Author Archives: rhondaarlene

Deciding when to transition from living at home to an assisted living community is one of the toughest decisions many people face.  The right timing is crucial to success and happiness. Assisted living communities may be the perfect solution for someone who may need a little help with daily activities, such as cooking or medication management.

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living communities are apartment-style communities for people 55 and up, who may need a little extra support from time-to-time. They offer a safe alternative when living at home is no longer the best option.

Assisted living communities take a holistic approach to living and offer a completely customized experience to each individual resident. These communities are staffed 24 hours with nursing staff and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and have security features that provide around the clock care.

Starting early to explore living options outside of the home is crucial to success, advises Kenyne Humphrey, administrator for Mountain Plaza Assisted Living in Casper, WYO. In Humphrey’s experience, many people wait until a crisis or health event to begin their search into Assisted Living.

“Unfortunately, if someone waits until a crisis to explore their options, they may no longer fit the criteria for assisted living,” said Humphrey.

Assisted living communities have regulatory requirements that limit the assistance they may provide to particular guidelines. When someone does not qualify for assisted living, their remaining option is a skilled nursing home.

“We advise families to move their loved one to assisted living as early as they possible after recognizing that they require a little extra help with their daily activities, although this doesn’t always happen,” said Humphrey, “It’s heartbreaking when a family waits too long and we are no longer an option for their care.”

To qualify for assisted living, a prospective resident must be independently mobile, and must have the ability to take care of their own activities of daily living (ADLs) with some support. Qualified assisted living staff may help with medication management, meal reminders, bathroom assistance, and more basic living accommodations.

Assisted living communities offer peace of mind for families who are unable to care for their loved one personally. Often, their loved one regains some lost skills once they have settled into a more stimulating and interactive environment.

“I have seen miracles happen! Many seniors have been negatively impacted by isolation due to the COVID pandemic over the past year or so. Their mood, energy, physical and mental abilities rebound once they are surrounded by people, activity and regular nutrition once again – it’s a beautiful sight,” said Don Gorsuch, owner of The Encore Group, a senior housing organization based out of Denver, CO.

Assisted living communities offer the following benefits:

Healthy meals prepared by professionals

Kitchen staff prepare nutritious meals, with no cleanup for the resident.

Support when you need it

Assisted living is a customized approach to care. Each person is assessed by a registered nurse so that services are provided to support their individualized needs.

Social and creative activities

Activities, outings and social opportunities are arranged and facilitated by life enrichment experts, so there is always something to do, a new skill to learn, or somewhere to go for enrichment.

Health management

Nursing staff and CNAs provide 24-hour care and are there when you need them. 

Transportation

Facilitation of doctor’s appointments, shopping expeditions and outings are available.

Elimination of chores

Meal preparation, housekeeping and laundry services are provided, eliminating all household chores.

If your home or the home of a loved one is no longer a safe or healthy option, it may be time to begin exploring your local assisted living options. Call around, ask questions and visit locations to find a community that feels like home.

You worked hard, so now it’s time to live your best life!

Many people wait until a crisis to make the move into an assisted living community. This delay often means the individual no longer qualifies for assisted living but is forced to transition into a nursing home. In order to avoid this devastating result, experts recommend the following guidelines when determining the correct timing of a move in order to ensure the best possible life after 65:

• Ideal timing criteria will be outlined here,
• This will include warning signs of early dementia and other health concerns

This post will discuss the early signs of dementia and the differences between variations of dementia, such as Alzheimers, Parkinson’s, Vascular, etc. Dementia expert, Kenyne Humphrey, will be interviewed and research published by national experts, Teepa Snow and Jolene Brackey, will be referenced. This article will answer some frequently asked questions surrounding dementia and the appropriate care of those afflicted by this debilitating disease.