When you consider the sheer volume of senior living options available today, choosing the right one for your parent or loved one can start to feel like an impossible task. How will you find the time to assess all of the choices? Even then, how can you know you are making the right choice among a sea of flashy websites and big promises? Don’t be discouraged! There are plenty of ways to streamline your research process and approach it in a way that will help you identify the right choice for your family.

Determine the Level of Care

The variety of lifestyles and care levels in senior living can make the scope of your research process larger than it needs to be, so this is an important first step. Consider your loved one’s situation and determine which option is the best for them.

• Independent Living: Suited for those who are physically capable and need no assistance with daily life but wish to avoid burdens like home maintenance or isolation.
  
• Skilled Nursing: Designed for people in need of consistent monitoring and medical care such as those with a severe injury or illness.
  
• Memory Care: Intended for those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia who need elevated supervision and safety measures to improve quality of life.
  
• Assisted Living: Provides an autonomous lifestyle similar to independent living but with professional support for activities of daily life such as dressing, bathing and grooming.
  
• Residential Care: An intimate, homelike option with low resident capacities with a focus on assisted living, with qualified options offering skilled nursing and memory care services as well.

Get Organized

Create a checklist that lists the services, qualities or characteristics you are seeking in a senior living community, then use this checklist to assess each option you find. This can help quickly narrow down your choices by identifying the ones that check most or all of the boxes. Below are some examples of what to look for.

• Nurse-owned: It is owned and operated by someone with a medical or healthcare background rather than an inexperienced entrepreneur.
  
• All-inclusive pricing: It presents you with a single price that covers rent, care, meals, amenities, toiletries and all other essentials instead of up-charging for them later.
  
• Low staff-to-resident ratio: There are not too many residents per staff member, meaning that aides have more time for each resident (a 1:6 ratio, for example, is better than 1:10).
  
• Private rooms: Residents have the option to live in their own rooms and enjoy more privacy than in a shared room.
  
• Involved ownership: The owners are involved in operations and regularly visit each home to ensure quality.
  
• Multiple care levels: It provides multiple services, such as assisted living and memory care, in case your loved one’s needs change.

If you wish to learn about a residential care provider offering assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing, contact Heartfelt Residential Care today at (800) 379-3860 or contact us online.

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The move to a senior care option like residential assisted living is an exciting milestone that points to a fulfilling new stage of retirement. It makes possible a lifestyle full of self-discovery, social opportunities and external support. It also eliminates the isolation and daily burdens that accompany living alone. While the benefits of this milestone abound, they can only be achieved with the initiative of making the move – one that will require the new resident to part with a varying degree of their belongings.

Downsizing is an all but inevitable step towards a better life in senior living, but it commonly serves as a barrier for seniors along the way. It may cause them to delay making the move or even resist it entirely, and this aversion is not difficult to understand. The older we get, the more belongings we accumulate, and the ones we keep generally have either functional or sentimental value that makes them difficult to part with. What’s more, seniors who have lived through leaner times may be even more attached to the things they own. Therefore, their children or loved ones need to have a plan in place. This will help make the downsizing process as manageable as possible for everyone involved. Here are 7 tips to make the process easier.

1. Be patient. This is arguably the most important thing to remember before and during the downsizing process. Resistance to letting things go often comes from a place of emotion rather than logic. It is a personal experience to them that you may not understand. You may feel exasperated by your loved one’s desire not to part with certain belongings. Instead of being short or critical, take a few deep breaths and try to empathize.
   
2. Be proactive. Downsizing becomes increasingly time sensitive as the need for senior living becomes more important to your loved one’s health and wellbeing. The earlier you can begin the conversation, the better.
   
3. Ease into the process. Springing a sudden large-scale purge on your loved one can be jarring – or even traumatic. Start by suggesting a few belongings at a time, things you know they are not attached to, like unused pieces of furniture with no sentimental value.
   
4. Resell items. Using Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist to sell items can contribute to senior living costs. It can also help your loved one feel like the item is going to good use or finding a new home instead of simply being thrown away.
   
5. Celebrate sentimental belongings. You may be highly motivated to get rid of belongings, but don’t overlook what they mean to your loved one. Listen to what they have to say and suggest taking pictures of these special items so they won’t be forgotten.
   
6. Create a “revisit” pile. In addition to your “keep” and “donate” piles, add a “revisit” pile to reassess at a later time. When the decision is black and white, your loved one may freeze and default to keeping it or prolong the decision on each item.
   
7. Stay positive. Downsizing can create feelings of loss, so be sure to keep the mood positive and remind them of all the great things their new life can provide.

