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.

Choosing Between Home Healthcare and Assisted Living Facilities

When an elderly person needs more care than a family can provide, loved ones may have to choose between home healthcare and fulltime assisted living villanova. The best choice between these two choices really depends upon preferences, budgets, and how much care the elderly person requires.

Assisted Living vs. Home Healthcare

For many families, the choice may boil down to the cost. Naturally, costs vary because of location, facility, and the type of services that the elderly person needs. This comparison will use the Genworth study that found average U.S. costs for fulltime home healthcare were about $3,500 a month. In comparison, home healthcare averaged about $20 an hour.

With these figures, it would take about 175 hours of home care a month to equal the cost of a residential facility. If the senior requires fulltime supervision, an assisted living home will obviously work out to be much cheaper. In addition, residential facilities also provide room, board, and typically, some activities. If the elderly person only requires a few hours of assistance each day, home healthcare should cost less.

In some cases, family members may decide to use local adult daycare services or their own services to reduce the cost of home healthcare. In addition, residents of assisted living facilities may still require some additional healthcare services that aren't provided by the facility. These could include therapists, skilled nurses, and so on. It isn't possible to really reduce this choice to a mathematical formula that applies to every senior citizen and every family.

Most Families Don't Decide Between Home Healthcare and Assisted Living Solely on Price

Anybody who needs to decide between home care and assisted living will need to do cost comparisons for their unique situation. Costs for any type of service will vary by the location and many other factors. The loss of income that family caregivers may have to sacrifice is another example of something that needs to get considered.

Also, most families won't make a decision based solely on price. If the costs are fairly close, they will consider their own preferences and that of their aged family member. In some cities and towns, community organizations may help fill in some gaps in care by providing low-cost services. Individuals and families without the funds to pay for senior care may qualify for federal, state, or local programs that can help. Anybody with an aging loved one should do some research on the best and most sensible ways to care for their family member.

Key Elements for Assisted Living in Villanova

Finding assisted living Villanova for a loved one can be a difficult and emotional process. There are many factors to consider in order to ensure a loved one’s emotional, physical, spiritual, and intellectual wellbeing. It can feel like an enormous burden that is surrounded by doubt. Fear no more. While there is no tried and true process to always find the perfect assisted living community, these are some of the things that will help families feel confident they’ve chosen a good one.

Encourages Active Lifestyles

For far too long, elder care facilities have treated assisted living residents as invalids who cannot do for themselves. This is not the case. Just because someone needs assistance in some things doesn’t mean that person cannot lead an active lifestyle. Facilities that encourage active lifestyles for assisted living residents will offer activities, such as fitness classes, dances, community events, and even volunteer opportunities that take their physical limitations or constraints into account and show residents how they can overcome them to achieve their fitness goals, get out on the dance floor, and give back to their communities.

Addresses Specific Needs a Loved One Has

Most people move into assisted living communities because they have specific needs that cannot be addressed or met in their current home situation. It may be mobility needs or progressive cognitive impairments. Look for communities that have qualified caring professionals and programs in place to address the specific needs that are relevant to loved ones. Whether it is on-site physical therapy or memory care wings, it’s important that the most pressing needs are being met by the facility or find one that can address those needs properly.

Full Spectrum of Care

People have many complex sides to them. It isn’t enough to find assisted living in Villanova that meets the barest physical needs of food, shelter, and medical supervision for residents. All aspects of care must be met including their spiritual needs, social needs, and intellectual needs. Look for communities that offer a wide variety of activities, lectures, learning opportunities, community involvement, intergenerational opportunities, and more. The more active the residents, the happier they will be in their new homes.

The final thing families might want to consider are the surroundings. People prefer to living in a homelike environment rather than one that feels clinical. Look for communities that offer the appearance of home for a more comfortable and beneficial experience for assisted living residents.

Assisted Living in Villanova Can Provide Skilled Nursing Care

When selecting the best residential option for a senior, nursing care is one of the most crucial aspects to consider. Finding facilities offering high quality nursing can be a daunting task. The ideal scenario is to find a center offering expert nursing care, which is both professional and personalized. Staff should be experienced and skilled at dealing with elderly people.

Organisations Ranking the Assisted Living in Villanova

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rate establishments according to their quality and performance. Nursing centers can be awarded medicare certificates, proving their credentials and the quality of care they offer. When anyone is making the difficult decision of which nursing home to choose for themselves or their loved one, these accolades can help provide an indication of the quality of an institution.

