broadcreekmanorassistedliving

[broadcreekmanorassistedliving]

Benefits of Assisted Living

 Is assisted living the right choice for your parent or loved one?   When it becomes apparent that they need some additional help there are many questions you need to ask yourself:

What’s best for your senior parent or loved one?

What environment will best support their overall health and wellness?

Where will they be happiest?

These are tough questions that families must ask themselves. The answers are different for each family and situation.

To guide your decision, here are some of these key benefits of assisted living and the services assisted living facilities provide:

Safety and peace of mind

Family members no longer need worry about their loved one falling, being scammed, getting lost, eating healthy or taking the wrong medication. Assisted livings have trained staff on-site 24 hours a day to oversee and help your family members.

Increased activity

As we age, it’s more important than ever to remain physically and mentally active. Assisted living residents are offered numerous indoor and outdoor activities from gardening to yoga, and cultural events.

Social life

Isolation in seniors can lead to a host of problems from depression to poor health, mobility issues and more. It’s not uncommon for seniors to become isolated as they get older. In assisted living, residents become part of a loving, supportive community. They’re surrounded by people their own age and have many opportunities to socialize and enjoy the company of others.

Assistance with daily living activities

It’s important for seniors to retain their independence, yet also have the assistance they need. Assisted living provides residents with help, only as needed, with daily living activities, such as bathing, dressing or eating.

Better nutrition

Great food and nutrition are important for your senior loved one. At Broad Creek Manor, seniors get both. Our menu of home cooked meals is changed weekly and has been approved by a dietitian to deliver the best nutrition to our residents.

Assisted living enables seniors to enjoy social contact, security and support while still maintaining their independence.

Contact Us for a Tour

If you’d like to learn more about senior care benefits and Assisted Living Harford County MD at Broad Creek Manor or if you need help determining what your loved one needs, contact us to schedule a free facility tour.

[broadcreekmanorassistedliving]

Benefits of Assisted Living

Is assisted living the right choice for your parent or loved one?   When it becomes apparent that they need some additional help there are many questions you need to ask yourself:

What’s best for your senior parent or loved one?

What environment will best support their overall health and wellness?

Where will they be happiest?

These are tough questions that families must ask themselves. The answers are different for each family and situation.

To guide your decision, here are some of these key benefits of assisted living and the services assisted living facilities provide:

Safety and peace of mind

Family members no longer need worry about their loved one falling, being scammed, getting lost, eating healthy or taking the wrong medication. Assisted livings have trained staff on-site 24 hours a day to oversee and help your family members.

Increased activity

As we age, it’s more important than ever to remain physically and mentally active. Assisted living residents are offered numerous indoor and outdoor activities from gardening to yoga, and cultural events.

Social life

Isolation in seniors can lead to a host of problems from depression to poor health, mobility issues and more. It’s not uncommon for seniors to become isolated as they get older. In assisted living, residents become part of a loving, supportive community. They’re surrounded by people their own age and have many opportunities to socialize and enjoy the company of others.

Assistance with daily living activities

It’s important for seniors to retain their independence, yet also have the assistance they need. Assisted living provides residents with help, only as needed, with daily living activities, such as bathing, dressing or eating.

Better nutrition

Great food and nutrition are important for your senior loved one. At Broad Creek Manor, seniors get both. Our menu of home cooked meals is changed weekly and has been approved by a dietitian to deliver the best nutrition to our residents.

Assisted living enables seniors to enjoy social contact, security and support while still maintaining their independence.

Contact Us for a Tour

If you’d like to learn more about senior care benefits and Assisted Living Harford County MD at Broad Creek Manor or if you need help determining what your loved one needs, contact us to schedule a free facility tour.

[broadcreekmanorassistedliving]

How to Move an Elderly Parent into Assisted Living

Make the Right Moves: How to Move an Elderly Parent into Assisted Living

Getting older and coping with new medical problems, loss of memory, and change in financial status after retiring are all very stressful events for people as they age. Add moving out of the home you’ve lived in for years to the mix, and you have a recipe for major stress. The good news is, if you do a bit of research and a lot of planning, you can make the transition much easier. We’ve put together some tips on how to move an elderly parent into assisted living with the least amount of stress.

Let’s get started.

Choose the Right Assisted Living Facility If the move into assisted living is still a year or so away, you have the luxury of taking some time to research the various facilities. Check out their websites and brochures, and schedule in-person visits to get a feel for the community. Ask the same questions at each facility and compare their answers. Read their online reviews as well. Choose the community that feels right and fits your budget.

 Downsize, Downsize, Downsize If you know your elderly loved one will be moving at some point, start downsizing early. They’ve accumulated a lot over the years and may have kept everything that belonged to a spouse who passed away years ago. Help them make the tough decisions about what to leave to a family member, what to donate, keep, and even throw away. Be gentle, as many of their belongings have stories and emotions attached to them.

Visit One More Time, and Take Measurements Once your loved one has been accepted into an assisted living community and assigned a room, ask if you can come take measurements. While some facilities provide certain pieces of furniture, others let you bring your own furniture. Ask specific questions about what they provide, and what your loved one can and cannot bring. Determine what will fit and what needs to be sold at an estate sale or donated. Draw up a floor plan to scale, that you can use on move-in day.

Consider Hiring a Senior Relocation Company Working with a senior relocation company on the planned move can help reduce stress for both you and your loved one. The experts can help make the tough decisions and know of resources available. Create packing lists of all the things your loved one will need, from toiletries and medications to furniture and clothing. Be there to help them pack.

Deal with Utilities and the Mail Be prepared to be the one to handle all of the utility shutoffs. Cancel subscriptions or update the mailing address for magazines. Contact the postal service to give them the forwarding address.

Handle Health Care Before the Move Maryland law requires assisted living facilities to have an individualized plan of care for a resident BEFORE they move in. A medical evaluation and sharing of medical records is part of this. In addition, you will want to ensure you and your loved one know what sort of medical care is provided at their new residence. Arrange medical transport if needed to accommodate oxygen and a wheelchair, for example.

Moving Day Arrange to be at the assisted living residence when your parent’s belongings are moved in. If you took measurements before, and drew up a floor plan, you’ll be able to say what goes where, and not have to move things around. Add personal touches such as photographs, artwork, and favorite pillows or blankets.

Talk About the Benefits of Assisted Living Throughout this whole process, focus on the positives of the move. Your parent won’t have to worry about cooking, cleaning, or maintaining their home’s exterior. If they’ve been living alone, remind them they will have the opportunity to make new friends and explore new interests.

Check Out the Activities Look at the activity calendar together and circle several things of interest. Assisted living facilities generally have an online calendar as well as a printed calendar that residents can refer to. There may be games, crafts, music, gardening, exercise, movies, religious services, and other activities at specific times each week. There will likely also be special events at least once a month.

Eat a Meal Together Before you leave, stay for a bite to eat. Eating a first meal alone at assisted living can be anxiety-provoking. Do you remember the first day at a new school, looking around the cafeteria for a place to sit? It’s the same idea. The dining room can be the center of social activity. Help your loved one connect with other residents and staff.

By the time you leave, your loved one will be settled in their new space, and making new friends. You can schedule your next visit before you say your goodbyes, so they know when you’ll be back. We know that moving a loved one into assisted living isn’t easy for anyone, but we hope these tips can help smooth the transition.

