Leslie Newlife

More Reasons Your Retirement Community Should Be on Social Media

Even though you might not think about seniors when you think about social media, the truth is that it can be a powerful method to reach new seniors to fill up your retirement community. You could really be missing out if your community is not active on at least one site.

Here are some more reasons why your retirement community needs to be on social media.

Social media is free to get started and use. Free advertising can only be a good thing. You can start your business profile for free to begin posting and tweeting away. In fact, you can even start to build relationships with others without spending a dime!

You should be on social media to stay ahead of the competition. If you are not on social media (and others are), you are going to lose out to those who are online. When making decisions, people are looking online for social media profiles, as well as reviews. This also helps to make your business look more legitimate.

If you decide to spend a little money with paid advertising, you can really target those that you want to. By targeting older people and their families, your advertising dollars can be spent more wisely. You may also want to advertise to caregivers who may be overwhelmed trying to keep their loved ones home. They just might change their mind.

Though social media marketing may feel like a waste of time, it is not. In fact, you need to be on it simply because your competition is. If you are not, your community won’t feel as real as some of the others who are posting things regularly!

The best part of social media is the cost. It is free to get started. If you do decide to try paid advertisements, by targeting the right people, you don’t have to worry about wasting any money. In fact, you will see results pretty quickly for even just a few dollars.

What Are the Advantages of Stocks for Retirement Living?

“If your retirement plan is to be financially secure and you don’t have generous pension income coming to you, you’ll probably want to learn how to invest,” writes Selena Maranjian for Motley Fool. Yet, most people are also aware that the older they get, the more they need to keep their retirement savings safe. So, over time, the typical person will gradually lessen the percentage they have invested in stocks and shift funds to bonds. This is because while stocks have the greatest potential for growth, they also hold a lot of risk. Therefore, while the returns on stocks will give you the best chance to beat inflation over time, it makes sense to accept less risk as a person moves toward retirement.

What are stocks? They are financial instruments issued by large corporations as a way to raise capital. When you hold shares of a company, you essentially own a right to a portion of that company’s future profits. However, the price of stocks do change continually, and sometimes there is a considerable amount of volatility. Nevertheless, the aggregate long-term returns from large corporations are roughly between 9 and 10 percent. Why aggregate? This is because different investors have vastly different experiences based on their individual investments.

Regardless, the ultimate question becomes, “Should investors assume more risk?” Typically, many investors will make use of a “three-bucket” strategy. Depending on their age, they will have their retirement savings spread across stocks, bonds, and cash. Since people are living longer, fear of risk could risk your future. For example, in the past, if you were 70 years old, you could have 30 percent in stock, and the remaining in bonds with enough cash to cover your annual expenses. Today, a better target may be to have 40 or even 50 percent invested in stocks.

Ultimately, if a person crowds around low-risk investments that cannot grow, there is a potential for running out of money. Therefore, the typical person will need sufficient equities to maintain their income for life. All that said, even if you consult a financial advisor, it is essential to learn all the complexities and risks of your investments, not just completely rely on the advice of someone else.

To talk about the advantages of stocks for retirement, or a related topic, contact a financial planner in your area.

4 Ways Caregivers Can Improve Communication Between a Client and Their Distant Loved Ones

by: Brent Scott

If you’re a caregiver, you see first-hand how powerful family interaction and support is on a client’s health and mental wellbeing. It’s been said that communication is key, and as we have shared in the past, effectively speaking to your senior client is the best way to build a professional relationship and earn trust. However, beyond the interaction you provide as their caregiver, you also have a role assisting clients with their outbound communication; including phone calls, emails, and video chats with long distance loved ones. Helping your senior client contact local and distant friends and family members is a great way to keep everyone informed and engaged. For help improving your client’s outbound communication, you should consider using these 4 safe and easy strategies.

