Where does one begin when considering or needing additional care for an elderly loved one or you are a senior and just tired of owning a home and managing the upkeep?  There are a variety of options available depending on what you are looking for and what type of care if any is needed.  There are so many choices and decisions to make, it can often be overwhelming. Today we are going to take a high-level view of each of the Senior Living Options available to give you an idea of some of the differences.  Senior Living options are broken down into 4 major categories: Independent, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Residential Care Homes. Lets elaborate on the basic differences of each of the four Senior Living categories:Independent Living (IL) - These types of communities are often beautiful resort style with lots of activities and nice amenities. Typically has a variety of apartment style floor plans. A few communities have villas or cottages options. Most have full kitchens or a kitchenette, with many have a dining room with meals plans, housekeeping, transportation, optional laundry, salon, library, gym, pool, enrichment programs, art room, movie theatre, scheduled outings, happy hour, and concierge services available. Communities often have a visiting doctor and wellness checks for their residents.  Many residents still drive, and communities often accept pets. The category includes Active 55, Independent, Continuum of Care (Independent Buy In), and Senior Housing communities. Pricing varies greatly averaging anywhere from $1000/mo. - $6,000/mo. depending on location, size, and what type of services and amenities you are looking for. There truly is something for everyone.Assisted Living (AL) Communities in this category can still be resort style, but vary greatly in size, atmosphere, and offerings.  Most communities have studio style rooms with kitchenettes, but some have one and two bedrooms. Thought process for limited space and layout is for residents to come out to dine and engage with other residents.  All provide caregivers to aid with Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Medication Management, meals, housekeeping, laundry, salon, library, gym, outings, and engaging and fun activities. Many provide what they refer to as Levels of Care. Levels and capabilities vary between assisted living communities, as not all are equipped to handle high acuity care if needed, and Levels of Care add to the base monthly living cost. Community has nursing, and care giving staff as well as a visiting doctor.  Only some communities accept pets. This category includes Assisted Living, Continuum of Care (AL), and Residential Care Homes. Pricing average ranges from $3500/mo. - $8000/mo. depending on community, level of care, and additional services and amenities desired.Memory Care (MC) These are communities that specialize in care for those with cognitive deficiencies such as dementia, Alzheimers, Parkinsons, traumatic brain injuries, etc. Rooms are studio style and are free of kitchenettes for safety reasons. ADL care, meals, laundry, medication management, activities geared toward memory building and retention as well as general physical/mental wellbeing. Visiting doctor and staff is often trained in caring for those with memory care deficiencies.  Pricing typically is all inclusive versus Levels of Care, but some communities have different areas for those that are low acuity verses those that are at a higher acuity level. Not all Memory Care communities can accept a high acuity resident. All Memory Care communities are secured, as residents are often wandering or flight risks. Communities vary in size and atmosphere. This category includes Memory Care and Residential Care Homes.  Average pricing ranges from $4000/mo. - $10,000/mo. depending on community, diagnosis, evaluation of deficiency and acuity level. Residential Care Home (RCH) Care Homes are alternatives to larger Assisted Living and Memory Care communities that provide care in a home or home like setting. All provide caregivers to aid with Activities of Daily Living (ADL), medication management, meals, housekeeping, activities, but do not have the typical resort style amenities that the larger ALs have. The pros of and RCH is a smaller environment to navigate, caregiver to resident ratio typically 1-4, and meals and schedules can often be more customized and tailored for each resident, pricing is typically all-inclusive and very competitive to that of larger communities. Cons are that typically family has to arrange transportation to additional doctors other than PCP visiting physician, residents many times share a bathroom versus a private one, may not have as many socialization opportunities as in a larger community. More like a family home setting.  Residential Care Homes can be licensed, but many are unlicensed as an assisted living community.  In Texas, anyone with three or less residents (unrelated to them) does not have to be licensed. This generally creates a care ratio of three guests to one care provider.Pricing ranges on average from $3000/mo. - $8000/mo. depending on owner/operator and evaluation of care level needed. Even knowing which category, you may want or need, it can still be overwhelming to navigate the maze with over 900+ available options in Senior Living to choose from in the DFW area.  