senior living terminology

Senior Living Terminologies You Should Familiarize for Better Decision-Making

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Knowing and understanding the terminologies often used in senior living will guide you in making a better decision when the time comes to plan for your future. This is especially true with regards to the names and acronyms of agencies that are responsible for ensuring the safety of seniors.

 

Senior Living Terms and Definitions

 

Accreditation

This refers to a designation or seal of approval that a facility receives from an independent governing body. This indicates that a community or service provider has met specific requirements set by the controlling body.

This guarantees that a care home has the required equipment, accommodation, and staff as designated by the governing body.

 

American College of Healthcare Administrators (ACHCA)

This non-profit professional membership association provides care administrators with educational programming, career development, and certification opportunities. A carer certified by the ACHCA has received the proper training and passed.

 

Activities of Daily Living (ADL)

This refers to any form of assistance provided to help a senior perform daily life-supporting tasks. Examples of which are assistance with using the toilet, bathing, dressing, eating, and moving around.

 

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Passed by Congress in 1980, the law is designed to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. It outlines a comprehensive and clear set of rules.

 

Adult Daycare

This refers to organizations that provide structured programs for aging individuals. These include stimulation of social activities and even rehab services for emotionally or physically disabled elderly.

 

Adult Family Home

This is a facility that meets the following criteria:

  • Private, home-like setting
  • Located in a residential neighborhood
  • Serves only a limited number of residents
  • Care is provided by live-in caretakers
  • Provides laundry, group meals, and housekeeping

 

Services provided in an adult home vary from one facility to another. The facility is also known as:

  • Board and care home
  • Group home
  • Adult foster care
  • Residential care facility
  • Personal care home

 

Aging in Place

This means seniors continue to live at home or with a family despite the decline in their mental and physical health. This usually involves renovating a home to make it suitable for senior living and hiring the services of in-home caregivers.

 

Assisted Living

This refers to a kind of senior living facility where housing, healthcare, and personalized support services are provided to seniors. Care programs are designed to help seniors with their daily activities and cater to their needs.

 

Administrator

This refers to a licensed professional that is responsible for the day-to-day operation of a nursing home independent living, assisted living, and other care communities.

 

Caregiver

Any person who cares for another individual, whether a trained caregiver or a family member.

 

Charge Nurse

A Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) who supervises nursing care or hospital unit. Their main task is to supervise the nursing staff and their schedules. They also provide care to residents in a caring community.

 

Concierge Service

This service is available in most high-end senior care facilities. The role involves:

  • Acquiring resources
  • Arranging activities for seniors
  • Providing advice in improving a senior’s quality of life

 

Continuum of Care

This refers to a wide range of care services designed to assist individuals throughout different health care requirements. Examples of such services are home care, hospice, nursing care, and assisted living.

There are plenty of other terminologies used in the aging sector, but the ones above should help you get started.

 

Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

assisted living home plans

How Assisted Living Home Plans Are Changing Based on the Needs of Today’s Seniors

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Like most things, senior and assisted living facilities also evolve with the times and the ever-changing needs of their residents and those who are expected to live in them.

 

Today’s changes are influenced by the baby boomers and their preferences for their future aged care accommodation. It’s not a surprise that assisted living home plans nowadays are different from what they were five years or a decade ago.

 

 

How do architects design assisted living home plans?

 

They do so base on two things— (1) the updated key standards, codes, and guidelines that apply to the design and construction of senior living facilities and (2) the most self-sufficient seniors in assisted living.

 

Updated key standards are:

 

  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to help address accessibility issues.
  • International Building Code (IBC) that building inspectors use as a guide. It’s updated by the International Code Council every 3 years.
  • NFPA 101, Life Safety Code that fire officials use as a guide. This is updated every 3 years by the National Fire Protection Association.
  • Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) Guidelines for the Design and Construction of Residential Health, Care, and Support Facilities serve as a reference for programming in assisted living, nursing homes, or skilled nursing.

 

Because some states craft their own build and design standards, consistency across regions is lacking. For this reason, architects take cues from the seniors in aged care.

 

 

What are the current changes made on existing assisted living home plans?

 

Expanded food service in independent living facilities

These facilities are classified by the IBC as R-2 residential use. This means they must meet the same building and safety requirements that apply to dormitories and multifamily housing.

 

Such facilities offer seniors a range of living accommodations, from apartments to cottages. They also come with full service for its residents, including concierge services.

 

What has been improved is the type of dining options offered. Not only are seniors treated to a variety of cuisines, but they can also dine in bars, cafes, pubs, and restaurants.

