senior housing cost - preparation

Preparing For Retirement: Finances and Senior Housing

Retirement signals the beginning of your second life, which requires proper planning for the type of lifestyle you need to take. This is because even if you stopped working, the government still wants you to pay your tax dues. Thus, it will depend on where you live, the income you are going to receive, and how much.

 

 

Social Security Tax

 

In many states in the U.S., Social Security benefits are not subject to tax. However, it is still included as taxable income. Find out how you will owe for the income tax based on your Social Security income from the guidelines below.

 

  • Single retirees with a total income of not more than $25,000 will not be taxed based on the Social Security benefits.
  • Single retirees with a combined income between $25,000 – $34,000 will be taxed 50% of the benefits.
  • Single retirees with income more than $34,000 will be taxed 85% from the benefits.
  • Income of married couples filed jointly which is less than $32,000 will not be taxed. However, income ranging from $34,000 to $44,000 will be taxable by up to 50%. Also, for income more than $44,000, a taxable rate of 85% will be imposed.

 

 

It is also important to think ahead about your finances and senior housing cost. If you are going to adapt to the changing life and financial circumstances, it is best to have advanced planning, which is key in the evolution to the new changes in life.

 

 

Buying your first home, saving for the education of your children, or planning for retirement are all the same since it is essential to respond to the changing circumstances in life. That is why Social Security benefits are crucial components of any well thought out retirement plan.

 

 

If you only observe the numbers, 74% of single seniors and 51% of married couples rely on Social Security benefits in 2016. This is more than 50% of their monthly income. In fact, in the year 1960, 35% of those more than 65 years old lived in horrible poverty, which is opposite to the numbers in 2012 at no higher than 9%.

 

 

 

Living Retirement Life to the Fullest

 

In order to ensure that you gain the baseline of income, you can seek help from a certified public accountant to provide basic accounting for those that want to prepare for senior housing cost. They are able to help seniors as well as their families to have peace of mind. In this case, seniors are able to live their retirement life to its fullest.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

 

It is important for seniors to consider proper planning when it comes to retirement preparations. Thus, seniors need help to achieve a better life without any problems involving finances and senior housing cost.

 

 

 

Consulting tax professionals or certified public accountants can help a lot in ensuring that they don’t live past their available income. This can guarantee retirees can stay in their own place as long as possible instead of transitioning to senior housing, nursing home, or family member’s home. Moreover, it is important since they need to have financial resources to do so.

 

 

 


Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco

assisted living facilities

Assisted Living Facilities for Seniors Living With Diabetes

The number of people with diabetes in the U.S. alone has already reached a ratio of one out of four. Sadly, this case has been deemed to have no cure. That’s why people living with diabetes, particularly seniors, need to manage the disease as best as possible. Fortunately, managing it has now become easier even with seniors in assisted living facilities. In fact, there are smarter ways in order to live with diabetes. Take a look at how you can live a satisfying life even with diabetes.

 

 

Types of Diabetes

 

The first thing that you should know about diabetes is that there are different types. Moreover, it is attributed to high blood glucose levels as do other diseases, which results from the defect in the production and use of insulin in the body.

 

  • Type 1 Diabetes – insulin produced by the pancreas controls the glucose levels of the body. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas is not able to produce enough insulin. Therefore, people having this condition require insulin via injection or pump. Type 1 diabetes accounts in 5% of all adults with diabetes. The symptoms of type 1 diabetes include extreme hunger, fatigue, frequent urination, unusual thirst, and weight loss.

 

  • Type 2 Diabetes – This occurs when the pancreas is not able to create a substantial amount of insulin or unable to use it effectively. This develops typically in people more than 40 years old. In fact, it accounts for about 95% of all cases of adults with diabetes. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes include blurred vision, confusion, depression, numbness, and wounds that heal slowly, as well as any of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes.

 

 

 

Causes of Diabetes

 

The causes of diabetes baffle even doctors, because they are unable to pinpoint the specific cause. Nevertheless, aging, genetics, and lifestyle can play a major part in the development of diabetes.

