Leslie Newlife

Here’s What to Look for in a Senior Care Facility

We all hope to grow old gracefully. But time and age care nothing about grace, or about our sensibilities and hopes. There are a few things you can do to increase the chances of a positive aging experience. But at the end of the day, the outcome is out of your hands. You might not be lucky enough to enjoy the final years of your life independently in your own home. Seeing how your aging parents manage the process can help you better prepare for your own golden years. 

If you are in the sandwich generation bracketed on both ends by dependents, you might find it infeasible to take in your aging parents and properly care for your children. One of the hardest choices you will have to make is placing your parents in senior housing to give everyone a chance at their best life. Once you decide that is the way things have to go, you have to make an even tougher decision: Which senior housing option do you choose? If you don’t know what to look for, this can be a daunting decision. It is a little easier when you can imagine that it is you in their place. What would be the most important considerations for you? That list will very likely include the following:

A Modern Package Handling Solution

You are going to want to send your parents parcels that are bigger than a tiny envelope. You do not want them to have to go pick it up at a carrier location, or take a chance missing the package because they were out and about. If they get a lot of their purchases through Amazon, they will also need access to painless returns. 

Before signing any rental agreements, check out the package room and be sure that all of the important boxes are checked:

  • Video surveillance for security
  • Easy accessibility
  • Simple to use app
  • Accommodation for any size package

One of the biggest challenges for people living in multi-family housing is packaging handling. It is also one of the biggest challenges for the management of said housing. If you manage a senior care facility, this type of package room can be a real life saver because you will no longer have to divert staffing resources from other key functions such as maintenance, safety, and providing a better overall experience to the clients and their families. If a modern package handling solution is not on offer, keep looking. Your loved ones deserve better.

Fast Internet Connectivity

Because of carrier contracts and inscrutable broadband laws, much of the population is restricted to one or two carrier options. That means that not every place is created equally when it comes to internet connectivity. There are enormous obstacles to broadband adoption in many places. Try to avoid such places when looking for a home for your aging parents.

A blazing fast internet connection is not just for gamers with too much time on their hands. One of the most cherished forms of communication for parents is the video call. A common complaint from people living in senior facilities is the feeling of being cut off from the people they love. A video call helps in bridging that gap. You also have to realize that today’s senior citizens are a lot more tech savvy. We already have Twitter and Facebook seniors. The next generation will be Tik-Tok and snapchat seniors. Their connectivity needs are the same as yours. Be sure that is available to them.

Ways to Remain Active

One of the biggest determiners of a long and healthy life is the amount of activity you do. Rocking chairs are good for short-term relaxation, but bad for long-term health. If a senior living facility is rich in rocking chairs and poor in activities, it is the wrong place for your parents. There should be signs of healthy outdoor life. Seniors should be encouraged to go on walks, do yoga, and other light activities. Anything that encourages healthy motion is typically a good thing for anyone. People get less active as they get older. Beside their new home is one that encourages activity.

Aging is never fun nor easy. But it can be less painful when you prioritize package handling, broadband connectivity, and physical activity.

The Sandwich Generation: 4 Ways to Effectively Care for Aging Parents

The sandwich generation faces a unique set of challenges. Along with looking after your children, focusing on work, and managing your social life, you also have the responsibility of taking care of your aging parents. The demands of daily life can already be difficult enough, and the added burden of caregiving can be overwhelming. However, there are effective ways to manage this transition. Here are a few ways to effectively care for aging parents while balancing your other responsibilities.

 Assess Their Needs

 The first step in effectively caregiving for your parents is assessing their needs and determining how you can help. Depending on their health conditions, your level of involvement may vary. When assessing your parents’ needs, consider their existing medical conditions, mobility, home safety, cognitive health, and proximity to family. How much support do they currently have and where do they need additional assistance?

After doing this, you’ll want to decide how you can best help your parents and create a plan to care for them. Do you have the proper resources available to help? For instance, if you live far away you may need to hire an in-home caregiver, consider having your parents move in with your family, or have them move into an assisted living facility. Remember, even if you can’t provide direct care for your parents, arranging assistance for them still shows your support and love.

