How to Start a Heart-to-Heart Conversation About Assisted Living

Are you concerned about your older adult parent in their current home environment? Their house may have served them well for years but now limits them. Exploring assisted living as an option may improve their quality of life and support their needs.

How do you start the heart-toheart about living options and support? “Find out what’s going on in their life and listen carefully,” says Amy Muller, Housing Advisor at Prairie Gate, a Presbyterian Homes & Services community. “It’s crucial to keep your parent in the ‘driver’s seat’ so that they are making the decisions about their life.”

Ask your parent what it takes to maintain their house. Find out how much space in the house they use, how well they navigate its interior or go in and out freely and safely.

Educate yourself and expand your parent’s understanding of assisted living so that assumptions about “the old folks’ home” don’t become obstacles. Far from being a nursing home, assisted living offers an apartment setting complemented by supportive services including housekeeping, meals and personal care.

Your parent may fear losing their independence if they leave their home. “Assisted living residents make their own decisions and continue to lead their life the way they wish,” Amy assures. “Your parent will organize their own day with the freedom to come and go as they please.” she says.

Showing is better than telling. Touring an assisted living community give you and your parent a firsthand look. “The most successful moves are made by seniors, with the support of their grown children, who have planned, researched and seen the choices available and know what they want,” said Amy.

Change is hard, so be prepared to provide emotional support to your parent and be patient. The goal is to help your parents adapt to their changing situation as they age and support the best possible quality of life in the best living environment for them today and for the future.~

Editor’s Note: This article was submitted by Amy Muller, Housing Advisor for Prairie Gate. Contact Amy 712-3526604 or amuller@preshomes.org. See ad page 82.

Senior Housing Definitions

tia residents to prevent wandering outside the community without supervision.

SHORT-TERM CARE – Acute care provided on a short term basis.

SKILLED CARE – 24 hour licensed nursing services, eight hours of continued from page 73 which are RN covered. Patient may receive rehab services either inpatient or outpatient and may be fully dependent for ADL’s. Patients receive medications by an RN according to a licensed physicians orders.

Continued on page 83

More information on these communities available at www.SeniorsBlueBook.com. Click on “Senior Housing.”

INDEPENDENT / RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES

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Housing Placement Specialists

Assisted Living Locators

(ad on page 83)

402-926-9505

Senior

Housing

Definitions continued from page 77

SKILLED NURSING FACILITY –

Facilities provide 24/7 care for residents and offer full assistance with ADL’s. Daily rates typically include a furnished bedroom and a private or shared bath, meals, activities, transportation, phone service, cable television and all personal/nursing care. Payor sources usually accepted are Medicare, Medicaid, VA, some insurance plans and private sources.

TRACH CARE – Refers to care administered to patients who have undergone a tracheotomy. A tracheotomy is a surgical procedure in which a cut or opening is made in the windpipe (trachea). The surgeon inserts a tube into the opening to bypass an obstruction, allow air to get to the lungs, or remove secretions. ~

Additional Assisted Living Communities

More information on these communities available at www.SeniorsBlueBook.com. Click on “Senior Housing.”

DOUGLAS

ADDITIONAL ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITIES (cont’d)

More information on these communities available at www.SeniorsBlueBook.com. Click on “Senior Housing.”

LANCASTER COUNTY, NE (cont’d)

LANCASTER COUNTY, NE (cont’d)

Additional Memory Care Assisted Living Communities

More information on these communities available at www.SeniorsBlueBook.com. Click on “Senior Housing.”

Additional Memory Care Assisted Living Communities

More information on these communities available at www.SeniorsBlueBook.com. Click on “Senior Housing.”