If you have more questions about how to help your aging loved one downsize, call Heartfelt Residential Care today at (800) 379-3860 or contact us online.

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When it comes to senior living, the number of available options can feel staggering. There is no shortage of choice, whether that is the provided level of care or the setting in which a resident will live. When it comes to the living situation, people often think of larger-scale senior communities and buildings with multiple floors designed to accommodate a high capacity of residents. However, the reality is that the size of senior living housing varies greatly and can often affect a resident’s comfort, happiness and quality of life. People are often glad to learn that, despite their initial perception, there are many small, intimate living situations available to them or their aging loved ones. Residential care is one such option that is continuing to grow in popularity due to its many advantages.Read on to learn more about the distinctions between bigger communities vs. residential care.

Senior Living Communities

The term “senior living community” often refers to a campus reminiscent of an apartment building designed to house many seniors (they are sometimes known as “big-box facilities”). While these communities vary in size, a great many of them have multiple stories with as many apartments as possible. Many corporate senior living organizations own multiple locations across the country and are motivated to serve as many seniors as possible to help keep expansions and corporate goals on track. There are plenty of large communities offering competent care, but they are not without their disadvantages. For example, when an organization owns many locations, it can be difficult for leadership at the top to manage quality control throughout all of them, which may lead to inconsistent or subpar care. These large organizations may also prioritize profit over care, which can lead to cutting corners and jeopardizing quality of life. Additionally, larger communities may have a higher staff-to-resident ratio, meaning that there are many residents per staff member, which reduces the amount of time an aide can dedicate to an individual.

Residential Care

Residential care offers senior living in an intimate setting more akin to a family home than a large apartment building. Residential care homes are often located in picturesque houses in quiet neighborhoods and have been repurposed to serve multiple guests. They are meant to accommodate far fewer residents than big-box options so they can provide more individualized and attentive care (the ideal capacity is around six residents). Residential care homes are often operated by medical professionals or healthcare workers who prioritize expert care over maximizing capacity. Their smaller size also allows them to supervise the care their aides provide and ensure a consistent level of quality across all their homes. What’s more, residential care facilitates lower staff-to-resident ratios; unlike large locations where staff members are responsible for tens of residents, residential care aides have adequate time and bandwidth to make sure the needs of each resident in their care are always met.

If you would like to learn about a nurse-owned residential care organization offering intimate assisted living and memory care homes in Michigan, call Heartfelt Residential Care today at (800) 379-3860 or contact us online.

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So, once it has become apparent that your loved one would benefit from senior living, where exactly should you go from there? The best place to start is deciding which kind of lifestyle or level of care/support is best suited to your loved one. This can help reduce the aforementioned overwhelm resulting from the amount of choices available in senior living.

Independent Living
Independent living is an option designed for seniors who remain full physically capable but can no longer keep up with the demands of household maintenance and upkeep, or simply wish to live in a retirement community with nearby friends and amenities. Independent living communities are great for someone earlier in their retirement, but it is important to note that they do not provide additional care or medical support – meaning that it is not an ideal option for aging adults who are less physically able or mobile.

Assisted Living
Assisted living facilities offer residents support or assistance with the activities of daily living, such as bathing, grooming, eating, using the restroom, or medication management. Many assisted living facilities have corporate ownership with many locations and varying degrees of quality. They are often designed to house a high number of seniors, which can be great for a sense of community but can lead to high staff-to-patient ratios which result in a lower degree of individual attention for each resident.

Residential Assisted Living
Residential assisted living offers the same care and support as an assisted living facility, but with a few key differences. They offer a more intimidate and familial setting due to fact that they are generally found in actual houses versus large, uniform and often clinical-feeling buildings. This means that they house far fewer residents than AL facilities, which allows staff members to spend more time getting to know each person and helping them with their needs and individualized care plans. It also helps residents continue enjoying their lives with as much autonomy as possible in a setting much more akin to their own home than a large facility.

Memory Care
Memory care communities are designed for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and similar conditions. They are an incredible resource for people affected by dementia as they create a safe and supportive place to live, usually equipped with magnetically-locking doors to prevent wandering and high amounts of supervision to avoid injuries. They generally offer involved treatment plans intended to slow the progress of dementia and help residents get the most out of every day by staying connected with both their memories and the world around them. It is important to note that many residential assisted living homes can provide memory care services if the individual is not aggressive or prone to wandering.

If you believe your loved one would benefit most from residential assisted living and would like more help deciding on next steps, call Heartfelt Residential Care today at (800) 379-3860 or contact us online.

