Ahh, back to school. Your social media newsfeeds are probably filled with kiddos wearing new backpacks and shoes that help them run fast. While many posts highlight the excitement, some kids might also feel slightly anxious about the first day.
As parents with young children, it’s tough not to feel uneasy on day one as we roll through the possible hiccups they may encounter. Will they get to the right classrooms? Did they remember to bring their lunch? Will they have a seat next to someone at the lunch table who will treat them kindly?
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We never stop worrying about our children’s well-being. As time passes, we might trade one worry for another as we begin to care for our parents and then worry about their “firsts” as they navigate the later stages of life.
Get Prepared
Those of us parents in “The Sandwich Generation” are wedged between navigating our children’s first day of school and worrying about what’s next for our own aging parents. While the worries and what-ifs look different for our loved ones, they’re still present.
Will Dad remember to give Mom her medications? Will Mom use her walker so she doesn’t have another fall? Will they ever choose to live where they don’t have to mow an acre of grass and shovel three walkways in the winter?
Despite countless signs that we’ve aged over the years, to many of us, it still feels like yesterday when we were the stars of our own back-to-school photos. The idea of not feeling our true age can significantly delay thinking about the need for senior living.
Sometimes, having a light-hearted conversation with your aging loved ones about the future before life’s challenges pile up is a good first move. It can even look like, “Hey, did you see so and so moved into senior living? They were featured on the community’s Facebook page and look really happy!” How your loved one responds can tell you a lot about whether to keep the conversation about their future moving…
Be Timely
When someone chooses to remain in the same home for decades, it’s usually because it’s where they prefer to be. It can be terrifying to imagine anything different, which is why it is often delayed as long as possible.
If your loved one refuses a move but is unsafe at home, ask if they would consider hiring a service to help them. Waiting too long to ask for help can often result in unmanaged illnesses or falls that lead to significant injuries.
Without the necessary help, sometimes seniors are forced to move quickly to be healthy and safe. If that becomes the case, the casual conversation about shopping for senior living quickly becomes a panic-driven scramble to find it. Regardless of their needs, it’s still important for your loved one to be free to choose where they live.
Do Your Homework
Senior living can offer an easy button that gives residents independence and their families peace of mind. Finding a place with just the right care and services can help seniors feel confident and independent.
When your loved one looks for a senior living community, calls and tours can help them decide what’s best. They can also try actually staying at senior living before fully committing to a long-term lease.
At Edgewood, our short-term stays can last a week, a month, or a season. The length of a stay depends on what the person wants and needs.
Some residents stay with us for a season while their families are away. Others may stay because they need just a little help rehabilitating after surgery.
Enjoy the Extracurriculars
The best part about short-term stays is that residents can receive the same amenities as those who call Edgewood home. Amenities like swimming pools, movie theaters, and fitness rooms are wonderful selling points for many senior living communities, but our greatest benefit is our care.
We individualize care to what each resident needs to live their best life. All the added features and activities of senior living can’t be completely enjoyed without some independence and good health.
As each year passes, we bring more healthcare opportunities on-site. Our most recent is CarePredict, available from our sister company, Legacy Medical. CarePredict offers a wristwatch that monitors seniors’ daily behavior patterns.
If a resident using CarePredict stops moving around the building, stops attending meals, stops or reduces the amount they’re eating and drinking, or begins to self-isolate, our staff AND CarePredict take notice. Small changes in behaviors can add up to significant health problems over time, and our goal is to get ahead of those.
CarePredict tracks behavior proactively to signal medical follow-up before suspected changes could negatively impact a resident. Our priority is staying on top of health and promoting wellness.
Plan for the Future
Looking at what lies ahead can be overwhelming. If you or a senior loved one could use some help in making big decisions, such as moving to independent or assisted living, let us help! Aside from taking a community tour, we also offer on-site events throughout the year for you to visit and see what senior living at Edgewood is all about! Email us today at info@edgewoodhealthcare.com to learn more.
