Senior Living Archives - Vista Winds Retirement Community

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Written by webtechs

27 February 2025

Does Medicare Cover Assisted Living?

In most cases, Medicare does not offer coverage to help pay for assisted living care or long-term care. Let’s look at Medicare, Medicaid, and other alternative options to finance assisted living costs.

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living facilities are settings where seniors live independently for the most part but are provided with assistance when needed. Assistance, of course, will vary based on the individual’s specific needs, such as mobility issues, transportation needs and medication.

If living at home has become a bit too hard or dangerous, then it may be time to think about assisted living. Some facilities will be in a residential-style neighborhood or in a large complex.

Assisted living features:

Medication monitoring
24-hour care
Three meals per day
Personal care
Social activities
Housekeeping/laundry

Assisted Living Coverage Options

When deciding which care situation is right for your loved one, total cost is always a top priority to keep in mind. The prices of assisted living will depend on location, services, amenities, accommodations, and floorplans.

When you select the care level you’d prefer, you will need to understand how the expenses will be covered and if Medicare can help with any costs.

Does Medicare Pay For Assisted Living?

Oftentimes, Medicare does not extend coverage to handle assisted living or long-term care costs. However, there are a few situations where Medicare will cover certain qualified healthcare costs at specific facilities.

Medicare is usually used to cover the prices of home healthcare that’s provided by skilled nursing facilities.

Does Medicaid Pay For Assisted Living?

The Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) does pay for care-related services for Arizona residents living in these facilities. The System, however, will not pay for room and board. Assisted living residents will pay for basic living expenses based on their coverage and location.

Alternative Ways To Pay For Assisted Living

If possible, it’s always a wise idea to purchase health insurance policies that will cover some portion of assisted living and long-term care costs. Thankfully, a lot of insurance policies will provide this coverage.

It is quite common for residents to pay for a portion of the costs out of their own pocket. There are some circumstances where the Veteran’s Aid and Attendance Pension can help cover costs.

Vista Winds Is An Upscale Retirement Community Located In Peoria, Arizona

If you are doing research about retirement communities in Peoria, Arizona, Vista Winds Retirement Home should definitely be on your list. Vista Winds offers retirement living at its finest. We have a rich calendar of activities, meals prepared by a Chef and caregivers on staff 24 hours a day for your health and safety. We offer award winning independent living, assisted living and memory care services. Come tour our community to see how we are a step above the rest and how easy it is to Make Yourself at Home! Vista Winds is surrounded by amazing views and our resort style property will be sure to impress!

Senior Living

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Written by webtechs

30 January 2025

Skilled Nursing Vs Assisted Living

Let’s take a complete look at the similarities, differences, and benefits of skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities.

What Is Skilled Nursing?

Skilled nursing facilities will provide a higher level of medical care and support for elderly citizens with complex medical needs. At these facilities, registered nurses, certified nursing aides, and various medical staff is on hand to deliver specialized care services.

Residents in these facilities are typically dealing with disabilities, chronic health conditions, or lengthy post-surgery recovery. Skilled nursing staff can administer medications, manage any wounds, and provide 24/7 care to ensure the health and safety of all residents.

Rehabilitation therapy is another service provided by skilled nursing. Residents who require occupational, physical, or speech therapy can access specialized services within this setting. This can be especially valuable for seniors who are recovering from serious injuries or surgeries.

In these facilities, residents will have immediate access to medical professionals, which makes it a great choice for residents with complex health needs

What Is Assisted Living?

If living at home has become a bit too hard or dangerous, then it may be time to think about assisted living. Some facilities will be in a residential-style neighborhood or in a large complex.

Assisted Living Features:

Medication monitoring
24-hour care
Three meals per day
Personal care
Social activities
Housekeeping/laundry

Benefits Of Assisted Living

Here are a few benefits of assisted living communities:

Safety And Protection

You no longer have to be concerned for your loved one’s safety. Whether you had previous concerns about falls, taking improper medication or not eating a healthy diet, you can rest assured knowing your loved one is being cared for constantly. Assisted living facilities make it their goal to ensure your loved one’s safety.

