ASSISTED LIVING TIPS – CARING FOR SENIORS WITH OBESITY

As they age, seniors experience many physical changes. Some of these changes, such as the loss of muscle mass, makes it difficult for seniors to maintain a healthy weight. Obesity is a problem for many older adults and their caregivers. Obesity doesn’t necessarily mean failing, but it is important for seniors to recognize the health risks associated with it. Obese people are more likely to have high blood pressure, type 2 Diabetes, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, stroke, and high blood sugar. Obesity can also increase the risk of obstructive sleeping apnea and cancer, as well as poor physical functioning. However, with the right assisted living facility, seniors with obesity can get the care and assistance they need.

Despite these risks, obesity is still a common medical condition in the United States. It affects 41.5%, or 60 million, of the population. Due to their higher risk of developing heart disease or other complications, obese people also have higher medical expenses. Some seniors are also subject to weight bias when they visit the doctor, participate in community events, or engage in other activities. Weight bias refers specifically to negative attitudes, judgments, and discriminatory actions that are directed at overweight or obese people.

This guide will explain how older adults with obesity may benefit from moving to an assisted living facility in Myrtle Beach. This guide includes tips on advocating for seniors with this medical condition, a listing of senior communities that offer programs for residents with obese residents, and many resources to help seniors, their caregivers, and learn more about nutrition, fitness, and other topics.

Benefits of assisted living for people with obesity

Seniors who can’t drive or have difficulty getting to the local shops may turn to frozen meals and other convenience foods to manage their caloric intake. Other health conditions, such as arthritis, muscle weakness, and other ailments, may make it difficult for seniors to shop for the ingredients and prepare healthy meals. This can increase the risk of obesity.

In addition to obesity, a lack of exercise can also play a part in its development. Seniors with disabilities might not be able to walk long distances or exercise more than a few minutes each day. Older adults may be hesitant to exercise due to poor balance, muscle weakness, and other issues that can come with aging.

Senior living can solve many of these problems. These are just some of the weight-related advantages of moving to a senior living facility:

• Meal plans: Many communities offer meal programs that can be customized to meet your nutritional needs. You may be able ask the dining services staff to prepare low-calorie meals or to omit certain ingredients.
• Social connection: It can be difficult to keep motivated if you live alone when it comes to exercise or following a diet. Senior living communities offer opportunities to make new friends and have accountability partners to help you lose weight. Exercise is safer when you have a friend to help you.
• Planned activities: these are great ways to get around in senior living communities. You may find fitness classes, cooking classes, and other activities in your local community that will help you understand what you should be eating and how much exercise you need.
• On-site rehabilitation: Some communities offer physical therapy on-site. A physical therapist can help you recover strength and improve your physical function if you have an injury or chronic medical condition that has prevented you from exercising. You may find it easier and more enjoyable to exercise as you heal. This can then lead to weight loss.
• Health monitoring: It’s important to monitor your weight loss efforts over time. Many communities offer on-site monitoring that may include weigh-ins, blood pressure checks, and glucose monitoring. These services can help you determine if your approach to losing weight or maintaining good health needs tweaking.

What to Look for in a Senior Living Facility for Someone with Obesity

It is important to find senior living communities that offer nutritious food and programs to help you lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest offers just that. Visit our website to know more about the services we offer or contact us today.

Visit Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest today to find out more about our assisted living community and other services.

Like our Facebook page for more great info about assisted living and memory care.

Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest
219 Middleburg Dr
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-0700
https://www.reflectionsassistedliving.com/

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ASSISTED LIVING & INDEPENDENT LIVING

Each loved one is different, so their care needs are unique. You need to be aware of all options available and distinguish between them in order to find the right senior living option. There are many options for elder care. Independent living is a type for active, independent seniors who want to live in a community with other senior citizens, but without having to worry about home maintenance. Assisted living is a step beyond independent living. Assistive living communities provide the same benefits and more complete care for seniors who require assistance with daily activities like dressing, bathing, or preparing meals. To compare the amenities and services offered by assisted living and independent living, take a closer look:

Independent living vs. assisted living

Independent living communities offer apartments or small homes with full amenities. Apartments in assisted living communities have fewer amenities and more safety features.

Independent living: Housing options

Independent living encompasses many housing options, including housing co-ops and apartment-style communities. Residents live in their own homes and have access to communal areas that allow them to meet other members of the community.