RELATED READING

How to Talk to Your Aging Parents About Assisted Living Top 10 Signs It’s Time to Consider Assisted Living Benefits of Assisted Living

Thinking About Assisted Living in Harford County? Schedule a Tour

If you’re looking for assisted living in Harford County MD, we’re glad you found us. We offer residential assisted living in a smaller, home-like atmosphere. It’s important you and your loved one tour the assisted living facilities you’re considering so you can find the right fit. You also want a facility you can visit easily without a long drive. We’re conveniently located within about an hour’s drive from Baltimore as well as York and Lancaster counties in Pennsylvania. We offer custom tours on your schedule. Call 410-452-0004 to get started.

[broadcreekmanorassistedliving]

How Respite Care Lets Your Loved One Test the Waters of Assisted Living

If you’re taking care of an older loved one in your home or theirs, you know it can be physically and emotionally draining. You’re not alone.

According to the American Association of Retired People(AARP) 2020 Caregiving in the U.S. Report, 41.8 million Americans are caregivers for adults 50+ years of age. For most caregivers, they are caring for an aging parent, in-law, or spouse/partner.

Furthermore, the adult care recipient needs care due to one of several common issues:

63% have long-term physical or medical conditions. 27% have mental health or emotional issues. 32% have memory problems including Alzheimer’s or dementia.

What Is Respite Care?

Respite care is a service for caregivers like yourself. Trained professionals care for your loved one for a day to a month at a time. At Broad Creek Manor, we handle respite care arrangements on case-by-case basis, and you can schedule a respite stay for your loved one anywhere from a week to a month.

Respite care can give you the time you need to regroup, de-stress, and handle some of life’s other pressing matters, secure in the knowledge your loved one is being well cared for. At the same time, when you use our respite care services, your loved one gets to test the waters of what it’s like to live in assisted living.

It’s a test run, so to speak. This is especially important if you feel you can no longer handle the caregiving responsibilities because of increasing time demands and physical demands, or your loved one has become aggressive or combative.

What Respite Care at Broad Creek Manor Assisted Living Includes

We can’t say what respite care services include at other facilities, or what in-home respite services include, but we can tell you what is included here at our assisted living home: everything that is available to our fulltime residents.

This includes:

Medication management 24/7 caregiver support Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and toileting Group meals planned by a nutritionist Physical activity as tolerated Social activities like games, gardening, crafts, singing Religious services

While you handle what you need to, your loved one has a chance to determine if assisted living is a good fit. If they’re isolated at home, they may really like the social interaction at assisted living. They may even find that they make friends.

Deciding to Try Respite Care

It’s important to include your loved one in the decision to go to respite care. They need to know this is not a sneaky way to move them out of your (or their) home and into assisted living. Refer to it as a temporary stay that will benefit both of you.

Explore your local options for respite services, and involve your loved one in choosing where to go. Choose the dates carefully – check out scheduled activities that might be of interest, and plan the stay accordingly. Be sure your older adult knows the start and end dates.

Packing for the Stay

Help them pack for the stay with a few favorite clothing items as well as comfort items. These could include: Sweaters or jackets Comfortable yet attractive clothing and shoes Pajamas, robe, and slippers Medications Favorite pillow Family photos Favorite snacks iPad or tablet if they use one Books to read or puzzle books to work Knitting or other hobby materials

You get the idea. Don’t overdo the packing, but pack enough that the respite care room they stay in feels a bit like home.

Picking Up at the End of the Stay

Now, you will likely be in contact with your loved one via phone or email while they are in respite care, so you will know a little bit about how things are going. If they are enthused about their stay, the staff, the food, the people they’ve met, take time to learn more about the assisted living facility. Ask lots of questions. You may want to check out our FAQs page for questions to ask assisted living.

It just might be a good fit if it turns out a move to a new home is the right choice for your family.

RELATED READING

Signs It’s Time to Consider Assisted Living Benefits of Assisted Living

Schedule Respite Care or Call Us with Questions

If respite care sounds like a good option for you and your loved one, use the contact form or call us at 410-452-0004 with questions, and we will work with you to find the best dates and period of time for a respite stay. We’ll ask you pertinent questions about your loved one and their mental and physical health needs, and you can ask us any questions you may have.

We’re conveniently located in Whiteford, Maryland in Harford County. Our home within about an hour’s drive of Baltimore, York, PA, and Lancaster, PA.

[broadcreekmanorassistedliving]

Benefits of Assisted Living

 Is assisted living the right choice for your parent or loved one?   When it becomes apparent that they need some additional help there are many questions you need to ask yourself:

What’s best for your senior parent or loved one?

What environment will best support their overall health and wellness?

Where will they be happiest?

These are tough questions that families must ask themselves. The answers are different for each family and situation.

To guide your decision, here are some of these key benefits of assisted living and the services assisted living facilities provide:

Safety and peace of mind

Family members no longer need worry about their loved one falling, being scammed, getting lost, eating healthy or taking the wrong medication. Assisted livings have trained staff on-site 24 hours a day to oversee and help your family members.

Increased activity

As we age, it’s more important than ever to remain physically and mentally active. Assisted living residents are offered numerous indoor and outdoor activities from gardening to yoga, and cultural events.

Social life

Isolation in seniors can lead to a host of problems from depression to poor health, mobility issues and more. It’s not uncommon for seniors to become isolated as they get older. In assisted living, residents become part of a loving, supportive community. They’re surrounded by people their own age and have many opportunities to socialize and enjoy the company of others.

Assistance with daily living activities

It’s important for seniors to retain their independence, yet also have the assistance they need. Assisted living provides residents with help, only as needed, with daily living activities, such as bathing, dressing or eating.

Better nutrition

Great food and nutrition are important for your senior loved one. At Broad Creek Manor, seniors get both. Our menu of home cooked meals is changed weekly and has been approved by a dietitian to deliver the best nutrition to our residents.

Assisted living enables seniors to enjoy social contact, security and support while still maintaining their independence.

Contact Us for a Tour

If you’d like to learn more about senior care benefits and Assisted Living Harford County MD at Broad Creek Manor or if you need help determining what your loved one needs, contact us to schedule a free facility tour.

[broadcreekmanorassistedliving]

How to Move an Elderly Parent into Assisted Living

Make the Right Moves: How to Move an Elderly Parent into Assisted Living

Getting older and coping with new medical problems, loss of memory, and change in financial status after retiring are all very stressful events for people as they age. Add moving out of the home you’ve lived in for years to the mix, and you have a recipe for major stress. The good news is, if you do a bit of research and a lot of planning, you can make the transition much easier. We’ve put together some tips on how to move an elderly parent into assisted living with the least amount of stress.

Let’s get started.

Choose the Right Assisted Living Facility If the move into assisted living is still a year or so away, you have the luxury of taking some time to research the various facilities. Check out their websites and brochures, and schedule in-person visits to get a feel for the community. Ask the same questions at each facility and compare their answers. Read their online reviews as well. Choose the community that feels right and fits your budget.

Downsize, Downsize, Downsize If you know your elderly loved one will be moving at some point, start downsizing early. They’ve accumulated a lot over the years and may have kept everything that belonged to a spouse who passed away years ago. Help them make the tough decisions about what to leave to a family member, what to donate, keep, and even throw away. Be gentle, as many of their belongings have stories and emotions attached to them.