However you decide to care for your parents, involve them in the conversation and decision-making process. This will help them retain a sense of control over their lives and help determine their preferences for care. Considering your parents’ wants and needs will make the transition easier on both ends and make them less resistant to change.

 Lean on Others

It can feel weird switching roles with your parents and taking care of them instead of the other way around. Managing this transition along with balancing your other obligations with family and work is no small feat and often stressful. Although you share a special bond with your parents, that doesn’t mean you need to take on all of the responsibilities alone. In fact, leaning on others and asking for help can make caring for your parents much more enjoyable and successful.

Especially if you have siblings or a large family, you should lean on each other for assistance and support, and take turns with certain tasks if you’re able to. It’s also completely normal and understandable to ask your spouse, children, friends, and neighbors for help with other areas of your life, like getting groceries, picking up your kids from school, doing chores, and more. Having a strong support system to help you with tasks and to be an outlet to discuss your feelings can make taking care of your parents much less stressful.

Prepare Your Finances

Caregiving for your parents can be overwhelming emotionally, but it can also put strain on your finances. Depending on what type of care your parents need, you may need to buy medication, medical devices, care services, systems to senior-proof your home, and more. Especially if your parents move into your home or move into an assisted living facility, the costs can quickly add up, which can be stressful.

Although you can rely on your parent’s finances for some of the costs, they might not be able to cover all of the expenses, and you may need to manage their money for them. Before you start caregiving, it’s helpful to have a clear understanding of your parents’ financial situation to determine how much extra funding they need. From there, you can create a budget for expected costs and learn how much financial assistance you may need to provide.

If you’re struggling to afford the costs, research government benefits like Medicaid, and other programs that can help your parents pay for care. You can also leverage your home’s equity for additional financial assistance if you’re a homeowner. Home equity loans can be helpful for this situation as they have a lower interest rate than a personal loan or credit card and come in a lump sum payment, so you can immediately start tackling caregiving expenses.

Take Care of Yourself

Between caring for your aging parents, looking after your children, focusing on work, and other responsibilities, it can be difficult to find time for yourself. Caregiving can be exhausting paired with demands of daily life; with so much focus on taking care of others, it’s also important to take care of yourself during this time.

At the very least, make sure you’re eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and taking care of your mental health. If you’re feeling drained, you won’t be able to effectively care for others in your life, so make yourself a priority. Whether you need an afternoon to yourself, a date night with your spouse, or a night out with friends, dedicate time to relax and unwind where you don’t have to worry about attending to others. Remember, practicing self-care isn’t selfish and will only allow you to be more present and attentive to your parents, family, and partner. If you neglect your needs, you’ll likely become overwhelmed and burned out.

4 Budgeting and Finance Tips for Seniors

Are you in the process of revamping the monthly budget as retirement nears? Many older adults overhaul their spending habits in anticipation of living on a relatively fixed income. There are many great tools and resources available for anyone who needs a bit of assistance. If you don’t want to spend money on a professional financial planner, consider using one of many social service organizations. Contact local and online non-profit organizations that offer budgeting and money planning help for seniors and retirees. Most cater to those over 50 as well as low-income earners in all age groups.

If you have assets to pass on to heirs, consider using a MEC (modified endowment contract) to avoid many of the hassles that accompany the estate planning process. Even without the guiding hand of a professional, take it upon yourself to rework monthly budgets by adjusting for income changes and eliminating as many expenses as possible. The best part of the challenge is that there are so many approaches that work in different situations. Remember to review all retirement accounts and note important dates, like the month when you’ll be required to take mandatory payouts. Here are some suggestions to get the ball rolling.

Get Free Help

Local and national organizations like AARP and others are set up to assist retired people with finances and offer stress management tactics for lifestyle challenges at this stage. Call your local social service department and ask what kind of no-cost or low-cost help you can get from financial planners, personal tax assistants, and volunteer accountants.