1.Utilize Technology

             New device startup

You may be asked by a distant loved one to help setup an Internet connected device. Conveniently, most new computers, tablets, and smartphones have a guided setup procedure. They may also come equipped with advanced accessibility settings that simplify the interface and make it easier to use. Before exiting the settings, it’s essential you enable and customize the privacy settings to the needs of the primary user. When in doubt, consult the setup instructions that come with the device, or select the most strict security and privacy setting. This is also the optimal time to install or utilize existing antivirus subscriptions to further secure the device. If your client is subscribed to an antivirus or identity theft monitoring service, such as LifeLock, install them on all new devices.

             Communication applications

Skype, Google Hangouts, and Apple Facetime make face-to-face video communication possible. Although the interface is relatively simple, you may need to assist your client and help them navigate the device and make a call using an app. The next section shows how combined with an online schedule, this can become a simple part of your client’s weekly routine, and gives you time for handle other tasks.

 

2. Make an Online Calendar & Communication Schedule

             Google Calendar

Google makes it easy to schedule appointments and events. Beyond keeping everything in one location, those invited to your scheduled event can instantly access and request a video chat. Creating a weekly communication schedule with those who are far away allows client-family communication while answering any questions or concerns you may have.

 

3. Keep a Running List or Recorded Notes

Keeping accurate notes is a great way to stay organized. As a busy caregiver, attending multiple appointments and balancing schedules or clients can get confusing. Therefore, keeping a list of simple and precise notes can be extremely helpful. Whether you keep a notebook or use your phone for digital voice recordings, when used regularly, these methods keep your tasks and due dates in order. It’s also a great practice to note any physical or mental changes your client may be experiencing. In fact, your notes could then be used by doctors to pinpoint phases, trends, or developing issues.

 

4. Share News, Pictures, and Family Updates

Your client may ask for your assistance accessing, viewing, and posting things online. This is a great opportunity to show long-distance loved ones what’s going on at home, and the developing stories in the family. At this time, you’ll be teaching your client how to use the device or app while showing them how to post, share, and comment safely. Walking them through this process, show the user how public and private share settings are used to keep potentially sensitive content away from unauthorized viewers.

Preserving Your Legacy and Estate – Paying for Long Term Care Without Breaking the Bank

by: Harley Petrina

Many seniors in the United States will have to find ways to pay for long term care that they need, either in an institutionalized setting such as an assisted living home, or at home through a home health or home care service. Unfortunately, the cost of these services is generally high.

For many, the most frustrating aspect is not the loss of independence, but that fact that they worked hard to leave behind a financially beneficial legacy for their children. Indeed, the cost of long-term care, which typically costs between $2,000 and $5,000 per month for full time care, can quickly deplete most middle class Americans’ savings. Employing good strategies to maximize care and minimize expense can help alleviate the strain of this scenario.

The first thing that you should do is consider what kind of support system you would have if you had a need for long-term care. Do your children live close enough and are they able to take care of you? Assume that you will need the maximum amount of care since planning for the worst is often a good way to be prepared. Figuring out how much your children, other relatives, and friends can help you will allow you to understand a little bit more clearly what your needs will be in the future. People with very strong support systems get by a little bit longer without paid help. Additionally, in situations where there is not constant supervision, a medical alert system might be a good idea. Medical alerts allow seniors to stay at home longer because the effects of falling without quick assistance can negatively alter anyone’s health. It is important to be realistic about what your situation is and how it will affect your needs going forward.

Long-term care insurance is also a good option for those who are able to make the investment. Policies that are purchased before the diagnosis of conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease are significantly cheaper in cost, so it pays to think ahead. It is important to know that you must continue to pay the premium or lose the investment in the plan. Budgeting in the premium monthly price prior to purchasing is a good idea. Never the less, this insurance will pay for skilled nursing care. Without long term care insurance, skilled nursing is funded on a limited basis by Medicare, with the rest of the cost coming directly out of your pocket. Sadly, many seniors choose to compromise their health and move to a lower and less costly care situation because of the cost of skilled nursing. Skilled care can cost up to $5000.00/month, varying from place to place throughout the United States.

