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 your loved one or administer their medication as they continue to live on their own, to being the one who wrestles car 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.

At Northern Lakes we offer a Family Council/Support Group for family members. This support council provides 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 my loved one?” This is a 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 familiar, it may be time to explore the services we offer at Northern Lakes Assisted Living & Memory Care.

Changes To Watch Out For In Your Loved One

Another facet of deciding when the time is right to move for a loved one 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 or created a family meal delivery schedule. 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 team is here to help when you’re facing the decision to move your loved one into a senior living community. Our team can also provide you with options for support 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. Reach out today to learn more about the services, care and lifestyle that Northern Lakes offers.

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 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. Thoughtful and fun social activities are part of the Assisted Living lifestyle.
• Memory Care – Includes special touches for those with memory loss, such as uniquely designed apartments, specialized programming and secured exits to give you peace of mind knowing your loved one won’t wander off the property. Our 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, complex 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.

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?

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? 

Northern Lakes Assisted Living & Memory Care is a welcoming, secure community where residents are encouraged to live with independence, purpose, and connection — with personalized support available whenever it’s needed.

We strive to feel like an extension of your family, offering compassionate care with dignity, meaningful relationships, and peace of mind for residents and families.

We invite you to visit us, share your questions and hopes, and experience our community firsthand. Schedule a tour today and let’s talk about how we can add more living to your life.

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 your loved one 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 Northern Lakes, we’re here to help with that. Reach out to us 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. 

Assisted Living. If your loved ones needs assistance managing daily activities like bathing, dressing, medication management, some mobility assistance, housekeeping, and meals, but are otherwise safe to live in their own apartment, assisted living apartments are a great solution. Assisted Living communities provide services that independent living communities do not, and in Assisted Living there are staff on duty 24 hours a day.

Memory Care. If your loved one needs the care provided in Assisted Living and additional support for their journey through dementia then Memory Care is a next level of care option. The way we set the environment, pace of activities, choice of activities, caregiver training for our team is all in consideration of how to provide attentive, safe and comforting care to your loved one living with dementia. At Northern Lakes we shine in the care and community we have for our residents with dementia. We have leadership, activities and caregivers that are in service to memory care needs.

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. 

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 your loved one? 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 or adult children living nearby. 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. At Northern Lakes, 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.

ALSO LOOK TOWARD THE FUTURE

Factor in your loved one’s future health needs. When considering a transition to senior living for your loved one, know that joining a wait list can be a proactive step that will likely give more options when it is time to make the move. 

It is understandable that you want the best for your loved one. 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.

We are here to guide you through the process so you and your loved one(s) 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.