There’s an old saying: If your loved one forgets where they put their keys, they’re probably just distracted, stressed, overworked or all of the above. In other words, it’s likely nothing to worry about. If they forget what their keys are for, that may be one of the signs your loved one needs a little help, from assisted living to skilled nursing to memory care.

While we offer many care options at Ebenezer, the signs your loved one is ready to make the move into one of our communities are rarely as cut and dried as the example of the keys. In reality, the decision to change your loved one’s living arrangements is stressful, emotional and even guilt-inducing. It’s difficult to know if “now” is the right time. Recognizing the fact that the time has come is vital to your loved one’s care, safety and well-being.

Of course, that process is about assessing your loved one’s needs, behavioral changes and diminishing abilities. It might surprise you to know it’s also about you.

What Is Your Level Of Caregiver Stress?

According to AARP, some 16 million Americans are full- or part-time caregivers for loved ones. That role can run the gamut from caring for them in your home 24/7, to being on call to check on Mom and Dad or administer their pills as they continue to live on their own, to being the one who wrestles those proverbial keys away from them for the last time and having the talk about wills, wishes, finances and final arrangements. None of it is easy. Caregiving can get overwhelming quickly, and your mental and physical health can suffer as a result.

That’s why we offer Caregiver Support Groups to people with family members living in our communities or who might be candidates for joining us in the future. Located throughout Minnesota, these support groups provide fellowship, understanding and a shoulder to lean on for caregivers.

One topic that gets brought up frequently is the “When is the right time to move Mom or Dad?” dilemma many caregivers face. We advise people who are caregivers to ask themselves several questions that serve to highlight their own state of mind, level of emotional stress and physical health, all of which can be impacted by caregiving.

• Is the caregiving process getting increasingly difficult for you?
• Are you emotionally drained, exhausted or depressed much of the time?
• Are you physically able to get your loved one into the shower or to the bathroom?
• Is your own health failing?
• Do you feel you have nothing in your life except caregiving?
• Have you set many “lines in the sand” in terms of things you just can’t deal with on your own, like incontinence, that you deal with anyway?

If any of these feel all too familiar, it may be time to explore the alternatives we offer at Ebenezer.

Changes To Watch Out For In Mom & Dad

Another facet of deciding when the time is right to move Mom or Dad is the change in their behavior that you, as their caregiver, notice.

Here are some signs we advise people to watch out for.

Early Changes & Signs: 

• Are they eating? Yes, you may have them signed up for daily deliveries of Meals on Wheels. Are they eating those meals or are they accumulating in the refrigerator?
• Are they getting out to social events with friends, church or family get-togethers? Social isolation is another reason to look into senior living.
• Are they taking care of their home? Maintenance-free living is a great advantage of senior living communities.
• Have you taken away the car keys because of an incident or simply a lack of confidence in their safety to drive?
• Do you trust that they can get to the bathroom on their own at night?
• Have they fallen one or more times?
• Are they repeating favorite stories over and over, more than usual?
• Do they seem increasingly innocent and childlike?
• Are they responsible to pay bills and take their meds on their own?
• Are they keeping up with doctors’ appointments?

More Serious Changes & Signs

• Do you believe their health and safety is at risk? Falling, missing medications, not getting to the bathroom in time, having to navigate stairs at home with increasing difficulty, not eating and more all add up. If you feel they’re not safe at home, it’s time to consider your options seriously.
• Have they been “sundowning”? Sundowner syndrome is very common. It means becoming increasingly agitated, upset, confused or angry as the day winds down.
• Do they wander? This can be extremely stressful for caregivers. You finally take a moment to go into the bathroom or to start dinner, and they are out the door.

If your loved ones are exhibiting these signs, or if you are feeling overwhelmed by caregiving, it’s time to seek help. Our Care Management Services is there to help when you’re facing the decision to move Mom or Dad into one of our communities. Our skilled and caring social workers can also provide you with options for help care for them at home that you may have not known about, like transportation, assistance with daily activities, companion care services, mental health support and care planning.

Or maybe it’s time to consider a move to senior living where your loved one can receive the care they need. It gives caregivers peace of mind to know their loved one has 24/7 services and care available. Find a location nearest to you today to learn more about the lifestyle our communities offer.

