August 2013 Empty Nest by Appen Media Group

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Empty Nest

August Special Section

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NorthFulton.com | August 2013

Belmont Village offers Tips for Choosing a Senior Living Community Choosing a Senior Living community is a big step, and one that many put off. But after a life-altering event occurs is not the best time to start looking. Latest research shows that an active lifestyle, with regular exercise - including mental work-outs that stretch the brain - social interaction, and the right diet are all important to staying healthy. They may even help avoid that life-changing event altogether. The right environment can help residents live with more confidence and purpose, so it’s important to choose well. Belmont Village Senior Living offers the following guidelines: Be Safe – • Always the top priority. • Is the community licensed to provide health services? • Is a licensed nurse on-site 24/7? • Does staff receive on-going training? • Is there a written care plan for each resident? Think Ahead – • The community should still be a good fit if needs change. • Pay attention to ease of navigation and safety measures. • Ask about care programs, even • If you don’t need them now. • Are pharmacy services available?

Be • • • Be • •

Comfortable – The community should be clean and inviting. Is the staff friendly? Do residents appear happy and engaged? Active – Ask to see the daily calendar. Are there plenty of in teresting things to do? Is transportation available? • What about salon services? Exercise Options – • Look for a managed fitness center. • Are there multiple exercise classes? • Are therapy services available? Eat Well, Live Well – • Stop by for a meal if you can. • Are there a variety of appetizing and nutritious options? • Are special diets accommodated? • Look for heart-healthy choices as well as those rich in anti-oxidants. Understand Contracts and Costs – • Review the payment structure carefully. • Is it a monthly fee, or a buy-in? • What are termination and refund policies? • How are care charges structured? Don’t Forget Memory Care – • Ask about dedicated activities for every day enrichment, plus a specialized program for Alzheimer’s. Are there specific goals to help maintain cognitive function?

Belmont Village is a premier provider of senior living. Atlanta communities include Belmont Village Johns Creek and Belmont Village Buckhead. For more information, please call 770-813-9505, www.belmontvillage.com.

Is Now The Time? At The Gardens of Roswell we make the transition easier.

Is Mom having a tough time remembering your favorite holiday recipies, need assistance with daily activities and and becoming isolated from friends and family? It may be time to consider Gardens of Roswell Assisted Living and Memory Care. Our warm and inviting one level community, beautiful courtyards and decor feel like home. New friends and an extended family provide comfort, companionship, compassion and care for your loved one. When the time comes visit us at The Gardens of Roswell and become part of our family.

7770-649-0808 70-649-0808

OF ROSWELL Assisted Livingg and SEASONS memory care

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9212 Nesbit Ferry Rd • Alpharetta, GA A 30022 • www.gardensofroswell.com • 770-992-0505

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www .N orth F ulton . com

August 2013

ASK PAM, THE EXPERT IN SENIOR CARE »

Is it time to give up the car? There may come a point when the changes of aging make it difficult and risky to keep driving. When you first begin to have concerns about driving ability, that is the time to begin planning a post-driving strategy. Think of this as just anHODGSON other aging challenge to be addressed, and then use your best problem-solving skills to keep yourself or your loved one active and mobile. With this kind of advanced planning, many seniors lose their anxiety over giving up driving. It still may not be easy, but having a workable plan for getting around is a major step forward. If a loved one is resisting giving up driving, be creative in your approach. You can always call Senior Helpers for more creative ideas, 770-442-2154. Help your loved one make a plan for being a non-driver if that time comes. Be proactive; don’t wait for circumstances to make decisions for you. Giving your loved one an extra margin of safety is the right thing to do for other drivers on the road, and it can, above all, be a gift to your loved one, yourself and family! Whether your loved one is dealing with the normal struggles of aging or coping with the effects of Alzheimer’s or Dementia, there’s no need to go it alone– let Senior Helpers help! Call Senior Helpers today at 770-442-2154 for a free assessment.

Senior Helpers can help with transportation and so much more; • Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s Care • Bathing, Dressing & Personal Care • Assistance in the hospital, rehab, assisted living or private home. Anywhere your loved one calls home! • Companionship to calm anxiety and enagage the mind. • Assistance with Medication Reminders, meal preparation and laundry. • Help finding the best Assisted Living. • Custom and flexible schedules for both short term and long term care. • Transition care; home from hospital or rehab, into an assisted living.. • Quick response time, same day service available!

• Alzheimer and Dementia Care • Transportation and Errands • Bathing, Dressing and Light Housekeeping • Fall Risk Care

• Caregivers Available from 1 hr./day to 24/7 and Live-in • Assisted Living Placement Assistance • Custom and Flexible Schedules

And All Senior Helpers Caregivers are; • Employees who are licensed, bonded & insured. • Experienced and Compassionate • Thoroughly trained & have passed back ground checks and extensive hiring process. Choose Senior Helpers when experience matters.

