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Assisted Living | Senior Care

5 Tips for Finding the Right Omaha Assisted Living Community

Updated: October 20, 2022 by

When a person reaches a certain age, it’s likely that medical needs and costs increase. You or your loved one might need the help of professionals that can take care of basic needs, hygiene, and ongoing care.

Elderly people have varying degrees of need, and most would like to live somewhere that offers in-house care when they need it.

That’s where assisted living homes come into play. In the United States, the assisted living field holds a more than $87 billion market value.

If you live in Omaha, you have plenty of options. Here are some tips on finding the best Omaha assisted living arrangement for your needs and your life.

1. Check Out the Floorplan and Layout

If you’re thinking of moving into an assisted living facility, it’s important to get a feel for both the floor plan and layout. Checking on these details lets you know what kind of space you’ll have so that you can plan accordingly.

Browse the facility online so that you can look at common area and room floorplans, square footage breakdowns, and descriptions. Most facilities have multiple options that you can check out, and some even feature more than one bedroom. Do your due diligence in searching for the right place so that your choice in assisted living facility improves your quality of life.

2. Visit the Assisted Living Community in Person

Getting to know the floor plan and layout of assisted living communities is necessary, but you won’t know what you’re getting until you visit it in person. Schedule a visit to browse the amenities, make sure that the decor is well-kept, and choose a community that is kept clean at all times.

You won’t know how well a community is kept up until you see it in person since pictures and videos on the site can sometimes be misleading.

3. Get to Know the Local Area

If you’re looking for a senior living community in Omaha, make sure that you’re also familiar with the local and surrounding area. Many of these facilities are situated in areas that have plenty of greenery and fresh air. This allows people to spend time outdoors to lower their stress levels, heighten their mood, and make sure that their blood pressure remains healthy.

Consider which part of the city you’d like to live in, and what types of businesses, services, and attractions are nearby. Some areas of Omaha that you might consider include:

  • Downtown
  • Joslyn Castle
  • Morton Meadows
  • Rockbrook
  • Elmwood Park
  • Gifford Park
  • Midtown Crossing

When you visit the assisted living community, spend time browsing the local area and checking out the surrounding neighborhood as well.

4. Consider Their Services and Amenities

The services and amenities are arguably the most important details to consider when you’re researching senior living communities. You need the medical services that will take care of your health for years to come, along with amenities that make it a comfortable and prosperous place to live.

Some amenities that you might look for in an assisted living community include:

  • Gyms and fitness centers
  • Tennis courts and golf
  • Spas, massage therapy, and beauty salons
  • Swimming pools and hot tubs
  • Restaurants and high-quality dining options
  • Laundry services and professional cleaning
  • Social events and community activities

You can compare these services and amenities between a few different companies to prioritize what you want most, and to find a professional that can provide it.

5. Research the Staff and Professionals

Do your due diligence when shopping around for communities that will also give you access to the best professionals. You should never have to second guess whether you’re getting optimal medical care when you live in one of these facilities.

Research the medical director of the community and find out how many doctors and nurses they have on staff. Check out what kinds of specialties they have as well to make certain that you or your loved one gets the necessary care.

About 55 million people today live with dementia. This is why so many people require memory care services when they enroll in an assisted living community. You might also need access to other professionals, such as:

  • Physical therapists and pain management professionals
  • Chiropractors and professionals that offer acupuncture and other alternative services
  • Hearing professionals and audiologists
  • Dental professionals for dentures and standard oral healthcare
  • Massage therapists

Take the time to find out what standard of care they provide, and check out their grades and rating in the industry. In addition to looking into the Better Business Bureau (BBB), find out if they’ve been sued and whether they have formal complaints about care or sanitary practices.

Seek referrals from people you know that have also lived in the assisted living facility so that you can gain insight from their experiences and opinions about the level of care they received.

Find the Perfect Omaha Assisted Living Situation

The points above are worthwhile when you need to find a quality Omaha assisted living arrangement. This type of care is an investment in your life as a whole and sets the course for how you live for the next several years and the rest of your life.

Parsons House on Eagle Run is happy to help you or your loved one out when you’re looking for a healthy and comfortable living arrangement. We provide some of the best services around to Nebraska residents and would love to show you why we’re trusted and renowned. Use our web form to contact us or give us a call at (402)498-9554.

Assisted Living | Senior Care | Senior Living Community

When Is It Time to Find Senior Care?

Updated: September 8, 2022 by

When to the right to find senior care is a common question for millions of families across the United States and Omaha.

Around 1.5 million people live in nursing homes, but many more live in assisted living centers or use home health care services.

As you see, it’s not uncommon for seniors to seek some senior care services as they age and experience health problems. You might even be considering professional help for a senior loved one you’re caring for right now.

So, how do you know when to seek professional senior care help? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t always clear, but you can look for some signs.

Here is a guide to help you know what signs to look for to know that it’s time to seek senior care services for your loved one.

Dependency on Assistance With Daily Activities

Many families start seeking elder care services for their loved ones when they become highly dependent on others assisting them with daily activities.

Everyone performs normal activities daily. For example, people must use the bathroom, brush their teeth, shower, and get dressed.

When seniors begin experiencing trouble with these activities, they start depending on their families for daily assistance. If you’re the person they depend on, you might feel burdened by the constant requests for help.

Additionally, seniors might face challenges cooking, grocery shopping, and attending doctor appointments.

When loved ones can’t perform these normal duties in life, they have two choices. They can ask their families for help or skip the duties.

However, there’s another option. You can help your loved ones sign up for senior living options. Of course, you can choose from various stages of senior care services, with the first stage being home care services.

