Adult children and their aging parents often find information about senior housing to be confusing, frustrating and overwhelming, but it doesnt need to be. Most people agree they want to maintain their privacy and independence. However, adult children often need confidence in knowing their parent is not only safe, but also has a support system in place should they need it in the future. Before you begin pounding the pavement to find a compromise, it may be helpful to ask yourself a few questions: Are you looking for a community that meets your current active agenda, but can also accommodate future health changes with support through the end of life? Are you recovering from an injury, illness or event and not really sure what long-term setting is the right fit for your loved one? Are there increasing concerns about personal care, nutrition, isolation or safety? Are you managing challenges related to progressive memory loss, age related dementia or Alzheimers disease?If you answered YES to any question above, a whole new world of senior living is waiting for you to explore! Here are a few tips to consider: On your first visit, keep the conversation simple and focus on the uniquely different qualities of each location you visit. Stay in a 30-minute radius of the family hub. Let the community feeling guide you to plan or opt out of a second visit. Often visitors are encouraged to stop-in and join a resident program/activity, plus a meal. Societymay separate by age and category, but the care provider you select should embrace theopportunity to know each resident as a unique and complexindividual. This approach provides aroadmap forperson centered care services and long-term success. Select a solution provider that rejectsassumptions based on resident categories or behavioral challenges. Senior communities should commit to the hard work of "doing the right thing"by embracing the importance ofheartfelt, personal connections and extraordinary hospitality.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Bobbi Kelley, Executive Director, Clarendale of Mokena. For more information about this article or senior living lifestyle questions, please email info@clarendaleofmokena.com . You are invited to explore the Whole New World of Senior Living at Clarendale of Schererville (219) 322-8855 in Indiana or Clarendale of Algonquin (847) 458-6800 & Clarendale of Mokena (815) 464-4418 in Illinois. Operated and managed by Life Care Services: www.LCSnet.com for more information.

Studies have shown that Assisted Living homes provide a positive impact on our quality of life as we age. Across the United States, and in other countries, there has been a lifestyle change occurring. Since the 1980s naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs) have increased significantly. These communities exist in apartments like those found in an assisted living community. It is believed that these communities provide greater health benefits than regular neighborhoods because their physical and social environments have a positive impact on the health of retirees. The environment enables retirees to be more physically and socially active and fosters a sense of community and well-being.NORCs that share similar professional backgrounds (musicians, social workers, teachers) are common and successful since socialization is such an integral component of healthy aging. In the Galveston area, I knew of a group of social workers who purchased a Victorian home together. They got together every evening for dinner, socialized together when they wanted, otherwise lived very independent lives, apart from each other says Terry Hornikel, Executive Director of the new assisted living opening in Fairfield, Connecticut Sturges Ridge: a Benchmark community. They raised their families around the dinner table and wanted to end their day with peers and friends. Their families were scattered and they didnt want to age alone. As social workers they understood the value of community and the importance of interacting daily with people who had a significant impact on their lives continues Hornikel.ProMatura, a global market research firm, recently concluded a study of assisted living resident and family members that details the impact assisted living is having on the lives of California seniors. Dr. Margaret Wylde, PhD, ProMaturas President states that the study makes it clear that, even as residents face the physical challenges of aging, they can enjoy a good quality of life when they feel safe, have control in their lives, and are recognized and part of a caring community. This study demonstrates the positive impact assisted living and memory care communities, such as Sturges Ridge of Fairfield, have on the lives of their residents and the community at large.This article was submitted by Terry Hornikel, Executive Director at Sturges Ridge of Fairfield. For more information about Sturges Ridge and healthy aging contact Terry may be reached at 203-774-9740.

To learn more about AccentCare Hospice, CLICK HEREWhat are some common post-op discomforts?The amount of discomfort you have after surgery depends on many things, includingthe type of surgery. Typical discomforts may include:Nausea and vomiting from general anesthesiaSore throat caused by the tube placed in the windpipe for breathing during surgerySoreness, pain,and swelling around the incision site or minor pain around IV sitesRestlessness and sleeplessnessThirstConstipation and gasWhat complications may occur after surgery?Complications can sometimes occur after surgery. The most common complications include:ShockShock is a severe drop in blood pressure that causes adangerous slowing of blood flow throughout the body. Shock may be caused by blood loss, infection, spine injury, or metabolic problems. Treatment may include any or all of the following:Stopping any blood lossHelping with breathing. This might be with a breathing machine.Reducing heat lossGiving IV fluids or bloodGiving extra oxygenPrescribing medicines to help raise blood pressure.BleedingRapid blood loss from the site of surgery, for example, can lead to shock. Treatment of rapid blood loss may include:IV fluids or blood plasmaBlood transfusionMore surgery to control the bleedingWound infectionWhen bacteria enter the site of surgery, an infection can happen. Infections can delay healing. Wound infections can spread to nearby organs or tissue, or to distant areas through the bloodstream. Treatment of wound infections may include:AntibioticsSurgery or procedure to clean or drain the infected areaDeep vein thrombosisA deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot in a large vein deep inside a leg, arm, or other part of the body. Symptoms are pain, swelling, tenderness, and skin redness in a leg, arm, or other area. If you have these symptoms, call your healthcare provider. In some cases, the clot can break off and travel to the lungs or brain. This can cause a pulmonary embolism or a stroke. Compression stockings are often used for treatment. They can also prevent DVTs.Pulmonary embolismThe clot can break away from the vein and travel to the lungs. This clot is called a pulmonary embolism. In the lungs, the clot can cut off the flow of blood. This is a medical emergency and may cause death. If you have the following symptoms, call 911 or get emergency help right away. Symptoms are chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing (may cough up blood), sweating, very low blood pressure, fast heartbeat, light headedness, and fainting. Treatment depends on the location and size of the blood clot. It may include:Blood-thinner medicines (anticoagulants) to prevent more clotsThrombolytic medicines to dissolve clotsSurgery or other procedures to remove the clotLung problemsSometimes lung problems happen because you dont do deep breathing and coughing exercises within 48 hours of surgery. They may also happen from pneumonia or from inhaling food, water, or blood into the airways. Symptoms may include wheezing, chest pain, shortness of breath, fever, and cough. Getting up and walking around, deep breathing, and coughing often can help reduce the chances for these problems. Treatment depends on the lung problem and the cause.Urinary retentionThis means you arent able to empty your bladder. This may be caused by the anesthesia or certain surgeries. It is often treated by using a thin tube (catheter) to drain the bladder. This is kept in place until you have regained bladder control. Sometimes medicines to stimulate the bladder may be given.Reaction to anesthesiaThis is rare, but it does happen. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Treatment of allergic reactions includes stopping specific medicines that may be causing the reaction. You may also be given other medicines to treat the allergy. Tell your healthcare team about any allergies you have before the surgery to minimize this risk. If an allergic reaction does occur, ask what caused the allergy so you can stay away from it for any future surgery.