One false step on a cellar staircase, an automobile accident, a stroke, and overnight, any of us could end up with disabilities that make us dependent on others for the simplest tasks. We are all vulnerable to the effects of disability, whether it's a matter of caring for an elderly parent devastated by a stroke, supporting a co-worker who has Parkinson’s, or hearing about a neighbor's baby born with mental retardation. Many San Diego assisted living facilities employ staff that are specifically trained to help you live with a chronic disability.
According to Chronic Care in America, "In 1995, one in six Americans--41 million people-- had a chronic condition that inhibited their lives to some degree." Among the conditions counted are arthritis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, emphysema, Alzheimer's disease, blindness, hearing impairments, mental retardation, mental illness, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injuries. The report says, "At least 9 million people with disabilities need help either with personal care or home management (40 percent are under age 65)."
Disability rates increase with age. According to the report, in 1994, nearly 40 percent of the elderly not living in institutions--12 million seniors--were limited by chronic conditions. Of these, 3 million (about 10 percent of all elderly) were unable to perform such activities as bathing, shopping, dressing, or eating.
Heart disease accounts for 13 percent of all activity limitations, and injuries cause 13 percent of all disabilities. These two facts, alone, point to the large potential to reduce disabilities by convincing Americans to adopt better nutrition, health and exercise habits and to think ahead about building or retrofitting homes to make them safer and more convenient. Getting the proper medical care you require is important and that is what assisted living San Diego provides seniors with disabilities. Living at home with a chronic, life changing disability requires expert care and treatment.
Services for seniors with chronic conditions, however, are still concentrated in the periods when they need acute care rather than in phases when prevention or rehabilitation services would be beneficial. Costly hospitalizations might be avoided if certain types of services were more affordable and available--transportation to the doctor; installation of railings and ramps; physical therapy to strengthen muscles to prevent falls; education in use of assistive devices; counseling to prevent malnutrition; and provision of home care aides to shop, prepare meals, and assist with personal care.
Working together, the aging and disability networks can make a difference in where and how comfortably Americans spend the last decades of their lives. It is important that you get the care you need, whether in home care or at a San Diego assisted living facility - there are networks out there ready to help you with your lifelong disability.
Showing posts with label San Diego assisted living communities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label San Diego assisted living communities. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Managing Assisted Living Costs
People who can make use of San Diego assisted living programs are usually seniors who do not need the more intensive care that is given in nursing homes but require 24-hour monitoring and assistance.
An important factor in this kind of program is that the residents of this retirement living community can socialize and interact with each other. This is an important benefit for many people, particularly for those who do not want to be alone or isolated in their homes but cannot leave the safety of their homes to visit their friends because of their condition.
It is also important to realize that certain components of the assisted living San Diego costs are things that you normally spend for even if you are living at home.
These include the utility costs, three meals every day including snacks, continuous security, monthly rent or mortgage, garbage disposal services, home maintenance, an emergency call system that is available 24 hours a day, transportation costs, costs of visits by health personnel, housekeeping services, laundry service, and social and entertainment costs. There are also no condominium maintenance fees, property insurance costs and property taxes.
If after you have eliminated the above San Diego assisted living expenses from your monthly costs and then added the assisted living costs and the result is still a higher monthly expense, it is time to look for ways to accommodate the additional costs.
The most common way to do this is to convert certain assets into additional cash flow. One example is the reverse mortgage, which is a unique version of the home loan where the homeowner converts part of his or her equity into cash. Another option is to allow your heirs to take care of the bills.
For those who are still preparing for retirement, long term care insurance may also provide help when the time comes. It should be pointed out that the advantages of living in an environment that is good for your physical and emotional health far outweigh the costs of the arrangements.
Moreover, it also advisable to consider a continuing care retirement community where the facilities for a nursing home are nearby so that when the time for intensive care arrives, making the transfer would be much easier.
An important factor in this kind of program is that the residents of this retirement living community can socialize and interact with each other. This is an important benefit for many people, particularly for those who do not want to be alone or isolated in their homes but cannot leave the safety of their homes to visit their friends because of their condition.
It is also important to realize that certain components of the assisted living San Diego costs are things that you normally spend for even if you are living at home.
