As the child of an aging parent, safety should always be your number one priority
when contemplating your parents' care.
As the child of an aging parent, safety should always be your number one priority
when contemplating your parents' care. Many older adults become victims of accidents
that occur right in their own homes. As we age, it can become increasingly difficult
to walk up and down stairs. Lugging heavy grocery bags can be exhausting. Cooking
nutritious and balanced meals may prove challenging. Moreover, the long, cold winters
and hot, humid summers can make getting out of the house quite problematic. Your
parent may be left feeling isolated and alone.
When should my parent move to an assisted living facility?
Assisted living facilities can be the perfect solution for people who have difficulty
performing daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and grooming, but who do not need
around the clock care. Such residences can also prove to be the best alternative
for people who live alone and whose quality of life is hampered because they are
isolated and they have limited social interaction.
Although services do vary from one facility to the next, most offer health and exercise
programs, housekeeping and laundry service, transportation, dining options, and
social activities.
Such residences have a great number of physical, social and emotional benefits.
Many people thrive in such an environment, even if they did not fare well living
on their own. The knowledge that medical attention is available on site 24 hours
a day, seven days a week, affords both parent and child peace of mind. Assisted
Living also it enables seniors to regain their self-confidence and reclaim their
lives.
In fact, many older adults lead a much higher quality of life and are happier once
they move to an assisted living residence. They start eating better, exercising
more and enjoying the company of new friends. The added bonus of having staff around
greatly improves their overall wellbeing as they ensure that residents take their
medication and eat well. Moreover, they are in an environment that increases their
opportunities for social interaction. Participating in group activities can give
your parents an important boost and keep them from sinking into a sedentary and
lonely lifestyle.
Friends become invaluable as we age
Developing strong, intimate social networks is one of the cornerstones of successful
aging. Not only do close ties provide our lives with meaning and purpose, but they
are also essential to our social, emotional and physical wellbeing, especially as
we age. Findings from a recent study conducted by Simon Fraser's gerontology research
centre revealed that the happiest seniors are those that feel a sense of belonging
to community. According to Dr. Veronica Doyle, director of the study, "it isn't
how often you see your kids -it's how many places in the world you are a somebody".
Assisted living facilities provide an arena for socialization and an opportunity
to develop intimate bonds.
Tango your way to improved brain power and better balance!
Another advantage of such facilities is their varied exercise programs. You have
to inquire as to what each facility offers, but most have extensive programs ranging
from strength training to tango lessons!
We have often been told that exercise is essential to an active and healthy old
age. Patricia Mckinley, researcher, at McGill University, knew that motivating older
adults to exercise was going to require much more than describing the benefits of
working out. So she set out to find a physical activity that seniors would find
FUN. She settled on the Tango.
Mckinley's findings indicate that tango dancing improves brainpower and balance
amongst older adults. Those assigned to take tango lessons not only learned the
art of Argentine Tango dancing, but improved their balance, posture and coordination
in comparison to a control group of walkers.
After only 10 weeks all participants in the study had improved their scores on memory
tests, but only the tango dancers had better scores on a multitasking test.
This is fantastic news for older adults as they can tango their way too good health.
Find a residence that complements your life style
Today, there are many residential options to choose from. Your job is to find an
assisted living facility that best suits your parents' life style and needs. Your
choice will depend on many factors such as location, level of care and services,
reputation of the facility, decor and cost. Your parents' may desire a relaxed and
cozy atmosphere, or they may prefer to live in the lap of luxury, or anything in
between!
Many senior residences provide a host of living options depending upon the level
of care that is needed. Some homes offer independent living, assisted living and
even programs designed for patients with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of
dementia. And still others offer a "continuum of care" which caters
to all of the housing needs of retirees from independent living to full service
long term and hospice care.
Seniors can ease their move into a senior residence by choosing a facility that
caters to the various stages of aging. They can transition from an independent living
facility to assisted living and then to a nursing home, if needed, all within the
same organization.
As we age our sense of belonging and connection becomes vital to our overall wellbeing.
So when looking for that perfect community for mom or dad, make sure that it provides
a blend of social, physical and intellectual pursuits that nurture both body and
soul.
Gillian Leithman
President
Directions Third Consultants
www.directionsrc.com
Copyright � 2007 by Directions Third Age Consultants Inc. All Rights Reserved
No part of this newsletter may be copies or reproduced.