Leslie Newlife

Change Your Vantage Point for an Empathy Infused Resident Experience

You know the importance of dazzling customer service throughout every engagement point of your business. But how well can you really tell how your efforts are impacting your clients directly? Sometimes it helps to change your vantage point and infuse your customer service efforts with empathy. Understanding how your residents or patients experience your community or service at every level will help you determine the success of your customer service training and initiatives. Here are three key business aspects in which you might gain perspective by being a guest in your business.

Problem-solving

Start with those aspects or situations that currently require solutions. Evaluate each instance from the seniors’ perspectives first. By understanding how they see mistakes, you’ll be able to cater the best solutions to impress them. How would a senior or senior’s family expect you to fix a problem? What extra steps can you take in providing remedies, to demonstrate exemplary care and service? For example, a resident complains of issues with an uncomfortable bed. You can provide a new mattress to solve the problem.  But as a resident with a bad back, maybe offering a free hour of massage for his trouble, a potential issue has now transformed into a rave review and customer service win. Obviously, this isn’t an option for every senior care company. The idea is to look inward at your service platform and review how your teams address problems. Then identify areas in which you can provide added value to enhance the seniors’ experiences.

Are your best practices good enough?

By taking a front row seat as a resident in your business, you can quickly ascertain the base level of service your seniors’ experience. You may have exemplary staff members who routinely go above and beyond in the name of service. But the overall experience is only as good as the weakest link. Determine and evaluate the basics to make sure your service teams are providing a consistent engagement.

Is your experience memorable?

Whether it’s a phenomenal staff member on your team or a favorite item on your menu, you know your company pursues efforts to be memorable to all seniors. Move through your process as a guest yourself and experience those memorable differentiators first hand. Are you creating a positive experience in the eyes of a resident/client? Is everyone on your team as passionate about being memorable? By inspecting your key features as a resident, maybe you can uncover areas for improvement or other hidden gem aspects of your business that can be a marketable, memorable experience.

Encouraging everyone in your business to engage seniors and families with an empathetic touch can be the impact you need to boost your service experience. Consider taking a walk through your services in the shoes of a senior. Use your findings to develop a platform that is designed around the empathetic evaluation that will help identify specific, senior-minded solutions to make the enhancements you need. You offer more than just care; you provide a lifestyle experience.

8% of Baby Boomers Confidently Get a Good Night’s Sleep

by: Alex Deckard

Your parents aren’t just tired. They may be suffering from  undiagnosed sleep apnea, a condition that is currently affecting 22 million Americans. However, as people age the risk for developing this sleep disorder increases. Know how to identify and help manage the symptoms to save your loved one’s life.

Recognition and Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Older Americans conducted a study that found only 8% of senior participants 65 and older had been tested for sleep apnea while 58% were at high risk.

As the aging population continues to grow older the rate of undiagnosed sleep apnea will also increase. Over the next 11 years, 10,000 baby boomers will turn 65 every day, causing 18% of the population to be 65 or older by 2030. But why does it matter if your loved one has sleep apnea?

The Dangers Of Sleep Apnea For Seniors

Sleep apnea could lead to premature death as it contributes to a variety of health diminishing conditions. If your parent has sleep apnea, they may suffer from their upper airway becoming fully or partially blocked multiple times during the night. As a result, they are unable to pull in the oxygen their body needs to properly function.

When left untreated sleep apnea can lead to:

  • High Blood Pressure
  • Heart Disease
  • Dementia
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Traffic Accidents
  • Weight Gain
  • Stroke
  • Depression
  • Dementia

As your parent or patient experiences an apnea or event in which their breathing stops during the night, they may not even wake up or remember this event. This means that they can have sleep apnea without even knowing it. Oftentimes people are unaware that they are suffering in their sleep unless they are filmed sleeping or alerted by their partner that they are snoring very loudly. Keep an out for the following symptoms if you think your loved one may be at risk.