Do Basic Estate Planning with a MEC

If you have any assets you plan to leave to heirs, consider using a modified endowment contract to convey them easily and without any red tape. If modified endowment contracts are new to you, read a helpful online explanation on all the particulars. That way, you’ll be prepared to decide if it makes sense to convert designated assets into a MEC. Too many seniors neglect to deal with issues like estate planning and leave their children and other heirs with complex tax situations. The good news is that it takes just a small amount of planning to avoid all sorts of financial messes. That’s just one reason MECs make so much sense for huge numbers of retired adults.

Redo Your Monthly Budget

Want to revamp your financial situation for the better? Take a few hours to sit down and focus on the monthly budget. Be alert for situations that have changed and places where you can cut expenses. Likewise, consider selling stuff you no longer need to add some cash to savings. Another tactic is to take on a low-stress part-time job to bring in a few extra dollars and retain a bit of structure in your daily schedule. Ten hours per week is all it takes to boost income and keep your mind alert and fresh.

Review Retirement Accounts

Make sure you know the rules about minimum withdrawals from retirement accounts. Consider speaking with a financial pro to get everything organized and up to date. Consider ditching low-interest investments that might be languishing in stock portfolios. Make it a point to review your retirement finances at least once per year.

Guide for the Givers: Self-Care Tips for Caregivers

Caregiving is one of the most selfless and rewarding jobs out there, but it can also be physically and emotionally taxing. In addition, it can be difficult to remember to take care of your own needs when you are in the business of putting other people before yourself. Therefore, it’s necessary to make sure you’re taking good care of yourself when working as a caregiver so you can do the best work possible. Here is a guide for the givers: self-care tips for caregivers to help them have the most well-balanced life.

Get Enough Sleep

The importance of a good night’s sleep is often overlooked. Being well-rested gives you more energy to do your best throughout the day. Sleep is the body’s time to rest, heal, and recharge. If you aren’t getting enough sleep, your body will have a much harder time healing itself, and the mind will have a more challenging time focusing on tasks during the day. An average adult’s ideal amount of sleep at night is six to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep.

Balanced Diet

Eating a well-balanced diet will help energize you and give you the nutrients you need to be healthy and strong. It also helps improve brain function, allowing your mind to stay focused. Consuming a good amount of protein during each meal gives you more energy and keeps you full longer, cutting down on unnecessary snacking. A well-balanced diet will help you bring your all to your job as a caregiver, allowing you to do your best work.

Notice Your Needs

Listening to your own mind and body is essential. Pay attention to your needs and what your body is telling you. For example, if you feel like you need rest, take the time to catch up on your sleep. If you’re feeling stressed out or overwhelmed, find some time to calm down, relax, and release tension. Paying attention to what you need will help you be more balanced overall and give you the ability to take better care of patients every day.

Avoid Overworking

Feelings of burnout can creep in when you overwork yourself. It becomes challenging to do your job to the best of your ability and care for someone else when taking on too much work. If you notice you are feeling overworked, take some time off, or cut back on some of your hours to give yourself time to recharge. It’s imperative to take time for yourself and do things that relax you and bring you joy and peace. Taking some time for yourself outside of work allows you to show up to work with a positive attitude.

There are several different rewarding careers in caregiving. They all require that you prioritize self-care in order to do the best possible work on the job. Now that you have reviewed a guide for the givers: self-care tips for caregivers, you can live a more balanced life and bring your best self to work every day.

10 Healthy Habits for Leading a Successful Retirement Life

If you want to enjoy your retirement, you must find out what it means for you. Of course, you have to organize your money, make a budget and stick to it. But that’s not what retirement is all about. There are some healthy habits you can incorporate during this time to get a new direction in life.

Some retired people also fall victim to the trap of addiction, which is why rehabs like Infinite Recovery have a unique treatment program for older adults. Check https://www.infiniterecovery.com/drug-rehab-dallas/ for more details.


