Specialist Assisted Living Communities: The Subtleties
When it comes to specialist assisted living communities, people often talk about medical and emotional support for the elderly. However, there’s much more to assisted living communities than meets the eye.
In fact, here are some of the lesser-known and talked about facts of assisted living communities.
There are Different Levels of Care Options
Unlike nursing homes that are regulated by the federal government, assisted living communities are regulated by the state they operate in. Due to the lack of a unified regulatory system, assisted living and the care provided can vary from one state to another. This can be confusing for many people because it implies that not all assisted living communities are equal.
Some are cost-effective but provide lesser care options while others provide quality care and offer a more residential approach. However, it’s important to know if the assisted living community is licensed by the state or not.
The most popular level care options are assisted living and memory care. Memory care is a more intense level of assisted living, provided to people who’re facing memory loss.
Every Community is Different
Since care levels vary in different communities that structure and environment vary too. While some communities have a more clinical and formal surrounding, there are many communities that aspire to provide a more homely and warm ambiance to their residents.
The size and plan of apartments in different communities vary as well. While some communities may have a uniform and standard floor plan, the best communities provide a multitude of floor plans that can accommodate different budgets and needs, such as apartments that come with attached bath and walk-in closets.
Assisted Living Communities are Not Nursing Home
There’s a common misconception about assisted living communities. They’re usually mistaken for nursing homes. However, the type of care provided in assisted living communities differs greatly from that of a nursing home. Where a nursing home is a hospice for the elderly, assisted living communities are a lifestyle.
Assisted living communities help older people live life the way it’s supposed to be lived. The care provided in these communities is not clinical; rather, it’s friendly and warm, which helps rejuvenate the soul and refresh the minds of your loved ones.
Assisted living communities also promote self-care in your loved ones and provide an environment that stimulates social interaction and cognitive learning.
Our assisted living community in Hollywood, CA is a licensed and quality senior living and memory care community is a prime example of a leading assisted and independent living community. To find out more, contact us today!
Assisted Living and Independent Living: What is the Difference?
If you’re looking of a quality senior living community for your elderly loved ones, you’ll probably be faced with the question, “Are you looking for independent senior living or assisted senior living?” Since both of these are senior care options, it’s easy to get confused between the two.
But what separates one from the other; and more importantly, which of the two is better for your loved ones?
Let’s find out:
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is a senior living option that provides for 24/7 medical and personal care for your senior loved ones. The care community helps or ‘assists’ the elderly in daily routine activities, such as bathing, changing clothes and taking medication. As we age, our bodies become weaker making certain routine tasks challenging.
At an assisted living community, people find the help that they need without feeling ashamed or stripped off their dignity. The caregivers at a premium assisted living community understand how private certain matters can be for our loved ones. Therefore, they pay extra attention to the comfort and privacy of each resident and respect their personal space at all times.
What is Independent Living?
Independent living communities are quite similar to assisted living communities. They provide for a quality living solutions for people who want to enjoy their life after retirement. An independent living community offers house cleaning and provide regular meals to individuals who want to live a carefree and chore-free life!
However, independent living is different from assisted living in the matters of the level of care provided in each of the living arrangements. While independent living offers basic life assistance and private living quarters, assisted living focuses on 24/7 medical care.
Independent living communities are ideal for individuals who desire comfort and joy in their life without compromising on their quality of life.
Which of the Two is Ideal for You?
When it comes to choosing between independent and assisted living communities, it all comes down to your needs and preferences. If you think you need assistance and medical care in your later years, looking into assisted living communities will be the right decision for you. However, if all you need is a private and comfortable living arrangement, independent living is better suited for you.
Whether you choose independent living or assisted living, we at AvantGarde Senior Living and Memory Care offer both. In fact, our senior living community in Hollywood, CA also offers a quality memory care program for people suffering from memory loss ailments.
Take a virtual tour of our care community and get in touch with us to learn more!
Specialist Memory Care: What Does that Mean?
As we age, our physical and mental health deteriorates with time. The lack of intellectual stimulation in our later years can have a negative effect on our memory, resulting in conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Both of these illnesses put the patient at risk, physically, mentally and emotionally. That’s why it’s important that proper care and support be provided to someone suffering from these ailments.
Specialist memory care communities help people find the care that they need. But what are specialist memory care communities?
Let’s find out!
What is a Specialist Memory Care Community?