  • Waking up with headaches
  • Excessive fatigue
  • Irritability and Mood Swings
  • Weight gain
  • Trouble Concentrating
  • Waking with a sore throat or dry mouth
  • Gasping for air upon waking

Aging isn’t the only thing that increases your parent’s risk for sleep apnea. Other contributing factors include:

  • Obesity
  • Being male
  • Being post-menopausal (for women)
  • Having a neck circumference of 17” or more (16” for women)
  • Having a thin narrow neck or small jaw bone
  • Having a large tongue or tonsils
  • Drinking alcohol close to bedtime
  • Nasal obstruction caused by allergies, sinus issues, or a deviated symptom

 Caring For A Senior With Sleep Apnea

The most important thing to do if you think your loved one has sleep apnea, is contact their doctor for advice. Your parent may need to take a sleep study or sleep apnea test, but it doesn’t have to be a hassle. Many providers offer a comfortable, at-home test they can take in their own bed.

If you find yourself helping manage sleep apnea for an older relative or as a caregiver, you may help them use a CPAP or continuous positive airway device to keep their airways open during the night.

Even Though CPAP machines are the most effective way to treat sleep apnea, they have the reputation among the older generation of being cumbersome. It may take some convincing to get your parent to use one, so be prepared to explain how important it is for their health.

They may need a little help getting used to the device as well, but will need to use it even during naps to comply with their treatment. You can have them try a few different types of CPAP masks to help them find the most comfortable option. A nasal mask is smaller and more lightweight than a full face mask. However, if your loved one is congested make sure they use their face mask to help break up congestion.

To make a CPAP more comfortable have your parent wear the mask for a few hours before bedtime at first. Start with a lower air pressure and gradually work their way up to the settings prescribed by their doctor.  Also, helping them sleep in a better position for breathing, such as on their side is extremely helpful.

Don’t Ignore The Signs

If your parent seems excessively fatigued, seems to be yawning all the time, is confused or forgetful, they may not be getting the rest they desperately need. Have them test for sleep apnea in order to take the steps towards getting their quality of life back.

Six Simple Money Management Tips for Seniors

by: James FlemingDollar Symbols

Unless you’re very lucky, you pretty much never reach an age where you stop worrying about money. In fact, retirement can often be a time when seniors worry about money the most. Because of this, about twenty percent of seniors are actually putting off retirement because they’re concerned that they don’t have enough money saved.

Whether you’re getting ready to retire or are already living on a fixed income and want to make the most of your savings, keep reading.

Listed below are six simple money management tips that will help you stay on top of your funds and feel confident that you’re covered no matter what comes your way.

1.Crated (and Stick to) a Budget

If you’ve never had a budget, now’s the time to start. It’s important to understand how much money you’re bringing in and how much you’re actually spending. This can be daunting at first, but it’s necessary if you want to really get a handle on your finances.

One of the easiest ways to establish a budget is to follow these guidelines:

  • Write down and put your values in order
  • Set financial goals for yourself
  • Figure out your monthly income
  • Figure out your monthly expenses
  • Allocate portions of your monthly funds to meet those expenses, starting with essentials like a house payment, car payment, and groceries
  • Make sure you’re setting aside money each month in a savings account — do this first so you’re not tempted to spend the extra cash on something else

2. Pay Down Your Current Debt and Avoid New Debt

If you have existing debt, paying it down should be at the top of your priority list. Make room in your budget to pay at least the minimum payment and make sure you’re making these payments on time.

It’s also important to avoid taking on new debt after you’ve retired. There are lots of companies that try to appeal to retirees and encourage them to borrow money or opt for something like a reverse mortgage or home equity loan. Resist these offers, no matter how appealing they may sound initially.

Taking on new debt when you’re already in a bind financially isn’t going to do you any favors.

3. Downsize

If, after writing down your expenses and taking of stock of your income, you realize that you’re spending more than your making (or don’t have as much to put in savings as you’d like), you may want to consider downsizing.