10 Healthy Habits for a Successful Retirement

Senior citizens have the right to live their retirement lives with dignity, passion, fun, and stability. In order to ensure these elements, the aged people must incorporate a few healthy activities in their daily routine once they retire.

If you integrate the following healthy habits into your life, you will not only stay physically fit but will also stay mentally sharp. So, let’s take a look at them here:

1. Practice Healthy Eating

Older people are prone to develop chronic diseases like heart issues, diabetes, arthritis, etc., and this is why a healthy diet is always recommended. A healthy diet for older adults consists of veggies, legumes, whole grains, dairy, lean meats, etc.

Once you retire, make sure you contact a nutritionist and get a healthy diet plan for yourself, and stick to that. It will make sure that you are not spending your post-retirement life in some hospital bed, but rather living peacefully in your home, among your loved ones.

2. Get a New Pet to Avoid Loneliness

Retired people often feel lonely at home because their partners may have passed away or their children are away from home. This is why you could consider getting a new pet because it will give you someone to take care of. It is essential for older people to feel needed, and once they get a pet, they enjoy not only the constant companionship, but the tasks of feeding, walking, and grooming, too.

The sense of being needed by someone can make retired people happy. Studies show seniors who are happy are less likely to have any trouble getting up, dressing, or taking a shower, so make yourself happy by getting a new pal.

3. Give Back To Community

You should give back to the community when you are retired. Now, by giving back, we are not saying you have to donate a lot of money, but you should do something beneficial for the community. You can take advantage of your good reputation in the locality and organize charity drives. Organizing a cleanliness campaign once a week is also helpful. If you want to visit the local youth centers and donate money to uplift its condition, you can do that too.

Senior citizens may find it uniquely satisfying to help others because they get to be part of a social network that is incomplete without them.

4. Exercise Regularly

Even if you live in an assisted living community, you should find time to exercise every day. Experts recommend moderate exercise of 30 minutes is suitable for people in older age groups.

Go for a morning walk, go swimming, or do other physical activities that will help balance your weight and prevent chronic diseases. Many senior citizens join older adult yoga groups to stay healthy. It also gives them a sense of purpose and belongingness with their peers.

5. Look for Passive Income Streams

Since you are retired, you live your life off of your savings, and that’s okay. But why not look for a passive income stream that will be flexible and versatile?

There are plenty of passive income streams online that anybody can take advantage of. Thus, you can earn some extra cash while not getting bored just sitting at home. Many seniors use affiliate marketing, sell digital products, invest in real estate, sell their valuable items, write a blogs, etc., to spend their free time and earn some extra money.

6. Make a Routine

Keeping your life bound by structure and routine is always good for staying healthy. In fact, seniors can have ample time to relax in the evening if they make a schedule and do their chores during the day.

Thus, you will have a sense of direction and a sense of purpose in your life even after your retirement.

7. Have an Active Social Life

Feeling lonely is common for older adults, which is why having a social life is necessary for their bodies and minds to function at an optimum level. Make friends with people who have similar interests and ignore any possible age gap. As the old saying goes, ‘Age is just a Number.’ Thus, you will constantly be updated on what is happening in the world.

8. Volunteer with Local Groups

Nonprofit organizations are always in need of volunteers. Find a cause that you care about and where you can be of service.

In addition to the benefit of giving back to the community, more than 50% of Americans believe their self-esteem increases when they use their skills and knowledge in volunteering somewhere.

Moreover, senior people can also volunteer with their family and friends, which will give them more time to spend with their loved ones.

9. Spend Time with Grandchildren

As a grandparent, you have the wonderful opportunity to contribute to your grandchildren’s childhood and upbringing. So make plans and spend as much time as possible with them because this is precious time you will never get back.

When you seek options to pass your days after retirement, spending time with your grandkids can be an excellent way to do that. You will get to be a part of their lives in a meaningful way and share your stories and experiences with them, which is beneficial to everyone.

If your grandkids are away, spend time with other local kids to help keep your inner child alive.

