Assisted Living Mistakes to Avoid
Taking care of aging loved ones is important yet challenging and sometimes heartbreaking. There are times when our loved ones such as our parents, aunts and uncles or even close family friends who have looked out for us reach an age where living alone is no longer advisable. This may be due to reasons relating to physical health, emotional/psychological wellbeing or a combination of both. In any case, when such a time comes, looking into an appropriate assisted living community is often the best way forward.
Making Sure What You Choose is Best for Your Senior Loved One
We obviously want to make sure that those we care for are afforded every comfort and convenience possible when looking for an assisted living community. We want what is best for them. Somewhere they will be cared for and will have the space and access they need to leave pleasant and satisfied lives.
If this is so, there are certain mistakes you need to avoid when choosing an assisted living facility. We’re going to elaborate on these to help those of you currently immersed in the process.
Not Involving Your Senior Loved One
Sure choosing an assisted living facility is a task that might fall on your shoulders but you must remember that it is your senior loved one who will need to live there. Even if your senior loved one suffers from conditions like Alzheimer’s where coherence at times comes into question, involving them in the choosing process is an important. This ensures they will be comfortable in the community you eventually choose.
Rushing the Process
There may be occasions where you visit a certain community and think; “this should do”. Don’t do that. Don’t rush the process. Choosing a senior living community, for your loved one, means doing your due diligence, and considering all particulars.
This includes everything from available facilities and daily routines to overall costs and qualifications of the staff working there. Take your time, check out your options and don’t jump into anything that does not feel right. Visit the facility, talk to staff members, ask for a full tour and do everything you need before signing a contract. Above all, never make such a decision under pressure and don’t forget to read the contractual fine print!
Prioritizing Proximity
There are times when people prioritize proximity over the dependability and quality of care provided at a given facility. Try to avoid this. Though proximity is important, it does not top the importance of having a facility appropriate and suited to your senior loved one.
If you find a facility that is really spectacular but maybe a bit of a drive from where you are, don’t forego it. A drive down on the weekends is not that hard to manage!
Winding Down
We want the best for our senior loved ones. We want to know they are safe, secure, looked after and happy. If you’re located in Calabasas, CA there are some brilliant senior living and memory care communities you could look into, including our own.
At Avant Garde Senior Living & Memory Care, we offer your senior loved ones numerous options including assisted and independent senior living homes and apartments. We also offer care for seniors with Alzheimer’s and provide a community environment which is pleasant, safe and satisfying for those residing with us.
If you require more information on our services, feel free to connect with us.
Catching Signs of Alzheimer’s Early On
Memory loss that begins to impact an elderly loved one’s daily life can be a symptom of Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia. Alzheimer’s is a very common disease that affects the brains of elderly individuals and slowly causes cognitive decline. As the disease progresses, elderly people suffer from serious memory loss and have difficulty with reasoning skills.
If you’re worried about an elderly loved one developing Alzheimer’s lookout for these early signs:
1. Loss of Memory that Affects their Daily Life
Memory loss is the most prominent symptom of Alzheimer’s. When the disease first begins affecting the brain, the patient will start forgetting events and dates. You’ll notice them asking about the same things repeatedly and relying on notes.
2. They Struggle With Planning and Finding Solutions to Problems
The simplest of tasks start feeling difficult for patients of Alzheimer’s. People struggle with following recipes, creating a simple plan for the weekend and monitoring their monthly bill payments. This usually happens because the disease is causing their cognitive function to deteriorate.
If you find that your loved one is making errors in their checkbooks, it may be an early sign of Alzheimer’s.
3. Difficulty Finishing Simple Tasks
Daily tasks that elderly individuals could do without giving it a second thought suddenly become very daunting when they develop Alzheimer’s.
Driving to a location they’ve been to hundreds of times may get confusing. They may have a tough time remembering the rules of a board game they’ve played throughout their lives and may struggle with budgeting.
4. They Can’t Make Sense of Visual Images
Some people with Alzheimer’s develop vision problems. Reading can become a challenge and they may have a hard time judging distance and color too. If you notice any of these signs then it’s time you ask them to stop driving.
5. They Can’t Keep Up With Time
Everyone loses track of time every now and then but when it becomes a regular problem, it could indicate cognitive decline.
People with Alzheimer’s have trouble understanding isn’t happening right away. If you tell them that you’ll take them to the park in half an hour and they get up immediately, then it could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s.
6. Trouble with Speaking and Writing
People with Alzheimer’s and dementia have trouble with following conversations and speaking. They have a tendency to stop mid-sentence and repeat themselves because they forget what they’re talking about.