Choosing a senior living community can feel like a daunting task. To help narrow down your options, ask yourself these questions first:

WHAT TYPE OF SENIOR HOUSING DO I NEED?

Not all senior housing is the same. There are many options to consider depending on the level of care you need:

• Independent Senior Living – For those who want to live on their own. Includes independent living apartments, townhomes, condominiums or cooperative buildings designed for active adults age 55 and older. If you need a little extra help, you can contract services such as housekeeping, personal care or wellness.  
• Assisted Living – Offers a rental apartment for those who don’t require complicated, full time medical assistance. You can continue living independently, but care is there when you need it through care attendants and nurses. Meals and light housekeeping are part of the package. 
• Memory Care – Includes special touches for those with memory loss, such as uniquely designed apartments, specialized programming and controlled exits to give you peace of mind knowing residents won’t wander off the property. Caregivers are also specially trained to work with people with dementia, providing a higher, more personalized level of care and attention.
• Enhanced Care – Enhanced Care Suites provide 24-hour health care, within a homelike setting, for those needing advanced care within our senior living community–for short term or long term. Enhanced care includes three meals, housekeeping, and a package of care services designed specifically for your higher care needs.
• Nursing Homes – Offer high-level nursing care around the clock. Long-term care is provided for those who have serious or persistent health issues. There are also short-term care options – or transitional care – for those who need rehabilitation services after an illness or injury. Nursing homes are licensed healthcare facilities that are inspected and regulated by the state department of health.

Ebenezer is the largest senior housing provider in Minnesota and offers a wide variety of senior living options including active 55+, independent, assisted living, and memory care communities as well as those with higher needs such as enhanced care and care centers. We also offer short-term care options such as transitional care, stay by the day and adult day programs. Each is designed to help you live more independent, meaningful and secure lives. For additional help in determining which Ebenezer community is right for you, contact a community nearest to you.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED ADVANCED CARE?

If your care changes, make sure your senior living community is equipped to handle your shifting needs. Can you easily move from assisted living to a nursing home? Is a hospital nearby if you need it? Can you keep your existing physician? Will your medical records easily be transferred?

Not only does Ebenezer offer all types of senior living communities, but we are also affiliated with Fairview Health Services. This means you have a wealth of resources at your disposal, from top-notch physicians to the latest in Alzheimer’s research.  Each day we are working to improve the quality and safety of patient care, which is how Ebenezer and Fairview became pioneers in the secure transmission of electronic health records between nursing homes and hospitals. 

WHERE DO I WANT TO LIVE?

Moving into senior housing brings exciting changes, like choosing the exact area you want to live. Do you prefer the familiarity of your current location and want to find senior housing in your own community? Or, do you look forward to moving closer to loved ones who may live in a different area? Perhaps you are interested in experiencing a new neighborhood altogether? 

There are more than 100 Ebenezer independent living, assisted living, memory care and nursing homes in both urban and rural settings throughout Minnesota. Since 1917, we’ve been Minnesota’s leader in senior housing, memory care and assisted living. For more than 100 years, our mission-based organization has been members of your community. Now, we invite you to be a part of ours.

Schedule a tour today to learn more about the vibrant senior living options at Ebenezer. 

When you’re deciding on senior living for your loved ones, you have many options to choose from. Finding the best fit is one important key to a smooth transition from Mom or Dad living independently in their own home and moving into one of our vibrant communities. Your best bet is to do a little homework about the options available before you choose. At Ebenezer, we’re always here to help with that. Contact us anytime and we can walk you through everything we offer. In the meantime, here are some great tips to help you decide. The bottom line is, it all boils down to the amount of care and assistance your loved one needs.

UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES

What’s the difference between independent living, cooperative living, and assisted living? Is there a difference between memory care and skilled nursing facilities? Here’s a rundown:
Active 55+ or Independent Living. This is living in an apartment, townhome, condo, or cooperative building that has been designed with the needs of seniors in mind. It’s about creating a lifestyle of convenience and maintenance-free lifestyle, along with a host of activities for social interaction among residents. One great advantage of this option is the ability to contract services within Ebenezer. If you are in a building that has the full continuum of living, this will allow you to “age in place” without the need to move if the need for care arises.

Assisted Living. If your loved ones need a bit of assistance managing daily activities like dressing, cooking, cleaning, meds, and bathing, but are otherwise safe to live on their own, assisted living apartments are a great solution. Assisted Living communities provide more services than independent living communities, and there are staff on duty 24 hours a day.

