We have officially welcomed February, the month where we are sick and tired of being cooped up during another Nebraska winter and the highly anticipated spring weather is right around the corner.  This is a notoriously awkward month where everyone, young or old, is trying to stay active and pass the time until finding something to do is as simple as stepping outside and taking a walk or doing some gardening.  Furthermore, it is a time where we have just seen our senior relatives for the holidays and we are assessing whether they are doing just fine at home or whether other care options should be evaluated to keep them active and safe.  Directly after the holidays and before nicer weather emerges, it is a crucial time for seniors to stay busy and active as loneliness, isolation, boredom and depression are a major concern.  As such an important focus point, there are many local communities and resources for seniors whose mission is to keep them safely engaged in meaningful and entertaining activities.

Staying Active in Your Own Home

stefan carlson carlson projects lincoln nebraskaIf moving to an assisted living facility isn’t necessary but updating your home for safety reasons as well as accessibility and convenience is; Carlson Projects’ Homes for Life Remodeling division can provide the perfect solution.  Composed of CAPS (Certified Aging In-Place Specialist) certified home renovation professionals, Homes for Life Remodeling offers a wide variety of modifications that allow seniors to continue to live in their own homes.  In order to assess what will work best, Stefan Carlson of Carlson Projects states, “We start with a home walk-through similar to what an occupational therapist would provide for a workplace.  This tells us which things in the house are most hazardous to everyday well-being; those which often fly under the radar without being noticed until an accident happens. Our certified aging in place staff understands everything from lighting to textures of flooring. Whether it’s a full home remodel or just installing one grab bar, you can be sure it will be done with the utmost integrity and superior workmanship.  We aren’t just your everyday run of the mill handyman; we understand what products work in the home and what products don’t. Everything we do is quality tested before any customer uses it to ensure safety and the highest level of craftsmanship. We are in the home modification business because we want to help seniors live the rest of their life the way they want to without ANY worry about the safety of their homes.”

daniel cox oreck clean home center lincoln nebraskaThere are likely plenty of things that already keep you active in your home, including daily tasks such as cleaning.  However, some things become more difficult as we age that we would hardly notice otherwise.  This is very true for vacuums, which are a staple for cleaning in every home.  Often times vacuums are too heavy for seniors to use comfortably and it becomes hard to maneuver them around as they are intended to be used.  The locally owned Oreck Clean Home Center has been offering light and easy to use vacuum cleaners to homes and businesses since January 2001.  Daniel Cox of Oreck Clean Home Center says, “The Oreck Clean Home Center offers a variety of products that simplify our customers’ lives by easing the effort it takes to clean their homes. You can park at our front door and we will carry the vacuum to and from your vehicle. We have loaner vacuums available at no charge and we service all brands of vacuums. If the customer is ready to rid themselves of their old vacuum it can be worth up to $100 toward a new one. We offer a level of customer service that is like the good old days that seniors treasure.  As far as our products, for fifty years Oreck has been best known for vacuums that weigh as little as seven and a half pounds, are amazingly powerful, durable and easy to use. Long warranties and dedicated service centers provide an ownership experience expressed by our customers as ‘I love my Oreck.’”

Seniors who still live in their own homes may have trouble cleaning for themselves, and an easy to use, lightweight vacuum such as the Oreck can be an easy solution to help make their cleaning duties easier.  A vacuum that is lightweight, is self-adjusting (so your loved one does not have to bend over to change the setting) and has a swivel head to minimize the amount of movement your loved one needs can be a relatively inexpensive alternative to hiring a cleaning company (or for you having to do the cleaning yourself when you visit).  A quality vacuum can also help address safety concerns.  For example, the Oreck automatically shuts off if a large object is sucked into it, which is safer for the user and also prolongs the life of the vacuum.

Choosing the Appropriate Level of Care

Directly after the holidays is a common time of transition for many seniors.  This is a time when children and close family members or friends have made visits during the holidays, and based upon what they have observed, may have realized that they should pursue a higher level of care for that individual.  This may also be something that needs to happen right away and if not planned accordingly, can be a stressful and scary transition.  There are so many wonderful options across the continuum of care for seniors, and that can be tailored to each individual, that it is crucial to do your homework in order to find the best fit.

anne deterding right at home lincoln nebraskaAnne Deterding, owner of Right at Home, says “During the holidays when you visit parents or older relatives that you haven’t seen in a while, you might notice that they may need help with the everyday tasks that are now challenging.  Perhaps its dad’s driving that isn’t what it used to be or mom uses a cane to get around now.  Maybe their home seems a little more cluttered than usual. Family members may begin to assist with meal preparation, laundry or housekeeping, but may end up having to do more like personal hygiene and grooming.  They may even find themselves dealing with the effects of illnesses they hadn’t anticipated.

