Care Perspectives From Senior Solutions

Moving your loved ones to an assisted living community can be a time of worry and confusion, but most of these concerns turn out to be unfounded. When you research assisted living communities, you will quickly find that they are not all the same, but the good ones stand apart from the rest. Assisted living communities should help you find the peace of mind you need, and here are some examples of why a move to such a community can be a very positive change.

You have many options when choosing an assisted living community or memory care center for your loved one, which is great until you start realizing just how many options you have. Sometimes, too many options can be overwhelming and it may be difficult to adequately compare one to another and feel confident that you’re making the best decision. Through your evaluation process of various communities, you may encounter the words “all-inclusive,” and wonder what that actually means. Different communities might vary slightly in their definitions of what this includes, but in general, all-inclusive should include the following services, programs and amenities for residents.  

When it comes to taking care of mom and dad in their senior years, you want somebody who would treat them as well as you do. But when you realize that you need some help taking care of them and it's time to look into an assisted living community, you know that quality of care varies widely from one facility to the next. Here's what to look for when you evaluate the staff of an assisted living community.

One of the most welcome trends in assisted living community design is the inclusion of an edible garden as an integral part of the outdoor space. Professional landscape design companies are increasingly including gardens in new senior living community design; other communities are forming volunteer residence committees to create a vegetable/herb garden in their existing outdoor space.

The images of a lifetime remain in the memory, but they just won’t unlock in people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists are discovering that most memories are stored as images and aren’t destroyed by dementia or Alzheimer’s. This finding has incredibly important implications for dementia care program offerings – incorporating visual therapy such as art just might help release memories and sooth dementia patients who struggle to communicate.

The National Center for Assisted Living established “National Assisted Living Week” in 1995. This week of activities, events and community interaction is designed to bring residents, families, staff, volunteers, and the surrounding community together in celebration of seniors and to show them our love and appreciation. The theme for 2013 is “Homemade Happiness”. Celebrations are rolling in all twelve Senior Solutions Communities. We will enjoy fun events and activities like:

The move to assisted living can sometimes be challenging. Even if you and Mom have discussed it thoroughly and everyone in the family agrees, even in the most positive environments, depression can set in. Recognizing the signs and seeking proper treatment are essential to Mom’s ongoing contentment (and your peace of mind) while she’s residing in assisted living. Depression presents itself differently in everyone, but there are some symptoms that you can be on the lookout for:

• withdrawal from social activities 
• anxious expression 
• sleeping more than usual
• excessive worrying
• a sad voice
• sleeping less than usual
• a sad expression
• tearfulness
• no interest in hobbies like reading, crafting or sewing
• wistfulness

It is sometimes difficult to gauge the level of depression in seniors that are suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's. But there are four proven approaches that will help ease Mom’s depression while in assisted living:

1. Increase Social Interaction 
   While participating in social activities may the last thing that Mom wants when she’s feeling blue, coax her to at least attend that exercise class, sing-a-long or crafting session. She may not participate at first, but just getting her out of her room and in the company of other residents and staff may help buoy her spirits. In cases of mild depression this may be all that is needed.
2. Light Therapy 
   Just like getting out of her rooms and interacting can help with depression, getting OUTSIDE can help too. Numerous studies have shown that as little as one hour of daily exposure to bright light can ease depression symptoms. It has also been shown to be beneficial to those suffering from various stages of dementia. By taking advantage of beautiful outdoor spaces for some gardening, a short walk, being pushed around a garden or just sitting and enjoying nature, depression symptoms can be eased. Don’t let inclement weather deter a senior’s love of the outdoors, find shade or bundle up. If their community has a sunroom or enclosed porch all the better when the weather isn’t cooperating.
3. Talk Therapy  
   If Mom’s depression is mild and she isn’t suffering from severe dementia, talk therapy may be helpful. Although some seniors are reluctant to share their concerns and often belittle themselves for feeling blue, talking through the issues with someone who is NOT family can be helpful. Someone from within the community staff or an outside professional can sometimes assist in resolving or relieve some mild depression issues. 
4. Antidepressant Medication 
   If her depression increases beyond a mild case of the “blues” or lasts longer than normal, it may be time for a conversation with her doctor about antidepressants. Those that are suffering from dementia as well as depression may require medication sooner. The antidepressants that have demonstrated success are serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs increase the amount of chemicals in the brain that fight off depression. Antidepressants should be thoroughly discussed with her physician due to possible medication interactions and the bone thinning that comes with them.

Have you noticed Mom displaying any signs of depression? Then it’s time for a discussion with the staff and her doctors. Be persistent and be pleasant with the staff when you discuss it. They may not realize that the personality she has exhibited in the assisted living community is not the Mom that you know and love. Ask questions and document your observances in order to have a more productive conversation and to get the best results possible to help address Mom’s depression in assisted living.

Searching for a quality Tennessee or Georgia assisted living community for your Mom or Dad? Request a tour of one of our twelve communities. We have one that is right for their needs  and yours.

When the decision has been made to relocate your senior loved one to assisted living care in Tennessee, there are dozens of questions, considerations and options. The task can be overwhelming. Just take a moment and breathe. Then separate the must-haves from the wants and prioritize your senior care list requirements. Once you have established exactly what you are looking for, you can begin evaluating communities. Review this list of must-haves for assisted living in Tennessee when you evaluate the communities that you are visiting.

When Dad makes the transition from independent to assisted living he (and you) will be in for a surprise. While he can enjoy all of the peace and quiet he desires, there are a bevy of socializing and activities that may not have been available to him as his mobility decreased. This balance of planned activities and individual autonomy are what make assisted living communities flourish.

Life enrichment is an integral part of selecting the perfect Georgia assisted living community. Many of our residents come to us when their homes have become too much for them to take care of, they need more assistance with daily tasks like cleaning, getting to doctor appointments, and meal preparation just to name a few reasons. Seniors often hesitate because they believe that they will be limited in their activities in assisted living. Nothing could be further from the truth. Both on site and off site, residents enjoy many activities every day and find senior life enriched in Georgia assisted living communities.