Fluid Intake - Preventing Dehydration?

Checking your daily intake of fluids is important for seniors residing in a San Diego assisted living facility. With summer days around the corner and living in San Diego, seniors need to measure their daily intake of fluids to prevent heat stroke and dehydration.

The American Medical Association recommend that Adults need 17 to 20 ounces of fluid before beginning activity, as well as an additional 7 to 10 ounces every 10 to 20 minutes during activity.

Your fluid needs don't stop when your activity is over -- you should consume 24 ounces of fluid within the first two hours after outdoor activity. Children need 4 to 8 ounces of fluid before beginning outdoor activities and 5 to 9 ounces every 20 minutes while they are outside. Once kids return from outside play or activity, they also need to consume 24 ounces of fluids within the first two hours after they stopped their activities.

Did you know? One adult-size gulp of fluid equals one ounce of fluid, and one child-size gulp of fluid equals one-half ounce of fluid. Assisted living San Diego residents should try to drink eight full glasses of water per day, and even more when exercising outdoors.

Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration

•Dry lips and tongue.
•Headache.
•Weakness, dizziness, or extreme fatigue.
•Concentrated urine that appears darker than normal.
•Nausea.
•Muscle cramps.

More Hot Weather Tips

•While pouring water over your head might feel good; it does not have any affect on your core body temperature -- make sure you put plenty of water and other fluids into your body.

•Always wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.

•Whenever you get a chance, take a break in the shade. It's important to remember that anytime a person who has been exposed to heat becomes disoriented or unconscious, immediate medical attention for that person must be sought.

Another tip for seniors residing in a San Diego assisted living is to stay indoors when the temperature is very hot, say 85-90 degrees. Limit your exercise routine and if you must go outdoors, then make sure you have a good supply of water on hand.

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.

Assisted Living For Dementia

The loss of basic cognitive functions has the potential to create danger for any senior living on his own. If you are suffering from dementia in San Diego, there are several San Diego assisted living communities that specialize in this type of disease. This can also be the case even when such ability to function is in an impaired state. As the older person's state declines, the danger in his everyday environment increases. In addition to the very real threat of harm to the person who is losing his ability to look after himself and take sensible precautions, there is also the element of frustration-- especially for the senior who is accustomed to an independent lifestyle of doing everything for himself and not needing to rely on anyone.

There is a solution. There are a number of options for assisted living in San Diego which provide all of the essential benefits in the least-restrictive manner. Your loved one will have all of the help and supervision that he needs in order to be safe, secure, and comfortable-- but without the full-scale supervision of a skilled nursing facility if it is not compatible with his current needs.

As most seniors pride themselves on self-sufficiency, two options which will promote this are San Diego assisted living facilities and board-and-care homes. These styles of living arrangements will give your family member every possible opportunity to feel independent and exercise his independence, while at the same time ensuring his overall comfort and safety.

A board-and-care or an assisted living facility will provide your loved one with a home-like atmosphere. Depending on the degree of his needs, he will have help with his basic everyday grooming routines. The pleasant environment which he will share with other seniors will include the opportunity for social interaction, if he wishes, as well as healthy, tasty meals.

Board-and-care homes and assisted living communities both offer the option of single or shared rooms in a variety of price ranges. Whichever arrangement is best suited to your family member's needs and personal preferences, they are quite affordable. Assisted living for dementia does not have to be unduly expensive; and you will be glad to know that affordability does not mean cutting corners. It is designed to accommodate your family member's special needs.

At most San Diego assisted living communities your loved one can reside in a lovely home-like setting, tailored for his comfort and safety. You will know that he is in a secure environment where attention is focused on helping him to do the most for himself while helping him with any daily tasks that are necessary. He will have the highest degree of self-suffiency, and that all-important feeling of independence, with the supervision and assistance that he needs in his everyday life.

Tips for Finding a Quality San Diego Assisted Living Community

There are so many San Diego assisted living communities. How do I know which is best for me/my loved one?

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Is it licensed by the State of California? Consider requesting a copy of their file from the licensing agency which will contain information on past evaluations conducted by the agency as well as substantiated complaints about the community. You can get further information at www.ccld.ca.gov.

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.