10. Enroll in a New Course

When senior citizens retire, they often look back at their lives and think of all the decisions they did not make or the things they did not do. Now that you have more time, this is a great opportunity to revisit your local community college and enroll in courses that interest you.

It may be that you worked in the banking industry all your life, but you have a fancy towards Victorian Literature. You can easily join a distance education course and get a new degree.

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Even if you don’t want to further your academic education, you could enroll in a new language or musical instrument class to simply give you joy.

Final Thoughts

A successful retirement life cannot be achieved if you don’t plan ahead of time. So you have to think of this phase as something to enjoy and plan your time accordingly. Once you adjust to retirement, you can make the most of the additional the free time and incorporate the habits mentioned above in order to live life to its fullest.

 

The Top Activities for Seniors in Florida

Senior citizens have a right to live with dignity and are entitled to enjoy their retirement years. Florida has many opportunities for senior citizens to stay physically fit, mentally sharp, and independent outside of their retirement community or nursing home. Above all, however, Florida has plenty of senior-friendly options for fun! Check out some of the top activities for seniors in Florida to understand just how great the Sunshine State is.

Visiting Theme Parks

Visiting theme parks is one of the most popular activities for seniors in Florida. A visit to a theme park is a wonderful way to spend quality time with family and friends. The most popular theme parks include Disney World, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, and Legoland.

Each of these parks offers something different for visitors. For instance, some parks focus on familiar movies and television shows while others feature roller coasters and carnival stalls. Some parks even focus on history and science. Regardless of what a senior’s interests and activity levels are, there’s likely a theme park in Florida to suit them.

Go Fly Fishing

Fly fishing is another activity that older adults can enjoy. This type of fishing involves using a lightweight lure to catch fish. It requires patience and skill, but it’s also a wonderful pastime for the older generation to teach newcomers. Many seniors find fly fishing relaxing because it allows them to simply enjoy the water and scenery while waiting for their catch. If you know a senior who loves fly fishing, there are many great fly fishing spots in Florida.

Enjoy a Hike

There are plenty of hiking trails throughout Florida. These trails are great for seniors because they allow you to explore nature while getting in crucial exercise. Hiking is also a fantastic way to explore new places and meet new friends. Hiking becomes increasingly difficult as we age, but there are ways to make hiking easier on our bodies. One example is using walking sticks. If your loved one doesn’t already own a walking stick, consider buying one before they head out. Paved trails welcome those achy joints or mobility devices.

Volunteer With Local Groups

Nonprofits always need more volunteers, and many organizations welcome older adults. Volunteering allows seniors to give back to society and help others on a personal level. Volunteering enables them to use their skills and knowledge to make an impact that matters to them. It’s important to note that family and friends can volunteer alongside their loved ones as well!

These are some of the top activities for seniors in Florida. Seniors can do so many things during their retirement years, and Florida continuously welcomes snowbirds, weekend vacationers, and travel groups alike to live life to the fullest.

7 Reasons to Consider Home Health Care

If you have a loved one who is sick or injured and in need of additional medical care, you might be considering what option is most suitable to their needs. In-home care can be a great solution for many people. Here are seven reasons to consider home health care for your loved one.

  1. A Comfortable Solution

As the old saying goes, “There’s no place like home.” That couldn’t be more true! One of the main benefits of home care is it allows your loved one to enjoy the familiar and comfortable luxuries of their own home, while still getting the medical attention they need. 

When you opt for in-home services, your family member can enjoy home-cooked, well-balanced meals and the ability to stay in a home that’s familiar to them — along with many other comforts. 

  1. More Independence 

In many cases, home health care allows your loved ones to maintain their independence for as long as possible. Some people only require help with light housework, meal planning, medication assistance, and transport to and from appointments or grocery shopping.

      3. Personal Care Needs

If your loved one requires more medical attention, don’t fret. Bathing, dressing, nail trimming, toileting, mobility support, and eye health with vision insurance are other home care needs that can usually be arranged. 

  1. An Affordable Option

Depending on the amount of medical attention your loved one requires, home health care can be a more affordable option than an assisted living facility or nursing home. 