Visit One More Time, and Take Measurements Once your loved one has been accepted into an assisted living community and assigned a room, ask if you can come take measurements. While some facilities provide certain pieces of furniture, others let you bring your own furniture. Ask specific questions about what they provide, and what your loved one can and cannot bring. Determine what will fit and what needs to be sold at an estate sale or donated. Draw up a floor plan to scale, that you can use on move-in day.

Consider Hiring a Senior Relocation Company Working with a senior relocation company on the planned move can help reduce stress for both you and your loved one. The experts can help make the tough decisions and know of resources available. Create packing lists of all the things your loved one will need, from toiletries and medications to furniture and clothing. Be there to help them pack.

Deal with Utilities and the Mail Be prepared to be the one to handle all of the utility shutoffs. Cancel subscriptions or update the mailing address for magazines. Contact the postal service to give them the forwarding address.

Handle Health Care Before the Move Maryland law requires assisted living facilities to have an individualized plan of care for a resident BEFORE they move in. A medical evaluation and sharing of medical records is part of this. In addition, you will want to ensure you and your loved one know what sort of medical care is provided at their new residence. Arrange medical transport if needed to accommodate oxygen and a wheelchair, for example.

Moving Day Arrange to be at the assisted living residence when your parent’s belongings are moved in. If you took measurements before, and drew up a floor plan, you’ll be able to say what goes where, and not have to move things around. Add personal touches such as photographs, artwork, and favorite pillows or blankets.

Talk About the Benefits of Assisted Living Throughout this whole process, focus on the positives of the move. Your parent won’t have to worry about cooking, cleaning, or maintaining their home’s exterior. If they’ve been living alone, remind them they will have the opportunity to make new friends and explore new interests.

Check Out the Activities Look at the activity calendar together and circle several things of interest. Assisted living facilities generally have an online calendar as well as a printed calendar that residents can refer to. There may be games, crafts, music, gardening, exercise, movies, religious services, and other activities at specific times each week. There will likely also be special events at least once a month.

Eat a Meal Together Before you leave, stay for a bite to eat. Eating a first meal alone at assisted living can be anxiety-provoking. Do you remember the first day at a new school, looking around the cafeteria for a place to sit? It’s the same idea. The dining room can be the center of social activity. Help your loved one connect with other residents and staff.

By the time you leave, your loved one will be settled in their new space, and making new friends. You can schedule your next visit before you say your goodbyes, so they know when you’ll be back. We know that moving a loved one into assisted living isn’t easy for anyone, but we hope these tips can help smooth the transition.

RELATED READING

How to Talk to Your Aging Parents About Assisted Living Top 10 Signs It’s Time to Consider Assisted Living Benefits of Assisted Living

Thinking About Assisted Living in Harford County? Schedule a Tour

If you’re looking for assisted living in Harford County MD, we’re glad you found us. We offer residential assisted living in a smaller, home-like atmosphere. It’s important you and your loved one tour the assisted living facilities you’re considering so you can find the right fit. You also want a facility you can visit easily without a long drive. We’re conveniently located within about an hour’s drive from Baltimore as well as York and Lancaster counties in Pennsylvania. We offer custom tours on your schedule. Call 410-452-0004 to get started.

[broadcreekmanorassistedliving]

How Respite Care Lets Your Loved One Test the Waters of Assisted Living

If you’re taking care of an older loved one in your home or theirs, you know it can be physically and emotionally draining. You’re not alone.

According to the American Association of Retired People(AARP) 2020 Caregiving in the U.S. Report, 41.8 million Americans are caregivers for adults 50+ years of age. For most caregivers, they are caring for an aging parent, in-law, or spouse/partner.

Furthermore, the adult care recipient needs care due to one of several common issues:

63% have long-term physical or medical conditions. 27% have mental health or emotional issues. 32% have memory problems including Alzheimer’s or dementia.

What Is Respite Care?

Respite care is a service for caregivers like yourself. Trained professionals care for your loved one for a day to a month at a time. At Broad Creek Manor, we handle respite care arrangements on case-by-case basis, and you can schedule a respite stay for your loved one anywhere from a week to a month.

Respite care can give you the time you need to regroup, de-stress, and handle some of life’s other pressing matters, secure in the knowledge your loved one is being well cared for. At the same time, when you use our respite care services, your loved one gets to test the waters of what it’s like to live in assisted living.

It’s a test run, so to speak. This is especially important if you feel you can no longer handle the caregiving responsibilities because of increasing time demands and physical demands, or your loved one has become aggressive or combative.

What Respite Care at Broad Creek Manor Assisted Living Includes

We can’t say what respite care services include at other facilities, or what in-home respite services include, but we can tell you what is included here at our assisted living home: everything that is available to our fulltime residents.

This includes:

Medication management 24/7 caregiver support Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and toileting Group meals planned by a nutritionist Physical activity as tolerated Social activities like games, gardening, crafts, singing Religious services

While you handle what you need to, your loved one has a chance to determine if assisted living is a good fit. If they’re isolated at home, they may really like the social interaction at assisted living. They may even find that they make friends.

Deciding to Try Respite Care

It’s important to include your loved one in the decision to go to respite care. They need to know this is not a sneaky way to move them out of your (or their) home and into assisted living. Refer to it as a temporary stay that will benefit both of you.

Explore your local options for respite services, and involve your loved one in choosing where to go. Choose the dates carefully – check out scheduled activities that might be of interest, and plan the stay accordingly. Be sure your older adult knows the start and end dates.

Packing for the Stay

Help them pack for the stay with a few favorite clothing items as well as comfort items. These could include: Sweaters or jackets Comfortable yet attractive clothing and shoes Pajamas, robe, and slippers Medications Favorite pillow Family photos Favorite snacks iPad or tablet if they use one Books to read or puzzle books to work Knitting or other hobby materials

You get the idea. Don’t overdo the packing, but pack enough that the respite care room they stay in feels a bit like home.

Picking Up at the End of the Stay

Now, you will likely be in contact with your loved one via phone or email while they are in respite care, so you will know a little bit about how things are going. If they are enthused about their stay, the staff, the food, the people they’ve met, take time to learn more about the assisted living facility. Ask lots of questions. You may want to check out our FAQs page for questions to ask assisted living.

It just might be a good fit if it turns out a move to a new home is the right choice for your family.

RELATED READING

Signs It’s Time to Consider Assisted Living Benefits of Assisted Living

Schedule Respite Care or Call Us with Questions

If respite care sounds like a good option for you and your loved one, use the contact form or call us at 410-452-0004 with questions, and we will work with you to find the best dates and period of time for a respite stay. We’ll ask you pertinent questions about your loved one and their mental and physical health needs, and you can ask us any questions you may have.

We’re conveniently located in Whiteford, Maryland in Harford County. Our home within about an hour’s drive of Baltimore, York, PA, and Lancaster, PA.

[broadcreekmanorassistedliving]

Respite Care Before Assisted Living

How Respite Care Lets Your Loved One Test the Waters of Assisted Living

If you’re taking care of an older loved one in your home or theirs, you know it can be physically and emotionally draining. You’re not alone.

According to the American Association of Retired People(AARP) 2020 Caregiving in the U.S. Report, 41.8 million Americans are caregivers for adults 50+ years of age. For most caregivers, they are caring for an aging parent, in-law, or spouse/partner.

