Celebrating National Senior Independence Month
Fostering Autonomy and Well-Being
As we embrace National Senior Independence Month, it’s an opportune time to celebrate the spirit and resilience of our elderly community members. Every February, this dedicated month serves as a reminder to focus on fostering autonomy and well-being among seniors, promoting a life of purpose and independence. Let’s explore how our facility plays a vital role in supporting and encouraging the independence of our beloved seniors.
As we embrace this National Senior Independence Month, we honor the journey of our community members and celebrate their ability to live life on their own terms. Growing older doesn’t mean sacrificing independence; instead, it’s an opportunity to embrace newfound freedoms and pursue passions with unwavering enthusiasm. From sticking with beloved hobbies to discovering new interests, staying connected with loved ones, and prioritizing health and well-being, seniors have the power to shape their own destinies. This month serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting and empowering seniors as they navigate the next chapter of life.
Senior living communities play a vital role in fostering autonomy, well-being, and a sense of belonging among residents. Let’s explore some of the primary aspects we consider when evaluating how we can promote independence among our residents:
1: Tailored Care Plans: Recognizing Individual Needs
Our facility prioritizes personalized care plans that acknowledge the unique needs, preferences, and abilities of each resident. By understanding and respecting their individuality, we empower seniors to maintain a sense of control over their lives.
2: Accessible Amenities: Ensuring Comfort and Convenience
We’ve designed our facility with accessibility in mind. From easily navigable spaces to thoughtful amenities, our goal is to provide an environment that allows seniors to move freely and comfortably, fostering a sense of self-sufficiency.
3: Engaging Activities: Nurturing Physical and Mental Well-Being
National Senior Independence Month is the perfect time to highlight the diverse range of activities available. From fitness classes to arts and crafts, our facilities offer a variety of engaging activities that encourage seniors to explore new interests and maintain an active lifestyle.
National Senior Independence Month serves as a reminder that independence is a lifelong journey. We are committed to creating an environment where seniors can thrive, embracing their autonomy, and living life on their terms. Let’s all continue to champion the cause of senior independence and ensure that every individual has the support and resources needed to lead a fulfilling and self-determined life.
Is Your Loved One Having Problems Retrieving Names or Words?
You’re sitting at the dinner table with your family members when suddenly your grandpa calls you the wrong name. At first you just brush it off, but then you notice he seems to call everyone the wrong name and look genuinely confused when somebody corrects him. This could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s is a brain disease which negatively affects cognitive function. Adults 65 and older are typically more at-risk for developing Alzheimer’s and unfortunately, the disease only worsens as time goes on. If you’re worried that your loved one may have Alzheimer’s, there are 10 early signs and symptoms to look out for.
Early Signs
Early Signs to Look For
10 early signs and symptoms to look out for
Memory Loss
If your loved one is often forgetting important dates, repeatedly asking the same questions, relying more on family members to handle things they used to handle themselves, and forgetting information as soon as they’ve learned it; this could be a sign of Alzheimer’s. Occasionally forgetting banes or appointments but remembering later is considered normal.
Difficulty Problem-Solving & Planning
When it comes to numbers, a person living with early Alzheimer’s may have trouble concentrating and managing finances, resulting in taking much longer to complete tasks than usual.
Difficulty Completing Simple Tasks
e.g. Driving in a familiar location can suddenly become unfamiliar.
Confusion with Time or Place
Your loved one may not remember what day of the week it is or have any recollection of where they are. This worsens with disease progression to the point where it can become dangerous to leave your love one unattended for extensive periods of time. Forgetting what day it is occasionally is normal, but people suffering from Alzheimer’s will become completely unaware of time.
Vision Problems or Difficulty Determining Space
Driving becomes severely difficult when a person’s vision and sense of space is negatively affected by Alzheimer’s. Vision problems tend to occur with age and should be monitored regularly.
Impaired Speech and Writing
Holding verbal or written conversations becomes challenging. Sometimes the wrong words are used to describe an object, vocabulary is not as strong, and repetition occurs often.
Losing Items
A common step people follow when they lose something is retracing their steps in hopes of locating the lost item. However, a person suffering from Alzheimer’s disease will be unable to retrace their steps and may even accuse other people of stealing their lost items.
Poor Judgement
This often relates to decisions regarding finances and personal hygiene.
Social/Work Withdrawal
Socializing becomes more difficult, resulting in withdrawal from hobbies and social activities.
Personality/Mood Changes
A person suffering from Alzheimer’s may become more confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, anxious, or easily upset with others.