Letting a Senior Living Advisor, such as Ruby Care Senior Living Advisors, bring their expertise and experience to help narrow down your choices based on your personal preferences and needs. A Senior Living Advisor can be an advocate and resource in your corner, while walking you through the process.  Having a Ruby Care team member to ease the stress of making this life changing transition for you and all involved at no cost to you is priceless. Call Ruby Care today and let our team of Senior Living experts help you to find the place that is right for you or your loved one.  #seniorliving #seniorcare#independentliving #assistedliving #memorycare #residentialcarehomes #RUBYCARE #NPRATX #decisions #rubycarelife#rubycareseniorlivingsdvisorsBritt Hemsell Ruby Care Senior Living Advisor/Blog Contributor

There is much to know about the needs of seniors and the complexities of Aging in Place options. Navigating our complex health care system along with all the legal, social, medical and financial aspects can be overwhelming for anyone. Care managers can provide the guidance and support you need to assist you or your loved one with this process. A Care Manager is a skilled professional, often times a social worker or nurse who completes an initial assessment and develops a care plan as a guide, with recommended support and services. In-Home Assessment: The Care Manager determines the level of care needed by the client to fit their specific needs. An assessment is conducted that includes their current health status as well as a review of their health insurance, previous doctors' visits and current health care plan. A comprehensive care plan is formulated from the information collected.Short & Long-Term Management: Primary beneficiaries of Care Management services include families with aging parent or anyone with a recent medical event that resulted in an acute decline in health. For Short-term instances, the care manager will determine home safety and help you locate health care agencies and medical equipment. For long-term cases, they provide ongoing care for those with dementia or Alzheimer's disease or those who have suffered a stroke, heart attack, and orthopedic conditions such as a broken hip.Community Resources: In addition to offering referrals and ensuring a safe home environment, they can also accompany you to doctors' appointments. They have extensive networking knowledge of resources available within the health care system, including insurance to assist you in navigating through the tools available to you. They make it easier for you to secure the services you need to assure you the best individualized care available. Care Managers advocate for their clients and become their agents of change. Their professional experience, knowledge and passion can help you or your loved one thrive.Editor's Note: Submitted by Christina Curtis, LBSW, Care Manager at Piece-by-Piece Care Management, LLC. Christina may be reached at 469-631-5110 or www.piecebypiececaremanagement.com

Sometimes we accumulate more than we need or have space for. This can lead to clutter and overwhelm our homes. Before we know it, our home can become cluttered and overwhelming. The mess not only affects the appearance of our living space but also our mental health. Junk removal services offer an effective solution to rid your home of unwanted clutter and improve your overall well-being. In this blog, we will discuss the importance of junk removal services, their benefits, and how to choose a reliable company.  The Dangers of Collecting and Why It's Important to Declutter  Over time, we can accumulate more things than we need and create an overwhelming environment. Not only does this clutter affect our mental health, but it can also pose safety hazards in our homes. People can trip over excess items or increase the risk of fire hazards. It's essential to declutter and remove unnecessary items to create a safe, welcoming living space. Read our blog post The Dangers of Collecting for more information.  Get Rid of Clutter Quickly and Safely  Professional junk removal services provide a convenient and safe solution to remove clutter from your home quickly. Junk removal professionals have the experience and equipment necessary to complete the job thoroughly and efficiently. Their training reduces the risk of injury and damage to the home when handling hazardous materials or bulky items. It also ensures the proper disposal of the items.     Tips on How to Find a Reliable Junk Removal Company  When looking for a reliable junk removal company, there are some critical factors to consider. First, hire a professional junk hauling company that is licensed and insured to protect yourself from liability in case of accidents. Be sure to check their reviews online to gauge their reputation and level of customer service. A good junk removal company provides clear pricing estimates, flexible scheduling, and a commitment to environmental responsibility.  To learn more about junk removal, read our blog here!WayForth offers comprehensive moving solutions. These include downsizing, packing, moving, and settling into a new home. We can help you or a family member with these services. Contact our moving professionals today at 1.844.WAYFORTH. 

