeping team will take care of cleaning, and other house maintenance duties.Social PossibilitiesLoneliness is one of the main issues that elders encounter. The death of a spouse continues to be a major issue for elderly adults, which frequently results in loneliness. Isolation can result from loneliness and present its own set of issues. The opportunity to interact with others their own age can help to dispel these emotions. This may also help to facilitate more safety as those who have experienced maltreatment may confide in other residents.Food and NutritionFor elderly people, eating a nutritious diet might be challenging. When cooking by themselves, elders frequently choose quick and simple choices. Sadly, this can result in malnutrition, which could have detrimental effects on a persons health.The ability to customize nutritious meals for each person based on their requirements is one of the main advantages of an assisted living community. Even while residents frequently have kitchens and the ability to prepare their own food, the availability of public dining spaces will aid them to have healthier meals and get the required nutrition. RecreationElderly adults should maintain their level of activity and community involvement in addition to attending to their medical needs. Residence for assisted living may offer opportunities for this as well. Your loved one will even get the chance to go outside and explore senior-friendly activities. There are frequent outings to restaurants and other sites, which might soothe monotony and provide the residents a chance to breathe fresh air.Aging adults may also take lectures at several institutions to develop new skills. They can study everything from writing to painting, depending on the community. Every course they take will be a chance for them to discover new interests.Safety and SecurityAssisted living communities can aid the safety of your loved ones. Assisted living communities provide qualified medical assistance as necessary. Although most residents in these communities require less medical care than those in nursing homes, its still wonderful to have the option when the needs arise. You also do not have to worry about criminals or other troublemakers because security systems and monitors are well enforced in retirement communities.There is no denying that assisted living has many positive aspects that can improve your happiness and well-being. We encourage you to see the senior living amenities of Discovery Village At Bradenton if youre unsure about whether an assisted living community is the best choice for you. 

Top 7 Tips for Touring Florida Assisted Living CommunitiesNovember 30, 2022Florida is Great For SeniorsFlorida is one of the best states for active seniors. Florida seniors comprise more than 21% of the states population, or about 4.6 million seniors.   And Florida seniors have the added advantage of living in a state their kids and grandkids love to visit. With some of the best beaches, world-class theme parks, and more than 240 sunny days per year, relatives love to visit the Sunshine State. Florida gets more than 120 million tourists annually. Many visit their parents and grandparents and sneak in a visit to the beaches, Disney World, Universal Studios, and many more.Florida Seniors are Active and Living LongerEveryone wants a long life, but no one wants to get old. There are many factors that contribute to a long life - including healthy food, rest, exercise, genetics, and happiness - but staying active is one of the most important. For example, the oldest poll worker in Florida is Vera Craig, who is 101 years old and has been working for Lee County for the past 20 years. Eventually, Everyone Needs a Little AssistanceNo matter how healthy we eat or how much we work or exercise, eventually, everyone needs a little help as they age. Some Floridians choose to age in place at home for as long as possible. Sometimes progressive diseases, like Alzheimers, dementia, or other conditions, result in the need for a nursing home or memory care facility.But more and more senior Floridians are choosing to live in assisted living communities, with plenty of amenities and trained staff, to get just the right amount of care and assistance they need.First, Decide Your Needs, Budget, and LocationIf assisted living seems right for you or your senior loved one, you first need to narrow your search. You and your family should decide on your medical needs, an affordable monthly budget, and your desired geographic location. Then, you can tour the communities to decide your best option.Florida Senior Consulting works with assisted living communities throughout Florida and will help you with this process without charge.NeedsDecide what assistance you or your senior loved one require now and in the future. Your needs will be specific to you, and each Florida assisted living community offers different services. According to the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living, the typical assisted living community offers the following:24-hour assistance and supervisionHealth, exercise, and wellness programsHousekeeping and maintenanceDining services and mealsMedication managementHelp with Activities of Daily Living and personal care servicesTransportationSome assisted living communities even specialize in serving individuals with specific needs, like Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and specific medical conditions, like Parkinsons disease.BudgetFlorida is fortunate to have more than 2,400 assisted living communities statewide. These communities come in varying sizes, with differing amenities and fees. According to Genworth Financial, the average assisted living community fee is about $4,500 per month. There are also more upscale units that can cost between $10,000 to $15,000 per month. LocationLocation is critical. Do you want to be near your current neighborhood? Do you have family in Florida? Will your out-of-state family be coming to visit? Once you have narrowed your search with the basics of medical needs, budget, and location, you can begin touring communities to see if they are the best fit for you or your senior loved one.7 Tips for Assisted Living TouringWhether you are touring assisted living communities in Sarasota, Ft. Myers, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami, or elsewhere in Florida, visiting these potential communities in person is an important step. Below are the seven top tips for touring.1. Bring Your Own