Minnesota - Twin Cities

At CommonBond, we serve people of all ages young people, families, veterans, and older adults. Our belief is that everyone deserves the foundation of a home.  However, it is impossible to ignore the increasing demand for affordable senior housing in our communities. The Lumin a 60-unit affordable housing development for seniors ages 62 and older is helping to meet this need.The Lumin is the first of 10 planned affordable rental developments at Highland Bridge, a 122-acre parcel of land in the Highland Park neighborhood in Saint Paul. The building opened in November 2023, and residents began moving into their new homes. Older adults face a unique set of challenges such as growing health concerns, caregiving needs, isolation, and so much more. Increased physical and mental health challenges mean greater costs, therefore amplifying the need for affordable housing as folks age.  Not only that, but the increasingly high cost of living becomes even more difficult to manage for seniors who are retired and living on a fixed income. This means older adults must make tough decisions about how to pay for basic needs like food, health care, and housing.  According to a 2023 Harvard Study, Nearly 11.2 million older adult households were cost burdened in 2021, an all-time high and a significant increase from the 9.7 million and 8.8. million recorded in 2016 and 2011, respectively. When folks are cost burdened, it means they pay more than 30% of their income for housing.*Across CommonBond, the average resident income for seniors 55 and older is $18,062. Compare that to $59,428, the average annual salary across the United States as of 2024 (forbes.com)*. The need for affordable senior housing in our communities is loud and clear, and CommonBond is proud to provide The Lumin as a deliberate effort to answer this call.Located at the intersection of Cretin and Bohland avenues, the building includes a community room, a wellness room, and bike storage. There will also be an Advantage Services Coordinator to provide services and programming for residents, including those in the seven units dedicated for seniors who have experienced homelessness.We are pleased to offer affordable homes for seniors in the Highland Park neighborhood. Thank you to Minnesota Housing, the City of Saint Paul, Ramsey County, the Saint Paul Public Housing Agency, Enterprise Community Partners, LHB Architects, and Ryan Companies, who helped make The Lumin possible!*Housing Americas Older Adults 2023 Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University*forbes.com/advisor/business/average-salary-by-state  

Aging can sometimes be difficult for your loved one and you and your family. The wide array of mixed emotionsguilt, stress, confusion, frustrationyoure feeling is common, and your local Homewatch CareGivers franchise is here to help make sense of it all. Our local team of professional caregivers can give you the peace of mind you've been missing, all while doing everything they can to ensure the comfort and safety of your elder loved one.Each Homewatch CareGivers locations in-home elder care services are personalized to meet the unique needs of your family, type of living arrangements, and at-home care needed. The caregivers are screened and receive continuous training to include skills validation checks. Homewatch CareGivers believes that anybody's quality of life can be improved with the right type of elder care. Senior care, also called elderly care or elder care, covers a range of in-home care services for people who are age 65 and older in need of assistance with activities of daily living in the home. Everyday activities can be difficult when experiencing the challenges brought on by aging or living with chronic conditions. Even the simplest tasks such as meal preparation, grocery shopping, or tidying up around the home can become taxing to complete.The exact type of care that is needed depends on the type of assistance required and challenges you and your loved one may be currently facing, such as scheduling, distance, and physical limitations. Providing elder care for the senior in your life can help them re-engage with activities, family, and friends as they age, leading to improved well-being and a renewed sense of independence!Types of In-Home Care for EldersIn-home care offers impactful one-on-one engagement for seniors. While assisted living communities and nursing homes provide reliable care, many people prefer to age in their existing home. At Homewatch CareGivers, our team helps seniors age in place around familiar surroundings.We offer a large variety of specialty senior care services that are tailored to your needs:Companion CareSocial isolation can lead to chronic loneliness, noticed significantly more often in the elderly. A cornerstone of our senior care services is companion care. Caregivers engage with their clients with friendly conversation, learn more about them, and participate in their favorite hobbies or activities. This helps your loved one stay involved, feel appreciated, and remain connected.Personal CareCaregivers assist with any day-to-day personal care needs that may have or will become challenging to perform for people who are living with chronic conditions or in advanced age. A highly qualified team is here to help your senior remain independent while still providing help with personal care tasks, such as:Grooming and bathing assistanceBathroom assistance and other personal hygieneAmbulation and mobility assistanceNursing CareTo meet the needs of seniors with significant medical conditions, some Homewatch CareGivers offices may provide in-home nursing care that is performed by one or more:RNs Registered NursesLPNs Licensed Practical NursesLVNs Licensed Vocational NursesNursing services* can help your loved one continue to get the care they need in the home, including healthcare coordination and referrals as well as other recommendations to improve their well-being.24-Hour CareTo ensure the safety of your aging loved one and the peace of mind of you and your family, 24-hour care may be the best option. This is completed via a team of caregivers scheduled throughout the entire day or possibly a single live-in caregiver in some