Kansas/Missouri - Kansas City

The senior population in Kansas City is expected to reach around 450,000 by 2030.A good number of these seniors will have health complications and needs that go beyond what family members can help with. This is one of the reasons why senior care is such an important part of our society. Aging seniors often have trouble with daily tasks and medical issues that need to be looked after.If you're thinking about putting your loved one into a senior care center but fear the transition, we can help. It's tough for aging people and their families to realize the benefits of assisted living for seniors, but there are plenty of them.In today's post, we'll look at the biggest benefits so you can make the best decision for your loved one's health. Keep reading and you'll know what the right course of action is for your loved one and the rest of your family.Regained IndependenceIt might be counterintuitive to think of senior living as a place for your loved one to have more independence. That said, it immerses them in a world where they no longer have to worry about maintaining a household.There's a misconception that assisted living puts more restraint on residents. Residents are free to live a completely independent life but are given the resources they need to look after their health and wellness.They don't have to worry about things like laundry, cooking, cleaning, and other chores. They'll have access to a variety of amenities and programs to enhance their social lives and overall health.Great Social LifeSocial isolation is a common issue in the older population. Those who feel socially isolated are more likely to deal with mental and physical health problems, such as anxiety, depression, Alzheimer's, high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity.When your loved one has a thriving social life, they'll be far less likely to experience any of the above issues. A senior living center provides programming geared towards social interaction.Whether it's outings to local attractions or walking groups, residents will have every opportunity to socialize with their peers. At the same time, they can opt in or out of all programs, so if they're not up to an event, they can stay in their apartment instead.Promotes Better Physical HealthAnother hallmark of senior care is promoting better physical health. Seniors are recommended to get at least 150 hours of moderate physical activity per week. Failing to do so puts them at risk of weight gain, type-2 diabetes, and even some cancers.If a senior fails to look after their physical health, it becomes harder and harder to find the motivation to do so. Fortunately, senior living facilities have programs and amenities that make it easy for residents to improve their bodies.Trainers may come in for aerobic sessions or there could be weekly yoga classes. Every facility has different health programs, but there's always something available to help residents with their fitness.Promotes Better Mental Health and WellnessMental health should be another major concern for the loved ones of seniors. 2 million of the 34 million senior citizens in the US suffer from feelings of depression. If you deal with health problems, the likelihood of depression symptoms is higher.Depression and anxiety can be debilitating as you get older. Senior living facilities are equipped with counselors and trained staff who can help residents navigate these symptoms.Some facilities will also offer programming aimed at mental health and wellness. This might include meditation sessions, games nights, or group therapy.The other side of mental health has to do with cognitive decline, which affects nearly 12% of American adults over 65. If your loved one is dealing with symptoms of Alzheimer's or dementia, they may need memory care.Memory care is specialized assisted living. Employees are trained in aiding those dealing with dementia and the facilities are more secure to prevent any mishaps. NutritionYour loved one's nutrition is an important aspect of their health. By getting a well-balanced diet, they can stave off a variety of illnesses, from diabetes to heart disease.Senior health centers are equipped with in-house restaurants that offer tasty meals that give residents the nutrients they need. They'll always have rotating menus and residents can pick up food whenever they're hungry.Safety and SecurityAssisted living facilities are always kept safe and secure. The buildings are built with accessible features and staff are available to ensure the safety of all residents.As mentioned, memory care facilities have extra security to protect against the confusion associated with dementia. Most assisted living communities have large grounds for residents to walk around safely.Access to HealthcareEvery senior has unique healthcare needs. While most elderly care centers are staffed with experienced workers, they're not healthcare workers. If your loved one has extensive healthcare needs, they may benefit from skilled nursing care.That being said, good senior living communities have regularly scheduled physician and nursing appointments. Healthcare professionals will perform checkups and administer medication as needed. When it comes to daily living, however, the highly trained staff can handle all of your loved one's needs.All-Inclusive PricingWhen you're looking at different communities, budgeting is important. The cost of senior living can seem like a lot, but it's important to remember that it's all-inclusive. The monthly rate includes dining, accommodations, and all of the amenities that the facility has.In this sense, senior living can be quite affordable. Always figure out how much you can afford before deciding on a particular facility.Experience the Benefits of Assisted Living for SeniorsThese are some of the many benefits of assisted living for seniors. If your loved one is showing signs of aging, senior living isn't something to shy away from. It can enhance your loved one's quality of life and put the family's minds at ease during this transition into old age.For those in Kansas City, Addington Place is the top senior living facility around. We have the best staff and a wide range of amenities to give your loved one the best life possible. Contact us today to schedule a tour.   