These include the utility costs, three meals every day including snacks, continuous security, monthly rent or mortgage, garbage disposal services, home maintenance, an emergency call system that is available 24 hours a day, transportation costs, costs of visits by health personnel, housekeeping services, laundry service, and social and entertainment costs. There are also no condominium maintenance fees, property insurance costs and property taxes.
If after you have eliminated the above San Diego assisted living expenses from your monthly costs and then added the assisted living costs and the result is still a higher monthly expense, it is time to look for ways to accommodate the additional costs.
The most common way to do this is to convert certain assets into additional cash flow. One example is the reverse mortgage, which is a unique version of the home loan where the homeowner converts part of his or her equity into cash. Another option is to allow your heirs to take care of the bills.
For those who are still preparing for retirement, long term care insurance may also provide help when the time comes. It should be pointed out that the advantages of living in an environment that is good for your physical and emotional health far outweigh the costs of the arrangements.
Moreover, it also advisable to consider a continuing care retirement community where the facilities for a nursing home are nearby so that when the time for intensive care arrives, making the transfer would be much easier.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Assisted Living - A Simplified Choice
While life has its changes, the transition from an independent lifestyle to San Diego assisted living does not always come naturally. It's a choice that can only be made with the proper support, advice, and information. Before you and your family make the final move to an Assisted Living facility, read over these eight essential tips -
1. Visit assisted living communities - The best way to judge whether senior housing is the Diegoright choice, is with a first-hand look. Find different assisted living San Diego facilities in your area and arrange visits to get a feel for their atmospheres and accommodations.
2. Ease in with temporary living - Some assisted living facilities allow residents to move in on a temporary basis-a great opportunity for seniors who are unsure of whether the change is right for them. You or your loved one will receive all of the benefits of a regular residency with the ability to return home at the end of your stay.
3. Build a social circle - A great aspect of an assisted living community is the level of interaction it promotes amongst residents. Seniors are able to visit each other's apartments, attend facility-organized events such as dances, and even create their own hobby clubs and groups. Try to visit one or more of these events while touring so that you or your loved one can meet residents who share similar interests.
4. Research amenities - The services provided by a San Diego assisted living facility can vary from residence to residence. Take stock of your or your loved one's needs and find the community that best fulfills them. While some seniors may only need help with laundry and cooking others may require additional help in the form of transportation, housekeeping, and assistance with administering medication.
5. Listen to others - Ask senior housing residents their opinions and what you should expect from assisted living communities. Some may have lived in multiple facilities and will be able to give you perspective for making your decision.
6. Handling property - Before you begin packing, make time for sorting through personal effects. While most items will likely stay with you, your loved one, or your family, don't be in a rush to throw away the rest. It may be worth hiring an appraiser to go over the items before you end up selling a priceless vase at a five-dollar yard sale.
7. Stay close - Hopefully, you will be able to find an assisted living San Diego community in your area. Whether of not you do, make an effort to visit your loved one or loved ones. If you are the one moving into senior housing, visiting home will help maintain your sense of independence. If your family member is making the move, visits will help create a sense of home in a new place..
8. Check in - Though assisted living communities are often home to trained medical staff and round-the-clock support, it's imperative that you stay aware of your senior's living environment and habits. Call often and be open to cues that your loved one needs a great level of care or assistance.
1. Visit assisted living communities - The best way to judge whether senior housing is the Diegoright choice, is with a first-hand look. Find different assisted living San Diego facilities in your area and arrange visits to get a feel for their atmospheres and accommodations.
2. Ease in with temporary living - Some assisted living facilities allow residents to move in on a temporary basis-a great opportunity for seniors who are unsure of whether the change is right for them. You or your loved one will receive all of the benefits of a regular residency with the ability to return home at the end of your stay.
3. Build a social circle - A great aspect of an assisted living community is the level of interaction it promotes amongst residents. Seniors are able to visit each other's apartments, attend facility-organized events such as dances, and even create their own hobby clubs and groups. Try to visit one or more of these events while touring so that you or your loved one can meet residents who share similar interests.
