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.
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.
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.
Why Assisted-Living Is Better Than In-Home Care
Most senior loved ones have more than one chronic health issue they’re dealing with. In fact, the National Council on Aging reports that at least 75% of the elderly deal with one or two chronic health conditions in their later years.
When a senior loved one reaches a certain age where they require around-the-clock assistance but also wish to retain their independence, a senior living community proves to be the best choice. Not only do such communities provide engaging social activities, and nutritious and fulfilling food, they also have 24/7 medical care.
Here are a few reasons why assisted-living is better than in-home care:
1. Assistance with Personal Care
For most senior loved ones, a number of daily activities such as brushing their hair or brushing their teeth can get a bit difficult to carry out on their own. If your senior loved one needs assistance with personal care, assisted living communities have round-the-clock nurses on board that help the residents carry out their daily tasks.
2. Transportation
Many seniors stop driving in old age, either because a medical condition prohibits them or because driving becomes too strenuous. At a senior living community, residents will have access to chauffeured transportation. They can take a ride to their medical appointments and even for leisure activities such as going out to watch a movie or to a restaurant.
3. Home-cooked Meals
As we mature in age, our appetite automatically gets lesser. Proper nutrition is the key to good health, even in old age. A good assisted living community will provide your senior loved one with wholesome nutritious food that’s freshly cooked by their chefs. They can also be provided with meals that are customized to their medical conditions, and some places even offer gourmet dining.
4. Activities for Socialization
Socializing with peers is an important aspect of a person’s life, especially for the elderly. Our senior loved ones need care and company. Assisted living communities are a better option for socialization than in-home care. With many senior loved ones together in one place, it works wonders for mingling with fellow senior residents and engaging in fun social activities with them.
5. A Safe Living Environment
Communal living is much safer than living at home for many senior adults. If 24/7 in-home care is not possible, assisted living communities are a much safer option. With staff members always around to help, senior residents can live in a secured and gated community. They can summon help immediately in case of any emergency situation.
If you’re in search of quality senior care, get in touch with AvantGarde. We are a luxurious senior living community in Hollywood, CA and provide a number of amenities to our residents.
Things To Do During Retirement
Congratulations! After decades of working hard and saving up, you’ve finally retired! You no longer have to be at a job or do things that are required of you. You finally have time for some much-needed “me-time.”
Now that you’ve passed the hard part of spending a lifetime getting out of bed early in the morning, the period of retirement stretches lazily ahead of you, beckoning you with promises of much more relaxed times.
So now that you have free time, you’re probably thinking of ways to keep your calendar full. You don’t want to sit at home and just watch TV (although there’s nothing wrong with that!), you probably want to try out fun, new, exciting activities. Below are a few adventures you can try out:
Take the Vacation You Didn’t Have Time For
Have you been putting off taking a vacation for the longest time? You never had enough time to squeeze in a holiday? Well, now you have enough time to take that long-pending holiday that’s been on your wish list for years. Keeping your budget in mind, plan a nice holiday and have the trip of your life!
Get a Furry Friend
After retirement, your years-long daily routine comes to an end, and you probably won’t interact with others as much as you used to before. That could simply be because you no longer go to the office every day.
Getting yourself a furry friend can keep you companionship and stave away loneliness. Plus, feeding and walking them regularly can also help you establish a sense of routine. Also, pets are good for your mental health.
Pursue Your Passion
Were you really passionate about pursuing something but never did just because it wasn’t practical enough or you didn’t have the time? Whether it’s gardening, embroidery, painting, or any other hobby, you can now follow your heart.
Stay Fit
Years and years of desk jobs leave us with deteriorating health in our retirement, but now’s the time to recuperate and focus on yourself. Make sure you’re keeping yourself fit and focusing on getting stronger. If your health allows, you can join a gym or indulge in sports activities. Just make sure you’re staying safe.
About AvantGarde
If you’re in search of a senior care community in Hollywood, California for yourself or for a senior loved one, get in touch with us. Our senior care center provides a number of amenities, activities, and assistance.
Communication in the Early Stages of Dementia
Imagine losing all memory of faces you’ve grew old and struggling to recall names that were there in each prayer; dementia is indeed as debilitating and tragic a disease as it can be.
Dementia doesn’t only affect the person it happens to but also their loved ones and family members. The agony of living without any memory of your own flesh and blood is as great for the sufferer as for those who hold them dear. It’s emotionally taxing to not only live with this disease but also communicate in the early stages of dementia.