Current print copies of Seniors Blue Book Greater Dallas are available at a Grocery Store Near You!You may also view it online now! CLICK HERE TO VIEW SENIORS BLUE BOOK GREATER DALLAS!StoreStreet AddressCityZipWhole Foods5100 Beltline roadAddison75001Tom Thumb 14280 Marsh LnAddison75001Market Street985 W Bethany DrAllen75013Tom Thumb 900 W McDermott DrAllen75013Albertsons2150 North Josey LnCarrollton75006Tom Thumb 4112 N Josey Ln Ste 142ACarrollton75007Market StreetDenton Tap & TX 121 BypassCoppell75019Tom Thumb 106 N Denton Tap RdCoppell75019Tom Thumb 7000 Snider PlzDallas75205Central Market5750 E Lovers LnDallas75206Tom Thumb 5809 E Lovers LnDallas75206Tom Thumb 7117 Inwood RdDallas75209Tom Thumb 6333 E Mockingbird Ln #134Dallas75214Albertsons320 Casa Linda PlazaDallas75218Tom Thumb3878 Oaklawn AveDallas75219Tom Thumb 4001 Villanova StDallas75225Tom Thumb 7700 W Northwest Hwy Ste 100Dallas75225Tom Thumb 5959 Royal Ln Ste 522Dallas75230Tom Thumb 11920 Preston RdDallas75230Tom Thumb 10455 N Central Expy Ste 115Dallas75231Tom Thumb 8698 Skillman StDallas75243Tom Thumb 3757 Forest LnDallas75244Tom Thumb 18212 Preston RdDallas75252Tom Thumb14999 Preston Rd Ste 100BDallas75254Albertsons4625 Frankford Rd.Dallas75287Albertsons2321 West University DriveDenton76201Whole Foods105 Stacy Road Fairview75069Tom Thumb 4301 Cross Timbers Rd.Flower Mound75028Tom Thumb 745 Cross Timbers RdFlower Mound75028Market Street11999 Dallas ParkwayFrisco75034Tom Thumb 4848 Preston RdFrisco75034Tom Thumb 5550 FM 423Frisco75034Tom Thumb 2535 Firewheel Pkwy Ste 100Garland75040Tom Thumb 925 Northwest HwyGarland75041Tom Thumb 2645 Arapaho RoadGarland75044Albertsons215 N Carrier ParkwayGrand Prairie75050Tom Thumb 4215 S Carrier PkwyGrand Prairie75052Tom Thumb 4000 William D Tate BlvdGrapevine76051Tom Thumb 302 S Park BlvdGrapevine76051Tom Thumb4000 William D Tate BlvdGrapevine76051Whole Foods4100 Lomo Alto DriveHighland Park75219Whole Foods4041 Waller Creek Highland village75077Tom Thumb4010 North MacArthur BlvdIrving75038Tom Thumb 1075 W Round Grove RdLewisville75067Tom Thumb6800 W. Virginia PkwyMcKinney75069Albertsons3001 S Central ExpyMcKinney75069Tom Thumb3001 Hardin BlvdMcKinney75070Market Street6100 W Eldorado PkwyMcKinney75070Tom Thumb1501 Pioneer RdMesquite75149Tom Thumb 3945 Legacy Dr Ste APlano75023Tom Thumb 7801 Alma Dr Plano75025Tom Thumb 2200 14th StPlano75074Tom Thumb 3100 Independence Pkwy Ste 211Plano75075Whole Foods2201 Preston RoadPlano75093Market Street1929 Preston RoadPlano75093Tom Thumb 5968 W Parker Rd Plano75093Tom Thumb 39 Arapaho Village RdRichardson75080Tom Thumb 1380 W Campbell RdRichardson75080Tom Thumb 3411 Custer PkwyRichardson75080Albertsons2165 E Buckingham RdRichardson75081Tom Thumb 3070 N Goliad StRockwall75087Tom Thumb8805 Lakeview PkwyRowlett75088Tom Thumb 100 W Southlake Blvd Ste 200Southlake76092Tom Thumb921 Westgate WayWylie75098