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How to Decide if an Assisted Living Facility Is a Good Fit for Your Aging Loved One in Vacaville, California

by Frank Samson, Certified Senior Advisor · Comments (1)

13 Jun

How to Decide if an Assisted Living Facility Is a Good Fit

Author explains what you can and can’t expect out of these semi-independent senior living arrangements

For seniors who may benefit from round-the-clock help, but who aren’t entirely dependent, assisted living facilities are a likely fit. Nearly 40,000 facilities nationwide make up this parcel of the senior housing landscape, and they are generally regarded as a step between a nursing home and, say, an adult day care service. But no two are alike, says Paul Hogan, cofounder and CEO of Home Instead Senior Care, a global provider of non-medical senior care at home. While the facilities generally provide help with bathing and dressing if needed, in addition, some offer occupational therapy services, for example, or may have an exercise room available to residents. That’s why it’s important to talk with your parent early on about his or her preferences and visit several facilities before deciding which one—if any—is a good place for Mom or Dad to call home, says Hogan. In their recent book, Stages of Senior Care: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Best Decisions (McGraw-Hill 2009), Hogan and his wife, Lori, touch on the pros and cons of assisted living. U.S. News asked Hogan, who is well-versed in the care options available for seniors, for guidance on how to determine if assisted living is the right choice and how to pick the best facility.

What to Consider When Searching for an Assisted Living Facility in Santa Rosa, California

by Frank Samson, Certified Senior Advisor · Comments (0)

04 Jun

Visit www.seniorcareauthority.com to find out more about senior placement services available in Northern California.

9 Things to Consider in Your Search for an Assisted Living Facility

The decision to move shouldn’t be taken lightly, say experts. Here’s some guidance

As people age and need more help with daily activities, such as bathing or taking medication, moving to a facility that provides some assistance, without sacrificing independence, may be an option. This type of environment, known as assisted living, has emerged in the past two decades as an increasingly available option for housing and long-term care. In 1999, one third of the facilities that offered assisted living services had been in existence for less than five years, and 60 percent had existed for less than a decade, according to research published in January in the journal Health Affairs. The growth of assisted living facilities has leveled off in recent years, however, as the economic downturn hampered new construction and occupancy rates…

But much like deciding whether a nursing home is necessary, the decision to move into an assisted living facility is not an easy one. So what factors should you consider when looking for a place to move to?

Caregiver Stress Test for Marin County, California Caregivers

by Frank Samson, Certified Senior Advisor · Comments (0)

30 May

By Frank M. Samson

What is a Caregiver exactly? The Department of Health and Human Services defines them as “a person, either paid or voluntary, who helps an older person with the activities of daily living, health care, financial matters, guidance, companionship and social interaction. A caregiver can provide more than one aspect of care. Most often the term refers to a family member or friend who aids the older person.”

“Put on your own oxygen mask first before helping others” is something you hear each time a flight is taken. A similar concept should be used when taking care of an elderly parent or other loved one. It’s difficult enough for the caregiver to manage their personal life without the added responsibilities of providing in home care and managing various aspects of someone else’s life as well. There is proven research showing caregivers are less healthy than non-caregivers, both physically and mentally. This research is based on higher hospitalization rates, higher death rates and higher levels of depression. Additionally, those who have other responsibilities, including being a spouse, parent and/or employee are likely to deal with more everyday stress.

According to the American Medical Association, caregivers are often so concerned with caring for their relative’s needs that they lose sight of their own well-being. Below is a caregiver stress test which will help determine where the caregiver may stand:

Caregiver Stress Test

Score each item as:

1-Never

2-Once or twice

3-Rarely

4-Sometimes

5-Often

6-Usually

7-Always

In caring for a loved one, how often do you have the following experiences:

__Feeling resentful

__Feeling trapped

__Being tired, not sleeping enough

__Feeling weary

__Feeling troubled

__Poor appetite or overeating

__Feeling hopeless

__Feeling useless

__Being physically exhausted

__Feeling disillusioned

__Feeling anxious

__Feeling “burned out”

__Being unhappy

__Feeling rejected

__Being utterly drained of feeling

______TOTAL SCORE*

*If your score is 60 or above, the stress associated with being a caregiver is beginning to take its toll.