If you have a loved one who has Alzheimer’s, give them the care they deserve at AvantGarde Senior Living and Memory Care. We offer luxurious independent living and assisted living facilities for elders suffering from memory loss.
Call us for more information at (818) 881-0055.
Differing Between Assisted Living and Memory Care
Senior care communities have grown in popularity over the years. Many seniors opt to join such communities for the convenience and social lives they provide. There are two main kinds of such communities, Memory Care and Assisted Living.
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, 70% of seniors over 65 will need assisted living communities of some sort. After a certain point, living independently isn’t the best option for your senior loved one. This is when most caregivers have to make the decision between memory care or assisted living.
So what’s the difference between the two?
Assisted living communities
Assisted living communities provide long-term care to elderly folk. This includes housing, healthcare, meals, and assistance in day to day activities. Medication management and transportation are also provided to residents of such communities.
Care and assistance are provided around the clock. Residents can opt for a private room or a shared space, depending on their budget and preference.
As your senior family member gets on in age, living independently might not be safe for them anymore. They’re at risk of falling, slipping, or may just get tired and overwhelmed with the amount of work day to day life entails.
Assisted living communities provide the extra help they need to live a fulfilling life. Age-related problems like mobility, pains, and aches can be made better with assistance and support.
Memory care
Memory care is a more specialized form of assisted living. The program is specifically designed for those suffering from dementia and other memory-related disorders. Dementia is a medical condition where a person’s mental ability deteriorates their daily life, due to symptoms like memory loss. The syndrome is progressive in nature, making it worse as the person ages.
At memory care communities, trained individuals who understand the stages of the syndrome are around your senior loved ones at all times. Memories are an important part of us. They link us to our family and past generations. The caregivers at AvantGarde understand this. They use unique and innovative techniques like memory cues and non-verbal communication to reorient residents.
Memory care provides 24/7 supervision to assure the wellbeing of your loved one. The program also includes therapy to address behavioral issues, leisure therapy, and much more.
Services like ours also focus on the families of residents with dementia. We provide as many helpful information and tips on dealing with senior loved ones going through this syndrome as we can.
Are you looking for a reliable and comfortable place for your loved one? Visit our senior living community, AvantGarde.
Your senior family members will be in the competent hands of our Beverly Hills elderly care. Take a virtual tour of our premises or check our amenities. Contact an advisor for more information.
Learning about Memory Care: The Basics
Memories bring us closer to people. And friends and family make up the majority of the memories we hold dear. As we get older, our memory turns fuzzy. Some elderly folk even develop conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s. This puts a huge strain on relationships.
According to the World Health Organization, 10 million people are diagnosed with dementia each year; the syndrome only progresses with age.
Memory Care is a specialized assisted living program that is beneficial to those experiencing memory-related problems. The caregivers provide support to residents and their families in tough times. Here’s what you need to know about it:
Memory care is a comprehensive program
Memory care isn’t like regular assisted living programs that provide assistance with meals, bathing, medication, and dressing. Assisted living communities with these services have highly trained individuals who assist your loved ones suffering from dementia. Supervised care for residents at all stages of the disease is provided.
The service takes care of all aspects of the wellbeing of a resident. The program is a convenient safe haven for your senior loved ones.
Caregivers in the memory care program are well educated on the subject of memory loss and its stages. They use innovative techniques like memory cues and non-verbal communication to redirect residents and help them navigate tasks. Their compassionate approach to residents impacts their behavior and abilities exceptionally.
Memory care communities are built for those suffering from dementia
Memory care communities are built to facilitate all the care residents need with dementia.. The premises are designed in a way that they reduce the risk of anyone wandering off. The environment is secure; hallways are designed to assist navigation like color coding. The communities are built to encourage residents to remain as independent as possible without putting your senior loved ones at risk.
Memory care communities help with behavioral issues
Other than leisure programs and therapy for memory impairment, memory care communities can help with behavioral issues that arise with residents. Caregivers adapt their techniques to the progression of the disease in each individual at the community, treating each resident keeping in mind their history, helps rehabilitation.
Memory care serves families of residents too
Every dementia and Alzheimer’s diagnosis takes a toll on the family. Relationships are strained and it can be difficult to see life positively. Memory care communities like AvantGarde take care of all aspects of a senior loved one’s needs.
Family members can be sure of the best assistance being given to residents. They’re in a safe environment with 24/7 care and company. Families of residents are provided with information and practical tips on how to deal with the onset of dementia.
Do you have a loved one who’s been diagnosed with dementia? Visit our senior living community, AvantGarde. Your senior family members will be in the competent hands of our Beverly Hills elderly care. Take a virtual tour of our premises or check our amenities. Contact an advisor for more information.