 

 

Controlling Diabetes

 

It might not be enough for some people to control diabetes with exercise and diet alone. In such cases, it can be done via oral medications in order to increase insulin levels or to aid in the ability of the body is responding to insulin. The drugs recommended for such cases include:

 

  • Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
  • Biguanides
  • Sulfonylureas
  • Thiazolidinediones

 

 

Seniors Living with Diabetes

 

Here are some important tips intended for seniors living with diabetes, which has been recommended by the American Association of Diabetes (AAD) to be performed on a daily basis. In short, these tips are recommendations only, but at the end of the day, your health will depend on how you manage your lifestyle.

 

  • Checking the blood glucose
  • Consuming the right kinds of foods at just the right measurements
  • Get active
  • Find out more about diabetes
  • Stop smoking
  • Take medicines only prescribed by your doctor

 

 

It is also important to know which foods to avoid for seniors in assisted living facilities. According to the AAD, here are food tips to consider for those older than 55 years of age.

 

  • Avoid all-you-can-eat buffets
  • Choose a vegetable or fruit instead of fries on the side
  • Get dressings and sauces on the side
  • Split the dessert with your partner or eat only half of what you used to consume
  • Start eating with salad or broth-based soup
  • Utilize the plate method

 

Contact Richmont Senior Living for more information on our assisted living facilities today!

 

 


Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco

Independent Living for Seniors

Common Concerns with Nursing Homes

Many seniors have the fear of going to a geriatric facility. There are those that are particularly wary of nursing homes.

 

 

There are many reasons behind this. But more often than not it stems from the stigma that nursing homes have. There’s this thinking that it’s the place you go to when there’s no family left to take care of you. A place of last resort, you might say.

 

 

While nursing homes do cater to seniors in this position it offers so much more. This article will discuss some of the most common fears about this type of geriatric community and how it promotes living independently.

 

 

Before jumping into all that, a quick definition of nursing homes.

 

 

The Advantage of Nursing Homes

A nursing home shares all the traits of a standard care home. But you have the added advantage of a facility that’s supervised and staffed by registered nurses 24/7. They are much better trained to recognize symptoms and changes in a person’s condition, so are better qualified to decide when to call a doctor or other health professionals.

 

The amenities in a nursing home are also typically better than a care home. Aside from having highly trained medical staff, a nursing home is equipped with specialist beds and a range of equipment for moving and handling people.

 

Overall, a nursing home is ideal for seniors who have a severe medical condition or severe mobile difficulties.

 

 

Common Fears

 

“I’ll have nothing to do.”

 

Today’s senior living communities have a wide range of activities that will leave you with no time to be bored. Not only will it keep you occupied, but having all these options promote independent living.

 

 

You’ll find a whole range of things to do. There are field trips, fitness classes, and continuing education programs.

 

 

“I’ll feel old and get sick faster”

 

It’s isolation that often leads to anxiety and depression. The social contact you get from living in a senior community is the key to better health and a better quality of life overall. If a senior is already ill with a certain disease, a nursing home will be able to offer specialized treatment.

 

 

For example, someone suffering from Alzheimer’s can be given memory care that includes daily stimulation, planned activities and customized care, all of which can actually slow down the progress of an illness or even improve health and behavior.

 

 

“I’ll lose my independence”

 

Geriatric communities promote the opposite of this. In fact, the goal is to empower seniors by providing an environment that promotes independent living. If you don’t require frequent medical care, you can opt out of a nursing home and choose an IL or independent living facility.

 

 

Here you’ll get help with chores that become more onerous over time like cleaning and cooking. You get greater freedom with the precious time you do have. Senior communities also provide ample opportunity for social activities on-site as well as transportation around the area when you need it.

 

 

 


Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco

assisted living - richmont

Identifying the Differences between Independent Living and Assisted Living

Making the decision to move aging loved ones to a senior or assisted living facility is never easy. The prospect of having one’s parents reside in a geriatric facility permanently can take its toll. Not all children or siblings want this for a beloved family member. There are physical, emotional, and financial adjustments that will come with it and will have to be dealt with.

 

Another daunting aspect of this is finding a new living arrangement. This is especially true when you’re unfamiliar with senior living and its nuances.

 

There are two main categories in the senior living spectrum. There’s independent living (IL) and assisted living (AL). This article intends to make it much easier for you by identifying the key characteristics of two.

 

 

Living Spaces

Independent living facilities are where residents live in their own private dwelling spaces. And these encompass a wide range of housing arrangements. You can choose from apartment-style communities to housing co-ops.

 

Other names for an IL facility are an active adult community, senior apartment, a retirement home, or +55 community.

