Tips for Visiting Grandma and Grandpa in Assisted Living

Visiting assisted living residents can be a fun and interesting experience. While parents may see the situation as difficult, most children will associate the visit with seeing Grandma or Grandpa in their new apartment. If the time a child gets to spend with their grandparent in assisted living is somewhat limited, use these tips:

Check the Rules First

Most assisted living facilities don’t have a lot of restrictions when it comes to visits other than hours.

Some may limit children and teens to certain areas of the property, such as the patient’s room, recreational area, and gardens. Check ahead of time to avoid an awkward confrontation.

Attend a Scheduled Activity

If Grandma or Grandpa has a favorite activity, they shouldn’t have to choose between it and a family visit. Instead, make Bingo or cards a family event. Preplanned activities are a fantastic way to teach a child a new game and encourage them to take a more interest in their grandparent’s lives. Most facilities in assisted living villanova special activities during visiting hours for this very reason.

Bring a Movie

Children can get bored easily, and the last thing a grandparent with limited visiting hours wants to hear is “I’m bored.” Bring a new movie as a backup in case activities get cancelled or kids seem restless. 

Choosing a new movie that the children and grandparents both haven’t seen will encourage them to watch together and discuss. The grandparent won’t feel like they are losing time with their grandchild and the child will feel like they got to do more in a day.

Start a Scrapbook or Other Project

Scrapbooking is a favorite hobby among assisted living residents. It is a great way to relive old memories and create something that can be passed down from generation to generation. Having a child contribute to a grandparent’s scrapbooking efforts can be a wonderful way to encourage bonding. Try bringing new supplies or additional photos each visit to encourage work a little at a time.

Encourage “Normal” Behavior

While a lot of grandparents in assisted living facilities have physical or mental restrictions, they want to be treated like anyone else. Don’t treat the visit like a hospital visit. Instead, treat it like a visit to Grandma or Grandpa’s house.

This will encourage the children to do the same, helping everyone feel more relaxed. Grandma or Grandpa will also appreciate not feeling like they’re sick, being asked how they are every few minutes, or talked down to.

Grandparents love spending time with their families, even if they are in an assisted living facility in Villanova. This precious time can be a great experience when guests are well-prepared.

What to Look for in an Assisted Living Facility

Choosing an assisted living villanova facility is never easy. While loved ones may have some opinions on which facilities or locations to choose, it is up to caregivers to make the ultimate choice. This means compiling research and making comparisons. No one wants to have to find out the hard way that they made the wrong choice or causes their loved one to be unhappy in their golden years. 

Before making a final selection, caregivers should compare these assisted living features. 

Quality of Staff 

Staff plays the biggest factor in assisted living facilities, as most residents are in need of some sort of daily care.  Assisted living centers in Villanova may have different types of caretakers as well.

For example, some facilities only have certified nursing assistants on hand and keep physicians on call. Larger facilities may have a combination of nurses, assistants, therapists, dieticians, social workers, and emergency physicians on staff. 

Facility Accommodations 

Imagine living in a spacious house and downsizing to a small room. The adjustment can be heartbreaking, even if it isn’t always expressed. One of the first things to consider when choosing assisted living in Villanova is room size, but overall room features should also be closely examined. Is the room plain or can it easily be customized to make someone feel at home? It doesn’t matter if a loved one is going to spend a few weeks in the facility or several years, they should have access to all the comforts of home.

Menu Options 

Food plays a huge role in emotional and physical health. While all assisted living facilities will have a regulated menu of some kind, caretakers should ask to see a sampling before dropping off their loved one. Some smaller facilities with limited budgets may not offer very many choices or have mediocre quality. Large facilities may have multiple dining options or restaurants on campus, with room service.

Daily Activities 

When people think of activities at an assisted living center, they tend to think of bingo and movie night. Assisted living facilities often offer much more than these traditional activities. Quality centers may offer a fitness center, tennis courts, cocktail lounges, art studios, libraries and more. Assisted living centers, even small ones, will offer chances for loved ones to socialize. Compare these activities and the offerings of each facility before making a final selection. While most people considering assisted living facilities do need nursing care and constant companionship, it doesn’t mean they have to sacrifice their quality of life. Compare each assisted living option in Villanova to find the options that best suit a loved one’s needs and match their personality.

The Most Popular Retirement Home Activities for Seniors

Seniors’ homes are bustling with activities for residents and the range of programs that are offered is constantly growing to include new and interesting things. Retirement homes carefully plan their activity calendars with a variety of events, outings, and fitness classes for all levels. There are activities for every type of hobby or interest so there’s always something for everyone, and most assisted living facilities welcome new suggestions and ideas. Seniors love getting together and socializing, especially when they’re participating in one of these most popular activities:

● Outings - Chauffeured outings are a great way for assisted living residents to get out and explore Villanova. Trips may include fine arts events like shopping at the local mall or attending a theatre or symphony performance. Group outings give seniors a chance to get a change of scenery, get out of the house, and spend time with friends in a new environment. Group outings tend to book up quickly so residents at any retirement home are encouraged to reserve a spot quickly. 

