When it comes time to find a skilled nursing home for a loved one, how to you know you've made the right selection? Most times elderly want to remain close to their friends and the community they grew up in when it comes time for a nursing home.
I suggest touring facilites the busiest time of the day, such as meal time. Do not set an appointment, just walk in as though you are visiting someone and observe with your senses. I recommend touring at least three facilities to get a good comparison. Then go to the Medicare website where you can compare nursing homes and review there yearly inspection reports. Click on the link below to start with your search:
http://www.medicare.gov/NHCompare/Include/DataSection/Questions/SearchCriteriaNEW.asp?version=default&browser=IE%7C6%7CWin2000&language=English&defaultstatus=0&pagelist=Home&CookiesEnabledStatus=True
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Finding Services in Another State
With my mother living in Wisconsin it was very easy to find answers for services, but when my in-laws in North Carolina needed services it was a whole new adventrue.
In Wisconsin we are fortunate to have a realtively uniform way to find services for our loved ones. If you live in one state and your loved ones live in another state, it can be quite frustating and confusing finding services. Nationwide the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) will help you with your answers.
Below is the link to find your local AAA office.
http://www.n4a.org/about-n4a/?fa=aaa-title-VI#WI
In Wisconsin we are fortunate to have a realtively uniform way to find services for our loved ones. If you live in one state and your loved ones live in another state, it can be quite frustating and confusing finding services. Nationwide the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) will help you with your answers.
Below is the link to find your local AAA office.
http://www.n4a.org/about-n4a/?fa=aaa-title-VI#WI
Sunday, January 11, 2009
The Benefits of Exercising for Seniors
Most people 65 years old and older have witnessed the fitness revolution but many cannot identify with it. Many older adults feel that it’s too late for them to benefit from “all that fitness stuff”. WRONG!! This age group can benefit the most from exercise and fitness because they have the time to devote, and much to gain from a fitness program.
A fitness program designed for active older adults can improve how long they may live, improve their quality of life, and allow them to maintain their independence. The benefits of one's physical fitness can go unnoticed. One may maintain certain activities without a noticeable decline such as getting in and out of a car, reaching overhead in cupboards for kitchen utensils, or being able to lift themselves off the toilet without any assistance.
Plus it is a proven fact that exercise makes one feel better and enjoy life more, improves symptoms of certain underlying diseases and disabilities, improves mood, reduces depression, and can delay certain diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer if done on a regular, permanent basis.
A fitness program designed for active older adults can improve how long they may live, improve their quality of life, and allow them to maintain their independence. The benefits of one's physical fitness can go unnoticed. One may maintain certain activities without a noticeable decline such as getting in and out of a car, reaching overhead in cupboards for kitchen utensils, or being able to lift themselves off the toilet without any assistance.
Plus it is a proven fact that exercise makes one feel better and enjoy life more, improves symptoms of certain underlying diseases and disabilities, improves mood, reduces depression, and can delay certain diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer if done on a regular, permanent basis.
Friday, January 2, 2009
How to Navigate the County Systems for HELP!!
Many times people find it very frustrating when they try to find answers to their questions when calling the county government offices.
Wisconsin has implemented the ADRC (Aging and Disabilty Resource Centers) as the "one stop" shopping for answers. This includes answers relating to social security, medicare, veterans, home care, and much much more. Outagamie, Calumet & Waupaca ADRC's counties are up and running. Winnebago county is scheduled for 2009.
Residents of Winnebago County can get answers by contacting Winnebago County Human services at 920-236-4615 or by call Senior Connections at 920-232-5304.
Residents of Outagmie, Calumet, and Waupaca counties can contact their ADRC at 1-866-739-2372, or by using this link: http://www.co.outagamie.wi.us/human_services/aging_long_term_support/ADRC/adrc%20home.html
Otherwise use the statewide 211 system. The 211 system is for finding community services.
Wisconsin has implemented the ADRC (Aging and Disabilty Resource Centers) as the "one stop" shopping for answers. This includes answers relating to social security, medicare, veterans, home care, and much much more. Outagamie, Calumet & Waupaca ADRC's counties are up and running. Winnebago county is scheduled for 2009.
Residents of Winnebago County can get answers by contacting Winnebago County Human services at 920-236-4615 or by call Senior Connections at 920-232-5304.
Residents of Outagmie, Calumet, and Waupaca counties can contact their ADRC at 1-866-739-2372, or by using this link: http://www.co.outagamie.wi.us/human_services/aging_long_term_support/ADRC/adrc%20home.html
Otherwise use the statewide 211 system. The 211 system is for finding community services.
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