The post Is Assisted Living Right For You? first appeared on Buddy Services for Seniors.
]]>For many of us, growing older means more freedom. And while we all value our independence, there may come a time when we can no longer be our sole caretakers. But is assisted living the answer? Today, Buddy Services shares a post that may help you decide on your future living arrangements.
When Is Assisted Living The Right Choice?
There are many reasons that you might consider assisted living. Key of these is your health. Assisted living may be a good fit if you just need a helping hand with things like transportation and housekeeping. If you are at risk of serious mobility issues, Alzheimer’s, or other issues that might cause you to need 24/7 care, look for an independent living community that will allow you to segue into skilled nursing care, if needed.
Before you make any type of a decision, look at assisted living centers in your area. There are probably many options to choose from, and plenty of resources for helping you determine the cost, quality, and potential quality of living. Make a point to tour multiple facilities before you sign an agreement.
A few reasons to consider assisted living now include feelings of social isolation, the need for compassionate care, and a desire for independence without the need to cook and clean for yourself.
And if you’re a business owner, you might be concerned about how to sell this business you’ve probably built from the ground up, and experiencing some anxiety about what will happen to it. On the other hand, you might also be looking forward to retiring – especially if you can leave your business in good hands, and in so doing, generate enough from the sale to more than cover your living expenses.
Affordability
Senior care facilities are typically not covered by insurance. For this reason, most individuals can expect to spend anywhere from a low base rate of $800 per month up to $7700 per month or more, according to Brookdale Senior Living. Because the cost is so high, it’s also not uncommon to have to sell a home to afford assisted-living care. If you choose to go this route, spend some time looking at your local real estate market to see how much you can expect to pull in equity from your existing home.
What To Look For
When it’s time to begin vetting independent living campuses, start by identifying your top three needs. For most, this is location, cost, and services. U.S. News & World Report also lists the culture and, of special importance since the dawn of the pandemic, infection control protocols. You may also look for a facility with access to transportation on demand, that has an on-site barbershop, or, if you are still interested in nightlife, an in-house bar.
Importantly, you’ll also need to ask about visitation policies. If your children and grandchildren live close by, you’ll want to know that they can visit often and with few restrictions. If your facility must restrict indoor visitors for any reason, confirm that there are plenty of outdoor spaces where you can picnic or simply enjoy an afternoon stroll.
Watch For Red Flags
For-profit assisted living centers will do anything to get new people through the doors. Unfortunately, you can’t always rely on clever marketing. No matter how good it looks “on paper,” don’t overlook red flags, such as residents that show signs of poor hygiene or that appear to be malnourished. Ultimately, the decision to move into assisted living is a deeply personal choice that must be made by all individuals facing the situation. There is no right answer or wrong answer for anyone. Thankfully, there are plenty of tools that can help you read reviews before you tour your preferred facilities.
Buddy Services is a safety net for seniors and people with medical conditions or anyone in need of companionship. Questions? We’d love to hear from you!
Written by: Hazel Bridges
Image via Pexels
The post Is Assisted Living Right For You? first appeared on Buddy Services for Seniors.
]]>The post Staying Socially Connected In a New Physically Distanced World first appeared on Buddy Services for Seniors.
]]>It is especially difficult for those who are struggling with physical and mental health disorders. “As social beings, we are biologically hardwired to connect. Research shows supportive networks can decrease our heart rate and help us process difficult emotions,” says couples and family counsellor Carole Sandy.
My grandma was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, which quickly left her unable to care for herself and live independently with my eighty-six-year-old grandfather anymore. She moved into a nursing home in February after living with my grandpa for over sixty-two years, and my grandpa temporarily moved into Princess Margaret hospital to undergo radiation treatment for head cancer. All nursing homes and hospitals are closed for visits, leaving my grandparents separated and isolated while battling health conditions. I am sure my grandma is unable to understand or remember why no one is allowed to visit her and probably thinks we have abandoned her. To help myself and my grandparents disrupt the thoughts associated with social isolation while still practicing physical distancing, here are eight tips I came up with along with Carole to help us successfully adapt to our changing society.
This isn’t a competition of how much you can accomplish in quarantine. But it is a slight pause of life as we know it, and a chance to work on self-awareness and healing.
If you or a loved one is in need of elderly in-home services email [email protected]. Stay safe, stay home and help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.
The post Staying Socially Connected In a New Physically Distanced World first appeared on Buddy Services for Seniors.
]]>The post To Mom With Love first appeared on Buddy Services for Seniors.