4. Research amenities - The services provided by a San Diego assisted living facility can vary from residence to residence. Take stock of your or your loved one's needs and find the community that best fulfills them. While some seniors may only need help with laundry and cooking others may require additional help in the form of transportation, housekeeping, and assistance with administering medication.
5. Listen to others - Ask senior housing residents their opinions and what you should expect from assisted living communities. Some may have lived in multiple facilities and will be able to give you perspective for making your decision.
6. Handling property - Before you begin packing, make time for sorting through personal effects. While most items will likely stay with you, your loved one, or your family, don't be in a rush to throw away the rest. It may be worth hiring an appraiser to go over the items before you end up selling a priceless vase at a five-dollar yard sale.
7. Stay close - Hopefully, you will be able to find an assisted living San Diego community in your area. Whether of not you do, make an effort to visit your loved one or loved ones. If you are the one moving into senior housing, visiting home will help maintain your sense of independence. If your family member is making the move, visits will help create a sense of home in a new place..
8. Check in - Though assisted living communities are often home to trained medical staff and round-the-clock support, it's imperative that you stay aware of your senior's living environment and habits. Call often and be open to cues that your loved one needs a great level of care or assistance.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tips for Finding a Quality San Diego Assisted Living Community
There are so many
It’s true. There are many to choose from. So how do you narrow your list of choices? Here are a few things to consider as you begin your search.
- What help do you/your loved one need with ADLs? ADLs, or Activities of Daily Living, include such things as using the restroom, bathing, grooming, and dressing. The first step in evaluating a community is to have a clear idea of what ADLs the resident of the community will need help with (currently and possibly in the near future) so that you can find a community that caters to those needs.
- Financially, what is affordable? Know how much you/your loved one can afford each month to pay for living expenses at an assisted living community. Then spend some time with a representative of each community to understand costs. Ask about extra costs that may arise in the future that you should be aware of. The fees for different communities may help to narrow your list. There are some very high-end, resort style assisted living communities in San Diego that are absolutely gorgeous and very expensive. And there are other communities that are less expensive and possibly covered, in part, by the government. Also, ask for a copy of their contract to review.
- Do you like the community? Once you narrow your list down to your top candidates, spend some time at each. Talk with the residents and their family and friends. Get an honest feel for how residents like the community and what their friends and family think. Talk with the staff. Are they friendly and caring? What training or credentials do they hold? Ask questions about what is important to you. If possible, ask to observe and event or class hosted by the community.
- Is it licensed by the State of
Finding the right assisted living community in San Diego for you or a loved one is an important task. Taking the time up front to conduct your research is a good step towards making the best decision.
Monday, October 4, 2010
San Diego Assisted Living - Resources for Alzheimer's
With approximately 5.3 million people with Alzheimer’s chances are you may know someone who has the disease. The person that you know could even be a loved one. And, with 10.9 million unpaid caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s, it wouldn’t be a surprise if you were that caregiver.
If the condition of your loved one has progressed and respite care or in-home care is no longer the right option for you then you might consider making arrangements for your loved one to reside in a San Diego assisted living community that specializes in Alzheimer’s disease.
There are many assisted living communities in San Diego that specialize in Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, a high percentage of residents in assisted living communities and nursing homes usually have some form of dementia or cognitive impairment. Many communities have Special Care Units that are specifically geared towards residents with dementia with specifically trained staff as well as specialized activities tailored to strengthen cognitive abilities of residents.
If you are looking for resources or San Diego assisted living communities try www.alzheimerhelp.org and www.sanalz.org. For a quality and highly respected community in Chula Vista check out www.frederickamanor.org.
If the condition of your loved one has progressed and respite care or in-home care is no longer the right option for you then you might consider making arrangements for your loved one to reside in a San Diego assisted living community that specializes in Alzheimer’s disease.
There are many assisted living communities in San Diego that specialize in Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, a high percentage of residents in assisted living communities and nursing homes usually have some form of dementia or cognitive impairment. Many communities have Special Care Units that are specifically geared towards residents with dementia with specifically trained staff as well as specialized activities tailored to strengthen cognitive abilities of residents.
If you are looking for resources or San Diego assisted living communities try www.alzheimerhelp.org and www.sanalz.org. For a quality and highly respected community in Chula Vista check out www.frederickamanor.org.
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