Caring for a loved one can take its toll and can change family dynamics.  And trying to provide care for a loved one can become highly stressful — whether you live next door or thousands of miles away.  If you need help, you are not alone.  Right at Home provides caregiving services for many families just like you.  From the moment you call, we begin considering the specific needs of your loved one.   We ask questions during your call to form a basic needs assessment.  We then set up a complimentary in-home visit with your family, including your loved one who will ultimately receive our care.  This visit enables us to gather even more information, answer questions and help your family understand how Right at Home can help.  After our initial meeting, we will develop a Custom Care Plan for your loved one.  We make detailed recommendations on exactly what kind of services we feel would benefit your loved one and tailor a plan specific to his or her needs.  Once you approve the Custom Care Plan, we match a caregiver to your loved one based on the services needed, your loved one’s interests and personality.

For peace of mind, every Right at Home caregiver goes through an extensive interview process, including background checks.  Once hired, caregivers are trained through Right at Home University to ensure that they are able to deliver the care set out in your loved one’s Custom Care Plan.  Before providing care, they are bonded and insured.  Local Right at Home team members stay in touch with caregivers to ensure things are going well.  Those team members also make unannounced visits to the homes of those who are in our care to ensure caregivers are following the specifics of the Custom Care Plan. We welcome your phone calls with any questions or to schedule a free, complimentary assessment of your loved one’s care needs.”

Regarding ways for seniors to stay active, Deterding offers a few great recommendations. “Some spring activities for seniors might include a trip to the Quilt Museum on the University of Nebraska East Campus at 33rd and Holdrege.  “Lunch at the Library” is a program at Bennett Martin Library to be held on February 5th and April 2nd that might be of interest to seniors.  Even engaging seniors with simple activities like taking a walk outside or perhaps a picnic on the patio does the trick too.  How about a game of Sudoku?  Or, how about planting a container with a tomato or some pretty flowers to enjoy?”

deb maguire high plains alzheimers care lincoln nebraskaDeb Maguire, Administrator of High Plains Alzheimer’s Special Care Center, offers the following advice for those who have made the decision to assume the role as caregiver of a senior who is suffering from dementia:

“The holidays have come and gone, the tree is put away, the lights have been taken down, and the shimmer of the tinsel is gone for another year. You have visited with mom or dad and noticed that things don’t quite seem the same as they did last time you visited. Caring for a loved one with dementia affects all aspects of one’s life, and the changes in day-to-day living as a result can be drastic. Having a support system is essential. At High Plains, we reach out to those families and support teams in order to work together to formulate a plan that is beneficial for all. There may come a time when your loved one’s safety and health requires placement other than home. Until that time, we can help you by assisting with the support you need to continue providing care.

Here at High Plains we understand the challenges families face in placing a loved one in someone else’s care. We want to join you in providing care with a success-oriented dementia environment, free of most expectations, while you reclaim your role as family. In other words we take on the daily tasks, which frees you up to spend quality time with your loved one and take care of you. Role reversal is one of the most difficult experiences associated with this disease. Our communication with you is frequent and ongoing with any changes as well as routine observations. We may call you just to let you know how your loved one enjoyed their day!

Engaging residents in preferences and routines throughout their day is also very important as it provides comfort and a sense of belonging. We recognize we are caring for the whole person– physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually–focusing on remaining abilities while minimizing the disability. Here at High Plains we understand the difficulties you face each day. You are not alone. Please feel safe to give us a call in order to see how our knowledgeable and compassionate team of associates may help.”

robbie nathan care consultants for the agingRobbie Nathan of Care Consultants for the Aging adds, “Hopefully you have spent enough time with your loved one and recognize the specific challenges they are having.  If they are moving slowly, short of breath, or tire easily, then assistance is definitely needed.  Someone to help clean house, provide transportation, or a shopping partner could be a plus.  To find the right fit, first have a conversation to see what they would prefer.  If there is resistance perhaps a ‘try’ approach or examples of others becoming more social and healthier would change their mind.  It is especially important to give elders a chance to think it over, and make sure you avoid pressuring them.  Visiting websites, interviews with services, brochures sitting in sight do help. Most importantly, be a good advocate.  Stay in touch with your loved ones and listen to their reasons for choosing healthcare during each part of their journey. Remember, it’s about them, not you.”

