In Home Care La Jolla, Home health La Jolla, CA 92037

When you first begin researching senior living facilities, you may be surprised (and a bit confused) to find that you have a number of different facility types to choose from. Need some help sorting through all of them? Here is a rundown of the different types of senior living facilities:

Independent living - As the name suggests, these facilities are best for seniors who are, more or less, completely independent. Seniors who can care for themselves benefit from the convenience, socialization, and activities provided by an independent living facility. There are no personal care professionals at an independent living facility, unless they are privately hired.

Assisted living - Assisted living facilities are for seniors who are relatively independent, but who require limited personal care services (help with dressing and taking medications, for example). These facilities employ a personal care staff that consists of personal care assistants (PCA) and certified nursing aides (CNA).

Nursing home care - Nursing homes are for those seniors that require round the clock care from medical professionals. These facilities employee a staff of nurses, generally headed by a registered nurse (RN) and occasionally overseen by a physician.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CRRC) - These facilities offer all of the living environment and personal care services of the three options listed above. They are perfect for independent seniors who like the idea of growing older in a single place.

Skilled Nursing Poway, CA

People wanting to learn more are encouraged to visit the Firstat’s website and pick up a copy of their free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider," Visit, http://firstatofsandiego.com/

About Firstat Nursing Services
Linnea Goodrich is the owner of Firstat Nursing Services, which is the only Home care Agency in San Diego that is both state licensed and certified by the Alzheimer's Association. Firstat Nursing Services has been providing a higher standard of home nursing, home health and home care services for elderly, disabled and injured people in the greater San Diego area since 1997. To pick up a copy of her free report "Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider," Visit, http://FirstatOfSanDiego.com

No one likes the thought of placing a loved one in a senior living facility, but sometimes it’s just the right thing to do. When do you know when that time has arrived? Here are some signs it’s time to begin your search for a senior living facility:

Personal Care - When your loved one seems to be slacking in the area of personal care and hygiene (bathing, grooming, and brushing teeth, for example), it may be time to search for a living environment in which necessary help will be provided.

Memory loss - Memory loss can cause some serious consequences for seniors. These problems may range from forgetting to turn off the stove to driving to an unfamiliar place and getting lost. If your loved one is showing signs of memory loss, you may be doing the best thing by choosing a senior living facility for placement.

Medication - Many seniors are on a strict medication regimen. If your loved one has a difficult time keeping up with a medication schedule, then you may need to enlist the help of professionals at a senior living facility.

Eating and nutrition - It is all too easy for less-abled seniors to forego proper eating habits—sometimes ignoring doctor-imposed dietary restrictions altogether—without guidance. At senior living facilities, residents are given the eating and nutrition guidance they need.

Mobility - Seniors may suffer mobility problems for any of a number of reasons, from arthritis to failing eyesight. This presents many dangers, in the form of slip and fall accidents. If your loved one has a difficult time rolling out of bed, sitting, standing, or climbing stairs, then you may need to consider placement with a senior living facility.

Skilled Nursing Poway, CA

People wanting to learn more are encouraged to visit the Firstat’s company website and pick up a copy of their free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider," Visit, http://firstatofsandiego.com/

About Firstat Nursing Services
Linnea Goodrich is the owner of Firstat Nursing Services, which is the only Home care Agency in San Diego that is both state licensed and certified by the Alzheimer's Association. Firstat Nursing Services has been providing a higher standard of home nursing, home health and home care services for elderly, disabled and injured people in the greater San Diego area since 1997. To pick up a copy of her free report "Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider," Visit, http://FirstatOfSanDiego.com

The sad thing about senior citizens and the younger generation is that they seem to ignore each other. A lot of people think that since older individuals have lowered activity tolerance and are not as mentally active as before, they do not really need much stimulation. The fact is, these people are constantly searching for attention. Here's what you can offer.

Start the Day Right - Seniors wake up earlier than before, since they need less sleep than regular adults. A typical night's sleep lasts anywhere from 4 to 6 hours for most. You can expect them to wake up at around 5am to 7am in the morning. It will be good to give them a hearty breakfast once they open their eyes. Greet them warmly and have the table set up. A good menu will include items like oatmeal, a piece of apple or orange, coffee or juice and a tall glass of water. While eating, give him or her an itinerary of the activities for the day so they can prepare well.

You can assist the elderly get ready for the day's actions, by helping them dress, shower and do their other bodily routines. Some will prefer doing things independently, so it will be better to just hand them items like the brush, the towel and slippers and let them do everything else to promote independence and feelings of self-confidence.

Some Physical Activity - Start the day with some form of exercise to improve muscle strength and condition. Some of the activities that you can offer include a round of golf, swimming, walking to the nearby mall, doing yoga and hitting the gym for some lightweight training. Do activities according to the preference and physical capacity of the individual. The session should last anywhere between 20 and 40 minutes at a time, even if the person believes that he or she can tolerate or do more.

Take time to warm up for 5 to 10 minutes through stretches and cardiovascular exercise. Cool down in the end as well by stretching and flexing. Make sure you bring a bottle of water for the elderly to consume throughout the exercises. They tend to become dehydrated sooner than others, so stay prepared especially on very hot days. If the senior experiences anything painful or uncomfortable about the activity, stop it immediately and find the source of the problem.

Buying Them Toys - Seniors want to hold on even to small material possessions as a way to ease boredom. Some of the "toys" or items that you can give them to stay mentally alert and focused are a book, a cross stitch set, a sewing kit, a drawing book or a canvass. Take the elderly to the local department store, mall or bookstore and have them pick a couple of things that they would like to keep at home. You can ask the people too, the particular hobbies and activities they used to do when they were younger. Try to find things that they can associate with easily.

Ensuring Safety - Make sure that the senior is fully secure and safe throughout all the activities done. If the weather is hot, provide an umbrella, sunglasses and hat. For colder seasons, give gloves, a jacket and boots. Protect the elderly from potential dangers while doing activities like going up the stairs, playing sports and cooking. Always be right beside the person to assist and have some materials prepared such as the emergency hotline and first aid kit.

Skilled Nursing Coronado, CA

People wanting to learn more are encouraged to visit the company website and pick up a copy of their free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider," Visit, http://firstatofsandiego.com/

About Firstat Nursing Services
Linnea Goodrich is the owner of Firstat Nursing Services, which is the only Home care Agency in San Diego that is both state licensed and certified by the Alzheimer's Association. Firstat Nursing Services has been providing a higher standard of home nursing, home health and home care services for elderly, disabled and injured people in the greater San Diego area since 1997. To pick up a copy of her free report "Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider," Visit, http://FirstatOfSanDiego.com

Seniors should not be taken away from the scenes as they still have a lot of strength and tenacity to indulge in the things as they used to when they were younger. You can provide a wide array of activities, depending on their personal preferences and capacity. You may be surprised on how the elderly can boost endurance and strength with just a few routines.

Finding a Hobby - There are a variety of hobbies and crafts that seniors can indulge in to improve their physical and mental capacities. A good example is drawing, sketching or painting where they can freely express themselves in art and color. Ask the senior what type of platform he or she is most interested in working on, then provide the materials such as a charcoal or pencil and paper, a canvas and paint or some markers. You may teach them how to make cartoons too, which can be very entertaining and fun.

Another hobby that can exercise the mind includes the creation of model cars and airplanes. This is one hobby that the senior citizens of today used to enjoy when they were younger. There are a variety of models to work on, such as vintage cars, tanks, vintage planes and even ships and bicycles.
For the Women - Female senior citizens enjoy sewing and working on cross stitch patterns. You can provide the right materials like embroidery kits, t-shirts, dresses, caps, socks, etc. and let them start getting creative. Some even enjoy fixing loose buttons, holes and putting patches, so feel free to ask and let them start on their way to occupational therapy.

Music Matters - Other senior citizens are highly adept and never lose their touch on music. Try to ask their specific instrument of interest or type of music, then provide them the right tools like a pen and paper, music book, speakers, amplifiers and the particular tool like a guitar, violin, flute, trombone or drums maybe. One of the best things about music is that you can always do it with a group or partner. Feel free to bring your own musical instrument and begin making beautiful melodies together.
Form a band of senior musicians and introduce some fun genres like modern, jazz, hip hop or even techno. Singing and dancing are also essential activities for seniors that are good for boosting morale and confidence and improving relationships among individuals. If they can get better in these, they can always gain a renewed sense of fulfillment and continue to progress, thereby sharpening their mental and physical skills.

Occupational Therapy - Even though seniors are well into their retirement age, it is still important that they stay capable of performing various tasks and functions that will maintain independence and enhance self-confidence. Allow them to perform activities of daily living or ADL like eating, brushing their teeth, bathing, getting dressed, etc. Also introduce them to certain minor tasks like cleaning their room, fixing their bed, creating works of art like pottery or sculpture, reading books and staying updated via the internet.

Occupational therapy is good also for older individuals to encourage them to stay independent for the rest of their days. You can accomplish this by forming a buddy system, so they always have someone to rely on, during cases of emergency and difficulty. Activities for seniors can be done both indoor and outdoors.

Skilled Nursing Coronado, CA

People wanting to learn more are encouraged to visit the company website and pick up a copy of their free report “Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider," Visit, http://firstatofsandiego.com/

About Firstat Nursing Services
Linnea Goodrich is the owner of Firstat Nursing Services, which is the only Home care Agency in San Diego that is both state licensed and certified by the Alzheimer's Association. Firstat Nursing Services has been providing a higher standard of home nursing, home health and home care services for elderly, disabled and injured people in the greater San Diego area since 1997. To pick up a copy of her free report "Critical Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Provider," Visit, http://FirstatOfSanDiego.com