Early Trauma
Being diagnosed with dementia is a life-changing moments. Learning about this disease first-hand in the form of a diagnosis can be disturbing for an individual. The initial response is worry and confusion. Most anecdotes suggested that they were more affected by people’s reactions to their condition than the disease itself. They have complained how people quit making meaningful conversations with them, considering them intellectually challenged. They feel hurt by the way people start treating them, which adds to the early trauma of the diagnosis.
Drop Expectations
The burden of expectations strains the quality of conversations with a person with dementia the most. Expectations can work both ways: expect communication to be the same as old or expect to be drastically different with dementia. It’s more helpful to be flexible about communication is now going to be. Pick cues on the go and keep the conversation going spontaneously. Be open to new ideas or new ways of communicating. Take interest in how messages are transmitted and received. This will help adapt to the newer forms of communication. Most importantly, don’t trivialize the person’s ability to communicate at all because of their disease.
Company Over Communication
Conversations become stressful if they’re perceived as a performance metric. Try not setting any utilitarian goals while talking to someone with dementia. The purpose of communication shouldn’t then be to exchange maximum information or to attain maximum comprehension. Conversations should revolve around the notion of being with rather than talking about. Communication must primarily strengthen relationships and what could be a better way than communicating for the sake of company. Focus on being with them, rather than wanting them to be or talk a certain way. This is a person-centered psychotherapy technique introduced by Carl R. Rogers who showed how to enjoy someone’s company unconditionally.
At AvantGarde Senior Living and Memory Care, we welcomeelders with dementia and provide them the care they need. We provide luxurious senior living homes with a range of amenities including memory care to help them lead normal lives. If you’re looking for a comfortable place for assisted living for a parent or elder in Van Nuys, CA, we’re here to care for them.
The Many Benefits of Meditation for the Elderly
Wisdom, like good wine, only gets better with time.
But after a lifetime spent gathering wisdom from various life experiences, there’s a need for restoring lost energy. Old age can be unimaginably harsh for elders who have to cope with weak bones and lost muscles. With every inch in the body aching with age and weakness, they need to have mental peace at least to get through life. Meditation is an excellent way to relax the mind and detox negativities from your system.
Here are many benefits of meditation in old age.
Improves Condition With Alzheimer’s
The onset of Alzheimer’s in old age are significantly high. Almost one third Americans who are above the age of 85 suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. This makes Alzheimer’s a major cause of concern for the elderly. Since it’s a progressive disease, dementia and other symptoms related to it worsen with age. It can have debilitating side-effects like raging emotions and memory loss. However, studies have shown that breathing exercises and mindfulness through meditation can slow the pace of this disease. It is also known to help with mental conditions like depression, anxiety and stress that are experienced alongside dementia.
Improves Digestion
With weaker limbs and a sedentary lifestyle, elders often complain about digestive problems. It’s true; the digestive system can suffer greatly if there’s no physical activity. Even with it, diet and age can have an adverse impact on your digestion. Luckily, there’s a way to combat it through meditation. The deep breathing exercises included in meditation help revive the blood circulation that oxygenates blood. Unless digestion is affected by another medical condition, meditation should resolve the issue.
Sharp and Focused Mind
How often have you noticed yourself losing focus over the simplest of things? This is because sharpness of the mind is in decline after a certain age. What elders wish the most for is alertness and a stress-free attitude, both of which can be attained through meditation. Through meditation, parts of the bran responsible for planning, personality development and self-awareness enlarge so as to make this side dominant. On the contrary, the amygdala responsibility for stress and anxiety shrinks in real.
Do you feel like you’re losing agency as an individual because of old age? You need engage with meditative practices that will help you age like wine.
We, at AvantGarde Senior Living and Memory Care, offer luxurious senior living homes with a range of amenities like transportation, laundry services, house help, and entertainment in Van Nuys, CA. If you’re looking for a comfortable place for assisted living, we’re here to help.
Your Parent’s Dementia Diagnosis – Finding the Right Words to Say
No matter how much we evolve and how significantly we develop our language skills, there will always be times when we’ll be at a loss of words. Times such as when you meet someone who has recently lost someone close, or when you find out that a loved one has just been diagnosed with a disease such as cancer or dementia.
