Homes require maintenance and though our parents might have been able to do much of it themselves when they were younger, they now need to hire professionals to do it. This takes time and money they had hoped to spend traveling or just enjoying hobbies.

They also find that neighborhoods change over the years and now do not have the company of people in their own age range in the neighborhood of where they live. Though they have people all around them, it’s likely that they no longer have much in common with most of them.

The great news is that seniors are finding that retirement communities can provide them just what they are looking for and what they need to make their retirement years more pleasant. We have listed below a few of the reasons seniors are choosing retirement living in communities.

Time to Enjoy Themselves

No matter what type of retirement community they choose, they have more freedom to travel or indulge in hobbies. Without the responsibilities of living in their own home, seniors are finally able to take trips when they wish and often find others with the same interests to travel with them in a group tour. Sharing interests in the same hobbies is another benefit. Though seniors may know others who enjoyed the same hobbies, it’s likely that it wasn’t convenient to get together with them. In retirement communities, those people are nearby and are looking for company as well.

Seniors who like to socialize with others in their age range are better able to do so. Retirement communities often have activities scheduled that make socializing easy. These activities may include bingo, card games, movie nights, live music and entertainment and more. Trips to local attractions or events and shopping are often available as well. Some seniors find there is more than enough to do – staying busy and boredom is never a problem.

Living Among Others in the Same Age Range

As mentioned above, seniors often find their old neighborhoods have changed, leaving them with few people they can relate to. Retirement communities put them among other seniors that they have more in common with. New friendships with people who enjoy the same events and activities as they do makes the transition to retirement living easier.

Security

Feeling secure is important to seniors and their families. Retirement communities are more secure than the neighborhoods they moved from. This is often simply due to staff being present around the clock. With a more secure feeling, seniors have less worry and stress.

Options for More Care Available

As people age, cooking every meal isn’t always feasible or desired. Many retirement communities have apartments with small kitchens for those times residents do want to cook or bake and have a dining room that serves meals so when residents don’t want to cook their own meals, they don’t have to. Some seniors seldom cook their own meals, especially when the dining room is like eating in a fine restaurant and you are waited on hand and foot.

When seniors need help, such as when an elderly resident falls or needs help with medications, staff is available to provide the help needed. Many services may be available that could include housecleaning, laundry, transportation and etc.

We could list more reasons seniors are choosing retirement living here but there are so many that it would take a while to list them all. If you are considering retirement living for yourself or a loved one, please give the Small Assisted Living Facilities Coalition a call or click here and we will be glad to talk more about why seniors choose retirement living as a way for better living.

The post Seniors Choosing Retirement Communities for Better Living appeared first on Small Assisted Living Coalition.

In this new Blog area, we will be sharing with you various experiences regarding Assisted Living Facilities, and how these experiences can be of benefit to you and yours! We know that the burden of placing a loved one into a home that is safe and secure is a big deal to you. And so, we believe that through these experiences that we would share with you, it is our hope and prayer that you will be blessed immensely, encouraged, and well-informed in making this often-hard decision.

Know today that we are here for you, and if you are in need of a professional consultation with us to help you determine a place that will fit your loved one, contact us today!

More is to come, so stay tuned!

The post A New Beginning! appeared first on Small Assisted Living Coalition.

Did you know, it isn’t unusual for depression in seniors to be strongest as the holidays approach, especially if this will be the first year they have been away from the home they lived in for so many years?  They may feel displaced and depressed.  Even if they are still in their own home, they may be sad, especially if they have lost their spouse. Getting into the holiday spirit may not seem worth the effort to them.

Chances are that, deep down, they would like to feel that sense of joy and holiday cheer that they had when they spent holidays with family and friends. It is often a time of reflection as they are looking back to the time when they were heavily involved or coordinated family dinners and events.

Here’s where we can help.  Being aware and sensitive to their feelings is extremely important.  Sometimes, we don’t pick up on clues in terms of how our loved ones are feeling. We tend to talk around them without seeing their reactions. Have you noticed that as the holidays approach or are talked about well ahead of time that our elderly loved ones get quite and pull back from joining the conversation? They might even state they don’t want to be included in the usual family traditions. As the time for the holidays grows closer, they might be reluctant to even visit with you at all.

The good news is we can help make the holidays as positive and rewarding as possible. Here are some easy ideas to help you get them involved and pull them out of the holiday blues and into a more receptive state to take a bigger part in holiday festivities.