AvantGarde Senior Living: What It’s Actually Like Living at an Assisted Living Community
There are countless difficulties in adjusting to a new place, as has been proven by research, since it is human nature to experience a strong sense of homesickness given how easily we become attached to settings and places. This is, however, not an isolated phenomenon concerning the transitions made by your loved ones to a senior living community but a universal dilemma felt by people of all ages, of all levels of emotional stability. From people who move their homes to people who move to a completely different country, the element of homesickness remains virtually the same. Nothing, though, lasts forever—not even homesickness. Soon enough, people are able to adjust to their new environments, given how homesickness isn’t even about homes.
AvantGarde is a sophisticated senior living community that is geared towards making people feel at home, towards making them feel comfortable and cared for, to ensure that they lack nothing and are left wanting for nothing. But there’s more to our buzzing community, and we’ll explore general living in AvantGarde in this blog.
The Bedrooms
Of course, bedrooms are the sanctuaries most of our members find most comfort in, since it is herein that they rest and it is this space that is personalized for each individual according to their basic needs. Far from having a singular option for bedrooms, we have multiple designs which include the Avignon, the Paris, the Cannes, the Lyon, the Marseilles, and the Bordeaux. There’s a variety to choose from, given how our members all have different preferences and predilections.
3 Care Options
We do not restrain ourselves to a singular care option but instead offer choices between independent living, assisted living, and memory care for our members, who can choose according to their needs.
Spacious and Airy
Our living spaces have been constructed in a carefully engineered manner, all the better to let a copious amount of fresh air in and to facilitate ventilation. Comfortable and refined furniture, bedding, and upholstery are provided for enhanced comfort levels.
Meals at Convenient Times
We understand that at this age it’s not exactly a matter of having standard meal times which are the same for everyone across the board. Different individuals will have different needs, and it’s not necessary that all our members should feel hungry at the same time. We have, thus, the option of convenient meals that are provided fresh at any time that our members want.
Spaces for Socializing
There’s a spacious common area that is always up for visits by friends and family, furnished with plush chairs and soothing lighting. Our members also have the option of socializing among themselves through a number of different activities and entertainment options.
Golf Course
Golf has its own place in our community, with a golf course being provided where many of our members make merry when they feel like it.
Pet Friendly Vicinity
AvantGarde is completely pet friendly since we understand the attachment many members foster with their beloved pets. Many of our members have pets on site. The help that is extended to our members is also extended to the pets should they require it.
24/7 Assistance
Anytime that our members should feel invalid or in need of a helping hand, a good many pairs are on board. Our staff has been trained thoroughly to deal with the members and to answer to their specific and varying requirements.
Know More about Us
If you’re interested in knowing more about how we’re built and how we function, feel free to take one of our virtual tours. You can also leave us a message here for further details.
The Emotional Process of Moving into an Assisted Living Community
Moving, in general, can be a deeply challenging phenomenon, accompanied by emotional impact and worrisome doubts. The psychological effects of moving from one place to another are multifold and, naturally, come into play when your parent begins living in a community that provides independent or assisted living better suited for the elderly. Additionally, there’s the issue of having lived with one set of people all their lives and having to live with a different one all of a sudden—especially since research shows that there’s a relevance between a sense of community and an individual’s wellbeing, especially in the psychological department.
But while many people think that’s a bad thing—having your parents relocated to a different community—it’s actually the opposite. It’s a simple fact that people are happier and more satisfied when they live with people of their own age, which is of course, a requirement you couldn’t fulfill given the age difference and the generation gap that exists between you and your parents.
But how can you make the transition even smoother, even better? Here’s how:
It Takes Time
Adjusting to a new place takes time, and this is no secret. It can take someone from days to weeks to even months to adjust to a new setting, and everyone settles at their own different speeds. Give it at least one month and at the most 6 months to see if your loved ones have become better grounded in their new situation. If they still haven’t, after 6 months, settled down, you can perhaps take a different route.
Visit Frequently
You must, especially during the initial phases of the move, visit your loved ones regularly and often—as often as you can manage. It can be difficult to take out time from a busy hectic life, but even once a week is a good call. Seeing them on a regular basis is the trick to making them feel less lonely and stressful during the first few weeks of the move. However, if you discover that all your loved one does is wait for you and stay closeted in their room otherwise, try giving them some space and time so that they can adjust better to their surroundings and mingle better with the people around them.
Personalize their New Space
Although the setting might be different and new, they can still have their old belongings and favorite things with them to make them feel more at home. Make sure you’re packing all of their fondest personal belongings and are moving them to a senior living community that focuses on personalized care. People find the best solace in things that they have possessed for a long time.
