Couples who want to remain together but require different levels of care always present some very complicated challenges. One person may want to stay in the home, the other may not. A member of a couple may develop health challenges that may necessitate a move to a nursing home due…
If you carefully scrutinize the activity schedule at a long term care community and correlate it to the seniors needs, his/her independence could be enhanced. I was the Admissions Director of a Continuing Care Retirement Community located in Cook County near the Chicago metropolitan area. Many of the children who…
As a senior living advisor, I recommend that my clients who are at the independent living or assisted living level take a trial stay at a long-term care community before they make a commitment to move in. This will allow a senior to sample the food, try the activities, socialize…
My client is one of a large number of siblings who were searching for a high end continuing care retirement community for their mother. Mom was in her early seventies, living independently, and driving. She owned a second home where she lived during the winter months. She could afford an…
I recently had a very interesting conversation with an Admissions Director of a well-respected Chicago skilled nursing home. We made the observation that due to the poor economy, many Chicago assisted living homes* are accepting residents whose medical needs cannot be met. In other words, the resident belongs in a…
As a former Admissions Director of a continuing care retirement community (CCRC),* it was my responsibility (along with the community nurse) to assess prospective residents for placement in the appropriate level of care. During many consultations with my clients, I’ve found that people often don’t understand the different definitions of…
I’m pleased to introduce my monthly newsletter, “Senior Living Moments–Words to the Wise.” My clients, contacts and associates have suggested that I provide tips on how to demystify what can be a daunting task: dealing with the issues of an elderly relative or friend. “Boomer Bind” More than 44 million…