ExpertTouring assisted living communities can be fun and exciting. After all, you are choosing a new home and neighborhood. But with so many choices and critical information, the process can seem complicated and overwhelming. How do you know you are asking the right questions?Assisted living communities welcome you to tour their properties. But bringing an unbiased senior care specialist and advocate will ensure you make the best choices for your situation. For example, Florida Senior Consultings team knows senior care, the communities, the amenities, the level of care available, how to coordinate care management, and so much more. Unlike the tour directors of individual communities, Florida Senior Consulting is not limited to one place, but instead is dedicated to finding the community that best fits your situation. And this service is at no charge to you. We work with these communities daily and can show you the pros and cons of each facility, so you can make your best decision.2. Compare Costs Equally (Apples to Apples)Every community has its own services, amenities, prices, and options. Making a financial apples-to-apples comparison can seem a bit complex. However, it is essential to know your actual living costs and precisely what is and is not provided for you in each community.  Financially, you want to know if there are any annual increases, unlisted fees, community fees, and more. Also, how do the recreational amenities compare? How are the food plans different? What medical services are available? As you get answers to all these questions, you can compare the communities equally.3. Notice How the Community FeelsHome should be warm and welcoming. When you are touring, notice how the atmosphere feels in the buildings, grounds, and residences.Are the grounds green and attractive? Are there outdoor places to relax and meet with friends and family? Are there flowers, trees, and gardens?Are the halls wide and brightly lit when you walk through the buildings? Are the carpets well-kept and modern? Is the paint fresh and new? Are the community areas inviting? Is the dining area spotless and welcoming?Does the indoor air smell fresh and clean? Are the residences spacious or cramped? What are the views from the rooms and apartments? Are the window sills, baseboards, and corners clean? Do the amenities fit your lifestyle? Are there walking paths, exercise rooms, community rooms, and more? Are there places to socialize? Will you feel comfortable inviting your friends and family to your new home? Florida has gorgeous and well-maintained assisted living communities. Choose one that feels right for you or your senior loved one.4. Determine if the Staff is Friendly and QualifiedNo matter how gorgeous the building and residences are, a well-qualified staff is the backbone of an assisted living community.Are the staff members professional, helpful, and friendly? When touring, observe the interactions between the staff and residents.Are staff members qualified? What certifications and licenses do they have? How many registered nurses are on site? What are the ratios of staff to residents? What are the qualifications of the staff included in these ratios? Does the staffing ratio change at night?Staffing and level of care are significant factors in comparing community pricing.5. Observe the Other Residents (Your New Neighbors)Assisted living communities are just that: communities. As you tour the community, take time to notice the residents as they go about their day.Are they active, engaged, and happy? Are there enjoyable daily activities for them? Talk to some of them and ask questions about life in the community, like food service, card games, family visits, pets, alcohol, cooking, and more.The gorgeous building is your residence. The qualified staff takes care of you. But the residents are the community. You want to pick the most comfortable community for you and your lifestyle.6. Consider the Activities and Food Activities.  An active assisted living community is often a happy one. Review the community's events calendar. Try and schedule your tour when activities are happening.See how closely the activities appeal to you or your family member's interests. When visiting, be sure to observe or even participate in an activity. Look for the range of resident participation levels and how much fun the staff seems to be having. Ask about the opportunities for trips off-site, shopping outings, and the location and frequency of nearby religious services.Food.  Assisted living communities now pride themselves on their food and meal offerings. Find out what meal options are available. Visit the dining areas. Besides being nutritional and healthy, food should be fun and great tasting. When touring, make sure and try the cuisine.7. Ask about Safety and SecuritySafety and security bring peace of mind to you and your family.Ask about the community's safety protocols if residents need assistance in their living quarters or anywhere on-site at any time.Ensure the grounds and residences are always secure, with security cameras, sign-in policies, and security personnel on-site.Ask if there is adequate lighting throughout the community. Do the residents have call lights or pendants? What are the after-hour safeguards in place?The best assisted living communities have state-of-the-art security and are proud to share it with you on your tour.Your Next Best StepChoosing one of Floridas great assisted living communities may be your best choice for health, well-being, and living the best life possible. And it does not have to be confusing or complex.Florida Senior Consulting knows senior care and the available assisted living communities that have the best services and amenities for your particular needs. We regularly visit communities along with their management and staff. We know the pros and cons to help you make your best decision.Florida Senior Consulting has certified staff, licensed nurse advocates, and decades of experience in the field. We are a Florida-based company with expert knowledge of the Florida senior market. While senior options can seem confusing, this is all we do.Whether you are considering an assisted living community or aging in place at home, let us help.Senior living should be on your terms, and the choice should always be yours.Call us, and we will answer all your questions and help you decide what is best for you or your senior loved one.For peace of mind, call us at (941) 661-6196 or visit us at floridaseniorconsulting.com.

