For many families with a loved one living with memory loss, there comes a time when caregivers must make the difficult decision regarding long-term care for their loved. When this time comes, families face the challenge of locating a memory care facility they can trust to provide the very best care for their loved one. The Cottages, family-owned by The Cottages Senior Living since 1997, is a premier assisted living facility that provides all-inclusive care. Best of all, you and your loved one will feel part of an extended family. Here’s a look at what The Cottages has to offer our residents and their families. Modern design based on Mayo Clinic research The Cottages are expertly designed facilities that offer everything your loved one needs for day-to-day care. Based on research by the Mayo Clinic, The Cottages are designed with a spacious common living room as well as an activity room where group events are held. The surrounding townhomes allow your loved ones to dine in a cozy kitchen or relax in a smaller living room that connects to a hallway with eight to 12 color-coded apartments. The common areas encourage the development of new friendships, while the color-coded apartments allow residents to recall their own townhomes with ease and confidence. All the comforts of home When looking into dementia assisted living facilities, you want a place that fits all of your loved one’s needs, while also providing a comfortable, friendly environment. At the Cottages, you’ll find it all. Common rooms are designed with modern decor Facilities include a backyard, secure outdoor spaces and walking paths. Daily activities...
Trying to choose the best senior living situation for a loved one living with early-stage Alzheimer’s or dementia can be very challenging. Two of the options that can be confusing to separate are independent living and assisted living. Both are designed to support seniors while fostering independence. Here are some of the key differences between independent living and assisted living communities. Services and Amenities Assisted living provides around-the-clock care and assistance with basic life tasks as needed. Independent living does not offer nursing support or medical care. In an independent living community, residents function almost entirely independently. Supportive and Medical Care In an assisted living community, memory care, medication management and medical appointment management are provided. Independent living communities are designed for those seniors who manage daily living tasks independently and don’t require medical support. Staff Access Assisted living staff frequently monitor and check in on their residents and the resident’s family. Independent living residents don’t necessarily have daily contact with staff unless they sign up for a specific service. Cost Assisted living cost may be higher but is more likely to be covered by health insurance like Medicaid or other long-term coverage. Independent living communities tend to be less expensive than assisted living because these are geared towards lifestyle preference, but are unlikely to be covered by any type of insurance. Family Involvement Assisted living staff is available to manage residents’ daily care, even as their needs change. This helps to reduce the stress level and worry of the individual’s family. These communities work closely with the family to ensure the needs of their loved ones are being...
Finding the right memory care facility in Amarillo can seem like a daunting task. You want to make sure that your loved one feels at home even when you’re not there. Plus, most Americans are living on a budget. Affordability is one of the most critical factors in picking a memory care facility. Let’s look at how you can balance your budget and care for your loved one. In an assisted living facility, seniors can care for themselves and it offers access to an active lifestyle. Families are not required to meet all of their loved ones’ needs alone. Memory care living facility can improve family relationships and reduce stress. Factors to Consider: Do you have a comprehensive understanding of what your loved one’s insurance does and does not cover? It’s a good idea to talk to the provider about what they do cover in regards to dementia assisted living. It’s understandable that you’d want to keep your loved one close so you are able to visit regularly. The Cottages are conveniently located throughout Texas. These include facilities in Austin, Houston, Dallas, and Amarillo. Your loved one’s needs. Do they need more consistent and intensive care? Or, are they currently more independent? Getting an assessment for their needs may help you pick a facility that is the best fit for your loved one’s needs. More Tips for Choosing the Right Memory Care Home for Your Loved One Now that you understand the basics, it’s time to consider other factors that will contribute to your choice. Once you have all of your paperwork in order, it’s a good idea to...
More than 16 million Americans give their time and energy to taking care of their loved ones. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia is never easy. There comes a point when your loved one may require a higher level of care. It is never an easy choice to place a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s into memory care assisted living. To make this decision easier, there are some signs to look for that it might be time. These indicators include, but are not limited to: Aggression: Physical, violent, or sexual aggression often occur in people with dementia. Family members or caregivers can become stressed or resentful when these behaviors occur. Dementia assisted living facilities are skilled in handling aggression in a safe way. Caregiver stress: This is is not a sign to ignore. Dealing with stress in your own life can make it harder to care for your loved one. Increasing care needs: Each day you should ask yourself if the needs of your loved one are more than you’re physically or mentally able to handle. If your answer is ever yes, then it is time to consider placement in a dementia assisted living or memory care home. Home safety: Whether your loved one has been living in their own home, or you have moved them into your home, safety must be a top priority. Are you completely confident in the safety of your loved one’s surroundings? Would assisted living for dementia residents be a safer option for your loved one? Sundowning: “Sundowners syndrome” is defined as a very agitated behavior that becomes more pronounced...
Caring for a loved one with a memory disorder can be an exhausting task, often taking a significant toll on the caregiver and their family. Respite care offered throughout Texas by The Cottages memory care assisted living facilities serves as a much needed short-term break for caregivers. These short-term respite stays also allow loved ones living with memory loss or dementia to take a “test run” of assisted living a to see if the assisted living setting is a viable solution for their living needs. The process of choosing a long-term living situation for a loved one can often be confusing and complicated. The Cottages residential care respite options provide solutions for the needs of families facing these difficult decisions for any desired length of time. What is Included During a Respite Care Stay? Independent Lifestyle — The same services are available to respite residents at The Cottages assisted living as all permanent residents. Residents are grouped into smaller communities of eight to 12 apartments, complete with dining, kitchen and living areas. Caring and compassionate staff are available to assist residents 24 hours a day. This unique preview stay of living arrangement is ideal for those who desire to be as independent as possible but need some security and assistance with daily living activities. Memory Care Activities — A wide variety of memory specific activities, including music, arts and crafts, games and other specialized interest activities are provided to all residents at The Cottages. These activities are purposefully for those living with memory disorders. Beautiful Setting for Specialized Care In addition to family-style, independent living arrangements, The Cottages provide...
Aging is a process nobody likes to talk about. However, we all experience it. We age every day without realizing it. While at times this can be scary and intimidating, there are things we can do to help our bodies age a bit more gracefully. People fear memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, and the thought of eventually residing in an Alzheimer’s assisted living facility may cause worry and anxiety. While health is no guarantee, there are steps you can take to help keep your body healthy and well throughout your whole life. Exercise your brain. Keeping your brain engaged and stimulated even before you get to middle-age can significantly improve your memory for the future. It is a fact that your memory loses power as you get older, but most people do not experience significant memory loss. Activities like reading frequently can keep your functioning at its best. For those who do require assisted living, memory care facilities in Austin, such as The Cottages, provide many stimulating activities that promote mental wellbeing. Find fulfillment. Find activities to do that will keep yourself happy throughout your lifetime. Doing so can help maintain a strong foundation for the future. People are more motivated to take care of themselves when they feel fulfilled. If there’s a hobby you’ve been meaning to get back to, pick it up again immediately! There’s no better time than now. Maintain a healthy diet. In this day and age, there are many options for healthy diets. This means something different for everybody, but generally keeping balanced dietary habits is a good idea. Having hearty fruits...
Recent Comments