Respite Stays - Learn More About the Benefits in senior living communities

Moving to a new place is never easy, and it is even harder for our elders. The thought of leaving their home and familiar surroundings can be overwhelming. However, sometimes, its necessary for them to move into an independent living community to ensure their safety, comfort, and well-being. There are multiple independent living communities in Florida, making it challenging to choose the best one for your loved one. This blog post guides how to choose the right independent living community in Florida that meets your loved ones needs.An Initial Step: Identifying Your Loved Ones Personal NeedsAssess Your Loved Ones Needs: Before choosing an independent living community, assess your loved ones needs, including their health, mobility, social life, and budget. Speak to their doctor and caregiver to get a clear understanding of their medical needs. Find out how independent they want to be and what activities they are interested in.Importance of Location: Proximity and ConvenienceThe next crucial thing to consider is the location of the independent living community. Ensure the communitys location is convenient for you and your loved one. Inquire about the communitys proximity to hospitals, grocery stores, and other essential services. The availability of transportation services is also an important consideration.Variety of Amenities: Catering to Specific PreferencesDifferent Independent living communities offer varied amenities. Its essential to compile a list of amenities crucial to your loved ones well-being and compare different communities offerings. These amenities may range from a fitness center, spa, swimming pool, and wellness programs. Ensure that the community can cater to all your loved ones needs.Staff Quality and Services: Ensuring Professional CareThe quality of staff and services offered in the community is also an important consideration. The community should have professional caregivers who are available 24/7 and a personalized care plan for each resident. Its essential to inquire how the community ensures the safety and security of its residents. Check on the ratio of staff to residents to ensure they provide adequate care.The Power of Reviews: Leveraging Experiences of OthersFinally, research and read online reviews of each independent living community you are considering. These reviews can help you gauge how happy the residents are, the standard of care and professionalism, and other critical aspects. A community with multiple positive reviews is likely to be a good fit for your loved one.Conclusion: Navigating the Selection Process with Confidence and AssistanceThe process of finding the perfect independent living community in Florida for your loved one can undoubtedly seem daunting. However, its crucial to remember that the primary goal is ensuring their happiness, security, and well-being. With a clear understanding of their needs, preferences, and the essential factors to consider, such as location, amenities, staff and services, and reviews, youre well-equipped to make an informed decision.But you dont have to navigate this challenging process alone. Involving an experienced elder law attorney can provide invaluable assistance, from long-term care planning to estate planning. They can guide you on leveraging government benefits like Medicaid Long-Term Care to cover nursing home costs, preserving your loved ones assets for their heirs, and avoiding probate. Armed with all these resources and knowledge, you can help your loved one transition seamlessly into a new stage in life that offers comfort and security and caters to their specific needs and preferences.At Mortellaro Law, we practice elder law and offer personalized services designed to provide peace of mind to you and your family. We will take the time to understand your unique situation and help you meet all of your needs. Our team of experienced attorneys and staff can help; schedule a free consultation today to learn more.If youre in the Tampa Bay area and are interested in estate planning, long-term care planning, or asset protection, consider joining our free monthly seminars. While part of our focus is on guiding you in finding the ideal independent living community in Florida for a loved one, we also provide valuable insights into a wide array of topics. These include general estate planning, strategies for long-term care, and effective methods for asset protection. Dont miss this chance to broaden your understanding and make informed decisions. Click here to sign up for our next seminar.