7 Early Signs That Assisted Living May Be Your Best ChoiceSeniors Are Living LongerIn the 1920s, the lifespan of the average American was just 58 years. But times were different. World War I had just ended in 1918. And by 1920, the world survived the Spanish flu pandemic, which killed 50 million people. The medical technology of that era seems barbaric by todays standards. And the leading causes of death were heart disease, pneumonia, and tuberculosis.By the 1950s, the average American lived to age 69.And todays average US lifespan is now 79 years. But that is just the average. Today there are more than 22 million Americans aged 75 or older. And there are almost 3 million aged 90 or older.Yes, we are living longer.However, our quality of living is not determined by our chronological age but by our physical, cognitive, and mental health. These factors determine our independence and the choices of where we live as we age.More than 90% of Americans want to age in place in the comfort of their home. That may be the best option for some. But for others, there might be safety issues like fall risks or worsening conditions like dementia or Alzheimers.If you are the caregiver for a senior loved one, how do you know when it is time to consider assisted living communities as the best option?Below are the most common 7 signs that assisted living may be your best choice.7 Early Signs Showing the Need for Assisted Living1. Declining HealthEven with state-of-the-art modern medicine, some health conditions will keep getting worse. Your senior loved one may have a chronic deteriorating health condition or the early stages of certain cognitive conditions. These are signs that they will eventually need more care than you can provide at home.According to the National Council on Aging, almost 80% of seniors over 65 suffer from two or more chronic and deteriorating conditions.And the leading causes of death among older adults in the U.S. are chronic diseases, like heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, stroke, Alzheimers disease, and diabetes.These diseases limit a persons ability to perform daily activities and cause them to lose their independence. Often, the care needed for these seniors is better provided in an assisted living setting. Even if you are willing to try and give this type of care at home, it may be time to let the trained staff at an assisted living community provide the best care for your loved one.2. Safety ConcernsYour loved ones may have increasing difficulty moving around their home due to declining physical health. Climbing stairs may become impossible. Taking a shower unaided might be too dangerous. According to The National Council On Aging, every 11 seconds, a senior receives emergency room treatment for a fall. The CDC states that 1 in 5 falls lead to serious injuries and bone fractures, with over 300,000 seniors being hospitalized for hip fractures every year. And, falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries in the US.Decreasing cognitive ability adds to the safety concern for your senior loved one. Alzheimers and other types of dementia can cause confusion, loss of memory, and increasing difficulty functioning without supervision. It is one thing to forget where the TV remote is. It is another to forget to turn off the stove or running bathwater. Increasing safety concerns are a significant sign to consider the assisted living alternative.3. IsolationMany seniors live alone and become isolated as they age. Their family may live far away. Physical factors like hearing impairment, the inability to drive, no close-by neighbors, and no social network can result in the senior becoming detached and isolated.Social isolation is a significant risk factor for early mortality and a worsening factor for chronic diseases, cognitive decline, and dementia.Even though you may want to be there for your aging senior, many times, jobs, geography, and other obligations make it impossible for you and your family members to visit often and consistently.According to AARP, signs of isolation include withdrawal, poor nutrition, worsening living conditions, and poor hygiene. Assisted living communities offer robust programs to keep your senior loved one engaged in a community setting and enjoying the best possible lifestyle.4. Increasing Difficulty Managing Daily TasksIs it becoming harder and harder for your senior loved one to perform routine daily tasks?Do they cook healthy meals with fresh foods, or is their diet becoming more and more