Home care services are ideal for many seniors, especially when they only need help with these activities.

Nutrition Concerns 

 

Loved ones also might experience nutrition concerns with their senior loved ones. For example, do your senior loved ones have food at home? Are they able to cook?

Eating is one vital part of nutrition that struggling seniors might have trouble with, but it’s not the only nutrition concern.

You might also have concerns with their medications. For example, do they mix up their medications? Do they ask you for help with this daily task?

One benefit of a senior community is they provide the proper nutrition for seniors. Additionally, they also handle their medication disbursement. As a result, you can rest easy knowing that your loved ones have what they need.

It might be time to start considering some senior care options if you have concerns about your parent’s nutrition needs.

Safety Risks

Another sign to look for is safety risks. Do you have safety concerns when you consider your loved one’s home?

Your loved one might have trouble keeping up with housework. If this is the case, their home might have clutter, leading to risks of falls occurring.

Additionally, you might consider your parent’s mobility. Do they have trouble walking around, showering, or getting up from the couch?

When seniors experience trouble with these things, it can lead to higher risks of injuries occurring.

For example, you might consider what would happen if they slipped while showering. Would they be able to get to a phone to call for help?

Many families turn to assisted living centers when the safety risks become too high. Assisted living facilities provide independence to the residents but also provide assistance.

As a result, seniors are safer when living in these communities.

Memory Issues

One of the leading issues families have with senior loved ones is memory issues. Around 5.8 million people have Alzheimer’s. However, this isn’t the only healthcare issue that causes memory loss.

Seniors might have normal memory loss issues that happen from aging. On the other hand, others might struggle with dementia.

While seniors can live alone when they first experience signs of memory issues, even including when they’re in the initial stages of Alzheimer’s, they can’t live alone forever.

As their memories begin to fail, they will need more assistance. So, it might be time to look for an elderly care facility when you notice these signs.

When a person suffers from memory issues, they might wander off, leaving their families wondering where they are. They might find themselves in dangerous places or situations, and they might not find their way home.

Now is the time to start looking for assisted living if this is a concern you have with your senior loved one. Your loved one’s safety and well-being are at risk if they have moderate to severe memory loss.

Loneliness

One factor that families often overlook is loneliness. Yet, this factor is highly important for a person’s health.

Anyone who lives alone might be prone to loneliness, including seniors. Seniors might not have many friends anymore, as many might have passed already. They might not have many family members in the area either.

The result is loneliness. Feeling lonely is challenging and unhealthy. People who feel prolonged loneliness can develop more health issues and might die prematurely.

Finding a senior living community for a lonely senior is one of the best solutions. After all, moving to a community like this provides companionship for seniors. They can make friends and take part in group activities.

They’ll also have people to talk to when they’re bored. The result is an improvement in health. People are healthier when they’re around other people.

Seek Senior Care to Help Your Loved One

Seeking senior care is the loving thing to do for your parents, friends, or relatives when they experience these signs. Providing seniors with the right care can make their lives better, safer, and healthier.

Contact us at Parsons House in Omaha to learn more. We offer assisted living, memory care, and other senior care services.

Parsons House Senior Living

Alzheimer’s Facility: 7 Tips for Moving

Updated: October 20, 2022 by

Searching for an Alzheimer’s facility? Do you have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s disease? You aren’t alone. In just this year, 1.75 million people aged 65-74 are struggling with Alzheimer’s, and caregivers feel helpless to care for their loved ones. Finding an appropriate residential care setting may be what your loved one needs to thrive.

Deciding to transition your loved one to an Alzheimer’s facility isn’t easy. But you can take steps to make the transition easier for you and your loved one. Look at these seven steps to transitioning your loved one to an Alzheimer’s senior living facility like Parsons House.

1) Include Your Loved One

Living with Alzheimer’s disease is difficult. But that does not mean your loved one shouldn’t be included in the decision to move to a facility that will better help them deal with their disease. Discuss the need to transition to an Alzheimer’s facility with your loved one, involving them as much as possible during the decision-making process.

Chances are your loved one already feels helpless about what is happening to them. But allowing them to be a part of the decision-making process of transitioning to an Alzheimer’s care facility is vital to helping them feel like they still have some independence.

2) Do Plenty of Research

Chances are you have heard plenty of nightmarish stories about moving family and loved ones into a residential living facility. Sure, there are some less-than-ideal elderly care institutions out there. But not all residential living facilities are run this way.

This is why it is extremely important to do your research about which Alzheimer’s facility would best suit your loved one’s situation. Some things to look for in a good facility include:

  • A compassionate mission statement
  • A good location
  • Engaging amenities
  • A cost that works with your budget
  • Raving reviews and testimonials
  • An inviting community
  • Caring and compassionate staff

3) Attend Some Activities

Mark your calendar and plan on taking your loved one to attend some activities at the Alzheimer’s facility you have chosen. Your loved one will become more familiar with the environment, making the transition less stressful.

Plan on attending lunches, dinners, or events the facility is hosting. The facility you choose should be welcoming to the idea of allowing you and your loved one to visit beforehand. They will also have a chance to become familiar with the community.

4) Does Your Loved One Need a Transition Program?

Sometimes a loved one with Alzheimer’s needs care more immediately. The need for quick action is where a transition program to an Alzheimer’s unit comes into play. The facility you have chosen should offer a transition program in the event that your loved one needs more immediate care. The best way to find out about these programs is to talk to the facility staff to determine what kind of program they offer.

A good transition program will allow a gentle transition to the new facility without your presence. These programs are set up to make your loved one feel more comfortable and to aid them in the transition process.