For those who have high medical need, are already sick, and are denied long term care insurance, residential care homes provide a good alternative to paying for skilled nursing or paying for assisted living. For those who need the highest level of care and have a terminal diagnosis, hospice services can also be used to provide supplemental medical need. Home Healthcare may be an option for those who do not qualify for hospice. Both home health and hospice are paid for by Medicare, and the care lasts for a longer duration than skilled nursing.

There are circumstances where protecting your nest egg will be more difficult. For those who have Alzheimer’s disease, but very good physical health, long term care services will likely be a part of your life for quite some time. Someone who receives five to ten years of services will likely spend through most of their wealth unless they have been particularly frugal throughout life with immense savings. It’s important to get together your financial information to help you understand how long you can expect to be under the care of a long-term provider. Use this information to help you make a realistic decision.

Protecting your nest egg can be difficult, but by looking for creative and affordable solutions, you can actually save a lot of money. One thing to remember about long term care providers is that they function primarily off of referrals. They generally are not built to compete on price with anyone else, so you may find different price points for the same services from different providers. Many physicians, social workers, nurses, and other professionals who make referrals don’t actually know the different prices of care, so this is something that you might have to research. The time spent researching, however, is well worth it as the benefits can be great. Don’t be afraid to say that you want to pay less–sometimes you will able to.

Max Gottlieb is the content editor of Senior Planning and ALTCS, a long-term care-planning agency in Phoenix, Arizona that offers free assistance to seniors and their families.

Reasons Your Retirement Community Should Be on Social Media

Social Media ImageWhile the first thing that you think of when you think about seniors is not social media, the truth is that it can be a powerful method to reach seniors & their families to help in your goal of filling up your retirement community. If your community is not on at least one social site, like Facebook, Instagram, or You Tube, you are probably missing out.

Here are 3 reasons why your independent living community needs to be on social media:

Many seniors are online. You can reach seniors through social media. More and more seniors are using laptops, tablets, and smartphones to keep in touch with their families & friends, keep up with the news & medical information. You could be really missing out on all of these potential new residents for your community if they don’t see you when they are online.

You are not only marketing to seniors, you are also trying to catch the attention of their children who are on social media. Even if the seniors that you are trying to reach may not be on social media, their grown children are. These children are looking online for the best place for their parents to live out the rest of their life in safety and comfort. Be a source of information for them.

By placing events on social media, residents, their families and potential residents can join in on the fun. If you use social media as a way to keep your residents informed of the events happening around your community, you will also attract others who want to find a nice place to live socially. They will see all of the fun things that you offer so, when the time comes, your community might be the first place that they think of. Don’t just share events before they happen, share pictures after to show what a great time was had! This can also be a great way for relatives who don’t live close to stay connected. By posting pictures of the community, events & residents, relatives will be able to keep informed about what their loved ones are doing. They might even see pictures of them at the activities with a smile on their face, which can really make a big difference.

Though you might still think that the internet, let alone social media sites are the last place your retirement community can reach potential residents, the truth is that many seniors and their adult children are online. By posting events with pictures along with any other updates, information and specials, you are showing others what a great community you have, creating a bond, & increasing their interest over time!

Elevate a Good Nursing Home to a Great One

Your Nursing Home has top-notch staff, a well-maintained building, and excellent medical care for your residents. What are three things you can do to make your facility stand out and attract residents and families alike?

Provide a Caring Atmosphere from the Top Down 

Moving a loved one into a nursing home is usually a sudden decision, based on unforeseen circumstances often compounded by a medical emergency. In this stressful situation, the future resident relies on family members to decide which nursing home is the best fit. This could be the first time family members have ever toured a nursing home and the initial contact with admission administrators and staff will leave a lasting impression. A care-centered approach for both the resident and the family is standard, but each and every staff member should go the extra mile and develop a caring attitude. Each employee should show great care in interactions with everyone, including vendors, fellow employees, volunteers, and guests. People will notice and comment on the caring atmosphere and word will spread that your community is a place where residents and guests receive gentle care, and that is truly the greatest wish of families.