Day-To-Day Assistance

It is important for seniors to have their independence but still receive the assistance they need in daily activities. These communities will provide residents with tasks, such as dressing, preparing and eating meals, and laundry duties.

Increased Activity

Staying active can be a very difficult task for seniors who still live at home. Your loved ones will be offered an assortment of indoor and outdoor activities. From arts and crafts to dinner parties, communities will make sure your loved one stays active and healthy.

Differences Between Skilled Nursing And Assisted Living

Skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities will undoubtedly differ in a few ways. It’s crucial to note the key differences between the living situations when choosing what care type is best for your loved one.

When it is no longer possible for an individual to live at home safely, it’s important to consider the differences between these living situations. Here is a quick look at some comparisons between assisted living and skilled nursing arrangements:

Assisted Living Communities	Skilled Nursing Facilities
Living accommodations are quite comparable to apartments, being either private or semiprivate.	Living accommodations will closely resemble a hospital-like situation.
Housekeeping services are usually included at no extra cost.	Housekeeping and laundry services are provided at these facilities.
Caregivers are available 24/7 or other care can be arranged through a third party.	Caregivers are available 24/7 or other care can be arranged through a third party.
Medical personnel is either be on-site or on call.	Physicians are on-site or always on call.
Three meals are served per day or may be prepared by residents in their own apartments.	Three meals are served per day in a communal dining setting.
A schedule of daily activities is provided for all residents.	Less strenuous activities are provided daily for residents.
Transportation provided to and from doctor’s appointments and errands.	In general, transportation is provided to and from doctor’s appointments.
Private pay is typically responsible for the majority of costs. Medicare and Medicaid may be covered.	Medical services will be covered by Medicaid, Medicare, and most long-term insurance policies.

Conclusion

Choosing between skilled nursing and assisted living arrangements should be based on preferences, individual needs, and medical requirements. Assisted living communities will offer a supportive environment for seniors trying to balance independence along with some assistances with daily tasks.

Skilled nursing facilities, meanwhile, provide more intensive medical care and rehabilitation for seniors struggling with complex medical situations.

Vista Winds Is An Upscale Retirement Community Located In Peoria, Arizona

Senior Living

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Written by webtechs

21 November 2024

Life Expectancy After Fall In Elderly

More than one in four elderly citizens fall each and every year, sometimes resulting in serious injuries. Sadly, over 32,000 seniors pass away due to fall-related injuries each year.

At-home falls are actually one of the biggest causes of injury among the elderly. Making safety updates to a home or an apartment is crucial as seniors continue to age. Porch steps, stairs, and other obstacles can pose real threats inside a home. Let’s take a look at elderly falls and life expectancy after injury.

How Does A Fall Cause Death In The Elderly?

There are many factors that can contribute to a long recovery process after a fall. Things like pre-existing medical conditions, old age, and frailty can all contribute to a long and tough recovery process. Ground-level falls are actually responsible for the most serious injuries for senior citizens. One recent study concluded that older adults are three times more likely to die after ground-level falls than those under the age of 70.

Another study conducted by the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control said that nearly half of fall-related deaths among seniors ages 65 and up involved some sort of head injury. Prognosis and treatment can still be quite complicated for falls that do not involve the head.

Of course, hospitalizations will still come with some risks. Even when an elderly individual survives a fall and receives adequate medical care, the longer hospital stay could result in discharge to a long-term senior care facility. Longer stays at the hospital can increase vulnerability to several diseases.

Elderly Fall Consequences

Ultimately, the seriousness of a fall depends on the nature of the accident. For example, the way someone falls could be the difference between something like a broken hip or a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The most common injuries related to falls are fractured bones and soft tissue injuries. Even minor trauma can result in hospitalizations for the elderly, unfortunately. Some seniors may never regain their level of functionality.

Vista Winds Is An Upscale Retirement Community Located In Peoria, Arizona

Senior Living

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Written by webtechs

9 August 2024

When Is It Time for Memory Care?

Making the decision for moving a loved one to a memory care facility represents a significant lifestyle transformation. It’s by no means easy to think of an adjustment away from independent living.

However, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease advance over time. A lot of family members aren’t prepared to care for someone with progressive forms of these ailments. The time to discuss this is before symptoms worsen.

It’s a lot easier to carry out research and make these decisions when you are composed and thoroughly prepared than when you’re facing a crisis situation. At some stage, those with dementia might need around-the-clock care. Memory care might be the safest, best, and less distressful alternative for both them and their caretakers.

What Is Memory Care?

Unlike a conventional assisted living facility or retirement home, memory care accommodates those with issues with thinking and memory (referred to as neural disorders). Professional staff at these facilities care for those dealing with later phases of Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other types memory loss issues.

Memory care facilities also provide residents with meal preparation, household management, and laundry in addition to social activities, many of which are designed to benefit their physical and mental wellbeing. These facilities have extra safety measures, such as secured doors. They might utilize visual prompts, for instance pictures or signs, to help residents accomplish things on their own.

Memory care facilities can be included in assisted living centers, nursing homes, or retirement communities. They also can be independent facilities.

8 Signs It’s Time for Memory Care

There are no particular rules for when someone requires full-time care. A medical practitioner can carry out tests to establish if their cognitive disorder has worsened. If you or your loved one is presently in assisted living or a retirement home, staff there may recognize signs that they need a higher degree of care. And specific changes in their behavior, appearance, and surroundings can provide signs:

They’re not paying their bills. Whereas anyone can forget to make a payment occasionally, it’s a matter for concern if you begin getting confusing calls wondering why the satellite or electricity was turned off.
They disregard personal hygiene and housekeeping. They might have forgotten how to do household cleaning or have issues bathing and dressing themselves.
They become vulnerable in their present home. They might leave the stove on, trip and fall, or lose their way.
They don’t take proper care of their health any longer. They might forget their meds or take too much of them. They don’t schedule doctor’s appointments. They disregard meals.
They lose track of the passing of time. At an early stage of dementia, they could forget the date and then recall it later. However, forgetting the year or season is a matter of concern.
They remove themselves from hobbies and social settings. Studies have shown that social isolation makes dementia symptoms worse. Most memory facilities offer activities and highlight socialization.
You are concerned about your own safety. Some progressive forms of dementia can result in aggressive and abusive demeanors.
Taking care of a loved one has taken a physical and mental toll on you. You’re stressed, worn out and disregarding your own needs.

Vista Winds Is An Upscale Retirement Community Located In Peoria, Arizona

Memory Care, Memory Care Facility, Retirement Communities, Senior Living

What Sense Is Most Affected By Alzheimer's Disease

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Written by webtechs

23 April 2024

What Sense Is Most Affected By Alzheimer’s Disease?

While smell is typically the first sense impacted by Alzheimer’s disease, every sense may become impaired.

Smell

Generally, smell is the first sense to be affected by this disease. Individuals may become confused as to what they are smelling at this stage. This, of course, can get dangerous at home if something happens to be burning on the stove or in the oven.

Use these tips to keep your loved one safe at home:

Make sure smoke detectors are always working properly.
All cleaning supplies should be locked away.
Check to see if all food items are up to date.

Sight

The individuals’ eyes may not show any physical abnormalities, but the brain’s ability to process some images could be impaired. This ultimately creates confusion for the individual when tasked with identifying familiar people, places, and objects. Colors and shapes also become difficult to process.

Taste

The ability to taste is always impaired when our ability to smell is impacted. Most dangers related to smell also apply to this sense.

Touch

Individuals with Alzheimer’s could experience difficulty feeling hot and cold sensations.

This could become dangerous so take these precautions:

Install anti-scold devices on your plumbing system.
Place a warning sticker on your oven.
Color code any hot and cold areas of the home.
Make ovens and stovetops unusable by installing safety devices.

Hearing

Hearing can be impacted even if individuals test well for hearing issues. Alzheimer’s causes difficulty processing certain words and sounds. This can make some sounds quite confusing to the individual.

Try to keep a calm and quiet environment around your loved one at all times. Use short statements and always speak slowly.