5) Wait to Announce the Move

Moving to a new home can cause a lot of anxiety and distress under normal circumstances. A person with Alzheimer’s disease will struggle with it more than an average, healthy adult. Make the transition to a residential facility easier by waiting until just before the move to let them know they will move to a new home. Don’t even include them in on packing.

Waiting to tell your loved one that they are moving may seem harsh or distasteful, but in the end, it will make your loved one’s transition go much more smoothly. Causing unnecessary stress over the long term will cause more problems than benefits. Waiting until the last minute to tell your loved one about the move to their new home will help to keep your loved one calm.

6) Make the New Home Feel More Familiar

Bring some of your loved one’s items to their new home to help create a familiar environment. Try adding photos to the wall, line the shelves with their favorite knick-knacks, move in their favorite couch or recliner, and bring along their favorite blankets and pillows.

Moving to an Alzheimer’s care facility does not have to be scary, especially when you make sure your loved one has their favorite (and familiar) items surrounding them.

7) Take Care of You

You may be feeling guilty, stressed, and saddened about moving your loved one into an Alzheimer’s facility. It’s only natural to feel this way. The best thing you can do is to ensure that you also take care of yourself during this difficult time.

Be sure and take some time for yourself. There are a few things that can help.

Get Plenty of Rest

Take a weekend to unwind, binge-watch your favorite show, and take a bubble bath. Sometimes a little R&R is all you need to get through this difficult time. Practicing good sleep hygiene will also help you deal more easily with difficult emotions.

Be Sure to Engage in Healthy Self-care

Remember to take care of yourself. Sometimes when we experience difficult times, we forget to do the most basic self-care rituals, like taking a shower or brushing our teeth. If you find yourself really struggling, consider seeking counseling or a caregiver support group.

Go Out With Friends or Other Family Members

Take some time to get out of the house and spend some time with friends or other family members. Go out for lunch or engage in some fun activities. Sometimes, getting out of the house is good for the soul.

A Smooth Transition Is Key

A good Alzheimer’s facility will help create a smooth transition for you and your loved one. It should help you transition your loved one to the appropriate level of care from the very start. If you have a loved one ready to transition to an Alzheimer’s care facility, contact Parsons House to discuss what they can offer your loved one.

Assisted Living | Senior Living Community

Senior Living Community: 6 Tips for Choosing the Right One

Updated: July 14, 2022 by

Choosing the right senior living community isn’t easy. These 6 tips will help you choose the right one!

When you are looking for a suitable senior living community, whether for yourself or a loved one, there are a number of factors to consider. There is a wide range of retirement living options open to seniors today and each one offers different services and levels of care/independence.

In this blog post, we will highlight 6 practical tips that you can follow to help you choose the most suitable senior living community. These include learning more about the background of the community, factoring in your budget, meeting with residents and taking a tour, learning about the available services, and more.

Parsons House Active Assisted Living is the premier senior living community in Omaha, offering assisted living, memory care, and an Alzheimer’s unit for seniors. Let’s get started with our tips for choosing a senior living community.

1. Understand Your Options

First of all, there are several different community types that you should be aware of. At Parsons House Active Assisted Living, our active assisted living amenities and services are perfect for people who wish to enjoy an active and fun lifestyle while receiving everyday care and support.

We are also memory care and Alzheimer’s care specialists, perfect for families looking for specialized residential care for a loved one.

Other options for senior living and retirement communities include Continuing Care Retirement Communities, nursing homes, and skilled nursing facilities. The right option for you or your loved one will depend on the level of care they seek.

2. Decide on a Price Point

Senior living communities are available at different price points, so we recommend that you establish a realistic price point that is based on available resources. A Family Advisor can be of tremendous benefit here, as they will be able to help you explore all of the potential sources of money. For example, potential sources of money to pay for senior living may include:

  • Social security
  • Long-term care insurance
  • Pensions and other retirement income
  • Life insurance
  • Family contributions
  • Veterans Benefits
  • Real estate assets
  • Local government programs
  • Medicare and Medicaid

When looking at a particular community, it is important to get detailed information about fees (including what fees do and do not include). This will allow you to make an informed decision based on your available finances.

3. Check Out the Background & Reviews

It is recommended that you take some time to learn about the history and stated vision of a senior living community. It is essential that a senior living community is properly accredited and meets the high standards for operations, services, and finances. It is beneficial to read online reviews about a community to understand its strengths and weaknesses.

Here at Parsons House Active Assisted Living, we are family-owned and family-focused. Our team is highly-trained, experienced, and committed to providing the highest level of care to our residents. We are happy to speak to you about our background, credentials, services, and vision.

4. Take a Tour and Meet With Staff

When you have identified a senior living community that is of interest to you, arrange an appointment for a tour so that you can meet with staff as well as residents. This is an opportunity to walk around, inspect the facilities, sample the food, and ask any questions you might have.

By speaking to residents, you will be able to learn about their experiences living in the community. Click here to look at our floor plans and explore our facilities from the comfort of your home.

5. Understand the Available Services

Every senior living community will offer different services as well as recreational and social activities. It is important to understand what services are available in a community, so you can determine whether or not it is suitable for you or your loved one. As noted, we specialize in care for people who are suffering from poor health, memory loss, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other health conditions.