Provide a Lovely Garden Area

The outside garden area doesn’t need to be large, just inviting, with ample seating for residents and guests. This area is so important because it is the one spot that most closely resembles gardens and memories from the clients past. Sitting with a loved one in a garden with trees, shrubbery, and flowers, having a quiet conversation, or just sitting together, is an irreplaceable bonding moment for families. This spot needs to be well maintained with easy access and it will be a favorite.

Design ‘Homey’ Common Areas

The common areas should look like a family room, with couches, chairs, and decor that resembles a comfortable family room. A large television with an entertainment center and books is a great focal point for a common area. Clients can envision themselves sitting in these areas and being comfortable, which makes it easier for them to envision their loved one living there. Extend this idea into the dining areas as well, and the overall atmosphere of your community will be welcoming when clients take a tour.

These three elements make a big difference, not just for the resident, but for their family and friends who can find comfort in the excellent care provided by your community.

How To Mentally Be Prepared For Aging and Supported Living

by: Sarah Morris

When you get older, the effects of aging can manifest in physical, mental, and emotional ways. Sometimes, these make doing tasks you can otherwise do everyday be a bit harder and complicated to accomplish. These tend to lead to instances where you need supported living, and it can be frustrating especially if you’ve gotten used to live independently. However, just because you may have to be under supported living doesn’t mean life is over for you. In fact, with enough mental preparation, you may grow to appreciate the kind of renewed perspective supported living can give you. This article will give you insight as to how to mentally be prepared for aging and supported living.

It might help to get a better understanding on just how aging and supported living works as a concept before people take steps to mentally prepare for Senior Caregiver image  it. In essence, assisted living can be availed for adults in need of assistance with tasks they normally do everyday – such as using the bathroom, eating, bathing, or dressing. This doesn’t mean all tasks need assistance, though, which means assisted living isn’t full-time nursing care. Rather, these are systems set up to help older adults with specific tasks they couldn’t otherwise do because of existing conditions.

Supported living facilities can sometimes be found in retirement communities, and other nursing homes have these nearby so people can easily move in. And while supported living does cost less than nursing home care, it can get costly depending on the needs required. Although some families and older people can find supported living part of things covered in long-term care and health insurance policies, which can help make the costs a bit more tolerable for the wallet.

Supported Living: How To Be Prepared For It?

When you think about supported living as you age, you can’t be blamed for being a bit overwhelmed and afraid to having to depend on new systems just for you to be able to function. After all, you were perfectly active and healthy before, so surely being “supported” means being “not” perfect, right? This isn’t exactly the mentality to follow, as systems from places such as TG Psychology are set up to ensure you can use supported living to continue being able to have an independent life, and not exactly become a “sign” that you’re no longer in control over your life. Here’s how to mentally be prepared for aging and supported living: Senior Caregiver Image