locations. This type of care will be tailored to meet your needs and ensure someone is on standby in-home for your loved one or family around the clock.Respite CareCaring for a loved one is very rewarding but doesn't go without its demands. While it's often overlooked, Homewatch CareGivers understands the importance of the health and well-being of family caregivers. Whether you're a son, daughter, spouse, other family member or friend each caregiving team provides the relief you need to take a well-deserved break to rest and recharge.After Hospital CareThe transition from a facility back home can be challenging for seniors, not to mention critical to their health. This transition needs to be handled with compassion and person-centered care. A Homewatch Caregivers team can help ensure the discharge plan is followed and the transition and care after that goes as smoothly as possible for the well-being of your loved one.Chronic Condition CareCaring for and living with chronic disease, conditions, and the challenges that come with it can be overwhelming. We create comprehensive in-home chronic condition care for elders, focusing on more than just a person's condition. Each caregiver is qualified and receives training in specialty chronic condition care. Homewatch CareGivers will help your family and loved one establish a plan of care to assist with the specific condition and the hardships presented.Dementia CareWhile dementia presents several challenges related to daily tasks and cognitive function, Homewatch CareGivers strives to create care plans that focus on your loved one's current abilities instead of what may be declining.  Elder dementia care focuses on promoting positive well-being, continually tailored to meet any needs as the condition progresses.After Surgery CareHomewatch CareGivers provides after-surgery care to help your loved one return back to health in the comfort of their home. The transition from the hospital back home is crucial to seniors' well-being, so care plans will reflect the discharge instructions created by medical professionals. A caregiver can help to reduce the risk of falls, provide medication reminders, all while proving to be reliable and compassionate.  Contact us today at 952-260-6223 or visit us at www.homewatchcaregivers.com/edina/

The risk of many illnesses increases with age, as does the risk of hospitalization for these conditions. The ideal after leaving the hospital is to grow healthier, but readmission to the hospital 30-days after discharge is a significant possibility for many seniors. Transitional care with Visiting Angels is one precaution seniors can take while at the hospital to reduce their chances of returning and staying happy and healthy in the comfort of their homes. What is Transitional Care? Transitional care is when a professional caregiver works with a senior client to return home after a hospitalization safely. The goal of transitional care is to reduce the risk of readmission by helping clients follow discharge and follow-up care instructions. Its important to understand that professional caregivers providing transitional care are not nurses or certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Professional caregivers may work alongside medical professionals but are responsible for helping clients with non-medical tasks. These tasks include light housekeeping, medication reminders, meal preparation, and transportation. Caregivers can also assist with personal tasks like grooming, toileting, showering, and mobility.Who Benefits from Transitional Care?Any older adult returning home after hospitalization can benefit from transitional care. It doesnt matter how minor or severe the hospitalization was; if a senior requests help at home, caregivers at Visiting Angels can help. And even though most clients are considered at low risk after 30-days, clients can continue receiving at-home care for as long as they want and find value in the services. Common Causes of Hospital Readmission Seniors get readmitted to hospitals for various reasons. A few common risks include failure to comply with discharge orders, infection, and falls.Failure to comply with discharge orders: Spending time in the hospital can feel overwhelming. Sometimes when seniors get discharged, its hard for them to comprehend all discharge orders fully. They may forget to take medications, schedule follow-up visits, or limit strenuous activity. Not following discharge directions puts strain on the body and leads to rehospitalization. Infection: If a senior is in the hospital for surgery, they must keep any incisions or stitches clean and covered to reduce the risk of infection. While caregivers cant change bandages, they can help seniors shower and remind them to take care of themselves. Caregivers can also observe when a client is not properly caring for a wound and can help contact a doctor or nurse before an infection starts or spreads. Falls: All seniors risk falling and injuring themselves at home. Sometimes after hospitalization, a client may feel disorientated, further increasing their risk for a fall. With transitional care, a professional caregiver can assist clients around their homes and run errands outside the house so seniors can rest and stay safe. Caregivers can also help identify potential fall risks and suggest solutions. Ready-Set-Go Home with Transitional Care with Visiting AngelsIf your aging loved one is returning home after an inpatient hospital stay and needs assistance making the transition, the team at Visiting Angels can help. Ready-Set-Go Home is our transitional care program focused on reducing seniors risk of readmission through our three-prong approach. We start by visiting your loved one in the hospital to assist with discharge planning. We then help prepare your loved ones home and assist them with various non-medical tasks to keep them safe and comfortable at home. Lastly, our office works behind the scenes to help coordinate medication, equipment, and food deliveries.Our St Louis Park office serves those in Minneapolis, St Louis Park, Golden Valley, Richfield, and the West Metro area. If youd like to learn more about our transitional care services, call us at 952.260.4521 or send us a message online.

