With an ever-growing and diverse range of assisted living communities, determining the right assisted care home for your loved one can be time-consuming. But what should you look for?
In an ideal situation, you should think about things like staff friendliness, services, and the overall environment when making your pick. You need to also be prepared with the cost, care plan, and general questions to ask assisted living tour guides and staff to help facilitate the process.
Fortunately, the process doesn’t have to be intimidating or overwhelming. Here are five things to help you narrow down a suitable elder care or assisted living facility for your loved one.
1. Stability
Nothing is worse in the delivery of high-quality elder care than staff turnover. Staff and residents form a special bond and relationship. That relationship deepens and improves over time, with each getting to know the other better and better. For the caregiver, a thorough knowledge of the resident’s personality and character, health situation, social and personal needs, daily routines, and habits helps them to meet that resident’s needs on a daily basis and will tip them off if something is awry and needs special attention. For the resident, there is great comfort in knowing their caregiver’s personality, abilities, and what they can do to help them in any given situation. Trust form is a powerful antidote to loneliness, isolation, worry, and stress. Health and happiness are formed with stable relationships of trust.
2. Maturity
Experience is the best teacher. As owners and operators of The Retreat at Church Ranch, we have been caring for the elderly in our community for a quarter-century. This time spent has given us all the tools and knowledge we need to deliver high-quality care on a consistent and reliable basis. Ours is a mature model with dedicated and competent staff.
3. Ethics
A well-known definition of ethics is “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” We practice this code of conduct at all levels of the organization. It is with this code that our “Circle of Trust and Respect” is formed and strengthened. Management trusts and respects each other, as does the staff. Residents experiencing this conduct join the Circle of Trust and Respect, and their family members do too. When the Circle is complete, the larger community knows it can trust that the delivery of high-quality care is guaranteed.
4. Stewardship
The task of supervising or taking care of something, such as an organization or property, is of paramount importance in our assisted living business. The health of our organization is made of whole cloth, with no frayed edges or areas left unattended. Being good stewards of The Retreat at Church Ranch involves Continuous Improvement in all areas. Nutritious meals, wonderful activities, a clean and well-maintained environment, exterior grounds that are well maintained and enjoyable, and care for each other and ourselves all constitute good stewardship.
5. Partnership
Service, not selfishness, is a key to strong partnerships. No one does all the work, nor is anyone seeking more recognition than the others. The collaborative effort comes from the efforts of each individual partner contributing to the whole. Being in the mind of service in helping others keeps the partnership humble and strong. A partnership cannot be successful when the behavior, manipulation, and poor attitude of one person negatively affect everyone else. We see this as a component of emotional maturity and insist on it for everyone in the organization.
If you are looking for a Westminster Retirement, Assisted Living, and Care Home, reach out to us at The Retreat at Church Ranch. Our staff provides continuous protective oversight, along with medication administration, bathing, personal care, and dressing. We provide delicious meals and assist people with a wide range of services to make their stay the most comfortable and memorable.
We have residents in our elder care home from across Westminster, Arvada, Broomfield, Boulder, Longmont, Erie, Thornton, Denver, Louisville, and the surrounding areas.
To learn more about the services we offer, please click here. To get in touch with us, please click here.