Furthermore, the adult care recipient needs care due to one of several common issues:

63% have long-term physical or medical conditions. 27% have mental health or emotional issues. 32% have memory problems including Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Did you know that respite care can help both you the caregiver, and your loved one?

What Is Respite Care?

Respite care is a service for caregivers like yourself. Trained professionals care for your loved one for a day to a month at a time. At Broad Creek Manor, we handle respite care arrangements on case-by-case basis, and you can schedule a respite stay for your loved one anywhere from a week to a month.

Respite care can give you the time you need to regroup, de-stress, and handle some of life’s other pressing matters, secure in the knowledge your loved one is being well cared for. At the same time, when you use our respite care services, your loved one gets to test the waters of what it’s like to live in assisted living.

It’s a test run, so to speak. This is especially important if you feel you can no longer handle the caregiving responsibilities because of increasing time demands and physical demands, or your loved one has become aggressive or combative.

What Respite Care at Broad Creek Manor Assisted Living Includes

We can’t say what respite care services include at other facilities, or what in-home respite services include, but we can tell you what is included here at our assisted living home: everything that is available to our fulltime residents.

This includes:

Medication management 24/7 caregiver support Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and toileting Group meals planned by a nutritionist Physical activity as tolerated Social activities like games, gardening, crafts, singing Religious services

While you handle what you need to, your loved one has a chance to determine if assisted living is a good fit. If they’re isolated at home, they may really like the social interaction at assisted living. They may even find that they make friends.

Deciding to Try Respite Care

It’s important to include your loved one in the decision to go to respite care. They need to know this is not a sneaky way to move them out of your (or their) home and into assisted living. Refer to it as a temporary stay that will benefit both of you.

Explore your local options for respite services, and involve your loved one in choosing where to go. Choose the dates carefully – check out scheduled activities that might be of interest, and plan the stay accordingly. Be sure your older adult knows the start and end dates.

Packing for the Stay

Help them pack for the stay with a few favorite clothing items as well as comfort items. These could include: Sweaters or jackets Comfortable yet attractive clothing and shoes Pajamas, robe, and slippers Medications Favorite pillow Family photos Favorite snacks iPad or tablet if they use one Books to read or puzzle books to work Knitting or other hobby materials

You get the idea. Don’t overdo the packing, but pack enough that the respite care room they stay in feels a bit like home.

Picking Up at the End of the Stay

Now, you will likely be in contact with your loved one via phone or email while they are in respite care, so you will know a little bit about how things are going. If they are enthused about their stay, the staff, the food, the people they’ve met, take time to learn more about the assisted living facility. Ask lots of questions. You may want to check out our FAQs page for questions to ask assisted living.

It just might be a good fit if it turns out a move to a new home is the right choice for your family.

RELATED READING

Signs It’s Time to Consider Assisted Living

Benefits of Assisted Living

Schedule Respite Care or Call Us with Questions

If respite care sounds like a good option for you and your loved one, use the contact form or call us at 410-452-0004 with questions, and we will work with you to find the best dates and period of time for a respite stay. We’ll ask you pertinent questions about your loved one and their mental and physical health needs, and you can ask us any questions you may have.

We’re conveniently located in Whiteford, Maryland in Harford County. Our home within about an hour’s drive of Baltimore, York, PA, and Lancaster, PA.

[broadcreekmanorassistedliving]

Assisted Living vs Nursing Home: What You Need to Know

If you have aging parents who are having trouble remembering to take their medications, forget to pay the bills, or have mobility issues that make their own home an unsafe place, you’re looking for options.

When it comes to senior living, there are several levels of care, including in-home care, assisted living, and a nursing home. In a previous blog, we went over assisted living vs in-home care. Today we’ll look at assisted living vs a nursing home.

There are several big differences that will help dictate which option is right for your loved one. You should make the decision together, along with your loved one’s doctors. Let’s get started.

1.     Level of Care

The level of care differs greatly between the two types of facilities. Let’s compare.

           Assisted Living

           In an assisted living environment, your loved one receives, at a minimum:

·         Help with medication management.

·         Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as dressing, bathing, etc.

·         Meal preparation is generally included, along with snacks, open coffee/tea bar, etc.

·         Housekeeping and laundry service is provided.

·         Doctors or a nurse may make scheduled visits to see residents for basic care.

·         Emergency care requires transport off site.

Nursing Home

In a nursing home environment, most people are there because they need a higher level of personal care as well as medical care. A senior might need to be in a nursing home if they are unable to feed themselves, have significant mobility issues, require regular injections, or have a progressive medical condition.

Care includes:

·         Medication management and administration, including injections.

·         Assistance with ADLs or full care for bathing, feeding a resident, etc.

·         All meals provided, much like a hospital.

·         Housekeeping and laundry service included.

·         Some medical services and emergency care provided on site.

·         24/7 skilled nursing care provided.

2.     Medical Staff on Duty

In general, a stand-alone assisted living facility will have staff on duty 24/7, but they are not licensed medical professionals. In a medical emergency, they might call a nurse or doctor on call, or call for an ambulance.

Nursing homes are known as skilled nursing facilities for a reason. They have a skilled nursing staff on duty 24/7 to provide needed injections, take care of minor medical procedures, and more. Under Maryland law, the medical director of a nursing home must be a physician, and there must always be a doctor available to nursing home staff.

A nursing home will also provide medical transport to a hospital if needed.

3.     Level of Social Activities

Assisted living communities in general have a higher level of social activities, as their seniors are healthier and more engaged. But nursing homes should also offer a range of activities to engage their residents. Some skilled nursing facilities are better than others at providing social activities.

For both types of facilities, activities might include:

·         Board games/card games

·         Crafts

·         Hobby clubs

·         Music programs

·         Holiday and birthday parties

·         Religious services

In assisted living, many people will attend these activities and get fully involved. In a nursing home environment, attendance might be sparse, but it is important to have these activities to stimulate senior’s minds and bodies.

4.     Living Space

In assisted living, residents have either a private room or a shared room and bathroom that they share with a friend or a spouse. There is also plenty of common space for activities, and usually an outside area that residents can enjoy.

In a nursing home environment, rooms may be private or shared with a stranger. Many rooms may be equipped with hospital-style beds, lending rooms a less cozy feel than an assisted living room. There are generally fewer common areas, and no outside areas residents can go to unaccompanied.

5.     How You Pay for Care

The cost of assisted living is generally paid out of pocket – either from funds the senior has accumulated over the years, a long-term care insurance policy, or by a family member. There are some assistance programs available.

Most nursing home care is paid for by Medicaid, but a senior would have to spend down their own assets (sell the house, use retirement funds) before Medicaid coverage would kick in. Medicare will cover some costs if you have a short stay at a skilled nursing facility after hospitalization to recover from surgery or a health condition.

When to Move from Assisted Living to a Nursing Home

The decision to move into assisted living from one’s own home is a big one. So is the decision to transition from assisted living to a nursing home. The decision is a personal one, and one that is usually made for medical reasons. Nursing homes frequently require a physical examination and a doctor’s prescription, as well as state approval for someone to enter a nursing home.

As we have said, assisted living is a good communal living situation for seniors who need assistance with ADLs, medication management, and need more social interaction than they were getting living at home. But seniors in assisted living don’t need round the clock medical care.

If your loved one is having more and more frequent medical problems resulting in trips to the doctor or hospitalization, it may be time to look into transitioning to a nursing home where they can get round-the-clock medical care.