Whether facing health or mobility problems, or simply aging gracefully, theres no doubt that growing older can be a battle. On top of that, the older we get, the more time we have on our hands.  As such, its important to find ways to keep your senior loved ones engaged and thriving, both within and outside of their home environment. This season, rely on fall activities for seniors that create situations that allow them to keep their mind sharp, enhance their physical fitness or enjoy the positive emotions that stem from social interaction.  Explore some of the most exciting things for seniors to do this fall, all with a seasonal twist. Pumpkin Painting Carving pumpkins may require a little more physical effort than seniors are able to put in, but theres a new fall trend that is perfect for the elderly. Rather than opening up the top and scooping the insides out before slicing out chunks of the pumpkin, grab some paint and use it to decorate the gourd with the design of your choosing. From spooky scenes and classic jack-o-lantern faces to pop culture references and autumn-inspired patterns, you can really get creative and make it your own with endless possibilities. Apple Picking When caring for aging parents, one of the most exciting ways to explore the world is with the whole family. Gather everyone together for a special fall outing to an apple orchard. This quintessential autumn activity provides a chance for seniors to enjoy physical activity (tailored to their ability level), teamwork, stunning scenery, fresh air and time spent with loved ones. Baking with Fall Flavors One of the best fall activities for seniors is baking. From flaky pies to moist muffins and cookies that melt in your mouth, there is something so exciting about tasting something that you just created from scratch. Incorporate fall flavors, like apple or pumpkin, to give the project seasonality, but keep the focus on the process. Locating and measuring out the ingredients will keep your loved ones mind active. Seasonal Gardening A laid-back and tranquil activity, gardening is something that can be done year-round with very exciting results. Add a touch of fall to your garden by incorporating produce that will be harvested in the latter part of the year, like apples, squash, leafy greens, carrots, sweet potatoes, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. This can also be a great task for families looking for private caregivers, as FirstLight Home Care professionals can supervise or assist when family members arent around to do so. Leaf Peeping Walks As the leaves change and add color to the world, explore your neighborhood or a local park while looking for vibrant fall foliage. This is a great way to get some gentle exercise and fresh air while adding some excitement to the experience. Embrace the deep reds, golden yellows and rusty oranges while leaf peeping, a beloved pastime all over the country but especially in New England or the Pacific Northwest. Fall Picnic Delve into relaxation with a seasonal picnic, one of the best fall activities for seniors. A picnic is the perfect way to get your loved one out of the house for some fresh air and inspiration from nature. This is especially wonderful for those who dont have great mobility, as it doesnt require much movement upon arrival. Gather dishes that feature the flavors of fall to make it extra special or look for colored leaves as you dine and unwind.  Fun and Games Games can be one of the most thrilling pastimes and theyre something the entire family can enjoy together, no matter the ages. Plus, games can serve as a stepping stone to companionship for lonely elderly, as well as a way to keep their memory sharp. Play board games or card games, or get active with a round of cornhole or oversize Jenga. Crosswords, Sudoku or jigsaw puzzles can also be fun to complete together. Or add a touch of autumn by creating your own game, like a scent competition where participants must identify mystery smells like cinnamon or pumpkin. Companionship for Fall Activities Sometimes it can be hard to find the time to dedicate to our elderly loved ones. Whether navigating a demanding career, raising children or dealing with something else entirely, we may not be able to pencil in these affairs as much as we would like to. However, these fall activities for seniors can be crucial for their social, emotional, mental and even physical health. While you may not be able to be there for each and every activity, dont limit your loved one. Families looking for private caregivers should turn to FirstLight Home Care we will be by your side every step of the way with professionals who are well-equipped to provide companionship, care, comfort and more. Get started today  inquire about a personalized quote or call 612-473-3227 to talk with our FirstLight team.