As Plato said, Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it. Living an active life, even in our older years, is paramount to overall positive health outcomes. Studies show that older adults who participate in any exercise tend to live longer, reduce the risk of contracting diseases and developing disabilities, even if they start between the ages of 70 and 85. As we come out of social isolation influenced by the global pandemic, seniors are seeking ways to be active and live a healthy lifestyle. Seniors who choose to live in a communal setting have a myriad of opportunities to be active. Our communities offer a wide range of opportunities to nurture new friendships, learn new things, have fun, and stay healthy. Below are three ways our community encourages active living:1. Activity CalendarOur residents enjoy active living including daily engagement and social activities. A dedicated Life Engagement Coordinator teams with residents to develop activity calendars that are personalized to complement residents interests and needs so they can live life their own way. The Life Engagement Coordinator plans activities that have been proven to support complete whole-body wellness for older adults that meet mental, physical, and psychosocial needs.2. Peer PressureSeniors living on their own may not have the same opportunities or motivation to get active as those who live in a community of peers with designated activity spaces and scheduled activities. It is much easier to kick start a fitness program or participate in an educational seminar with a buddy in a structured setting than going at it alone.3. Variety of programsEvery day can be different in a senior living community. Our community offers a choice of movement activities ranging from yoga to Highway to Healthy exercise classes, based on resident preference and abilities. With so many choices, residents have numerous opportunities to find their passion and enjoy it with others who have similar interests. CDC research shows that seniors who are physically active enjoy immediate health benefits. In fact, active seniors may also benefit from stress reduction and better sleep. We offer an environment that supports active living where their residents can thrive. Contact us today to learn more about how we provide a full range of activities that help our residents physically, cognitively, and psychologically. Were here for you.

As we grow older, many of us become set in our ways. This is not necessarily bad, as we have learned what we like and dont. However, it can be unsettling when the time comes to make a major life change that disturbs our status quo. Fear of change is one of the most prevalent phobias in society and can be incredibly overwhelming for those who are faced with growing older and finding a new place to live.If you have a parent or elderly loved one who needs to be moved into a new residence to keep them safe whether it be your personal home or an assisted living facility you can expect some level of stress. We have recommendations to help your loved one face inevitable change with confidence, not fear.What Causes Fear of Change?The older we get, the more susceptible we are to being uncomfortable with change. Experts believe that the longer something exists, the more likely it is that people have positive feelings about it. The lifestyle that someone has lived for decades is often seen as the best possible option. Another reason may be that senior adults have experienced scenarios when a change turned out badly.Many circumstances may be behind an overwhelming or crippling fear of change. According to psychologists, these may include:Life changes and circumstances that result in emotional distressInsecurity or fear of not having enoughGuilt over anything in their lifeApprehension about meeting new peopleAnxiety about changes in ones circumstancesFear of failureFear of the past repeating itself, especially if there is a traumatic experienceA tendency to be oversensitiveFear surrounding change can cause behavioral changes and new thoughts that can adversely affect the quality of life. These may include:Preventing persons from making changes that are neededAvoiding any new situation, even if it sounds interestingTendency to self-isolateIndecisiveness or hesitancy to make choicesReluctance to consider potential options, no matter how viableTendency to define self-worth by outside opinionsDependence on acquiring material possessions7 Recommendations to Embrace Hope and ExcitementWhen your family member needs to make lifestyle changes in order to safeguard their health, happiness and security, they need encouragement and support so that they feel hope not fear.Help them to create a system of organization in their everyday tasks, so that their lives feel more feel stable. Once they feel safe, you can begin to incorporate small changes.Familiarize yourself with their anxiety symptoms so that you can recognize and address them.Remain positive in your communication and dont be discouraged by your parents negative attitude. Anticipate likely objections and be prepared to respond positively.Allow them to participate in researching the solution you are suggesting. People tend to fear and avoid what they do not understand or cannot control.Offer opportunities for them to get out and do fun things they enjoy.Take a break whenever it is needed. If they begin to get overwhelmed, back off and let them digest any information you presented.Change Can Be Positive and Exciting!When you are discussing a new living situation with your parents, there are many ways you can help them to accept the needed change- but if you think the solution is memory care or assisted living, you may need to conquer your own fears first.My Care Finders was founded with the goal of assisting families through this significant life change. Our knowledgeable and compassionate advisors are here to help you find the right community for your loved one and remember, our services are always free of charge.