]]>I told you that my Mom was never one to complain, nor shared her thoughts or talked about any pain or discomfort she was feeling except for this one thing. I do remember my mom saying on more than one occasion, “I’m having trouble walking straight.” She said it in such a nonchalant manner and tone that no one, not even I, took the time to respond to her cry, until “The Fall.”
After the fall in December of 2017, my Mom was diagnosed with neurosyphilis. I’ve heard the word syphilis before but not neurosyphilis. I had no idea what it was. The doctor told me and my father that it is an infection of the nervous system, specifically of the brain and the spinal cord. There are different types of neurosyphilis and their symptoms vary depending on the type. Symptoms of neurosyphilis are the weakening of the muscles, trouble balancing, loss of coordination and an altered walk. The hardening of the arteries in the brain is known to contribute and progress to dementia. After receiving detailed information from the doctor, my family and I were able to conclude the symptoms of neurosyphilis were what my Mom was referring to when she complained that she was unable to walk straight.
I cannot turn back the clock; I know that but oh, how I wish I could. If I had the opportunity to turn back the hands of time, I would have paid closer attention to my Mom’s silent suffering; I should have insisted that she see a doctor, I should have been there for her – but I wasn’t. Dementia has taken a whole of my Mom’s mind and robbed her of her ability to think, her short-term memory, and left her in utter silence and lacking any form of motivation.
I visit my Mom almost daily in hopes of redeeming the time or making the most of every opportunity, but instead, she sits in her favorite chair, staring into the abyss. Silence and stillness have become her only companions. I try to engage her by asking, “Do you want to watch TV, Mom?” She replied, “No”. “Wanna play a game?”, the answer is the same, “No”. “What would you like to do, Mom?”, “Nothing”, she says. So I sit with her in solitude, silently sending her my love and wishing that she would desire to want to do more with the end days of her life. But, solitude is what she wants. She is my Mom and I love her dearly.
Many thanks to Andrea Fickert from the Alzheimer Society Peel, Andrea has been a rock to my family in these difficult times.
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]]>The post Alzheimer’s Awareness first appeared on Buddy Services for Seniors.
]]>Dementia is affecting the lives of one in four Canadians daily. January is Alzheimer’s awareness month, and the Greater Toronto Area is filled with walks, workshops, activities, and tons of cool events, spreading awareness about Alzheimer’s. Our Buddy Services supports the elderly community and those living with Alzheimer’s, live with dignity and respect. We encourage the elderly population, the terminally ill, and persons with dementia to engage in the community and discover a new lease on life.
To contribute to spreading awareness, we have created a list of events, workshops, and resources taking place this month in the Greater Toronto Area. Buddy Services is here to support you, a family member or friend attend any of these events in the city.
We look forward to working with you and supporting our community through our services.
Active Minds Social Club
January 13, @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm EST
Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities
https://alz.to/event/active-minds-social-club-4/
Dementia 101
January 14, @ 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM EST
Humberwood Library
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/dementia-101-tickets-82381951635?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Finding Joy and Humour in Dementia Care
January 16, @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm EST
North York Seniors Centre
https://alz.to/event/finding-joy-and-humour-in-dementia-care/
First Steps
January 17, @ 8:30 – 12:00 pm
Recurring Events (See all) at Alzheimer Societ;y of Hamilton Halton-Hamilton Office
https://www.ahzhn.ca/event/first-steps/2020-01-17/
Living Well with Dementia
January 17th, @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church
https://www.ahzhn.ca/event/first-steps/2020-01-17/
Recreation For Dementia
January 21, @ 9:30 – 12:30 pm at Burlington Public Library
https://www.alzhn.ca/event/recreation-for-dementia-2/
Alzheimer Awareness Workshop
January 25, @ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST
Milton Seniors Activity Centre
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/alzheimer-awareness-workshop-registration-85155555559?aff=ebdssbdes
Alzheimer Awareness Workshop
January 29, @ 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM EST
Indus Community Services
306 – 3038 Hurontario Street
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/alzheimer-awareness-workshop-registration-86126949023?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Frailty, Aging and Dementia: Considerations for the Dementia Journey
January 30, @ 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM EST
The Jubilee Banquet Hall and Conference Centre
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/frailty-aging-and-dementia-considerations-for-the-dementia-journey-tickets-87990960331?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Alzheimer Society York Region – Caregivers Support Group
February 5, @ 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM EST
Markham Village Library
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/alzheimer-society-york-region-caregivers-support-group-tickets-76096026263?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Written by: Kezia Royer Burkett a creative freelance writer with a degree in communications and multimedia from McMaster University. When she is not writing she is finding inspiration living life, raising her son and spending time with friends and family.
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