*If your score is 90 or above, the caregiver is living with burnout.

In my day-to-day work, I personally witness caregiver stress as a common phenomenon, but the good news is the caregiver can manage stress and improve their physical and mental health to benefit themselves, their parents and others who depend on them. Following are some options to consider:

* Exercise – The strength to handle an aging parent and exercise is a great stress reliever.

* Healthy Diet – Having three balance meals a day is a minimum necessity.

* Regular Check-ups – When caring for someone else, as a caregiver – you can not ignore the signs of your own health.

* Professional Home Care – Ongoing help from professional caregivers or just temporary relief – respite care.

* Assisted Living Homes or Communities – Safety should be the number one priority for your loved one. There are various affordable options available.

Frank M. Samson is Founder of Senior Care Authority based in Sonoma. Which provides free assistance to families finding in-home care, independent and assisted living for their loved ones. Reach him at 707.939.8744 or e-mail at frank@seniorcareauthority.com. The company Web site is http://www.seniorcareauthority.com.

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Understanding Memory Loss in Sonoma and Marin County, California

by Frank Samson, Certified Senior Advisor · Comments (0)

12 May

“It’s on the Tip of My Tongue”

By Frank Samson

Loss of memory or cognitive decline shows up in the little things first. You have a harder time calling to mind the names of people and places; you have something on the tip of your tongue, but just can’t remember what it is, you go into a room to get something and can’t remember what it was. The prefrontal cortex, which is your search engine for your memory, can’t call it up. Everyone has this happen at some point in his or her life. When this happens the hippocampus kicks in to provide other associations to try to jog your memory, but those names and places which used to come easily become more difficult.

Getting older is unavoidable, but falling apart mentally or physically is not. The biological mind-body connection becomes more important as you age. After all, a sound mind won’t do you much good if your body fails.

Brain-function research shows that as you age the cells throughout your body gradually loses its ability to adapt to stress. In the brain, when neurons get worn down from cellular stress, synapses erode, which eventually severs connections. Dendrites physically wither and you start losing a signal here or there. Losing a signal here or there isn’t such a big deal at first, because the brain is designed to compensate by rerouting information around dead patches in the network and recruiting other areas to help with trafficking. The good news is your brain is a social network; it thrives on making new connections and is constantly rewiring itself and adapting⎯provided there’s enough stimulation to spur the growth of new neurons.

Memory is possible because of your neurons. Neurons are electrically excitable cells in the nervous system that process and transmit information. Neurons never actually touch each other. They reach toward each other across a gap (synapse) with their axons and dendrites (hair-like filaments that project out).

With that thumbnail sketch, it’s time to dig into practical applications that can help you with age-proofing your memory. In the book, Age-Proofing Your Memory by Dr. Arlene Taylor PhD and Dr. Sharlet Briggs PhD, they encourage you to think of exercises and information as “fun education” that can help you delay the onset of symptoms of aging and slow down any tendency toward memory loss⎯especially intelligent/creative memory.

You no doubt have heard of the importance of physical exercise for building muscles, conditioning the heart and lungs. It turns out that moving your muscles produces proteins that travel through the bloodstream and into the brain, where it plays a pivotal role in the mechanisms of your highest thought process. Exercise is said to set the stage for learning.

Any intellectually challenging activity is believed to stimulate dendritic growth, which adds to the neural connection in the brain. The brain thrives on novelty. Keep your brain active each day. Learn something new by taking classes at local adult education centers or community colleges, attend seminars or lectures, play games, try memory exercises, read, write, work crossword or other puzzles

According to Miriam Nelson, PhD, a scientist at Tufts University biologically, it is possible to reverse the aging process by 15 to 25 years. You only have one brain with which to remember, and only you can take care of it. The sky is the limit when it comes to stimulating your intelligent/creative memory.