 

Meanwhile, assisted living facilities are typically apartment style. Each unit may or may not be equipped with a full kitchen.

 

 

Features and Amenities

IL facilities are designed for seniors who are still able to leave independently. As such, the features found in individual dwelling areas are comparable to those in a typical small home.

 

Independent living communities aim to let their residents live independently for as long as possible. This is done by making their day-to-day lives a little bit easier. Seniors’ daily responsibilities are minimized by having landscaping, laundry and housekeeping services, on-site dining facilities, as well as security and surveillance. It’s also typical to have a centralized hospitality building for socialization.

 

Assisted living, on the other hand, leans more toward helping geriatric residents who need some form of assistance with their daily activities. These could range from bathing to taking medication. Staff members and at least one medical professional (usually a certified nurse practitioner) are on call 24 hours a day in AL residences. It’s worth noting that assisted living facilities and communities don’t provide intensive hands-on care or skilled nursing care for older adults with serious mental or physical ailments unless otherwise specified.

 

Both independent living and assisted living communities have recreation schedules unique to their residents and their abilities.

 

Here’s a list of typical activities

  • Game nights
  • Field trips
  • Support and discussion groups
  • Holiday celebrations
  • Exercise classes
  • Continuing education courses

 

 

Paying for Senior Care

Since IL communities don’t provide medical services to residents, seniors must pay for their stay privately. They can use funds from their pension income, retirement savings, life settlements, annuities, and Social Security benefits.

 

AL communities provide a greater amount of assistance so there are more options available that can help cover costs. In addition to using savings or their personal funds, seniors can look to certain long-term care insurance policies. There’s also the Aid and Attendance benefits available for war veterans. Medicare does not cover assisted living, but Medicaid offers some financial assistance for low-income seniors but eligibility and coverage rules vary from state to state.

 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers low-income seniors help with paying for both independent and assisted living through the Housing Choice Voucher (formerly Section 8) and Section 202 programs respectively. However, because of the high demand for these programs, the waiting lists are often very long.

 

 

 


Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco

independent living

Benefits of Independent Living and Its Distinction with Assisted Living

Independent living communities exist to provide active seniors who want/need to take less responsibility within their daily lives. This is a beneficial facility that would provide care for active seniors who need little or no assistance at all.

 

 

Seniors who find themselves joining independent living communities simply wish to have an environment where they wouldn’t want to care about home ownership, maintenance, and safety anymore.

 

 

The types of housing would range from studio apartments to two-bedroom housing. Basically, communities would provide entertainment options as well as meal plans to be chosen by the residents. Despite the fact that they don’t need daily care or assistance, services exist for emergency purposes only. You can even compare it to all-inclusive resorts because of the entertainment options, housing, and services provided.

 

 

Types of Independent Living

 

  • Continuing care
  • Housing units
  • Naturally occurring retirement community
  • Senior apartments
  • Subsidized housing

 

 

It can sometimes be intimidating for your loved one to think about moving into an independent living community. However, it can also be a great experience. In fact, independent living communities are geared toward seniors with active lifestyles. Here are some of the benefits:

 

 

Lawn Care

 

The challenges of cleaning the lawn or doing daily chores are real for people as they grow old. Seniors often get stressed out with some of the activities at home, such as moving the lawn, gardening, or shoveling the driveway. Thus, seniors need not worry about these anymore with the help of independent living communities that provide them with:

 

 

Socialization

 

The moment you retire, there is more time to spend and enjoy. But this can cause confusion when it comes to finding opportunities. With the help of independent living communities, it is so easy to avoid the hassle of finding community activities and organizations. As a matter of fact, your day should be packed with events that surely entertain.

 

 

Bills

 

When you decide to settle in an independent living community, you can have the utilities and other perks, which you may not usually find. With these communities, life becomes much less frantic when you have fewer bills to take care of.

 

 

Nutritious Diet

 

Independent living communities provide great options for daily meals. That is certainly in a communal dining room. Well, you can choose a particular community that should be able to offer tasty and healthy meals for that matter.

 

 

Privacy

 

Another great piece of news for those who are looking forward to living in independent living communities is that residents can have the privacy that they desire. However, the meals can be an option, including the feature of joining in on daily activities.

 

 

In Comparison With Assisted Living Communities

 

Of course, in comparison to assisted living communities, independent living may not offer a higher level of care. However, assisted living spaces may not be tantamount to the many services offered by nursing homes.