These are just a few other ways that people refer to independent living:

• Active adult community
• Apartment complex for seniors
• Retirement community
• 55+ community
• Retirement home

This option is for seniors who are able to live independently. The features and amenities found in the individual units are comparable with those in an apartment, small home, townhouse, or apartment.

Assisted living: Housing options

Apartment-style assisted living is the most common arrangement. There are many floor plans available at assisted living facilities, including apartments with multiple bedrooms, studios, and one-bedroom units. Although individual units might have a kitchenette, appliances are usually limited because of safety concerns. Safety and accessibility features such as grab bars or emergency call buttons are common in rooms.

Security measures are often enhanced in assisted living communities that have memory care units that cater to seniors with cognitive impairment. This could include locking and surveillance equipment, or supervision at the main entrances.

Independent vs. assisted living care and services

The level of support and medical care provided is a key distinction between assisted living communities and independent living communities.

Services for independent living

Independent living facilities are designed to simplify the lives of their residents and allow them to continue to live independently for as long as they can. Independent living services are designed to reduce seniors’ daily responsibilities. They do not provide medical care or activities of daily living (ADLs).

These settings offer a variety of services including landscaping, laundry and housekeeping, on-site dining, security surveillance, and security guarding. They do not have full-time staff to provide custodial or medical care.

Services for assisted living

Assisted living is for older adults who require assistance with ADLs such as dressing and bathing, and other instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), like medication management and laundry.

Most residences have staff members available 24 hours a day, which typically include a certified nurse practitioner and at least one doctor. However, assisted living communities don’t usually provide skilled nursing care or intensive hands-on care for seniors with serious mental or physical conditions.

Independent and assisted living facilities in Myrtle Beach

Independent living and assisted living communities both offer unique social and recreational opportunities tailored to the needs of their residents. Games nights, field trips and support groups are some of the most common activities. Happy hours, holidays, continuing education classes, and exercise classes are also common. These communities offer transportation services to transport residents to and from their doctor’s appointments, grocery stores, and other errands.

What is the difference between assisted living communities and independent living?

Independent living communities can look more like small subdivisions or traditional apartment buildings with shared amenities. However, assisted living facilities are usually more centralized in one building with many amenities that can be integrated into residential spaces.

Design of independent living communities

Independent living communities are often designed in the style of traditional apartment buildings, housing campuses, or neighborhoods with common areas for dining and other activities. There may be more space between buildings in rural or suburban areas. Residents will need to move between their small homes and the dining hall, community center, or gym.

Independent living communities that are apartment-style may be built on multiple floors, similar to high-rise buildings. They often have elevator access and other amenities that are accessible to residents with mobility impairments.

Design of assisted living communities

Most assisted living communities can be self-contained with only a few buildings that can accommodate all residents’ needs. Apartments may share a common dining and activity area. Most communities have single-floor buildings that are widening the doorways and lower thresholds to make it easier for residents with mobility issues. Assisted living facilities also have dedicated memory care and may also have a secure wing for dementia residents.

Struggling to choose between independent and assisted living? Contact Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest today! We’ll help you decide.

Like our Facebook page for more great info about assisted living and memory care.

Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest
219 Middleburg Dr
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-0700
https://www.reflectionsassistedliving.com/

SIGNS THAT IT’S TIME FOR ASSISTED LIVING

Seniors with special needs may benefit from assisted living. It can be difficult to know if your loved ones are a good fit for assisted living. We will discuss some indicators that your loved one is ready to move into assisted living and how they can benefit from assisted living.

Benefits of Assisted Living

Personal Care Problems: Seniors often choose assisted living because they have difficulty with personal care tasks. Assisted living in Myrtle Beach may be a good option if your loved one has difficulty dressing, grooming and bathing themselves. Reflections Assisted Living staff can assist residents with personal care tasks, so they can continue to live independently but still have access to help when necessary.

Decline in Cleanliness: With declining mobility, it becomes more difficult to keep up with housework such as cleaning and laundry. It could be a sign that your loved one is having trouble keeping up with their housework. Seniors can be relieved of these responsibilities and still retain their independence.

Loneliness: Seniors can feel lonely and isolated if they live at home, particularly if they no longer drive. Long periods of isolation have been shown to be linked with obesity, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease. Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest is a positive step for many seniors.