● Book club - With book clubs being so popular across the country, it’s only natural for retirement homes to get on board and offer this type of program to it’s residents. Typically held once a month, seniors’ book clubs expose residents to new and interesting reads and gives them a chance to socialize with a lively discussion.

● Computer classes - With all of the technology available, seniors are anxious to keep up with their friends and family members. Classes cover everything from mobile phone use, emailing, surfing the web, using tablets, downloading apps, text messaging, and discovering blogs to read. Seniors feel empowered when they can grasp even a small part of the technology that younger people are using and they love learning new ways of keeping in touch with their families outside of the home. 

 ● Coffee talk - While residents may have coffee or tea with friends at any time of day, organized coffee events are always popular. These larger groups encourage interaction between people who may not know each other and are especially beneficial for new residents who are looking to meet the other seniors in the community. These activities spark great conversations that tend to continue long after the organized event has ended.

● Board games - Again, seniors are welcome to play a game with friends at any time, however scheduled board game events are always well attended. Residents love meeting new friends, challenging each other to a rematch from the previous event, and playing their favorite games with friends. Popular games include bridge, rummy, backgammon, bingo, and Trivial Pursuit. 

● Yoga - The yoga craze that has swept the nation is one of the most popular types of fitness classes at assisted living villanova facilities. Seniors are eager to learn new ways to exercise in ways that are attainable for any fitness level. Chair yoga and gentle stretching classes are the perfect way for any senior to get their bodies moving, increase circulation and release positive endorphins that gives them that great post-workout feeling. Sharing workout goals with friends is a great way for residents to socialize and stay active at the same time.

Assessing Care Homes

Selecting an assisted living facility in the Villanova area can be a difficult decision to make and the choices can feel overwhelming.

When evaluating prospective homes there are some key factors to look at when assessing the options so that seniors can find the best place for their needs. Some points for evaluation are:

• Services provided - First and foremost, care homes should be assessed based on the assistance they provide. Basic care, activities, medical services, fitness programs, and dining should all be considered. People looking at care homes should determine the level of assistance they require and ensure that they can have the independence amount that is right for them, as well as looking at what pleasure and social activities there are so they can ensure that they’ll enjoy their time there. 

• References - Any prospective assisted living Villanova should be able to provide a list of references of other people who live in the residence and of their family members outside of the home. This allows potential residents to speak to people about their real experience and hear their opinions on the pros and cons from their peers.

• Tour - A guided tour of the care home will provide a wealth of information. Prospective residents and their family members can see first hand what the facility and grounds look like, what the rooms include, and can see how other residents are spending their time or interacting with one another. The best care home for that person will just feel right and people will often describe knowing it was the right place from the moment they walked through the door. People are encouraged to trust their instincts and choose the home that gives the them the best impression and feeling.

• Cleanliness - It’s important for residents to maintain a high quality of life when they move to an assisted home in Villanova and this means living in a well-kept facility. A home should be spotless and well cared for. The cleanliness and attention to detail can be indicative of the facility’s standards, which can be translated into their quality of care. 

• Philosophy of care - Each care home will have it’s own philosophy of care and prospective residents should become familiar with the mission statement of each facility they look at. The values of the home should align with the values of the potential resident and should resonate with the type of care and/or independence they are looking for. 

• Customer service - Staff members should be friendly, accommodating, and treat prospective residents with the utmost respect. They should allow as much time as a potential resident needs to have all of their questions answered and they should do so in a kind way that makes people feel welcome and at ease. A person’s first interaction with staff members will give them a good idea of the customer care they can expect to receive if they choose to live there. 

Physical Activities for Seniors

Staying active is one of the hardest things to maintain in old age. Even for the most active adults, dealing with the aging of the body makes it more challenging to stay on top of one’s physical fitness. It is a challenge of the utmost importance, though, because physical fitness becomes more important for overall health as the body ages. If the body does not have an active routine then the musculature will begin to weaken, bones themselves will get soft, and respiratory issues are bound to arise.

Staying active for seniors is easier if activities are done in a group. Some form of group physical activity is always offered in elder care homes and retirement village communities. Inspiration can be found in an assisted living community in Villanova that rents a shuttle bus to take interested seniors to a nearby gold course every weekend. Getting outside and enjoying the weather while being active is of course ideal.

Here are a number of activities that will keep seniors in shape:

Gardening

Gardening is a great way for seniors to keep their body agile without worrying about injury or strain. It allows for creativity and planning, the two best ways to keep people interested. Cultivating produce in a raised bed will also be relatively light on maintenance work because the raised bed takes care of most of the weeds.