Moving a loved one into a senior living community is a big adjustment for your family and requires careful planning. Figuring out which community is best for your loved one requires you to determine the kind of care they needbut you dont have to do this alone.Lets go over the four main types of senior assisted living care that you can choose from and how to determine which level of care your senior needs.Type #1: Independent LivingIndependent living communities are great options for seniors who can still complete activities of daily living (ADL) but need some help with the light maintenance of a home. Your loved one wont have to worry about any light housekeeping or emergency services in independent living quarters because the community provides those.If your senior can safely drive, travel, and maintain a healthy level of personal care, independent living is an excellent option.Type #2: Assisted LivingAssisted living is a step up from independent living. In short, your older family numbers wont have to lift a finger for home maintenance in assisted living. The community takes care of it all.Additionally, the homes come with a kitchenette, linen services, and emergency services. This kind of living situation is an excellent option for seniors who need help outside of personal care. They cant quite care for a home, but they can take care of ADLs.Type #3: Short-Term RehabAt Pivotal Health Care, many of our communities offer short-term rehab services. These services cover physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Residents who need short-term rehab can access these services 5-6 days per week.We understand that rehab is essential for a seniors well-being, so we offer these in-house services to help take care of our residents. Seniors need short-term rehab if they are recovering from an injury, surgery, or other accident.Type #4: Long-Term CareLong-term care is the ideal service for residents who need assistance with ADLs, health, and personal hygiene. Residents can qualify for long-term care following a thorough assessment from our nursing staff. Following the assessment, the nursing staff will determine which services your loved one needs to preserve their dignity and respect their wishes towards their medical care.Residents in our long-term care communities have access to 24-hour nursing care, rehab services, and electronic medical chartingall the things necessary for excellent care.Choosing the Right Level of CareFinding the right senior living community is challenging. The best way to decide which senior living community is right for you is to schedule a tour and have a list of questions ready to ask.Its so important to choose the right level of care for loved ones, and senior living communities have trained professionals who can give you an honest assessment of your loved ones needs.If youre ready to start your search, schedule a tour with one of Pivotal Health Cares highly-rated communities.

I am Kim Tucker, a local Kansas City Metro Home Buyer.  I am also a Mom's House Senior Transition Specialist . . . When you put those two together it gives me the unique ability to help seniors and their families who are transitioning to a new living arrangement and are left with a home they no longer need.With my Certification and my partnership with Mom's House, I am getting a lot of referrals from people who are transitioning into a new home and reaching out for help with their home here and all the stuff left in it here in the Kansas City Metro.  I recently recorded a video to tell you a little bit more about me, Kim Tucker.  Our company, kcmoHomeBuyer.com.  And how we might be able to help you.At the end of the video, we share how you can request a free digital copy of my book "Paying for Long-Term Care - The Essential Guide to Understanding and Funding Senior Care"Having helped my Mother at the end of her life, my Mother In Law navigating Alzheimer's, my Brother In Law with Dementia, and my Father In Law moving to assisted living and sell his home in a whirlwind month . . . plus several others, we have been through what many reading this article have been through and we are here ready to help.Grab a cup of coffee and take about 13 minutes to watch my video.

Plan While You Still Can Do you know what healthcare treatments you would and would not want if you could not speak for yourself? Have you considered what wouldhappen if you were no longer able to make decisions for your healthcare or finances? These are hard questions to think about but taking time to answer them and make them official is essential. To make your decisions knownand give power to those you choose, you need legal documents in place; specifically, a Healthcare Durable Power of Attorney, an Advanced Directive,and a Financial Durable Power of Attorney. A Healthcare DPOA allows you to document who makesmedical decisions about your healthcare. The person designated as your agent is authorized to speak ONLY if you cant speak for yourself. An AdvancedDirective is a document that states your wishes for medical treatments at the end of life. These documents are essential for making your healthcare wishesknown and avoiding a Guardianship during incapacity. You can prepare these documents with an Estate Planning or Elder Law Attorney, or there are freeversions of them available with the Center for Practical Bioethics. A Financial DPOA is a document that gives authority from oneperson (the principal) to another person (the agent) for the agent to act on behalf of the principal. These are much more technical and require theassistance of an attorney to ensure they are prepared properly. Creating a Financial DPOA is essential for you to ensure your finances are in the hands ofsomeone you trust. If this year has taught us anything, its to plan while you can. Talk to your attorney to get started.Disclaimer: This is not intended to be legal counsel. The choice of an attorney is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.This article was submitted by Aaron L. Love, JD, an attorney with The Love Law Group, LLC and may be reached at 816-554-3330 or by email at planning@lovelawgroup.com.