Unlike ordinary care homes that offer a general level of care for the elderly, specialist memory care communities focus on the needs and requirements of patients who have memory loss or degenerative ailments. These communities understand what it entails to be suffering from a challenging disease like dementia and therefore are well-equipped and trained to handle the problems that come with it.
At a specialist memory care community the staff is on duty 24/7 and has knowledge and experience in degenerative memory diseases to make life easier for the patient and their loved ones.
The Advantages of a Specialist Memory Care Community
Joining a specialist memory care community is the step in the right direction for people who have been diagnosed with dementia or any form of memory loss. That’s because not only is a memory care community appropriately equipped to provide care but they also work toward improving the cognitive health of people suffering from memory loss.
Memory care communities help individual find self-confidence and uphold their dignity in the face of adversities.
Another harsh reality of memory loss and dementia is that it can endanger the patient and the people around them. Memory care communities help keep them safe and provide for a comfortable and secure environment for them to lead happier lives.
If your loved one is also suffering from memory loss, don’t shy away from it. Talk about it, and more importantly, get them the help they need! At AvantGarde Senior Living and Memory Care, we provide quality care for memory loss patients in Hollywood, CA. We also provide independent living and assisted living solutions.
Elderly Communities Help Enable Elderly Lives: Why are Assisted Care Communities Better?
While the idea of retirement sounds nice and comforting, it’s not as euphoric as it feels. In fact, according to a retirement planning coach, people often mistake the joy of being retired with finding fulfillment in life after retirement.
Although, the initial, “I am a free spirit! No work for me anymore!” high is exuberating; it can be short-lived if elderly lives aren’t enabled the right way.
As a result, many seniors are subjected to a lack of social interaction and life purpose, which might lead them down the path of depression and despondency.
This is where assisted care communities come in!
What are Assisted Care Communities?
With over 15,800 across the U.S., assisted care communities are establishments that provide for appropriate medical and personal care for elderly people that need it.
Why are Assisted Care Communities Better?
However, many people find it difficult to comprehend how assisted care communities are different from nursing homes. While, nursing homes also provide medical care for the elderly they’re more degenerating for the residents’ social and mental health as they provide on-the-clock monitoring in isolation.
A nursing home is more like a hospice or hospital that has a more clinical feel to it. In comparison, assisted care communities, provide the same level of care but have a more homely and comforting atmosphere. This is why assisted care communities are better than nursing homes.
Not only are assisted care communities better than nursing homes but in terms of taking appropriate care of the residents, they’re also better than the residents’ actual homes! This is because at an assisted care community residents can benefit from the following.
An Active Social Life
As we age, we tend to miss out on our social life, which after retirement, can result in complete social isolation. With isolation comes loneliness which spirals into depression and a progression of chronic diseases.
Assisted care communities help people develop a social life that stimulates the joy and purpose of living in the elderly. The community also helps seniors find companionship that’s not available at nursing homes.
This is extremely important for the physical and mental well-being of the elderly as studies have shown that happier and content older people have a longer lifespan as opposed to those who suffer from depression and social abandonment.
Physical Well-being
Living in an assisted care community also helps promote fitness and provides access to physical activity as the residents are encouraged to indulge themselves in hobbies like gardening, golfing and even exercising. This greatly affects their physical and mental health because the healthier they are, the happier they are!
A Better Quality of Life
Life after retirement is about living for one’s self and on one’s own terms. In an assisted care community, that can be achieved along with medical and personal support. The residents can also benefit from the community as a learning arena as they’re exposed to lifestyles that are different and interesting!
Most importantly, an assisted care community focuses on enabling elderly lives rather than just helping them survive. So get in touch with an assisted living community today! We’re Hollywood, CA leading senior living and memory care community that offers quality independent and assisted living solutions for your loved ones!
Retiring in Comfort: The Advantages of Living in Assisted Care Communities
Also known as, ‘residential care communities’ according to the CDC, assisted care communities for seniors are living arrangements that are tailored to fit the needs of senior loved ones so they get the support and care that they deserve and require.
Given there were almost 15,800 assisted living communities in America in the year 2015 alone, it’s safe to say that they’re a better care option that nursing homes, as assisted living communities are twice as many in number.
That’s because there are plenty of advantages of living in assisted living and care communities.