 

 

Proper classification of the use and occupancy of assisted living buildings

There used to be confusion on whether assisted living facilities are best classified as an I-2 building instead of I-1:

 

I-1 – allows wood frame construction. Assumes that residents are capable of evacuating in an emergency

 

I-2 – requires that multistory buildings are made noncombustible

 

The I-1 remains but with a couple of conditions appended to it:

 

1 – senior residents should be able to evacuate all by themselves

 

2 – must be built with a higher standard. If wood is used, the building should only have 3 stories.

 

 

Updated design to skilled nursing

New FGI guidelines paved the way for better-skilled nursing assisted living home plans.

 

2010 edition specifies a new room design that allows residents to have unimpeded access to a toilet room, closet for personal belongings, and exterior windows to bring in natural light.

 

2014 edition specifies that design should be person-centered care that will promote dignity and purposeful living.

 

Changes to life plan communities or continuing care retirement communities are expected as well. Seniors of today want something different from their predecessors, after all.

 

They now want to see spas, walking trails, health-focused meals, and other wellness-enhancing amenities in assisted living.

 

 

Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

Assisted living facilities in Nebraska

The Five Things All Facilities for Alzheimer’s Should Provide

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Alzheimer’s disease is affecting more people, especially with the baby boomer population now in their later adulthood years. In fact, someone in the world develops dementia every three seconds and about 500,000 new cases of Alzheimer’s disease will be diagnosed in the United States this year.

 

With these staggering statistics in mind, the need to learn about the different facilities for Alzheimer’s and what they provide has never been more important, especially if you have a loved one who is diagnosed with this disease.

 

 

When choosing the right place from a list of facilities for Alzheimer’s, here are five things that you should look for:

 

 

Excellent Staffing

 

The first and probably most important thing that all facilities for Alzheimer’s should provide is an excellent staff. All members of the health care team should recognize that individuals with Alzheimer’s disease are unique and that their care should be personalized to ensure that their specific needs are met.

 

Facilities should have physicians and nurses on the premises at all times to cater to emergencies and the ration of residents to staff should be adequate so proper care can be given to each individual.

 

 

A Good Living Environment

 

The decision to move into an Alzheimer’s facility is a huge step for any individual. This is why it’s very important to make sure that he will be provided with the right living environment that is clean, easy to navigate and has amenities like family visiting areas and indoor and outdoor spaces where residents can still have a great time and never feel like they’re far from home.

 

 

Efficient Services

 

Since every individual with Alzheimer’s is unique, the facility should provide services that are created around the specific health and behavioral needs of the resident. Activities should be planned every day, on the weekends and during evenings, all while taking into consideration the needs, abilities, and interests of the individual.

 

Physical, speech, recreational and occupational therapies should also be accessible and care planning sessions should be done regularly to monitor the condition of the resident. Transportation is also a must for when residents have to go to medical appointments or shop for personal items.

 

 

Healthy and Well-Prepared Meals

 

Since most individuals with Alzheimer’s already have difficulty cooking their own food, all facilities for Alzheimer’s should provide for the residents’ meals and snacks.

 

It’s good to have a weekly menu laid out to ensure that the food served by the facility meets the health requirements of the resident. A good dining environment should also be provided and family and friends should be given the opportunity to join at mealtime when they’re around.

 

 

Good Policies

 

Finally, as with any facility, an Alzheimer’s facility should have good policies that will ensure the quality of life of a resident during his stay.

 

Aside from involving the family in the care of the patient, a facility should have policies for every aspect of a resident’s care including continuing care, aging in place policies and even hospice care.

 

 

 

Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

Assisted Living Ashland

Social Security Pay For Assisted Living through Supplements

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Do you have questions regarding the benefits of Social Security when the time comes you need help? Do you ever wonder if this can pay for your needs for assisted living? In that case, you might be concerned about your future when you finally move to an assisted living facility.

 

 

 

Retirement Income for Seniors

 

Social security offers benefits to seniors who have worked in the U.S. via a retirement income paid into the program. For this reason, everyone who worked legally in the country is able to get benefits from it. Such benefits are often referred to as OASDI or Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance.

 

 

Basically, it is used as a source for paying for long-term aging care. Since the government is paying for this benefit, the relatives of the seniors are free to apply for adult day care, home care, or residential care.

 

 

 

Social Security Benefits

 

Cash payments are given directly to the individual. At the same time, there are no restrictions on how these payments are spent. The average amount received by the unmarried, widowed or single retiree is around $1,411 per month.