Vista Winds Is An Upscale Retirement Community Located In Peoria, Arizona

We offer award winning independent living, assisted living and memory care services. Come tour our community to see how we are a step above the rest and how easy it is to Make Yourself at Home! Vista Winds is surrounded by amazing views and our resort style property will be sure to impress!

Senior Living

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Written by webtechs

1 November 2023

45 Alzheimer’s Disease Quotes

As C.C. Scott once said, “The human spirit is much stronger than anything that can happen to it.” If a loved one is battling Alzheimer’s diseases, use these 45 quotes below for support.

Best Alzheimer’s Disease Quotes

1. “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

2. “Hope is being able to see there is light despite all of the darkness.” – Desmond Tutu

3. “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop

4. “The best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.” – Andy Rooney

5. “One person caring for another represents life’s greatest value.” – Jim Rohn

6. “Doctors diagnose, nurses heal and caregivers make sense of it all.” – Brett H. Lewis

7. “The measure of life isn’t its duration, but its donation.” – Peter Marshall

8. “At best we will be able to halt the disease. Prevention will be much more important.” – Michel Goedert

9. “Care is a state in which something does matter; it is the source of human tenderness.” – Rollo May

10. “Never give up hope. If you do, you’ll be dead already.” – Peggi Spears

11. “We have to start teaching ourselves to not be afraid.” – William Faulkner

12. “There’s just so much scientifically that we don’t know, and we can know.” – Miles D. White

13. “The soul of a person with Alzheimer’s may forget, but their spirit never will.” – Grace Noyes

14. “People with Alzheimer’s deserve to be seen, so that we can find a cure.” – Julianne Moore

15. “Alzheimer’s caregivers are heroes.” – Leeza Gibbons

16. “Struggle is a sign that you’re alive, that you’re human, and that you’re trying.” – Zander Blancher

17. “We do not have to be defined by our illness. We are much more than our symptoms.” – Dr. Brent Shaefer

18. “Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.” – Charles R. Swindoll

19. “When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this: you haven’t.” – Thomas Edison

20. “Never let the things you cannot do prevent you from doing the things you can.” – John Wooden

21. “The most precious memories are the ones we hold in our hearts.” – Sharon Griffin

22. “If you want to avoid Alzheimer’s disease, sleep eight hours a night.” – Deepak Chopra

23. “Alzheimer’s doesn’t erase the person you were; it just makes it harder to remember.” – Gerald Everette

24. “The best way to remember someone with Alzheimer’s is to never forget them.” – Rianne Lee

25. “Alzheimer’s may take away the past, but it can never touch the love that remains.” – Miranda Blake

26. “I have Alzheimer’s, but it doesn’t have my spirit.” – Vernice Johnson

27. “In the end, you tried and you cared and sometimes that is enough.” – Anthea Yang

28. “Caregiving is a constant learning experience.” – Vivian Frazier

29. “Be helpful. When you see someone without a smile, give them yours.” – Zig Ziglar

30. “Even though helpful medication exists, there’s still no cure and we have to keep fighting to find one.” – Sally Noelle

31. “Dementia does not rob someone of their dignity. It’s our reaction to them that does.” – Teepa Snow

32. “They may not be able to remember who we are, but they feel us just the same.” – Amanda Dillon

33. “Aging is not lost youth, but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” – Betty Friedan

34. “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” – John Bunyan

35. “Though those with Alzheimer’s may forget us, we as a society must remember them.” – Scott Kirshenbaum

36. “The closest thing to being cared for is to care for someone else.” – Carson McCullers

37. “It’s not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing.” – Mother Teresa

38. “The capacity to care is the thing which gives life its deepest significance.” – Pablo Casals

39. “When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure.” – Ollie Grace Moore

40. “Alzheimer’s is like a thief in the night, stealing memories and dreams one by one.” – Shane Boler

41. “It’s not the years in life that count. It’s the life in the years.” – Abraham Lincoln

42. “Memory is the diary that we all carry about this.” – Oscar Wilde

43. “The mind is a precious gift, but it’s not immortal. And when it fades, the heart remains.” – Bubba Palmer

44. “The greatest gift you can give to someone with Alzheimer’s is your time.” – Hannah Basin

45. “Memories are the key not to the past, but to the future.” – Corrie Ten Boom

More Aging Quotes

Aging Gracefully

Aging Quotes

Support Quotes

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Senior Living

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Written by webtechs

13 September 2023

What is Dementia?