Several factors determine the cost of home care, including the company you use, the number of hours you’ll need care for and geographic location. In New York City, for example, the average cost of home health care is $20 per hour. Another factor that will generally determine the amount you’ll spend is the extent of medical attention the patient requires. Light chores and meal preparation will generally cost less than more demanding tasks, like helping them in the restroom. 

  1. Keeps Families Together

Placing your family member in an assisted living or nursing home can be a painful decision to make. It might even lead to resentment. For the nursing home patient, it can also lead to loneliness and depression. 

Whether it’s your spouse, elderly parent, or a sick or injured child, home care allows your family to stay together as long as possible. And who doesn’t want more time with their loved ones? 

  1. Safer Option 

Nursing homes aren’t without risks. There have been numerous incidents of elder abuse. There have also been cases where someone wasn’t monitored closely enough and they suffered a fall. Bedsores are also an issue at nursing homes that have poorly trained staff. Of course, we can’t forget that the country is currently in a pandemic and there’s a verifiably higher risk of COVID-19 fatalities in those facilities.

Home care helps reduce these risks. You’ll have the ability to see your senior family member on a regular basis to monitor for any problems that may be occurring. Since home aides offer one-on-one care, they’ll also be able to better supervise your loved one. 

  1. Companionship 

Another one of the main advantages of home care is it allows your senior citizen family member to receive companionship. When you’re not available to spend time with your loved one, they may experience some loneliness. A home aide will often converse, play cards or enjoy other activities with your family member. This can increase your family member’s happiness. 

These are just seven reasons to consider home health care. Although there are situations where an assisted living facility or nursing home may be more ideal or even necessary, many patients can benefit from home aides. The advantages of home care can help your loved ones have a better quality of life — and allows you to spend more time together. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.

Four Strategies for Evaluating Senior Living Facilities

Senior living is one of the fastest-growing segments of commercial real estate, and the upward trend is predicted to continue for decades.  If you’re looking for senior housing for yourself or a loved one, this means you have a surplus of options.

This brings good news and bad news. On a positive note, the increased demand for senior housing has brought on innovations in the market. There now exist dozens of living arrangements styles, from nursing homes with full care and medical staff to independent lifestyle communities that resemble any other suburb. With this range of options, you are sure to find an arrangement that works best for you and your family.

On the other hand, this plethora of options can also make it very difficult to make the right decision. For this reason, you should approach your research very strategically. Consider adding the action item below to your evaluation process. 

Make a Checklist

When you’re touring the grounds of a facility, it can be very easy to forget to ask an important question. Make the most of your time with the staff by creating a checklist of key questions and must-haves.  If you’re not sure what to include on your checklist, start with the most basic aspects.

Safety

Many senior living residents are completely reliant on the facility and staff to maintain their safety. If this will be the case for your loved one, ask about the policies and procedures that are in place to handle emergencies. You can also look around the facility for safety measures, such as smoke detectors, fire exit routes, and easy-to-navigate layouts. 

Facilities that serve residents with neurodegenerative conditions like dementia should have extra measures in place. Look for secured exits and fall prevention features like handrails. 

On-site Housing Options

Traditionally, senior living facilities offered one type of service. However, as the concept of aging in place grows more popular, more companies are turning to a continuing care model. This way, residents can remain in the same, familiar surroundings as their health needs increase. If this option is important to you, make sure you ask about the facility’s care model. 

Staffing levels and schedules

While many facilities advertise around-the-clock care, the reality may be very different. There are staffing shortages in nearly every sector of senior care. During your tour, take note of how the staff does their work. Do they seem rushed and stressed? This could indicate a shortage within the facility. Also look for telltale signs of understaffing, such as untidy areas, or residents that seem neglected or isolated.

Cost and financing

Senior living homes can be expensive. You may be pooling together funding from numerous sources, including your savings, pension, long-term care insurance, or government benefit programs. Inquire if the facility offers any payment options.

It is also important to know what is included in the basic rate. Many eldercare facilities charge services like laundry and community visits as additional fees. 