Safety concerns: Seniors are at risk from falling, injury, or other accidents within their homes. You may be concerned about your loved one having an emergency at home if they live alone. You don’t have to worry about your loved ones being left alone in an emergency. With senior living in Myrtle Beach, the staff is available 24/7 and are always on-hand for assistance.

Difficulty driving: Many seniors abandon driving after a while, which can leave them feeling frustrated and isolated at their home. Residents can use assisted living facilities to transport them to appointments and other social events. This allows residents to go out and enjoy their favorite places without having to drive.

Frequent forgetfulness: Although everyone experiences forgetfulness from time to time, some people find it more common and more burdensome as they age. If it becomes a regular occurrence, forgetting to lock the front door or set the alarm can lead to serious consequences. Our company provides a safe environment and can remind seniors to make appointments. We also provide transportation and help with memory loss.

Costs of assisted living

Care costs will vary depending on the size and level of care required. Monthly care includes all expenses, including meals, personal care, housekeeping, community activities and access to amenities. There is an additional charge for medication assistance, hair styling and other personal care.

Financial Assistance 

Seniors often use financial aid to help pay for assisted living. It is important to remember that Medicare doesn’t cover assisted living. This surprise surprises many seniors and their families when they start to look into assisted living. There are still other options.

Medicaid and its Waiver Programs

Medicaid provides financial assistance to seniors who are eligible for the program. Medicaid is not federally regulated like Medicare. It is a joint program of the federal government and the states. Each state has the ability to set its Medicaid guidelines and can also vary in how it covers assisted living.

Medicaid is a waiver program that covers the cost of assisted living in most states. Medicaid waivers enable states to provide benefits and coverage that are not covered by federal guidelines. For example, coverage for long-term senior care. The Home and Community Based Services Medicaid waiver program gives seniors more control over their care and helps to prevent them from being moved to skilled nursing homes. You will need to verify your state’s Medicaid eligibility guidelines and coverage for HCBS waivers.

Veterans Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs has several financial assistance programs available for veterans over the age of 50, including the Aid and Attendance. A&A involves paying eligible veterans every month in addition to their VA pension. It helps to cover their long-term care services such as assisted living.

A&A is only available to veterans who are eligible for and have received a VA pension or have served during a war. A veteran must meet several eligibility requirements, including the need for assistance with daily living tasks. A&A is an option for many veterans or their spouse who are in need of assisted living. Veterans must be examined by a doctor to receive this benefit and then complete the VA form.

Life Insurance Settlements

Although not their original purpose, life insurance policies may be used to assist seniors in paying for long-term care such as assisted living. Sometimes, the policy can be purchased by a third party company for 50-75% of its initial value. In what is called an “accelerated death benefit“, some insurance companies allow policyholders to get their benefits early. As with the previous option above, accelerated death benefits almost never equal the value of the initial death benefit. However, it is worthwhile to have liquid cash available to you during your lifetime.

No matter what route you take to obtain a settlement for life insurance, losing your policy’s death benefit can be a difficult decision. Before you make a decision, weigh the pros and disadvantages of accessing your benefit and consult trusted resources.

Reverse Mortgages

Reverse mortgage loans can be used by seniors to pay for assisted living costs. Homeowners can convert some equity in their home into cash or take out a loan against their home’s value with reverse mortgages. This payment is usually tax-free, and seniors can move into a residential care facility like Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest without having to sell their home in order to receive the money.

Reverse mortgages have limitations and may not be the best choice for everyone. Reverse mortgages can “use-up” equity in a home, which leaves less assets for the homeowner’s spouse and heirs. Be aware of scam companies and untrustworthy loaners. It is best to use the federally insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage loan (HECM). HECM loans are backed by the federal Government and typically offer larger advances with a lower total price than loans from private firms.

Insurance for long-term care

LTC insurance, a private type of insurance policy that covers senior care and personal and custodial services, is called long-term care insurance. This insurance policy is more likely to cover the expenses for assisted living compared to Medicaid or private health insurance plans. However, seniors are not usually able to sign up to an LTC insurance policy. This type of insurance is only available to people who have signed up earlier in their lives.

LTC insurance policies can be very different in what they cover. You should review the policy details to see if assisted living is included and, if so, how much per day or year.

Call us now if you’re looking for a place where your senior family member can get the best care possible.

Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest
219 Middleburg Dr
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-0700
https://www.reflectionsassistedliving.com/