◊

Trying to figure out health insurance? Get my book Choose Your Best Health Insurance for detailed assistance on how to decide which insurance plan is right for you and your family.

The post Start Your Assisted Living on the Right Foot appeared first on MyHealthSpin.

These days, there a lot of senior living options. Most fall into the categories of assisted living facilities or nursing homes. Here is the difference between the two.

Assisted Living Facilities:

1. Bridge the gap between independent living and skilled nursing facilities or nursing homes
2. Provide a variety of services for residents who need occasional assistance with “activities of daily living” like bathing, using the bathroom, and taking medication
3. Focus on providing as much independence to your loved one as possible

Nursing Homes and Skilled Nursing Facilities:

1. Generally certified by your state and provides 24/7 nursing care.
2. Needed if your loved one is bed bound, on a respirator, requires wound care, or needs daily nursing care.
3. Best suited for individuals who require round-the-clock care for complex medical needs.

Depending on what your senior’s new needs, one of these options will be better than the other. It is important to know how each is different so you can choose the best option for your loved one.

We hope we have helped you SPIN YOUR HEALTHCARE YOUR WAY!

◊

Trying to figure out health insurance? Get my book Choose Your Best Health Insurance for detailed assistance on how to decide which insurance plan is right for you and your family.

The post Difference Between Assisted Living and Nursing Homes appeared first on MyHealthSpin.

My dad took very good care of himself for his whole life, so we were unprepared when he had emergency back surgery at the age of 88 years.

This was tough for me, but even more so for him. After all, as a proud, strong minister, he took care of other people. He didn’t need people to care for him. After so many years of independence, we decided the best plan was to move him into an assisted living facility.

We approached the move directly by taking time to do a few things: 

1. Tour the local facilities.
2. Make a list of costs and services.
3. Talk to staff to find out how they interact with residents.
4. Eat at the facility to see how the food was and to get a sense of community at meal times.

We learned a lot during a journey. We made some good choices along the way and also some mistakes. Our most important lesson was that communication is the key.

When preparing to move a loved one to an assisted living facility, you and your loved one have to be prepared to communicate with your family and the facility about your priorities. There is no one right answer. You have to decide what will work best for your loved one.

To help guide your decision about assisted living, I have written Easy Healthcare: Choosing an Assisted Living Facility, available in book and ebook format. It tells you what conversations to have, what to consider as you research facilities and how to make the experience as smooth as possible for you and your loved one.

The post How I Helped My Dad Choose Assisted Living appeared first on MyHealthSpin.

But there may come a time when the need for care becomes greater than the desire to live independently. What do you do then? How do you make the right decision without being overwhelmed? How do you even begin talking about it?

In this video, I explain the importance of making sure your loved one is included in the process of choosing an assisted living and some key factors to consider.

◊

How do you make the right decision about moving yourself or a loved one into an Assisted Living Facility without being overwhelmed? How do you even begin talking about it? MyHealthSpin’s “Easy Healthcare: Choosing an Assisted Living Facility” ebook guide gives you all of the practical advice you need to make the right choice.

Available for download NOW!

The post Include Your Loved One When Choosing Assisted Living appeared first on MyHealthSpin.

◊

How do you make the right decision about moving yourself or a loved one into an Assisted Living Facility without being overwhelmed? How do you even begin talking about it? MyHealthSpin’s “Easy Healthcare: Choosing an Assisted Living Facility” ebook guide gives you all of the practical advice you need to make the right choice.

Available for download NOW!

The post Considerations for Choosing an Assisted Living Facility appeared first on MyHealthSpin.

1. Involve Your Loved One
This may be a big change for them, one that they may be ready for or nervous about. It will be very different than living in their home with a lot of space and all of their furniture and lifelong treasures. But, this is going to be their new home for some time. Include your loved one in conversations and visits to the facility to help them feel involved in the process.