Dementia is the drop of cognitive functions — recalling, thinking, and reasoning — to such a level that it impedes an individual’s daily life and activities. Many individuals that have dementia are unable to keep their emotions in check, and their personalities might change. Dementia ranges in harshness from the slightest stages, as it is just outset to affect an individual’s awareness, to the most extreme stage, when the individual is required to completely entrust on others for basic activities of daily living, such as dressing themselves.

Dementia has an affect on millions of people across the world and is more common as people age (a 1/3^rd of all individuals aged 85 plus may have some sort of dementia) but it is not a regular part of aging. Many individuals live well into their 90’s and beyond lacking any indications of dementia.

There are many various types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s, probably the most common.

What are some indications and symptoms of dementia?

The indications and symptoms related to dementia take place when once healthy neurons in the brain stop working, lose touch with other brain cells, and breakdown. Whereas everyone loses some neurons as they age, people suffering from dementia go through a much greater loss.

The indications and symptoms can deviate subject to the kind of dementia and could include:

Facing memory loss, judgment errors, and confusion
Difficulty speaking, understanding and conveying thoughts, or reading and writing
Wandering and getting lost in familiar neighborhood
Difficulty dealing with money dependably and paying bills on time
Repeated questioning
Using unorthodox words to refer to common objects
Taking longer to finish general daily tasks
Growing bored of normal daily events or activities
Hallucinating or experiencing mirages or acts of paranoia
Behaving erratically
Uninterested in other people’s feelings
Falling down and difficulty getting around

Individuals with mental and/ or developmental disability can also progress in dementia as they age, and in these situations, acknowledging their symptoms can be especially challenging. It’s crucial to consider an individual’s abilities now, and to keep a sharp lookout for changes eventually that might be a sign of dementia.

Vista Winds Is An Upscale Retirement Community Located In Peoria, Arizona

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Funny And Inspirational Quotes About Aging

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Written by webtechs

1 September 2023

51 Quotes About Old Age

Aging brings plenty of wisdom, but let’s not forget about the laughs and inspiration! Here are 51 of the best old age quotes.

Funny Quotes About Aging

1. “Old age is always fifteen years older than I am.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

2. “Old age is like everything else. To make a success of it, you’ve got to start young.” – Theodore Roosevelt

3. “You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.” – George Burns

4. “You are only young once, but you can stay immature indefinitely.” – Ogden Nash

5. “Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest.” – Larry Lorenzoni

6. “I don’t feel old. I don’t feel anything until noon. Then it’s time for my nap.” – Bob Hope

7. “If I had known I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself.” – Unknown

8. “I’m very pleased to be here. Let’s face it, at my age I’m very pleased to be anywhere.” – George Burns

9. “People ask me what I’d most appreciate getting for my eighty-seventh birthday. I tell them, a paternity suit.” – George Burns

10. “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you was?” – Satchel Paige

11. “The really frightening thing about middle age is that you know you’ll grow out of it.” – Doris Day

12. “By the time you’re 80 years old you’ve learned everything. You only have to remember it.” – George Burns

13. “You don’t stop laughing when you grow old. You grow old when you stop laughing.” – George Bernard Shaw

14. “Aging seems to be the only available way to live a long life.” – Kitty O’Neill Collins

15. “You can live to be a hundred if you give up all things that make you want to live to be a hundred.” – Woody Allen

16. “Age is a very high price to pay for maturity.” – Tom Stoppard

17. “Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional.” – Walt Disney

18. “Today is the oldest you’ve ever been and the youngest you’ll ever be again.” – Unknown

19. “Age is not how old you are but how many years of fun you’ve had.” – Matt Maldre