If you have an empty nest, maybe you can sell your home and move to one that’s smaller and easier to maintain? Do you have an extra car that’s always sitting in the driveway? Consider selling it.

You can also save a lot of money by canceling or downgrading your cable and cell phone packages and getting rid of unnecessary memberships and service fees.

4. Take Advantage of Senior Discounts

In general, when you’re trying to save money, it’s important to limit your shopping and eating out as much as possible. But, sometimes, you just need to take a break and do something fun.

The great thing about being a retiree is that it’s rare for you to have to pay full price when shopping or going out to eat. There are tons of senior benefits to take advantage of!

Before you plan a night out, search online or in the newspaper for coupons. You can also call restaurants and stores ahead of time to ask if they offer a senior discount. Utilize these offers whenever possible so you can still enjoy an occasional treat without it eating into your budget.

5. Take Steps to Save on Health Care

Depending on your current financial situation, you may qualify for Medicaid in addition to Medicare. This will help cut down on monthly deductibles and other health care costs that Medicare does not cover.

You can also ask your doctor to prescribe generic medications or cheaper equivalents to help you save on prescription drugs at the pharmacy.

6. Get Comfortable with Saying No

Finally, remember that there are probably going to be times when you have to tell your friends and family no when they come to your help with money.

While there are definitely emergency situations in which it’s fine to help out, remember that your financial health needs to remain a priority. If you truly can’t afford to give someone a loan, just say no.

Final Thoughts

Money management can be stressful, especially if you haven’t made a habit of keeping up with your finances as well as you should. You’re not destined to struggle with money, though.

By applying these tips, you can significantly improve your ability to manage money and make sure you’re taken care of when a ready day comes along.

 

Sustainable Adult Day Care is the Future

Research shows that as of 2015, the world’s geriatric population consisted of around 617 million people, roughly 8.5 % of the total population. This number is projected to grow to 1.6 billion people by the year 2050. This growth is driven by the increasing aging population, medical expenditures and increased affordability. With so much growth within the market place, adult day care providers can keep up with the demand and lower costs by making simple adjustments to their facilities to make them more sustainable and patient-friendly.

Simple Changes, Big Results

As the times change, the millennial demographic has demonstrated that sustainability matters to them. All kinds of businesses are accommodating that sensibility by making simple changes whether it be using more eco-friendly products, non-toxic materials or changing the way their facilities are being constructed with larger windows for natural light, better ventilation, water-saving fixtures and solar panels to store and apply power. Adult day care facilities will not only gain more business by applying these changes, they will lower their increasing operating costs as well. Sustainable, eco-friendly centers will create a clean atmosphere that makes millennials feel secure in leaving their parents in the center’s care.

Use Nature to Your Advantage

Simply put, everyone likes being outside, even the elderly. Providing a small community garden is a great spot for care receivers to gather and socialize. It provides them with a new hobby while getting fresh air and finding a new purpose. They feel a sense of pride when the vegetables they helped cultivate are able to be used for meals within the center. Having garden paths and walkways are great features for adult care centers to implement because it makes the facility more beautiful and provides a natural resource for the residents and staff to get exercise and sunshine. Transportation services are also a great feature for adult day care centers to have because it eases the burden for the caregivers while also being an environmental-friendly option.

Small Changes, Great Place

These minor changes will help lower costs while bringing in more business. The best part is that they reinforce the overall goals of the centers, to provide a safe and clean environment for elderly patients to socialize, receive health care and find recreation and companionship.

How to Prepare to Discuss Your Nursing Home Benefits to Potential Clients

When a potential client is coming for a visit, what types of things should you be prepared with to best market the benefits of your facility? Knowing information about the person or persons visiting, ahead of time, will help you to present a clear and helpful presentation. When a person calls to schedule an appointment have a form ready to try and collect as much information as possible. Having a form to collect the desired information will help to ensure a consistency of information regardless of who is answering the call.

