By Rick Banas of Gardant Management Solutions
The period of time from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day can be hectic. On top of everything else you have to do, there is the decorating, shopping, cooking, gift wrapping, get-togethers with family and friends, and holiday parties.
At the same time, the holiday season can be the perfect time of year to consider assisted living.
Here just some of the reasons why:
The holidays often are the one time of year when family members, especially those who live out-of-town, visit each other. The visits provide wonderful opportunities to check on Mom and Dad, to see how they are doing and if they might benefit from some help.
Are they eating properly and getting the nourishment they need? What are they eating? Who does the shopping? The cooking? What is in the refrigerator? The kitchen cabinets? If they are getting Meals-on-Wheels, remember it is only one meal a day on Mondays through Fridays.
Are they taking their medications when and as they should? Can they tell you what medications they are taking? When they should be taking their medications? For what reasons? Be sure to check their pill caddy or vials of medications.
How is their memory? Their mobility? Do they show any signs of confusion?
Are there any problems with their balance? Any concerns about walking up and down stairs?
Do you notice any changes in their physical appearance; how they dress; the appearance of the house or apartment?
Is it still safe for them to drive?
Are they getting the socialization and interaction with others that is so important to their physical, mental, and emotional health? Or does it appear that they have become more socially isolated? More and more research studies indicate that social interaction is one of the most important factors to healthy aging.
If there are concerns, family members can talk about how to address the situation face-to-face while they are together.
Often times, family members have more opportunity to take time off from work during the holiday season than at other times of the year. They can spend time checking into the options that are available. Depending on the situation, they can visit senior living, assisted living and memory care communities to see the apartments and community areas, learn about the services that are available, and talk to staff and residents. They can study the Residency Agreement and help Mom and/or Dad complete the necessary paperwork, move-in and get settled.
Realtors say the holiday season can be a great time to put a house, condominium, or townhome up for sale. Those looking at homes over the holidays tend to be serious buyers. They are much more likely to be looking because they need to make a move.
At the assisted living communities Gardant manages, residents benefit from the opportunity to live in a residential apartment and receive the personal assistance and help with medications they need. Residents are able to furnish and decorate the apartment to their taste.
Convenience and support services, such as three meals a day plus snacks, housekeeping and laundry, are included. Residents also benefit from all of the opportunities that are available to socialize with family, friends and neighbors and participate in social, recreational, educational and wellness programs and activities.
Certified staff is on-duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Most of the communities are designed to serve older adults who need some help and assistance to maintain their independence. Several are specifically designed to serve older adults with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia. Two serve individuals 22 to 64 years of age with physical disabilities.
Many of the communities Gardant manages have been approved to operate through a Medicaid-waiver program. This enables the communities to serve those who are on or would qualify for Medicaid in addition to individuals who can afford to pay privately.
Staff at the communities would welcome the opportunity to talk to you, show you around, discuss your specific situation, and answer your questions. Gardant manages more than 50 communities primarily in Illinois and Indiana as well as in Maryland and West Virginia. Our focus is on providing residents with the Love, Compassion and Dignity they deserve in addition to the help and assistance they need. Click here to find locations of Gardant communities near you.