Holiday memories from the past

Start with gentling urging your elderly parent or loved one to talk about a particular memory that will bring a smile to their face. Choose something you would really like to hear them talk about and something that will foster positive conversations, perhaps taking them down memory lane.

Another idea is if you have some of the decorations from when you grew up, you might choose one that has a lot of sentiment attached to it and show it to your elderly loved one. Ask questions such as- where it came from – if it is one that seems to have been in the family forever.  Really let them talk and share as seniors generally like to talk and be heard.  Of course, if you have a different memory about the decoration, talk about your memory of it and see if they join in and have even more to share.

 Move From Merely Talking to Doing

Once you have your elderly parent talking and remembering, you can move on by asking for their advice as this will help get them motivated to doing more during the holidays. Ask for help in showcasing special decorations or how to make some of the special foods and drinks you remember growing up. Ask them to help you get the ingredients for foods and drinks or the right decorations to complement those special ones from the past.  Including them in activities fosters joy and love.

It really is the “little things” in life that make a difference.  These ideas are just a few that can help you get started. At the Small Assisted Living Coalition, we have many more ideas to help beat the holiday blues in seniors during the holidays. We would love to share them with you.  Please contact us at 813-857-2551 or click here.

The post Helping Elderly Parents Through Depression During the Holidays appeared first on Small Assisted Living Coalition.

• Wandering
• Lapses in memory
• Aggressive behavior
• Home safety issues
• Escalating care needs
• Caregiver stress

As you are considering your senior living options, we have provided you with helpful information on how to find Senior Care in Florida and tips to make the decision making process easier.  We understand that it can be difficult to navigate and shuffle through all your choices – we are here to help you.

We are sure you’ve heard the motto “live life to the fullest.”  With warm weather and many choices of living arrangements for seniors, Florida is an ideal haven for senior living.  To help put this in perspective, did you know:

• Florida has the highest 50+ density in the U.S. and continues to be the number one destination of retirees according to the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.
• Population in Florida age 60+ is 4,454,625; one-third of the population are senior citizens
• Florida has the highest percentage of elderly where 19% of residents are seniors
• Sun City Center, Florida is the home to the 55+ market; with more than 20,000 private homes and 14 facilities offering unique community lifestyle:
  • All-volunteer community with age restrictions requiring at least one resident per household to have reached 55 years of age.
  • Many families own a golf cart as the city has been given special permission to drive unlicensed golf carts on the streets.
• In the 2014 Cost of Care Survey conducted by Genworth Financial, Florida ranks in the top 3 amongst the lowest cost for a one-bedroom, single-occupancy assisted living apartment.

We realize that there are many variables that come into play when considering the geographical location for your loved one and Florida may not be the ideal location for you.  Our reach extends beyond Florida so rest assured that we can be of assistance to you.  Nonetheless, Florida is a great option if it meets your needs.

You may be asking, where do I start or what do I do next?  We are a resource and service for you, free of charge.  We believe in information sharing and providing you with what you need to ease the decision making process.  In addition to the services and information listed on the Small Assisted Living Coalition website, a few additional resources are:

Assisted Living Federation of America

National Caregivers Library

Please let us know how we can help you by calling us at (813) 857-2551 or contact us through the website.

The post Taking Care of Mom and Dad: Find Senior Care in Florida appeared first on Small Assisted Living Coalition.

So, how do you know if you have Parkinson’s disease? Only a qualified physician can actually diagnose you with the condition. However, there are some gradual signs that do appear, which includes the following:

• Balance problems
• Difficulty moving muscles from opposition forces
• Uncontrolled and spontaneous movements called bradykinesia

When a person is diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a physician will take the time to assess what stage a person is in. The later the stage, the greater the health complications are, with a significant reduction in the expected lifespan of a person. There are presently five stages, but the condition isn’t easy to diagnose.

The reason is that Parkinson’s disease is a condition with a clinical diagnosis.  Unfortunately, there are no medical tests for it. Instead, they base the diagnosis over several clinical factors. Since many symptoms are subtle at first, it can take a long time for a person to be diagnosed. This is especially the case with the symptoms that appear to be nothing more than aging.

When a person does reach a stage where diagnosis is possible, they also need to be watched for complications and other concerns. Fatal falls are often one of the most common killers of Parkinson’s patients. This occurs in Stages 4 and 5. This is due to the inability to stand or walk on their own.