Specialized Care Is Available

Specialized care may be required for seniors who suffer with an acute illness, those have had a recent surgery, or any elder person with a long-term medical condition that means they need 24-hour attention. If this kind of care is necessary, then it is vitally important for a senior or their family to seek out a facility which can offer adequate support.

Types of On-site Therapy And Treatment Which May Be Available

In addition to nurses, nursing assistants and physicians, there are many different types of therapists who might be available to patients staying or living in a nursing home. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, dieticians and dermatologists may all be on offer at an assisted living facility, along with other kinds of therapists. Physical therapists are trained health care professionals who work with patients to improve or restore mobility and reduce pain. They teach their patients the best ways to manage or prevent their condition for long term health gains. Occupational therapists also work with their clients in different ways to assist them in achieving a fulfilling state of life. They promote good health and help to prevent injury or disability. Speech therapists offer support and training for individuals who struggle with communication, eating, drinking and swallowing. All these different therapists can help to improve a patient’s physical health and subsequently their emotional wellbeing. 

Dieticians are another kind of specialist who help patients with specific dietary requirements or health issues. They can develop personalized meal plans to suit a patient’s individual needs. Dermatologists are helpful to patients suffering with any skin conditions.

Respite Care Services

In addition to permanent care, a lot of assisted living villanova offers respite care. That means short-term care while a patient’s loved ones are away. This service brings comfort, reassurance and aid to those who need it. Other reasons patients may stay in an assisted living facility for a short period of time include rehabilitation, recuperation following hospitalization and end-of-life care. Whatever the reason for the stay, it is important that the individual choose the most suitable and highest quality option they can reasonably afford.

Assisted Living in Villanova — Not Just For the Elderly

When people hear about assisted living Villanova, they automatically think of a home for the elderly. While this impression isn’t necessarily wrong, it is very limited. The scope of what assisted living facilities in Villanova accomplish for people living in the community is quite vast.

3 Ways Assisted Living Facilities Help the Community

There are 3 ways in particular that these facilities help people within the community. 

• After an Illness – Illnesses can be extremely debilitating. Even a so-called simple cold can be a miserable experience. People deal with sickness all the time, but there are some times when they need help recovering from one. 

Certain illnesses leave people extremely weak and vulnerable to contracting other sicknesses or the same illness yet again. In some cases, people need help to do some of the most basic things, like feeding themselves or going to the bathroom.

A care facility and the staff that run it provide a lot of help to people who find themselves in this type of circumstance. Whether they’re recovering from pneumonia, a stroke or heart attack, skilled nurses can help people come back from debilitating situations. With this much-needed help, patients are often able to fully recover and get back to their normal routine. 

• After an Accident – Being in an accident can be devastating. Serious injuries can be sustained from a vehicle accident, work place accident, or even a fall at home. Recovery can sometimes take a long time. Bones have to heal, and people have to learn to do certain things all over again. 

Because it can take so much time for bones to heal, the muscles can begin to atrophy. The result is a loss of flexibility and strength. Patients have to train their muscles to move the way they’re supposed to. A skilled nursing staff can help the patient train their muscles with daily physical therapy and exercise. 

The benefit of this is that nurses know what they’re doing. They’ve been trained specifically for situations such as these. They understand human anatomy and know exactly what needs to be done to facilitate healing. 

Additionally, the nursing staff can make sure the patient doesn’t reinjure themselves during this healing process. Left up to their own devices, some people have attempted to go it alone while healing and end up hurting themselves even more. Getting assistance is nothing shameful. Quite the contrary; it is a protection and a great tool for recovery. 

• The Elderly – At times, those who are quite aged tend to be prone to illness and injury. An assisted living facility allows them to be closely monitored. If they do get sick or injured, they can be treated promptly. 

Assisted Living in Villanova — Helping People Live Full, Productive Lives
 

Whether serving the elderly or someone who is recovering from an illness or injury, assisted living facilities and those who operate them serve a tremendous need within the community. Assisted living in Villanova is one of the best ways to ensure that people continue living full, productive lives, no matter their circumstances.

Senor Living Means Freedom!

For some people, the idea of “assisted living” is rather frightening because the concept of old age has taken over one’s life. But, as the old adage goes, life really does begin at 65, 70, 75 and beyond that. The idea of “senior” is all in the mind, body and spirit. It may take a little help but, in the long run, people can truly embrace those senior years. When searching for qualified assisted living villanova facilities have more to offer than merely basic, day-to-day care. Seniors can spend their days doing what they want while someone else does all the must-do chores. Senior living really does mean freedom!

