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Did you notice
changes in your
parents during a
visit home?
by Carla
Roudabush
Talking to
parents or other
family members
about the impact
of aging on
their housing,
healthcare and
social needs is
never easy.
Because the
aging process
unfolds
differently for
everyone, many
times seniors
and families
find themselves
making important
decisions in
crisis. To
identify what
kinds of help
will make a
parent or close
relative’s life
easier here and
now, begin what
you hope will be
an ongoing
dialogue, not a
one-time
discussion.
-
Before
talking to a
parent,
learn about
the services
available in
the
community,
recognize
that
assistance
can be added
gradually,
and consider
how a parent
or relative
can maintain
independence
and privacy
to the
greatest
extent.
-
Although
needs may
grow as time
goes on—and
you should
anticipate
these
needs—acceptance
of just a
little help
is a big
step, and
may make
more
difficult
decisions
such as
giving up a
home more
manageable.
-
Always
remember to
respect a
parent’s
feelings,
history, and
reservations.
Network of
Services
When
circumstances
necessitate
assistance, an
organization
such as Welch
Healthcare and
Retirement Group
can lend a hand
by offering a
full continuum
of services.
These include
home care, adult
day health
centers,
assisted living
communities,
rehabilitation
services,
skilled nursing
facilities, a
continuing care
retirement
community and
Alzheimer’s
care.
Assisted Living
Assisted living
communities are
an ideal choice
for those who
value their
independence,
yet need or want
caring
professionals,
necessary
personal
services or
hospitality
services at
their
fingertips.
Welch Healthcare
and Retirement
Group’s four
Allerton House
assisted living
communities,
provide an
abundance of
amenities and
services, in
addition to
beautiful
apartment-homes.
Family members
and potential
residents should
look for
communities that
offer, in
addition to
meals, services
such as
housekeeping and
laundry care;
availability of
care attendants
24 hours a day;
an emergency
response system;
a
wellness/fitness
program; social,
recreational,
and educational
programs;
coordination of
health care
needs;
transportation;
short-term
respite care;
and personal
care assistance.
Home Care
Home care
services are
most appropriate
for those who
need assistance
with personal
care, bathing,
housekeeping,
meals, errands,
medication
management, and
transportation.
At first, a
family member
may assume
responsibility
for in-home
tasks. But when
these tasks in
addition to
managing a
career, a
family, and home
leads to
exhaustion and
frustration,
associates are
available to
lighten the
load, care for
individuals with
compassion and
dignity, and
help clients
maintain a sense
of independence
and
self-esteem.
Adult Day Health
Adult Day Health
Centers provide
a range of
health and
social services
in a congregate
setting,
enhancing the
daily lives of
the program's
participants and
enabling their
continued
involvement in
the community.
Nursing Centers
Following a
specific health
incident or
condition such
as hip fracture,
joint
replacement,
stroke, surgery,
chronic
neurological
disease, or loss
of strength and
endurance, a
coordinated
rehabilitation
program that
caters to an
individual’s
needs is the key
to restoring
maximum
function,
achieving the
greatest
possible level
of independence,
and attaining
the highest
possible quality
of life. Welch
Healthcare
Rehabilitation
and Nursing
Centers offer
five such
programs.
Specialized Care
for Individuals
with Alzheimer’s
disease
The risk of
developing
Alzheimer’s
disease
increases with
age. In fact,
the Alzheimer’s
Foundation of
America
estimates
between 4.2
million and 5.8
million
Americans
currently have
the disease. The
gradual loss of
cognitive
function that
characterizes
Alzheimer’s
disease
necessitates
gradual
interventions in
an individual’s
life.
The Welch
Group’s
Duxbury
House
Alzheimer’s Care
Center is a
Medicaid-certified,
23-bed
Alzheimer’s
Center staffed
by certified
Alzheimer’s care
professionals.
Alzheimer’s
units are also a
part of the
Welch Healthcare
skilled nursing
facilities in
Braintree,
Hingham, Quincy,
and Weymouth.
It is difficult
to think of a
family member
facing the
obstacles that
often accompany
aging. However,
it is important
to know seeking
out resources
not only
alleviates
immediate
concerns, but
often presents
new and
fulfilling
opportunities to
increase
independence,
self-esteem, and
overall quality
of life.
For more
information, a
tour, or a free
brochure,
call
The Care
Connection at
1-800-698-0304 |