Other fatal complications that claim the life of those diagnosed with the condition include:

• Aspiration
• Deep Vein Thrombosis
• Pulmonary Embolism

Treatment can help to improve the quality of life of patients significantly. While women will generally live longer than men, both will respond to both occupational therapy and medications. Newer medications can even stop the progression of the disease to the point that a person can continue to enjoy a normal, healthy life. The key is early detection, so the disease doesn’t progress beyond the early stages.

Schedule an appointment today with your doctor if you believe you are suffering from Parkinson’s. Through their clinical diagnosis, they can determine where you are in the process and help you to improve the quality of your life or the person impacted. In fact, a recent study suggests that patients can live as long as 15 – 20 years longer with medication, as long as their condition is diagnosed and treatment is begun in the earlier stages of the disease.

There is always someone to help you with problems that you may be facing with an elderly relative or loved one.  If you have concerns about Parkinson’s disease and you have questions about treatment or help available to you, contact The Small Assisted Living Coalition by clicking here for assistance.

The post Parkinson’s Disease – What you need to know appeared first on Small Assisted Living Coalition.

Have you had the difficult conversation or “talk” with your parent or loved one about life and the changes that lie ahead?  If you are like many of us, this “talk” is often dreaded and can be challenging of sorts.  Moving your elderly loved one into an assisted living or senior care facility is not an easy talk to have with an aging parent. It is more likely to be met with less resistance when it’s handled gently, with empathy, care and love.

To help ease the transition, here are some tips to help make the decision easier for you and more acceptable to your loved ones.

Involve your loved one in the decision as early as possible. One of the first decisions will be what type of senior facility is right and then you can discuss which specific facility it will be. Choosing a facility can be done well ahead of time so your loved ones can visit from time to time and get to know some of the staff and residents. This can help ease the transition from home to a senior care facility since the surroundings will be unfamiliar.

When making visits to facilities being considered, be sure to dine at the facility so you and your loved one know what the food will be like.  Typically, having good food and having snacks available throughout the day that your loved one enjoys will help comfort them during the transition.

Get a schedule of planned activities and classes so you and your loved one can participate in activities. Let your loved one choose the activities that interest them. Knowing they won’t be left alone just sitting in their room or apartment with little to do will help keep their mind occupied and challenged and will also allow them to have fun.

When moving elderly parents into an assisted living, a nursing home or any senior care facility, giving them the chance to have input into the decision making process can make it easier. Be sure you approach it from the view point that you care about them enough to want to be sure they are not alone should something happen and you will be less worried about them knowing they are in good hands.  Enabling them to give input into what they like and dislike can be empowering and rewarding as seniors like to be heard. When moving your elderly loved one, on-going communication is critical especially when they don’t want to move.

Additionally, making sure they can take some furniture with them so the new living space feels more familiar often helps. Some facilities offer empty rooms or apartments so residents are able to furnish the space with familiar pieces to make it feel just like home which gives their new home that extra touch.

At the Small ALF Coalition, we understand the difficulties of moving an elderly loved one and would be honored to help ease the transition.  Please click here or call us at 813-857-2551 for more information.

The post Moving Elderly into a Senior Care Facility appeared first on Small Assisted Living Coalition.

Heat stroke prevention with seniors starts with understanding why the elderly are more likely to suffer from heat conditions. Our elderly often have chronic medical problems that affect the body’s ability to adjust to changing heat conditions and ambient temperatures. As people age, it is natural for an otherwise healthy body to lose the ability to adjust responses to normal, seasonal temperature changes. Medications are more often prescribed to seniors that make it difficult for their bodies to perspire to cool off or regulate bodily temperature.

Of all the heat related conditions, heat stroke is the most serious. When it happens, a person’s body can no longer control its temperature. The affected person may have a body temperature of 106 or higher in 15 minutes or less but be unable to sweat to cool down. Permanent disability or death are quite possible if immediate treatment is not given. This is what can happen with anyone but with seniors, it can happen more quickly. For this reason, we need to know what the signs are at the earlier stages and how the deal with them to prevent worsening the condition.