Looking for a Personalized Care Providing Community?
AvantGarde, a Beverly Hills based senior living community, prioritizes customized care for each individual and has always put emphasis on providing personalized solutions. Leave us a message here or give us a call at (818) 881-0055 to know more about us.
Eldercare Decisions: Dealing with Guilt and What You Should Know
Even when the decision is undoubtedly the best decision that you could possibly make, you’re often weighed down by guilt. There’s a feeling that overtakes you when you move towards the final stages of the decision—the overwhelming question of whether you’re doing the right thing. Having a loved one live at a distance from you can have some emotional repercussions, and can affect you to the point where you begin feeling guilty and regretful about it.
While it is completely natural to feel what you’re feeling, know that you’re not the only person who goes through this guilt trip when it comes to senior living. In this blog we explore the reasons that could be behind your guilt trip and provide suggestions on how to overcome them.
The Reversal of Roles
Traditionally and biologically, it’s always the elderly who’re supposed to take care of the young. They look over you and protect you, guard you and educate you, provide you their support as you grow up. You learn as you grow that you can and are dependent on them, accepting this as a de facto role. Yet as old age leans in, there are tables turning left and right. The cared for becomes the caretaker and the supported becomes the supported. This parent-child role reversal has psychological consequences, and takes some adjusting before you can fully come to terms with the situation.
Getting Past the Guilt
Since you’re tasked with the job of relocating your beloved family members, it goes without saying that there’s a guilt trip in order. No thought leans more heavily on the mind than the doubt and suspicions about senior living. Assisted living already comes with a number of stigmas associated to it, and all these rumors collectively contribute towards making you feel heavy and downtrodden.
There are ways to overcome this because you know, at the core of your heart, that while it might be a big decision to make, it is best for everyone involved. If your loved ones require specialized attention and care, someone on a professional level should be providing them with such.
The first step is to anticipate the change. You know change is incoming and you must mentally prepare yourself to tackle it. Then, find out in great detail about the senior living community that you have chosen, satisfying yourself and your loved ones about the quality of care they would receive. Make friends with the staff and get to know more about the environment at the senior living center. Once you find out that the environment is homely and at times even better in terms of providing a communal space, all your worries will vanish in thin air. Knowing that your beloved family members are happy and content is what you’re looking for, and it is how you will eventually get over your guilt trip.
Start the Experience Today
Work out your guilt and regret by scheduling a tour with us at AvantGarde Senior Living to know more about us. We will send you back satisfied and will answer any questions that you might have.
Breaking Barriers: Learning about the Stigma of Assisted Living
Nursing homes have always been around in some form or the other. Today, they have evolved into better equipped, better suited senior living communities which are geared towards providing customized care for every individual.
However, the stigma, although breaking and disseminating in the gradually evolving world, still continues to haunt the helpful communities. According to studies, three things contribute to the stigma that surrounds senior living communities: an inadequately trained staff, in adequate multilevel settings, and an improper physical environment. Then of course there’s the idea of having to live with strangers over an extended period of time, which has surely but slowly come to be ousted as well. There exist, still, a barrier for people who would like to head to a senior living community but can’t think of a way to outdo the stigmatic aura surrounding it.
This blog aims to help get over the very thing.
Anderson, Do Your Research
It’s natural that when you share the prospect of a senior living community with an old loved one, they will come up with anecdotes that they have heard from here and there— anecdotes that are completely generalized and do not stand in as a synecdoche for senior living communities in general.
In order to counter this effectively and logically, find out as much about your choice of a senior living community and gather facts about it. Also gather evidence of individuals living a great life in this community and share them with your loved one, to reassure them of the quality lifestyle they will be living in the community.
Become Acquainted with the Staff
If you’re really interested in knowing more about the staff, there’s no better thing to do that to go and talk to them. You might fail to notice their qualifications but when you fraternize with them you will know that they’re professionals and trained individuals, which will immediately put your mind at ease.
It’s Fun—and You Should Find this Out
The general perception against senior living communities is that old people do little more than lie in bed all day and look at drying paint. The truth couldn’t be more difficult. The best senior living communities are equipped with a variety of facilities and are always awash with a number of activities which in turn make them fun and interesting places to be. There’s more to senior living communities than bed rest—from sports to movies and more. Activities are a great way of doing away with all the negative perceptions that surround senior living communities, since they so effectively pique interest and make your loved ones genuinely excited to visit these centers.
Looking for a Senior Living Community in Beverly Hills?
