The Round Table
We asked you what concerns were on your mind and many of you mentioned caring for your aging parents. With an overwhelming and constantly changing scenario, we sought advice and asked for an explanation of options. February is National Senior Independence Month and with that in mind, we spoke with Jim Payne, Vice President of Marketing and Community Services, and Cilla Drinkwater, Director of Marketing, Seniorsfirst Communities and Services. 2010 brings an exciting array of changes for seniors and their families. Read on for a summary of options that experts Jim and Cilla shared with Rochester Woman Magazine.
In the past, seniors were generally limited to two lifestyle options: struggling to manage their own home, or moving, perhaps prematurely, to their child's home or a nursing home. Fortunately, seniors now have an increasing number of options that allow them to choose lifestyles that fit their needs.
The Senior Lifestyle Revolution
When most of us think of "old age", we envision a sedentary, isolated existence leading us to dread the later stages of our lives. It's not surprising, therefore, that adult children experience terrible anxiety surrounding the issue of helping their aging parents. But now, thanks to the boom in the senior census, improved health care, and a rising societal awareness of senior capabilities, there's a corresponding boom in lifestyle options empowering seniors to continue independent, active and purposeful lives.
Home Services
For many seniors, home ownership is the first "aging challenge" as home and yard maintenance becomes an overwhelming obligation, a safety risk or simply takes too much time away from enjoying life. For these seniors, a little professional home maintenance assistance is all that is needed to remain in the home they love.
Adult Day Programs
In this age of two-income families, leaving an aging parent alone is not only a worry, it can create serious safety risks and result in a lack of social and intellectual stimulation as the parent's activity becomes limited to a day in front of the television. Day programs that specialize in elder care have the knowledge and resources to create a safe environment where the elder receives supervision and experiences a day filled with social interaction, therapeutic exercise programs and exposure to new environments. Some programs specialize in mild-to-moderate dementia care. Caring for the caregiver is also an important benefit to utilizing day programs. For the adult child or caring spouse who stays at home with an elderly loved one, respite from the care giving is not only welcome, it's necessary to the well-being and independence of everyone concerned.
Senior Independent Living Communities
As seniors become less physically active, their interactions with neighbors, friends and the community may decrease. This can lead to depression and a variety of related health problems. Senior independent living communities provide easily accessible activities and social interactions within a variety of lifestyle choices. In considering a move to a senior community, help choose one that will best suit your parents' day-to-day living. In the best scenario, the transition from home ownership to a well-chosen senior living community actually improves lifestyle by restoring former pursuits.
Assisted Living
When an aging parent needs additional care, an assisted living apartment offers needed support while maintaining a flexible level of independence. For example, a resident may choose to prepare their own meals or eat in the communal dining room, do their own laundry and housekeeping or use the staff services. An assisted living resident may need some help with bathing, dressing or medication reminders, but does not require the 24 hour skilled nursing environment of a nursing home.
Nursing Care
If a long-term skilled nursing community is the best option for a parent, there are still a variety of choices available. In fact, some of the most exciting developments in senior care are taking place among nursing homes! Low resident-to-staff ratios, flexible routines, real home environments with pets and multigenerational programming, neighborhood settings, and individualized activities are becoming increasingly available.
Independence is a state of mind, too
When you assist in your parents' senior lifestyle choices, be sure to advocate for and support their wishes and respect their boundaries. As much as we promote our children's self-esteem, we must also encourage our parents' positive spirit and right to make their own decisions.
You can enjoy the rest of the February Issue on our website
Friday, February 19th, 2010 | Rochester Woman Magazine
We asked you what concerns were on your mind and many of you mentioned caring for your aging parents. With an overwhelming and constantly changing scenario, we sought advice and asked for an explanation of options. February is National Senior Independence Month and with that in mind, we spoke with Jim Payne, Vice President of Marketing and Community Services, and Cilla Drinkwater, Director of Marketing, Seniorsfirst Communities and Services. 2010 brings an exciting array of changes for seniors and their families. Read on for a summary of options that experts Jim and Cilla shared with Rochester Woman Magazine.
In the past, seniors were generally limited to two lifestyle options: struggling to manage their own home, or moving, perhaps prematurely, to their child's home or a nursing home. Fortunately, seniors now have an increasing number of options that allow them to choose lifestyles that fit their needs.
The Senior Lifestyle Revolution
When most of us think of "old age", we envision a sedentary, isolated existence leading us to dread the later stages of our lives. It's not surprising, therefore, that adult children experience terrible anxiety surrounding the issue of helping their aging parents. But now, thanks to the boom in the senior census, improved health care, and a rising societal awareness of senior capabilities, there's a corresponding boom in lifestyle options empowering seniors to continue independent, active and purposeful lives.
Home Services
For many seniors, home ownership is the first "aging challenge" as home and yard maintenance becomes an overwhelming obligation, a safety risk or simply takes too much time away from enjoying life. For these seniors, a little professional home maintenance assistance is all that is needed to remain in the home they love.
Adult Day Programs
In this age of two-income families, leaving an aging parent alone is not only a worry, it can create serious safety risks and result in a lack of social and intellectual stimulation as the parent's activity becomes limited to a day in front of the television. Day programs that specialize in elder care have the knowledge and resources to create a safe environment where the elder receives supervision and experiences a day filled with social interaction, therapeutic exercise programs and exposure to new environments. Some programs specialize in mild-to-moderate dementia care. Caring for the caregiver is also an important benefit to utilizing day programs. For the adult child or caring spouse who stays at home with an elderly loved one, respite from the care giving is not only welcome, it's necessary to the well-being and independence of everyone concerned.
Senior Independent Living Communities
As seniors become less physically active, their interactions with neighbors, friends and the community may decrease. This can lead to depression and a variety of related health problems. Senior independent living communities provide easily accessible activities and social interactions within a variety of lifestyle choices. In considering a move to a senior community, help choose one that will best suit your parents' day-to-day living. In the best scenario, the transition from home ownership to a well-chosen senior living community actually improves lifestyle by restoring former pursuits.
Assisted Living
When an aging parent needs additional care, an assisted living apartment offers needed support while maintaining a flexible level of independence. For example, a resident may choose to prepare their own meals or eat in the communal dining room, do their own laundry and housekeeping or use the staff services. An assisted living resident may need some help with bathing, dressing or medication reminders, but does not require the 24 hour skilled nursing environment of a nursing home.
Nursing Care
If a long-term skilled nursing community is the best option for a parent, there are still a variety of choices available. In fact, some of the most exciting developments in senior care are taking place among nursing homes! Low resident-to-staff ratios, flexible routines, real home environments with pets and multigenerational programming, neighborhood settings, and individualized activities are becoming increasingly available.
Independence is a state of mind, too
When you assist in your parents' senior lifestyle choices, be sure to advocate for and support their wishes and respect their boundaries. As much as we promote our children's self-esteem, we must also encourage our parents' positive spirit and right to make their own decisions.
You can enjoy the rest of the February Issue on our website
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