 

  • If the senior is already 62 when he or she begins to collect social security, then the maximum benefit amount will be $2,158 per month
  • If the age is between 66 and 67 years old, then the benefits will amount to $2,788 per month.
  • If only at the age of 70 will a retiree begin to collect benefits, then he or she will receive a total of $3,698 per month as the maximum benefit

 

 

 

Cost Of Long-Term Care

 

Take note that the average amount of a social security check is just $1,350 per month, which is a bit short of the long-term care cost. For instance, one spouse requires residential care, while the other remains at home. Nevertheless, seniors with lower income will be eligible for supplemental security income and or its supplements.

 

 

 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

 

For people with limited income and assets, SSI is provided as financial assistance. SSI will evaluate the income and will fill in the gap in order to bring the income up to a pre-set amount.

 

 

If you are going to apply for an assisted living program, you should know that this provides activities, meals, and non-medical care for a group of individuals in a living environment.

 

 

 

Optional State Supplements

 

These are state-based financial assistance provided over the federal SSI benefit. This is where Social Security provides financial assistance for assisted living. They are also referred to as State Supplementary Payments.

 

 

States offer assistance for people with assisted living or adult foster care who are financially eligible in order to help pay for the room and board fees. These are offered above the amount they receive from Social Security SSI.

 

 

 

However, the money will be given directly to the adult foster care home or assisted living facility. The amount of assistance will range up to $1,000 per month which depends on the state where the senior is living.

 

 

 

Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

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Continuing Care vs Independent Living for Senior Housing Options

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Many people might may get confused about the difference between continuing care and independent living for seniors. Well, it is best to know about both senior housing options to be able to determine which one would suit the needs of your senior loved one.

 

 

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

 

These are retirement communities with accommodations for assisted living, independent living, and nursing home care, providing residents continuing care. Your elderly family member can spend his or her entire life in these communities, as well as move between levels of care if needed.

 

 

Basically, continuing care of life plan communities accepts older adults who are healthy. Although settings can vary, most have activity centers, common dining room, gyms, outdoor recreation, and swimming pools, among others.

 

 

Living spaces can differ which include but not limited to apartments, cottages, clusters, duplexes, and townhouses. However, choosing a continuing care retirement community can be costly. In fact, individuals with low or middle income and assets usually can’t afford these senior housing options.

 

 

 

Benefits of a Continuing Care Retirement Community

 

  • All-inclusive community
  • Access to medical services
  • Couples can stay close
  • Independent living
  • Peace of mind for family
  • Social network

 

 

These features are very similar to a full amenity resort or hotel, which greatly fit seniors who want to age in place but without a support system to do so. Residents can also enjoy maintenance-free living with all the freedom of their own. They include housekeeping, house maintenance, laundry, meals, security, transportation, and some utilities included in the package.

 

 

Moreover, seniors can take advantage of a huge social network of people with the same interests. This is basically a good option for single or widowed seniors transitioning to a continuing care facility in their retirement. Seniors can also live their lives with the added security of a health care support system.

 

 

They also have a lot of flexibility to offer for spouses or partners with various medical and care needs. This is suitable for those couples with different needs in which continuing care retirement communities can meet without letting them live apart from each other.

 

 

 

Benefits of Independent Living For Senior Housing

 

In contrast to continuing care retirement communities, independent living as one of many senior housing options is intended for those who are still very healthy and able to do daily tasks without assistance or constant monitoring. Such communities provide various housing options, which include studio apartments, townhouses, and small cottages.

 

 

This type of community also provides freedom to make your own schedule and join in community events or outings as you wish. This will also provide an opportunity to gain new hobbies and friends since residents living around are of the same age.

 

  • Campus security and emergency call system
  • Exercise classes / and wellness facilities
  • Gracious floor plans / fully furnished senior living spaces
  • Housekeeping/laundry services
  • Optional church services / spiritual counseling
  • Prepaid utilities
  • Quiet reading areas
  • Transport services

 

 

If you are looking for senior housing options for your loved ones, perhaps it is best to shop around for potential retirement communities. This website offers tons of information to suit your needs. Feel free to browse along with this site for more details, or give us a call today!

 

 

 

Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

Assisted Living Facilities Near Me

Planning for Long-Term Care in Advance

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You know that you’re going to grow old. But you’ll never know when or if chronic illness might hit. This puts an emphasis on the importance of planning for long-term care.

 

It’s important to have assisted living in mind even before you completely lose your mobility or that your sickness keeps you from living independently.

 

 

How to Plan for Long-Term Care

 

Learn More about Associated Services

Long-term care services vary in terms of distribution and duration. In general, any services can be used on an average of 3 years.

 

Assisted living usually lasts less than one year, while long-term care in nursing facilities and any care in facilities last 1 year.