Best of Life Choosing a new home is not an easy process; it is a life-altering move. Many assisted living facilities in Villanova and other areas feature private apartments that include kitchenettes, phone lines, bathrooms, cable and internet access and walk-in closets. These private living quarters allow residents to utilize important services such as meal preparations, laundry and medication assistance. When assisted living facilities handle the little-but-necessary things in life, seniors have more time for themselves and thus the concept of “freedom” definitely can come to the surface.

Time for … Residents who enjoy assisted living in Villanova have more time for everything they want to do. With someone else mowing the yard, pulling weeds, cleaning the garage, taking out the trash, running errands and etc., folks can do all those fun things that their younger selves never had time for. Activities, classes and social events vary at these residences, but many facilities feature opportunities for gardening, swimming, golf, fitness, movies, music, reading clubs, art production, travel and educational programs ... just to name a few. Time is … Time is running out. That phrase sounds so final but it is essentially true for some people -- hence the reason to use it as wisely as possible.

Assisted living centers in Villanova are not merely tools that help people survive their later years, they are points of reference for developing plans for the immediate future. Residents have the extra time for being creative, productive, furthering their own educational experiences and helping to teach younger generations about … everything. Reality Living live life to its fullest in those twilight years does actually depend on one’s health and well-being. Finding the best assisted living center in Villanova can play a part in that but essentially, pondering the positive attitude of “freedom” is the first place to start.

When is the Right Time to Consider Assisted Living in Villanova?

Most adult children of aging parents struggle with the decision to put their parents in a nursing care or assisted living facility. For some it is fear that their parents will feel left out or unloved. For others, it is the admission that the condition of their parents is too much for them to handle on their own. There is no shame in that. It’s difficult to take care of aging parents. It becomes even more difficult as various maladies and other symptoms of aging begin to show. These are a few signs now might be the right time to consider assisted living villanova.

A Parent’s Illness is Occupying all Free Time This is more for the “only child” or the “only child left behind.” Adult children have their own responsibilities to deal with. Work. Children. Family. While it’s true that they love their parents, that doesn’t mean that they have an infinite amount of time to devote to the care of their aging parents. An assisted living facility allows adults to get the care their parents need and allows them to enjoy being with their parents rather than feeling burdened by that time spent together. A Parent’s Condition is Beyond their Scope to Deal With Some conditions of the elderly are beyond a child’s ability to deal with. Emotionally, physically, or otherwise.

Conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are often incredibly difficult for family members – understandably so. When these conditions progress, most homes lack the resources to deal with them. Beyond that, though, many adult children become far too emotionally wrought attempting to care for conditions like these or rapidly deteriorating conditions on their own. When the Parent is at Risk of Harming Him or Herself We’re not talking about depression in this instance or a parent deliberately causing harm, but when balance issues become a problem. These can lead to slips, trips, and falls that can be life changing, if not life ending. Another problem is forgetful behavior that could result in something being left in the oven or on the stove and starting a fire.

When a Parent Needs More Social Interaction It’s great to spend time with an aging parent, but sometimes he or she needs someone with more common life experiences to converse with. The parent’s friends may have moved away or are now living in assisted living communities of their own. This leaves parents without a social network to draw from – one that is found readily in assisted living communities. Chances are that now is the right time to find a great community for assisted living in Villanova. Make sure to take the time to find one that will provide outstanding care for an aging parent.

Choosing Assisted Living in Villanova

The decision to move into assisted living villanova is rarely an easy one to make. For some people it feels like giving up independence. Others feel as if it’s giving up on living. It doesn’t need to be either. Many people in assisted living get assistance when needed for day to day activities but are encouraged to live as independently as possible otherwise. Choosing the right facility, on the other hand, is not always easy. These are a few important factors to consider when choosing assisted living facilities.

Provides a Homelike Atmosphere

There really is no place like home. Residents who feel at home will have a much more positive reaction than those who feel like they are entering a more clinical environment. Look for rooms that are private, comfortable, warm, and inviting. It’s important to have a comfortable place away from the world that feels as if it belongs to them. Then they will have a much happier overall experience.

Active Social Opportunities

Depression is a disease that can do more damage to many physical ailments. Loneliness and isolation leads to depression among aging adults. Look for communities that offer a diverse group of activities daily and that encourage residents to participate. Even things as simple as a daily coffee hour or euchre game can get residents out of their rooms and getting to know the other people around them. It’s the little things that can bring the most pleasure. The more social opportunities a facility offers daily, the better.

Caring Staff

It’s important to take a look around and examine the staff of any assisted living facility before moving a loved one into that facility. Don’t simply look for cleanliness and efficiency, though those are certainly important things. Look also for how the staff interacts with residents – and how the residents interact with them. It’s important to see a warm atmosphere of cooperation and genuine affection between them all as a sign that all is well.