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For many aging adults, the prospect of moving into a senior living community such as a residential assisted living home can be unsettling, or even alarming. There are many misconceptions about senior living that can cause these feelings – many worry that they will lose their independence or be ‘locked away’ in a crowded building. Fortunately, there are many wonderful options that provide quite the opposite experience, allowing residents to enjoy their retirement with autonomy and fulfillment while receiving a level of support that ensures their safety and comfort.

If you believe your aging parent or loved one would benefit from a transition to senior living, you may be struggling with how to broach the topic with them for fear of conflict or resistance. This can create an uncomfortable impasse, but it is important not to delay this important conversation any longer than is necessary. If they are living on their own but experiencing mobility-related challenges, an increased risk of falling, memory issues or difficulty with daily tasks, delaying a move to senior living can significantly decrease their quality of life and even put them in harm’s way. Below are a few things to consider before bringing up the topic with a loved one.

Do Your Research

“Senior living” is a broad term that can conjure negative feelings and present an overwhelming number of care levels or lifestyle options that can add stress to the initial conversation. It is wise to determine what kind of senior living situation would best suit their needs. If they are simply struggling with home upkeep but otherwise fully capable and self-sufficient, independent living might be a good option as it provides the same level of autonomy as their own home without the inconvenience of home maintenance. However, if you are considering senior living due to a visible change in physical or mental capability, assisted living is likely the best option. Assisted living communities allow residents to live independently on their own accord but provide a level of safety and support that ensures a high quality of life. Be sure to stress that assisted living offers support for their life rather than control over it.

Make It a Conversation

When people are told what to do, they can become defensive or resistant. Avoid bringing up senior living as though a decision has been made or that you know better than they do. Instead, tell them something has been bothering you that you’d like to discuss. Share with them the factors that led you to conclude that a lifestyle change might be best and share with them the findings of your research, then ask what they think and what they might envision for their future. This can help get them thinking and make it possible for them to join you in exploring options knowing that their voice is being heard and appreciated.

If you would like to learn more about addressing senior living with your loved one, call Heartfelt Residential Care today at (800) 379-3860 or contact us online.

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Most aging adults reach a point in their lives where a move to senior living is in their best interest, and oftentimes this necessity is noticed first by their children or families. The aging process is gradual and the changes that can necessitate such a major life transition may be difficult to notice. How can you be sure your parent or aging loved one has reached the point where they need senior care? Below are a few of the telltale signs. It is important to remember that the transition to senior living is a positive change in their life, not a negative one, provided you find the right option for them. You should not feel guilty about this realization as senior care can help them lead this new chapter of life with dignity and fulfillment.

They require assistance with daily tasks.

One of the most prevalent signs that an aging person would benefit from senior living is persistent difficulty with necessary daily tasks such as personal hygiene, eating, dressing or getting around. Take note if they have displayed difficulty in areas like these. Options like residential assisted living are staffed with well-trained aides who are equipped to provide reliable help for these tasks in a way that feels natural and dignified.

They exhibit difficulty with finances.

Aging can affect memory and organizational skills which can affect quality of life. If you visit your parent’s home and notice an abundance of unpaid bills or late notices, or they have contacted you to assist with terminated services such as utilities, cable or the telephone, they may benefit from a more controlled environment. Finding an assisted living option with an all-inclusive pricing model can be especially helpful since there will be no additional financial factors for either the resident or their family to manage.

They can no longer maintain their home.

Homeownership can be a demanding task for anyone and becomes increasingly so with advancing age. If you notice your parent’s home falling into disrepair, this may mean that they can no longer manage their current living situation. Not only should anyone live in an unkempt home, but a home that is not well maintained can also present safety issues. An assisted living community would remove these demands from their life so they could stay safe and focus on enjoying their day-to-day activities.

They miss or forget medical appointments.

As people age and become more susceptible to medical issues and injury, medical appointments become increasingly critical. If they have been forgetting to schedule or attend important appointments, or they can no longer drive and struggle with transportation, they would likely benefit from an assisted living situation that could either help them make their appointments or provide medical assistance on site. Ensuring adequate medical attention helps to create peace of mind for both you and your parent.

If you think your parent may be a good candidate for senior care and wish to learn more, call Heartfelt Residential Care today at (800) 379-3860 or contact us online.

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A transition to senior living can be a blessing for an aging adult. It provides them a safe and comfortable setting in which to pursue their hobbies and interests or discover new ones. They can also access the level of care they need and combat isolation with meaningful new friendships. However, the decision to make this move is often accompanied by financial concerns. Upon further examination, most people find that the cost of senior living is not nearly as daunting as it first appears. It can even be less expensive than their current living situation.