In Maryland, the state Oversight Committee on Quality of Care in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities is focused on improving the quality of care in both types of facilities. Before you choose a facility of either type, be sure to do your research, and visit numerous facilities.

RELATED READING

Top 10 Signs It’s Time to Consider Assisted Living

What Is Memory Care?

Schedule a Visit to Our Assisted Living Home Today

If you’re looking to find the right assisted living Harford County MD facility for an aging loved one who needs help caring for themselves, contact us today to schedule a tour of our facilities. Use the contact form or call us at 410-452-0004.

Broad Creek Manor Assisted Living is conveniently located in Harford County, Maryland, within a short drive of Baltimore County and Cecil County, as well as York and Lancaster counties in Pennsylvania.

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Top 10 Signs It’s Time to Consider Assisted Living

Most folks would really like to measure in our own homes for as long as possible. But for many seniors, there comes a time when living reception alone or maybe living with a beloved is not any longer an honest , or safe idea. Trying to determine if a parent or loved one should move to an assisted living community can be a stressful situation, and you may question yourself. Ideally, you ought to have a conversation about the likelihood of assisted living before you’ve got an urgent situation. This gives the senior in your life time to think about the thought , and are available to grips with it. It might help to know that you’re not alone.

According to some assisted living facts and figures from the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and therefore the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), quite 811,000 American seniors reside in one among nearly 29,000 assisted living facilities across the country. If you’re even reading this, you recognize that assisted living provides 24-hour care and help with activities of daily living (ADLs). It also provides social interaction for a beloved . But does one know the highest signs that indicate it’s going to be time to think about assisted living for your loved one? Keep reading to learn more.

Their Health Is Failing

This is not an automatic sign that it’s time for assisted living. You may be ready to assist with medications and therapy appointments, otherwise you can hire a home health aide. But if their health continues to say no and that they need 24-hour supervision, assisted living could be an honest solution. Talk with their physician and get their opinion. They may have already broached the subject with your loved one.

They’re Having Accidents or Falls More Often

Mobility issues can cause seniors to trip and go over the corner of a rug, or on the steps . This can end in as little as hurt pride and a couple of bruises, or the maximum amount as a broken hip. You can attempt to prevent falls by getting obviate area rugs and other potential obstacles, and found out a bed downstairs in order that they don’t need to navigate stairs. In assisted living, staff is usually around to help and stop falls.

Their Personal Hygiene is Lacking

If you notice your normally fastidious father features a slight smell of body odour or urine, or has not combed his hair, you’ll want to think about assisted living, where they can help with bathing and hygiene. The same thing goes for your mother, who normally does her hair, makeup, and nails. If you notice she isn’t “keeping up her appearance,” she could also be too tired or too forgetful roll in the hay.

They’re Not Eating Properly

If you don’t live near your parent, you’ll not realize they’re not eating properly until you choose a visit to their home. Do they look like they’ve lost weight? Is their refrigerator empty apart from a few of items? Are the pantry shelves crammed with junk food? Grocery shopping and cooking can become huge challenges for a few seniors. At an assisted living community, your loved one will have:

3 home-cooked meals a day

Nutritionally balanced meals

Healthy snacks and drinks always available

Accommodations for special diets

The opportunity to gather for group meals in a dining room

The House Is Dirty or Dangerous

We don’t mean things are a little dusty. When your mom usually has everything put away neatly, but subsequent time you visit there are piles of dirty dishes within the kitchen and dirty linen strewn around the house, that’s a red flag. Piles of stuff everywhere the house can attract roaches and rodents, and pose trip hazards. The house can also be dangerous if your parent is susceptible to wandering and lives near a busy street.

They Are Socially Isolated

If your parent or beloved doesn’t drive anymore and that they live alone, programs like Meals on Wheels and frequent visits from you’ll help. But an assisted living community would give them the social interaction they crave, and need. Isolation can increase the danger of mental decline, also as a number of medical problems.

They Can’t continue with the Bills or Make Odd Expenditures

This can be caused by simple forgetfulness, or amnesia . You or a sibling could also be ready to take over paying the bills, a minimum of temporarily. This will make sure the power doesn’t get shut off, for instance . Another sign it’s going to be time to think about assisted living is that if your beloved puts thousands of dollars on a mastercard buying things they don’t need, or starts making huge donations to TV personalities.

Memory Loss Is Causing Serious Problems

We all forget things from time to time. But if amnesia is causing serious problems, it’s going to be time to think about a move to an assisted living memory care unit. Examples of serious problems would include:

They left a pot on the stove and it started a kitchen fire.

They drove to the grocery store but got lost on the way home.

They think they’re living during a time gone past and wander, trying to seek out someone or some place.

They’ve Become Angry and Aggressive

Another sign that assisted living could also be an honest living situation is that if your beloved has become angry and aggressive. this will be related to amnesia , and may be a dangerous situation for both the senior and therefore the caregiver. An assisted living facility will have staff who are trained to affect aggressive situations and keep your beloved safe.

They Need More Help Than you’ll Give

If you reside nearby your parent or beloved , you’ll be stopping in on a day to day . you’ll even have them living in your house so you’ll look after them. But if amnesia is causing serious problems, or they need become angry and aggressive, or if you’ve got began to feel angry and resentful about the quantity of care they require, a move to assisted living might be the right solution

If you’re considering moving to an assisted living community, or you’re researching for your parents, we welcome you to explore all that Broad Creek Manor Assisted Living has got to offer. Please explore our website for answers to some commonly asked questions. To schedule a tour of our assisted living home, call us at 410-452-0004 or you can also use the contact form.

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Making the Holidays in Assisted Living Merry and Bright

Here at Broad Creek Manor Assisted Living, we know that the holidays can be a lonely time for some of our residents, and we work extra hard to bring some holiday cheer to make things merry and bright. If you have a loved one here, we welcome your suggestions. We also welcome you to join us at any time.

Here are some of our ideas:

1.     Deck the Halls (and Their Room)

We usually have one main Christmas tree, but you can provide a tabletop tree for your loved one. We like to decorate with garlands and paper snowflakes as well. To help your loved one decorate their room, consider wrapping the door in gift wrap and ribbon like a big package.

Other options include bringing them special winter bedding as well as holiday towels, decorative pillows, and possibly favorite decorations from when they lived in their own home. You can also create a Christmas card holder to display the cards they receive. It can be something as simple as twine or ribbon strung across a window, where you hold cards in place with clothespins.

2.     Make Music

This can include letting the assisted living facility know which songs are your loved one’s favorites to get them added to a playlist that can be heard in communal spaces such as the dining area. While the assisted living activities director may arrange a singalong for residents, you can also arrange to have your church youth group or other youth group come caroling at the center.

3.     Get Crafty

Many seniors enjoy arts and crafts and it is a great social activity. Wreath making, decorating stockings, making ornaments, and making gingerbread houses are all fun to do. Residents can give some of these crafts as gifts, or use them to decorate their room.

4.     Join in the Festivities

You can visit your loved one in assisted living any time you like. But during the holidays, it can be especially lonely for some seniors. Talk with your siblings and make time for joining in the facility festivities such as decorating, a singalong, or baking cookies.

5.     Holiday Movie Extravaganza

Movie night (or afternoon) is always fun, especially with some of the holiday classics such as It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas, The Grinch, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and more. If you have a collection of holiday movie DVDs, feel free to loan them to Broad Creek Manor.