AvantGarde is a leading senior living community center based in Beverly Hills that offers three modes of living options: independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Known for its customized care system and popular for its various facilities, AvanGarde hosts a great number of senior members who thoroughly enjoy spending time there. To know more about us, leave us a message here.
Are You a Good Candidate for an Independent Living Community?
With the senior population in the US growing every year, we’re receiving even more applications from older citizens who want to live in a luxurious senior living community like AvantGarde Senior Living and Memory Care!
And we’re more than happy to accommodate almost all of them. However, during the registration process, one thing we’ve noticed is that most of our now-residents have a lot of trouble deciding whether they’d be happier in our assisted living community in CA or in our independent senior living apartments.
Both have a range of amenities and luxuries to offer. However, that isn’t what should prompt you to make a decision. What matters is your health, financial circumstances and ease.
So to help you make this choice, we offer a short checklist to help you decide whether you’re a good candidate for our independent senior living community.
Basic Questions You Should Ask
i. Are You Financially Stable?
In comparison, assisted living is pricier than independent living, mainly because it requires the help of an expert medical professional. However, assisted living might be covered by your insurance, Medicaid or even your employee benefits program. So you won’t have to spend much at all. Nevertheless, if you don’t have insurance or any such financial help and don’t require medical assistance; independent living would be a more viable option for you.
ii. Do You Need Constant Surveillance and/or Medical Attention?
Health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis as well as any mental health condition like depression, OCD or bipolar disorder require proper care and attention, something you won’t likely get in an independent senior living apartment. In this case, assisted living would be a much better choice, especially if you’re following a strict dietary regimen that you won’t be able to carry out yourself.
iii. Do You Need a Change of Scenery?
Most independent living communities like ours schedule events and activities so our residents can socialize properly. This can come in handy for people who might need to engage in newer experiences, whether it might be due to depression or because of post-recovery issues.
Focusing on “Independence” with Our Independent Living Communities
More than any medical concern, one thing that greatly helps residents is the fact that with an independent senior living community, you’re able to take the next step on your own terms. Our communities offer every basic amenity and a few luxuries as well, which helps with the experience.
For those who value this independence, such a community helps them greatly in accepting their old age while having a firm grasp on their own health. They get the medical care they need while being able to live their life the way they want. And this freedom and control in turn, helps senior loved ones maintain their health more efficiently!
Are You a Good Candidate?
If so, come to AvantGarde Senior Living and Memory Care in Tarzana, California for a tour!
Check out our independent community yourself and discus with an expert whether you should consider moving!
Beating the Retirement Blues
Most people have their own visions of life after retirement. Some plan on taking trips, taking up an old hobby or spending more time with family and friends. However, things don’t always turn out as expected.
Retirees often find themselves feeling like they’re losing their sense of purpose and end up experiencing feelings of depression and anxiety. Also known as the retirement blues, these feelings can be pretty difficult to cope with and their management requires a considerable amount of time and energy.
Here are some tips that can help you deal with post-retirement blues.
Develop a Schedule
One of the major reasons why people begin losing their sense of purpose after retirement is the absence of structure in their days. Most people tend to plan their day around their jobs, which works perfectly until you retire. Not having a pre-set schedule can make it difficult to keep a track of time and use it productively. We recommend planning out activities for each day beforehand, so you have something productive to look forward to.
Focus on Fitness
Health and fitness are often neglected when you’re following a strict 9 to 5 schedule. Retirement gives you an excellent opportunity to make up for the lost workout time and get back in shape. Working out also helps combat a number of age-related health complications, such as heart disease, arthritis, balance and gait issues and more.
Mentor Others
Another healthy way of spending your time after retirement is using it to mentor others. By sharing your real-world experiences with young adults, you can help them make better decisions regarding their life and prepare them for challenges they might experience at different stages of life.
Fulfill your Dreams
Always wanted to learn hand-lettering but never had the time to give it a chance? Retirement is the perfect time to pursue your hobbies and chase your dreams. You can choose to polish your existing skill set by practicing it or develop a new skill by participating in a class.
The best way to beat retirement blues is to embrace the post-retirement life and use the extra time at hand to stay active and involved with the community. If you or someone you love has recently retired and is looking for a way to lead a productive and engaging post-retirement life, get in touch with AvantGarde!
We’re a luxury senior living facility based in Tarzana, CA offering comfortable and well-maintained living arrangements to older adults. Our team of skilled caregivers provides round-the-clock personal assistance to our residents, customized according to the needs and lifestyle of each individual.
We also provide specialized memory care for those struggling with memory issues such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia. You can take a virtual tour of our senior homes or learn more about our care plans at (818) 881-0055.