Recreational and social activities are also key in a senior living community. With regards to our active assisted living, some of the services and amenities offered include:

  • Homemade meals
  • Weekly housekeeping
  • Pet therapy
  • Daily wellness and exercise classes
  • Daily activities and social events
  • Laundry service
  • Nurse Practitioners
  • Two beautifully landscaped secure outdoor courtyards
  • Transportation to scheduled medical appointments
  • Routine wellness reviews
  • 24-hour emergency response system
  • Arrangements for in-house physical therapy, podiatrist, physician, dental care, massage therapy, etc

Activities also include:

  • Garden club
  • Book clubs
  • Bowling and billiards
  • Arts & crafts
  • Visits to Champions
  • Bible studies
  • Field trips
  • Shopping trips

Our calendar of events is continually evolving and we encourage our residents to be active and sociable.

6. Consider the Location

For many seniors, it is preferable to live close to family and friends, so it is important to consider the location before making a final decision.

Take some time to consider the surrounding community and the facilities that are available there, including places of worship and doctor’s offices. By speaking with existing residents during your visit, you will be able to get first-hand information about this topic.

Tips for Choosing

If you are considering a senior living community for yourself or a loved one, your premier choice is Parsons House Active Assisted Living.

To learn more or schedule a tour of our community, please call our Residential Specialist at 402-249-6050 or use our Contact Us Form. We look forward to speaking with you about our active assisted living and memory care facilities.

Choosing the right senior living community is never easy. We hope these 6 tips will help you make an informed decision.

Parsons House Senior Living

9 Signs it’s Time to Move to Assisted Living

Updated: July 14, 2022 by

Is it time to move to assisted living? Did you know there are over 800,000 seniors living in assisted living facilities in the United States? Assisted living is an excellent and safe option for seniors who have difficulty caring for themselves.

But how do you know when it’s the right time for your loved one to move to assisted living? What are the signs, and how can moving to assisted living be the right choice?

If you’re curious about better care for seniors, and how an assisted living facility can service your loved one, here are nine signs that it’s time that your loved one needs support from an assisted living facility.

1. Trouble With Tasks

Daily living tasks like doing laundry and cooking tend to become harder as you age. If you find that your loved one’s home is in disarray, and can no longer cook, do laundry, or do other daily tasks, it might be time to get help from assisted living.

Care from assisted living offers help with these tasks and may even do these tasks for them, providing laundry and cleaning services several times a week.

2. Forgetting

Even if your loved one seems competent around the home, there may be times when they forget to turn off appliances or lock doors. Leaving the stove on, for example, could potentially burn down a home leading to catastrophic consequences.

Forgetting small things like keys or making a phone call might not warrant a need to move to assisted living. However, forgetting major things like turning off the stove, not cleaning the dryer, or not locking your home can be signs that moving to an assisted living facility is a safer option for your loved one.

3. Falls

If your loved one injures themselves by falling in the home and there’s no one around to help, it could lead to greater complications. Bones become more brittle as you age, leading to easier breaks and injuries.

Falling is one of the greatest risks for seniors who live alone. If your loved one experiences many falls, it’s likely a sign that they need assistance getting around their home. Assisted living facilities have staff who help with mobility so your loved ones can safely navigate their space.

4. Health Challenges

As you age, you’re at risk for more serious health conditions and diseases like Alzheimer’s, heart problems, and diabetes. If you have a loved one with a serious health condition, you know how challenging it can be to assist them through these conditions.

If your loved one has a health condition, and they’re having trouble caring for themselves, or their condition worsens, an assisted living facility might be the best choice. The assisted living staff can help your loved one with administering medication, mobility, and even memory care.

5. Socialization

Some seniors tend to isolate themselves leaving them feeling more alone than ever. Many seniors experience loneliness, leading to a greater risk of dementia, anxiety, depression, and even a shorter lifespan.

One of the benefits of assisted living is being a part of assisted living community activities. This type of socialization can offset the feeling of loneliness and form friendships leading to a better quality of life.

6. Hygiene

Have you noticed that your loved one seems to be lacking when it comes to self-care? Do they have trouble bathing or showering? Not caring for one’s self when it comes to personal hygiene puts one at risk for infections and illnesses, which is dangerous for people with compromised immune systems.

Caring for your body is important through bathing and reduces the risks of infections. An assisted living facility can aid with bathing or showering so your loved one stays clean and healthy.

7. Disorientation

Have you noticed your loved one becoming disoriented around their home or even outside of their home? Do they not know where there are or how they got there? If so, they need careful observation for their safety because this could be an early sign of dementia.

Frequent experiences of disorientation could be damaging for your loved one. They may even become aggravated or frustrated in their confusion, which leads to aggression. An assisted living facility operates to help those who experience disorientation and keep them safe.

8. Eating

How often does your loved one cook a healthy meal? Do you find that their eating habits leave out nutritious foods, or do they have trouble cooking altogether?

Eating healthy food is necessary at any age, especially in your senior years. Seniors still need a balanced diet and if they can no longer provide that for themselves, an assisted living facility offers healthy meals.

9. Burnout

Some families have hired help in the home so your loved one doesn’t need to move out of their home. For seniors, being in their homes is more comfortable and familiar. However, if your loved one’s needs become too great for one caregiver to handle, you may want to consider moving them to an assisted living facility.

In assisted living, multiple people do tasks for seniors living there, so one person isn’t required to do all of the caring. One person may experience burnout if they’re caring for someone full-time.

Is it Time to Move to Assisted Living?

The decision to move to assisted living isn’t always a clear-cut answer. For some, they need more observation or input from a professional. However, these signs listed above may help you make your decision so your loved one can get the best care.

Are you thinking about moving your loved one to an assisted living facility? If you have more questions or concerns about what that looks like for you, contact us today for more information or to take a tour of our facility.

Parsons House Senior Living

The Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

Updated: June 13, 2022 by

Close to 6.2 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease today. Researchers predict that this number will double or more by 2060.