Signs that warn of a possible heat stroke developing include:

• Body temperature exceeding 103°F degrees
• Strong, rapid pulse
• Red, dry, hot skin without sweating
• Throbbing headache
• Nausea
• Dizziness

Even if you are unsure when any of these signs present themselves, one of the best tips is that it is always best to err on the side of caution than to have regrets later. If possible, it is best to stop heat stroke before it gets past the first signs. Elderly heat stroke and heat exhaustion can both be treated but both can be prevented. Heat exhaustion is a heat related condition just as heat stroke is but is not as severe. It may take a few days to develop when our elderly are exposed to a lack of adequate fluid intake and high temperatures. Untreated, heat exhaustion can become a heat stroke so learning how to prevent heat exhaustion helps in elderly heat stroke prevention.

Heat stroke and heat exhaustion have some warning signs in common but some are different. The signs in common include headache, dizziness and nausea. Other signs of heat exhaustion are:

• Paleness
• Tiredness
• Heavy sweating
• Weakness
• Muscle cramps
• Fainting
• Rapid but weak pulse rate
• Skin that is cool and clammy
• Fast, shallow breathing

If you notice any of these signs beginning to show, here are some tips to begin treating it right away so it is stopped before it gets too bad. Encourage your senior loved one to drink plenty of cool beverages but avoid alcoholic drinks. If a doctor has your elderly loved one taking medications such as water pills or other medications that may limit the amount of liquid that can be taken in, find out how much can be safely consumed on hot days. Avoid drinks that are icy cold as they may cause cramping.

Getting plenty of rest and bathing in cool water helps prevent heat related problems. Clothing should be light weight and strenuous activity should be avoided during the hottest part of the day. Staying inside where it is air conditioned during the hotter part of the day is among the best ways to help with elderly heat stroke prevention along with other heat related health issues.

Summer can be the best time of the year for our elderly or it can be one of the worst times. If we keep watch, we can help make it the best time of year for our loved ones. If you want more information on how you can help make life more pleasant for your elderly family members, let us at the Small ALF Coalition know and we will be glad to help you.  Please feel free to call us at 813-857-2551 or click here.

The post Elderly Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion Tips appeared first on Small Assisted Living Coalition.

Moving into a senior care facility seems like the perfect solution to help combat loneliness, however, it is not uncommon for loneliness to be felt even more so, at least at first, when a life changing event occurs. Unfamiliar surroundings and unknown people often make seniors feel even lonelier. Elderly aging and loneliness seem to go hand in hand but there are ways to cope and ease the loneliness both at home and in an assisted living or nursing home facility.

Keepsakes and special items.

To help seniors cope with loneliness, find something for them to keep with or near them that is a reminder of earlier times of happiness. Something that lifts their spirits each time they look at it and hold it. It can be a picture or a special memento that has meaning and conjures a feeling of closeness.

You may also be thinking that just having other people their age around will automatically make any loneliness disappear but this is not usually the case. Being in an unfamiliar place with people who are new or strangers can make them feel even lonelier. It takes time to adjust, get familiar with the new surroundings and become acquainted with the people in their new community.

Replicate or recreate their former home.

Another tip that can help seniors adjust to their new surroundings, is to make their room or new home feel as much like their former home as possible. For example, have furniture from their previous home brought in to furnish their new living space. Familiar, loved items such as pictures of family, favorite knick-knacks, etc. will make it more comfortable for them and give them a place that feels like a safe haven.

Especially at first, visit frequently and spend time in the community areas with your loved one versus them spending a lot of time isolated in their room. Get to know others living there yourself so you also become part of their community. As you do, so will your senior family members. You will find that not only does your relative benefit but you also benefit. A smaller community setting makes this much easier as it can be more relaxed and easier to get the one-on-one care and attention that may be needed to help with the adjustment. The unfamiliar becomes familiar much faster as it is less likely to become overwhelming.

Active Listening.

Find out what will make your loved one feel less lonely. This is best done simply by asking questions, listening to them and paying attention to what they react to and how. Listening by itself is a major factor in easing loneliness. Nothing makes a person feel lonely more than the feeling that no one listens.

Sometimes, the loneliness doesn’t seem to lift much no matter what you try and do. When this happens, it may be more than just loneliness. Depression is not unusual and often is mistaken for loneliness. Talk to the staff about it as they can evaluate the situation and consult with a therapist to distinguish between just feeling lonely or having depression. Often, depression is situational and will pass but sometimes it goes beyond situational and needs treatment that may be long term.

Change is hard for our aging family members to cope with. Even when our elderly remain at home, aging brings changes in the way they live. Loneliness often comes with that change. We can find ways of helping seniors cope with loneliness and change and it starts with listening.