Helpful information to include on the form:

Who is coming – Aside from getting important contact information like name, phone number, email, etc. it is also helpful to know their role in the decision making process. Are they the current caretaker, if so they will most likely be interested in determining if your facility is a safe place to live with a reliable staff. Are they a potential client, then they may be interested in hearing about available activities, the food, the cleanliness of the facility and the choices they have in making their rooms feel more like home.

Special Care Considerations – Knowing any medical or mental considerations ahead of time will also help you to personalize the visit to showcase how your staff will be able to help. These considerations can come from normal conversation about what they are looking for. For example, the caregiver says that her mother is falling more often, and she’s really concerned about her balance and frustrated about her not wanting to use her walker. Having a section on the form that these types of notes can be jotted down will allow you to be prepared to talk about the way that your staff interacts with people who have these similar concerns.

Unique offerings – Knowing what obstacles a potential client may have can give you room to talk about things that your facility offers that others may not. Suppose the client doesn’t want to go into a nursing home because they won’t live without their dog. If your advertisements show that you allow pets, that may be a big reason that they would like to come and visit. Knowing ahead of time that this could be a determining factor, perhaps the tour can include a visit with a client that is a animal lover and show how well the animal lives in their home space. Other offerings to showcase may include therapeutic programs, your special credentials, or types of extracurricular activities you offer.

Training your staff to be good listeners when taking potential client calls, can help you to make the sale easier by being ready with examples to fit the unique family needs. Then during the visit a continuation of active listening can really help you to understand what is important to them, and what is or isn’t a good fit and how you can help them to make your nursing home the right fit for them.

Senior Inclusion; Connecting to the Outside World.

Seniors often worry that when they retire and move to a Senior community, that they will lose their connections with others. To attract seniors to your community and show them that you want to soothe their fears of isolation, you can take the following steps to help them feel connected.

A Sense of Community

No one wants to live in an isolated setting. Show people that you are a community where they can have easy access to the outside world – plan events that include seniors and their families on a regular basis. Ensure that there is a feeling of effortless access; make it so that transportation, pick-ups and using their vehicles if they are still able to can be a simple process. Make sure that everything is user-friendly and handicapped accessible. If you are in areas that get cold and snow, have regular snow removers and ensure that the parking lots and paths to the community are well groomed.

Access to Technology

Seniors want all the comforts of home at their fingertips, and that includes items such as WI-FI and computers. Many people who live in senior housing do not have access to computers so a well-stocked computer lab would be very beneficial. Computer literacy classes on how to work Skype, email, and FaceTime would allow seniors to learn how to connect online. Social media classes explaining the different aspects of all the latest media would often be appreciated as well. Giving seniors access to the ability to contact family and loved ones all over the world will help to keep them happy as they age.

Include the Culture of the Local Area

People want to remain connected with the outside world when they retire into a senior community. There are several areas where the center can connect with locals to bring in some culture from nearby. Some of these ideas include talking to the following: schools, community centers, and local theaters. Many churches offer volunteer services to connect with the senior communities as well. All of these things help seniors so that they don’t feel isolated when they move into a senior community.

.Seniors want a place where they don’t feel isolated and alone. Make them see that your community stands out from the rest with innovative ideas that help them communicate and explore the world

Social Media: Why Your Residents Should Be On Twitter

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Today’s world revolves around technology and it has become a major part of people’s lives. In recent years, social media has become a popular way to stay in contact with friends and loved ones, as well as a way to stay up-to-date on current events. Some seniors may think that they are too old for social media or that they may not be able to figure out how to use it, but this is simply not the case. It is a good idea for all senior living professionals to encourage seniors that they should be more active on social media because of the positive benefits it can have on them. Popular social media sites, such as Twitter, are very easy to use and are a great way to stay connected. Below is a guide to help seniors get started with Twitter and some reasons why your residents should have an account.