  • Assess and evaluate your body and mind’s condition as you grow: Perhaps one of the best ways to mentally prepare for aging and supported living is to be the best person who knows your body, aside from the doctor. When you do medical tests or check-ups with a physician, always take note of what they say and ask questions about your body whenever you have something to clarify. If you’re entitled to check-ups, don’t hesitate taking them and always be attentive to what doctors tell you. When they prescribe you medicine, always ask what exactly will this medication do and how they work. The more you know about your body’s current condition, the more you can be accepting of what needs to be done because you’re aware of what works and what doesn’t.
  • Develop an inquisitive point of view about your health and wellness: If you’re curious about something, especially related to your body, don’t hesitate to search for information and read up on various things. Always approach things with an open perspective, so you’re constantly going to learn about yourself and how your body works everyday. When something seems scary or confusing, don’t hesitate to consult your physician about it for clarification. It’s much better knowing you have a condition and knowing you actively research about it than to just wait for professionals to do things to your body without you knowing why, right?
  • Be aware of your body’s condition and its needs: While undergoing checkups and learning about your body and your potential conditions, always be aware of what you need over time and how you can achieve it. Always look for alternatives if what the doctors are suggesting can be frustrating for you. If there are no alternatives, then try practicing their proposed solution and look into the solution’s perks and advantages it can prove to you.
  • Remember that medical professionals are your best friends: When people tell you that you need to perhaps avail assisted living, remember that the individuals that will help you aren’t doing this because they pity you or think you’re weak. They’re helping you because they know you’re capable of overcoming your potential hurdles, you just need a bit of push to get where you need to go. The sooner you realize that they’re there for your benefit and growth, the better it will be for you. And if you do feel guilty that they’re helping you when you’re supposed to “help yourself,” remember that you’re helping them as well as they’re being paid to assist you. Think about it, they’re helping you be a better person by aiding you in tasks your body finds difficult. Likewise, you help them make a living by allowing them to help you. Seems like a nice exchange, right?
  • Try to find hobbies and passions to pursue while you’re getting assistance: One of the most important things to look forward to in order to better prepare yourself mentally during supported living is to check for passions and hobbies you want to pursue. If you think you’re not going to be able to pursue a hobby you like anymore, try to look for new ones either related to your original hobby or something completely new. If you want to take this up a notch, you can even involve the people aiding you to try it out with you as well.

The Bottomline: The Power Of Mental Preparation Even While Aging

Aging comes with a lot of benefits and caveats, and unfortunately the older we get the more we get to realize the need for supported living. Of course, given the various implications of supported living, a lot of older people do find the idea a bit dreadful and frightening. After all, this implies they can’t do the things they used to do when alone, right? Well, yes and no. If the above is taken into consideration, then you’re going to realize that supported living isn’t a bad thing – and given enough mental preparation, you’re likely going to be able to find ways to enjoy things you’ve usually done before even as you age.

How to Best Transition Seniors to an Assisted Living Lifestyle

Senior Citizens imageby: Olivia Parker

If you’re helping older loved ones prepare for a move to an assisted living community, you understand this time is full of emotions as your loved ones face a significant lifestyle change.

The situation can be challenging if your loved ones aren’t in favor of the move. Deciding to move from the home they have known for years is not an easy choice to make.

Assisted living housing allows your loved ones some degree of autonomy while providing you, and them, the comfort and security of knowing someone is there to help.

Your loved ones will understandably be anxious and somewhat stressed transitioning to an assisted living facility. They may be anxious about packing, sad to leave their home, and feel vulnerable about needing professional support for day-to-day living.

There are ways you can assist your elderly relatives and help alleviate the stress and anxiety.

Don’t Feel Guilty

As the responsible family member, you may be the one who has had to make this decision and help ease your loved ones into accepting it.

Don’t feel guilty. You have your loved ones’ best interests in mind. Feeling guilty will only make the process more stressful for you and your loved ones.

Avoid Procrastination

Once you realize it is time, don’t procrastinate. Discussing the need with your aging parents or relatives openly and honestly will minimize the stress for them and you.

It may be a difficult conversation to have, so include all your family members in the discussion, especially your elderly relatives. Remember, loss of control is one of the most often cited stressful factors to seniors at this time of their lives. Help them make the right choice, but do so in an inclusive way.

Ease into the Moving Process

Help your seniors ease into the moving process. Go with them to visit the assisted living community well before the scheduled move-in date. While there, introduce yourself and your family members to the staff. Perhaps you can arrange to visit at meal time and meet some of the other residents.

Review the rooms where they will be living. Discuss with them decorating ideas and where to place their possessions.

Cleaning and Repair

Don’t let your seniors shoulder the burden by themselves in getting their home ready for sale or rent after they move out. Start the cleaning and repair process early. Help them make a list of what needs to be done and help them find and manage the contractors or services that will do the work.

Paperwork

Another stressful part of moving into an assisted living home is completing the paperwork associated with their current home. Don’t let your seniors face this alone.

