6. Make a contingency plan
Don't get caught unprepared by an illness or sudden change in health in those you're caring for. Get to know local senior communities and skilled nursing facilities. Ask the older adults in your care where they'd prefer to go should the need arise. If possible, visit those communities and keep a file with information about eligibility requirements, costs, and application processes.
7. Re-assess regularly
Age -- and the decline in ability that often comes with it -- happens gradually, so those closest to an older person can sometimes miss signs of deterioration. Jot down some baseline notes about how they're doing -- physical mobility, capacity to take care of themselves and their home -- and then reevaluate every six months or so to make sure you aren't missing a new need or issue.
8. Build in joy
Sometimes, says Ann Cason, we spend so much time worrying about protecting older adults' health and keeping them safe that we forget to help them plan their lives around the things they enjoy. They chose to live independently for a reason. Find out what pastimes and pleasures are most important to them -- whether it's a meal with the grandchildren, a drive in the country, or a weekly card game with friends -- and try to find ways to help them continue to pursue those things they enjoy.
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I wish that I had something to make it easier when my Father had Alzheimers, who is now deceased, and now with my Mom who just turned 87 and also lives in independent living. Because of what I see with both my parents and other elderly, seniors, disabled and special needs individuals, my business partner and I researched and recently became Northern California distributors of two types of systems, one is called CloseBy and the other VitalPoint. CloseBy uses advanced motion sensor technology that learns the daily living patterns of seniors and sends alerts (text or email) when certain out-of-the-ordinary events occur. It helps put families first, and to give them all peace of mind never before possible. The basic system includes a sensor for the bed, one sensor for the easy chair, a sensor for the stove in case it's left on too long, sensors for the doors, cabinets, medicine cabinets, etc. Optional video cameras can also be purchased that can be mounted outside on the front porch so you know who is at the door. The VitalPoint Home Monitor is another system which is intended to be used as a clinical tool for remotely monitoring a patient’s health status at home or in another healthcare facility. The system is intended to guide patients through a set of scheduled activities whereby medical data (vital signs, symptoms, and medication compliance) is collected. The system is intended to transfer the collected data to a remote site where it is stored and reviewed by a clinician. The system is also intended to allow the clinician to modify the patient’s scheduled activities in response to the collected medical data or other information available to the clinician. The intent is to provide clinicians caring for patients outside the hospital with a means for keeping track of how the patients are doing without the patients having to come in for a checkup or requiring the clinician to go to the patients. It provides periodic remote monitoring of the patients self-reported symptoms or vital signs, including: • Non-invasive blood pressure • Oxygen saturation • Pulse rate • Temperature • Weight • Blood glucose level • Fluid status • Prothrombin time • Electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rate monitors WARNING: THE DEVICE LABELING ADVISES PATIENTS TO CONTACT THEIR CAREGIVER, NURSE, OR DOCTOR; CALL LOCAL EMERGENCY NUMBER AS APPROPRIATE; OR GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHENEVER THEY FEEL THE NEED TO DO SO. THE VITALPOINT HOME MONITOR DOES NOT ANALYZE PATIENT INFORMATION, NOR DOES IT OFFER MEDICAL ADVICE. NEITHER THE VITALPOINT OR CLOSEBY HOME MONITOR IS NOT AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM. I hope this information is helpful for those caregivers looking for some sort of help. I wish I had these when my Father was alive. There is more info at www.insight-network.com
Hi aaderosas, Thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, Caring.com does not have any resources or expert knowledge on how to start your own independent living center, but I wish you the best of luck. Take care -- Emily | Community Manager
hi can anyone tell me how to start an independent living center. We want to convert a house do we need licensing to do an independent living center in california what steps do we need to take to legalize everything or can we just start it?
i was looking for housing ?i live on my own. i live in the middletown ct. area. thank you. butch.
This is a wonderful outline of things to do to prepare for this serious life change. I would like to get permission to print it or link to it on my website. Mike@KephartLiving.com