microwave TV dinners? Do they keep up with daily showering or bathing, brushing their teeth, and shampooing their hair? Are they in a good mood, neat, and well-groomed? Or do they struggle and look more and more disheveled?Healthcare professionals call these basic day-to-day self-care tasks Activities of Daily Living. Your senior loved ones ability or inability to perform these tasks is a measurement used by healthcare professionals for assessing the ability to remain independent.ADLsBasic ADLs are self-care activities routinely performed, such as:Having the basic mobility to get from one place to the other throughout the day, which includes walking and getting in and out of a chair or bedMaintaining personal hygiene, grooming, and oral careShowering and bathingToiletingDressing, which includes selecting and putting on appropriate clothingSelf-feedingPerforming these ADLs usually takes longer and is a little more difficult as people age. Some health issues like a fall or stroke can make these daily tasks even harder to perform.Research shows that about two-thirds of Americans over 65 need assistance with day-to-day activities such as eating, bathing, cooking, and moving around. And almost half of seniors aged 85 or older have Alzheimers or another type of dementia. These cognitive conditions result in the senior eventually becoming wholly dependent on others for medical care and daily needs.While these tasks become more difficult for your senior loved one at home, trained assisted living staff can help with any of these needs.5. Self-NeglectWhen seniors cannot keep up with their ADLs, they often experience self-neglect. If you ever notice your loved one with greasy hair, dirty or long fingernails, or possibly needing deodorant, these are all signs for concern.Unfortunately, poor hygiene often results in seniors being unable to perform ADLs, but unwilling to ask for help.Other signs of self-neglect often include:Weight lossInadequate food in the houseUnopened mailClutter in the houseUnwashed dishesFailure to take needed medicationsPets seeming neglectedSelf-neglect is a serious health concern and is a bright red flag that your senior needs help with their ADLs. Assisted living communities are designed to ensure that self-neglect does not happen. They provide seniors with all the assistance needed to live a dignified and fulfilling life.6. Trouble With Bills and FinancesAfter decades of taking care of their own bills and finances, you might notice your senior loved one now has trouble with these activities. Forgetfulness and memory issues are often the early signals of cognitive difficulties.Besides health issues, these cognitive issues make seniors the target of financial fraud and abuse.Financial scams targeting the elderly are widespread and growing. According to the FBIs Elder Fraud Report, in 2021, there were 92,371 elder fraud victims, resulting in $1.7 billion in losses. This was a 74% increase from 2020.If you believe your senior loved one was scammed, contact the Department of Justices Elder Justice Initiative.7. House Upkeep IssuesWhen a senior has difficulty with their day-to-day activities, it is almost impossible for them to stay current with house upkeep and maintenance.Signs of upkeep issues include:Unkempt lawnsUnrepaired torn screensClutter throughout the houseUnswept floors and unvacuumed rugsMold and peeling paintBurned-out light bulbsAssisted living communities relieve seniors from the burden of home maintenance. Seniors can concentrate on living their best life in a safe, gorgeous, well-designed unit and leave all the maintenance hassles and worries to someone else.Your Next Best StepChoosing whether to age at home or move to an assisted living community is a big decision and can seem overwhelming.While most seniors want to age in place at home, sometimes an assisted living community is a better choice for health, well-being, and living the best life possible.Florida Senior Consulting helps seniors decide their next best steps.We have certified staff, licensed nurse advocates, and decades of experience in the field. We are a Florida-based company with expert knowledge of the Florida senior market. While senior options can seem confusing, this is all we do.Senior living should be on your terms, and the choice should always be yours.Let us help. Call us, and we will answer all your questions and help you decide what is best for you or your senior loved one.For peace of mind, call us at (941) 661-6196 or visit us at floridaseniorconsulting.com.