Getting Back on Your Feet

beth steele lancaster rehabilitation center lincoln nebraskaSometimes after an injury, rehabilitation must take place before seniors return home or make the move to an assisted care facility.  Lancaster Rehabilitation Center provides Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy for their clients and residents up to seven days a week.  Each rehabilitation program is tailored to the individual’s specific needs, working toward the goal of complete recovery and returning to their original lifestyle, health and activity level.  Beth Steele of Lancaster Rehabilitation Center explains, “Identifying the underlying issues and weaknesses that are causing the decrease in function is essential to a good rehabilitation program.  Using that information, the therapist can use various treatment approaches and equipment to improve and/or correct the deficit to restore function.  At Lancaster Rehabilitation Center, we now have an Alter-G, which is an anti-gravity treadmill.  This gives us a lot of flexibility in treating patients with decreased balance, weight-bearing limitations, and/or joint pain.  We also offer Vital Stimulation, which is a form of electrical stimulation designed to strengthen the muscles that are used in swallowing.  This has been very successful for those who want to get back to a normal diet.  Our Speech and Language Pathologist is Vital Stimulation certified, and to my knowledge is the only one in town!”  Steele stresses that being active plays a major role in maintaining good health as well as speeding up recovery.  “A little bit of activity every day will go a long, long way.  There are many wellness centers in Lincoln that welcome seniors.  I think the most important aspect of getting involved with activities is to make sure you choose one that you enjoy.  Any activity that promotes using our body and our mind has wonderful benefits for future health.  Choosing an activity that you enjoy will help you ‘stay the course’ and have better results.  At Lancaster Rehabilitation Center, our residents have many options for activities including freestyle fitness, sensory stimulation, rhythm band, Wii bowling, and a ‘Move It or Lose It” exercise class focusing on range of motion.”

aimee middleton southlake village lincoln nebraskaSouthlake Village Rehabiliation and Care Center is Lincoln’s premier skilled nursing center, serving individuals in need of short-term rehabilitation after procedures such as joint replacements, cardiac surgeries, stroke and a variety of other medical reasons.   As a skilled nursing facility, Southlake Village also serves those needing long-term care and memory support care.  Southlake Village is proud to serve its residents and patients with Registered Nurses 24 hours a day.  Southlake Village’s Administrator Aimee Middleton suggests, “Assistance for older adults can come in a variety of ways: Meals on Wheels, Home Health Care, Senior Living, Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Care.  At Southlake Village, our mission is to provide the citizens of Lincoln and the surrounding communities with a state-of-the-art facility where they can rehabilitate or reside and receive world class care and service.  Southlake Village achieves this through its multidisciplinary approach using nursing, life enrichment, dining, social services and spiritual care to care for the whole person: body, mind and spirit.  When looking at what your loved one needs, focus on what needs to be done to keep your loved one safe and as independent as possible.   Home Health Organizations, Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Care Communities are happy to meet with you to help you assess the type of services an individual needs.  Advanced preparation will help reduce some of the stress this process can produce.  The most important advice I can offer is include your loved one in the decision.   Once the appropriate level of care has been determined, take tours of communities together.   If your loved one cannot physically tour several senior living communities, Southlake Village and many other communities offer virtual tours online.  This is a great way to show your loved one the communities and allow them be a part of the decision.”  She adds, “For the New Year, I urge everyone to make a resolution to become more involved in your loved one’s life.  One way to do this is to become involved in the fun activities that their Senior Living Community offers.  This is a great way to create new memories and get the whole family involved.  At Southlake Village, we encourage family and friends of our residents to get involved in the day to day activities as well as the special events.   Please check out the communities’ newsletter and website to learn more about the day to day Life Enrichment pursuits that are offered.  Our resident’s loved ones are always welcome to take part!”