20. “Old age is not so bad when you consider the alternative.” – Maurice Chevalier

21. “Life’s tragedy is that we get too old soon and wise too late.” – Benjamin Franklin

22. “I don’t let my age define me but the side-effects are getting harder to ignore.” – Unknown

23. “No one is as old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.” – Henry David Thoreau

24. “There is still no cure for the common birthday.” – John Glenn

25. “Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.” – Mark Twain

Senior Couple

Inspirational Aging Quotes

26. “The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes.” – Frank Lloyd Wright

27. “We don’t grow older, we grow riper.” – Pablo Picasso

28. “I don’t believe in aging. I believe in forever altering one’s aspect to the sun.” – Virginia Woolf

29. “It’s like you trade the virility of the body for the agility of the spirit.” – Elizabeth Lesser

30. “Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears.” – John Lennon

31. “In the end it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln

32. “Getting old is a fascinating thing. The older you get, the older you want to get.” – Keith Richards

33. “Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” – Betty Friedan

34. “Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be.” – Robert Browning

35. “When it comes to staying young, a mind-lift beats a face-lift any day.” – Marty Buccella

36. “Old age is an excellent time for outrage. My goal is to say or do at least one outrageous thing every week.” – Maggie Kuhn

37. “Those who love deeply never grow old, they may die of old age, but they die young.” – Ben Franklin

38. “To find joy in work is to discover the fountain of youth.” – Pearl S. Buck

39. “Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.” – Franz Kafka

40. “Age is no barrier. It’s a limitation you put on your mind.” – Jackie Joyner-Kersee

41. “I suppose real old age begins when one looks backward rather than forward.” – Mary Sarton

42. “For the unlearned, old age is winter; for the learned, it is the season of the harvest.” – Hasidic saying

43. “Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art.” – Stanislaw Jerzy Lec

44. “Try to keep your soul young and quivering right up to old age.” – George Sand

45. “Age is something that doesn’t matter, unless you are a cheese.” – Luis Bunuel

46. “Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it don’t matter.” – Satchel Paige

47. “That’s another great thing about getting older. Your life is written on your face.” – Frances McDormand

48. “Why would I worry about getting older – what’s to moan about?” – Dawn French

49. “I’m just getting older and better.” – Neal Schon

50. “If you’re not getting older, you’re dead.” – Tom Petty

51. “Aging is just another word for living.” – Cindy Joseph

More Aging Quotes

75 Funny Retirement Quotes

Funny Quotes About Aging Gracefully

Quotes About Getting Older

Funny Quotes About Getting Older

Positive Aging Quotes

Funny Quotes

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Senior Living

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Written by webtechs

21 April 2023

Fall Prevention Checklist

If you are looking for a checklist for senior fall prevention at home, follow this guide!

Fall Prevention Checklist

Falling at home is one of the biggest concerns for elderly citizens. Follow this guide for some safety solutions.

Floor Safety

❒ All walkways need to be kept clear of any objects.

❒ Keep walkways free of any furniture.

❒ No loose objects/debris on the floor.

❒ Wires and cords are secured against the wall.

❒ Remove any throw rugs.

❒ Refrain from ever using floor wax.

❒ Secure all carpet edges.

Bedroom Safety

❒ Lightning needs to be within reach of the bed on both sides.

❒ Utilize nightlights to keep pathways and bathrooms illuminated throughout the night.

❒ Install handrails next to the bed.

Bathroom Safety

❒ Tub and/or shower floor should feature nonstick rubber mats.

❒ Install grab bars around the toilet.

❒ Use grab bars to enter and exit the shower area.

❒ Install a raised toilet seat.

Kitchen Safety

❒ All frequently used items should be located on lower shelves.

❒ Keep a sturdy stool nearby, if necessary.

❒ Put a list of important healthcare information and contacts on your refrigerator.

Stair Safety

❒ Fix any broken or uneven steps immediately.

❒ Remove loose objects from the staircase.

❒ Keep the staircase well-lit at all times.

❒ Install handrails on both sides.

❒ Secure tread or carpet on stairs.

❒ Replace lightbulbs when needed.