  • Explain What Twitter is to Your Residents and Show Them How it Works

Tell your residents that Twitter is a social media site where people share thoughts and events in real-time, or as they happen. Twitter users make updates called tweets, which are small posts under 140 characters. Tweets can include other Twitter users by using the @ symbol before their username and can also include a #, which is known as the hashtag symbol, in order to link outside sources/links to their tweets and easily access posts that are trending (being viewed by a lot of people). People can easily see one another’s tweets by following one another on twitter.

  • Why Seniors Should Have a Twitter Account

Tell your residents that there are real, active, Twitter communities based on just about everything, and they can join them, such as their favorite TV show or book. Twitter can keep seniors busy in their free time and can keep them updated on current events in the news. Twitter also allows seniors to comment on the news, politics, social issues and anything at all, in real time. Encourage your residents to make a Twitter account because it doesn’t matter how old they are or where they live, their opinions matter and Twitter can help make their voices heard.

  • Help Your Residents Create an Account

Creating a Twitter account is easy and can be done in as little as a few minutes. The following are some steps that your residents can take to create a Twitter account. The first step is to go to twitter.com. Then, click on sign up for Twitter, which is on the right side on the bottom. Complete basic information, then choose a username and password. After completing a field, click on create my account. After this, begin choosing who to follow. Twitter will give suggestions of people to follow. There is also an option on the left of the screen that new twitter users can use to find people that they may know.

  • Show Your Residents Some Good Pages for Them to Follow on Twitter

If your senior living community has a Twitter page, then show them so that they can follow it and see what’s going on at your community. Ask your residents what their favorite things are, such as shows, movies, books, hobbies, etc. and suggest some pages that they can follow. If your resident is into politics or the news, then show them some news outlets that they can follow.

Encourage your residents to engage with the world and have fun with Twitter!

Home Care Assisted Living

As we get older, our bodies as well as our minds change.  For many of us, our lives become very static for the last few decades of life.  We become set in our routines, surrounded by objects and mementos that remind us of our lives and personal history.  It is a comfort found unfamiliarity.  Sometimes this existence replaces social outlets, as friends and family begin to dwindle, often leaving the elderly with only memories of their past to keep them company.

As our lives begin to wind down, we might face dementia or simply find ourselves embedded in our routines and environments to the point where a major move or change becomes upsetting. Completely changing a person’s surroundings, especially if they are battling Alzheimer’s or dementia, could be unnecessarily traumatic.  Even to the point where it could cause depression, and affect their quality of life.  They might even become angry, confused, and try to “escape” their new home.  Which can all stress them out to the point where it shortens what remaining years they have.

Also, not all elderly people become reclusive.  Sometimes they are surrounded by friends and family, loved ones who make regular visits. They have a set routine with healthy social outlets that keep their minds and spirits up. They might have everything they need to live out the rest of their lives in happiness and comfort without needing to be moved to a full-time care facility. Without the often difficult transition to a nursing home, the elderly can find comfort in familiar surroundings, have better access to loved ones, and get to have the quiet enjoyment they have grown to appreciate where they have been for so many years already.  Safe and sound at home.

What if you could make your loved one as comfortable as possible, with all the benefits of full-time care right at home?  This is not only possible, but many times the best decision you can make with your family.  With much the same care that can be found at an assisted living, nursing home or full-care facility.  Your loved one can avoid the confusion and depression which sometimes follows a big move.

Home Care professionals offer the services of daily care such as laundry, cooking, cleaning, and helping your loved one with tasks such as hygiene and making their appointments, getting their hair done or transport to where they need to be.  They also offer companionship for what could potentially become a lonely existence, even surrounded by the accumulation of their lives and past.

Later years in one’s life should be met with caring and compassion. For many, the result of leaving home to start a new adventure with new people might be exciting and liberating, yet for others the positive aspects of this are often lost to the fear and confusion of such a major change happening at a vulnerable point in their lives.  Home Care offers a solution in those times.