Encourages Resident Independence

The key thing about assisted living is the word “assisted.” Residents actually need to do as much for themselves as possible for as long as they are able to. This means things that are tedious and becoming difficult – even sometimes frustrating. There is a fine line between allowing residents to become overly frustrated and creating negative reactions and keeping them on their toes and doing for themselves. Look for facilities that understand the subtleties of both.

Choosing facilities that offer all these things along with comfortable private rooms and all the trappings of home sets the stage for a truly positive overall experience with assisted living in Villanova.

Assisted Living in Villanova – What makes the Difference?

There are many assisted living facilities to choose from in Villanova. They all may seem very similar at first glance. That’s why it’s important to know the little things that make big differences between one facility and the next. These are a few of the differences to look for. Staff Promotes Independence and Independent Living The key work to recognize when it comes to assisted living is “assisted.” It is often easier and much faster for staff members to do things for the patients. Doing that, though, robs the patients of their independence, their self-confidence, and, in some cases, their will to continue doing anything for themselves.

By encouraging residents to do as much as possible for themselves for as long as they are able to do so, quality assisted living villanova stands out from the crowd. Always discuss concerns about independence and how it is encouraged before committing to one facility over another. Provides Assistance When Needed The flip side of encouraging independence, however, is to offer assistance when it is needed. Encouraging independence can still be accomplished while stepping in to assist when residents are clearly frustrated or when they are truly in need of assistance. It can be a fine balance which is why it’s equally important to work with facilities that offer adequate training and require a certain degree of skill and experience from their staff members – particularly those working with assisted living residents.

Offers Diverse Range of Daily Activities to Keep Residents Active and Engaged Engagement is one of the most important things for residents of assisted living in Villanova. People who are engaged in what’s going on around them are happier and less prone to depression. They have something to look for each day and remain social – all necessary for a high quality of life.

Delivers Around the Clock Access to Nursing Care Accidents, injuries, and illnesses occur at all hours of the day and night. Getting help fast can make all the difference in the world for the outcome of those events. Look for facilities that have experienced nursing staff on hands all day and night so that access to qualified care is immediate and appropriate decisions can be made if more care is necessary. These are the critical elements families should look for when considering assisted living facilities in Villanova. Once the basic needs are met it’s possible to create a laundry list of features families would like to see.

Benefits Assisted Living in Villanova

Assisted living communities in Villanova have a lot to offer the people who call them home. More than the average person realizes. Unlike aging in place, assisted living communities provide direct access to daily care and assistance for those who need it – when they need it. These are a few of the other benefits aging adults in need of a little assistance will enjoy by making the move to assisted living villanova.

Independence Encouragement

One of the most important features an assisted living community can offer is the encouragement of people who need assistance to do as much for themselves as possible. This doesn’t mean leaving them to their own devices. Instead, it means watching carefully and encouraging and celebrating each accomplishment residents achieve on their own. It’s a huge difference that allows individuals to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible.

Avoid Dangerous Activities like Hoarding

Hoarding is a common condition among older adults living alone. It can grow out of hand really fast causing emotional distress and social isolation. Assisted living facilities provide a watchful eye to make sure that this does not become a problem with residents. Some offer housekeeping services (for a fee) while others include it as part of the costs.

Meal Preparation

Family members of residents of assisted living communities do not need to worry that their relatives aren’t being fed healthy meals daily. Most of them will enjoy healthier menu options than if they were left to their own devices. The added benefit is that many will avoid injuries and accidents related to cooking by having meals prepared for them.

Engaging and Healthy Activities

From daily exercise and/or physical fitness to fun activities like crafts, gardening, music classes, games, and so much more, assisted living communities offer a wide range of planned activities designed to engage the minds and spark creativity among residents. After all, the need for assistance does not mean there isn’t a lot of living left to do.

Another huge benefit to consider with assisted living in Villanova is that residents enjoy access to a community of people with similar needs and capabilities to encourage one another and share the little things that have made them able to adapt to their conditions better. It’s the little things that matter and finding the right assisted living facility can make all the difference.

Keep the kitchen safe for aging relatives

Depending upon the type of assisted living Villanova or senior housing facility a parent moves into in the Villanova area, he or she may still have some comforts of living in their own apartment unit. If this is the situation, it is important to ensure that the home is set up to be as safe as possible. Some of the older facilities may require some updating and if allowed by the complex, it may be possible to renovate a parent’s new home.