Alzheimer’s typically affects the older population. However, young people may also contract the disease, although cases are rare. You can better support your loved one who has the condition by educating them about Alzheimer’s stages.

Understanding the various symptoms and behavior of a person under different stages of Alzheimer’s will help you develop a better care plan.

Here are some common stages and what to expect in each stage.

Stage One: Normal Behavior

The initial stage of Alzheimer’s disease is unnoticeable. At these stages, the brain of the victim-to-be begins to change. The person won’t show any out-of-the-ordinary behavior as these changes occur.

Since the changes occur silently, you won’t know that your loved one is developing the condition. However, a PET scan will show these changes if your loved happens to go for it at this phase. The imaging test shows normal brain activity, and it detects any variations.

Many people don’t go for a PET scan during the early stages of Alzheimer’s. This is understandable as the effects are still insidious. As the diseases progress into the next phase, noticeable changes begin to occur.

Stage Two: Mild Changes

Your loved one will start experiencing mild symptoms that you’re likely to miss. For instance, they may forget some words. Or they might start misplacing some objects once in a while.

It’s easy to dismiss this behavior as something that happens to a majority of people. Even doctors have a hard time identifying such behavior as early symptoms of Alzheimer’s at this point. Note that these symptoms are similar to those arising from the natural aging process.

The good part about this stage is the symptoms won’t interfere with your loved one. They should be able to work and go on with their routines without any difficulties.

Stage Three: Mild Decline

In stage two, dismissing the symptoms as a normal aging process was easy, even preferable. But it’s difficult to ignore the tell-tale signs characteristic of stage three. The changes in your loved one’s thinking process and reasoning starts being conspicuous.

You’ll notice that your loved one repeatedly begins to ask the same questions. They’ll also have trouble retaining memory of texts they read moments ago. Difficulties in planning or organizing their routines take root in this stage.

You can help an elderly person at this stage in two ways. You can become their memory to ensure your loved one honors every appointment and pays their bills on time. You can also ask them to retire and put their financial and legal documents in order.

Stage 4: Moderate Decline

The symptoms of the mild decline become pronounced in this stage. This is in addition to other symptoms developing. Your loved ones will forget details about themselves, the date, and what season you are in.

Your loved one will also find it difficult to write correct amounts on checks, and struggle to cook and make phone calls. As the stage progresses, your loved one won’t understand what people communicate to them.

With moderate decline, your loved one will struggle to perform tasks that have numerous steps, such as driving. Try helping them by doing their chores. Protect them from harm, including people who’d want to rip them off financially.

Stage 5: Moderately Severe Decline

At this point, your loved one forgets their physical location and the time at a particular instance. They’ll not recall phone numbers, addresses of their home, and particulars of where they got their education from. Choosing clothes for a particular weather or season becomes distressing for them.

Assist a loved one at this stage by arranging the clothes they need for each morning. Reassure them whenever they ask the same question too many times. People with Alzheimer’s disease ask the same questions to confirm that they are in the company of someone close.

Indulge your loved ones in stories and encourage them to use their imagination to come up with one. Not being able to remember facts doesn’t hold them back from being creative.

Stage 6: Severe Decline

Alzheimer’s makes people forget names, even though your face might be familiar. During the severe decline, your loved one may start mistaking you for other people. For instance, they may refer to you as their nephew when you are their youngest son.

Delusion is a common trait among people in the severe decline stage of Alzheimer’s disease. Don’t be surprised if your loved one insists on going for a job interview when they retired years ago. This stage makes it hard for the victims to dress up and feed themselves.

At this stage, weight loss, change in sleeping patterns, skin infection, and pneumonia can set in. Being compassionate is key to assisting your loved one at this stage.

Read to them their favorite books, play the music that they love, and assist them with the tasks that they are unable to perform. Building connections at this stage isn’t easy. But the little effort goes a long way.

Stage 7: Very Severe Decline

At severe decline, your loved one loses most of their basic abilities, like walking and eating. Supporting your loved one at this stage may be overwhelming, even if you are willing to do so.

Perhaps you should enroll your loved one in a nursing home. Nursing homes understand the needs of people at this stage. They have all the tools and resources at their disposal to make the life of your loved one more comfortable.

Understanding Alzheimer’s Stages

Your loved one deserves the best care as they go through the different Alzheimer’s stages. It’s easy to provide this care during the initial phases. Your loved one’s faculties are still functional, which makes caregiving bearable.

But as the diseases progress, so does the level of care needed to keep your loved one comfortable. Parsons House can step in and give your loved ones the quality of care that they deserve. Contact us for more information.

Parsons House Senior Living

How to Choose the Right Memory Care Facility for Your Loved Ones

Updated: June 13, 2022 by

Did you know around 55 million people across the globe have dementia? You can look into memory care homes that provide a safe environment for loved ones. You may need help choosing a memory care facility.

In this guide, you’ll learn what to identify in a reputable facility. You should ask about the staff’s memory care knowledge and training. Find out what resources are available.

Want to learn more? Check out the article below.

Your Loved Ones Can Age With Grace

Most memory care facilities will offer services, programs, and care to help their residents stay independent. They should strive to make sure the residents live a dignified life in a secure home.

Reputable memory care communities will offer support, allowing residents to keep living meaningful lives. For example, they could enjoy animal therapy classes or crafting.

Most memory care communities provide recreational activities. Residents can enjoy their time during the day. You should ask the manager about daily activities.

Find out if the facility will charge for external activities like visits to the museum or a luncheon.

Stimulating and Fun Activities

Most memory care communities will try to offer a range of activities for their residents.

The activities will get offered morning, noon, and night. Your parent or loved one will always have access to fun and stimulating activities. The activities will range from several different hobbies and interests.

For example, some facilities will provide art lessons, music sessions, or dances. There are usually card tournaments or game nights. Some residents will enjoy social activities or sports.

What Are Your Loved One’s Needs?

When beginning your search, understand the needs of your loved ones. Will your parents need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or cooking?

Does your parent or loved one have chronic health conditions? Some people need regular injections or medications.

Ask the staff how they will watch your loved one’s health needs. Will they come in at certain times?

Does Your Loved One Need Memory Care?

You should determine if your parent or loved one is suited for memory care.

For example, does your loved one show anger or aggression? Do they wander or get lost? Is home safety an issue?

If mobility’s an issue, your loved one might use a wheelchair or walker.

Also, consider if your parents will need 24-hour supervision. For health concerns needing 24-hour nursing care, memory care might not work. A nursing home might be the more appropriate place.

Ask for a Guide

If you narrow your list down, try scheduling a visit to the memory care facility.

During the guide, you can learn about the available accommodations. Will there be a shared apartment or separate cottage? Will meals or snacks get provided throughout the day?

Having a guided tour of the memory care facility will give you some insight.

You’ll get to see some of the residents participating in daily activities. Do they look happy? Is the staff accommodating?

Is the Staff Educated?

Dementia care isn’t straightforward. Find a memory care center with a successful history of providing this kind of care. Find a caregiver who will see your loved one as a person, not someone with a challenging disease.

When talking to the staff, ask them how they will manage the challenging behaviors. Does the team know how to deal with resisting care or aggression?

Behavioral expressions are a response to dementia symptoms. When you find a center that provides the proper dementia care, you’ll see a reduction in symptoms.

Did staff get training to help those with dementia? The care they provide will look different compared to caring for those in assisted living. Do the aides and nurses receive training throughout the year?

Even the kitchen employees and housekeepers should receive training. Find out if any of the members have certified dementia care management training. Find out how regularly they receive training.

Prioritizing Safety

Memory care centers will use many different safety technologies. You should look for a center that focuses on safety measures.

There’s motion-sensor technology in most apartments to help secure windows and doors. Memory care measures are critical to helping prevent people from wandering away.

Signs of an excellent memory care community include:

  • Keypad entry
  • Emergency alert technology
  • 24-hour supervision
  • Alarms on all emergency exits
  • Interior courtyards for people to wander safely

You should assess the grounds. Do they seem secure? Is there an emergency alert system?

Are there safety locks on the outdoor fences? Are the hallways color-coded? This will help a resident navigate their way through the facility.

Is it straightforward to find medical help? Is there a nurse on duty 24 hours a day? What about a visiting physician?

Find a Clean and Organized Facility

You should find a residential area that doesn’t have a ton of noise or unnecessary activity. Is there any strange lingering odor or dust-covered furniture?

Find a facility that has well-trained staff and a clean environment.

Choose the Right Memory Care Facility

We hope this guide on memory care was helpful. You should spend your time researching more than a memory care facility. You want to find a center with trained staff members who have lots of experience.

Ask the memory care facility if they provide regular training to the nurses and other staff members.

Would you like to learn more additional information about memory care options? We would love to chat with you today about available accommodations at Parsons House Senior Living.

Memory Care

How a Memory Care Community Improves Quality of Life

Updated: March 26, 2022 by

Right now in the United States, there are around 6 million people living with dementia. That figure is expected to rise to 8.5 million by 2030!

But what is sometimes less visible is how many family members and friends are caring for those people. For every person with dementia, there are many who participate in their care and want to give them the very best quality of life.

Does that describe your situation? Millions across the country are working hard to provide Alzheimer’s care in their loved ones’ homes. But could a memory care community help them achieve a better quality of life?

Let’s take a closer look at how memory care communities can help and why you should consider one for your loved one.

What Is Memory Care?

A memory care community is a special form of long-term care. It focuses solely on the needs of older adults who have memory issues. Most commonly, this is Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

They provide comfortable accommodation with 24/7 care. All staff members are trained in supporting people with memory loss. Specialist nurses and doctors are available to provide ongoing medical attention.

Transitioning to memory care begins with an individual assessment. Every person is an individual, and memory loss affects people in different ways. The goal is to create a bespoke care plan that will meet the needs of your loved one.

How Memory Care Improves Quality of Life

There are many benefits of memory care beyond 24-hour supervision. Memory care communities offer a place for people with dementia to thrive. They can enjoy facilities and activities that are designed specifically for them.

Memory Care Accommodation

As dementia progresses, wandering becomes more of a risk for many people. This can put them in danger, even in their own home. Furniture, carpets, and rugs can all become fall hazards.

Accommodation in memory care facilities is designed to reduce the risk of falls. Walking paths are kept clear of clutter. An emergency response system, with movement sensors and alarm systems on doors, alerts caregivers that a person is on the move.

This can give you greater peace of mind, knowing your family member is in a safe place that accounts for their current challenges.

Great Nutrition

It can be hard for people with dementia to stick to a balanced diet on their own. The busy schedules of caregivers may make it impossible to provide a balanced meal three times a day. But in a memory care facility, your loved one gets consistency and sound nutrition.

Meals are based around a dementia-friendly diet. They are able to stick to their mealtime routines, but there’s an added advantage. They can enjoy their meals with others, providing mental stimulation as well.

Opportunities to Socialize

Dementia can make it harder to find opportunities to socialize, even at the best of times. A recent study found that the COVID-19 pandemic has added to the problem. Anxiety and isolation have increased among dementia sufferers.

The beauty of a memory care community is that your loved one can associate with others as much as they like. They also have their own home to go to for times when they’d prefer their own company.

Daily activities are available that bring people together. They can enjoy meals together.

A study by Penn State University looked at this. It found that pleasant social interactions improve cognitive functions in older adults. This includes those with dementia.

Tailored Activities

The staff in memory care facilities know how to create activities for residents. They keep them brief, stimulating, and accessible. This may include brain games, watering plants, or even helping with household chores.

If they are physically able, your family member may enjoy certain sports or forms of exercise. The key is to have a range of activities available that provide physical and mental stimulation.

Specialist Care

As dementia progresses, there is a greater need for specialist medical care.

At a memory care facility, your loved one will be under the care of a specialist doctor and general physician. They will monitor the progression of the disease and help your family member to stay in the best possible shape.

From time to time, illnesses happen. It’s a comfort for your family to know that your relative has easy access to great medical care at all times.

How to Tell It’s Time for Memory Care

We understand that choosing to place your family member in a memory care community is a huge decision. It’s one that needs to be taken over a period of time and after lots of consultation with everyone involved.

But here are a few signs that it’s time to begin transitioning to memory care. Does your loved one:

  • Find it hard to engage in events or home activities?
  • Become easily disorientated?
  • Have continence problems?
  • Struggle to care for themselves at home?
  • Sometimes wander?

You also need to look at how you and your family are coping with the demands of caregiving. Do you find that your health is deteriorating? Is it hard to get enough rest?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember that you are not letting your loved one down. In fact, it’s very loving to seek the very best senior care for them in their time of need.

Choose Parsons House for Your Loved One

Do you recognize that it’s time for your loved one to transition to memory care? We understand it’s a difficult decision. But rest assured that your choice will actually help to improve their quality of life!

Now they will have a safe home with round-the-clock supervision and care. They’ll have a range of activities to choose from and lots of opportunities to socialize. They’ll get consistent medical attention, and their personal needs will be taken care of.

You can trust the team at Parsons House on Eagle Run to take good care of your loved one. We are family-owned and family-focused. We want your loved one to feel part of the family, too.

Contact us today or call us at 402-249-6050 to talk about how we can help.

Assisted Living

How to Choose Assisted Living Homes in Omaha

Updated: March 7, 2022 by

Are you looking for ways to ensure your loved one is safe and sound in their new home? Do you have an elderly loved one that has Alzheimer’s, Dementia, or some other form of memory loss? If so, then you need to learn all that you can about finding homes for seniors.

When you choose assisted living homes, you choose the option that will best suit your loved one’s needs. It’s important to find an assisted living staff that understands how to care for them.

See below for an in-depth guide on how to choose assisted living homes and all the factors that should go into it.

 

1. Specialized Care for Seniors

Memory loss diseases aren’t easy on anyone involved. While your loved one has to battle through this newfound uncertainty in life, their loved ones (such as yourself) remain concerned for their overall safety.

Even the simplest of tasks become challenging. It becomes harder and harder for them to keep up with the conditions of their home. Instead of enjoying the home, they raised a family in, they’ve become scared or nervous about what lies ahead.

Fortunately, there are assisted living homes out there that specialize in treating those with memory loss diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Dementia. They work with many different severities of it and can create a custom care plan to help them thrive.

Here at the Parsons House on Eagle Run, we take tremendous pride in restoring hope to elderly residents and their loved ones. We have a compassionate assisted living staff who takes great pride in treating your loved one with respect and patience.

We have many functional floor plans that can give your loved ones the space they need, while still lowering the square footage to reduce the workload. They’ll enjoy the practical design, as well as the help they receive daily.

 

2. Supportive Staff

Unfortunately, any level of Alzheimer’s Disease can make it difficult (or impossible) for your loved one to perform the most mundane of tasks. In fact, one of the biggest signs your loved one is dealing with memory loss is a regression in personal care.

They just can’t take care of themselves the way they used to, and that’s okay! When you choose assisted living homes, be sure to choose one that can take these things out of their hands. By limiting their responsibility, they’ll be less overwhelmed.

Each of our floor plans has a private studio suite design with a 3/4 bath. We support all of our residents with such tasks as:

  • Beds made daily
  • Three homemade meals prepared
  • Private family dining is always available
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Frequent wellness reviews
  • Laundry services 2 to 3 times per week for your loved one
  • Includes all major utilities such as cable, internet, phone, long-distance

We want to make sure that your loved one receives the top care. Each of the three homemade meals is made with fresh, real-time ingredients. We also provide them with nutritional snacks to keep them happy and on a well-balanced diet.

 

3. Active Community

This isn’t a sentence to a mundane lifestyle for the rest of their days, it’s the opportunity for your loved one to start a new life! A life where they can meet new people, share new experiences, and bring a smile to their face once more.

We take tremendous pride in providing a calendar of activities that keeps our residents busy. We also have scheduled outings to make sure your loved one is getting out there. We have 2 shuttle vans that are only used for resident activities.

That said, there’s plenty to do on the premises as well! We have the largest outdoor secure courtyard in the state of Nebraska. We also have pet therapy on-premises to keep things light and engaging.

Your loved one will look forward to the different programs we offer. They’re sure to expand their horizons and help them enjoy new hobbies.

 

4. Secure Premises

If you’re going to move your elderly loved one to homes for seniors, you want to have full peace of mind. You want to know that they’re doing all they can to ensure your loved one is safe.

Here at the Parsons House on Eagle Run, we have 24-hour professional staffing and an emergency response system in place. If your loved one wanders out in the middle of the night, we know how to direct them back to their room safely.

