Is it time for lifestyle or residential change?

There comes a time when subtle or more obvious warning signs and symptoms occur in the aging population. When warning signs occur, your first step should be to ask for help from Freedom Senior Advisors, Inc. We can answer your questions and help you deal with these new challenges.

Here are some of the warning signs:

• Deterioration in personal hygiene. Some of the first signs that a loved one may need assistance is when they are beginning to neglect their personal hygiene or are not taking care of their laundry.
• Failure to take medications and/or difficulty in self administration of calculated doses of medications. Misunderstanding of the instructions could indicate early mild confusion, and have serious implications on cases of both under- or over-dosage.
• Unintended weight loss. Both gradual and sudden weight loss could be a sign of a disease or an inability to take care of oneself.
• Increased accidents at home. Seniors are particularly prone to falling accidents. Many falls can be attributed to safety issues in the home but others are related to infections, medication dosage and disease process. Our healthcare experts will help you to identify the needs of your loved one and refer them to the appropriate care. Fall prevention is a key in preventing a serious injury, hospitalization, or even disability.
• Changes in thought process. Subtle symptoms including confusion, forgetfulness and disorientation can be signs of early neurological problems. Progression of these symptoms would always need further investigation. Safety is key when there are neurological changes, and Freedom Senior Advisors can assist in home resources or placing a loved one in their ideal circumstances.

At-Home Health Care Services

Home health care services are generally suitable for seniors who meet the following:

1. Have the ability to live at home but need services from providers
2. Capable of accomplishing most day-to-day tasks but may need assistance with bathing, shopping, etc.
3. Can easily ambulate but may have had their home modified to accommodate senior needs

Board & Care Homes

Board & Care services are generally suitable for seniors who meet the following:

• Marked deterioration in personal hygiene. One of the first signs that a loved one may need assistance is a neglect of their personal hygiene (including a decline in laundry care)
• Desires a “home-like” setting for personalized care and social activities
• May be medically frail or mentally declining. Cannot easily ambulate within a larger facility. Wheelchairs may be accepted

Residences usually range from 6-15 clients.

Costs vary: $1200 – $6000+ /month

Many Board and Cares have hospice waivers and are approved for hospice residents.

Assisted Living Facilities

Assisted living facilities are generally suitable a senior who meets the following:

• Is alert, but unable to live on their own safely
• Is confused or forgetful, needing assistance
• Needs some assistance with Activities of Daily Living (dressing, grooming, bathing, eating or toileting)
• May use a walker or cane but is mobile enough to get to meals and activities. Wheelchairs sometimes accepted
• Requires monitoring of medication
• Has pre-existing chronic medical conditions and physical challenges
• Needs assistants with continence care
• Enjoys being involved in activities, recreation and outings
• Requires meal preparation, laundry and/or housekeeping
• Needs transportation for medical or personal reasons

Residences usually range from 50-100 plus clients.

Costs vary: $1000 – $6000 +/ month

Many Assisted Living Facilities have hospice waivers and are approved for hospice residents.

Alzheimer’s/Dementia/Memory Care Facilities

Alzheimer’s/Dementia/Memory Care Facilities are generally suitable for the senior who has the following:

• Requires 24-hour oversight of care and assistance for most Activities of Daily Living
• Exhibits behaviors such as confusion, forgetfulness and/or agitation
• Has a history of accidents in the home
• Has difficulty recognizing loved ones and familiar faces
• Has the potential for wandering away from home and requires a secure facility
• Is agitated, combative, refuses care, or becomes abusive. Symptoms can be more prevalent in the evening (i.e. “Sundowners”)
• Has a caregiver that can no longer manage daily care of their loved one.

Residences usually range from 6-100 plus clients.

Costs vary: $3000 – $8000 +/ month

Dementia/Alzheimer’s sufferers require the expertise of specially-trained staff that performs care in a dedicated Alzheimer’s/Dementia/Memory Care facility. Some Skilled Nursing facilities, Board and Care or Assisted Living Facilities are also qualified to care for these patients’ and have a separate locked unit which are specific for these residents. The extent of the disease and the personal needs of the individual will determine which level of care and which residence is most appropriate.

Skilled Nursing Facilities/Nursing Homes

Skilled Nursing Facilities/Nursing Homes are generally suitable for the senior who has the following needs:

• Requires 24-hour skilled nursing care due to a recent hospitalization or has a complex physical or cognitive condition needing temporary or long-term stay
• Is dependent on a care giver to give full assistance with Activities of Daily Living
• Is unable to ambulate without the assistance of a wheelchair, walker or escort
• Is bedridden and requires personnel to reposition his/her body
• Is suffering from an advanced stage of Alzheimer’s/Dementia, is combative or severely confused
• Needs intensive rehabilitative services including Physical, Occupational, Speech, and/or Respiratory Therapy
• Requires tube feeding for nutrition or may be undergoing Intravenous therapy (IV)
• Has to have assistance with ventilation or is in need of tracheostomy care
• Needs intensive wound care management
• Requires Hospice (end of life) care and has been diagnosed as terminally ill
• Needs custodial care and is on Medi-Cal for payment (requires a tested assessment by Medi-Cal)

Medicare coverage may be used for a specific period of time (per Medicare regulations)

Costs vary: $4000 – $16000 +/ month