Planning for the Future

mary ann stallings bridge to better livingEven though a senior may have been living in their home for years, either independently or with outside help, it is important to understand that as one ages nothing ever stays the same.  Mary Ann Stallings of Bridge to Better Living advises, “You may have noticed the house isn’t as clean, the food in the refrigerator has become a lab experiment, or a parent’s hygiene is not a priority to them. Are they not as active socially, and are their friends still in touch? Are they becoming more reclusive because of disinterest or a sense of being ‘old’? If so, it’s time to start a conversation about the pros of living in a community where their challenges are not unique to their neighbors and where there is assistance when it is needed. Every person should feel safe, comfortable, and of value. Sometimes this is attainable simply by choosing a new environment. To ease the stress of families facing this choice, Bridge to Better Living does the research for you and financial, emotional, and personal advice is readily available at no charge to our clients. We pride ourselves on meeting every request as if each person is our family member. Bridge to Better Living is there every step of the way, including research and tours all the way up to move in day and even a celebration.”

Making the decision to move from home is stressful in the best of situations, but more so for an older adult who feels forced to do so because of health concerns. Jerry Scheffler of Hospice Community Care advises, “Home health or Hospice agencies can help a family assess if staying at home is safe or even possible. Wherever the best environment is determined to be, it is important to assess not only what extra care is needed at present but also what needs may arise in the near future, and choose placement that can meet those changing needs. If the loved one lives out-of-town, take a close look at the available physical, emotional, and spiritual support they may already have in place at home before deciding to move them closer to family. If the decision is made to move them closer, visit often and try to reconnect them to sources of social and spiritual support.  Speaking about moving to an assisted living facility or making end of life arrangements are never easy conversations, but it is much easier to make these arrangements ahead of time rather than during the emotional days following an accident or death. In my experience, sometimes it is easier to approach the subject following the death of a friend or someone famous by comparing and contrasting final arrangement decisions to get the discussion started about what they want done for themselves.  One of the biggest frustrations older adults talk to me about is the lack of choices they have left in daily life.  These types of conversations should be about giving choices, and respecting their wishes and opinions about such topics as burial or cremation, where they want the service to be held, favorite readings or songs they would want included.  As a special message to seniors, it is important to note that your loved ones consider it a gift when you let them know your wishes regarding end-of-life care and final arrangements.  It will be very comforting for them to know that the decisions they will have to make are in harmony with exactly what you wanted.”

bryan oswald health insurance lincoln nebraskaFinancial considerations are also at the forefront when making decisions for long term care and related planning. With all of the changes, cuts and now Health Insurance Reform, it is imperative that any individual seek out professional advice before making any decisions regarding their coverage.  Bryan Oswald, LUTCF and Senior Health Insurance Advisor, emphasizes that any licensed agent must be certified in these areas in order to discuss your options.  As far as the best insurance options for long term care, Oswald explains, “Long term care is a growing concern because of the likelihood of someone needing care above age 65 along with the increasing costs.  Since Medicare doesn’t cover these costs, it is a good idea to speak to an agent or advisor to determine if long term care insurance makes sense or not.  Also, the Senior Health Insurance Program (commonly known as SHIPS) offers trained professionals in this area in addition to independent agents like myself.  It is crucial that you understand your rights, options and entitlements before making any decisions so that you don’t get stuck with any costly mistakes.”

jocelyn_fitzgerald_legacy retirement communitiesThe holidays are a time when families gather together, and as a byproduct of this interaction, it is a time when warning signs are noticed. A phone call may not give a complete picture because during a phone conversation, family members have a tendency to envision their loved one exactly as they last saw them, even though it may have been some time since they’ve done so. Sometimes what is observed can be cause for concern, especially when the decline involves proper care of a household and/or personal safety.  So directly after the holiday visits, it’s best to face those concerns and begin to get information regarding options such as senior community living as soon as possible, before the situation becomes a crisis. Jocelyn Fitzgerald of Legacy Retirement Communities says, “At Legacy Retirement Communities we believe that we have the ability to positively impact lives of those in need, and we have a variety of retirement living options to make sure we meet the changing needs of the prospective resident.  We offer independent living apartment homes, townhomes, assisted living, and a memory care community called The Arbors. It can be comforting for our seniors and their family to know that as their health care needs change, our residents can more easily transition from Independent Living to Assisted Living and then on to Memory Care if and when that becomes necessary.  With each potential resident we meet, there is usually a reason they are coming to see us.  It may be because the yard work, snow removal or the housework is getting to be too difficult.  For others their nutrition is suffering because they are not cooking proper meals.  Sometimes there are more serious reasons why people come in to see us, such as memory loss, loss of mobility or depression due to loneliness.   We recommend looking at several communities before making a decision, because we want the resident to find the place that will be the best fit for them.   Once an individual has decided on a community that makes him or her feel at home, we recommend getting on a waiting list.  Making a major life change like this is never an easy thing to do.  Keeping an open mind and staying positive about making a move will minimize stress.  We understand that is easier said than done, but keeping an open mind can really help while people are going through this life change.”