Enhanced Care. If Mom or Dad needs higher levels of assisted living, with nearby staff 24 hours a day, our Enhanced Care neighborhoods just might be what you need in order to live a better quality of life.

Skilled Nursing Facilities or Care Centers. These provide more skilled care by licensed professionals than people in independent or assisted living need. It’s health care support, with nurses present around the clock, for your loved ones. We strive to create a residence experience that is warm, caring and inviting, offering opportunities to participate in programs like Life Long Learning, Horticulture Therapy and more.

Memory Care. Ebenezer is Minnesota’s expert in memory care. We’re your trusted resource for personal services in your home or in one of our many beautiful memory care communities. We provide housing and resources for people living with memory loss, and our compassionate care is the industry leader.

To learn more about which senior living option is right for your loved ones, get more information in Housing & Services or contact us today. We’ll be happy to talk with you about next steps for your revered elders.

THINK ABOUT THE LEVEL OF CARE YOUR LOVED ONE NEEDS NOW…

What is the reason you are considering a move to a senior living community for Mom or Dad? Some common reasons include:

Companionship and social activities. Many seniors living in their own homes find that their social lives are smaller than they were when they had children at home. Their social lives can open up in a senior living facility because of all of the opportunities for activities and social interaction.

Increasing difficulties living independently at home. It might be more taxing to start the day, dressing, toileting, or grooming. You or your loved one might need help with things like meals, laundry, and everyday household tasks. In Ebenezer’s senior communities, we can take that burden out of the picture.

Mobility issues. Transportation can become an issue for seniors. Also, it may be more difficult to simply get around the house, whether it be using a walker or sitting and standing.

Knowing what your loved one needs now in terms of services can help guide you to the right place.

…AND ALSO LOOK TOWARD THE FUTURE

Factor in your loved one’s future health needs. Many of our residents in independent living apartments are making plans for their future health needs. In many of our communities, residents can transition to assisted living without having to move.

At Ebenezer, we understand you want the best for your mom or dad. It’s about peace of mind for you, and safety and happiness for them. Don’t push off this decision until a crisis like a fall happens. Knowing your options before you need them is a key factor in your loved one’s quality of life.

Let the experts at Ebenezer guide you through the process so you and your loved ones can live your best life moving forward. Call us for more information.

You have made the decision to move your loved one into a senior living community. We know that was a choice that was not likely easy. We at Ebenezer know your parent is going to get more out of life, get the level of care he or she needs, make new friends, and enjoy the next chapter in their lives. 

Now, there are several things to take care of to get things in order BEFORE the move that will make for a smooth transition for your Mom or Dad.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MOM OR DAD’S PRIMARY DOCTOR

Before moving in, no matter what level of care your parent needs, it’s a good idea for them to see their primary physician. Ask the doctor to evaluate your parent’s medication list to make sure all prescriptions are current, necessary and don’t conflict with each other. Taking the proper doses of the medications they need — and only the medications they need — is vital to their quality of life.

TALK ABOUT & SIGN PERSONAL PAPERWORK

Before your loved one moves, it’s a good time to sit down and talk about a will, power of attorney, a health care directive, and other important issues that we all tend to put off. Get the paperwork done, signed and filed away now, and you won’t have to worry about it when the time eventually comes that you’ll need it.

TALK ABOUT WHAT TO DO WITH THE HOUSE

If Mom or Dad is currently living in their home, the question becomes what to do with the house when they move to their new community. If their house is paid off, there’s no great rush to decide, and the topic can be difficult to broach. But now is the time to float a trial balloon to get their feelings on selling their home or keeping it. The money from the sale will go a long way toward securing their financial future.

FILL OUT A CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM

Friends and relatives will want to send cards and letters to Mom or Dad in their new home. They’ll want all of their personal mail delivered to them instead of piling up at the house.

GET THE DIMENSIONS & FLOOR PLAN OF THEIR NEW UNIT

With the exact dimensions and floorplan, you can map out which furniture to bring and how it will look in their new home. They’ll also need their own linens, cookware, dishes, television and radio, personal items and anything else they’d like to make their new place feel like home.

