Hillcrest Highlands of Gretna

There are many reasons why seniors stay in their homes longer than necessary. It is often sad for a senior to think about leaving the family home, so they may not want to talk about it with others. However, some signs can make assisted living or other care a necessity earlier than expected. If you are concerned about a loved one living alone and adequately caring for themselves or you are a caregiver who believes it is time for a change, here are some common signs that it may be time for them to move into assisted living.1.Recent FallsFalls are a common problem with seniors, but they can be particularly dangerous in the home. If your loved one is having frequent falls and its difficult for them to get help when theyre injured, then this might indicate that assisted living would be necessary at this time.2.Chronic or Worsening Health ProblemsAs we get older, our bodies change and develop chronic health conditions. These make us more susceptible to falling sick and staying unwell for more extended periods. When your loved one requires 24-hour care due to their medical needs, it may be beneficial for them if you find an assisted livingresidence that has the resources needed to meet these ongoing requirements.3. Difficulty Completing Daily ActivitiesIf your loved one cant complete the basics of their daily care, such as cooking for themselves or doing their laundry, consider assisted living. Living in a community where cooking and cleaning are provided leaves more time to focus on socializing with friends or doing things they enjoy.4. Poor Hygiene or Eating HabitsSomeone who isnt taking care of themselves might start to feel distressed and experience changes in their hygiene, diet, or physical activity. For example, without good personal habits like bathing regularly, someone may get sick more often due to poor sanitation practices. Likewise, malnutrition can likely develop over time without basic cooking skills if they cannot prepare meals for themselves. Supportive environments such asHillcrests assistedresidences will meet the needs of your loved one at every step of the aging journey.5. Isolation and SadnessIf your loved one is displaying symptoms of depression and feeling alone, it may be time to start a conversation about assisted living. Assisted living residences offer activities that promote social interaction for people who are still active but need extra help with specific tasks or want companionship in their daily lives.6. Aggression Some studies have indicated that people with dementia often act more aggressively than usual due to confusion. The Alzheimers Association explains that moving these individuals into an assisted living residence may help them. It lets professionals monitor and care for the individual as needed; some of these communities, such as Hillcrest Silver Ridge, Hillcrest Mable Rose or Hillcrest Country Estates Grand Lodge, provide specialized memory care programs expressly tailored to those suffering from cognitive decline.8. Worsening Mobility If your loved one has trouble walking or cannot get up and down stairs without help, they may want to consider home renovations to enable aging in place. However, renovations are usually costly and often it would make sense to move them to an assisted living residence to ensure their safety.9. Wandering OffIf youre worried about your loved one wandering off and getting lost, do not wait until something serious happens. Safety and security should be a top priority and are provided in a secure assisted living residence with 24-hour staffing.10. Caregiver BurnoutYour ability to care for your older adult diminishes when stress levels are too high. Burnout can happen from being stressed about the added responsibility and hard work, which can significantly affect your health and well-being. When that happens, you may not be able to take on their responsibilities anymore safely.Is it Time for Assisted Living?It can be hard to acknowledge that your aging loved one needs more extensive care, and it may also be difficult to recognize you cannot give them the care they need. However, if you are concerned about their safety, health, or happiness, remember assisted living might help.At Hillcrest, we aim to provide aging adults with an environment in which they can enjoy their retirement, enhance their lifestyle, live with dignity, and remain as independent as possible.

Learn your health history. Know the risks of heart problems and talk to your family and doctor about possible hereditary heart conditions.Take medicines as directed. If you take medicine to treat high blood pressure or diabetes, follow your doctors instructions.Eat a healthy diet. Make healthy food choices including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and foods with low salt content.Rethink your drink. Substitute water for sugary drinks to reduce calories and only drink alcohol in moderation.Move more, sit less. Get at least 20 minutes of moderate physical activity every day.Hillcrest Home Care can help with heart complications related to COVID-19Monitor Vitals:During every visit, client vitals are assessed at rest and while active. Telehealth units are available for daily monitoring.Physical Activity:Clients are encouraged to exercise to decrease the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Performing aerobic and body weight resistance training may also help prevent function loss and benefit the immune system.Medication:Clients post-COVID may continue on extended prophylaxis to prevent VTE for up to three months post-diagnosis.Screen:Clients are regularly screened for negative cardiovascular effects from social isolation and social distancing.Educate:Clients are educated on proper hydration, mobility and bed rest for the prevention of and new signs of VTE.For more heart-healthy tips or to see how Hillcrest Home Care can help,call(402) 682-4808.