Senior Helpers: Matt Fredenberg, Elizabeth Jackson, Pam Hodgson, Hutch Hodgson

770.442.2154

Serving those in need since 2006. Senior Helpers 770-442-2154. Matt Fredenberg, Senior Helpers Home Care 770-442-2154- Office, 404-456-3749-Cell Seniorhelpers.com/northatlanta

Ask about our assisted living placement.

Facing End of Life Issues can be overwhelming Families with loved ones facing end of life have many new and often unthought-of challenges to confront. The emotional toll for families coupled with decisions about living arrangements, financial guidance and care can be overwhelming. A proactive approach to address difficult issues beforehand can ease the burden for everyone involved during this difficult time. What are advance directives and how do I obtain? Advance directives are legal documents (including a Living Will and Power of Attorney) that allow you to convey your decisions about end-of-life care ahead of time. To obtain you will can search on-line or contact an attorney who can provide and assist with completion. Are there different types of senior living communities? For end-of-life care there are several options for living arrangements. The most popular are assisted living, skilled nursing facilities, and in-patient hospice. Assisted living can provide end-of-life care with assistance from hospice and palliative services while maintaining a home-like feel. What are hospice and palliative care? Hospice and palliative care is designed to help reduce both the physical pain and emotional suffering of patients during their final stages of illness. Contrary to what many people think, hospice is not a physical place. It is a service that comes to wherever people live, whether that’s a hospital, an assisted living facility or a home. What does Medicare pay for? Medicare coverage can be difficult to understand. Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D all provide assistance or cover in full different needs including pharmaceuticals, hospitalizations, short-term rehab and skilled nursing services, physical and occupational therapy, medical equipment, and many others. A doctor’s order is needed in all cases to receive benefits. More information can be found at… http://www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/10050.pdf

If you have additional questions, the knowledgeable staff at Gardens of Roswell Assisted Living and Memory Care and Tapestry House Assisted Living is

more than happy to lend a hand. Please feel free to contact Zee Jennings or Julie Taylor at 770-992-0505 or 770-649-0808 respectively.

August 2013

www .N orth F ulton . com

Tips On Caring For An Elderly Patient At Home (NAPS)—There is good news for the estimated 66 million Americans who have become a caregiver for a loved one and the 43.5 million of those who provide care to someone over the age of 50. While the role can be daunting, with access to the right information and resources, it is possible to make the responsibilities, and the stress that can accompany them, more manageable. This is particularly true when it comes to monitoring a medical condition, such as incontinence, that can make providing care for an older person even more complicated. According to Paula Erwin-Toth, director of consumer education and clinical resource specialist for Welmedix’s HomeCare PRO, when dealing with incontinence, it is important that patients and their caregivers consult a doctor to determine the underlying factors causing it.

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To help, here are five things to consider when caring for an incontinent adult. 1. Be vigilant about keeping the skin intact. A break in the skin can offer a pathway to infection, discomfort and worsening health. 2. Use incontinence and skin care products designed for adults. Remember that baby skin and adult skin are very different, so age-appropriate products are important. According to Ms. Erwin-Toth, nurses use products, such as those offered by Welmedix, to help prevent incontinence-associated dermatitis and related skin problems with adults. 3. Cleanse the skin as soon as you can after an episode of incontinence. The longer urine and/or stool remain on the skin, the higher the risk of skin breakdown. 4. Leave his or her diaper open when your

Baby skin and adult skin are very different, so it’s important to find age-appropriate products when caring for an incontinent older adult. loved one is in bed. This can help reduce the amount of moisture that collects on the skin. Excess moisture combined with urine and/or stool can lead to skin rashes, fungal infection and breakdown. 5. Avoid an indwelling urinary catheter, if possible. The risks of a catheter causing a serious urinary tract infection are very high. A urinary tract infection in a person with other medical issues can become very serious, very fast. It’s also important to remember that the proper interventions can dramatically improve a person’s quality of life. Use of skin cleansing and skin protection products designed for adults can help keep your loved one’s skin intact and healthy. Welmedix HomeCare PRO, for example, is a hospital-grade line of incontinence skin care products specially designed for fragile, adult skin. For more information about incontinence and how to treat it, visit www.welmedix.com.

Active Senior Living!

•Country Club Atmosphere •Beautiful Patios and Gardens •Movie Theater •Ice Cream Parlor •Respite and Short Term Stays

•Medication Management Programs •Individualized Care Plans •Exercise Room •Spacious Apartments •Incredible Social Activities & Outings.

Call today to schedule your tour! Ivy Hall

5690 StateBridge Rd., Alpharetta, GA 30022 (770) 814-0114

Exceeding expectations, enriching cherished lives.