Help them make a list of things that need to be done, such as address changes, bank and credit card accounts, voter registration, and more.

Determining What and What Not to KeepMoving image

Your seniors’ home will likely contain a lot of heirlooms, keepsakes, and mementos. An assisted living apartment will not be able to accommodate everything.

Involve your seniors in the decision-making process about which possessions they will keep. Help them determine what items to take with them, and what ones to give away to other family members or to charity, or perhaps to put in storage temporarily. Letting go of a lifetime of possessions can be traumatic. Discuss storage options with a moving company if your loved ones can’t part with some of their belongings, but can’t take them to their new residence. Revisit the idea of getting rid of items in storage once they are settled.

When you use a professional moving service that is experienced in moving seniors and their possessions, you can assure them their belongings will be packed and handled with care.

Make Their Apartment Feel like Home

If possible, unpack their belonging before they arrive at the facility. Try to make your loved ones’ new living quarters as comfortable and like home as possible before they move in. Many assisted living communities encourage residents to bring their favorite furniture and other décor. Decorate their space with familiar objects, such as photographs, paintings, and throw pillows.

Keep their room well-stocked with snacks, books, and other entertainment. Arrange to have their newspaper and magazine subscriptions sent to their new address.

A favorite robe, a pair of slippers or toiletries are all things that can make the transition much easier and help preserve their dignity.

If your loved ones want to be there to unpack, make sure you are there, too. Learn about their new community and share their first meal with them to help smooth their transition to this new lifestyle.

Encourage Involvement

Encourage them to pursue their hobbies and interests. Learn what kinds of activities are available for residents and offer to participate in some of the activities with them.

Gently encouraging them to get involved by socializing can help them quickly adjust to assisted living.

Senior women imageTechnology Assists

Moving can be a great time for you to demonstrate to seniors the advantages of the digital world. Show them some senior-friendly technologies that will make their lives not only easier but more fun.

For example, showing seniors how they can receive photos of family members using an iPad or smartphone will make them feel less isolated from their relatives. Show them how to Facetime, Skype, play games, do puzzles, and download podcasts, books, and magazines.

This, too, will help them maintain some independence, knowing they can reach out at any time and contact a loved one.

Don’t Be a Stranger

When your seniors first arrive, although they will make new friends, it can be a bit intimidating. Don’t let them think you are abandoning them. Set up regular visits and use the iPad or smartphone to remain in contact. Send small gifts to let them know you are thinking about them. Ask other family members to reach out regularly just to say “hello.” Check in with the staff frequently to make sure your loved ones are adjusting to their new environment.

Final Thoughts

Once the process is over, you may be surprised at your loved ones’ reaction to their new home. Alleviating the stress of coping by themselves in their home and eliminating feelings of loneliness can have surprising benefits.

They may just say to you, “Why didn’t we do this years ago?!”

Scam Safety for the Caregiving Community

by: Brent Scott

Scam Safety for the Caregiving Community

This year marked the 30th celebration of National Senior Citizens Day. Today, August 21, we celebrate the achievements of our aging citizens; with this, we can also share valuable information that loved ones and caregivers can use to ensure the safety of their information and personal data. Unfortunately for the elderly population in the U.S., seniors are often targeted by scammers. In fact, one study concluded roughly 5% of the senior population is less perceptive than others to an individual’s intentions. Therefore, when an unknown individual calls or emails a vulnerable individual, it’s possible they could be tricked into handing over personal information, security codes, or verbal authorization.  As a caregiver, it’s important to stay vigilant of potential scams and help steer your residents towards safety and security.

What Scams Look Like to a Caregiver:

Your client receives urgent mail from creditors and insurance companies– Criminals frequently target the elderly and, after obtaining your publicly listed USPS mailing address, they can harass individuals with false notification, bills, or requests for contact. Stop by your local post office, like this post offices in Chelsea to get more information on how to protect yourself, your loved one or client.  Scammers who attempt to target a senior through the mail often target the individuals identity by exploiting their personal information, financial records, and medical data.