 

 

Take note that both assisted living and independent facilities would work well for seniors who are looking to have an independent lifestyle. The good thing is that it will still give you the enjoyment of activities and friendships when you join a community.

 

 

 


Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco

Memory Assisted Living

Different Types of Senior Housing Options

A senior living community encompasses various sectors of senior communities. Generally, it includes different types of senior housing and care facilities. Such would include assisted living, care homes, independent living, memory care, nursing homes, and retirement communities. Independent living is just a subheading for a specific type of senior living facility. Here are different senior living options available for specific needs.

 

 

Assisted Living

 

This senior living option is intended for seniors who may need help with daily activities. However, seniors are given freedom when it comes to choices of activities, entertainment, and meal options. Although it can be similar to complexes in apartments with shared common areas, each housing type varies from one community to another. Costs may differ on the basis of the location, size of housing, and the types of services required.

 

 

Care Homes

 

Care homes offer room and board with assistance in terms of activities of daily living. They are also referred to as board and care homes, adult family homes, and personal care or residential homes. Thus, they are more personal compared to other facilities in which they would have their own rooms while sharing common areas.

 

At the same time, residents are allowed to have pets, while couples can live together in a single room. Basically, care homes are intended for those with mental disabilities. However, they are not mobile and may not need help with daily living activities.

 

 

Memory Care

 

Memory or Alzheimer’s care is basically treated in a nursing home or assisted living facilities with residents living in their own floor or wing. This will provide services for people with memory illnesses like dementia or Alzheimer’s. Housekeeping, laundry, and meal preparation are the basic services for daily living, including the higher level of assistance. Moreover, alarms on doors, safety protocols, and other methods are applied to make sure of their safety.

 

 

Nursing Homes

 

When it comes to 24-hour medical care for seniors, nursing homes would be the best fit. This facility would also provide services to assist residents with their personal needs, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and toileting. Services offered in such facilities are housekeeping, laundry, preparation for meals, transport services, and some other skilled nursing services.

 

 

Retirement Communities

 

There are many types of retirement options offered by retirement communities. Such would include continuing care communities, independent living communities, senior apartments, and retirement communities. Generally, such senior housing facilities are intended for active seniors who require little to no assistance at all.

 

Basically, senior apartments are simply clusters of buildings sharing common areas, which usually do not offer any assistance. This is also a great option for seniors who do not want to worry about homeownership. Continuing care communities offer services starting with hospice care to independent living. This also includes care that you will have to get as long as you live there.

 

 

If you care about your loved ones, it is always important to keep them safe and cared for, which can be ultimately enjoyed in senior housing facilities.

 

 


Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco

senior housing - richmont senior

Meaningful Activities at Senior Housing Facilities

Assisted living facilities should give your loved ones the attention and care they truly deserve. Among the many services that they provide, senior housing makes sure to create meaningful activities for their patients.

 

 

Daily Exercise

 

You can expect a variety of exercise options aside from the wellness and health programs that assisted living communities to provide. Many of these communities facilitate exercise classes or daily walks with seniors to make sure that they are able to sustain muscle balance and strength. Of course, the exercises are designed within the bounds and abilities of the seniors so nothing is too strenuous. They can also enjoy water aerobics and free swim time in some communities.

 

 

Brain Booster Games

 

Wellness and physical health often go hand-in-hand to bring about cognitive well-being. Thus, assisted living communities should offer regular activities that enhance the brain. They should have a meaningful goal of sustaining memory while combining that goal with fun. Activity directors should be able to facilitate fun games to get residents laughing, talking, and thinking together.

 

 

Planned Community Outings

 

If the residents want to enjoy community activities, they can do so by taking transport services to different locations. They can participate in fun and meaningful events off of the property. Such events would include field trips, movie nights, and many more. Stimulation and variety are important factors for your loved one, so you ought to encourage them to get out and enjoy being in larger communities.

 

 

Music Nights

 

Needless to say, older folks enjoy listening to their favorite music and songs from back in the day. In certain instances, you can hear them sing along with the music from their past because they still remember every word. This shows how powerful music is for people. Hearing this music can lighten their mood and make them happy. It can have the power to send them back in time to when they went dancing to their favorite band.