Judge a Book by its Cover

Businesses know they only have one chance to make a good first impression. If you arrive at a senior living facility and there are obvious signs of decay or neglect, take that as a major red flag. Facilities that do not maintain their grounds like have issues in other areas like patient care. Even if staff are well-meaning, a poorly-managed facility will have difficulty providing high-quality care. 

Interact with Staff

A well-run senior care facility only exists if staff are reliable, kind, and hardworking. If possible, spend time with staff members and ask them questions about their job, the residents, and the management. 

It’s a good sign if many of the staff members have worked with the facility a long time. This means that management can retain staff, which means stability for residents. On the other side, if staff seem to come and go, it can indicate deeper problems. 

Get a Sense of the Culture

Every facility has its own atmosphere, culture, and values. Are residents encouraged to be active and socialize? Is the facility faith-based or secular? Does management seem interested in the most innovative approaches in senior care, or does the facility follow more tried and true models?

When you visit the facility, you can glean information about its culture by noticing how residents interact with staff and each other. The facility’s amenities can also shed light on its values and if they align with your own. 

If you or your loved one is very active, the right home would have fitness centers, walking groups, and swimming pools. If socialization is more important, look for well-designed communal areas that enable residents to meet and mingle together. 

Take your research online and view website blogs, images, and content. Is the facility’s page visually appealing, with innovative features like instant chat support? Or is it outdated and slow? Businesses that invest in their digital presence are more likely to care about customer satisfaction and innovation.

Are Bedsores a Sign of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?

Nursing home abuse and neglect is a serious problem in the United States. It can take many forms, from physical abuse, financial exploitation, and verbal or emotional abuse.

Bedsores are one sign that nursing home residents may be experiencing abuse or neglect. They can occur when a person is often not moved, leading to pressure sores on the skin. It can also be a sign of dehydration or malnutrition.

It’s the responsibility of caregivers and nursing home staff to protect residents from abuse and neglect. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. Abuse and neglect can have a devastating impact on nursing home residents.

How Bedsores Can Be a Sign of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect

Bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers, occur when too much pressure is applied to one skin area for an extended period. It can cause the skin to break down and become inflamed.

These injuries to the skin are a problem for nursing home residents because they can’t move around on their own, which means that it is up to the nursing home staff to make sure that pressure sores don’t develop by moving them around frequently enough.

Also, as mentioned, bedsores can be a sign of dehydration or malnutrition, which means that caregivers may not be giving patients adequate food and water. More than one million Americans live in nursing homes across the country. About 31.6% percent of those who reside in these facilities suffer from bedsores at some point during their stay there.

Bedsore locations include:

  • The back of the head, especially when a resident is lying down for long periods without moving around much;
  • The buttocks and tailbone area (including “sacral ulcers”), especially when there is no cushioning under it or where clothing rubs against the skin;
  • The elbows and knees because these spots are usually not protected by any padding on beds or wheelchairs.

Stages of Bedsores

Bedsores are classified by stages. The first stage of bedsores is known as non-blanchable erythema, and it means that the skin will not turn white when pressure is applied to it. This condition can be treated if caught early enough but may become more severe if left untreated.

Stage two involves partial tissue loss in which the outer layer of skin has been lost, and there may be a shallow open wound or blister present. It can be treated with creams, dressings, and possibly antibiotics.

Stage three involves total tissue loss in which a deep open wound has formed, and there may or may not be pus present. Treatment of this stage will require frequent dressing changes and topical treatments like silver sulfadiazine to prevent infection from setting in.

Finally, fourth-degree bedsores extend down to the bone. These injuries are considered the most serious and can often result in amputation or death. It can be treated with a surgical procedure called debridement, which removes dead tissue from the wound.

Complications of Untreated Bedsores

If bedsores are not appropriately treated, they can become infected and may spread bacteria throughout the body. It means that internal organs may be affected by an infection caused by a pressure sore.