CONSIDER USING A SENIOR MOVING SPECIALIST

Deciding what items from home to bring and what to leave behind can be a difficult choice. Services like Gentle Transitions specialize in moving seniors. At Gentle Transitions, they’ll give you a complimentary consultation, work with you to create a move plan based on the floorplan of Mom or Dad’s new home, help you strategize what to bring and what to downsize, provide professional packing services, help you choose and supervise professional movers, and will be there to unpack when the move is complete. 

ATTEND SOME EVENTS AT THE NEW COMMUNITY

Take Mom or Dad to a couple of events in their new community before they move. That way, they can meet and mingle with residents and staff, and really get a good feel for the place before they move in.

Here at Ebenezer, we want to help make the transition from home into one of our senior communities as seamless and enjoyable as possible. Get in touch today. 

What time is the right time to move your loved one from their home to a new home in one of our communities? Sometimes, it’s hard to know. Let’s look at the differences between care at home and senior living in one of our communities.

CARE AT HOME

Many people whose loved ones need a bit of assistance to live independently in their own homes don’t know about the resources that are available out there to help keep Mom or Dad at home. At Ebenezer, we work with Fairview Private Pay Home Care. The most trusted name in health care, Fairview offers a variety of in-home care options, including home health aides, nurses or live-in aides.

Here are some details of this invaluable service:

• Services that are customized to your loved one’s needs, whether it’s live-in care, help with daily activities like bathing a few hours a week, or nursing care.
• Professionally trained, bonded and insured nurses, home health aides and live-in aides.
• A personalized assessment that can give you a professional view of your loved one’s needs.
• A care plan designed just for your loved one, working with your physician and family.

Differences in levels of care at home:

• Home health aides provide personal care like grooming, bathing, dressing, toileting, and skin care; meal prep and light housekeeping; errands; companionship.
• Nurses work with more complex medical care like set up and management of meds, blood draws for INRs and other needed tests, injections, wound and catheter care, and other nursing tasks your loved one needs.
• Live-in care covers 10 hours of awake time during the day. It’s a great option for caregivers who need to be at work but need care for their loved ones during the workday, and for people who need assistance during the day but are safe on their own at night.

Ebenezer also offers a host of resources, including Adult Day programs, stay-by-the-day options, tips for caregivers, care management services and more. 

SENIOR LIVING

When it’s time to make the move from your loved one’s home to a new home at one of our communities at Ebenezer, we offer many exciting options for senior living. For those new to the process, it’s useful to know the differences between the levels of care we offer.

• 55+ Active or Independent Living. This is living in an apartment, condo, townhome or cooperative building that has been designed with the needs of seniors in mind. It’s about creating a lifestyle of convenience and support, along with a host of activities for social interaction among residents. One great advantage of this option is the ability to contract services that allow you or your loved one to “age in place” without the need to move if your needs for care increase.
• Assisted Living. If your loved ones need a bit of assistance managing daily activities like dressing, cooking, cleaning, meds, and bathing, but are otherwise safe to live on their own, assisted living apartments are a great solution. Assisted Living communities provide more services than independent living communities, and there are staff on duty 24 hours a day.
• Skilled Nursing Care Centers. These provide more care than people in independent or assisted living need. It’s health care support, round the clock, for your loved ones. We strive to create a residence experience that is warm, caring and inviting, offering opportunities to participate in programs like Life Long Learning, Horticulture Therapy and more.
• Memory Care. Ebenezer is Minnesota’s expert in memory care. We’re your trusted resource for personal services in your home or in one of our 21 beautiful memory care communities. We provide housing and resources for people living with memory loss, and our compassionate care is the industry leader.

While home care is a wonderful option, there is less consistency in the home care staff. In a senior living building you or your loved ones will never have to worry if your caregiver will show up or call in sick. At Ebenezer, we have processes and procedures, backup plans and a large team.

Your loved one will also be part of a community. Most people cannot afford 24/7 live-in home care, so what often happens is, caregivers come to the home, provide the care and leave. This takes care of the seniors’ physical needs, but their emotional, mental and social needs are left unmet. We believe living in a community is the better option. Move into independent living and keep independence with continuing care options as you age and your abilities change.
In all our communities, what sets us apart is our staff. We employ caring, experienced people who go out of their way to make residents feel like family.

To learn more about which senior living option is right for your loved ones, please read our Housing & Services information, or contact us today. We’ll be happy to talk with you about next steps for your revered elders.