Frank M. Samson is Founder of Senior Care Authority based in Sonoma. The company provides free assistance to families in helping them find In-Home Care, Independent and Assisted Living for their loved ones. He can be reached at 707.939.8744 or e-mailed at frank@seniorcareauthority.com. The company website is http://www.seniorcareauthority.com.

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The Truth About Long-Term Care-Learn More in Contra Costa County, California

by Frank Samson, Certified Senior Advisor · Comments (0)

05 May

By Frank Samson

As I advise people on care options for their family members, most are surprised to learn about various nuances of insurance coverage as well as the various long term care options available.

See if you can answer these True or False statements.

1) T or F – There are approximately 25 licensed assisted living locations in Sonoma County.

2) T or F – Insurance coverage for Homecare is limited only to medically necessary skilled care.

3) T or F – Fewer than 15 percent of the elderly needing care live in nursing homes.

4) T or F – Most of our parents prefer to stay at home and it is the best place for them.

5) T or F – Medicare does not pay for long-term care.

6) T or F – The leading cause of death among seniors (65 years +) are falls.

7) T or F – In order to be eligible for Medi-Cal, you must exhaust your financial assets and have very limited income.

8. T or F – Less than ten percent of personal care costs in the U.S. are paid by private long-term care insurance.

9) T or F – Long-term care insurance are not for those who are financially secure.

10) T or F – The highest percentage change for cause of death is Alzheimer’s disease.

ANSWERS:

1. False. There are nearly 200 assisted living locations (Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly) in Sonoma County. Options range from small, family Residential Care Homes to larger, full-service communities with hundreds of residents.

2. False. Though non-medical homecare is not covered by health insurance, some is covered by long-term care insurance. Non-medical or personal assistance may be help eating, bathing, or going to the bathroom. It may be a ride to the doctor or the grocery store, or help balancing a checkbook or cooking dinner.

3. True. Most of us get this care at home or in the home of an adult child or relative, not in a nursing home. In fact, nearly 80 percent of the frail elderly and the disabled live at home.

4. False. Of course each situation is different, but living at home can be lonely and often dangerous. If your mom or dad needs lots of help, there are several options which also may be less expensive than staying at home in a potentially unsafe environment.

5. True. Neither will Medicare Supplement insurance. These programs will pay only for limited nursing home or home health care, and only after a patient is discharged from the hospital.

6. True. In 2006, there were 16,650 fall-related deaths or 37% of all deaths among the elderly. In 2007, 3,134,935 seniors experienced an injury. Most seniors were injured by a fall: 1,927,766 seniors or about 62% of all senior injuries.

7. False. The misconception is you have to spend all your money to qualify for Medi-Cal. This isn’t always true. You may be able to protect your assets by utilizing different legal trusts such as special needs trust, irrevocable trust or a revocable living trust. However, once qualified for Medi-Cal, there are limited long-term care options.

8. True. More than 80 percent of Americans have health insurance, usually through their jobs or from Medicare. Yet only seven percent of us have long-term care coverage. That is the real crisis of the uninsured.

9. False. Long-term care insurance is extremely important for those at any income level. On average, Assisted Living costs are $40,000 per year and Nursing Homes average $82,000 per year. A Long-term insurance option is part of the new Health Reform Plan called The CLASS Act which will offer only minimum coverage, but it’s a start.

10. True. Between 2000-2006, Alzheimer’s disease had a 47.1% increase as cause of death. All other major causes of death decreased – Heart disease (-11.5%), Breast cancer (-0.6%), Prostate cancer (-14.3%), Stroke (-18.1%).

Frank M. Samson is Founder of Senior Care Authority based in Sonoma and also hosts “The Aging Boomers” on KSVY every Monday at 2pm beginning May 3rd. The company provides free assistance to families in helping them find In-Home Care, Independent and Assisted Living for their loved ones. He can be reached at 707.939.8744 or e-mailed at frank@seniorcareauthority.com. The company website is http://www.seniorcareauthority.com.

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What Does “Aging in Place” Really Mean for Sonoma County, California Seniors?

by Frank Samson, Certified Senior Advisor · Comments (0)

27 Apr

By Frank M. Samson

Most people want to live independently as long as possible, but many of the baby boomers today are dealing with a parent or loved one who needs care at some level. This can range from everyday tasks such as meal preparation, assistance with errands, driving to doctors or to activities.

The need may also arise for assistance to move into a retirement or independent living community, assistant-living facility or even a nursing home. It is essential to communicate with an elderly parent or loved one about the various care options should the need arise.

The term “Aging in Place” is a term being used in the senior care industry for helping someone live at home instead of considering other options. Of course, most seniors want to stay in their own home, but the family must consider safety as the number one priority. If the answer to one or more of the following questions is “yes,” it may likely indicate that your loved one may need more assistance:

* Have there been medication mistakes?

* Has wandering away from home occurred?

* Is there weight loss due to lack of food and/or fluid?

* Have there been falls?

* Has the stove or toaster oven been left on?

* Is there a need for nighttime supervision?

* Is there a need for daytime supervision if alone for an extended period of time?

Care options include:

Home with Family

Caring for a senior in your home is a difficult job. You must have tremendous inner-strength, and also admit you cannot do it alone. Failing to do so will exacerbate an already difficult situation, but with the help of others, care-giving can become a much smoother process.

Safety precautions must be taken. Though falls can be prevented, they are still the number one cause of injury to a senior at home. It would be wise to have a professional who deals with design and safety advice for the elderly come to your home. This could prevent serious injuries or even death.

In-Home Care

The in-home non-medical area of health care has been one of the fastest growing new businesses throughout the country. There are dozens of companies and hundreds of independent caregivers in the North Bay alone. Examples include assistance with dressing, bathing, grooming, driving to appointments, light housekeeping, laundry, shopping, preparing meals, companionship and more daily tasks.

Since these companies or individuals are not required by California to be licensed, it is imperative a thorough analysis takes place to make sure you are dealing with a reputable organization. Some of the areas to consider include but are not limited to:

* Client Reference checks

* Background checks of caregivers

* Cost comparisons

* Are caregivers employees of a company or independent contractors – which could have some implications

* Location of company and/or caregivers

* Language barriers

If you are turning over the responsibility to someone to take care of your loved one, get the advice of a professional in the industry or make sure you do your research.

Independent Living Communities

These are senior housing or senior communities whose residents are at least 55-60 years of age and are in good overall health. For a loved one who is able to live by himself or herself this can be a great alternative choice. These communities are set up to keep residents active and safe. Residents will not have the usual worries, which come with the burden of owning a home. Again, seek the advice of a professional who works closely with the elderly and understands their needs.

Assisted Living vs. Nursing Homes

Assisted living is probably the most misunderstood of the various senior care options. Many associate assisted living with nursing homes, but there are distinguishable differences. Nursing homes are skilled nursing facilities for those who need 24-hour medical attention. This is for those with chronic medical conditions who need skilled, long-term care, and also for short-term recovering patients after a hospital discharge.

Assisted living, on the other hand, is for those who cannot live at home anymore and need help with basic activities of daily living to more specialized areas including dementia care. There are many options available in assisted living including a range from small, family residential homes to facilities with multiple levels of care.

These homes and communities are licensed facilities by the state of California. The key is to find the right type of place for your loved one depending on their personality and needs. The right assisted living facility will provide a warm and safe environment with the hope of even improving their physical and emotional conditions.

Frank M. Samson is Founder of Senior Care Authority based in Sonoma. The company provides free assistance to families in helping them find in-home care, independent and assisted living for their loved ones. He can be reached at 707.939.8744 or frank@seniorcareauthority.com. The company Web site is http://www.seniorcareauthority.com.

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