With Healthy Aging Month right around the corner, we are obligated more than ever to look at all aspects of healthy aging, including mental health. We have come to learn that each generation has its own set of rules and standards about how to deal with lifes crises in many different ways. The stigma of mental illness and seeking treatment for it. is one that we see very commonly in the baby boomer generation. Given that the rates of mental illness are rising in this population we could be looking at a dangerous combination. According to recent surveys it is estimated that 20 percent of people age 55 or older experience some type of mental health issue and the number of older adults with depression is expected to double between 2010 and 2030 (Siervo, 2019).It is now more important than ever that we begin to reduce this stigma and identify these signs and symptoms of mental illness in our loved ones and the ones that we care for. Grief and loss, loneliness, isolation, increasing medical concerns and lack of productivity are just a few of the life stressors we see in our mature adult population. These are also major risk factors for depression and anxiety. It is important to understand that although these are natural parts of the aging process, they do not have to be all encompassing and pathological. Caregivers play a very important role. By being educated and open to discussing these common issues, caregivers can provide support and assistance when things appear to be out of the ordinary.Below are some signs and symptoms to be on the lookout for:Changes in appetite/weight loss or weight gainChanges in sleepLethargyIncreased sadness or cryingLack of interest in pleasurable activitiesHopelessnessHelplessnessWorthlessnessIncreased or obsessive thoughts of death and dying or suicidal ideationWhen these signs are noticed, action can be taken to assist those we care about to facilitate the healthy aging process. Here are a few things that can be tried when the above symptoms are spotted:Listen (active listening can be more helpful than most people think).Provide activities that are new or out of the norm to try to engage interest.Speak with medical and mental health professionals to determine if medications are necessary.Research and join group discussions/therapies that might normalize some of the normal aging concerns and expose the thought that the individual is experiencing this alone.Engage in a life review process to reflect on positive memories and days of productivity.Assist in arranging volunteer activities.Increase social interactions no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.Encourage a daily routine.Encourage exercise and other fun activities.Give permission to feel these ways and validate feelings.It is important to note that these techniques can be helpful in decreasing negative emotion and promoting positivity and happiness. However, if these techniques are unsuccessful and symptoms persist, professional assistance from a geriatric psychiatrist or a licensed therapist may be the necessary next step in keeping our loved ones and those we care for safe. Know the resources in your community or reach out to local mental health providers to obtain these resources!

Budgeting and comparing costs are a huge part of the process when deciding about long term care options. It isnt apples to apples so to speak, and its important to look at TOTAL monthly expenses for both before making a decision on what is most sustainable.To dig into it a bit more, lets break down some of the important expenses to look into when comparing the two:CURRENT HOME EXPENSES:When looking at your total monthly budget, make sure to look at ALL expenses, because many of them will be eliminated or included in a Senior Living Community monthly cost. This can include, but isnt limited to:Rent/MortgageProperty/Rental taxesALL utilities (cable, internet, gas, electric, water, sewer, trash, phone)Monthly food costs (groceries + dining out)Transportation (monthly payment + gas + insurance)Home Security system24/7 Alert system/buttonHome & Lawn maintenance, housekeepingHealth/Wellness Club costsCare costs (private duty Caregiver services usually cost $25-$35/hr.)SENIOR COMMUNITY EXPENSES:Its important to remember that depending on type of community (Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care), the pricing and amenities included will vary. Make sure to print out the guide from the link above and ask each community you are considering about what is included to better compare.No matter what type of Senior Living Community you are considering, the goal is maintenance free living and simplifying day to day life. Included (99.9% of the time) in the base monthly cost is:Apartment (no taxes)Weekly housekeeping servicesAll utilitiesTransportationSecurity System + 24/7 alert buttonAll room and community maintenanceAll activitiesCommunity wellness/exercise gym + servicesBeyond that, each level will typically have other amenities/services included such as:Independent Living:will usually include 1-3 meals a day as well, and laundry services are included or sometimes a small extra cost. In order to receive personal care, residents will need to use a private duty Caregiver service as needed at an hourly cost.Assisted Living:3 meals a day and laundry services are always included in base cost. If needed, level of care will be assessed at move in and usually will be an added cost.Memory Care:3 meals a day and laundry services are always included in base cost. Most Memory Care communities will also have all inclusive care included in the base cost since care levels in memory care change so frequently.For further questions about how to compare Senior Living Communities, please schedule a discovery call with us through our website (www.sunwaysalc.com). Were a free service to families and want to make sure you have all the info you need to make the best decision.