The older we are, the more frustrating it can be getting back into good health after an illness or injury. Slower rehabilitation happens because older adults have whats called a decreased physiological reserve. (Thecapability of an organ to carry out its activity under stressis known as physiologic reserve). Generally, a healthy individual will attain the peak of their physiologic reserve at 25 years of age. After that, the reserve starts to decline as the individual ages. Because of this decrease, it takes older adults longer to recover from illness and injury.For older patients, its not just about recovering from an injury. Its often about recovering other cognitive, balance, and strength functions that could decline during a hospital stay.Post-acute care provided by Hillcrest Health Services provides for a smooth transition from hospital to home. It promotes the functional recovery of older adults, prevents unnecessary hospital readmission, and avoids premature admission to a long-term care facility. Hillcrests post-acute facilities are Medicare-certified and accept Medicare and most private insurances.Hillcrests Post-Acute Care ProgramHillcrest Healthcare offers post-acute care rehabilitation at 4 different locations in Nebraska:Hillcrest Health and Rehab in BellevueHillcrest Country Estates: Rehab Cottage in PapillionHillcrest MillardHillcrest Firethorn in LincolnThese programs help to transition from the hospital to home. We know how to help the patient recover most quickly without causing another injury or hospitalization. At Hillcrest, our facilities offer a comfortable environment for all guests by providing only private transitional care. While were focused on rehabilitation and ensuring our guests get the most out of their experience, we also respect their independence. At Hillcrest, we haveover 25 years of experiencewhen it comes to post-acute rehabilitation. As a result, we understand what it takes to get our guests back to their optimal level of function.Our Post-Acute Rehabilitation Team:Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anthony Hatcher oversees our medical care. Before joining Hillcrest Health Services, she spent more than 20 years working for Alegent /CHI Health as a practicing clinical physician. Additionally, our team of therapists are not third-party contractors that we invite in a few days per week; instead, they are exclusively employed by Hillcrest. We take great pride in our team and make sure they have state-of-the-art therapy equipment to provide innovative physical, occupational, and speech therapy to help speed up recovery.Our Excellent Rehabilitation FacilitiesWe encourage you to take a virtual tour of all four of our post-acute rehabilitation facilities. Just click on the name of the facility below:Hillcrest Health and Rehab in BellevueAt Hillcrest Health and Rehab, we began developing our post-acute care services in the early 90s. Since then, we have assisted thousands of patients in the transition from hospital to home, utilizing a variety of therapies, including physical, occupational, speech, and aquatic. In addition, we host the largest rehab gym in the region (10,000 square feet).Hillcrest Country Estates: Rehab Cottage in PapillionStart your road to recovering from an injury, illness, surgery, or hospital stay. At the Rehab Cottage located in the Hillcrest Country Estates, our guests feel an incredible sense of warmth, compassion, and support from a team that is 100% dedicated to their recovery.Hillcrest MillardHillcrest Millard offers over 25 years of experience in post-acute rehabilitation. Among staffing our professionals, we also provide 19 specialty rooms with piped-in oxygen for guests with cardiopulmonary diseases.Hillcrest Firethorn in LincolnHillcrest Firethorn offers years of experience providing best-in-class care for aging adults through our continuum of services. We have been recognized nationally for our leadership and innovation. In addition, Firethorn provides post-acute rehabilitation services in the newest and most beautiful post-acute center in Lincoln.Learn more about our post-acute rehab programs, Contact us today to learn more about our post-acute rehab programs. You can also learn more about it from our website.