National Parents Day is July 26th, a time to celebrate your mother and father and let them know how much they are loved and appreciated. As parents get older, many will turn to their adult children to help them in the next steps of senior living. Many of these adult children live an average of 450 miles from their parents and are having to assume the role of a long-distance caregiver. According to the National Center on Caregiving, approximately 5 to 7 million adult children in the U.S. are long-distance caregivers.Assisted Living Locators, a leading nationwide senior placement and referral service, is encouraging long-distance caregivers to use this commemorative day as an opportunity to start the dialogue about how they can best assist their aging parents during this transition. The company provides free, personalized help finding housing and care solutions for seniors and their families.To honor National Parents Day in July, Assisted Living Locators nationwide network of senior care advisors will post photos of their parents and share caregiver strategies for helping aging parents across social media channels and on the company website.This month is an opportunity for long-distance caregivers to assess the current lifestyle of aging parents and evaluate what can be improved to strengthen their loved ones health and happiness, said Angela Olea, Assisted Living Locators CEO RN. No matter what stage of life your parents are in, talking about long term care and creating a plan now for the future can help them live their life on their own terms.She stated the next step for long distance caregivers in the transition toward senior living is to have a needs assessment conducted by a knowledgeable professional to help understand your loved ones physical and cognitive condition.Olea added that Assisted Living Locators senior care advisors provide an in-depth assessment of all the clients needs, along with thoughtful analysis and recommendations for best-fit care options. Long-distance caregivers can begin their assessment process with an easy-to-use online tool on the Assisted Living Locators website, which then directs you to a local senior care advisor for a phone or video call in-take interview to learn about the best options to meet your needs.During COVID-19, senior care advisors provide virtual tours with qualified vetted home health, hospice, assisted living, memory care and adult family homes. They can also give families status updates on visitation and acceptance of move-ins for assisted living communities and skilled nursing facilities in your area.

Knowing which type of senior living could be best for your current and future needs is the first step to making a confident decision.Senior living communities are centers of activity where residents enjoy friendly neighbors, luxury amenities, and wellness resources located just steps away from their apartments. However, seniors and their loved ones can quickly become overwhelmed and even confused when searching for a senior living community. Not all senior living communities are meant to serve every older adult; community design and staffing are specialized to assist residents with their specific needs and challenges.Knowing which type of senior living could be best for your current and future needs is the first step to making a confident decision. Three of the most common types of senior living communities are: independent living, assisted living, and memory care.Independent LivingDesigned for older adults who are ready to say goodbye to homeowner responsibilities, such as lawn care and housekeeping, independent living communities offer a resort lifestyle. Many have luxury amenities such as swimming pools, putting greens, and beautiful trails for residents to enjoy. Exceptional communities offer a variety of apartment floor plans, as well as wellness resources, life enrichment activities, and even concierge services.Independent living might be the right choice for you if you:Are tired of spending your days cleaning the house and wish you had more time to pursue your hobbies.Love to make new friends and create social relationships with neighbors.Wish for an easy way of transportation to your favorite spots in the neighborhood without the worry of traffic and parking.Want to take advantage of wellness resources in order to stay healthy and active.Are overwhelmed or tired of cooking daily meals for yourself and would love having a chef take over that task for you.Dont need any hands-on assistance for daily activities and can get around independently throughout the day.Assisted LivingOffering round-the-clock caregivers to provide personalized assistance to residents, assisted living communities are ideal for seniors who could benefit from extra peace of mind and help with daily tasks. These communities are beautiful and feature community spaces that enhance connections between residents and staff. Assisted living communities also offer luxury-style amenities and perks that can include pet-friendly accommodations, concierge services, and life enrichment events and trips.Assisted living could be best if you:Feel nervous, fearful, or unsafe living at home alone.Need caregiver assistance readily available.Miss a busy social calendar and feel lonely at home most days.Have fallen at home in the past year.Struggle to keep up with your medication schedule.Wish someone could take over preparing meals for you three times daily.Feel exhausted after completing daily hygiene tasks such as dressing or showering.Memory CareThe most specialized of senior living communities, memory care neighborhoods are designed to meet the challenges that come with living with Alzheimers disease or another type of dementia. They are cozy and comfortable, designed to feel just like home. Events and activities are created to enhance socialization and wellness.Memory care could be best if you or loved one:Has a diagnosis of Alzheimers disease or another type of dementia.Is unsafe living at home alone.Would benefit from round-the-clock care and proper social stimulation.Choosing A Senior Living CommunityChoosing a senior living community is a personal decision, but the process should not feel daunting or confusing. Dont put off the decision any longer. Your local Assisted Living Locators advisor will carefully analyze factors such as medical needs, lifestyle choices, location, activities of daily living and more to find the right plan and senior living choices.Assisted Living Locators is your partner in finding senior living options. For those who are ready to take the next step,Connect with a senior care advisor today.

To learn more about Assisted Living Locators Omaha Metro, CLICK HERE.Assisted Living Locators Marks Older Americans Month with Senior Care Advisors VolunteerismEvery May, the Administration for Community Living leads our nations observance of Older Americans Month, recognizing our growing population of older Americans and their contributions to our communities.Assisted Living Locators, a leading senior care placement firm, will mark the event by celebrating its senior care advisors volunteerism in communities nationwide. In honor of this years Older American Months theme, Connect, Create and Contribute, the company is sharing inspiring ways their advisors support older adults.Connecting with A Single Rose Shannon Avazian, an Assisted Living Locators Santa Clarita senior care advisor, has a special place in her heart for each senior she meets, knowing they need extra care and compassion. Shannon brought a single rose to her very first senior she helped find long term care and it brought tears to both her and the seniors eyes. She still continues this special service today as her way to give back to seniors in her community.Creating Art to Raise AwarenessA long-time committee member for the Alzheimer's Association Art Canvas Drive, Assisted Living Locators Omaha senior care advisor Nikki Wulff reaches out to her local care partners to donate canvases painted by their residents with Alzheimer's or Dementia. Nikki collects the art canvases from dozens of communities for the Dementia Care Conference silent auction, raising funds and promoting awareness of Alzheimer's and Dementia in her community.Contributing in Small Ways Can Make A Big DifferenceBJ Bounds, an Assisted Living Locators Southeast Dallas senior care advisor, started her own volunteer organization in 2004 to teach adults and children how to prepare for disasters and now helps local first responders assist older adults in times of disasters. Her volunteer group also provides and installs window air conditioning units to seniors in need. BJ provides an annual safety/ID theft class to senior citizens and teaches classes on how to pay for senior living.For five years, Assisted Living Locators North Georgia senior care advisor Greg Santini has worked with his church's homebound ministry. Once a month, he visits a group of seniors that cant make it to Sunday mass. Greg brings them communion, listens to their stories, or sometimes just lets them tell him how bad they feel. Recently, he became involved with Meals on Wheels, a volunteer program that delivers food to seniors that have no transportation to buy groceries. Greg enjoys working in his community to support his seniors in any way he can.Assisted Living Locators has an outstanding community culture, said Angela Olea, Assisted Living Locators CEO RN. Our senior care advisors go above and beyond to serve seniors and their families. Their compassion and problem-solving skills are the biggest asset of our company. Were dedicated to providing no cost help to seniors and their families to find the right care options.

If youve been putting off a decision about assisted living near you, revisit the choice. Now Is The Time To Find Assisted Living Near You.The past year has been lonely and frightening for many seniors and their families. Many postponed a move into assisted living in 2020 due to concerns about COVID-19. Seniors who are isolated at home have missed many of their favorite activities like enjoying meals with family and friends, volunteering or attending worship services in an effort to stay safe.But now, with the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine, its time to rethink your options. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has recommended that those living and working in assisted living communities should have top priority. As federal and state authorities roll out the distribution of the vaccine, anyone living in an assisted living community will have the option of getting the vaccination.Incoming residents, too, may also have priority access to the vaccine, if the new resident commits to a move-in before each communitys assigned clinic dates. Bottom line: those who choose to move into senior living will likely get the vaccine sooner than they would have otherwise, had they remained at home. But the window of time available for receiving the vaccine through the community may be limited.Safety in Assisted Living Near YouEven under normal conditions, seniors with chronic diseases or memory challenges are best cared for in a safe, controlled environment with the protocols in place to meet their health, nutrition, and social needs.If you work outside the home and are suddenly faced with the need to provide care for a parent or spouse, the risk of exposure to COVID-19 can be worrisome. Assisted living near you offers a safe place for older adults to live during the ongoing pandemic. Infection prevention policies at these communities range from enhanced sanitation protocols and symptom screenings to restricted visitation and routine testing, among other precautions.People living with Alzheimers disease and dementia particularly need help remembering important hygienic practices such as washing hands. Under the guidance of the CDC and local government directives, senior living communities ensure frequent and rigorous cleaning of high-touch surfaces while ensuring adequate levels of personal protective equipment (PPE) are on hand.Certainly, the vaccine will be a turning point in our fight against the pandemic, providing another layer of infection prevention and control. However, even after vaccination, everyone in the facility will continue following all the current guidance to protect themselves and others, including wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet away from others, and cleaning hands often.Planning the MoveIf youve been considering assisted living near you, dont put off the decision any longer. Your local Assisted Living Locators advisor will carefully analyze factors such as medical needs, lifestyle choices, location, activities of daily living, more to find the right plan and senior living choices.

The journey of Alzheimers and dementia is not only a medical challenge but a profound emotional experience that impacts not only the individuals affected but also their loved ones. At the heart of this journey lies the art of communication, a skill that gradually slips away as the conditions progress. In this blog post, we will explore the intricacies of communication in the realm of Alzheimers and dementia, understand the challenges faced, and uncover strategies that can help bridge the gap and bring comfort to our senior loved ones.Alzheimers and dementia are neurodegenerative disorders that cast a shadow over memory, cognition, and communication. These conditions affect millions of individuals worldwide, causing memory loss, cognitive decline, and difficulties in processing and understanding information. As caregivers and loved ones, understanding the landscape of these conditions is essential to provide appropriate care and support.Challenges in CommunicationCommunication is a fundamental aspect of human interaction, but Alzheimers and dementia disrupt this crucial channel of connection. Seniors battling these conditions often face various challenges that hinder their ability to express themselves and engage in meaningful conversations. These challenges include:Word-Finding Difficulties: The gradual decline in vocabulary leads to pauses and hesitations as seniors struggle to recall and articulate words.Limited Vocabulary: Over time, the richness of their vocabulary diminishes, leaving them with a limited range of words to express themselves.Impaired Comprehension: Understanding spoken and written language becomes increasingly challenging, making it difficult for them to follow instructions or engage in discussions.Repetitive Speech: Memory lapses can lead to the repetition of phrases, questions, or stories, reflecting their frustration and need for reassurance.Non-Verbal Communication Issues: The ability to interpret facial expressions, gestures, and body language diminishes, causing misunderstandings and frustration.Navigating the Effects on Language and MemoryThe impact of Alzheimers and dementia goes beyond communication challenges, affecting memory and cognitive abilities:Memory Loss: Both short-term and long-term memories are compromised, making it difficult to remember recent events or even recognize loved ones.Language Comprehension: The ability to understand complex sentences and abstract concepts becomes progressively challenging, contributing to the breakdown in communication.Reading and Writing Difficulties: Declining linguistic abilities can lead to struggles in reading and understanding written material, and in some cases, even writing coherent sentences.Speech Changes: The rhythm and fluency of speech are disrupted, leading to fragmented sentences and pauses, which can be frustrating for both the individual and their caregivers.Social Isolation: Communication difficulties often result in seniors withdrawing from social interactions due to embarrassment or frustration, leading to increased isolation and potentially exacerbating cognitive decline.Strategies for Effective CommunicationAs caregivers and loved ones, it is our responsibility to adapt our communication strategies to better connect with seniors battling Alzheimers and dementia. Here are some proven strategies to enhance communication:Patience and Empathy: Practicing patience and showing empathy are foundational to effective communication. Taking the time to understand their emotions and being present with them can create a sense of security.Simple Language: Using clear and concise language reduces confusion. Break down complex ideas into smaller, understandable pieces to facilitate smoother conversations.Non-Verbal Cues: Engaging in non-verbal communication through touch, eye contact, and gestures can convey emotions and provide a bridge when words fall short.Offering Choices: Providing choices empowers individuals and fosters engagement. It also simplifies decision-making and encourages their participation in conversations.Visual Aids: Visual aids such as pictures, diagrams, or objects can help convey messages and ideas, transcending language barriers and making communication more accessible.Validation: Acknowledging their feelings and experiences validates their reality. By responding empathetically, you build trust and strengthen the connection.Dealing with Challenging BehaviorsCaring for seniors with Alzheimers and dementia requires understanding and addressing challenging behaviors:Responding with Understanding: Challenging behaviors often stem from frustration or confusion. Responding with patience and understanding rather than confrontation can defuse tense situations.Redirection: Gently redirecting their attention from the behavior to a more positive activity can help shift their focus and reduce agitation.Managing Sundowning: Seniors with Alzheimers may experience increased confusion and agitation during the evening, a phenomenon known as sundowning. Establishing calming routines and minimizing stimuli can ease this transition.Addressing Wandering: Wandering is another common behavior associated with Alzheimers and dementia. Minimize safety hazards, use visual cues, and engage them in purposeful activities to curb this behavior.Empowering Communication with Tools and ResourcesEnhancing communication also involves utilizing various tools and resources:Assistive Technologies: Speech-generating devices, augmentative and alternative communication apps, and text-to-speech software offer alternative means of expression, empowering seniors to communicate effectively.Support Groups: Connecting with others facing similar challenges in support groups provides a sense of community, validation, and shared experiences.Professional Guidance: Speech-language pathologists and healthcare professionals offer expertise in developing personalized communication strategies tailored to the individuals needs.Recommended Reading: Exploring literature on effective communication techniques, active listening, and understanding cognitive disorders equips caregivers with valuable insights and strategies.In the midst of the challenges posed by Alzheimers and dementia, effective communication becomes a beacon of hope. By understanding the unique hurdles seniors face, adopting empathetic communication strategies, and harnessing the power of assistive technologies and resources, we can bridge the gap between the world of words and the world of emotions. In doing so, we illuminate the path for our loved ones, enriching their lives and fostering connections that endure beyond the shadows cast by these conditions.

There are many different types of senior care assistance and living options, and understanding the benefits and limits of each one will help you make the right decision. Its also important to remember that needs may change over time, so youll want to consider carefully the potential for care requirements in the future. Your Assisted Living Locators Advisor can help you make the right decision, but its also helpful for you to know the basic options that are available.Independent LivingIndependent Living communities offer seniors all of the benefits of an apartment-style home without the responsibility of daily chores or upkeep. These types of communities are appropriate for seniors that can manage their daily basic living needs on their own. Most communities offer an assortment of services, ranging from one or more meals per day, housekeeping, laundry, apartment maintenance, and transportation services. This is generally a good option for seniors that want interaction and socialization with other seniors, and dont need daily care assistance. Many Independent Living communities also offer wellness programs, a range of leisure activities, beauty services, and even classes in a variety of topics.In-Home CareIn-home care, is supportive care provided in your home. This care is also sometimes referred to as companion care or non-medical in-home care. Non-medical in-home care providers may offer assistance with dressing, bathing, grooming, meal preparation, transportation, medication management, companionship and light housekeeping.Assisted Living Homes and CommunitiesundefinedAssisted Living is an excellent option for seniors requiring supervision or assistance with their activities of daily living (ADLs). Assisted living is a catch-all phrase that describes both assisted living homes and assisted living communities.The trained staff at Assisted Living facilities provide 24 hour assistance with activities of daily living, and may include the administration or supervision of medication, or personal care services such as bathing, dressing, toileting, shaving, nail care, oral care, escort or transfer assistance, incontinence care, three meals a day, housekeeping, and transportation. Cost for services may be built into the monthly fee or charged for each individual service.Assisted living homes or care homes are located in a residential neighborhood and provide a private or semi-private bedroom with family-style dining. Care homes may be ideal for those who prefer a small home-like environment or need a higher ratio of caregivers. There may be 2 to 22 residents in a care-home setting depending on your location.The assisted living community may be collocated with other types of senior housing- independent living, memory care, or skilled nursing. The various levels of care may or may not be provided in the same building. Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), are just that, a campus setting where a senior can transition between types of services, usually changing the building in which they reside, but being able to remain in a single location from independent living through skilled nursing (if needed).Alzheimer's/Memory CareThese specialized care communities are one of the fastest growing solutions for senior care. Although many Assisted Living Facilities may offer specialized memory care (often in a separate wing or on a different floor), Memory Care Facilities are a distinct option for those who have been diagnosed with a memory impairment, such as Alzheimers, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or other dementia. Memory Care is specifically designed to provide 24 hour supervision to those who need frequent redirecting or may wander. The Caregivers are specially trained to deal with issues related to Alzheimers disease or other forms of dementias.Adult Day Care CentersNormally, adult day care is used to relieve the caregiver or his or her duties for the day while ensuring that the care recipient will still receive the proper care in a safe, friendly environment. It also provides the social interaction required by seniors to maintain good mental health. These centers usually operate during normal business hours five days a week, and some centers also offer additional services during evenings and weekends. Currently, there are more than 4,000 of these programs operating in the United States.In general, there are three main types of adult day care centers: those that focus primarily on social interaction, those that provide medical care, and those dedicated to Alzheimers care. Many of these facilities are affiliated with other organizations, including home care agencies, skilled nursing facilities, medical centers, or other senior service providers.Nursing HomesNursing homes provide the highest level of care and are appropriate for those requiring 24 hour medical support and supervision, such as severe diabetes, breathing issues requiring 24 hour medical support, extreme obesity, wounds and pressure sores. Nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities have licensed nurses and nursing assistants available 24-hours a day.