 

 

In assisted living communities, they can bring music to their residents by encouraging them to engage in planned musical activities. These could range from live music, outdoor summer picnic to a dance night, or karaoke night.

 

 

Continuous Engagement with Favorite Hobbies

 

Whether they enjoy gardening, playing cards, or scrapbooking, residents inevitably bring some old hobbies and interests with them into senior housing. It is special and means a lot to residents when they are able to keep doing such activities in senior housing facilities.

 

 

Most assisted living communities to allow and encourage residents to keep doing those things to keep them engaged. The staff of these communities are very supportive and gladly will help with these activities when needed.

 

 

Senior housing communities come in a number of configurations. Each of them meets the modern needs of today’s seniors. These choices include assisted living only, independent living only, and a mix of independent and assisted living facilities.

 

 

If you are trying to decide which senior living facility your loved one should go to, then you need to make sure the facility will meet his or her needs. Likewise, it should be packed with the daily activities that residents love to engage in.

 

 

 


Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco

Alzheimer's - senior living

Alzheimer’s Patients in Assisted Living Facilities

There is a significant amount of recent cases and stories that show assisted living facilities can provide a better and more holistic level of care for residents than home health care and nursing homes.

 

 

The facilities are so successful because they provide a well-rounded system of care and make residents feel like they are comfortable and safe. These facilities aim to feel more like a home than an institution. Their programs are centered more on the mental, emotional, and psychological needs of their patients through fun, interactive, and helpful activities.

 

 

Through this kind of approach, residents or patients are able to find significant value within their lives despite the assisted living conditions. This has a positive effect on their health and well-being which eventually increases their total life expectancy.

 

 

In this piece, we discuss the advantages of why an assisted living facility for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients is a better choice of care than nursing homes. Also, we will explore the factors that help families determine when is the right time to move our elderly family members to these communities.

 

 

Why Assisted Living is the Better Choice

 

Assisted living is a great choice of facility for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. Standard home health care is an option, but assisted living puts greater focus on programs and activities that are within the scope of memory care.

 

 

Assisted living facilities emphasize freedom and try to build up their residents’ independence while also providing patients with the essential level of the care that they need.

 

 

It is important to be aware of the warning signs that could indicate it is time to move to an assisted living facility. When you are aware of these signs, it can be easier to identify them in elderly people.

 

 

Knowing the Signs

Deciding to move a family member to an assisted living facility or community is never an easy one. When their situation or conditions become very hard to handle at home, it may be a good time to consider moving them into one.

 

 

Many families would still prefer to take personal responsibility in caring for their elderly family members. However, there are times when their current state needs the care and attention of a professional.

 

 

When families realize this, an assisted living facility for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients is the best choice. Here are some tell-tale signs to identify if it’s the right time to move a family member for assisted living.

 

 

Safety – When a family’s home becomes a hazard for a person with Alzheimer’s or dementia, it’s time to consider moving them to assisted living where it’s safer and more monitored.

 

 

Sundowning – Sundowning is a term that describes patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s episodes of increased memory loss, anger, agitation, and confusion.

 

 

Wandering – Due to their memory loss, they often find themselves wandering out of nowhere. This can truly be a hazard to them and increase their chances of getting lost, or worse, incur injuries and accidents.

 

 

Increased Care Needs – Finally, the more Alzheimer’s disease and dementia progress, the more it can turn for the worst. As their conditions worsen, the greater their need for professional care becomes.

 

 

 


Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco

memory assisted living - richmont senior

What’s needed for a Memory Assisted Living Facility?

It is common to provide a convenient living space for people who are undergoing a progression into Alzheimer’s disease, including other forms of dementia. So, it is best to consider the level of care that patients will receive when families are seeking to choose an assisted living facility.

 

 

This is where memory care and assisted living comes into play. But memory care facilities often differ from assisted living facilities. In the event that you can’t find a place that offers both, here of their key differences:

 

 

Memory Care Units

 

  • This is an ideal option for people with dementia for a higher level of skilled supervision and care
  • Offers both private and shared living facilities
  • Provides 24-hour supervised care that is given by trained staff
  • Offers the same services as assisted living facilities
  • Provides activities to stimulate the memory of residents with Alzheimer’s and other dementias
  • Activities would include arts and crafts, games, and music, among others

 

 

Assisted Living Facilities

 

  • Provides supervision and care for Alzheimer’s patients in the middle-stage development
  • Individuals are given an assisted living space, particularly on a private apartment, private studio, or shared apartment
  • Availability of staff 24 hours a day to provide assistance
  • Provides management of medication, transportation to and from the doctor’s appointments, and social activities
  • Offers a way for residents to gather and eat meals at a dining hall

 

 

Nevertheless, patients can take advantage of both services at a facility like ours at Richmont Senior Living. Practically, patients can have memory assisted living spaces within these facilities.

