Navigating The ConversationWhen is the perfect time for important family discussions about Assisted Living or Memory Care?As our parents age, it becomes increasingly crucial to address their changing needs and make decisions about their care. Making a decision to move to an assisted living or memory care residence is a big deal. Thats why weve put together some helpful tips to help your family manage these difficult conversations.Lets explore how to approach the subject of aging parents with your siblings.Follow these tips: Set the Stage: Choose the right moment to bring up the topic. A family gathering can be busy, so select a time when everyone is relaxed and not distracted by preparations or activities. You might want to consider scheduling a specific time to have this conversation to ensure everyone is present and focused. Agree on an Agenda: Before the discussion, collaborate with your siblings to outline what you want to cover. Having a clear agenda will help keep the conversation on track and prevent it from veering into unrelated issues or becoming too emotional. Express Your Concerns: Start the conversation by expressing your concerns and the reasons for bringing up the topic. Mention any recent incidents or observations that have prompted this discussion. Its important to frame the conversation in terms of love and care for your parents well-being. Listen Actively: Encourage your siblings to share their thoughts and concerns. Actively listen to what each person has to say and be open to different viewpoints. Remember that each family member may have a unique perspective on your parents needs and what they want. Share Information: Ensure everyone is well-informed about your parents current health, financial situation, and any existing care arrangements. The more information everyone has, the better the decisions you can make collectively. Discuss Options: Explore various care options, such as aging in place with in-home care, assisted living, or nursing homes. Be open to discussing what your parents want and what aligns with their preferences and values. Delegate Roles: Assign specific responsibilities to each sibling. For instance, one sibling could be in charge of researching different care facilities, while another might focus on financial planning and insurance. Delegating tasks ensures that the process is efficient and organized. Respect Differences: Understand that not all siblings may agree on the best course of action. There may be differences of opinion, but its important to respect each others perspectives and find compromises. You can seek input from a professional mediator or counselor if the disagreements become too challenging to manage. Involve Your Parents: Whenever possible, include your parents in the conversation. Their input is crucial in making decisions about their care. They may have preferences or concerns that should be considered. Revisit the Conversation: This initial discussion is just the beginning. Continue to have open and honest conversations with your siblings and plant the seed for discussion. Regular check-ins can help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that plans remain relevant to your parents evolving needs. Celebrate Together: After having the discussion, remember to celebrate and make memories together. Enjoy your family time and strengthen your bonds. While caring for aging parents is a significant responsibility, its also a time to cherish your family connections. Seek Professional Guidance: If your parents situation is particularly complex or contentious, consider involving a professional, such as an elder care attorney or a geriatric care manager, to provide expert advice and guidance. Approaching the topic of assisted living and memory care with aging parents and your siblings may not be easy, but its a necessary step in ensuring the well-being of your loved ones. By following these tips, you can foster a supportive and collaborative family environment where everyone works together to make the best decisions for your aging parents. Ultimately, this approach will lead to greater peace of mind for everyone involved. Remember, you are not alone on this journey. If you ever find yourself in need of expert guidance, support, or additional resources to assist with aging parent care decisions, the team at Proveer at Port City Assisted Living and Memory Care is here for you. Conveniently located in Mobile, Alabama near shopping and restaurants.  Our mission is to provide the assistance and information you need to make informed choices about the well-being of your loved ones. Ultimately, we are here to provide PEACE OF MIND and that is priceless.  Contact Proveer Port City at 251-380-0053.