Your client receives harassing phone calls– When dealing with fraudulent phone calls, scammers often pose as representatives from insurance companies, debt collection services, or government offices. They pose as an individual with authority and claim that money is owed or personal information must be disclosed. Criminals prefer to target the 5% of senior citizens who are vulnerable to accepting false identification, meaning caregivers should answer all phone calls. Although it may seem strange to a client, proper education and a respectful perspective can help you navigate the conversation. Remember, this is an attempt to help your client formally establish the credibility of the caller, and is a formality that gives both of you peace of mind.

Your client becomes unable to access online accounts– Password theft, account hacking, data breaches, and viruses are common ways criminals disable user-access and obtain vulnerable data and personal information. In extreme cases, the fraudulently obtained information could be sold on the darkweb, or used by the thief to empty a bank account, apply for a personal loan, or accept benefits. If you suspect this, notify your client’s family immediately.

Your client stopped receiving government benefits or insurance coverage–

Social Security fraud occurs when an unauthorized individual or criminal fraudulently intercepts or collects the Social Security benefits of an unsuspecting individual. If your client stops receiving insurance coverage or government assistance, notify the client’s family and advise them to contact the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration (SSA) immediately. Following the event, make sure you document any suspicious phone or mail activity, as it could help your client’s family identify the source.

A surprisingly common occurrence among the elderly is the use of stolen information to request and receive medical coverage, treatment, or drugs. When a criminal targets medical information, including Social Security and insurance documents, and presents the information as their own, your client may be denied medical coverage. An insurance provider or government official could flag and temporarily suspended the account if suspicious activity is detected. If this happens, the individual will be notified that their service has been suspended. However, if you suspect potential issues, notify the family and advise they contact the client’s insurance provider and primary care physician to check for errors.

Top Tips for Caregivers:

  1. Regularly collect the mail for your client, and notify your client’s family of any new or suspicious mail or notifications, including those from creditors or the Internal Revenue Service. Recommend that family members contact these creditors, lenders, banks, or government agencies to report suspicions, enable alerts, or freeze activity.
  2. Never let your client give out sensitive information over the phone. Answering all incoming phone calls on their behalf is the best way to screen for potential scams. Be sure to report any suspicious requests or notifications to the family. For the more obvious telemarketing or donation inquiries, ask the caller to remove the number from their registry. If the calls continue, advise the family to join the National Do Not Call Registry.
  3. Notify the family of any suspicious online account activity or inability to access online accounts, insurance records, government benefits, or medical accounts. This could be an early sign that your client has had their information compromised. Caregivers should notify family members if the individual becomes unable to access their accounts. Reporting suspicions early can make a big difference when it comes to information recovery time.

As a caregiver, you have a direct influence on the safety and security of your client. Therefore, the ability to identify and alert a family member to a potential issue, which adds value beyond your training. If you’d like to learn more about the types of identity theft and the appropriate response strategies, read this article.

Growing Old in Atlanta: Tips on Finding an Assisted Living Community in Georgia’s Capital City

caregiver image

by: Olivia Parker

Whether you grew up in Georgia or are just looking to move to a sunnier climate, retiring in Atlanta gives you access to a lot of activities at an affordable price. Art museums, sporting events, botanical gardens, world-class restaurants, and more are accessible even if you’re not as mobile as you used to be. You also get to avoid the tourist frenzies and high prices associated with beachside living—all while still being close enough to for a weekend trip with family.

The Atlanta metro area is home to dozens of assisted living communities, but finding the right one for you can take some significant time and research. Asking the right questions of facility staff can make all the difference as you make this important transition. While many are transparent with the information available on their website or in brochures, think about your own priorities and needs and ask detailed questions before committing to your new home.

Look for Testimonials and Reviews

Website testimonials are a good place to start, and they often give a good list of the qualities of an assisted living facility. However, reviews on Yelp, Facebook, Google, and other platforms are just as important to check. An assisted living community may have a handful of glowing testimonials on their website, but it’s entirely possible that a hundred bad reviews are hiding in plain sight on Yelp.