They Make it Easier to Find Friends
One of the woes of life after retirement is that many senior loved ones often have limited social life and interaction. This leads to social isolation, which has been found to have a strong connection with the progression of diseases in old age. In fact, social isolation and subsequent loneliness can have a detrimental effect on the mental health of retirees and might lead to depression. Living in an assisted care community will not only provide for the care that’s needed in old age but the communal structure also helps senior loved ones find companionship in their later years. Finding friends that are in the same boat helps people rejuvenate and help each other heal.
24/7 Professional Care Available
Quality assisted living communities are known for providing 24/7 medical care for their residents. The personnel and staff members are high-skilled and trained to provide living assistance at all times.
Residents often need help with daily routine activities, such as bathing, and medication. Assisted living communities can provide prompt assistance and care without making the residents feel exposed to incompetent. This is great for their self-esteem as well as for their health and hygiene.
Living on Your Own Terms
Just because you’ve retired, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of life!
Quite the opposite actually. Since, after retirement you have plenty of free time on your hands, you can utilize it doing things and activities that interest you! Assisted living communities are equipped to accommodate your unique lifestyles and help you live life on your own terms. Residents can live in individual apartments with attached baths and walk-in closets that offer complete privacy.
Peace of Mind
When you find a top-grade and comprehensive assisted living community in your area, you enjoy the best advantage of all; the advantage of achieving peace of mind because you’re ensured that your loved ones are in quality care and a home-like environment with people who care for them. This is a sigh of relief for friends and family of the resident and a joyful experience for the resident!
So if you’re also looking for a quality assisted community for your loved ones or even yourself, make sure you take a virtual tour of AvantGarde Senior Living and Memory Care. Our assisted living community in Hollywood, CA is a licensed and quality community for your loved ones. Get in touch with us today!
Questions To Ask When Deciding on an Assisted Living Community
Deciding on an assisted living community for your loved ones can be challenging. With around 15,800 assisted living communities in the country— twice as many as a nursing home—making the decision can be overwhelming. After all, you’ll be trusting someone else with caring for your senior loved one.
However, these questions can help it make it easy for you to shortlist and ultimately decide on the best assisted living community for the ones you love!
Will They Get The Care That They Deserve?
Your senior loved one deserves the best. So finding out if the assisted care community can provide the kind of care they need is really important. As we age, our needs and requirements change. While some seniors require minimum assistance, others might need 24/7 care management. That’s why you need to sign up for a senior living community that can fulfill the particular needs of your loved ones. Find out about the community’s care options; it’ll help you evaluate if the community in question is the right choice for them. The CDC terms assisted living as, “residential care community” so the community you choose should feel like home!
Is The Assisted Living Community Licensed?
We all want the best for our loved ones. We can’t compromise on quality when it comes to providing care for them. That’s why it’s crucial to find out if the assisted living community you’re looking into is licensed by the state they operate in.
This is because unlike nursing facilities that are regulated by the federal government, assisted living communities are under the jurisdiction of their specific states. So, not only is it essential for you to find out how your state regulates assisted living communities but also if the assisted living community of your choice is licensed by the concerned authorities.
Will Your Loved One Be Comfortable There?
Nobody knows your senior loved one better than you. You need to look for a community that’ll take care of them in their old age just like your senior loved one took care of you when you were younger.
So you should take a tour of the community, access if their care options and living arrangements will accommodate your loved ones and their unique needs. Their comfort and care should be your first priority. That’s why you should always ask your potential care community to lay out their care options, amenities and floor plans so you can decide if your loved one would be able to transition from the care of home to the assisted living community easily.
It’s undoubtedly one of the toughest decisions for you to make, but AvantGarde Senior Living and Memory Care make it easy for you. Our virtual tour of the community will help you take a look at our assisted living apartments so you can make your decision free of doubts. We’re a leading licensed assisted living and memory care community in Hollywood, CA.
So, if you’re looking for a second home for your loved ones, getting in touch with us is the first step in the right direction!
3 Creative Ways of Keeping Seniors Active
Slowing down physically and mentally is all part of the natural process of growing old. Sometimes, the decline in mobility may be due to joint aches and pains or a lack of friends or family to engage with. However, staying fit is an effective means of retaining independence and enjoying a healthy lifestyle, as stated by the National Institute of Health.
Activity in general – whether it is mental or physical – plays a key role in keeping the mind active and preventing illnesses. In this blog, we’ll take a look at 3 creative ways you can help keep seniors active.