In an effort to keep our residents active, at the Legacy Retirement Communities we encourage all seniors to figure out what brings them joy and also to ask themselves the question, ‘What if this was my last year?’  What plans do you want to make or what have you NOT done that you’ll regret later?  We are very focused on the benefits of volunteerism, so we provide opportunities for all seniors to find a way to give back that keeps them active and involved in the community. This spring, we will be sending even more resident volunteers into Lincoln classrooms for Junior Achievement.  We will also be taking trips to observe the Sandhill Cranes, cheering on the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs, cruising the Missouri River, visiting the WWI Museum and Negro Baseball Hall of Fame in KC, and enjoying the Blue Angels Freedom of Air Show.  Within our communities we will be hosting a chili cook-off, theme dinners and over 100 other activities per week!”

lee johnson the landing immannuelLee Johnson, Lifestyle Manager for The Landing at Williamsburg Village, states “Some things that adult children may have noticed during the holidays are behaviors or habits that have changed, some confusion is displayed, possible vagueness in responding to questions, and/or a decline in their physical abilities–difficulty in standing up, needing to rest more often, their gait may be unsteady, or their balance may be compromised.  These all may be indicators that their parents need some assistance in maintaining a safe lifestyle. The Landing at Williamsburg Village, owned and operated by Immanuel Health Systems, currently offers different levels of care for our residents–independent living, assisted living and memory support–and the level of care is based on the circumstances of the individual.  This spring, in cooperation with Tabitha, skilled nursing and long-term care, we will be utilizing Tabitha’s innovative concept of providing advanced care in a family-centered, lifestyle-focused residential setting.

At The Landing, and all Immanuel Communities, we offer a lifestyle program that is designed to stimulate the mind, body and spirit.  Our AgeWell Center at The Landing is designed specifically for older adults.  Qualified, professional staff members develop programs tailored to each resident’s needs, focusing on overall health and wellness.  AgeWell features a variety of equipment and a warm-water pool, and offers a variety of aquatic and land-based aerobic classes as well as a resident stretch program six days a week.”  He adds, “There are also countless opportunities to enjoy intellectual interaction with innovative activities to expand the residents’ horizons, from a computer center to friendly social gatherings.  As a faith-based community, pastoral services play a significant role in the lives of our residents too.”

Debra Welk, VP of Health Care Services at Immanuel agrees that the holidays are frequently a time for realistically evaluating the current condition of senior family members, addressing any concerns, and finding the best solutions available for the level of care needed. She says, “Over the holidays there is often an ‘AHA’ moment when out-of-town family members or friends observe a change in what is considered to be normal behaviors for their loved one. Maybe these are unpaid bills sitting on the desk, dishes not being washed or normal housework that appears to have gone undone for a long time, expired prescriptions, or a decline in their care with appearance and grooming—these are all clearly visible red flags that in home assistance or a higher level of care is necessary.  Rather than waiting until the last minute to find the appropriate solution for these problems, I advise people to do their homework in advance.  This includes familiarizing yourself with different levels of care and what services are provided at each.  At Immanuel, we offer a full continuum of care options including independent living, assisted living, and memory support within Immanuel’s retirement communities.  In March of 2014, Immanuel will complete the acquisition of Immanuel Fontenelle Home and The Lighthouse which provide skilled care and long term care in Omaha.  Tabitha at The Landing, located at Williamsburg Village in Lincoln, will be operated by Tabitha and will provide skilled and long term care.  It is important to know which is which and what the differences are at each level of care.  For example, many people are not aware that assisted living does not provide 24 hour skilled care services, while long term care does. Or the fact that memory care communities have a higher resident to staff ratio to meet the needs of residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  Each level of care takes into account what the individual can do for themselves, where they need assistance, and the degree of assistance that they require.  It’s all about peace of mind and our complete continuum of services take into account the wide variety of needs for a very diverse senior population.  I am a strong proponent of individuals and their families visiting several different communities.  Sometimes in-home care is the first step, but for socialization, group activities and the opportunity to engage with others on a daily basis, independent or assisted living communities are a great fit.  When seniors are isolated, there is the presence of loneliness, helplessness and boredom.  This causes a domino effect, leading to further seclusion from not going out or engaging socially, loss of focus on regular meals and normal daily activities, and subsequently loss of weight and decline in physical, mental, and emotional health.  Too many times I see families who ‘didn’t see it coming’ and are forced to make quick decisions that may not be the best.  It is so important to be proactive as opposed to reacting after a crisis.  This extra time provides the opportunity to make on-site visits, well thought out decisions, and to seek out resources and learn more about all of the options available.  In doing that, it also helps you match the benefits you are looking for and what your needs are with a particular community.  For example, location may or may not be important to you depending on your daily activities, errands, and where your family lives in town.  Certainly, the fit of the community and its ambiance and comfort are a big deal as well.  I encourage seniors and their families to visit three or four different options, to meet with the administrator or an appropriate consultant to learn what services are provided, and to tour the communities.  During your visit, it is not uncommon for adults to run into someone that they know and socialization gets started early on.  In Omaha, we had a couple of residents who went to high school together and 60 years later they lived together in the same assisted living community!  In addition to scheduled visits, I also recommend that you stop by in the evening or on a weekend and experience the operations in order to evaluate what the community is like throughout the day and the week.  How does the staff greet you?  Do they help you find your way around and graciously answer your questions? What is the security like? What is going on in the evening, and what is the environment like at their events?  Even visiting a year ahead of time isn’t such a bad idea, as you can never be too prepared.  At Immanuel our actions are based off of our mission: ‘Christ-centered service to seniors and each other.’ We truly strive to make sure this belief is reflected in everything we do.”