❒ Use reflecting tape at the bottom and top of the stairs.

❒ Fix loose handrails.

❒ Light switches should be at both the top and bottom of the stairs.

Outdoor Safety

❒ Trim any shrubbery along the pathways to doors.

❒ Install adequate lighting by doors and walkways.

❒ Repair any uneven or cracked sidewalks.

Keep The Home Well-Lit At All Times

A home lacking in sufficient lighting will only increase the possibility of falls and other injuries. Keep the staircases well-lit all throughout the day and night. Installing nightlights in high traffic areas of the home is a helpful solution. Wireless motion sensor lights can also be installed near any bathrooms and bedrooms. Ensure the lighting you currently use is strong enough to keep you from straining your eyes.

Remove Tripping Hazards

An estimated 9,000 seniors die each year due to at-home falls, according to The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You can greatly minimize this potential risk by removing all loose objects from the floor. All cords and wires will need to be placed against walls securely. Rugs and carpeting should all feature nonslip backing.

Fire Safety

Fires are another potential risk for seniors living independently. Place a working smoke detector and fire extinguisher on each floor of the home. Ensure proper operation by testing these regularly. All windows and doors should be easy to open from the inside.

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9 March 2023

Assisted Living Vs Memory Care

Are you considering assisted living or memory care communities? Let’s look at the similarities and differences between both living arrangements.

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living facilities are settings where seniors live independently for the most part, but are provided with assistance when needed. Assistance, of course, will vary based on the individual’s specific needs, such as mobility issues, transportation needs and medication.

If living at home has become a bit too hard or dangerous, then it may be time to think about assisted living. Some facilities will be in a residential-style neighborhood or in a large complex.

Assisted Living Features:

Medication monitoring
24-hour care
Three meals per day
Personal care
Social activities
Housekeeping/laundry

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost?

Many costs are associated with assisted living communities. Assisted living is also more costly than any independent living options due to how much care is provided. Which costs can you plan and budget for when choosing an assisted living facility, though?

Generally, these facilities in Arizona require move-in fees, which will serve as a prorated monthly fee. You can expect to pay between $1,000-$5,000, according to WhereYouLiveMatters.

Benefits Of Assisted Living

Here are a few benefits of assisted living communities:

Safety And Protection

Day-To-Day Assistance

It is important for seniors to have their independence, but still receive the assistance they need in daily activities. These communities will provide residents with tasks, such as dressing, preparing and eating meals, and laundry duties.

Increased Activity

What Is Memory Care?

Memory care units are designed for residents in need of more specialized care and assistance. Memory care is often referred to as special care units, ideal for senior citizens suffering physically or with dementia/Alzheimer’s. In most cases, memory care units can act as a stand-alone facility or as part of an assisted/independent living community.

Memory Care Features:

24/7 care from licensed and certified staff
At your service transportation
Housekeeping & laundry service
Community room
Concierge medical teams

Benefits Of Memory Care

These are just of few of the many benefits of memory care.

Specialized Care

It’s no secret that individuals suffering from memory loss need specialized care. These facilities can provide individualized care for anyone suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Secure Environment

Memory care facilities feature many safety measures designed to prevent wandering. Your loved one can be easily monitored in this environment, promoting both safety and independence.

Programs And Activities

These programs and activities are created to promote memory health for individuals suffering from memory loss. Residents will have access to a plethora of games and activities inside these facilities.

How Much Does Memory Care Cost?

The average cost of memory care services across the U.S. is $6,935 per month. Of course, costs can vary depending on the level of care that is required, according to SeniorLiving.

When Should You Transition From Assisted Living To Memory Care?

These are three clear indicators that a transition to memory care is needed:

Sign 1. Physical Health Decline

These can be the most obvious signs of either dementia or Alzheimer’s. Individuals may become thin or frail at this point, with conditions worsening if the individual forgets to take medications.

Sign 2. Behavior Changes

It’s no secret that individuals suffering from dementia can begin acting out or differently. All changes, from motor skills to behavior, should be monitored closely. Individuals suffering from dementia have been known to become easily agitated and disoriented.