Also, check to make sure the assisted living facility of your dreams isn’t hiding any dark secrets. The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) is responsible for licensing and monitoring assisted living communities and other healthcare facilities across the state. Ask to see the results of the latest inspection before signing any paperwork for your new home. If the facility you’re looking at doesn’t show up in DCH’s online database, that’s a big red flag—the facility may have lost its licensure or even never had it in the first place.

Consider Your Geographic NeedsATL downtown skyline

Two assisted living communities that offer near-identical amenities can offer vastly different levels of convenience and accessibility. If you have family who may fly in to see you from out of state, it’s wise to pick a community that’s on the south side, relatively close to the airport. If most of your relatives would be driving down from Tennessee, a property on the north side of Atlanta would be easier to access.

Of course, you may prefer to stay closer to the community you most recently lived in or be somewhere near a golf course. Take the time to weigh your hobbies and transportation needs and try not to end up in a community in the middle of nowhere, especially if you’re moving to Atlanta from out of state, you’ll miss all of the city’s fun happenings!

Ask About the Food

If you’re a picky eater, you may not mind a repetitive menu with typical Southern food seven days a week. If you’re adventurous, you may want Chinese food or unique dishes mixed in on occasion. Some communities offer more flexibility than others, so make sure to carefully compare meal plans.

If the facility offers you the option to forgo a meal plan and simply cook your own meals, make sure they’re able to accommodate a sudden switch to their meal plan in case your health and ability to cook start to decline.

It’s also important to consider food options if you’re on a restricted diet or may have to switch to one in the future. While most assisted living facilities are good about accommodating dietary needs, some may resort to serving you salad and a sandwich multiple days a week. People with substantial dietary needs should sit down with the director and ask what kinds of accommodations the facility can make.

Prioritize a Shuttle Bus

While Atlanta’s public transit isn’t bad, the last thing you want is to be waiting for a public bus in the heat on a summer day. Ask your prospective assisted living community about what shuttle services they offer, how many buses are available at any given time, what the reservation policy is, and what time it runs until.

While most assisted living communities are reasonably flexible and generous with their shuttle buses, make sure you pick one that can get you where you need to go. This may not be an issue if you’re still in great health and can walk to a train station, but keep in mind that you may want those shuttle services if you get injured or your health otherwise declines.

CaregiverFind Activities

Ask the director or staff member giving you a tour what kind of ativties and classes are offered on-site. Some will likely be offered for free, while some may require a monthly or per-lesson fee. Even if you don’t currently have many hobbies, you may find yourself wanting to pick some up, eventually, to make new friends.

If an otherwise perfect facility doesn’t have the exact activity you want, don’t give up—look for it nearby. If your facility has a good shuttle bus, then getting to and from the activity will be no problem. Trying a new hobby may be well worth your time, too, especially if it’s similar to something you’ve tried in the past.

Bigger May Be Better

While small communities can often offer personalized attention and care, larger facilities typically offer a broader range of room types and other services. This may be important to consider if you are currently in decent health. You may be able to take care of a small apartment on your own right now, but, once your joints get older or you begin to fall ill more often, you may want to downsize to a smaller unit. It’s easiest to move units within the same complex, so picking a large facility with flexible options from the onset may save you time and money in the long run.

Look for a Family or Resident Council

Resident councils are representative bodies that can make some decisions about their assisted living facility, as well as brainstorm solutions to any problems or grievances that arise in the community. Imagine them as a kind of school board for an assisted living community. Family councils are similar but are made up of friends or family members of residents. An active family or resident council is a sign of high engagement and, hopefully, indicates the facility is held to high standards.

Picking an assisted living community can be nerve-wracking, but the friendly and capable people of Atlanta can provide an astoundingly high level of care. No matter what assisted living community you choose, you’ll be in for some great adventures and new friendships as you take this next step in your life.