They can progress through stages of bedsores and lead to life-threatening complications, such as sepsis or death. Therefore, it is crucial for healthcare providers to monitor pressure sores regularly and treat them as early as possible.

Other serious complications of untreated bedsores include:

  • Cellulitis (infection of skin cells) or osteomyelitis (bone infection)
  • Necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease)
  • Gangrene (tissue death due to a lack of blood flow)
  • Endocarditis (infection of the heart valves and lining)
  • Systemic septicemia (blood poisoning).

The Nursing Home’s Responsibility

Nursing homes are responsible for ensuring that their residents do not develop bedsores. It means making sure that the residents are regularly moved around and given adequate padding and support to prevent them from developing pressure ulcers.

It also means that the staff should be aware of the resident’s skin and check it regularly to look for signs of bedsores. If a pressure ulcer does develop, this must be treated as soon as possible by qualified medical professionals.

Failure to do so can lead to an infection that may eventually kill the patient or cause other health problems. Nursing homes should also have a plan for treating bedsores when they occur.

If you are considering a nursing home for a loved one, be sure to ask about the facility’s policies and procedures for preventing and treating bedsores. You should also check if a third-party medical organization has rated the nursing home for its quality of care.

Final Thoughts

If you suspect that your loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home, it is vital to speak up and get help. Contact an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer in your area to learn more about how you can get the justice and compensation that your loved one deserves.

Tips for Choosing an Assisted Living Community

It is estimated that around 1 million Americans aged 65 years or older live in assisted living homes. While this is a common option for many families, this decision doesn’t come easily for all families. Moving your loved ones to an assisted living home is a challenge. In addition, determining when to make this transition is a tough decision too. However, you have to make this critical decision when this time comes. First, you have to evaluate different facilities to decide the most suitable for your loved one. It is essential to know that your loved one is adequately cared for. When choosing a senior care facility, your decision will be determined by things like your loved one’s personality, lifestyle, whether they suffer from any medical condition, etc.

  • Location

Location is a significant aspect when choosing a senior care facility. Your main objective should be to move your loved one to a facility within the local area. This way, they won’t feel like they have been neglected. When the senior home is within your location, you can visit them as often as possible. However, different states have different laws. For example, some states limit how much medical assistance facilities can offer. Therefore, if your senior requires a significant amount of health care, you may not be the right candidate if you live in those states. However, if your elderly person is independent and doesn’t need any special care, then such limitations won’t affect you in any way.

  • Pay Attention to Details

It is crucial to consider cleanliness, curb appeal, and, where applicable, the design details of that particular facility. The facility you choose will be your loved one’s new home. Otherwise, you have to ensure that the facility is well maintained, clean and safe for the elderly. A good facility should enrich your elderly’s mental and physical well-being. Visit and observe the facility’s entryways, outdoor areas, and how the staff relates to senior residents. Also, check the following:

  • Accessibility features, including elevators, chairlifts, widened doors, and even wheelchair ramps.
  • Safety features like grab bars, handrails, zero—threshold showers
  • Also, consider the décor elements, including comfortable furniture, uplifting decorating colors, and whether the seniors can interact.
  • Check the cleanliness and upkeep in the common spaces and the facility surrounding them.
  • A suitable facility has lounge spaces, dining rooms, and event halls to encourage seniors to meet.

These are essential points to consider which will positively contribute to the comfort of your loved ones.

  • Qualified Caregivers

It is essential to know the caregivers offering your loved one support. Always choose a team that has your loved one’s interest at heart. The team should take good care of the elderly and make them feel welcomed and at home. The staff at a senior care facility is a vital asset. Visit and monitor the one-on-one interactions between the senior residents and the employees.

Qualified staff should be friendly, compassionate, and extremely patient. They should have professional training and be accredited to work in a senior care facility.

Conclusion

When you are sure that the community is the right place for your loved one, you can mark the occasion by buying them a special gift, such as a unique pendant designed by MoissaniteCo, to show them that you still care for them. This thoughtful gesture will remind them that you’re still together and that you hold them dearly in your heart.