carla abendroth clark jeary retirement communityFinding the right place to live takes some time and research at any age, but for seniors it is often a much more collaborative decision that involves their family as well as health care professionals.  Carla Abendroth of Clark Jeary Retirement Community states, “Depending on the health of the individual, many families will be the ones initiating the first visit to our facility.  While this allows us time to cover all of the necessary details and personally get acquainted with the family, we also like to have the prospective resident come for lunch and a tour if possible as well.  This provides a wonderful opportunity for a casual visit that helps provide a feel for the atmosphere of the facility and a chance to sample the food.  The best part is we seat two residents with our guests so they can talk to them about their life here.  There is no better recommendation than a happy and satisfied resident.  I also encourage people to ask their family and friends for recommendations on facilities as in my experience, the majority of our inquiries come from ‘word of mouth’ references.  It is also very important to look at communities that offer different levels of care as residents age and possibly change in health status.  Clark Jeary Retirement Community offers independent, assisted, advanced assisted living, and our memory unit will open in the spring of 2015.  Every resident that moves into Assisted Living at Clark Jeary is assessed by our nurse and/or administrator.  These assessments can be done in their home, rehabilitation facility or during a visit to our facility.  Physical assessments, as well as mini-mental evaluations if dementia is present, are done.  These are important tools in providing the best living arrangements for the prospective resident, their family and/or friends, and our staff who cares for them.”

amy fish gateway senior living lincoln nebraskaAmy Fish of Gateway Senior Living suggests that when planning for the future, adult children should consider what is most important to their parents now, while recognizing how their needs might change in the future.  She says, “None of us enjoy the process of moving, so adult children should assist in the process of finding options that will accommodate changes in their parents’ needs including their overall health needs, social needs, and financial support.  At Gateway Senior Living our continuum of care allows for all levels of care and services.  We work to ensure that our residents receive just the right kind of care where and when they need it through our independent living, assisted living, and skilled care services.  Gateway Senior Living is Lincoln’s most experienced senior living community, having just celebrated our 50th anniversary! Gateway offers the unique ability to provide the full continuum of care from independent living to skilled nursing and rehabilitation all on one campus. These options are particularly important to spouses who may have differing care needs.  As experts in the field, we are able to assist seniors with understanding the various requirements of admission, helping to understand insurance policy information, and guide them towards the services that best fit their expectations or need.  Then, once a decision is made, our goal is to help make the move and transition as smooth as possible.” Offering opportunities for their residents to stay active is also a priority at Gateway, Fish adds.  “Spring is a great time to visit the local flower and garden shops to prepare patio pots, to enjoy fresh vegetables and vibrant flowers all throughout the summer.  At Gateway Senior Living residents also enjoy the talents of Jazz in June, and a host of other musical performances both indoors and out.  This spring, on April 26th, the community is invited to attend the Grand Opening of our new Skilled Nursing Tower and to see the renovation of our Assisted Living and Independent Living tower.  We are certainly excited to show it off to the community who has supported us over the past 50 years!”