Our eyes are incredibly precious, yet its easy to take our vision for granted until problems arise. Lets focus on proactive steps to maintain and improve our eye health. Here are some tips to keep your vision in top shape:Schedule Regular Eye Exams:One of the best ways to safeguard your vision is by scheduling regular eye exams. Comprehensive eye exams can detect vision problems early on, allowing for prompt treatment and prevention of further complications. Make it a priority to see your eye doctor at least once a year, even if you dont currently wear glasses or contact lenses.Protect Your Eyes from UV Rays: Just like your skin, your eyes can be damaged by the suns harmful UV rays. Whenever youre outdoors, especially on bright, sunny days, wear sunglasses that offer UV protection. Look for sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays to shield your eyes from potential damage. Give Your Eyes a Break from Screens: In todays digital age, many of us spend a significant amount of time staring at screens, whether its for work, leisure, or staying connected. Prolonged screen time can lead to digital eye strain, characterized by symptoms like dry eyes, blurred vision, and headaches. To reduce eye strain, follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away.Eat a Balanced Diet:Nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining eye health. Incorporate foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants, such as leafy greens, colorful fruits and vegetables, fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, and nuts and seeds. These nutrients can help protect against age-related vision problems like macular degeneration and cataracts.Practice Good Eye Hygiene:Proper eye hygiene is essential for preventing eye infections and irritation. Wash your hands frequently, especially before touching your eyes or handling contact lenses. Follow your eye doctors recommendations for contact lens care, including proper cleaning, disinfecting, and storage.Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can contribute to dry eyes, so be sure to drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day. Aim for at least eight glasses of water daily to keep your eyes and body hydrated.Get Plenty of Sleep:Adequate sleep is crucial for overall health, including eye health. During sleep, your eyes receive much-needed rest and replenishment. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to help reduce eye fatigue and maintain optimal visual function.By incorporating these simple yet effective tips into your daily routine, you can help protect and preserve your precious eyesight for years to come.Your eyesight is irreplaceable, so take care of your eyes today for a brighter tomorrow!
Moving to a new home can be scary and stressful, especially for older people. But don't worry! Here are some easy ways to make moving day less scary and more fun.1. Pick the Right HomeFirst, choose a new home that feels good. Think about what you like. Do you want a garden view? Do you need help with cooking? Make sure your new home has what you need to be happy.2. Make ListsWrite down everything you need to do. This helps you remember important things. Start early and take your time. Don't rush!3. Choose Special ThingsWhen you move to a smaller home, you can't take everything. Pick the things that mean the most to you. It's okay to feel sad about leaving some things behind.4. Get Help from MoversHiring people to help you move can make things much easier. They know how to pack and move your stuff safely.5. Use Good BoxesUse boxes that stack well. Plastic boxes with lids are great because they're easy to pack and unpack.6. Say Goodbye to Your Old HomeHave a party to say goodbye to your old home. Take lots of pictures to remember it. This can help you feel better about moving.7. Think Happy ThoughtsMoving can be exciting! Think about all the fun new things you'll do in your new home. You might make new friends or try new activities.8. Pack a Special BagPack a bag with things you'll need right away in your new home. Put in things like:MedicineToothbrush and toothpastePajamasSnacks and waterThis way, you won't have to search through all your boxes on the first night.9. Make a Moving Day PlanPlan out your moving day. Know when you'll leave and when you should arrive at your new home. Don't forget to plan for breaks along the way.Remember, moving can be a big change, but it can also be the start of a great new adventure in your life!
When moving to a senior living community, it's important to know what to bring and what to leave behind. This guide will help you pack smart for your new home.Before You Start PackingVisit Your New Home: Take a look at how big your new space is.Talk to Residents: Ask people who already live there about what they brought and what they wish they had.Check with Staff: Find out what furniture and items the community provides and which items are not allowed.Involve Family: Let your family pick items they might want to keep, especially heirlooms.What to BringClothes and Personal ItemsEveryday clothesToiletries like toothbrush and shampooMedicationsMobility aids, like walkers or canesSpecial ItemsPhotos and artwork that you loveSmall mementos that make you feel at homeFurniture (if there's room)A comfortable chairA small table or nightstandA bed (if not provided)Lamps for lightingOther Important ThingsBedding and blanketsKitchen items if you have a small kitchen areaTV or radio (if allowed)Pet supplies if pets are permittedWhat Not to BringExpensive jewelry or valuable items that could be lost or damagedClothes you no longer wearLarge furniture pieces that won't fitBig appliances that the community providesHeaters or air conditioners that may not be allowedLarge rugs that could be a tripping hazardRemember, your new home will be smaller, so you'll need to choose carefully what to bring. It's perfectly okay to ask for help from family or friends if packing feels overwhelming.
The Retreat at Church Ranch is truly a lovely community, staffed and occupied by lovely people. Our mission is to provide care and service with excellence. Located in a very convenient area of the Denver Boulder Corridor, just off of Hwy. 36, we are a warm and welcoming community of fifty-five. Here you will enjoy activities rich with exercise, story telling, bingo, games, parties and art groups. We offer a variety of floor plans and flexible and inclusive pricing. Please call or drop in for a tour.