Are Senior Housing Communities the Secret to Longevity? NORC Study Indicates Senior Housing Residents Live LongerDallas, TX (March 5, 2024) A groundbreaking study conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago has shed light on the positive relationship between senior housing communities and the longevity and well-being of older adults. The research, supported by a grant from the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC), compares the health outcomes of older adults residing in senior housing communities to those living independently in the community.The study, spanning two years and analyzing various health measures, unveils compelling evidence in favor of senior housing. Key findings indicate that older adults who move into senior housing communities not only live longer but also receive more home health services and benefit from greater rehabilitative and preventive care compared to their counterparts in the community.The six measures analyzed include mortality, days alive, days away from home due to adverse health events, days receiving home health care, preventative and rehabilitative health services days, and days on anti-psychotics. The results paint a vivid picture of the advantages senior housing offers:Increased Longevity: On average, older adults who move into senior housing live more than one week longer than those living in the community, showcasing a lower mortality rate among senior housing residents.Enhanced Home Health Care: Senior housing residents receive an additional 10 days of home health care services compared to older adults living independently in the community.Greater Preventative/Rehabilitative Services: Older adults in senior housing receive four more days of preventative and rehabilitative services at home, contributing to a comprehensive approach to healthcare within these communities.Reduced Anti-psychotic Medication Use: Senior housing residents spend three fewer days on anti-psychotics than their counterparts in the community, highlighting a potential decrease in the need for such medications in a senior housing environment.Furthermore, the study breaks down the variations across different types of private-pay senior housing communities, including continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), independent living communities (IL), assisted living communities (AL), and memory care communities (MC). Notably, residents in the top 25% of communities live 70 days longer than those in the bottom 25%, emphasizing the importance of quality care within senior housing settings.Ray Braun, CEO and president of NIC, emphasizes the opportunity for senior living sectors to integrate healthcare and housing, meeting consumer preferences and potentially reducing the overall cost of care over time. Lisa McCracken, NIC's head of research and analytics, points out that while the research demonstrates the overall value of housing and care, there is still much to learn from consistently top-performing communities.The study, the third part of a four-part project supported by NIC, aims to assess the health and well-being of senior housing and care residents. It builds upon previous studies that explored the vulnerability of senior housing residents, access to healthcare providers, and will culminate in assessing the overall health outcomes of residents in senior living settings.As the demand for comprehensive health and wellness support within senior housing grows, Dianne Munevar, vice president of health care strategy at NORC, suggests that senior housing operators can capitalize on this trend by differentiating the scope of preventative health services available in their communities.The NORC study provides compelling evidence that senior housing communities play a crucial role in extending and enhancing the lives of older adults, offering a holistic approach to healthcare that goes beyond traditional housing models. As the aging population continues to grow, understanding and implementing best practices from top-performing communities will be key to improving the overall health and well-being of residents in senior housing settings.

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimers, and that number is expected to reach 13 million by 2050. Although dementia treatment can lessen the impact of symptoms on daily life (and promising new drugs may slow the progression of dementia), currently there isnt a cure or a way to prevent the disease that affects memory, thinking and behavior.Common dementia treatment options include:Medication options for dementia treatmentMedications are commonly used to treat symptoms of Alzheimers disease and other dementias. Symptoms include cognitive (memory and thinking) issues, behavioral changes and sleep problems.Recently, there have been exciting breakthroughs in dementia treatment. New medications are showing promise at slowing the progression of dementia. These include anti-amyloid antibody intravenous (IV) infusion therapies for people in the early stages of dementia.When considering medication options for dementia treatment, questions to ask your loved ones doctor include:How does this medication treat the symptom(s)?How will you measure its effectiveness?What are the potential side effects? When should we contact you if we notice changes?How will this drug interact with existing treatments for other conditions?What options are available if insurance does not cover this drug?A Person-centered approachA person-centered approach complements medical dementia treatment by addressing behaviors that often stem from an unmet human need. Executive Director of Memory Support Services for Country Meadows Retirement Communities, Joel Kroft, explains, All behavior has purpose and meaning, and all humans use behavior as part of our normal communication with others. When we recognize that behaviors are often expressing an unmet need, either physical or emotional, then we can work toward understanding instead of frustration. If we meet the unmet need that is being expressed, then that behavior often goes away. Through this person-centered care lens, we can minimize or eliminate many challenging behaviors that are really just our residents expressing their needs, without the use of medications, and improve the quality of life for our residents living with dementia.Validation MethodThe Validation Method is a technique and a philosophy for dementia care created from the person-centered care practice of the late, Naomi Fell. This approach accepts the reality of the person with dementia rather than trying to force him/her to accept ours.Family, friends and caregivers learn how to listen with empathy and ask questions that allow the person with dementia to more fully express frustrations and concerns with dignity. By being accepting and compassionate, these conversations can help reduce anxiety and worries in the person with dementia and often improve connection with others.Learn how Country Meadows has embraced the Validation Method in our commitment to quality memory care.Technological toolsTechnology is offering exciting new tools for dementia treatment. The innovative Tovertafel (Tover Table) is an interactive game console that projects dynamic images onto a table or floor for participants to touch.At Country Meadows, use of the Tover Table has been shown to increase alertness and focus, reduce restlessness and tense behaviors including sundowning and promote social and physical activity in residents with dementia. For families, it enhances connections in a fun and meaningful way.