 

 

Common Services Offered In Memory Care and Assisted Living

 

There might be some differences in state regulations when it comes to services offered in senior care communities. However, both would offer basic supervised care, help with daily activities, and medical monitoring. Moreover, they can also get other services in both memory assisted living facilities.

 

  • Medical care access
  • Emergency call systems
  • Health and exercise programs
  • Laundry service and housekeeping
  • Social programs and activities
  • Round-the-clock 24-hour per day security and staff supervision
  • 3 meals per day
  • Transportation assistance

 

 

You might be charged a little extra for some of the services offered here above the basic monthly rate.

 

 

Who Needs Assisted Living Facility

 

When your loved one is still showing signs that he or she is still relatively independent, and if dementia or Alzheimer’s is not an immediate concern, then you might choose an assisted living facility.

 

 

Who Needs Memory Care

 

Those who have complex care requirements that are accompanied by memory impairment may need to go to memory care facilities for immediate care. This is basically an assisted living community that would also include special care units for patients with dementia.

 

 

If you are going to consider memory assisted living for your loved one, then you should know what to expect. You may choose a facility that is just within your area so that it will be easier for other family members to visit loved ones as they please.

 

 

It might be a very difficult decision to consider memory care or assisted living facility for your loved ones. However, you can have peace of mind when you consider their health and well-being.

 

 

 


Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco

nursing homes - richmont senior

Very Common Reasons to Consider Nursing Homes For Older Loved Ones

When it comes to taking care of your loved ones who need special care, there is nothing better than nursing homes. This is because of the improved standards driven by government regulations as well as consumer pressure.

 

 

These facilities are high-quality institutions that are well regulated. This is because they are intended for the care and treatment of older citizens with several mental or physical disabilities. Thus, you should know when it is time to consider an assisted living facility for your loved ones.

 

 

Who Needs Nursing Homes

 

Basically, if a person has a particular type of disability required to have activities of daily living, then it is more than enough reason to keep him or her in a nursing home. However, an undeniable fact states that there are more disabilities in nursing homes in comparison to people living at home.

 

 

People with Mental and Physical Problems

 

Moreover, mental conditions have become more common aside from physical problems in nursing home residents. One of the most common is dementia, which is about 50-70% of residents.

 

 

Older Family Members

 

It is estimated that about 50% of the people living in nursing homes are 85 years of age or even older. In fact, seldom can you see residents who are younger than 65. In these statistics, most are women in which many of whom don’t have spouses.

 

 

Characteristics of Nursing Homes

 

Medical services are offered by these facilities to people who have undergone surgery, illness, or any other medical problems. In this case, older adults are given a higher level of care. This makes hospital stays shorter than usual. There are different services within nursing homes, which include the following.

 

  • Breathing treatments
  • Intravenous therapy and antibiotics
  • Orthopedic care
  • Physical, speech, and occupational therapy
  • Skilled nursing care
  • Support after surgery
  • Wound care

 

 

At the same time, residents are given nutritional counseling, recreational activities, and social work services. Moreover, they receive hospice care and respite care.

 

 

Choosing a Nursing Home

 

You might need help when looking for nursing homes. In this case, your healthcare professional or provider can give you recommendations through detailed information to help you compare various nursing homes.

 

 

Role of Families

 

Take note that nursing homes can often seem depressing and scary, and can even fill a sense of failure and betrayal for the incoming residents. That is why family involvement is essential to help their loved one transition to a new living facility.

 

 

This might seem unlikely for families to abandon their loved ones by putting them in nursing homes. On the contrary, lots of families support their loved ones. In fact, only a few of them are really without any family.

 

 

Nevertheless, family members are motivated to visit residents on a regular basis, as well as get involved in complete care of their older relatives. They can also give them company and help them with their basic activities of daily living. This is because they will be able to communicate with the needs of the residents better.

 

 

 


Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco