Close to family? Lots of activities? Easy access to medical care? How to choose a retirement communityMost of us have heard the saying when it comes to choosing a place to live, its all about location, location, location. This is especially true for adults looking for a place to call home in their golden years.Wheres your happy place?As we age, it is crucial to our overall health to stay both physically and socially active. Living in a luxury retirement community creates opportunities to live life to its fullest into later adulthood. However, not all communities offer the same environment and amenities. For this reason its important to first establish what your vision of a happy place to live looks like.Ask yourself the following questions:How close to family and friends do you want to live? Do you want to be close enough for frequent meetups? Maybe youre OK with distance as long as there are nearby attractions to enjoy when they visit.What atmosphere do you prefer? Are you looking for an urban, suburban or rural area to spend your days?What activities are you most interested in? Are there hobbies you want to be able to easily pursue?What are your current medical needs? What might arise in the near future? How important to you is the proximity to your medical care team and facilities?Once you have pondered these queries youre ready to start researching and comparing retirement communities in your desired location.Luxury living close to nature and city lifeOvation at Heartwood Preserve, located in West Omaha, offers an upscale urban setting for active adults to live, shop and play. Known as the Gateway to West Omaha and Omahas big new family room, theHeartwood Preserve, a 500-acre urban development, reimagines city life. Ovations luxury retirement community, nestled between Heartwood Preserves 80 acres of green space with ample parks and trails and the bustling downtown area filled with shops and restaurants, has something that will entertain any retiree.Positioned in the eastern part of Nebraska near the Iowa border, Ovation is just a drive away for loved ones in neighboring cities and states. With museums showcasing Omahas rich pioneer history, several family-friendly attractions and many opportunities for outdoor recreation, the list of things to do when they visit is endless.If healthcare is a top priority, there is easy access to a variety of healthcare facilities in the area such as the Nebraska Medicine and Omaha VA Medical Center, as well as specialty hospitals like Midwest Surgical Hospital and the OrthoNebraska Clinic. Not to mention Ovations assisted living and memory care living options

Lisa Graham is Agemarks Director of Human Resources. A member of the Agemark family since 2013, Lisa focuses on hiring and developing an engaged workforce a key to providing top-notch care for seniors. She is in a unique position as both an employee of a senior living company and an adult child of a father who lives with Alzheimers Disease and resides at CountryHouse, an Agemark memory care community.I remember getting a call from my mom. She was crying and did not know where Dad was. He had left the house in the middle of the night. We found him, but it was terrifying. Even more so because my dad had been diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease. My mom worked hard as his caregiver but was having a difficult time keeping dad safe. So, in August of 2016, we made the difficult decision to move him to memory care at CountryHouse in Omaha.Luckily, he settled in very quickly at his new home. I am so grateful to have an amazing community and wonderful, loving care for my dad as we walk the path of this horrible disease. Here are some of the reasons Im grateful for memory care.Caregiving is toughMy mom was his caretaker, but she hadn't been sharing how difficult it was with us. She had been battling terminal cancer and could barely take care of herself, but she insisted on caring for dad as well. The worry and stress took an extra toll on her health. My brother and I had no idea it was affecting her so much because she hid it from us. I know many caregivers suffer from guilt and stress when taking care of someone with Alzheimers and my family was no exception. Moving his daily care off our plate helped our family focus on our own health. My brother and I were relieved and so was my mom.He's happy and busyWith two kids and a full-time job, I knew there was no way I could keep Dad happy and occupied, and truly give him the care he deserved. The team at CountryHouse is so good at keeping him busy with fun, meaningful activities but only if he chooses to. Sometimes he can be a bit stubborn! His caregivers are so patient, kind and encouraging.He's safeDads community is secure, with locked doors to ensure safety. But with long hallways, multiple common areas and a large outdoor space, theres plenty of room for him to walk and wander. Gone are the days of us worrying about him leaving home and getting lost.He has people to monitor his health each dayAbout a year ago, dad contracted a UTI and pneumonia two things that seniors are particularly susceptible to. The staff identified these problems right away and got him to the hospital for treatment. He ended up needing rehab to recover. His experience in rehab was not positive. He would no longer talk and he wouldnt eat. The rehab suggested we move him to skilled nursing. Instead, my brother and I chose to move him back to his home CountryHouse. He was designated as being on hospice, which can mean someone is near the end of life. However, in just 4 weeks he was walking on his own again! I am so grateful for the expert care he has in place and how quickly they helped him recover.Im even more relieved my dad is in a safe environment during the coronavirus crisis. Now more than ever, we know that he is ok and has great care. Because visitor limitations are in effect and we cannot see him in person, its a relief to know he is loved by all who work there and that he feels right at home. Seeing photos and videos sent by staff members ensures us that hes happy and healthy, and relieves some of the guilt we feel by not being able to be there by his side.My dad no longer likes to even leave CountryHouse its very much his home and his comfortable place. Although it was a very difficult decision to move him at the time, looking back, we are 100% positive it was the right one for our family.

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.

Many senior living communities are able to provide respite care. Respite care or a respite stay is a short-term (non-permanent) stay that could range from a few days to a few weeks to a few months! In California, the limit for a respite stay is 90 days.Families choose a respite stay for multiple reasons. First, its great for families who are providing care for their loved one with dementia, but need to work, travel or simply take a break from providing hands on care. Secondly, its a wonderful way to try memory care before committing to a long-term decision or permanent move.At CountryHouse, all short term guests benefit from our safe and secure community and get personalized attention from our caring staff. The price of a respite stay can vary based on the length of stay and amount of care needed, but generally averages around $250 per 24-hour period. The cost includes delicious homemade meals, snacks, life-enriching activities and outings, as well as a furnished room. For longer stays, we can also move your loved ones familiar bedroom furniture into our community. If enhanced care (such as one-one-one care) or transportation to appointments is needed, additional costs may apply. Respite stays are based on space and availability.Contact your nearest CountryHouse community to learn more.