All your life it’s been your parents who have known what to say, and how to say it. Now, all of a sudden, there’s a reversal of roles, with you having become the caregivers and the parents becoming dependent on you. Role reversal in itself is a big change which comes with its own set of psychological issues and dilemmas; that can actually take some time adjusting, according to further studies.
The first thoughts that strike you aren’t even thoughts but an amalgam of the feelings of confusion, disbelief, and despair.
“Why did this happen to my parent?”
“Have I been somehow at fault with this?”
“How am I going to cope with this and what am I going to say to my parent about this?”
Dementia is, at the moment, an incurable condition. This makes matters worse for when you’re trying to think of something appropriate to say to your parent. But don’t worry—for we have some ideas.
Prepare Yourself
Anticipation makes the best warriors. When in a battlefield, it is not the countering of the bullet or the shell but it anticipation that helps soldiers fight well. So let it be with you. Take some time before you can say anything to your parent. Don’t blurt out but think, ponder, reflect upon the prospect. Also ensure that they themselves are ready to have a conversation initiated with you on the matter. Read their body language: do they have their arms crossed across their chest? Are they looking down or averting their gaze from you?
Tone it Down
Your words on their own will not have much impact if they are not delivered in just the right tone: a helpful tone, not a pitiful or a pathetic one, mind you. Let them know, through the modulation of your tone and voice, that you’re here for them and that you’ll stand by them regardless of what comes their way. Don’t try to downplay the severity of their condition, don’t try to dismiss the diagnosis, and don’t let your sadness show through. Take pauses where needed, and avoid talking about their condition to others while they themselves are present in the room.
What NOT to Say
Most importantly, here’s a checklist on what you should NEVER say or do to a loved one who has been diagnosed with dementia:
- “You’re making me repeat myself, I already told you that”
- Longer sentences, with a ton of ideas stuffed in between. Remember (because at least youcan) that it will be very difficult for your loved one to keep track
- Absolutely refrain from treating your parent like a child. You still are, and will always be, their child.
- Don’t ask them what they did a couple of hours ago—stick to the present.
- Please refrain from trying to make them remember things because (a) you’re not a professional and (b) you’ll only confuse your loved one.
Connect with AvantGarde Today
If you’re looking for a credible senior living community in California with staff that has been trained for dementia patients, get in touch with us today.
Picking the Right Assisted Living Facility for an Elderly Loved One with Dementia
Coping with dementia is, naturally, a hard thing to do. But it is, perhaps, harder for the family members of a person suffering from dementia to wrap their heads around the changing shape and mannerism of their loved one. After all, you are not a person who has any professional training or knowledge regarding what to do with, or how to treat a person who is suffering from Alzheimer’s or any other kind of dementia. Additionally, the ordeal becomes a lot more difficult to manage when it’s a loved one, or a family member, or a friend, because in this care your emotional involvement might get in the way of logic and entice to you to make irrational decisions—which, while made with good intentions serve no purpose other than complicate matters for your loved ones.
The best option would be to find a residential senior living community near you which has professionals on board, who have been trained in the field and know best how to extend a helping hand to individuals with dementia.
Provided in this blog are a few things we suggest you look into carefully before finally settling on a senior living community.
The Location
Two things come into play here: the proximity of the area to your own residence and the laws of the area in which the facility is located. The principal objective should be to ensure that the facility is located in the same state as you so that you can pay frequent visits to your loved ones, and through these regular visits keep them grounded to reality. Also consider the amount of medical assistance your loved one needs. Find out more about the allowances and terms that are California specific here.
The Size of the Facility
You’re looking for comfort and you won’t find it in a facility that is tiny in size, as you may be sure it will be housing quite a number of members. These dynamics also affect the services that are provided therein since the team will be understaffed, overworked, and provide unsatisfactory performance. We suggest find a facility with one staffer for each 5 or 6 members, which is manageable.
The Services
A senior living community is only as good as the services that it offers. Find out as much as you can about the amenities and facilities that are being offered, some of which might include:
- The kind and timing of meals
- Sports
- Avenues for socializing
- Personalized care
- Entertainment
- Health care
Think in terms of enhanced and improved quality of living, with services that are specifically tailored to serve all specific needs that might arise with the various members.
Looking for a Senior Living Community near Van Nuys?
Discuss with us at AvantGarde Senior Living your problems, requirements, and concerns. We offer various options of living which include independent living, assisted living, and memory care. We specialize in providing customized care and are well known for providing a number of facilities to our members, such as sports, theatre, transportation, etc.