The Big Decision Living at Home or Assisted living

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Tips When Looking for a Quality Assisted Living Facility

 

If your mom, dad or another loved one has reached the point where they can no longer remain at home alone, and need ongoing care, then it may be time to being looking into assisted living in Arizona. The challenge with this decision is that there are a large number of facilities to choose from, which makes it difficult to know which option is best.

Here, you can learn some tips that will help you find the right AZ assisted living facility for your loved one?  Are you looking for assisted living in Scottsdale AZ, assisted living in Phoenix AZ or another town in the state?

Determine What Level of Care Your Loved One Needs

Modern assisted living facilities in Arizona offer three basic levels of assisted living care, directed care, supervisory care or personal care but the real question is what are the differences and which level of care is right for my loved one.

An assisted living facility is for seniors who do many things on their own to others who need total assistance with day to day activities, such as taking medications, bathing, cooking and more. If you choose this type of care, then your senior loved one will have options in a larger community setting from a studio to a one or two bedroom apartment.  In assisted living all three meals are provided by the staff, their medical care is overseen by the staff in the community which usually includes a nurse. 

In a group home setting the senior will have  either a private room or semi-private accommodation’s.

Seniors who are able to handle tasks on their own each day, but want someone to help with cooking or cleaning will live in an independent living facility.

Consider the Rules and Regulations of the Option You Choose

When selecting an assisted living facility in Arizona, you have to consider the quality and safety of the facility. You can use a assisted living referral agency like  A Caring Hand for Mom (and Dad) that has a complete listing of communities throughout the state  to help you determine what locations are best suited to your needs and they will help you evaluate the past history of communities you may be interested in. 

You can also contact the Better Business Bureau and the state licensing agency to gather additional information.

Visit the Facility You are Considering

After you have found the facilities/communities that meet your needs, then you need to visit the facilities that you are considering.  If you are working with a assisted living referral agency they will help you set up visits to the facilities.  It is important to set aside 45 minutes to an hour per facility you visit as they will want to get to know you so they can tell you about their facility and let you know about the services they offer.  Make sure during your tour to take some time to speak with the care providers, managers and, if possible, some of the residents.

Experience the Facility

During your visit, you should not only speak to the people there, but also experience the food, rooms, activities and more. This is a vital part of assisted living life and something you should find out about before choosing a location for your elderly loved one. This is a great way to gain some invaluable insight about the services of the facility and determine what the people who live their think who live there.

When it is time to choose an assisted living facility, the best thing you can do is use the tips here and work with an assisted living referral agency. When you do, you will be able to make an informed decision regarding the facility that is right for you. Being informed is the best way to make the right decision for your aging loved one.

Find out what to consider when searching for an assisted living facility by visiting the A Caring Hand for Mom (and Dad) website.  Call us today at 800-881-7706!

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Information You May Not Know About Assisted Living Facilities

If you are like most people, you want the very best for your senior loved one. Regardless of if it is your mother, father or another relative, when it is time to find new living arrangements, you want to ensure you make the right decision.
 
For many families, the best option is visiting www.acaringhandformom.com and letting their healthcare professionals assist you in your search. However, if you are unsure, it may be a good idea to learn more about this living option.
 
Assisted Living is Different Than a Traditional Nursing Home
 
AZ Assisted living communities are extremely different than nursing homes. These facilities are designed for older individuals who need help with their day to day activities. While many assisted living communities have caregivers and nurses, who are available 24 hours a day, the actual goal of assisted living is to provide seniors with as much independence as possible.
 
All Assisted Living Communities Have Unique Differences
 
Each assisted living community has a unique “personality.” Also, each one is going to offer different levels of services and care. While this can make it more difficult to compare communities, it also gives you more options to choose from. Be sure to take some time and research the options to find a community that is a good fit for your senior loved one, as well as their personality and needs.  The licensed HealthCare professionals at A Caring Hand for Mom (and Dad) are here to answer your questions.  They are familiar with the communities in your area and act as your agent to help you understand the differences in each setting and help negotiate lower rates for you.
 
Not All Communities are Created Equal
 
There are some assisted living facilities in Arizona that will cater to the needs of your senior loved one then others will. As a result, it means that your loved one will get more than just basic amenities and services. The additional services can vary, from on-site wellness programs, recreational activities programs, restaurant style dining to more transportation services and 3 different levels of assisted living services based on their individual licenses.
 
The Importance of Social Activities for Assisted Living
 
When you choose AZ assisted living, you will find that these encourage and facilitate the social lives of residents. However, while these programs are available, it doesn’t mean that your senior is going to be obligated to participate in anything that is offered. The very best communities are going to offer all types of opportunities, including parties, bingo and other games and more.
 
Residents can Make their Own Schedules
 
When you choose assisted living in Arizona for your loved one, you will be giving them a place to live where they are still able to set their own schedule and come and go as they please to the various programs within the community. While there is help available, when needed, it isn’t something that is required to live in this location as every individual is different and needs a different level of assistance.
 
If you are considering assisted living for your senior loved one, then you will find that to choose the right facility, you have to consider several factors. By taking your time and making the right decision you can feel confident that your loved one will be happy and well-cared for in their new home.
 
Find out more about quality assisted living facilities by visiting the www.acaringhandformom.com website and calling us at 800-881-7706.</p>
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Fighting dementia through healthy eating, when is it time to consider a Memory Care facility

Fighting dementia through healthy eating, when is it time to consider a Memory care facility

Alzheimer’s dementia is one of the most common memory degenerative disorders worldwide. There are over 47 million people suffering from various forms of dementia in the world and with the “population aging” and increased life expectancy this is estimated to be over 75 million by the year 2030. In the United States, one in 8 people over the age of 65 years are living with dementia.