6.     Get Santa to Pay a Visit

Arranging with a local Santa to visit and bring small gifts to residents is always a hit. You can help by making suggestions of gifts that your loved one might appreciate based on conversations you’ve been having.

A Note to Local Businesses and Groups

If you find that you would like to increase your charitable giving as the year comes to a close, please remember older adults in assisted living. Donations of small gifts, gift cards, food items, floral arrangements, craft supplies, etc. are always welcome. You can also offer to donate your time, depending on what your business is.

A shout out to some local businesses who have offered products and servicesin the last year:

·         DH Storm Photography

·         Stark Farms

·         A number of local churches

·         Local Girl Scout troops

·         Tracey Properties

RELATED READING

How to Talk to Your Aging Parents About Assisted Living

How Respite Care Lets Your Loved One Test the Waters of Assisted Living

Benefits of Assisted Living

Schedule an Assisted Living Tour Today

If you or a loved one are contemplating the transition to assisted living, you’ll want to explore your options. At Broad Creek Manor, our trained staff strive to make this feel like home. We’re conveniently located in a tranquil setting in Harford County, Maryland, around an hour’s drive from Baltimore, as well as York and Lancaster counties in Pennsylvania.

To schedule a tour, please fill out the contact form, or call us at 410-452-0004. We look forward to meeting you!

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Assisted Living vs Home Care: Which Is Better?

When an older loved one can no longer care for themselves, or they are approaching that situation, it’s time to decide how best to provide them with the care and assistance they need. If you or another family member are not able to be the caregiver, you may be faced with choosing between assisted living and home care.

Making the right choice for you and your loved one involves many factors, both personal and financial. What’s right for one family may not be for another. Which is better may depend on your loved one’s specific situation.

To help you make your decision, you may want to consider 3 essential factors: how much care and assistance they need, key differences between assisted living vs home care, and their financial situation (and yours).

1. DetermineHow Much Help They Need

Before making any decisions about where they will live, you need to figure out how much help your older adult needs and if you and your family members can provide some of that help.

Start by making a list of everything your loved one needs help with on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. This can include things like transportation, help with meals, assistance with medications, help with bathing, housekeeping, and more. Looking at the big picture helps you choose the correct level of care.

Next, be realistic about how much help you, your family, and friends will provide. If you live in the same town as your older adult, you may be able to offer more help than if you live in another state. Your loved one may even be able to move in with you.

It’s important to think in terms of long-term, ongoing help. It’s a big commitment. After comparing how much help is needed and how much help you and others can provide, you’ll have a better idea of the tasks your loved one will need additional help with.

In some cases, looking at this list makes it obvious that in-home care is the best option. In other cases, assisted living might be the best choice.

2. Learn Aboutthe MainDifferences between the Two Options

It’s important to understand the differences between in-home care and assisted living so you and your loved one can make an informed decision. Let’s start with the basics of how each type of care works, and key pros and cons for each.

In-Home CareIn-home care is when you hire one or more caregivers to come into the home to help your senior with activities of daily living (ADLs). This allows your loved one to continue living safely at home.

The specific help provided depends on your loved one’s needs and how much help you and others are already providing. In-home care can include meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation, assistance with bathing, dressing, using the toilet, etc.

Pros

·         Senior gets one-on-one care tailored to them.

·         They can stay in their home or a relative’s home as they get older.

·         Costs may be lower depending on hours of care needed.

·         Older adult gets to know one assigned caregiver, rather than being cared for by many different people.

·         Flexibility: different types of care can be combined to lower costs, increase social interaction, or provide medical-type care – family help, adult day programs, privately-hired caregivers, agency caregivers, and home health care

Cons

·         High costs if 24/7 care is needed, as care is billed by the hour.

·         Family needs to be fully involved in hiring and managing caregivers and ensuring there is a backup plan for care.

·         Increased potential for social isolation, which can contribute to depression, cognitive decline, or health problems.

·         You may need to modify the home for aging in place by installing a wheelchair ramp, widening doorways, installing grab bars, etc.

·         You or someone you hire still needs to provide housekeeping and home maintenance, as well as buy groceries, personal care, and household supplies.

Assisted LivingAn assisted living facility or residential care home is a place where multiple seniors live, in rooms or small apartments. Spouses or best friends can live together and receive individualized care.

Most assisted living communities offer a wide range of care options, from seniors who are mostly independent to those who need a higher level of care.

Meals, group activities, and housekeeping are usually included in the monthly fee.

Pros

·         It’s more affordable than in-home care if you need 24/7 supervision and care.

·         You don’t need to worry about hiring, scheduling, or managing caregivers.

·         The family can focus more on a loving relationship rather than on care needs.

·         Your loved one has more opportunities for social interaction with other residents.

·         The level of care can increase as needed with staff already in place.

·         Each resident gets a personalized care plan.

Cons

·         The quality of care may vary based on individual staff.

·         Your senior may not enjoy a group living environment.

Now that you know more about assisted living vs in-home care, you may be close to deciding which environment is best for your loved one. The next thing to consider is cost of care.

3. Money Matters

Before you can make a choice between assisted living or in-home care, you need to know how each choice would work within your budget and your older adult’s budget. Will you and other family members be able to help out financially? Does your loved one have the financial ability to pay for assisted living?

It’s important to note that Medicare does not pay for assisted living, and only covers home health care on a part-time basis.

It’s important to figure out care costs ahead of time so that you can make a long-term care budget that’s realistic. The easiest way to do this is to call around to get actual pricing information from assisted living communities you’re considering as well as in-home care providers you might hire.

According to Genworth's Cost of Care Survey, the 2020 national average monthly cost for in-home care for 44 hours of care per weekwas $4,481. The 2020 national average monthly cost for assisted living was $4,300. Remember, that these are just ballpark figures, and the costs may be higher or lower depending upon whatstate and city your senior lives in and what services they need.

If running the numbers becomes overwhelming, ask a trusted relative or friend for help. Or, talk with a reputable financial adviser or accountant.

Let’s take a look at the key costs you’ll need to consider:

In-home care costs

·         Hours of care x caregiver hourly rate

·         Groceries and meal preparation costs

·         Housekeeping and laundry costs

·         Household supplies

·         Personal care supplies

·         Transportation cost

·         Rent or mortgage payments and property taxes

·         Utilities costs

·         Home and yard maintenance costs

Assisted Living CostsAssisted living fees vary by community. You will want to ask each facility for a cost breakdown of what is included in the monthly rate, and what extra fees there are.

Common fees include:

·         Monthly base rate (will vary for a private or shared room)

·         Meals, in-room dining, or snacks (should be included in base rate)

·         Housekeeping and laundry (may be included in base rate)

·         Additional fees for memory care

·         Personal care supplies

·         Overnight visitors

After crunching the numbers, you’ll have a good idea of which option is the most cost-effective one for your loved one.

If you’re looking for a residential assisted living home in Maryland, we hope you’ll consider Broad Creek Manor Assisted Living. We’re located on 23 idyllic acres in Harford County. Contact us today to schedule a tour or ask any questions you might have.

RELATED READING

Top 10 Signs It’s Time to Consider Assisted Living

Benefits of Assisted Living

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Choosing Commercial Electricians

No matter what your business type, observing qualified experts when you really want them is the way in to an effective business. Picking business circuit repairmen is no less significant. It ought to be recollected that most business electrical experts have a specialty of some sort. This is one reason that it is essential to know the issues before you search out help.

