5 Useful Tips on Making Bathroom Safe for Seniors

Senior woman fall in bathroom

Bathrooms are one of the most important rooms to focus on when concerned with elder care safety. Because bathrooms are very hazardous, they have slippery surfaces which can greatly increase the chances of getting hurt.

Fall-related injuries range from scrapes, minor cuts, and bruises to head contusions, spinal cord injury, and broken bones. If your seniors loved one have a history of falls, the risk is even greater. Here are some tips to make their washroom safer for seniors:

1. Prevent Slips: To prevent slips, it would be recommended to install non-slip surfaces on the floor of your elder loved one’s tub. Non-slip decals should be applied to bathroom tiles which can prove to be a dangerous when they are wet. Also, make sure to remove scatter rugs which are easy to slip on.
2. Remove Obstacles: You can improve bathroom safety for your elderly loved ones by removing items which are easily slipped over. One of the largest risks is tripping over the bathtub side. Installing a superior-quality walk-in bathtub can prevent tumbles when getting into or out of the tub.
3. Prevent Hot Water Burns: Seniors have more delicate and thinner skin; sometimes it can take longer to feel hot temperatures. Due to this, they could be at risk of burns caused by hot water. Make sure that your loved one’s bathroom taps are labeled clearly and set the hot water temperature to a maximum of 120 F.
4. Install Grab Bars: For elder care bathroom safety, grab bars are an essential tool, as they perform 2 functions. Firstly, they give your elder something to hold on and anchor themselves when moving in and out of the tub. Secondly, grab bars can help your senior catch themselves in the case of a fall.
5. Improve Accessibility: You need to make sure that regularly used items are easily accessible in the areas where the risk of falling is height. This is especially important in bathtubs. Check to make sure their shampoo, soap, conditioner, towels or any other bathing things are within an easy reach distance.
6. Reduce Risk of Exertion: Several falls and injuries are mainly caused by overexertion so you can greatly diminish the risk of your loved ones over exertion by installing a secure bathing seat for them.
7. Improve Visibility: Frequent urination is a common complaint among many elderly people. You can reduce the chances of a fall by installing lights that light up the path from their bedroom to the bathroom. This way your senior will be able to walk safely even at night.

Overall toilet safety is just as vital as bathtub safety for your senior loved ones. Therefore, bathroom safety can be simply improved by having a person around to look after your loved one. Whether that person is relative, friend or a care-provider, having someone to help greatly reduces your elder’s risk of injury in the washroom.

Activities to Do With Seniors in Assisted Living

Many people wonder what is there to do all day in assisted living. There are so many activities seniors can participate in to stay connected to their interests and hobbies.

Plenty of communities nowadays are taking a holistic approach to wellness, including a diverse shift in the activity offered. Senior’s participation in activities organized by community centers has been shown to help against stress and depression. 

Engaging activities offer social stimulation, lessen feelings of loss and help heal frustration.We have compiled a list of the latest trends in activities you might look for:

• Tai-Chi: One of the most popular forms of gentle stretching is tai chi. It relieves stress immediately and improves body balance as well. Also, it can be easily be done by participants of any level of physical function.

• Walking Clubs: Some people walk locally in neighborhoods, others travel to malls for indoor walking. Others organize advocacy walks to raise funds for causes such as: Alzheimer’s research or arthritis.

• Yoga: Yoga is a great activity for those with physical limitations and the classes for yoga are taught by well-trained instructors.

• Life-Story Workshops: Some activities directors teamed up with local professionals who help residents preserve their life stories by creating scrapbooks.

• Hobbies: Various assisted living communities help residents continue their lifelong interests and habits. They offer woodworking, quilting, garden care and repair projects.

• Computer Courses: There are so many seniors entering assisted living centers with a strong familiarity of digital technologies. Some programs even use iPads as an easy to understand alternative, especially for those who have some cognitive impairment.