Caring for an aging loved one is difficult, but even harder when you are trying to do so from afar. Here are 8 tips to help you streamline your ability to be an effective long distance Caregiver.Make a list to evaluate what you can help with, and what you need to delegate out. Some things like paying bills are easier to coordinate from a distance, where others like taking your loved one to a doctors visit is not. Make a list of all tasks that they need assistance with to figure out what you can take on, what you can delegate to other family members and lastly, what you will need to engage local resources for.Hire a Geriatric Care Manager. Care Managers are usually licensed nurses or social workers who can serve as your boots on the ground by checking in regularly, taking your loved ones to doctor appointments and serving as their advocate to get questions answered, coordinate medical or care services, plus connecting you with local resources as they are needed since they usually have a strong network of geriatric service providers they can refer you to.Explore other living situations. Be proactive and explore independent or assisted living community options. Even if consistent care isnt needed now, these communities offer socialization and staff that is able to check in on your loved one consistently and report back to you. Meals, housekeeping, laundry and transportation services are also included which can be a huge help to your loved one as well.Start utilizing video calls regularly. Seniors are not always quick to learn new technologies, but utilizing a video call system of some sort is an amazing tool to get valuable insight and updates on your aging loved one. Many times our clients will tell us that their parent sounded fine on the phone, but when they saw them, they realized that wasnt the case. Video calls help keep relationships strong and communication lines open.Have regular check-ins scheduled. This could be with a neighbor you trust, someone from their church or even hiring a private duty Caregiver service to check in once a week to get eyes and ears on the situation and your loved ones mental and physical health. Little signs like dirty clothes or expired food in the fridge can give insights into a bigger picture.Plan your visits ahead of time. By doing so, you can coordinate doctor visits and other appointments while you are there and have a much more productive trip and create stronger relationships with your loved ones local team and get more meaningful updates.Collect and organize all important health care and financial documents and information. Even though this is a lot of work upfront, it will save you so much stress down the road. Having access to insurance and banking info especially is critical if an emergency happens and you need to be coordinating anything from afar.Dont wait for an emergency to plan. One of the biggest mistakes we see families make is waiting for an emergency to plan and research care and resource options. Be proactivethis doesnt mean decisions need to be made immediately. It just means that you have the information you need to make the best decisions when the time comes. Reach out to us at Sunways Assisted Living Concierge so we can gather some information about the situation and arm you with the info you need about in-home care, senior living communities and local resources. We are a FREE service to Seniors and their Caregivers so you have nothing to lose. Click here to learn more!Submitted & Written By: Sunways

Home health can be complicated, but it is important for potential patients and families to understand what it is, who qualifies and what services may be included.  Skilled home health care can provide a wide array of services to a person who has been certified as homebound and requires skilled healthcare due to an illness or injury. This specialized care or treatment can be performed by licensed nurses; physical, occupational and speech therapists; medical social workers; and home health aides. A patient must have orders from a physician stating the need and dictating services.Some examples of the types of care a skilled home health patient could require is:    Post-surgical care    Wound care    Patient and caregiver education    Enteral nutrition    Infusion therapy   Behavioral health   Diabetic care   Cardiovascular careHome health services may be covered by Medicare and other insurance providers. Most providers follow Medicare guidelines for home health services, which are listed below. Talk to your provider about specific requirements. Patient must be homebound (leaving home for short periods of time requires considerable and taxing effort). Care must be deemed medically necessary.Care must be intermittent.Patient requires at least one skilled professional service.Physician directs care in collaboration with home health agency.Call Empath Home Health today or visit EmpathHomeHealth.org to learn more about how our skilled nursing services can assist you. Call (855) 203-2273 for care in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties.