Senior Facilities, Nursing Home and Retirement Community Help Center: January 2013

Thursday, January 31, 2013

How do you decide which child to move your elderly parent near when they need a Senior Facility?

By Bob Gregory

If you have siblings that live in different parts of the state or even country, then you may be concerned where to move your elderly parent as they enter a Senior Facility such as an Assisted Living Facility or a Nursing Home. There are a number of points you need to consider and I suggest you involve your siblings before discussing with your parent. You may find the “truthful” answers to the question “who gets mom (or dad)” may be upsetting to your parent if disclosed in an open, blunt and possibly spirited debate between you and your siblings. If you are spearheading this conversation, I encourage you to come to your own conclusion and I’ll give you a few pointers. Yes, I have been here before and it wasn’t very pleasant. My best advice to you is to, first and foremost, do what is best for your parent!

Here are some questions that need to be answered—honestly!

Is it possible to keep mom/dad in the town they currently live? This will help tremendously so they are surrounded by friends and family that may reside in the same town. If neither you nor your siblings live in the same town as your parent, then this is a little more difficult as you may find visiting and checking on your parent challenging—especially if the Senior Facility is having issues with your parent and wants to meet with you!
Which sibling is most likely to remain for the longest time in the city they currently live? Once you get your parent in a Senior Facility, you do not want to have to move them if you can avoid it. The move to a Senior Facility will be stressful enough, but to move several times in a short span is not good for your parent. You need to choose a sibling that is stable and established in their own city.
Which sibling is most likely to visit and care for your parent? This is the hard one! We all believe we will be there for our parents, but the truth is most of us have families that demand more time

han we have to give. Some of us travel for work, have small children, or possibly s

(Photo credit: Ed Yourdon)

pecial needs individuals within our own families. There’s this practice or that lesson and you know how many games every season you have to attend. The thought of running by a couple of times a week in the evening or once each weekend sounds very doable but think of your family schedule, work schedule and all the chores you try to cram in on a weekend—will you visit?
Who has the best relationship with your parent? No, I’m not asking who the favorite child is—you already know the answer to that question. I am asking who your parent respects the most to make decisions, provide guidance and care for them.
Where would your parent choose to live? This answer will make you smile or cry but either way, your parent should have a say. I hope the feeling is mutual on the sibling’s side as it would make the move very comfortable for both.
Which sibling can keep your parent in the same region of the country? If your parent lives in Florida, a move to New York may not sound appealing. Your parent may not wish to adjust to cold, ice and snow. I’m not picking on our northern friends, the opposite can be true—not everyone loves the heat!
Which sibling is most financially stable? In this context, I don’t mean who can pay the bill for the Senior Facility, but if you or a sibling are having trouble making ends meet, your parent is going to get a lot less attention if you are struggling financially. You may also find yourself in a situation wh

Moving Day (Photo credit: Gavin St. Ours)

ere you have to move to find work.
Who lives in an area that provides choices in Senior Facilities and medical treatment? If your parent needs special medical treatment, make sure you place them where they can continue to receive that type of treatment. Also, if you or your sibling lives in a very rural area or a long way from a city, you may not have many or even any choices in Senior Facilities.
This is more of a point than a question but consider the sex of your parent and the sibling. I’m not being sexist here, but if you take a parent shopping or on an outing and they need help in the restroom, same sex can make the task less stressful for both.

Make sure you address these questions with your siblings and have a plan you all agree to before you sit down with your parent. The answers to some of these questions should become the cornerstone of your decision as to who your parent should live near. Be sure the conversation is about your parent’s wellbeing and care and not about what is easiest for you or your siblings. I hope you find yourself in a situation where there are options from which your parent can choose, but if not, do what’s best for your parent.

If you find you need an Assisted Living Facility, Nursing Home or any other type of Senior Facility, I hope you will consider www.seniorfacilityfinder.com.

If you would like to contribute your thoughts and ideas, please leave them in our comment section. We want to hear them. Helping people care for themselves or their loved ones is what we care about.

We look forward to reading yours.

Bob Gregory is an advocate for Seniors and is one of the founders of www.seniorfacilityfinder.com. At SeniorFacilityFinder.com, we are dedicated to helping families get the Elder Care help they need without having to provide their personal information! If find you need an assisted living facility or other type of senior facility, please consider www.seniorfacilityfinder.com

Monday, January 28, 2013

Are you concerned your parent will be lonely or bored in as Assisted Living Facility?

By Bob Gregory

If you are considering moving your elderly parent into an Assisted Living Facility and you are worried that they will be lonely and bored, don’t. Most Assisted Living Facilities have daily activities that appeal to everyone and are scheduled so residents that want to participate will be able to attend, seven days a week. Activities are usually scheduled beginning mid-morning after all residents have finished breakfast. Most activities finish before dinner, but some special activities are scheduled in the evening.

The following are examples of the types of activities offered:

Trips to department stores such as Target or WalMart
Board games
Movies

Laughter Yoga (Photo credit: The Pointe at Kilpatrick)
Bingo
Puzzles
Fitness or Yoga classes
Musical performances
Art and Crafts classes
Bible Study
Worship Services
Wine and Cheese parties
Manicures and Pedicures
Men’s and Women’s Clubs
Guest Speakers

Resident Appreciation (Photo credit: The Pointe at Kilpatrick)
Book Clubs
Morning Coffee and Afternoon Tea Parties
Costume Parties and Dances

Video Games

These are just a sample of activities your parent would enjoy in an Assisted Living Facility. These facilities usually have resident committees that plan activities, so encourage your parent to become involved in their facility. If your parent has a special talent, ask them to share their talent with other residents. My Uncle was a pianist and played for the residents in his Assisted Living Community well into his 90s. He was able to fulfill his need to perform and the residents loved to hear him play.

Also, some Assisted Living Facilities have a full time Activity Director to assure their residents have quality activities and functions. Be sure and ask if the facility you are considering has an Activity Director and if not, ask who is responsible for the activities. For more information on the importance of an Activity Director, please read my post “How important is the Activities Director at an ALF?” ( http://goo.gl/Qywvw )

If you find you need an Assisted Living Facility, Nursing Home or any other type of Senior Facility, I hope you will consider www.seniorfacilityfinder.com. To learn more about our services, please visit www.seniorfacilityfinder.com.

If you would like to contribute your thoughts and ideas, please leave them in our comment section. We want to hear them. Helping people care for themselves or their loved ones is what we care about.

We look forward to reading yours.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Should I take over my elderly parent’s finances now that they are moving into a Senior Facility?

By Bob Gregory

Moving to a Senior Facility such as an Assisted Living Facility or a Nursing Home will cause anxieties for your elderly parent and it will also create a few for you as well! I’m often asked if it is advisable to take over managing an elderly parent’s finances when they move to a Senior Facility and I usually give the same answer—I don’t know, do they need your help? The move to a Senior Facility does not necessarily mean your parent can no longer handle their own finances, especially if they were handling them competently prior to the move. If your parent is doing fine with their finances, then they should continue after the move but if they are struggling with their finances, then you should offer to help.

Investment account - bank error in your favor 02

Investment account - bank error in your favor (Photo credit: George Morris)

I was helping my mother long before she moved to an Assisted Living Facility, but only as an advisor regarding investments, credit and basic bookkeeping. This allowed me to monitor her finances without interfering and help ensure she did not get into trouble or fall victim to scams. I was fortunate when she realized she could no longer manage her own finances and asked me to take over. I knew she needed help when bills were paid late or double paid and her checkbook had very few entries. She also began transferring large sums of money to her checking account fearing she would not have enough money to pay bills. A candid discussion regarding the “state” of her finances convinced her to let me handle the bills and checking.

If your parent is competent and not having any issues then you should just monitor and keep an open line of communication so you can step if you are needed. But, if your parent seems to be struggling financially or just keeping up with the paper work, then you may need to provide assistance.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Start with a conversation with your parent regarding the cost of the Senior Facility and their ability to pay prior to the move. This will give you some insight into how your parent is doing financially if you do not already know. It will also show you are concerned for their welfare. Be respectful and try to avoid accusing them of being incompetent or incapable even if it is true.
Discuss legal documents your parent will need to have in place prior to the move. In a previous post (http://goo.gl/ESnZ4) I gave you a few documents your parent will need for medical care, but you should also have a durable power of attorney that will allow you to act on your parent’s

Finance (Photo credit: Tax Credits)

ehalf to make financial decisions if they are not able. This is the perfect opportunity to ask your parent to disclose their finances to you so you can be prepared in the event you have to step in.
A move to a Senior Facility will usually mean “down sizing” for your parent so offer to store their financial records for them. Security is another reason to store records as most residents of a Senior Facility go in and out of their living quarters and do not lock the door if they are going to remain within the facility. You should also suggest consolidating accounts and canceling certain credit cards. My mother had a credit card from every department store she ever shopped and I managed to get it down to one MasterCard with a very low credit limit!
Offer to create a document to list all of your parent’s financial assets and credit facilities to go along with the durable power of attorney. This is another opportunity to get access without being forceful.
Offer to create on-line accounts for your parent’s bank accounts, investment accounts and credit cards so that you can have access without physical position of the financial instruments. This will allow you to monitor if your parent refuses to turn over the finances to you.
If your parent is adamant about maintaining control, then offer to be a “second set of eyes” to check behind them for errors. We can all use that kind of help!
Finally, offer to bring in a financial advisor to discuss the transition and future financial needs. Often and “outsider” can make better headway and get your goal accomplished!

Credit cards Français : Cartes de crédit Itali...

Credit cards: (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If none of these accomplishes your goal then here are a few suggestions to help you safe guard your parent:

Suggest a two signature requirement for checks written for amounts over a certain dollar limit you and your parent determine to help avoid potential theft if checks are stolen.
Ask your parent to allow you to lock up credit cards at your home or in a safe deposit at your parent’s bank. Suggest they keep one credit card with a low limit to help safeguard against theft.
Offer to pay bills from a second bank account that your parent funds and also store financial records at your home. This can save storage space in your parent’s new living quarters and again, safeguard against potential theft of personal information.
Offer to meet monthly to discuss finances or to “help” with bookkeeping. Your parent will most likely be receptive to any type of a meeting as an opportunity to see you more often!

If you have siblings, I suggest you involve them in any planning and discussions regarding your parent’s finances. Keep them informed for their peace of mind as well as keeping your activities regarding finances very transparent—especially if large sums of money are involved. If you take over investment accounts, keep in mind your parent is in a very different stage of their life and you need to conserve principle and not try to build your future inheritance! Finally, do not get too many chefs in the kitchen. Make sure one person is in charge of your parent’s finances and avoid managing by committee with siblings.

www.seniorfacilitymarketing.com

If you would like to contribute your thoughts and ideas, please leave them in our comment section. We want to hear them. Helping people care for themselves or their loved ones is what we care about.

We look forward to reading yours.

Monday, January 21, 2013

My elderly parent in a Senior Facility is sexually active—what do I do?

By Bob Gregory

Most children do not like to think about their parents having sex let alone discuss their parent’s sex life with them! Your elderly parent may continue to have sexual desires and wish to continue sexual activities assuming they are fortunate enough to be healthy enough to still enjoy a sex life. Moving to a Senior Facility such as an Assisted Living Facility or even a Nursing home does not mean sexual activities cannot continue. It is not uncommon for healthy residents to date or have sexual relations with other residents. Some may date or have intimate relations with non-residents that visit them. Remember, this is just a different residence for them and not the end of activities, sexual or otherwise, that they enjoy! In most cases, you should mind your own business unless there is an issue with their activities that causes concern for the Senior Facility.

Sexual relationships in a Senior Facility are similar to those of individuals that live independently and should follow the same common courtesies with a few additional considerations:

Affectionate old couple with the wife holding on lovingly to the husband's face. Focus on the husband's eyes. Concept: Elderly love. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Both people should be healthy enough to engage in sexual activities.
The couple should limit their activities to the privacy of their personal living quarters.
Their activities should not be in violation of the Sexual Policy they may have agreed to when moving to the Senior Facility. Not many Assisted Living Facilities have a Sexual Policy but more are beginning to adopt them.

There may be circumstances that you and the Senior Facility may need to intervene:

sweet old kiss (Photo credit: dark_ghetto28)

If the sexual conduct is considered as Sexual Harassment. This may include unwelcomed advances toward staff, residents or visitors.
If one of the participants is not healthy enough for sex or it may endanger their life.
If there is a memory condition of one of the participants. With certain memory conditions such as Dementia or Alzheimer’s, one or both of the participants may not realize what they are doing or recognize the person they are having sexual relations. The opportunity for someone to take advantage of another because of a memory condition is serious and needs attention.
If the act is considered abusive. Continued unwanted touching can be considered sexual abuse.

If you get a call from the Senior Facility regarding sexual activities of your elder parent, take the matter seriously as your parent may be asked to leave! Generally, a Senior Facility will not intervene in healthy consensual sexual relationships that are confined to the resident’s private quarters. If you have concerns about your parent’s sexual activities because of physical or mental health issues, be sure and discuss them with your parent’s caregivers and their doctors. Otherwise, respect your parent’s privacy and good fortune to still be vibrant and sexually active. Human contact and emotional connections are important for all of us but they are even more important for elderly people who can often feel alone and abandoned.

www.seniorfacilitymarketing.com

If you would like to contribute your thoughts and ideas, please leave them in our comment section. We want to hear them. Helping people care for themselves or their loved ones is what we care about.

We look forward to reading yours.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Can Married Couples Live Together in Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing Homes?

By Bob Gregory

I think it is time for my parents to move into an Assisted Living Facility or a Nursing Home. Can they live together? The answer is yes, if you choose the right facility. There are continuing care retirement communities, assisted living facilities and nursing homes that have apartments or rooms for married couples.

Here are some things to consider when searching for a facility to accommodate both of your parents:

If one parent is not as healthy as the other look for a facility that can meet the needs of the parent with greater health issues

Look for a facility that provides activities that meet both of your parents needs and interests

Sweethearts (Photo credit: adwriter)

Look for a facility that will only charge for the services needed and provided on an individual basis. This is important if one parent has greater health issues.

Make sure the facility does an initial assessment to ensure the right placement for your parents and make sure that follow-up assessments are done periodically

See if there are other married couples living at the facility and if activities are provided for married couples

If your parents have to be in separate facilities for memory care or health reasons, find a facility that has an assisted living unit and a memory care unit or skilled nursing unit. Also make sure the healthier spouse will be able to visit their spouse whenever they want.

When people have been married for many years the thought of being separated is frightening. It can also be overwhelming when one spouse has to be the caregiver for the other spouse. In most cases a facility that can accommodate spouses with varying health needs – you just need to do your homework!

If you find you need an Assisted Living Facility, Nursing Home or any other type of Senior Facility, I hope you will consider www.seniorfacilityfinder.com.

If you would like to contribute your thoughts and ideas, please leave them in our comment section. We want to hear them. Helping people care for themselves or their loved ones is what we care about.

We look forward to reading yours.

Saturday, January 12, 2013

My parent is being released from the hospital and needs continuing medical care—should I choose a Skilled Nursing Facility?

By Bob Gregory

When an aging parent has a serious illness and has to be hospitalized for three or more days many times they require medical care after they are released from the hospital. An illness that causes impaired physical or cognitive function usually requires a higher level of care. If your parent lives alone or you are trying to provide the assistance they need, you may want to consider a Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation Facility.

Benefits of Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation are as follows:

my recovering mom (Photo credit: gaspi *yg)

They provide overall management and evaluation of an individual's care plan
They observe and assess a patient's changing condition, including identifying and evaluating the patient's need for changes in treatment or for additional treatment
There is 24 hour care and supervision by nursing staff
They provide occupational, speech and physical therapy on a daily basis
All care is provided on-site so there are no transportation worries
Medicare covers the first 20 days at 100 percent if the patient shows continuous improvement and then there is a co-pay for days 21-100.
Studies have shown that patient re-hospitalization is reduced when rehabilitation is completed in a Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation Facility
Skilled care helps your parent get better, function more independently, and/or learn to take care of their health needs.
It allows you the flexibility to continue your own daily routines knowing your parent is in good care.

Your parent’s physician and the hospital social worker will help guide you in the level of care needed. In most cases your parent’s physician will recommend a Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation Facility, if they don’t, I recommend you ask if that level of care is necessary or will increase the speed at which you parent recovers.

If you find you need a Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation Facility, Assisted Living Facility, Nursing Home or any other type of Senior Facility, I hope you will consider www.seniorfacilityfinder.com.

If you would like to contribute your thoughts and ideas, please leave them in our comment section. We want to hear them. Helping people care for themselves or their loved ones is what we care about.

We look forward to reading yours.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Is a Continuing Care Retirement Community a Good Choice for My Parents?

By Bob Gregory

Many people are intrigued at the prospect of helping their elderly parents locate in a Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC). These communities have facilities for seniors who can live independently, seniors who need assistance and seniors who need skilled nursing care, all in one location. The thought of going through the various stages in on Senior Facility is very enticing. Before deciding if a CCRC is right for your loved one you need to review the advantages and disadvantages of this type of community.

The following are some of the advantages of a Continuing Care Retirement Community:

The most appealing aspect of this type of community is once you move in you will not have to leave the community until death. You may be moved to a different area or building, but you will not have to leave.

10040060 (Photo credit: moodboardphotography)

Spouses with different health needs can live in the same community. They may have to be in different parts of the facility but they can visit daily and share meals and activities.

Families can visit their loved ones at the same time, without having to travel to different facilities.

Many communities offer recreational activities for persons who are able to participate such as golf, gardening, tennis courts, walking trails and exercise classes and facilities.

Medical treatments, such as physical therapy, skilled nursing care and daily assistance are available for short term illnesses.

Most communities participate in Medicaid and Medicare.

There are also a few disadvantages of this type of community:

An individual usually must relatively healthy and able to live independently to be considered for a Continuing Care Retirement Community, in other words, you have to start in the Independent section to enter.

Senior Couple Enjoying Beach Holiday Running Down Dune (Photo credit: SalFalko)

The most common type of community requires a large fee in advance, usually from $60,000 to $120,000. There are also monthly fees which average from $1000 to $1600 per month. There are also rental plans, which are less common, which cover housing and services, but no medical care. There are also a few communities where you can purchase your own living space and can sell it to a qualified person.

There are no federal regulations for these types of communities. These communities can be accredited by the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission which monitors the facility’s standards.

Since there are varying levels of care in a Continuing Care Retirement Community, it is imperative that the contract specifically address how and when an individual is transferred between levels of care, under what conditions an individual could be asked to move, is the up-front fee refundable if the individual does not stay in the community and what types of services are included in the monthly fees an individual will pay. As with any legal document, it is advisable to have an attorney review the contract before it is signed.

If you find you need an Assisted Living Facility, Nursing Home or any other type of Senior Facility, I hope you will consider www.seniorfacilityfinder.com.

If you would like to contribute your thoughts and ideas, please leave them in our comment section. We want to hear them. Helping people care for themselves or their loved ones is what we care about.

We look forward to reading yours.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

SeniorFacilityFinder.com welcomes new member Eastbrooke Gardens Assisted Living Facility

By Bob Gregory,

This week www.SeniorFacilityFinder.com welcomed new member Eastbrooke Gardens Assisted Living Facility located in Casselberry, Florida. Below is information on services Eastbrooke Gardens provides for all our readers to consider:

Eastbrooke Gardens is a fully licensed assisted living residence that specializes in the unique needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s or other types of Dementia. We are not just a “wing” in another assisted living facility, our community is 100% focused and dedicated to providing care to those with Alzheimer's and Dementia. All of our staff is specially trained in handling the special challenges that may arise when giving care to a resident with dementia.

We understand the disease. Our deep understanding of Alzheimer’s and dementia has led us to service mark our STAGES℠ program. STAGES℠ is a unique program that focuses on slowing down the progression of the disease through various forms of cognitive stimulation. The Eastbrooke Gardens STAGES℠ program makes us the leaders in providing Alzheimer’s and dementia care. We embrace both the resident and their family by offering an environment of comfort and belonging. As a family owned company, we value the involvement of our residents’ caregivers. All of our staff are available to provide support and understanding to families going through this difficult experience. Eastbrooke Gardens is a warm and friendly home with a family atmosphere. We offer private and semi-private unfurnished suites, allowing each resident to express his or her unique home setting.

Services

· A community designed to be both secure and relaxing

· Respite (short term stay)

· Daycare

· A wonderful 24 hour professional staff experienced and trained in the care and specific needs of Alzheimer’s and Dementia residents

· A licensed nurse available 24 hours a day.

· Nursing care (including medication and blood glucose) monitoring.

o Visiting Physicians

o Visiting Podiatrist

o Visiting Dentistry

· In-house physical, occupational and speech therapies

· Pet, music and aroma therapies

· Nutritious meals and snacks prepared by our wonderful chefs.

· Beauty and hair styling services in our onsite beauty salon

· A variety of activities catered towards the Alzheimer’s and dementia resident that promote cognitive stimulation and socialization.

If you find you need an Assisted Living Facility, Nursing Home or any other type of Senior Facility, I hope you will consider www.seniorfacilityfinder.com. If you would like more information on services provided by SeniorFacilityFinder.com, please email info@seniorfacilityfinder.com.

If you would like to contribute your thoughts and ideas, please leave them in our comment section. We want to hear them. Helping people care for themselves or their loved ones is what we care about.

We look forward to reading yours.

Bob Gregory is an advocate for Seniors and is one of the founders ofwww.seniorfacilityfinder.com. At SeniorFacilityFinder.com, we are dedicated to helping families get the Elder Care help they need without having to provide their personal information! If find you need an assisted living facility or other type of senior facility, please consider www.seniorfacilityfinder.com

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Need a great New Year’s Resolution? Volunteer at a Senior Facility!

By Bob Gregory

I’m sure the Holidays have packed on a few pounds and you are considering the most popular and rarely kept New Year’s Resolution—lose weight and get in shape! It’s important to take care of yourself but this year I challenge you to make a Resolution to help others. If you are willing to give of yourself, I think you will find it most rewarding for you and others. One of the most overlooked groups is our elderly. This year, consider volunteering in a Senior Facility such as an Assisted Living Facility or a Nursing Home. These types of Senior Facilities are very well staffed to meet the medical needs of their residents but they sometimes find it a challenge to continuously meet the social needs of their residents. This provides a great opportunity for you to volunteer!

If you have a family member or friend who is a resident of a Senior Facility, you can begin your volunteering resolution by contacting the Executive Director or Activities Director to offer your time. If you do not have a relationship with a Senior Facility, search for a facility near you (you can get a list at www.seniorfacilityfinder.com) and contact the Executive Director or Activities Director to coordinate volunteering. Keep in mind there is a difference between an Assisted Living Facility and a Nursing Home when deciding where to volunteer! Generally, residents of an Assisted Living Facility are more mobile than residents of a Nursing Home so you may find greater opportunity to volunteer at a Nursing Home. If you are not sure how to volunteer your time, I have a few suggestions for you that are applicable to either type facility.

Volunteer services anyone can provide:

Offer to assist the Activities Directory as needed. A trained Activities Director will give you tasks that you are comfortable performing and these activities will usually be in a group setting as opposed to a one-on-one basis. This is great for first-time volunteers at a Senior Facility.

Read to the residents. Seniors often find it difficult to read even with large print books. You ca

Seniors Playing Cards (Photo credit: Government Press Office (GPO))

n read to a group who are interested in the book or to an individual resident.

Play cards and board games. This is another great activity that can involve a group or an individual and provides entertainment.

Conversation—listening. Most Seniors have stories they love to tell but need someone to tell them to—that’s you! You will probably find the stories interesting and entertaining so listen carefully and try not to question the validity of stories that may sound a little unbelievable; the facts may have changed over time due to memory loss.

Take walks around the Facility. Seniors often like to get outdoors and walk around the gardens that most facilities provide. However, may Seniors are afraid to go out alone in the event of a fall or they need help. This is a great opportunity to assist and interact on a one-to-one basis. Check with a Facility Caregiver to make sure there are no special challenges for the resident you help.

Gardening. Many Facilities have areas where their residents can garden. Provide flowers and vegetables to plant and help with the planting, watering and maintenance. This is a good project as it is something to provide continuous enjoyment.

Entertaining at The Cottages
of Port Richey,

Clean and decorate a resident’s room. Not all residents have family to bring them decorative items for their room or to help them keep it in order. You can help decorate or organize drawers and closets. This type of help will be appreciated by both the resident and the staff!

Teach computing and using the internet. Seniors are one of the fastest growing groups that use the internet. If you are tech-savvy and the Facility provides a computer and internet connection, you can teach residents to connect online with family and friends! If the Facility does not provide a computer, you may ask about donating one.

Share mealtime with residents who tend to eat alone or in their room. Some residents have problems eating due to physical limitations or side effects from a stroke and they are not comfortable eating in the dining room with others. Your patience and company can make mealtime more enjoyable!

Entertain with music and song. If you can play an instrument or sing then you can certainly entertain at a Senior Facility! You will find your “audience” to be appreciative and nonjudgmental. Involve as many residents as you can for a sing-along or to play an instrument with you. Music is a great source of enjoyment in a Senior Facility.

There are many other activities you can do, but this list should give you some ideas and the courage to volunteer. You will also receive ideas and inspiration from the Activities Director and the residents themselves. Spend as much time with as many of the residents as possible as everyone enjoys a visitor! Some Senior Facilities may require certain paper work, such as a background check, to be completed prior to volunteering but please don’t let that get in your way.

If you find you need an Assisted Living Facility, Nursing Home or any other type of Senior Facility, I hope you will consider www.seniorfacilityfinder.com.

If you would like to contribute your thoughts and ideas, please leave them in our comment section. We want to hear them. Helping people care for themselves or their loved ones is what we care about.

We look forward to reading yours.

Web Address

Thursday, January 31, 2013

How do you decide which child to move your elderly parent near when they need a Senior Facility?

Monday, January 28, 2013

Are you concerned your parent will be lonely or bored in as Assisted Living Facility?

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Should I take over my elderly parent’s finances now that they are moving into a Senior Facility?

Monday, January 21, 2013

My elderly parent in a Senior Facility is sexually active—what do I do?

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Can Married Couples Live Together in Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing Homes?

Saturday, January 12, 2013

My parent is being released from the hospital and needs continuing medical care—should I choose a Skilled Nursing Facility?

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Is a Continuing Care Retirement Community a Good Choice for My Parents?

Saturday, January 5, 2013

SeniorFacilityFinder.com welcomes new member Eastbrooke Gardens Assisted Living Facility

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Need a great New Year’s Resolution? Volunteer at a Senior Facility!

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