 

At home, unpaid care is suitable for 1 year, paid care for less than 1 year, and any care at home for 2 years.

 

It’s important to consider whether or not you want long-term care at home, or at a nursing facility.

 

 

Care at Home

Say you’ve decided to receive long-term care in your own home. Make sure that your house has the capacity to best support your needs.

 

If you can no longer fully care for yourself, your home should be equipped with the necessary gadgets and tools.

  • Hearing gadgets such as a vibrating watch and vibrating alerts for when the telephone rings or when the fire alarm sounds.
  • Vision gadgets such as a magnifying glass and screens.
  • Safety gadgets such as railings in the tub, in the hallway, and near the toilet.

 

 

Plan for Your Health

Staying healthy will go along way toward making sure you won’t need long-term care anytime in the near the future. Healthy eating, regular physical activity, and avoiding drinking and smoking are the best ways to delay or prevent chronic illness.

 

Still, it pays to be prepared for when you become seriously ill or disabled. Talk to your family about who will provide care if you need it in the long-term.

 

You should also speak to your doctor about your medical and family history, so you’ll know if you need long-term care sooner or later.

 

 

Take Care of the Financial Details in Advance

Billions of dollars are spent every year on various long-term care services. It is important to have a plan as to how you can pay for these expensive needs.

 

There are several payment sources and options available:

  • Government health insurance programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid
  • Private financing options, such as long-term care insurance
  • Personal funds, including pensions, savings, and income from stocks
  • Services through the Older Americans Act
  • Veterans’ benefits

 

Find out which payment option is applicable to you and prepare accordingly.

 

 

Tackle the Subject of Long-Term Care

A lot of people find it difficult to talk about long-term care, much less make a decision on how to go about it.

 

But it is important that you sit down with relatives and discuss the details. Spare yourself and your family from the pressure and stress that come with the need to make an immediate decision.

 

A sudden injury that catches everyone off guard will create major confusion.

  • Some family members may not approve of assisted living while others do.
  • Some family members who agree to home care may not readily agree to be the designated caregiver.
  • The family might not be prepared financially and emotionally to deal with your long-term care needs.

 

As you can see, planning ahead has many benefits.

 

 

 

Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

Assisted Living

The Importance of Memory Care for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and Dementia

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Caring for a loved one suffering from a memory related problem can be challenging. Since they require constant care and a lot of patience – which can’t always be guaranteed at home, sending them to live in memory care facilities looks like the ideal solution.

 

 

The Difference between Memory Care and Assisted Living

 

When a loved one starts presenting symptoms of a memory issue, one of the first things to do is get an assessment. Doing so helps you determine just how bad the problem is or if it’s a case that can be managed effectively.

 

In terms of care, it would be best for a person suffering from memory problems to have someone watching over them. This can be difficult for members of the same household, especially if everyone keeps a 9-to-5 job.

 

If that is the case, there is an option of putting them in a care home, but which type is best?

 

Like facilities with memory care, assisted living communities also care for the elderly. One of the differences between the two is that the former requires much more skilled nursing work.

 

Facilities are also defined differently. For one, there is an emphasis on security to ensure a resident doesn’t wander off. In addition, the place is designed to be navigable so that residents won’t find it difficult to find their way back.

 

 

Advantages of a Memory Care Facility

 

Caring for patients with a memory problem requires certain skills. In the case of patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia, nurses need to be able to handle disruptive behaviors, and communication problems, among others.

 

When it comes to memory care assisted living facilities do have units to care for patients with memory issues. However, they lack a few key ingredients, including a staff that is required to possess a certain skill set in order to deal with different kinds of patients.

 

 

A memory care facility still offers the many benefits enjoyed by those living in assisted living communities:

 

It is designed to help them find their way

Trying to remember what happened at a particular time can be challenging for those with functioning memories. So can you imagine how extremely difficult that situation is for someone who is actually suffering from a memory problem? It’s for this reason that facilities dealing with memory care are designed to be easily navigable to make it easier for residents to find their way.

 

 

It is safe

Assisted living communities providing memory care services have monitors to keep track of residents. This way, they can be accounted for and also kept away from trouble. While memory care facilities encourage independence, a resident in such a facility is monitored all the time to prevent them from wandering far away.

 

 

It provides peace of mind

Knowing a loved one is in a place cared for by specialists allows you to breathe easy. You no longer have to worry about whether or not your loved one left the stove on.

 

 

Elderly people suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other memory issues deserve proper care. When this can’t be done in a home setting, getting them to live in a memory care facility is the next logical step. A facility that specializes in such care knows how to deal with the issues in order to guarantee a better quality of life.

 

 

 

Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead