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Deciding to make the move to a skilled nursing facility in Loveland, CO? There are many practical considerations as well as emotional matters to explore when you consider modifying your lifestyle. However, rather than seeing this transition as something you should put off for as long as possible, you may choose to embrace it. If you do, you’ll see that there are a number of benefits to calling a skilled nursing community your home.
Are you wondering if now is the right time to move to an elder care community? If so, here are some frequently asked questions you should keep in mind as you consider your options.
1. Is cooking and preparing meals a burden?
Less time in the kitchen gives you more time to do the things you enjoy and you don’t have to sacrifice good nutrition. Some seniors do an excellent job of eating healthy meals on a regular basis. Others, however, are known to make a meal out of whatever happens to be handy, even if it’s not particularly nutritious. Skilled nursing environments provide residents with hearty, healthy and satisfying meals each day. And, eating better can improve everything from your energy level to your outlook on life.
2. Do you have a social network or community of support?
Many elders will laugh off the need for social interaction, saying they prefer to keep to themselves. However, people who take steps to interact with others more often will tell you that it relieves feelings of loneliness and improves their quality of life. The research supports this feeling. Study after study shows that social connections can improve your health, both mental health and physical health. Making and maintaining social connections is much easier at a skilled nursing community. And, getting started down that path now is definitely better than waiting.
3. What is the security level in your current living situation?
Senior living communities tend to have a higher level of security than you would have in your home. Most communities have security doors and staff to help ensure the area is safe. Plus, if someone has suffered an incapacitating injury, it is generally discovered much more quickly in a community setting.
4. Are you able to get to all your healthcare easily?
Senior living communities offer different levels of healthcare. But in general, it is much easier to access services when they are onsite rather than miles from your home. For example, if you are considering a skilled nursing facility in Loveland, medical professionals are close by to help with daily activities as well as medical issues should they arise.
5. What are your interests and activities?
Whether it’s lunch in the dining room, a card game with friends, or a weekend shopping outing, having an event to look forward to can be very encouraging. More than just an appointment, the activities are important engagements for your mind and body that contribute to the wellbeing of the entire community. Imagine that having lunch with another resident might be the highlight of their day … any maybe yours.
6. Are you enjoying conversations with your friends and family?
Your family and friends surely look forward to hearing about your day, regardless of what it has involved. But, it’s fun to have new people and events to talk about with your loved ones. Think about how much you enjoy hearing about our loved ones’ activities of the day. They will love to hear about your adventures as well.
Whatever you are looking for in a skilled nursing facility and community, it’s out there. Does a real-home setting where the focus is on engagement and autonomy appeal to you? If so, Green House Homes may be for you.
One of the key components of an elder’s overall wellbeing is brain health. In the same way that they can take steps to achieve and maintain their optimal physical wellness, there are proven techniques they can use to help maintain mental clarity and help minimize cognitive decline. At our skilled nursing facility in Loveland, CO, we encourage elders to treat brain health as a top priority.
While decreased mental function is common as we age, it isn’t inevitable. Rather than sitting back and hoping you are one of the “lucky ones” who stays sharp, use the strategies below to help ensure that you do.
A wide variety of activities can help older people keep their minds healthy. Things like exercise, continuously using the brain in a variety of ways, keeping social connections strong, eating well, and getting help for any emotional difficulties that come up can all help the brain stay strong.
A lot of people think that brain health is disconnected from the health of the rest of the body. However, they are actually closely linked. The healthier the rest of your body is, the more likely your brain will be healthy, too. When people exercise, they increase the number of small blood vessels throughout the body. This includes the brain! These vessels mean that key areas of the brain have a better blood supply. Regular physical activity also helps develop new nerve cells and makes more connections between those cells. You don’t have to do anything too strenuous to get these benefits. Walking regularly or using an elliptical is a great way to get these benefits without putting yourself at a high risk for other injuries.
The more you use your brain, the less likely you are to experience any sort of cognitive decline. Regularly using your brain in new and different ways helps, too. You don’t have to go too far out of your way to find opportunities to do these things. Do a crossword puzzle every day. If something interesting comes up in conversation, go home and research it. Tackle a new skill and practice until you master it. Study a new language on your phone for a few minutes each day. Using your brain helps it stay strong.
Maintaining social connections is good for your body. People with larger social circles usually have lower blood pressure and live longer. What is good for your body is good for your brain, because your brain is part of your body. Thus, keeping your social connections strong can help with your brain health, too. Additionally, keeping social relationships strong requires your brain to work. You have to remember the names of friends old and new and plan activities you can do together. Strong social connections are a great way to stimulate your brain without having to think about it too much!
It does! As mentioned above, what is good for the body is usually good for the brain. Eating well gives you the energy and the nutrients you need to stay strong and healthy. When you make sure you are eating foods with the healthy fats your brain likes, your diet can also work to prevent dementia and other cognitive impairment. These foods include fatty fish like salmon, nuts, and unsaturated oils like olive oil. Some fruits and vegetables help your brain stay healthy, too!
A wide variety of emotional issues can have a negative impact on brain function. These include anxiety and depression, but are not limited to those. For the best results for your brain, seek treatment for any mental or emotional issue that comes up. Talk to your doctor or find a counselor to get the help you need!
Green House Homes is a skilled nursing facility where we support whole-person health in everything from the meals we serve to the activities we coordinate. Our unique real-home setting helps elders lead happy, healthy, productive lives with a focus on personal growth that keeps both their head and their heart engaged.
Revolutionizing senior care through telemedicine, many elders today are as mobile as they were 20 years ago. For others, however, getting to appointments can be a challenge. This is especially problematic when it comes to doctor appointments, as attending them can be critical to a senior’s health and wellbeing. Fortunately, there is a new option some physicians are using in elder care settings called telemedicine, sometimes also referred to as telehealth. 
With this approach, doctors can perform certain kinds of services remotely. For example, a conversation about whether a medication for depression or anxiety is having the desired effect on a person’s mental health can be conducted as a teleconference, since no physical examination is required. There are many ways that telemedicine can help older adults with access to healthcare, but is it a good choice for every situation and every person? Some of the most asked questions about this additional method of getting healthcare are answered below.
While telemedicine does not work for all types of visits, for those where it is effective, it provides a number of benefits including.
What’s the difference between telehealth and telemedicine? Many times the two terms are used interchangeably but telemedicine refers specifically to clinical services offered remotely while telehealth can refer to non-clinical services, such as provider training, administrative meetings, and continuing medical education, in addition to clinical services. Both use technology such as video conferencing, the internet, wireless communication, telephone and more.
Can telemedicine create easier access to healthcare providers? For those with mobility issues and/or who live far from their doctor’s office, the option to simply sit in front of a device and talk with a health care provider in the comfort of their own senior living community can be fantastic.
Does telemedicine save time? From showering and dressing to go out to an appointment to the hours spent traveling to and from the provider’s office for what may be many appointments each month, the time elders invest in tending to their health can really add up. Eliminating travel can give a senior a large chunk of their day back.
Is telemedicine better for my health? For seniors whose immune system may be compromised, the less time spent in a waiting room with other potentially contagious patients the better.
Does telemedicine allow for more flexibility with scheduling? Being regularly carted to and from the doctor’s office can leave a senior feeling a little powerless. If even some of those visits can take place virtually and at a time of the elder’s choosing, that experience can help them feel empowered, more engaged and more interested in their care.
Does telemedicine diminish the relationship with the provider? Because both parties know they have to be in front of the camera to be seen, elders often feel, somewhat counterintuitively, like they get more focused attention from their healthcare provider in telehealth visits. While telemedicine is a valuable addition to health care, it is not appropriate for all types of visits. Clearly appointments that require hands-on evaluation, treatment or testing cannot be completed using telemedicine. And there are also some limitations to telemedicine such as the ability to use technology, but for those where it is effective, it provides a number of benefits.
At Green House Homes, we believe in traditional values like maintaining the dignity, engagement, and independence of seniors. We also believe in supporting those values in a unique way in our forward-thinking elder care communities. That’s why we see a great deal of potential in telemedicine and look forward to the continuing evolution of the field and its ability to serve seniors.
When it becomes clear that a loved one would thrive in a skilled nursing environment, this transition can be challenging. However, researching thoroughly can provide reassurance that you are making a well-informed decision. Becoming familiar with the key questions to ask can equip you with the necessary information when making your choice.
Start by carefully considering your loved one’s current needs while also anticipating their future requirements. Engage in discussions with friends, family, and your network for any insights from their experience. In addition, consider seeking the assistance with a placement specialist or utilizing other available resources. Factoring in the financial aspect, considering the expenses associated with a new living environment and exploring options for help covering these costs. 
Preparing the groundwork can make your search more productive and help refine your choices. In addition to researching elder care communities, it’s crucial that you physically visit the locations and engage in discussions with key personnel like the director, nursing director, even life enrichment coordinators. The following 10 questions serve as valuable prompts to help engage in meaningful conversations and that will help you answer your most critical inquiries.
During your visit, observe various aspects such as the cleanliness of the community, interactions between staff and residents, property accessibility, and the availability of equipment such as lifts. Pay attention to the fine details such as the warmth of staff greetings, their engagement with residents, and how do the residents interact with each other. What is the overall condition of the community, ensuring it is well maintained, bright, and inviting. It’s important to remember that the “right” answers to your questions will vary based on your loved one’s health and housing preferences. But these insights are valuable when discussing next steps with them.
Transparency is the most important characteristic when selecting a skilled nursing community. You should feel encouraged and comfortable to ask any questions that come to mind, and the provider should be able to provide answers. At Green House Homes, this is our philosophy, and we take pride in offering a real-home environment for elders, that fosters openness and trust.
Falls are common among Americans age 65 and older, in fact they are the leading cause of injury in older adults. But falls can be prevented and they are not a natural part of the aging process.
Older adults can suffer significant physical injuries if they fall, including bruising and cuts to broken bones and even head trauma.
In addition to the physical injury that can result from falls, just as importantly, a fall may cause emotional injuries that linger long after the incident. Fear about falling again may leave people reluctant to resume their normal activities. Plus, if they do cut back on walking for an extended period, they may lose coordination and muscle tone, and consequently, be at increased risk of falling in the future. At Green Homes, we understand the stress that some seniors feel when getting back on their feet. Fortunately, there are actions that families can take to make it easier for loved ones to regain their mobility.
5 Proven Confidence-Building Strategies
Getting physically well is the first step. Depending on the extent of the physical injuries, a skilled nursing community can help with rehabilitation such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and more. Once their health care professional has given the green-light to resume activity, below are five things families can do to help their loved one regain their confidence.
Powerful Reassurance in a Skilled Nursing Environment
Many elders who are living at home can get right back to their normal routine after a fall. As soon as their injuries have healed and the cause of the fall has been remedied, they are ready to be mobile again. For others, the incident may be a sign that it would be good to consider transitioning to a skilled nursing environment like Green House Homes.
Our caregivers can render aid at a moment’s notice to ensure that any physical injury is addressed promptly and that consequently any emotional trauma is minimized. Contact us to learn more about our unique, real-home environment.
A Neighborhood of Cappella Living Solutions
Explore other Christian Living/Cappella Communities:
Cappella of Grand Junction | Cappella of Pueblo West | Casey’s Pond | Clermont Park
Dayspring Villa | Holly Creek | Rhythms Home Care | Someren Glen | Sunny Vista
A Neighborhood of Cappella Living Solutions
Explore other Christian Living/Cappella Communities:
Cappella of Grand Junction | Cappella of Pueblo West | Casey’s Pond | Clermont Park
| Dayspring Villa | Holly Creek | Rhythms Home Care | Someren Glen | Sunny Vista