• Group Cultural Outings: Community buses and vans allow residents to have an access to an extensive range of resources like – musical performances, museums and plays. Sometimes it even includes discounted tickets or special tours with docents.

• College-Level Continuing Education: Unique facilities affiliated with esteemed and respected learning institutions have created university branded institutions where residents can leverage the school’s academic, cultural and sports offerings. Residents might even get a chance to listen to guest lecturers or enroll in college courses.

• Performance Art: From karaoke to flash mobs, activities directors who know choreography find varied unique ways to involve residents in modern social trends.

With these actives and more, there is no chance of seniors being bored at Assisted Living Facilities. 

What Does Assisted Living Care Cost In Indiana?

All across Indiana, you will come across an immense variety of assisted living communities with state of the art amenities. The survey says that the average cost in 2012 of an assisted living care in Indiana was $3,136 per month, up from a $2,799 in 2010. The lowest reported cost for the state was $1,665 or the highest was $4,950. In the year 2016, the average monthly cost of assisted living care in Indiana was approximate $3,500. The number of assisted living partner properties in Indiana is now around 193.

Generally, the daily cost varies depending upon your location. In Fort Wayne, for example, an average cost of Assisted Living per month was $3,141. In Indianapolis, it was $3,161. The rest of the states like Kokomo and Terre Haute have a lower monthly cost, as an average, of $3,123.

Home Care:

The average hourly rate for home care all around Indiana is about $19.50 per hour, with small variation between cities. Although, the average hourly rate in Evansville Terra Haute, or in South Bend is around $1 less/hour. However, Michigan City or Indianapolis areas have little bit higher hourly rates which make the approx. average around $21.25 to $21.50 per hour.

Adult Day Care:

In 2016, the average cost of adult day care services were about $78 per day. In the Columbus area, one can expect to pay around $107 per day, while costs can be as low as about $60 per day in the South Bend area.

Medicaid Assisted Program for the Elderly:

Medicaid covers the cost of nursing home care and limited personal care too, for elderly and low-income individuals. In addition to the state Medicaid plan, Indiana also provides HCBS (Home or Community-Based Services) Medicaid waivers to those who need a nursing home level of care but prefer to remain to reside at home. The main reason of these programs is for the individuals to stay in their home for as long as possible. Presently, Indiana offers Medicaid-based assistance programs which are pretty much relevant to elderly.

State (Non-Medicaid Assisted Program):

There are 3 non-Medicaid assistance programs that are being offered by the state of Indiana. The first one is the CHOICE program, which gives financial assistance for in-home care, in-home support or home modification for seniors. The second is the HoosierRx program, which provides financial support to help seniors in paying their Medicare part D premiums, which provides medication coverage. The third is the Indiana residential care assistance program, which gives financial support for individuals residing in a state approved homes or residential care facilities.

Finding Affordable Care Cost in Indiana:

Even though the cost of care in Indiana can be more inexpensive than the surrounding states, there is still a vast range of elder care pricing all through the state. Given this fact, it is highly recommended for seniors to contact several different providers to get the most affordable care available.

Ideas to Celebrate Earth Day at an Assisted Living Indiana Facility

Earth Day is approaching so get ready to reuse, reduce and recycle the stuff which can prevent our planet from pollution and global warming. The day actually gives us a great time to start thinking about ways that can help Earth to sustain itself for many lifetimes. There are many ways to celebrate Earth Day and get involved in helping the planet. For example, you could clean up waste in your neighborhood, turn off unused electronics to save some power or plant some flowers. Of course, you don’t have to wait for Earth day to show your devotion, but Earth Day is a great time to start thinking about living in a way that can help keep out planet in a healthy and safe condition.

In the honor of Earth Day 2017, here are some ideas to celebrate our Mother Nature and give her some love:

Invite Your Friends to Get Involved:

Older People Community

You can initiate a pledge board in your Assisted Living community so that everyone can come together to take environmental actions. Also, you can keep each other accountable and stay on track with the pledges you took for the safety of Earth.

Try Not To Eat Meat:

Studies show that the meat industry is responsible for a sizable portion of the world’s greenhouse gas emission. Since more and more people are eating it, the industry is on the rise and will continue to be. However, this does not mean you have to become a vegetarian but skipping it for one day a week would reduce your own carbon footprint.

Join An Environmental Group:

Environmental Group

If you want to help the environment even after celebrating The Earth Day then take this as a golden opportunity to start an environmental advocacy group in your area.

Track Your Online Energy Use:

Do you have any idea about how much energy you are using while scrolling through Facebook Newsfeeds or watching Netflix? You can download a Google Chrome extension called Earth Mode that can actually track your internet usage and calculates how many trees you should plant to offset it.

Give Up Bottled Water:

 

Bottled Water

Just like the meat industry, bottling water consumes a large amount of fossil fuels and such bottles have already proven to be destructive for the environment. Thus, if you make an effort to switch to reusable water bottles or glasses, you can make a huge difference in saving money and helping the environment too.

Make a Garden:

Plantation

Whether you wish to plant vegetables, fruits or flowers, this can be a fun way to celebrate the Earth day. And, it's a great activity for a group of friends, kids or neighbors. Be sure to check with your Assisted Living community to ensure they can provide a location for planting.

All the above mentioned would certainly act as a magnificent way to celebrate Earth Day. Take the time to learn more about Earth and start making contributions towards protecting the Planet we all belong to.

Tips to Find the Best Senior Living in Indianapolis

There are over 15,000 assisted and independent facilities in the U.S. Additionally, around 1,500 continuing care communities exist which feature lists and reviews of facilities. This figure does not include adult home and nursing home communities.

Assisted living communities are a great choice for those who need some additional help but don’t have complex medical problems. Many of the assisted living communities charge on a monthly basis for a room, with the extra fee for particular services like managing bathing or medication. Residents usually have their own apartments and generally will have access to communal transportation, dining and activities.

Assisted living homes are quite different from a regular care community. Residents can live an independent life in assisted living homes. Selecting the right facility for your loved one is never an easy task. We have listed some great tips for finding the best assisted living community in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Tips to Find the Best Assisted Living Community in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Modern Assisted Living Facility

Take A Tour Of The Facility: 

Stay and have a meal, talk to other residents and look at the apartments. It's also a great idea to stop by on a different day for an unscheduled visit.

Enquire About the Staff: 

Find out how long the staff members have been working with the community, this is a great indicator of stability. If nursing care is given then what is offered and is there any requirements for it?

Look at the Activities Calendar and Menus:

Determine beforehand if the meals are provided at a particular time each day and are there any choices? Do the activities available resemble your interests?

Ask In Detail About The Services: 

Will the facility do laundry and at what price? Will you have to arrange for internet service or does the facility provide it? Are there washers and dryers available? These are a few great questions to ask when you are looking at different facilities.

Drill Down On Cost Structure: 

Ask about particular services and ensure that you have a complete understanding about the fee structure involved. This will help guide you in making the right decision for your loved ones.

Hopefully, these tips will help you in your quest to locate the best assisted living community in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

How Assisted Living Can Turn Out To Be A Perfect Home

Assisted Living

Assisted living apartments can give seniors the freedom and independence they have grown accustomed to. And when the day comes that their health begins to fail, there will be always someone to care for them. Below are some more reasons how assisted living centers benefit seniors.

There comes a time when your aging parent can no longer safely live at home alone. It is understood that your working schedule doesn’t always allow you to be there all the time for them. Hence, you end up having some important family decisions to make ahead of you. Are you considering relocating your parents to an assisted living home? Well, you aren’t the only one, there are many like you who are in a dubious state of choosing these centers for the care of their seniors.

There will be many questions crossing your mind when making this decision. What will be the total cost? How far away it will be from where you live? What are all services they offer? What is the environment like? Will your parents like it or feel comfortable there? And many more!

For anyone still not sure about relocating their parents, here are seven great reasons why assisted living is a popular option for senior living.

Complete Assistance: 

The first benefit is that you can live with the peace of mind of knowing that your parents will get every type of assistance they need. The entire staff is available to care for them 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Better Amenities: 

Generally, most of the private apartment living homes offers greater facilities to seniors. It includes everything from laundry cleaning to their health care services.

Apt Diet: 

In these homes seniors can enjoy three meals a day in a communal dining setting. And the best part is that if your parents are fond of cooking, these apartments generally provide a kitchenette too.

Fun Loving Environment: 

To help the seniors socialize and feel good, there are always a number of activities they can participate in. They have the option of joining in activities or they can relax in the privacy of their own place.

Well-trained Caretakers: 

The presence of perfectly trained staff in senior care center makes it the best place for elderly. Being experts in their field, these personnel can do everything from creating a warm and homey living environment to serving healthy food.

Easy Transportation: 

Yes, these living facilities offer transportation services too. Seniors can easily continue seeing their own doctors and shopping at their favorite stores.

Lastly, if you are considering in-home care providers, this might not be the best solution. Why? Simply you will not be able to meet your loved one's physical needs 24/7, and the social isolation can deteriorate their condition. The best thing you could do is pick an excellent assisted living facility near you, and let your loved one feel safe, while enjoying a wonderful quality of life.

5 Signs That Your Elder Must Shift to Assisted Living

Learn how to know if assisted living is the right decision for your beloved elders.

Should you send your hale and hearty elder to care facility?

Most people think assisted living is ideal for those who are lonely and are not keeping well. Besides health concerns and loneliness, there are many reasons making an assisted living facility a great choice at this point of life.

Here we will discuss the signs helping you know if your beloved elder should move to an assisted living facility.

They Have Mobility Problems:

Do they need help in dressing, bathing and other errands? If they are facing problems in doing their everyday’s tasks, chances are their mobility is not efficient like before. It is more problematic if your elders are living alone. They always need somebody around to take care of them. This may be a good time for them to be moved to assisted living facility.

They Have Worsening Health Problems with Slow Recovery:

You can’t afford to leave an elder at home when they have serious medical condition like COPD, dementia, and heart failure tendency. But you also won't be able to be constantly present due to your schedule or other commitments. At an assisted living facility, they remain under medical supervision and get frequent health checkups.

Noticeable Weight Gain or Weight Loss:

Does your elder look much thinner than they used to? This can be because of the underlying health conditions like depression or even cancer. It is also possible that they are not able to shop for groceries or cook food easily, leading to weight loss. But that doesn’t mean that excessive weight gain is the sign of their good health. If they are putting on weight, diabetes and dementia may be slowing them down or they don’t remember eating. Someone with money problems would choose fewer fresh foods and more packaged foods like pasta or bread.

Therefore, you must take the dramatic changes in their weight seriously as it may be due to the poor care.

If They are No Longer “Social”:

The social circle of the person shrinks as he or she ages. However, being socially active at this age is important to deal with the problems causing by loneliness. Know if your elders still go for lunches or outings with friends. Do they participate in group events and religious activities? Loneliness can trigger depression and heart problems in older adults. Sending them to assisted living is really useful where they can enjoy the company of like-minded people.

They are No Longer Able to Maintain Their Home:

Given the health and mobility issues in this age, a person can’t perform the household chores and maintenance tasks easily. Have a look in and around their home. Do you find cluttered rooms, stale food on shelves or excess of unused items? Are their bushes that haven’t been trimmed for a long time or mails piling up?

If so, it is clear sign that an elder is no longer able to do these common errands with ease.

Conclusion:

With the help of these signs, you can easily decide if your elders need to be assisted living services. However, it's important not force to them in any manner. Help them see the advantages and great benefits to assisted living communities so that they can be excited and look forward to adventure and comfort in their golden years.