2. Explore Room Types
Ask the facility what kinds of rooms are available and ask to see them. The options may include single rooms, rooms that have a roommate, single rooms that share a bathroom and/or a kitchen, or larger apartments with a bedroom, kitchen, and a living room area. Facilities vary on the type of rooms they have. Also, be sure to ask what is available at the time of the move in. You want to make sure your loved one is getting the right living space for them and keep an open mind. They may start off thinking they want a single room but actually end up loving having a roommate as they have some company. Everyone is different.

3. Ask About Costs
This may go without saying, but one of the main questions to ask about costs. Be sure the facility representative lets you know about all of the costs associated with living there. What is the cost for each type of room? Are there dining fees, housekeeping fees, or activity fees? When you have a list, ask, “Are there any other fees?” Then be sure to choose the facility and options that fit your loved one’s budget, as well as their needs. Although your loved one may want a large single room, it may be cost prohibitive.

4. Visit at Different Times
If possible, visit the facilities you are considering at different times of day and different days of the week. This will give you a good idea of what your loved one can expect about noise level, activity, available services, and so on.

5. Consider Roommates
If your loved one is considering a roommate, inquire about the medical condition of the person to determine if their medical or other needs may disturb your loved one. For example, if the roommate requires help going to the bathroom and has to go frequently, this may disturb your loved one’s rest. The roommate may talk a lot and your loved one may prefer quiet. Make sure the pairing is a good fit.

6. Room Location
Consider where the room is located within the facility. If your loved one needs a lot of assistance or has many medical needs, you might want to choose a room that is close to the staff desk or the nurses’ station. If, however, your loved one does not like a lot of noise, you may want to pick a room that is located away from the main hallways or staff stations.

7. Choose Furniture
Once you have chosen a room, you should talk to your loved one about what furniture they would like to bring from their home. The facility may offer to provide furniture for the room. If possible, you should try to bring at least a few “important” pieces of furniture from your loved one’s home. The Assisted Living facility will be new and unfamiliar. Your loved one may be apprehensive about moving. Having the room look and feel as much like home as possible will help with the transition.

8. Determine the Change Policy Finally, it is important to find out what your options are if your loved one does not like the room they have selected. Will they be able to move without an extra charge? Whatever the policy, get it in writing from the facility
Preparation and planning will help your loved one’s move to an assisted living facility be successful.

How do you make the right decision about moving yourself or a loved one into an Assisted Living Facility without being overwhelmed? How do you even begin talking about it? MyHealthSpin’s “Easy Healthcare: Choosing an Assisted Living Facility” ebook guide gives you all of the practical advice you need to make the right choice.

Available for download NOW!

The post How to Choose an Assisted Living Facility appeared first on MyHealthSpin.

The post Your Aging Parent Doesn’t Want to Go to a Nursing Home… Now What? appeared first on MyHealthSpin.

We received so many excellent questions during our webinar, however, due to time restrictions, we were unable to get to them all. So today, I wanted to take time to answer an important question that came up.

“What do I do if my seniors level of care changes while in an assisted living facility?”

Often times, seniors move in to an assisted living facility because they need temporary help–for instance, while rehabbing after falling and breaking a hip. They go in with intentions of returning to their home after a few short weeks. Sadly, this is not always the case. Health has a tendency to deteriorate after traumatic events, and suddenly a temporary living arrangement can become a permanent home.

I went through this with my dad. We had made arrangements for him to move in to an assisted living facility for a short while after having a routine procedure done. Beforehand he was the picture of health. Even driving three hours one way to pick up my daughter at college the day before. However, the procedure was harder on him than expected, and he ended up staying in the assisted living. Luckily, we had chosen a facility where his level of care could change as he needed more assistance. However, not all assisted living facilities have these options.

In order to help guide you through this difficult time, I have put together some helpful tips to consider if your seniors care levels change.

First, when choosing a facility, even if it is for a temporary situation, it is a good idea to choose one that has the ability to step up. Most facilities have several divisions: one for those who need minimal assistance, one for those who need some assistance and have slight memory problems, and one for those who need full assistance and have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. It is important that the facility is able to grow with your seniors ever-changing needs. Not only will it make things easier on them, but it will put less stress on you.

Another important thing you should do when visiting assisted living facilities or nursing homes is bring a comparison chart. In my workbook When Life Happens, I have put together a helpful chart to bring with you to help weigh the pros and cons of each place you visit.

