Yes, the period of time from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day can be hectic. There’s the decorating, shopping, cooking, gift wrapping, get-togethers and parties.
The winter holiday season can also be the perfect time to consider a move to assisted living.
Here are some of the reasons why:
- The holidays often are the one time of the year when family members, especially those who live out-of-town, visit each other. The visits provide a perfect opportunity to see if Mom or Dad need some help.
Are they eating properly?
Are they taking their medications as they should?
How is their memory and mobility?
Have there been any changes in their appearance or the appearance of the house?
Is it still safe for them to be driving?
Does it appear that they are getting the socialization and interaction with others that can be so important to the well-being of older adults, or does it appear that they are becoming more isolated?
- If issues are identified, family members can talk about how to address the situation face-to-face while they are together.
- Often times as well, family members have more of an opportunity to take time off from work during the holiday season than at other times of the year. They can spend the time investigating the options that are available. They can visit assisted living communities to see the apartments and community areas and talk with staff and residents. They can study the Residency Agreement, complete the necessary paperwork and help Mom and/or Dad move-in and get settled.
- The holiday season also can be the perfect time to put a house up for sale. Those looking at homes over the holidays tend to be really serious buyers. They are much more likely to be looking because they have a need to make a move.
At the assisted living communities that we manage, individuals benefit from the opportunity to live in a residential apartment-home environment and receive personal assistance and help with medications. Convenience and support services such as meals, housekeeping and laundry are included. Residents also benefit from all of the opportunities that are available to socialize with friends and neighbors and to participate in activities.
Certified nursing assistants are on duty 24-hours a day, seven days a week. They work under the direction of a licensed nurse.
Residents furnish and decorate their apartment to their taste. The apartments feature a kitchenette; spacious bathroom with shower and grab bars; individually-controlled heating and air conditioning; and an emergency alert system.
Many of the communities that Gardant manages operate through a Medicaid-waiver program, which means the communities can serve individuals of all incomes, including those on Medicaid or who may only receive monthly Social Security benefits.
Assisted living communities managed by Gardant are located throughout the State of Illinois and in Indiana; Atlanta, Georgia; and shortly in Minnesota. Most of the communities are designed to serve older adults. Several are specially designed for individuals with Alzheimer’s and related dementia. We also operate two affordable assisted living communities that serve adults 22 to 64 years of age with physical disabilities.
Staff at our communities would welcome the opportunity to talk with you, show you around, and answer questions. Click here to see where Gardant communities are located.