Stages of Alzheimer’s
There are three stages of Alzheimer’s: mild, moderate, and severe. It’s important to note how symptoms can often overlap making it more difficult to identify which stage is prevalent.
Mild
• Difficulty performing tasks in social/work settings, remembering names and/or words, and staying organized/planning
• Losing common objects often
• Forgetting material that was just read
Moderate
• Forgetting personal history, significant events, personal information such as address, phone number, etc.
• Shift in sleep patterns
• Wandering
• Exhibiting compulsive behaviors and personality changes
• Withdrawing from social/work activities
• Difficulty controlling bladder
• Requiring assistance with daily functions such as getting dressed
Severe
• Loss of awareness
• Mobility is severely affected (e.g., walking, sitting, swallowing, talking, etc.)
• Requires 24/7 care
What’s Your Next Step
If your loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek professional help immediately for a proper diagnosis. In the event the diagnosis is dementia, Alzheimer’s, or memory impairment, assisted living and memory care could be beneficial. Facilities equipped with on-site nurses, individualized care plans, in-house Geriatricians, and plenty of cognitive stimulation through a 24/7 activities calendar will ensure peace and comfort for your loved one in a safe homelike environment.
Assisted living can be a difficult topic to discuss with family members, and we are here to help in any way possible. If you think your loved one could benefit from our memory care services or other care options, please contact us for more information. To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, please visit the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/
How To Find The Best Assisted Living Facility In Knoxville, TN
Services & Amenities You Should Look For In a Process of Finding The Best Assisted Living Facility In Knoxville, TN
Everyone ages differently. While some age-related changes are inevitable, such as slower reflexes and vision challenges, other issues can vary greatly from person to person. Lifestyle and to a lesser degree, genetics, are key determinants in how healthy you are at every age.
This is important information to keep in mind as you search for the best Assisted Living Facility in Knoxville, TN– whether for yourself, a spouse, or aging parents. It might be that a senior is active and independent at the time of a move, but what happens when needs change?
Understanding Care Options in an Assisted Living Facility
Moving is tough at any age, but there are more obstacles and challenges for older adults. This is why when you do move during your retirement years, you want to make sure that you only do it once. Understanding what types of care a senior assisted living community offers and what happens if care needs change over time are important issues to address before making a decision to relocate an assisted living facility. This includes if one parent needs more or different care than another.
If you aren’t familiar with different types of senior housing, this quick overview might be helpful:
Independent Living in Knoxville: This type of senior living is designed for the active older adult. Because meals and home maintenance are provided, residents are free to pursue favorite pastimes. On-site activities and events are another attraction that leads many to choose independent living.
Assisted Living in Knoxville: Some older adults and their families find assisted living to be the best of two worlds. Residents appreciate the independence of having their own private living space but do so knowing that services and medical care are available. They can receive assistance with personal care, housekeeping, medication management, toileting, and more. That’s in addition to meals and wellness programs.
Memory Care in Knoxville: Designed to allow adults with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia to enjoy their best quality of life, memory care programs are typically a part of an assisted living community. Specialized caregivers, dedicated dining services, and a safe, supportive environment are standard. Memory-focused daily activities allow residents to remain engaged and active.
At each Assisted Living Facility in Farragut or Knoxville area you visit, ask a sales associate how they handle changes in care level needs after a senior becomes a resident. Are different types of care available in the same Community? Can residents move from one care level to another care level seamlessly?
For instance, if one person begins to need more help with ambulation or incontinence than their partner, the couple can still remain a part of the same senior community without having to split up or move again. Even if these changes require separate living arrangements, they will still be in an environment that is familiar to them surrounded by team members and other residents that they know.
In Addition to the continuum of care, you should also look for below service and amenities in a assisted living facility :
-
Nurses on-site, not just on call.
-
Nutritional services.
-
Electronic Medication Administrations System
-
Personal care assistance with activities of daily living like bathing, grooming and dressing.
-
Wireless nurse call and wander-prevention systems for enhanced safety and peace of mind.
-
In-house Geriatrician with support service.
-
Scheduled medical transportation
-
Concierge services such as a mobile podiatrist.
-
Provider Choice – Residents can choose to keep their personal physician.
In Conclusion
Moving is difficult at any age, but it’s especially hard as a senior. So always look for an assisted living facility, which has unique levels of care. This will help to cut down on any of the unnecessary moves that could prohibit seniors from living to their fullest potential. To learn more about how the continuum of care plan works, please contact us for more information.