Choose if you are picking business electrical experts for new development or overhauling old structures. Perhaps you are searching for assist with fixes of momentum electrical work. These things are vital to viewing as the right proficient. Assuming you are searching for an electrical technician you might need to consider reaching your nearby Electrical Contractors Association for a posting of neighborhood project workers.

Agreeing the Georgia Board of Construction Industry Licensing Board, for instance, there are more than 8,000 non-private authorized workers for hire in the state. This can make picking business electrical experts for your venture a piece overpowering. It is empowering to realize that Georgia state laws, under Chapter 14 of Title 43, expect that electrical experts acquire a state permit before they are permitted to fill in as an Atlanta region electrical expert. Affirming that the project worker you are thinking about is completely authorized should be possible by reaching the Secretary of State in your state.

It is vital that you are straightforward with the possible project worker about your course of events and your assumptions. Also, they can work with you all the more effectively assuming they are surrendered data front in regards to your financial plan restrictions. While picking business electrical experts for your undertaking, regardless of whether you are reworking a whole place of business or building new apartment suites and need full electrical, getting a statement before you settle on a decision is fundamental.

All electrical workers for hire ought to have a full handle of the 2011 National Electrical Code (NEC) to guarantee that they are acting in consistence with public guidelines in regards to both establishment and fix. This code changes on a long term premise and is viewed as the "holy book" for every single electrical project worker, paying little heed to strength.

One more piece of picking business electrical technicians for your undertaking is guaranteeing that they can give brilliant references. This should be a simple cycle for the worker for hire and permits you to perceive how past clients had an outlook on their last work. You could likewise affirm with the neighborhood authorizing board and Secretary of State that there have been no bad things to say documented against the project worker you are thinking about. They are glad to give this data and you can really discover some of it on the web. The right proficient business electrical project worker will assist you with finishing the current task quickly and securely.

If you need a licensed Commercial electrician Cecil County MD for repairs and upgrades at your Baltimore area business, office complex, or manufacturing plant, we can help. Call now.

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Benefits of Assisted Living

Is assisted living the right choice for your parent or loved one?   When it becomes apparent that they need some additional help there are many questions you need to ask yourself:

What’s best for your senior parent or loved one?

What environment will best support their overall health and wellness?

Where will they be happiest?

These are tough questions that families must ask themselves. The answers are different for each family and situation.

To guide your decision, here are some of these key benefits of assisted living and the services assisted living facilities provide:

Safety and peace of mind

Family members no longer need worry about their loved one falling, being scammed, getting lost, eating healthy or taking the wrong medication. Assisted livings have trained staff on-site 24 hours a day to oversee and help your family members.

Increased activity

As we age, it’s more important than ever to remain physically and mentally active. Assisted living residents are offered numerous indoor and outdoor activities from gardening to yoga, and cultural events.

Social life

Isolation in seniors can lead to a host of problems from depression to poor health, mobility issues and more. It’s not uncommon for seniors to become isolated as they get older. In assisted living, residents become part of a loving, supportive community. They’re surrounded by people their own age and have many opportunities to socialize and enjoy the company of others.

Assistance with daily living activities

It’s important for seniors to retain their independence, yet also have the assistance they need. Assisted living provides residents with help, only as needed, with daily living activities, such as bathing, dressing or eating.

Better nutrition

Great food and nutrition are important for your senior loved one. At Broad Creek Manor, seniors get both. Our menu of home cooked meals is changed weekly and has been approved by a dietitian to deliver the best nutrition to our residents.

Assisted living enables seniors to enjoy social contact, security and support while still maintaining their independence.

Contact Us for a Tour If you’d like to learn more about senior care benefits and Assisted Living Harford County MD at Broad Creek Manor or if you need help determining what your loved one needs, contact us to schedule a free facility tour.

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How Respite Care Lets Your Loved One Test the Waters of Assisted Living

If you’re taking care of an older loved one in your home or theirs, you know it can be physically and emotionally draining. You’re not alone.

According to the American Association of Retired People(AARP) 2020 Caregiving in the U.S. Report, 41.8 million Americans are caregivers for adults 50+ years of age. For most caregivers, they are caring for an aging parent, in-law, or spouse/partner.

Furthermore, the adult care recipient needs care due to one of several common issues:

63% have long-term physical or medical conditions. 27% have mental health or emotional issues. 32% have memory problems including Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Did you know that respite care can help both you the caregiver, and your loved one?What Is Respite Care?

Respite care is a service for caregivers like yourself. Trained professionals care for your loved one for a day to a month at a time. At Broad Creek Manor, we handle respite care arrangements on case-by-case basis, and you can schedule a respite stay for your loved one anywhere from a week to a month.

Respite care can give you the time you need to regroup, de-stress, and handle some of life’s other pressing matters, secure in the knowledge your loved one is being well cared for. At the same time, when you use our respite care services, your loved one gets to test the waters of what it’s like to live in assisted living.

It’s a test run, so to speak. This is especially important if you feel you can no longer handle the caregiving responsibilities because of increasing time demands and physical demands, or your loved one has become aggressive or combative.

What Respite Care at Broad Creek Manor Assisted Living Includes

We can’t say what respite care services include at other facilities, or what in-home respite services include, but we can tell you what is included here at our assisted living home: everything that is available to our fulltime residents.

This includes:

Medication management 24/7 caregiver support Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and toileting Group meals planned by a nutritionist Physical activity as tolerated Social activities like games, gardening, crafts, singing Religious services

While you handle what you need to, your loved one has a chance to determine if assisted living is a good fit. If they’re isolated at home, they may really like the social interaction at assisted living. They may even find that they make friends.

Deciding to Try Respite Care

It’s important to include your loved one in the decision to go to respite care. They need to know this is not a sneaky way to move them out of your (or their) home and into assisted living. Refer to it as a temporary stay that will benefit both of you.

Explore your local options for respite services, and involve your loved one in choosing where to go. Choose the dates carefully – check out scheduled activities that might be of interest, and plan the stay accordingly. Be sure your older adult knows the start and end dates.

Packing for the Stay

Help them pack for the stay with a few favorite clothing items as well as comfort items. These could include: Sweaters or jackets Comfortable yet attractive clothing and shoes Pajamas, robe, and slippers Medications Favorite pillow Family photos Favorite snacks iPad or tablet if they use one Books to read or puzzle books to work Knitting or other hobby materials

You get the idea. Don’t overdo the packing, but pack enough that the respite care room they stay in feels a bit like home.

RELATED READING

Signs It’s Time to Consider Assisted Living Benefits of Assisted Living

Picking Up at the End of the Stay

Now, you will likely be in contact with your loved one via phone or email while they are in respite care, so you will know a little bit about how things are going. If they are enthused about their stay, the staff, the food, the people they’ve met, take time to learn more about the assisted living facility. Ask lots of questions. You may want to check out our FAQs page for questions to ask assisted living.

It just might be a good fit if it turns out a move to a new home is the right choice for your family.

Schedule Respite Care or Call Us with Questions

If respite care sounds like a good option for you and your loved one, use the contact form or call us at 410-452-0004 with questions, and we will work with you to find the best dates and period of time for a respite stay. We’ll ask you pertinent questions about your loved one and their mental and physical health needs, and you can ask us any questions you may have. We’re conveniently located in Whiteford, Maryland in Harford County. Our home within about an hour’s drive of Baltimore, York, PA, and Lancaster, PA.