As always, if we can be of assistance in any way, please contact us at www.smallalfcoaliton.com/contact-us.

The post Tips to Help Seniors Cope with Loneliness appeared first on Small Assisted Living Coalition.

There once was a time when the only choices were to move senior family members in with you or into a nursing home. Now there are more choices, including finding the right assisted living service or other senior care service for your needs. Getting help and advice from someone who knows and understands the various options is so important since it is someone you love who needs the best and most appropriate care possible.

With choices such as home care, independent living, assisted living, memory care and nursing home care, it can be a confusing maze of choices. As loving, sometimes over protective family members, we can be too subjective as far as the needs of our elderly are concerned. It helps to have someone who can be more objective yet caring to evaluate the needs of not only your loved ones but also the entire family. On one hand, we can be in denial of how much care is needed but on the other, we might think they need more than they do. This can be especially true when it is both parents needing senior care services.

Working with the Small ALF Coalition, you will find caring people to help you assess the degree of care needed and to find the right community to provide the assisted living or senior service needed. As much as possible, the senior loved ones’ are included in the process since it is they who will be most affected. For as long as possible, they should be part of any decisions regarding their living situation and care. It makes a big difference in how well they adjust to the changes and how they do overall.

Elderly who are able to do many things for themselves may do best with home care or independent living. When a bit more care is needed than those options can provide, assisted living is a better option as it still allows seniors more control over their care than more institutional options. Elderly with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia would be better served with memory care. They would have services especially designed to keep their minds as healthy as possible as they are given tasks and opportunities to engage with others. When our loved ones can no longer care for themselves at all and family members are not able to give the twenty-four hour dedicated care they may need, it may be time to consider a nursing home to provide the skilled care needed for the health and safety of our elderly.

With so many factors to consider, it is a relief to know that this is what the Small ALF Coalition does all with the goal of helping you and your family make the best decision. The Small ALF Coalition provides the help you need at no cost to you.  We know the senior care services industry inside and out and have built solid reputations for providing the best care possible for families and their senior loved ones.   Please contact us at www.smallalfcoalition/contact-us for more information.  We would be honored to assist you.

The post The Small Assisted Living Coalition: Senior Care Services appeared first on Small Assisted Living Coalition.

In addition to these food groups, it is equally important to include critical nutrients in your diet. These nutrients are essential for your long term health, especially during your golden years.

Omega 3 – Studies have proven that Omega 3 helps to ward off heart disease. It is also effective for helping to prevent cancer, inflammation and even some types of arthritis. If you aren’t a fan of fish, consider alternatives such as walnuts, canola oil and even flaxseeds to add Omega 3 to your diet.

Calcium – As we age, our bodies need more calcium which can be found in foods like milk, leafy greens or fortified orange juice. While we know that calcium strengthens bones, it is also essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure.

Vitamin B12 – Vitamin B12 is important for healthy nerve function. It is also a key part of red blood cells and DNA. To boost your B12 naturally, enjoy foods like milk, eggs, fish and poultry.

Folate/Folic Acid – Essential for warding off anemia, most adults lack adequate folate levels.  Just eating a bowl of fortified cereal or eating a large serving of vegetables, will give you these extra nutrients.

Vitamin D – Without Vitamin D, your body can’t absorb calcium which impacts bone density. Those with low Vitamin D levels may experience cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis and other series conditions.  To increase your Vitamin D, increase your daily exposure to the sun (and of course, wear sunscreen) or a supplement can be taken if that’s a more suitable option.

Potassium – Most people don’t get the recommended 4,700 mg each day.  Did you know that potassium wards off kidney stones, high blood pressure and will keep you feeling healthy?  By adding fruits like bananas and prunes into your diet, you can easily increase the amount of potassium into your daily food intake.

Magnesium – Magnesium is vital for your bones, heart and immune system. Unfortunately, with people eating more processed foods, magnesium levels are decreasing. It is critical to eat plenty of fresh foods and vegetables when possible.

Getting the proper nutrition and sticking with a balanced diet is difficult for many people.  The more you educate yourself and evaluate your options, the better likelihood you will have to improve your diet and will be able to help prepare and plan meals for the seniors in your life.  Meeting the nutritional needs for seniors is a risk that can be managed.  If you need more information or would like to talk with us, please contact us at:  www.smallalfcoalition.com/contact-us.

The post Nutrition for the Elderly appeared first on Small Assisted Living Coalition.