With such a significant health burden, many research studies are being done to help adults with degenerative memory disorders cope better with the disease and prolong the development of symptoms. As symptoms progress many have sought assisted living options or specialized memory care communities that were built to care for the adults with degenerative memory diseases. There are numerous Assisted Living in Scottsdale locations and Senior living in Scottsdale locations with secure environments or dedicated memory care units as well as additional specialized Memory care locations throughout Arizona.  In this article we discuss how your diet and healthy eating can help slow the symptoms and progression of the disease as well as discuss how Memory Care Scottsdale communities, which were specially constructed to accommodate adults with memory and cognitive disorders can help. (They are constructed with easy to navigate and familiar environments, 24/7 surveillance and supervision to care for your loved ones).

Many of the studies have focused on eating healthy and on certain diet therapies that help with memory disorders.  Nutrition plays an important role in the progression of the disease. As the progression of dementia occurs it is very common for adults to experience loss of appetite. This translates to reduced eating due to lack of appetite, lack of supervision at meal times or simply increased confusion which leads to nutritional imbalance and worsening of the disease symptoms much quicker. Senior Living Scottsdale facilities and other Assisted Living facilities throughout Arizona have specially trained staff to help take care of the nutritional needs of your loved ones. There are dieticians who can provide individualized diets customized for each adult. Many studies have shown with early onset medications and properly balanced diets with restricted salt and saturated fats there has been a significant delays in the onset of symptoms. At assisted living facilities in Arizona, and Memory Care Scottsdale facilities, dietitians and healthcare staff implement the latest evidence-based care to improve the quality of the life of their residents.

Although the cause for the development of this disease is multifactorial a study published in the Neurobiology of aging has mentioned seven sets of dietary and lifestyle guidelines that may delay the onset of dementia and other memory disorders. The study has highlighted the importance of reducing saturated fats and Trans fats. (This means replacing animal fat with healthy oils and reducing items such as red meat intake. Also, consuming vegetable, whole grains and other foods high in protein fiber and vitamins like, vitamin E should come from natural sources such as nuts and green leafy vegetables).  You should also take at multi-vitamin with at least the minimal recommended levels of Vitamin B12 (2.4 micrograms per day) should come from fortified food supplements as well as minimize exposure to baking powder, aluminum products, and antacids. Include aerobic workouts to your routine. With these interventions, the onset of symptoms may be delayed.

Another study has highlighted the importance of the trace minerals like iron, and zinc as well as micronutrients like vitamins which play a major role in the delay of dementia and helps improve cognitive functions. Anti-oxidant and flavonoids have played a significant role in reducing oxidative substances that damage your memory cells and help to retain brain function.  Melons, Papaya, wild berries, dark chocolate, and pecans have high anti-oxidant content and are helpful in delaying the onset of symptoms. 

Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids which are essential fatty acids in the formation of compounds DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) are important for the development of the brain and neural structures. A study done based on Omega fatty acids have shown that diet rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 have significantly delayed the development of early signs and symptoms of Dementia.  Deep sea fish, tuna, Salmon and fish liver are rich sources of these natural essential fatty acids. At memory care Scottsdale locations, assisted living facilities in Arizona and Scottsdale, dieticians and your healthcare provider can make sure your loved one receives these optimal nutrients to help them fight dementia and prolong the onset of symptoms. 

Across the world, many experimental studies have been done to find the significance of identifying the symptoms of the disease early. Timely diagnosis and treatment studies define “timely diagnosis” as diagnosing the condition with the earliest elicited symptoms. Based upon this study showing proper medical and memory enhancing therapeutics received by early diagnosed individuals showed delayed memory deterioration.  Assisted living facility care received at the early stages has showed improved coping with the disease, better adaptation and reduced agitation and anxiety that develop later in the disease.

With early diagnosis and proper medical supervision from your physician as well as moving to one of the Assisted Living Scottsdale or Assisted Living Arizona locations your loved one will receive the proper medical and therapeutic supervision and care needed. This should help to delay the onset or progression of symptoms of the disease and with family and staff support, help your loved ones cope better with the disease. 

Call us today if you would like additional information at 800-881-7706 and visit our website at www.acaringhandformom.com.

References: Robinson, L., Tang, E., & Taylor, J. (2015). Dementia: timely diagnosis and early intervention. BMJ, 350(jun15 14), h3029-h3029. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h3029

Morris, M., Tangney, C., Wang, Y., Sacks, F., Bennett, D., & Aggarwal, N. (2015). MIND diet associated with reduced incidence of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 11(9), 1007-1014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2014.11.009

Mitchell, J., & Kemp, B. (2000). Quality of Life in Assisted Living Homes: A Multidimensional Analysis. The Journals Of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences And Social Sciences, 55(2), P117-P127. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geronb/55.2.p117

Swaminathan, A., & Jicha, G. A. (2014). Nutrition and prevention of Alzheimer’s dementia. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 6, 282. http://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2014.00282

Thomas, J., Thomas, C. J., Radcliffe, J., & Itsiopoulos, C. (2015). Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Early Prevention of Inflammatory Neurodegenerative Disease: A Focus on Alzheimer’s Disease. BioMed Research International, 2015, 172801. http://doi.org/10.1155/2015/172801

Dietary and lifestyle guidelines for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease. (2017). Sciencedirect.com. Retrieved 18 September 2017, from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197458014003480

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