5 Tips for Reaching Seniors On Social Media

When it comes to marketing to seniors, many people overlook social media. The reality, however, is that many seniors are using social media, and with the proper social media marketing strategy, you can reach them effectively. Here are some tips for marketing to seniors on social media.

Choose the Right Social Media Platform

Facebook and Twitter may be better platforms to use than something like Snapchat or LinkedIn, which attract a younger crowd. Instagram is also a good platform. Don’t forget Youtube, which is a great place to establish yourself as an expert on retirement living advice and also provide peeks into what life is like in your community.

Tap Into the Power of Visuals

Social media lets you create a portfolio of the best snapshots of your retirement living community. Use Instagram and Facebook to showcase the best moments experienced at your community and the pictures that best display the comfort and warmth that you offer.

Use Demographic Targeting

Facebook has great tools that let you target specific demographics in your advertising campaigns. You can target people of a certain age, people who make a certain amount of money per year, people who have shown an interest in a particular subject, and much more. This makes it easy to target either seniors or their children.

Establish a Community

Social media allows you to establish a community. You can provide a platform where you offer tips and advice on retirement living. You can use your platform to announce upcoming events and other happenings at your living facility.

Promote Trial Runs

You can promote trial runs at your facility. For example, you can host one-day events that allow people to experience what living in your community is like without any commitment. This is a great way for people to get over the fear that they may not like it.

Long-term Care Insurance is Different from Traditional Health Insurance

Many believe that the government will pay for their long-term healthcare needs when they’re older. Unfortunately, several misconceptions circulate the web regarding health insurance for seniors, and these days many rely on social media posts for their daily news. Though, some media posts may be unreliable and it’s important for your health and wellness to keep up-to-date with reliable information from a verifiable source.

Common Misconceptions Regarding Health Insurance Coverage  

One common misconception: “my health insurance will cover the costs of my long-care needs.” Only under certain circumstances and up to a maximum of 100 days will Medicare cover your long-term care needs. Typically, most health insurances plans don’t even cover the costs of basic care needs associated with chronic illnesses or traumatic injuries. As a result, many seniors are seeking long-term care insurance plans to help them pay for these additional costs.

Long-term Care Insurance is Different from Traditional Health Insurance

Traditional health insurance is not the same as long-term care insurance (LTCI). Simply put, LTCI covers your long-term care needs when the effects of aging impact your daily life. It includes support and services, such as custodial and personal care, in your own home or a nursing facility. Like any insurance policy, the various benefits and care options depend on the preferred insurance company you choose. This will determine how much funds you can spend to pay for the services and personnel you need to help you with activities, like eating and dressing.

How Do Insurance Companies Calculate Your Premiums?
Insurance companies calculate your premiums on the following factors:
  • Age ~ Specifically, the age you were when you purchased the policy. The older you are, the more likely they are to decline you. Some insurance companies deny seniors over the age of eighty-years. The younger you are when you purchase LTCI the better because you have more time to build up your assets for the future.
  • Gender ~ Women live longer than men and insurance companies feel it is only fair that women pay up. Ladies expect your premiums to me much higher than your male counterparts.
  • Health ~ This one is a no brainer. If you are currently receiving treatment for a chronic illness, it’s likely you will have higher premiums or possibly be denied coverage.

There are other variables insurance companies consider, like inflation and the benefit period, but ultimately your age and health play a pivotal role in your premiums. What’s important is to do your research and compare insurance prices before choosing one. There are varying price ranges, but an average LTCI for a couple in their late fifties or early sixties typically ranges from $2,000 to $4,000 per year.

Long-term Care Insurance is Different in Each State
Long-term care insurance is state regulated and each state has different companies and policies available. The best time for you to buy LTCI is when you are in your mid-fifties. If you are looking for a place to begin, talk with your provider or try searching here. Start planning today to enjoy a healthier tomorrow!