Socializing
Joining a society or club is one of the best ways of staying active. Community organization runs and special interest groups for the elderly encourage movement and help keep them engaged. Activities such as social events, afternoon teas, and games assist in stimulating both mind and body.
Additionally, socializing via a society or club is a powerful tool in fending off feelings of loneliness and depressions that commonly plague older adults spending long periods of time indoors. It’s also beneficial for seniors receiving care for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Even those living with an in-house caregiver should venture out and enjoy the company of like-minded people.
Physical Exercise
While extreme temperatures can make it difficult to engage in physical exercise, there are still a large number of senior exercises that are less strenuous and can easily be performed on wheelchairs. Seniors with mobility issues benefit the most from consistent exercise regimen.
From simple actions that involve wrist movements and lifting the legs to swimming, physical exercise is a great way to beat depressions, meet new people, and refresh the mind.
Gaming
With the abundance and easy access to video games, the options for staying mentally active are limitless. Puzzles and board games are also great ways to socialize and keep the mind active. The recent trend of elders playing video games has proven to be a great tool for keeping seniors busy. In fact, one study shows how playing video games actually improved mobility in seniors after a stroke.
Different types of games have different benefits for the brain. For example, playing 3D games increases the visual system’s engagement levels in the brain. Anyone with access to the internet can play such games and be part of an online community.
Other ways of keeping seniors active are to include them in light, household chores and encourage them to actively learn about new things. AvantGarde Senior Living is a senior housing community in Van Nuys, California. Contact us today for more information.
What seniors should know about Varicose Veins
Aging leads to swelling and enlargement of veins – a condition referred to as varicose veins. For some people, the concern is limited to the unsightly appearance but for others, it may point towards a more serious health issue. According to the American Heart Association, 23% of adults in the United States are estimated to be affected by varicose veins.
The emergence of varicose veins in older adults can lead to medical problems and decrease mobility. In this blog, we’ll highlight a few important considerations associated with varicose veins that seniors should be aware of.
What Causes Varicose Veins?
Damaged or weak valves can cause varicose veins. The arteries and vessels inside the body are responsible for carrying blood to and from the heart ensuring proper blood circulation. To return the blood back to the heart, veins in the lower part of the body have to work against gravity.
Elastic vein walls and muscle contractions in the lower part of the legs pump blood back to the heart. Miniscule valves inside the vessels act as barriers preventing blood from flowing backward. If these valves become weak or damaged, blood flows backward and pools inside the veins causing them to twist or stretch.
The following factors increase the chances of contracting varicose veins:
- Being female
- Being overweight
- Being pregnant
- Having someone in the family that already has varicose veins
- Standing for long periods in the job
- Being an older adult
The Symptoms
While the majority of cases do not involve pain, the following symptoms associated with varicose veins may appear:
- Veins that appear lumpy, twisted, or swollen
- Veins that are dark blue or purple in color
- Aching legs
- Swollen ankles
- A feeling of heaviness in the legs
- Leg cramps when suddenly rising up
- Spider veins
- Restless leg syndrome
Possible Complications
As mentioned earlier, most cases of varicose veins are relatively harmless. However, any condition that compromises blood flow carries the risk of creating health complications. Though rare, varicose veins can lead to:
- Bleeding
- Blood clots that lead to inflammation in the veins in a condition known as thrombophlebitis.
- Chronic venous insufficiency is a condition in which the skin doesn’t exchange waste products, nutrients, and oxygen with the blood because of weak blood flow. While the disease is not directly a consequence of varicose veins, both conditions are closely related.
All in all, the danger of varicose veins increases with age putting older adults at risk of decreased mobility, pain, and illnesses. Exercise, losing weight, and over-the-counter natural treatments prove effective in combating the disease.
Fortunately, AvantGarde Senior Living provides senior housing facilities in Van Nuys, California. A state-of-the-art senior community with qualified staff that helps seniors combat the negative effects of diseases such as varicose veins and live a happy and healthy lifestyle. Contact us today for more information.
How to Assist Seniors with Vision Problems
One of the worst losses associated with the natural aging process – along with mobility decline – is incurable vision impairment. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, nearly 4.2 million people over the age of 40 are visually impaired, 1.3 million of which are considered to be legally blind. While vision loss does set in as people enter the later stages of life, it can be difficult to adapt and rely on other senses such as smell, taste, and hearing that also weaken with age.