What’s more, there are many things that seniors and families can do to plan financially for senior care. Abundant resources are available for both education and financial assistance. Below are five tips for making the goal of senior living a reality while reducing financial strain.

• Compare Current and Potential Costs
  The initial price tag of a senior living option may seem steep at first glance. However, this is often because it is not viewed in comparison with all the existing costs it stands to replace. For example, selling the senior’s current home could contribute significantly to future rent payments and doing so would eliminate numerous existing costs such as a mortgage, homeowners insurance, home maintenance, cable & internet, lawn care and more.

• Life Insurance Living Benefits
  Did you know that many life insurance policies offer “living benefits” that allow policyholders to access a portion of their benefits while they are still alive? Be sure to talk with their insurance provider to see if this is possible as some require qualifying factors such as a terminal illness. If living benefits are not possible, policies can often be sold to third-party companies in exchange for “life settlements” or “senior settlements” that can yield around 50-75% of their value.

• Home Rental
  If the senior or their family do not wish to sell their current home, for instance if it will be passed on to a future generation, renting it out can be an extremely helpful option. The monthly rent payments can then be put towards the monthly costs of senior living, easing payments significantly.

• All-Inclusive Senior Living Option
  Finding a senior care provider that offers all-inclusive pricing can be quite helpful in financial planning. Some communities will offer an up-front cost during the sales process only for a family to find that there are hidden costs for additional care, services or amenities – costs for which they had not planned. This can be avoided by finding an all-inclusive pricing model that ensures there will be no surprises down the line.

• Medicaid
  While Medicare does not pay directly for assisted living, Medicaid can. Medicaid benefits vary by state, as do the requirements for potential recipients. Nevertheless, it is a helpful resource for many. Use this online eligibility test to see if you qualify.
  

If you would like to learn more about how to pay for senior living, call Heartfelt Residential Care today at (800) 379-3860 or contact us online.

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According to A Place for Mom, residential care may be known by several other names, including:

• Elder care home
• Purpose built home
• Adult family home
• Foster care home
• Private care home
• Personal care home
• Private assisted living
• Board and care home
• Home for the aged

Whichever name they may go by, the many benefits of a well-run residential care home remain the same. To paint a better picture, these homes look like exactly that – a house tucked away into a safe and quiet neighborhood. This contrasts with traditional, big-box assisted living facilities, which are often housed in drab and unremarkable buildings with hundreds of identical rooms. While they can mistakenly be associated with the style of “nursing homes” negatively represented in popular culture, the right residential care home is quite different in reality, creating a place where residents love their lifestyles and embrace their independence.

The Advantages of Senior Living Residential Care:

A Smaller Size
By the very nature of being in a house vs. a large building, residential care homes accommodate a smaller number of residents, which creates a lifestyle that feels much more like home compared to a multi-story building that can feel clinical and overwhelming while being more difficult to navigate. Residential care homes are often easier to staff and maintain, which decreases overhead and can often lower the price for residents.

More Attentive Care
A smaller capacity allows for a lower staff-to-resident ratio, a measurement that reflects how many residents there are per staff member. In large facilities, these ratios are extremely high, meaning for every staff member there could be 10 residents. Residential care eliminates this risk; keeping the ratio low ensures that every staff member has adequate time to care for, tend to and spend time with each resident in a way that fosters a unique and individualized experience.

An Individualized Experience
In the homelike setting afforded by residential care, residents can truly make their experience their own, especially with assistance from staff. For example, meals in large facilities are often mass produced on a kitchen production line, meaning that many residents will simply have to settle for a meal they don’t like on some days. In the right residential care home, where staff are only cooking or preparing food for 6 as opposed to 60, menus become much more customizable and resident-friendly.

If you would like to learn more about senior living residential care, call Heartfelt Residential Care today at (800) 379-3860 or contact us online.

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As recently as February of 2018, Carli Friedman of The Council on Quality and Leadership released conclusive findings that “DSP continuity is central to quality of life of people, including human security, community, relationships, choice, and goals,” underscoring the importance for patients of having a consistent, knowledgeable staff around them for the long term. We now know this focus on hiring great people and giving them the tools to care for their patients is paying off – as Heartfelt Care can proudly say that since our founding in 2013, we have not had any employees facing discipline or terminated due to their performance in caring for our patients. While National Institute of Health research indicates that in the United States, small group homes are likely to struggle with “high rates of turnover” of DSPs across the country, here at Heartfelt Care we are honored to stand out as an example of patient-centered success because of the efforts of our caring DSPs.

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