Fishing/Bird Watching

Unlike gardening, fishing and bird watching are ideal group activities to be done all morning or afternoon. Fishing requires a little bit of preparation, but bird watching can be done on a whim.

                                                                 A Daily Walk

The most effective form of physical activity for seniors is walking. Even if it is just a ten-minute stroll around the block it will have benefits for the body and mind. Combining a walk with arm movements will go a long way in ensuring that mobility stays strong in older age.

Lawn Bowling

Lawn bowling is a low-intensity sport based on rolling a weighted ball across a trim lawn. They are usually located in combination with a Tennis Club and are real favorites for those who no longer have the strength or mobility to play tennis.

Golf

Golf is a game with universal appeal that can be played until late in life. Like lawn bowling, the main challenge of gold is mental rather than physical. It is popular for assisted living villanova and surrounding areas to organize a shuttle bus to a local golf course every weekend of the summer. It is just as popular amongst women as it is amongst men.

Any of these physical activities will make a big difference on the overall of senior citizens. It helps that they are all outside and generally fun to undertake.

5 Tips on how to Stay Healthy at any Age

With all the luxuries that life affords, it’s easy to get carried away in the thick of things and forget how important it is to maintain good health. Our bodies are tools, in a sense, and they function just as well as we maintain them. Although it’s tempting to think otherwise, it’s never too late for someone to get into peak physical shape, even when it comes to Villanova residents engaged in an assisted living villanova program. Here are four fundamental pointers on how to stay healthy regardless of age.

Keep the Mind Active Through Reading While maintaining a solid physical foundation at any age is key, engaging the mind on a regular basis is also important in maintaining overall health. A happy, involved mind makes for a healthy body. The value of reading cannot be understated when it comes to feeding the mind with lush intellectual stimulation. Books feed their readers content and, in return, ask that their readers transform the words on the page into vivid imagined scenes. The companionship of a good book can turn a casual night spent in the living room into something truly grand. Aside from the rich enjoyment that books come with, engaging in regular reading is useful in maintaining long-term good health.

Donate Time As the mind and body require stimulation, so too does the spirit. Dedicating a portion of one’s life to bringing joy and wellness into the lives of others can go a long way in raising the spirits, and high spirits bring about long, healthy lives. Of course, it’s important not to dedicate so much time to others that one misses out on crucial personal time — in this case, as in most cases, a sense of balance is key. Find Passion in Physical Activity Physical exercise does not necessarily have to be a chore. Activities that are approached with a sense of passion do not come across as “work”. In that regard, choosing a physical activity that is fun and personally engaging is its own reward, though it also comes with all the benefits that a good workout brings.

Prioritize Stress can be overwhelming, whether it rears its head without prior warning, or manifests itself with increasing frequency over years. Aside from the immediate sense of discomfort it yields, stress can affect blood pressure, immune system functions, and can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Although removing stress is far easier said than done, stress is something that can be warded off in small steps, such as taking time to prioritize what the truly important things in life are. When listing down life’s priorities, there may come a realization that a lot of stress is derived from trivial circumstances. Get a pet! Anyone living a sedentary lifestyle has plenty of reasons to get a pet. Having an animal companion around the house can add a bonus sense of joy to life, and a joyful mindset is the best way to go about healthy living.

Touring an Assisted Living Community: Important Considerations

When an elderly loved one begins to have trouble caring for themselves, it may be time to have a conversation about assisted living options. By moving into an assisted living Villanova area, a loved one can receive the level of care and attention they need while still leading as independent a life as possible. While exploring assisted living communities with a loved one, however, there are some important steps to take to help guide that choice.

Ask to Eat a Meal On-Site

The quality of the food served to residents at an assisted living community is very important; meals should be made with fresh ingredients, and should be nutritious so as to keep residents feeling their best. Any reputable assisted living community should be happy to allow visitors to sample a meal on-site.

Visit During a Busy Time

To get a true idea for how the community is run, it's best to visit during a busy time when there is a lot of activity. Generally, this will be during the evening hours, when planned activities will be taking place, staff will be helping residents prepare for bed, and meals are being served. 

Talk to Security Staff

Security is extremely important, especially when it comes to residents who may be dealing with memory problems or dementia. When touring an assisted living community, it's a good idea to take the time and speak with security staff. Find out what their staffing is like, as well as their training and protocols put into place. What measures are being taken to prevent security problems within the community?

Chat With Other Families

Finally, if possible, it's always smart to speak one-on-one with family members of current residents during the visit. This will ultimately give the best insight as to how the community is run and the level of satisfaction from family and residents. Not to mention, this could even give a loved one a chance to connect with another resident within the community, helping them feel more comfortable if and when it comes time to move in.

Touring an assisted living community is a great way to find out whether or not it may be a good fit for an elderly loved one. By taking these steps during a visit, it's possible to make a better informed decision with the help of the loved one.