In this blog, we’ll share a few tips on how to assist seniors in dealing with vision problems.
Symptoms of Vision Loss
Vision loss is a gradual process that’s difficult to identify even by seniors themselves, which is why individuals over the age of 65 are recommended to visit their ophthalmologist once every year or two. This helps identify worsening eye conditions and take preventive steps to prevent further deterioration.Some symptoms of vision loss to look out for include:
- Knocking over objects or bumping into things
- Walking hesitantly
- Falling
- Squinting when trying to focus
- Discontinuing activities such as reading or writing
Helping Seniors Adapt to Vision Changes
Eye diseases such as cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts can significantly impact seniors’ functional abilities, reduce the quality of life, and even lead to depression. You should start off by learning as much as you can about these diseases. The following are a few ways to assist visually impaired seniors in retaining their independence.
Provide Sufficient Lighting
Keep the surroundings well-lit with the use of specialized bulbs that reduce glare and increase contrast. Cover reflective surfaces and provide proper lighting for all active areas that include places of reading, crafting, or playing cards. Under-the-counter lighting is good for places such as large work areas and kitchensand helps prevent trips and falls.
Adjust lighting according to the natural sunlight and avoid discrepancies that include bright lights in dark rooms.
Try to Minimize Falls
Place nightlights in bathrooms, bedrooms, and the hallways to prevent seniors from tripping or falling during the night. Remove hazards and eliminate clutter such as electrical cords and throw rugs. Consider relocating small or difficult to see items such as side tables, glass tables, and other similar types of furniture.
Go for Contrasting Colors
The contrast of bright and dark colors proves helpful for seniors that still have some vision left. Light-colored furniture and paint tend to blend in with each other making it difficult to discern between the furniture and the stairs, doorways, or other surrounding objects.
Even with vision impairments seniors tend to move around the home putting them at risk of serious injuries. AvantGarde Senior Living offers senior housing communities in Van Nuys, California that provides a safe and luxurious lifestyle under the supervision of trained and compassionate caregivers. Contact us today for more information.
Common Causes of Balance Disorders in the Elderly
Having good balance is the ability to maintain and control the body’s position comfortably while standing, walking and running, climbing the stairs, or even sitting down. It’s a core element in maintaining your independence and addressing problems with balance can make carrying out routine activities much more difficult.
According to The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, falls are the leading cause of both nonfatal and fatal accidents for adults aged 65 and above. The journal also mentions how 30-40% of older adults experience at least one fall each year.
In this blog, we’ll go over some of the common causes of balance and gait disorders in the elderly.
Symptoms of Balance Problems
Problems with the bones, muscles, joints, heart, and blood vessels can trigger balance problems. Some of its signs and symptoms include:
- Feeling faint or lightheaded (presyncope)
- Unsteadiness or loss of balance
- Sense of spinning or motion (vertigo)
- Vision problems
- Confusion
- Feeling dizzy
Causes of Balance Problems
Balance problems can be caused by a number of conditions with each symptom pointing to a specific health issue. Let’s go over a few symptoms and their underlying conditions.
Vertigo
Vertigo refers to a sense of spinning and motion and is likely caused by the following conditions:
- Migraine: Sensitivity and dizziness to motion that occurs because of migraine headaches.
- Head injuries:One of the reasons for experiencing vertigo is head injuries that result in concussions.
- Meniere’s disease:In addition to dizziness, the disease can also cause a fluctuating loss of hearing, ringing sounds, and buzzing. Meniere’s disease is rare and its causes are yet to be fully understood.
- Motion sickness: A sense of dizziness in boats, airplanes, cars, etc. Usually happens to people with migraines.
Feeling Faint or Lightheaded
Lightheadedness is associated with two diseases: cardiovascular disease and postural hypotension. The former includes thickened heart muscles, blocked or narrowed blood vessels, abnormal heart rhythms, or decreased blood volume. The latter involves a sharp drop in blood pressure whenever the person immediately stands or sits down.
Unsteadiness or Loss of Balance
A loss of balance can be traced back to a number of issues that include vestibular problems, the side effects of medications, muscle, vision, or joint problems, and nerve damage to the legs.
Especially in older adults, exercise and a healthy diet are necessary for combating balance disorders. AvantGarde Senior Living provides senior living homes in Van Nuys, California for older adults with balance problems. They have friendly and qualified staff that caters to all the needs of its senior members and community. Contact us today for more information.