by Linda Melbardis | Dec 18, 2017 | Uncategorized
As your parents age and deal with increasing medical issues, you and your siblings may want to begin a discussion about the possibility of moving to an assisted living facility. It’s not an easy discussion to start. Your parents are probably comfortable in their home and feel they don’t need the extra assistance that is provided at a retirement-type community. But as their children, you probably see things differently and want to make sure they receive good care as they continue to get older. This is especially true if all of the kids live in a different city or state. As the owner of Country Home Assisted Living in western Elbert County, near Parker, I’ve seen families struggle with how to start a conversation. Because the subject can make children feel anxious and guilty, I’d like to offer a few tips to help. Don’t wait until you are crisis mode. If you are watching your parents’ health and abilities decline, don’t wait until they have fallen or are in dire straights to discuss a move to a retirement community. If you are not in crisis mode, everyone will be in a calmer state of mind. There also will be more time to look at options and make decisions. Do your homework. Research various living alternatives and facilities before you have the big “talk.” If you are prepared, you’ll be able to answer questions your parents might have, which will lead to a much more productive conversation. Keep communication lines open. Make sure you give every member of your family a chance to talk openly about the situation and the...
by Linda Melbardis | Dec 10, 2017 | Senior Assisted Living
Senior assisted living options in Parker, Colorado and the nearby area are vast. If you are thinking about checking out a few senior assisted living residences, you can get a clearer picture of what each facility offers, what the pricing structure is, and get an opportunity to ask questions pertinent to your situation or the situation of a loved one who is considering this option for their home. There are many benefits of senior assisted living, including the following. Living with A Degree of Independence Many who opt for assisted living don’t have the ability to live entirely without assistance. And they either don’t want to move in with loved ones or don’t have that option. Assisted living gives you your own living quarters with the ability to get assistance as and when you need it. It’s often described as a stage between independent living and a nursing home. You Don’t Need to Struggle with Things that have become Difficult Senior assisted living offers a variety of services to those who might want or need them. These services include: Medical assistance – medication administration, help with catheters, blood sugar testing, blood pressure checks, etc. Help with hygiene – As much or as little help as is needed, including showering, haircuts, trimming of nails, shaving, etc. Meals – Prepared meals, clean-up. Housekeeping – Your living quarters are maintained by regular cleanings. This also means you don’t have to worry about exterior maintenance (landscaping, shoveling snow, etc.) Help on-site for emergencies, around the clock, including slip and fall accidents or medical emergencies. Social Activities In addition to daily tasks that seniors...
by Linda Melbardis | Nov 15, 2017 | Uncategorized
The holiday season will be quite festive at Country Home this year with special entertainment and the addition of a puppy named Mr. Poppers. Mr. Poppers, a 3-month-old Bichon Frise, joined us at our Elbert County assisted living facility on Nov. 6, 2017. He fills a void that was created by the death of Romeo, another Bison Frise who passed away in June after 13 wonderful years of entertaining and calming our residents. As you may already know, pets are very helpful when it comes to improving the mood and health of people they are around. Pet interactions help the elderly, both physically and mentally, by giving them new meaning and improving their overall well-being. We’ve been successfully using pet therapy at Country Home Assisted Living for 13 years, starting with Romeo. Pet therapy and Romeo’s spirit stay alive with Mr. Poppers. While Country Home residents and staff came up with all sorts of cute names for the new pup, Mr. Poppers was selected because it was Romeo’s nickname. Plus, the puppy pops around like a little jumping bean. As a member of the Flynn line, Mr. Poppers also comes with great credentials. His dad has been the #1 Bichon Frise in the country for the past three years. But Mr. Poppers isn’t the only one who will keep residents smiling as we enter the holiday season. Professional entertainer Steven St. James will sing at our Christmas party on Dec. 4. There may also be a visit from Santa Claus and an outing to one of the Parker PACE Center’s holiday shows. We’re...
by Linda Melbardis | Nov 6, 2017 | Articles
Choosing to enter an assisted living facility, or providing that option to a loved one, need not be a difficult decision. There comes a time in many people’s lives that remaining in the home is no longer possible due to medical conditions or ailments. A full-service assisted living facility near Parker, Colorado offers many benefits, and family members can rest assured that their loved one will receive the care and attention that they require. Benefits of Using an Assisted Living Facility There is no reason to feel guilty if you are seeking an assisted living facility near Parker, Colorado for an older family member. Finding the proper care for our loved ones is a reflection of our love for them, and when their health care needs become too overwhelming to be handled at home, it is often the best option. With conditions such as dementia or physical weakness that can cause falls and other injuries, a full-service facility is necessary for the well-being of the patient. Knowing that your loved one is receiving round-the-clock care and will be protected from injuries can give loved ones the peace of mind that can be elusive when worrying about an older relative living at home. In addition to the full-time medical care and attention, such facilities offer organized activities, socialization, and other mental health benefits that will help to keep their minds and spirits engaged, even if their physical health is no longer 100%. A Home-Like Setting, Instead of a Hospital Environment Maintaining the feeling of home can make a huge difference in the transition to an assisted living facility near Parker,...
by Linda Melbardis | Oct 16, 2017 | Articles
Memory issues and forgetfulness are something we all face as we get older. It can be frustrating for elderly individuals as they struggle to find the right words, remember information and learn new things. Last month, we talked about the less serious forms of forgetfulness, those that are brought on by emotional and some health issues. This month, we are going to talk about the more serious types of memory issues, including dementia, Alzheimer’s and amnestic mild cognitive impairment. By looking at each of these individually, I’m hoping you can help friends or loved ones who might be dealing with serious memory issues. Let’s start with dementia, which is not actually a disease but a group of symptoms that are caused by certain diseases or conditions, such as Alzheimer’s. When someone has dementia, they have a loss in their thinking, memory and reasoning skills to the point that they can’t carry out their daily activities. According to an article about forgetfulness on BrainHealth.gov, people with dementia lose their mental abilities at different rates, but the symptoms often include: Being unable to remember things; Asking the same question or repeating the same story over and over; Becoming lost in familiar places; Being unable to follow directions; Getting confused about time, people and places; Neglecting personal safety, hygiene and nutrition. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common forms of dementia and is caused by changes in parts of the brain that result in the death of nerve cells. It can begin slowly with simple forgetfulness. As damage to the nerve cells spreads throughout the brain, the condition becomes worse and...