If you are ready for a move or a change, and are in the process of gathering information about your options, Savannah Pines has put together a free informational seminar that will take place on Wednesday, February 26th from 2:30-4 p.m.  They have teamed up with professionals from Bridge to Better Living as well as Changing Spaces and Nebraska Home Sales to offer a wealth of advice and great tips on the best way to begin this new chapter in your life, who are also ready to answer any questions you may have.  During this event, Savannah Pines will also highlight their exciting travel program as well as providing the opportunity to sign up for door prizes and you even get a free gift for attending.  All guests are welcome, but seats must be reserved by February 21st.  This seminar is a great chance to make sure you are informed and ready when you decide it’s time to move!

jason christenson two men and a truck lincoln nebraskaWhen receiving the care you need requires moving from your home into an independent or assisted living facility, Two Men and a Truck can help you make the move efficiently with as little stress as possible.  Jason Christenson of Two Men and a Truck says, “We can help by not only doing the actual moving, but also by providing packing and unpacking services as needed to make the move as stress-free as possible.  The best way to reduce the stress inherent in these moves is to help reduce the feeling of confusion and loss of control in the person being moved. Sometimes this means that it is necessary for them to be on hand for the move to oversee what’s going on and sometimes it means taking them someplace else altogether where they don’t even have to think about the move. On the more practical side, it means keeping track of important items (medicine, keepsakes, etc.) so that they are available when needed even if the move is still in progress.”

sam ashby roper and sons funeral servicesPlanning for the future not only includes living options for seniors; it also includes making arrangements for end of life services.  Sam Ashby, a Family Services Counselor at Roper and Sons Funeral Services, advises, “All too often, prearrangement falls victim to simple procrastination. As a result, surviving family members are forced to make some of life’s most difficult decisions under the most difficult circumstances. My job is to help make the tough decisions ahead of time so it makes that ultimate day a lot easier. In addition to the emotional peace of mind that comes with planning ahead of time, there are some very real financial considerations. Our suggestion is to plan everything you can now to make sure you have the peace of mind that your end of life services are taken care of.  There are many benefits to pre-planning your end of life services but we like to highlight six distinct points that are substantial benefits to planning ahead.

1. First and foremost, planning for your end of life services before the time of need provides peace of mind for you and your family.  By planning what you would like at your funeral, you can be guaranteed that your wishes will be met, and that your family will be relieved of any undue emotional burden.

2.  Inflation is a huge issue when talking about financial responsibilities in the future.  By pre-planning, you can lock in a price and make sure you are receiving today’s prices regardless of any increase in funeral costs over time.

3. Pre-need planning allows you to prefund your funeral so your family doesn’t have that financial burden during their time of mourning. You can set aside your funds in a special life insurance policy designed specifically for your funeral expenses and it makes sure that your funds are available and transferable when needed.

4. Pre-need planning also allows you to pay for your funeral over time (five, ten, or twenty years) if you choose.

5. In pre-paying your funeral expenses, the funds cannot be counted as an asset or touched by the state if you enter a nursing home.  As a result the money remains available for your funeral.

6. Pre-funding your funeral can be counted as a great investment. Your funds will keep up with rising costs to make sure your family will not have to pay any additional amount unless they choose a more expensive casket or urn, additional flowers, etc. and you will not have to pay taxes on the growth in this investment unlike other investments.

Obviously, no one knows when their time of passing will come so it is always best to plan everything today – you can never be too prepared. Even though you plan years ahead of your passing, you may make changes at any time.  For example, if you have chosen a minister or clergy that suddenly becomes unable to fulfill that assignment, you are more than able to make changes down the road. Alternatively, you can also choose to lock in your decisions and not allow changes.”

vicki newman lincoln family funeralVicki Newman of Lincoln Family Funeral agrees that most funeral arrangements and preferences can and should be taken care of ahead of time.  As for why this is so important, she says, “The reason varies from person to person.  For some it’s financial reasons as they don’t want to leave their surviving spouse or their kids trying to pay the bill.  Statistics also show that the average family spends $2,000 – $3,000 more at the time the death occurs rather than if arrangements had already been made.  For some, economy is important – if they plan now, they can lock in the current prices and avoid inflationary costs later.  Yet, for others, it’s more emotionally important – they want to be involved.  They want to choose what music is played, what pictures are shown, what type of food is served, or even where the service takes place.  Every one of us wants to know that our life was important and had value.  In planning for end of life, I’ve found that families are interested in working with me to create an Ethical Will, which includes how to transfer sentimental items, or even to create a living funeral.  Even if financial planning isn’t done, it’s a kindness to your survivors to at least write down what you would like.  I have sat with families that didn’t even know if their loved one wanted cremation or traditional services.  Way too many arguments take place within a family when there has been no communication.

The things that need to be confirmed closer to passing are things that can change, such as specific clergy or celebrant, pallbearers or even funeral director of choice.” As far as approaching conversations about death and funeral arrangements among family members, Newman says, “Many families often have a hard time communicating about positive things, so when we talk about communication concerning a negative topic such as death, communication is almost non-existent.  We believe that information is empowering and our job is to help facilitate a conversation.  We have developed a free community service program, Passages, that is specifically about end of life communication.  You don’t need to attend a class for the information; we have it available at no charge at the funeral home.  Simply contact us to set up a time to pick up the information packet and allow us a couple of minutes to answer any questions.”

curtis klein horisun hospiceCurtis Klein of HoriSun Hospice urges families to avoid waiting too long to have difficult conversations with not only their loved ones, but also their physician as it pertains to end of life wishes.  He says, “Being proactive and honest with all parties involved is paramount in having your end of life wishes and desires implemented in the case that you become incapacitated and unable to make your wishes known.  Death doesn’t have to be a scary situation—we all know that the end will come at some time; we just can’t predict what time that will be.  This is why it is important to be honest and plan for that day so that no one has to make tough decisions without any prior feedback or input from their loved one, especially under the stress of the situation.  I recommend gathering everyone who needs to be aware of your decisions in order to make sure that they are on the same page, confirm that they all understand what you want and don’t want, and then document all of these wishes in your advanced directive.

As far as seniors staying active, I think that good spring activities are anything that the person can handle physically and emotionally in a safe manner with regards to their current state.  Talk with the senior or their loved ones about what they liked to do as a younger person and then plan similar activities.  Always remember that whatever activity you are doing must be done in a manner that is as safe and sound as possible for the senior who is involved.”

Staying Busy Until Spring

While February is an awkward month weather-wise, as you never really know what will happen, there are still some great ways to stay active while the last of the unpleasant weather passes and spring emerges.  Staying busy when you can’t do a lot of outdoor activities can be tricky for seniors, but here are some great ideas for activities that you can do on your own, with a group, or when friends and family come to visit.

• Escape the winter with a Luau! This is just like Christmas in July.  Here you pretend that you are in tropical climates sipping Mai Tai’s (or the virgin version) and having a Limbo challenge.

• Learn a new language, and then volunteer where you have the opportunity to practice with others.  Or in honor of Valentine’s Day, learn how to speak some French…the language of love!

• Throw a Super Bowl Party!  Not only is this a great opportunity to watch history being made by this exciting and epic game of football, it is also a great chance to make fun game day munchies that you can share with everyone.

• Celebrate Valentine’s Day—there are so many ways to have fun with this holiday.  You can make Valentine’s cards and deliver them personally, send them off in the mail to loved ones, or even send them to others in the community such as schools or hospitals.  You could also have a spa day to pamper yourself, or have some fun cocktail-inspired drinks and a candlelit dinner.

• Have a Groundhog Day breakfast and catch the updates on whether Phil saw his shadow or not.

• This is Library Lover’s Month, so take a trip to your local library!  The Love Library on the UNL campus is a great place to visit if the weather isn’t too harsh, and you can check out the sights and sculptures on campus also.  Or just open up a good book that you’ve been meaning to read!

• In honor of American Heart Month, wear red (this shouldn’t be too hard around Lincoln, NE) and spend the month doing some heart-healthy exercise if possible or eat snacks such as fat-free yogurt with granola, cantaloupe with fat-free cottage cheese, or veggies and hummus to name just a few.

• Celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week in whatever way you choose.

Regardless of how seniors choose to stay active and involved in their community; the fact remains that socialization and regularly scheduled events are a major part of life at any age.  Furthermore, they provide a source of happiness which is directly related to maintaining balance and good health.  No matter what level of care you need, there are still ways to sustain a high quality of life and be surrounded by family and friends.  The most important thing to remember is to pay an equal amount of attention to all aspects of your wellbeing–physical, mental and emotional–and if you need help with one or more area; do not hesitate to reach out to others as there is always more than one solution for any problem.  Living in the present while planning for the future is essential to facing life’s many uncertainties with fortitude and grace.