Change is hard. Making a move in uncertain times can be scary; navigating all your options can be downright confusing.Assisted living communities are supportive environments meant to help prolong the independence of you or your loved one. This housing option is often overlooked because many dont realize it is a viable option until there is an emergency. There is often resistance because there are many misconceptions surrounding this senior living option, including affordability, access and services provided.Once you start to look around, comparing the various communities is no simple task; from giant continuums of care to very small specialty units, and your job as the consumer is to find which place suits your needs as close as possible for as long as possible. One very important factor for most people when researching communities, besides the quality of care and location, is cost. Do I rent or join a community with a buy-in? Is an all-inclusive program better, or does the a la cart pricing structure work better for me? Looking at your finances is the first step to determine which option is right for you.If you have a long-term care insurance policy, for instance, you want to go to a licensed assisted living facility for your services so you can utilize those funds for your care. If you are a wartime veteran or spouse, you would want to make sure that the community you choose supports the Aid & Attendance benefit.One thing that can very easily get overlooked in the decision-making process, especially if it is an emergency, is what happens if/when the money runs out?In many cases, the options are very limited and it is your responsibility to find your next home. Some communities, however, have financial programs available that allow the resident to age in place through subsidy programs such as a SCO or PACE program, or in some cases GAFC. These programs are a great way to keep your loved one in their assisted living if the community offers it. At the end of the day, knowing your options will help you find the best place for your needs and a wonderful new home for you or your loved one. Written by Stephanie Nordstrom, Director of Admissions & Marketing at Christopher Heights of Marlborough, an Assisted Living Community. She can be reached out 508-281-8001 or snordstrom@christopherheights.com. 

Senior living community is a catchall phrase for independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities. For seniors who are ready to downsize, or for those who need more care than can affordably be provided at home, a senior living community can be an excellent choice. Independent living communities offer social activities, meals, and the security of knowing help is nearby. Assisted living and memory care communities do the same, but also provide the care ailing seniors need to live as independently as possible. If you or a loved one is struggling with whether its time to move, consider the following. RED FLAGSImmediate action is needed.        Wandering. People with dementia may get lost in familiar surroundings or they may set out for a location from their past. They are at significant risk if they are alone.        Frequent falls. Injury from a fall often marks the beginning of a steep decline in physical and mental health.         Drastic weight loss. Weight loss may be due to a medical condition, self-neglect, or simply not eating enough because its too difficult to shop and/or prepare meals adequately.        Inconsistency taking medications. Confusion and forgetfulness can lead to under- or over-medicating, resulting in falls, overdoses, or poorly controlled medical conditions.        Self-neglect. Self-neglect shows up as very poor personal hygiene, unkempt appearance, malnutrition and/or dehydration, squalid or unsanitary living conditions, and/or hoarding. YELLOW FLAGSA move should be considered.        Isolation. Studies have shown that socialization     and mental stimulation are key components to healthy aging.         Increased forgetfulness or confusion. These can lead to a senior leaving the stove on, forgetting, or doubling up on medications, and vulnerability to financial predators.        Caregiver burnout/declining health. Caregiving is emotionally and physically stressful. Caregivers may see their own health decline as caregiving needs increase. If a caregiver feels burned out or has health issues of their own, a Plan B should be put in place.        Loss of drivers license. Giving up a drivers license becomes much easier if there are good alternatives. A senior living community provides built in social activities and meals and may provide transportation to local businesses and doctors appointments.  Editors Note: This article was submitted by Megan Fisher, CSA and Bill Cleary, CSA. Megan and Bill are owners of Boston-area offices of Oasis Senior Advisors and may be reached at 781-490-0180 or 508-538-8100, or by email at mfisher@youroasisadvisor.com or bcleary@youroasisadvisor.com.

Both your vision and your hearing are very important senses, and both cause great difficulties if they dont work effectively. Due to the way we use them, their loss affects us in different ways. Many adults get their vision checked regularly, so why do so many people ignore their ears?When you visit an optician, you look at a letter chart. If you have loss of vision, you may not be able to read the smaller letters because your eyes cant focus on them.Another way to understand vision loss is to think of how we age. Over time, the eyes gradually lose their ability to focus. If you are farsighted, you know seeing things close to you like reading become more difficult. This loss of sensitivity to nearby objects does not vary; it is uniform.Like vision, our ears often graduallylose the ability to hearhigh frequencies, both through damage and aging. However, unlike vision loss, the actual effects of this are not uniform.Speech is made up of many different frequencies and tones. If we cant hear high pitched sounds, we find it hard to understand specific letters such as f and s. This is because they contain high frequencies.In contrast to vision loss where we miss chunks of vision, the loss of hearing sensitivity affects many parts of speech that are scattered throughout a conversation, so random bits of conversation get lost.When people struggle to see, they wear glasses. These vision aids help a broad range of people. Prescription glasses require a professional to check your vision, write a prescription and orders lenses specifically addressing your individual needs.The same is true with hearing solutions. Since modern hearing aid designs are discreet, stylish and come in a range of colors. many people now find old stigmas to be silly. The life-changing, cutting-edge hearing aid technology of today offers solutions for every type of hearing loss, age and lifestyle. If you hear and see well, your entire world is brighter.Having ahearing assessment* is as easy as a vision test. Plus, at HearingLife its complimentary.Make an appointment to get started.

Are you, or someone you know, having difficulty getting up and down stairs? A stairlift could be the solution, but its important ask the right questions!For many seniors, continuing to enjoy life in the place theyve come to call home is a high priority. However, if stairs are a problem, the prospect of aging in place can quickly become a daunting challenge. If you find that youre planning your day around the stairs, coming down in the morning and avoiding going back up until its time for bed, youre probably already thinking about making a change.While some might suggest moving your bedroom to the first floor or installing a residential elevator, it can be difficult to cram everything into a half-sized living space and the costs associated with installing an elevator are often prohibitive for the average family.In many cases, a stairlift is the most practical solution for getting up and down stairs, allowing you to enjoy the full use of your home. While this is a great option, it is important to ask the right questions.How long do you plan to stay in your home?Wed all like to live in our homes forever, but its important to think ahead. Deciding how long you plan to stay in your home is an important first step in the stairlift process. Some companies offer short-term rental plans and buybacks that allow you to install a stairlift for just a short time. 18 months is a good number to keep in mind; if you plan to stay longer than that, youre probably better off buying the stairlift outright.What mobility restrictions does the user have?For some, the difficulty begins and ends with climbing the stairs. But, mobility can change over time. Its important to consider additional features that could become necessary down the road. Features, like a powered swivel or an easy-to-use seatbelt, could later become critical in ensuring a safe trip upstairs.What is the companys reputation?When dealing with a stairlift company, it is important to make sure that they are honest and reputable. How long has the company been in business? Do they have any recalls on their products? What do their customers say about them? Knowing who youre working with is half the battle!To learn more about stairlifts and the questions you should be asking, visit Stannah-Stairlifts.com or call 1 (888) 663-7538.