The kitchen is one of the most dangerous places in a home for an elderly parent. It can pose tripping, fire, electrocution and laceration hazards. If renovations are allowed, the kitchen should be the first area of the home to focus on.

Appliances

Inspect and make sure that all current appliances are safe and secure to operate. It may be necessary to install new models of appliances to ensure the safety of a parent. Newer models are designed to safely operate and have other precautions to ensure they are not misused.

To help them spend less time in the kitchen cleaning up, make sure there is a working dishwasher in the kitchen. It is also a good idea to create an organized working space. That way they can store everything in a designated place and remember where it is.

Cabinets

It should be easy for the parent to reach into the cabinets and get what he or she needs. By installing pull-out shelves, it makes it possible to take advantage of all the space in a cabinet and have it easily pull out so it can be accessed. It is also important to install the upper cabinets at a height they can easily be reached. If that is not possible, consider installing pull-down shelves to make them easily accessible.

Knobs

The knobs on cabinets can often be difficult to grasp for some elderly parents. Replace all knobs with those that can be easily grabbed and pulled on. Suggested knobs include those that are in the shape of the letter D and those that are cup-shaped.

A newly renovated kitchen will offer a safe environment for a parent to cook in. The renovation may also help create an organized space where the parent can find everything he or she needs on a daily basis.

Debunking the Most Common Myths About Assisted Living

For those who have loved ones who are beginning to have a hard time taking care of themselves and living on their own, it may be time to consider talking about assisted living Villanova area. After all, there are many assisted living facilities that can provide the care and housing a loved one needs. Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths floating around about assisted living that may be keeping one from having the talk with their loved one.

Myth 1: Staying at Home Makes More Financial Sense

A lot of families think that staying at home makes more financial sense than moving into an assisted living facility. After all, it's always possible to hire at-home care, right? This is true, but the fact remains that hiring at-home care typically costs several times more than assisted living would. This, on top of other expenses (such as paying for yard care) can make at-home care a lot more expensive than most realize.

Myth 2: Assisted Living Means a Loss of Independence

Another common misconception about assisted living is that it means a loved one will automatically lose their sense of independence once they move away from home. In reality, this couldn't be further from the truth. These days, assisted living facilities offer various levels of care based on a loved one's needs. Those who are still capable can live extremely independently, whereas those who need a little more help can receive that assistance. It doesn't have to mean losing independence.

Myth 3: Assisted Living Communities Are Boring

When some people think of assisted living communities, they think of them as boring facilities where there isn't much for residents to do. However, this is simply not true. Today, more than ever, assisted living communities encourage their residents to get out and be active. Many offer fitness classes, recreational activities, game nights, and excursions that residents can partake in. Who knows? A loved one could even discover a new hobby!

Myth 4: Assisted Living is Out of Budget

Last but not least, it's important to realize that assisted living doesn't have to be out of one's budget, no matter how small it may be. Many assisted living facilities offer income-based options, and insurance can also help to reduce costs. In this sense, assisted living can generally be affordable on any budget.

Preparing for a Move Into Assisted Living

As people age and grow into what’s known as their golden years, there are many living adjustments that need to be considered. It’s not always easy to keep up with the household chores. For those who live outside of the city outskirts, transportation can be a problem. If they are far away from friends and family members, life can be very lonely. When there are health problems as well, a move to assisted living Villanova is a good way to improve an elderly person’s standard of living. However, to get the most out of an assisted living environment, making the decision to move is best done at an age when all of the amenities available can be enjoyed.

Choosing an Assisted Living Facility

With the help of friends, family and word of mouth, people can research and locate the assisted living facility best suited for their needs. Besides the rooms available and activities offered, one of the important considerations is location. With growing older, an assisted living environment close to family members is ideal to make frequent visits easier with less travel time.

Downsizing in Preparation

By the time people get to the age of moving into assisted living in Villanova, they have probably accumulated a lot of things. If their home is larger than the assisted living quarters, their next step would be sorting through and prioritizing items they want to take with them. Fortunately, this can be done slowly and gradually. By making a list of what they will need in their new living arrangement, they should begin to go through all of their belongings. It’s a perfect time to distribute family heirlooms, unused furniture and even kitchenware to family members or people who need these items. Once this is finished, a big moving sale is great for selling off the extra items. Items leftover from the sale can be donated to a distribution center.

Moving Day

The actual moving day can be intensely emotional, but also exciting. It is closing the door on an old and known lifestyle while opening the doors to something brand new. It can also be physically challenging, with all the unpacking and organizing to do. Finding friends or family members to help with this part of the move will save energy for enjoying the new space at assisted living in Villanova.