Independent living, Assisted living Arizona, Group Homes, and Memory care.

Independent living communities are excellent options for many people that can be relatively independent in an apartment or villa. They offer maintenance free living with many options to socialize with other independent seniors. There are generally many activities available and in many cases there are transportation services for those who no longer drive.

There are several different types of assisted living options to consider:

One is traditional assisted living in a larger assisted living community. In this type of community you traditionally have an apartment like setting with communal dining and larger activity options. This option is perfect for a person or couple that can still manage somewhat independently and is safe in an apartment. 

A group home is an assisted living community that houses between 5-10 people and generally can provide a higher level of care than a larger assisted living community because of its size, staffing ratio, and the staff’s close proximity to all the residents at the community. Many Group homes can provide care at near skilled nursing levels of care in a home like atmosphere. This option is perfect for those residents that need a little more assistance or supervision. Group homes are generally less expensive then larger assisted living communities and in most cases offer flat fees for your care.

If you have substantial medical needs, you would need to consider either a skilled nursing facility or a specialized group home that can provide the level of medical care you need. 

Memory Care is generally broken into several different types in assisted living. Larger communities with memory care units of between 20-30 residents, stand-alone Memory carecommunities with larger populations and Group homes that specialize in memory care. Each option has its merits and the best option for each client is best determined by their individual needs and financial ability to pay.

People with prediabetes, diabetes or metabolic syndrome often find it difficult to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Elevated blood sugar levels for extended period of time can push someone who is “prediabetic” into having full-blown diabetes. It can also lead to other complications such as fatigue, weight gain and sugar cravings.

Certain foods can throw your blood sugar levels racing up and down like a roller coaster, especially if you have type2 diabetes because of decreased insulin production. However with few careful adjustments in your lifestyle and diet you can have a better control over your blood-sugar levels.

Here are 10 ways you can maintain healthy blood sugar level:

1. Power up on fiber – Getting at least recommended amount of fiber into your diet can help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels. As an added bonus, it will also keep you fuller longer and prevent you from spree eating, thereby help you manage healthy weight.

2. Leafy greens and vegetables – Include more vegetables in your diet and minimize processed meat and dairy. Vegetables are high in fiber and low in carbohydrate, which makes it a perfect food to help control blood sugar levels.

3. Cut down your snacking – Your body is better able to regulate blood sugar levels when you maintain a regular meal schedule. It provides you energy as well as stead blood sugar levels.

4. Befriend smart supplement – There are numerous herbs and supplements that can help maintain healthy blood sugar levels, such as Cinnamon, Chromium, Vitamin B-1, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Green tea, Resveratrol, magnesium  etc. For example Cinnamon has been used in Chinese medicine for more than hundreds of years. It is found helpful in lowering fasting blood glucose levels.

5. Exercise – Regular workout regime not only helps you to maintain healthy weight, it also increases insulin sensitivity. With increased insulin sensitivity, your muscles cells will be able to use available sugar in your bloodstream more efficiently.

6. Good Sleep – Adequate amount of sleep is essential for good health and overall well being. Poor sleep and lack of rest affect blood sugar levels and sensitivity. It also disrupts important metabolic hormones and increases appetite and promotes weight gain.

7. Stress less – Stress can play havoc on your blood sugar levels. Stress leads to increased production of hormones such as glucagon and cortisol which can cause your blood sugar levels to go up.

8. Drink more water – Drinking enough water throughout the day will keep your blood sugar levels within healthy limits. It will also prevent dehydration and help your kidneys flush out excess sugar through urine.

9. Healthy balanced plate – Foods that cause blood sugar level to rise the most are also the one that are high in carbohydrate. Now here is the thing, even though carbohydrates affect blood sugar, if you don’t eat them, your diet will be unbalanced and will lead to excessive consumption of protein and fat. The key here is balance diet. Your diet should include recommended portion of carbohydrate, protein and fat to maintain healthy blood sugar level naturally. A healthy balanced diet is the key to blood sugar management. It will slow down absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, manage your appetite and support your metabolism and digestion.

10. Avoid medicines that causes rise in blood sugar – Drugs for common ailments such as steroids for controlling asthma and statins for controlling cholesterol levels are also found to increase blood sugar levels. Ask your doctor to treat your condition without such side effects.

A move to assisted living, even if all parties are in agreement, can be a stressful time. Here are some of the ways you can support a loved one:

• Acknowledge your loved one’s feelings of loss. Even in the best of situations—where your loved one willingly chose assisted living—grief and feelings of loss are to be expected. Leaving one’s home is a huge upheaval. Don’t minimize their feelings or focus excessively on the positive. Sympathize and respect feelings of loss and give them time to adjust.
• Call and visit as often as you can. Regular contact from friends and family will reassure your loved one that they’re still loved and cared for. Continue to include your loved one in family outings and events whenever possible. If your loved one lives far away, regular calls or emails can make a big difference.
• Work through concerns together. Your loved one will likely go through a period of adjustment after moving into an assisted living facility, If your loved one has concerns, take them seriously. Talk about what steps you can take together to resolve the issue.
• Help your loved one personalize their living space. Help your loved one choose and bring over the meaningful possessions and decorations that will give the new living space the feeling of home. But be careful not to take over. Let your loved one take the lead. He or she is going to be the one living there, after all.

The most important factor when choosing an assisted living facility is that it feels friendly, safe, and comfortable to you. While the facility should be clean and well maintained, don’t place too much emphasis on surface appeal, such as designer furnishings, gourmet meals, and impeccable grounds. The facility you’ll be happiest at won’t necessarily be the most fancy or expensive. The bottom line is that the right facility for you is the facility where you feel most at home.

Does it feel like home to you? This is a personal preference. Do you prefer a smaller, cozier environment, or would you rather be in a larger, bustling place with more activities? Is outside design, such as gardens or other greenery, important to you?

Does the facility offer activities you’re interested in? Are there hobbies or activities on site, or transportation available to outside ones? Does the facility have amenities that are important to you such as a gym, recreation center, library, or a chapel?

Is the food appealing to you? Do you have the option of eating in your room if you would like to? What kinds of food are served? Is it nutritious and appetizing? Are their different food options available?

How are health problems handled? How does the facility handle both emergency and non-emergency problems? If you develop a medical condition, will you be able to remain at the facility? At what point would you be required to move elsewhere for medical care?

Is the facility in compliance with state and local licensing requirements? In the U.S., each state has different standards, so you will want to check with your local regulatory agency to make sure that the facility is licensed and in compliance. You can also check the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been lodged against the facility.

Choosing the right assisted living facility for you

There is a huge variation among assisted living facilities. While this can make the process of choosing seem daunting, the plus side is that you have a good chance of finding a facility that is perfectly suited to your preferences and needs.

As you start your search, try not to get overwhelmed by all the options. Remember, amenities matter much less than the residents and staff. It’s the people that truly make any place, including an assisted living facility. You can tell a lot about a facility by the people who live and work there. You want a facility with an active social atmosphere—where the residents are friendly and the staff is caring and warm. Make sure that, overall, you feel the facility is a place where you will fit in and develop new relationships.