We’ll give you consistent updates on how your loved one is progressing so that you can stay in the loop.

 

5. Assisted Living Budget

Even though there’s a substantial need for homes for seniors, we understand that everyone has an assisted living budget to stick to. We’re here to accommodate that as best we can.

Our floor plans and prices are justified by all of the amenities we offer. Everything you’ve read about in this article is covered in the rental price. That way, your loved one has everything that they need.

We want to help them reduce the tasks they’re responsible for so that they can focus on maintaining an active and happy lifestyle.

 

Choose Assisted Living Homes You Can Trust

Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on how to choose assisted living homes, be sure to use this information wisely.

Take the time to read this article for more information on our memory care activities for seniors and how we help challenge them daily. To learn more about our Best of Omaha award-winning assisted living community, please contact us at 402-498-9554 and we will be happy to assist you further.

Memory Care

Memory Activities for Seniors

Updated: March 7, 2022 by

As seniors age, it’s common for them to experience small lapses in memory. Some seniors, however, are living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. This means that they’ll have more advanced memory struggles.

This can be frustrating for both the seniors and their families. Caring for a loved one who is losing their memory is a struggle.

That said, enrichment is a huge help when it comes to caring for someone with memory loss. There are plenty of stimulating memory activities that you can try with the elderly person in your life.

Keep reading to learn all about memory care activities for people who are living with dementia.

1. Assembling a Scrapbook

One of the best and most enjoyable activities that you can do with a senior who is struggling with memory loss is assembling a scrapbook or photo album.

When you bring out photos or mementos from the senior’s past, it will trigger memories. Keep in mind that not every photo will trigger a memory, and that’s okay.

You’ll remind your loved one of happier times. You may have photos and mementos from vacations, photos of family members, or scraps and tickets from fun events or activities.

Assembling the photo album or scrapbook is also stimulating. The simple act of gluing photos in place and decorating pages is an enriching activity that requires focus and mindfulness.

If a scrapbook isn’t enough, consider making a memory shadow box. This way, you can use larger objects (such as souvenirs from trips) as well.

2. Listening to Music

Did you know that listening to music is an enrichment activity?

Listening to music is a sensory activity that can trigger memories. It can ease symptoms of Alzheimer’s and it may be an effective measure for slowing down the progression of the disease.

You can use both new music and old music. New music will be more interesting and trigger new thoughts. Old music may trigger memories.

For example, consider playing your loved one’s first-dance song from their wedding, or a song that they loved to sing when they were younger. If they used to play music, try to find a recording and play it back to them.

Keep in mind that music can also trigger emotions. Be ready to handle emotional dysregulation.

3. Gardening

Gardening is a fantastic enrichment activity for people who are living with dementia or Alzheimer’s. As long as someone is observing them, it’s safe, fun, and productive.

Gardening gives seniors something to take care of. They get to see the (sometimes literal) fruits of their labor, which can be motivating. It also allows them to work with their hands which provides a sensory experience.

Gardening is another mindful activity. It gets seniors outdoors and helps them establish and stick to a routine.

4. Doing Old Skills and Hobbies

Gardening is a great hobby for seniors, but you can also start doing activities with them that they used to enjoy. Let them flex their former skills and experience their favorite hobbies again.

Practicing skills is great for memory retention. Many people, even if they’re experiencing memory loss, can still recall their old skills when they’re asked to do so.

For example, playing music is a skill that many people retain well into old age, even if they’re out of practice. Hand your loved one their favorite instrument and watch them re-acquaint themself with it.

Did your loved one formerly love to paint? Bring them a canvas and some paint and see if they’re interested in starting that hobby again. For people with significant dementia, make sure that they always paint under supervision.

Tactile hobbies and activities are best. Knitting, drawing, playing music, crafting, and even baking (with supervision) can be stimulating for seniors with memory struggles.

5. Exercise

Gentle exercise is good for seniors in general, but it’s also stimulating for seniors who are suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Keeping the body active also keeps the brain active. It will allow seniors to maintain a better quality of life for longer. But how can seniors exercise when they’re already struggling with their mobility?

First, consider simple walks outdoors (with supervision). A nature walk is a great way to get exercise and have a stimulating experience. Seeing wildlife will enrich your loved one’s life.

Many elderly people enjoy yoga. It’s safe and effective for building strength and mindfulness. Look online for great yoga poses for seniors or local yoga classes.

6. Puzzles

It should be no surprise that puzzles are stimulating for seniors. Difficult puzzles might be frustrating, so use your best judgment when you’re choosing one for your loved one.

You can use standard jigsaw puzzles for a tactile activity, but you can also use crossword puzzles, logic puzzles, and even sudoku. Your loved one may need some assistance, but they’ll be able to exercise their brains and feel fulfilled after solving even simple puzzles.

7. Adult Coloring Books

If puzzles are too complicated at the moment, adult coloring books are a good solution.

You could use a child’s coloring book, but for many seniors who are early in their dementia progression, these are too simple and not interesting enough. Adult coloring books have more complex designs and interesting features.

Seniors will have to test their hand-eye coordination while they color. Coloring is also a mindful activity. Coloring in an adult coloring book can be soothing and meditative as well as stimulating.

These Memory Activities Are Great for Enrichment

Memory activities aren’t just memory games. From puzzles to exercise, there are plenty of things that the senior in your life can do to stay stimulated and enriched.

Enrichment activities will enhance their quality of life and keep them sharper. Have fun with your loved one by trying some of these enrichment activities.

Is the senior in your life ready to move into a memory care facility? At Parsons House on Eagle Run, our compassionate care team wants to help. Contact us for more information about memory care and assisted living today.

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