Second, it is likely that the facility, or its staff, will come to you first about needing to change your seniors level of care. They spend time with your loved one every day. Therefore, they know what changes need to be made. This is why it is important to have a specific family member designated to working with the staff. This way your seniors’ needs are taken care of right away. You would not want them receiving improper care because they are no longer able to do certain things on their own.

Third, once a need for change has been established, you should set up an appointment with a geriatric professional to determine exactly what you can do to help your senior. Most facilities work with physical therapists, occupational therapists and social workers who can do an evaluation of your loved ones’ ability to perform their necessary activities of daily living. Can they get themselves to the bathroom on their own? Do they need assistance taking their medications? As they become less able to care for themselves they will become more reliant on the staff members, and their care level will be increased.

Fourth, go in with an open mind. It is hard to watch your parents age, and often times we do not see the obvious signs because we are in denial. Therefore, it is important to always have an open line of communication with the assisted living facility that your loved one is in. Like I said previously, the staff are going to tell you when their care level needs to be changed. So keep your mind open and listen to their advice. These people are trained professionals and they know what they are doing. You must also keep in mind that has need for care increases, so does the cost. Do not let the cost of upping their care be a deciding factor in the changes that you make for your loved one.

Fifth, remember that your loved one is getting older, and as you get older you do not get better. Thus, you need to have an open conversation with them in regards to their plans for the future. Where do they want to go? What can they afford? This will make it much easier on you when the time comes that they need a little extra help.

For more healthcare tips for you and your family, check out my workbook for dealing with caring for your children as well as your aging parents: Life in Sandwich Generation. Life in the Sandwich Generation is a workbook filled with information, tips and tricks for managing the demands needing to care for your aging parents, as well as taking care of your children. It details how you can involve your children in the process, how to learn more about your parents health and finances, while still making time for yourself and your spouse. You can find it here for only $10!

The post What To Do If Your Seniors Care Level Changes appeared first on MyHealthSpin.

In order to feel confident in your decision it is important to do all of your research. Making sure you are an advocate for your senior, gathering the necessary documents and establishing a schedule for your senior to follow will make this transition easier on both of you.

What is the difference between an assisted living and a nursing home? Do you have other options? Is your loved one getting the care you were promised? What financial decisions need to be made before moving in to a facility?

Your questions are important. That’s why I have scheduled a FREE live webinar on Thursday, May 19, 2016 at 2 p.m. EST to help empower you to navigate the process of choosing an assisted living facility with ease.

Register HERE now.

Ready to get ahead on planning for assisted living? Tune in to the live webinar to learn:

• How to determine the level of care your senior needs
• Ways to be an advocate for your senior
• Expert tips on how to get your senior acclimated to their new facility
• Advice on ways to help you remain patient during this time of change for your loved one

You can bring your questions to the webinar or submit them in advance by email or on Facebook or Twitter.

The post Choosing an Assisted Living Part II appeared first on MyHealthSpin.

As you embark on this tough life decision, this is the best time to make sure all your health questions are answered for your loved one. Keeping your loved one’s medical records up-to-date, knowing how to talk to your loved one about this life transition, and learning the best self care tips to stay healthy when being the caregiver will make all the difference when you’re faced with choosing the right assisted living facility.

How do you go about choosing the best assisted living facility? How do you create a medical life list for your loved one? What questions should you ask when visiting an assisted living facility?

Your questions are important. That’s why I have scheduled a FREE live webinar on Thursday, April 21, 2016 at 2 p.m. EST to help empower you to navigate the process of choosing an assisted living facility with ease.

Register HERE now.

Ready to get ahead on planning for assisted living? Tune in to the live webinar to learn:

• Expert advice on money saving tools for assisted living.
• Self care tips for moms and caregivers.
• Tools for organizing your loved ones medical records.
• How to talk to your loved one about this life transition.

You can bring your questions to the webinar or submit them in advance by email or on Facebook or Twitter.

The post Choosing an Assisted Living Facility appeared first on MyHealthSpin.