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Make the Right Moves: How to Move an Elderly Parent into Assisted Living

Getting older and coping with new medical problems, loss of memory, and change in financial status after retiring are all very stressful events for people as they age. Add moving out of the home you’ve lived in for years to the mix, and you have a recipe for major stress.

The good news is, if you do a bit of research and a lot of planning, you can make the transition much easier. We’ve put together some tips on how to move an elderly parent into assisted living with the least amount of stress.

Let’s get started.

1.    Choose the Right Assisted Living Facility

If the move into assisted living is still a year or so away, you have the luxury of taking some time to research the various facilities. Check out their websites and brochures, and schedule in-person visits to get a feel for the community. Ask the same questions at each facility and compare their answers. Read their online reviews as well. Choose the community that feels right and fits your budget.

2.    Downsize, Downsize, Downsize

Again, if you know your elderly loved one will be moving at some point, start downsizing early. They’ve accumulated a lot over the years, and may have kept everything that belonged to a spouse who passed away years ago.

Help them make the tough decisions about what to leave to a family member donate, keep, and even throw away. Be gentle, as many of their belongings have stories and emotions attached to them.

3.    Visit One More Time, and Take Measurements

Once your loved one has been accepted into an assisted living community and assigned a room, ask if you can come take measurements. While some facilities provide certain pieces of furniture, others let you bring your own furniture. Ask specific questions about what they provide, and what your loved one can and cannot bring.

Determine what will fit and what needs to be sold at an estate sale or donated. Draw up a floor plan to scale, that you can use on move-in day.

4.    Consider Hiring a Senior Relocation Company

Working with a senior relocation company on the planned move can help reduce stress for both you and your loved one. The experts can help make the tough decisions, and know of resources available. Create packing lists of all the things your loved one will need, from toiletries and medications to furniture and clothing. Be there to help them pack.

5.    Deal with Utilities and the Mail

Be prepared to be the one to handle all of the utility shutoffs. Cancel subscriptions or update the mailing address for magazines. Contact the postal service to give them the forwarding address.

6.    Handle Health Care Before the Move

Maryland law requires assisted living facilities to have an individualized plan of care for a resident BEFORE they move in. A medical evaluation and sharing of medical records is part of this. In addition, you will want to ensure you and your loved one know what sort of medical care is provided at their new residence. Arrange medical transport if needed to accommodate oxygen and a wheelchair, for example.

7.    Moving Day

Arrange to be at the assisted living residence when your parent’s belongings are moved in. If you took measurements before, and drew up a floor plan, you’ll be able to say what goes where, and not have to move things around. Add personal touches such as photographs, artwork, and favorite pillows or blankets.

8.    Talk About the Benefits of Assisted Living

Throughout this whole process, focus on the positives of the move. Your parent won’t have to worry about cooking, cleaning, or maintaining their home’s exterior. If they’ve been living alone, remind them they will have the opportunity to make new friends and explore new interests.

9.    Check Out the Activities

Look at the activity calendar together, and circle several things of interest. Assisted living facilities generally have an online calendar as well as a printed calendar that residents can refer to. There may be games, crafts, music, gardening, exercise, movies, religious services, and other activities at specific times each week. There will likely also be special events at least once a month.

10.  Eat a Meal Together

Before you leave, stay for a bite to eat. Eating a first meal alone at assisted living can be anxiety-provoking. Do you remember the first day at a new school, looking around the cafeteria for a place to sit? It’s the same idea. The dining room can be the center of social activity. Help your loved one connect with other residents and staff.

By the time you leave, your loved one will be settled in their new space, and making new friends. You can schedule your next visit before you say your goodbyes, so they know when you’ll be back.

We know that moving a loved one into assisted living isn’t easy for anyone, but we hope these tips can help smooth the transition.

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Benefits of Assisted Living

Thinking About Assisted Living in Harford County? Schedule a Tour

If you’re looking for assisted living inHarford County MD, we’re glad you found us. We offer residential assisted living in a smaller, home-like atmosphere. It’s important you and your loved one tour the assisted living facilities you’re considering so you can find the right fit. You also want a facility you can visit easily without a long drive. We’re conveniently located within about an hour’s drive from Baltimore as well as York and Lancaster counties in Pennsylvania.

We offer custom tours on your schedule. Call 410-452-0004 to get started.

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The Importance of Sunshine for Seniors

As the weather warms up here in Maryland, it’s time to start getting outside more. While we can all benefit from some sunshine, it’s especially important for seniors. And it’s possible to get the right amount of sunshine while avoiding the harmful UV rays that can cause skin cancer.

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of sunshine for seniors:

1.    Sunshine Helps Prevent Vitamin D Deficiency

Let’s face it. Most elderly seniors are not getting outside and doing the yard work or getting outside much at all. That means they’re not getting natural Vitamin D, fondly known as the Sunshine Vitamin. 10-30 minutes of sunshine a day can prevent vitamin D deficiency. Schedule time outside as weather permits.

2.    Sunshine and Vitamin D Reduce Health Risks for Seniors

Getting enough natural vitamin D can help seniors of all ages. Some of the health benefits include:

Help Maintain Bone Health

Maintaining bone health is especially important for seniors. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 16% of seniors suffer from osteoporosis, also known as brittle bone disease. Elderly women are at a greater risk. By getting the right amount of vitamin D and exercise, seniors can reduce their risk of developing osteoporosis.

Even a short walk outside can make a big difference.

3.    Sunshine Boosts Senior Mental Health

Who doesn’t feel happier on a sunny day? Sunshine and vitamin D can not only boost a senior’s mood but can also help combat elderly depression. If just getting out in the sun doesn’t improve your outlook, the changing colors of springtime and the singing birds will! And getting outside with someone else can help ease any sense of isolation your senior is feeling.

4.    Sunshine Can Help Seniors Sleep Better

Seniors who spend all of their time indoors with little to no exposure to sunshine may throw their body clock out of whack. For our circadian rhythm to work most effectively, we need to be exposed to sunshine during the day and darkness at night. Sun exposure tells the body it’s daytime, resulting in increased attentiveness and alertness.

Getting sunshine exposure during the day can also boost our night-time production of melatonin (the sleep hormone).

There are many other benefits of seniors getting enough sunshine, but these are the main ones. If your elderly parent or friend lives alone, try and make it a point to sit with them outside on a sunny day. Whether at their own home or a local park, getting outside and getting some sunshine will do their mind, body, and soul some good. They might not be inclined to go outside without someone to accompany them.

Sunshine at Broad Creek Manor Assisted Living

As part of our standard of care for our residents here at Broad Creek Manor, we strive to provide plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities when the weather permits. We know that getting plenty of sunshine and Vitamin D is vital. We have well-maintained grounds to walk on in supervised groups, as well as a covered deck.

Thinking About Assisted Living in Harford County? Schedule a Tour

If your loved one can’t take care of themselves anymore, or you as a caregiver are not able to meet their increasing needs, assisted living harford country may be a good solution. Broad Creek Manor is located in northern Harford County at the mouth of Broad Creek with views of the Susquehanna River.

Our residents have plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy the sun and get their vitamin D the natural way. We welcome you to schedule a tour to see all that we have to offer. Just fill out the contact form or call 410-452-0004.