Thursday, June 5, 2014

Field Trip!

We just had to share some of the fun photos taken by our Hearthide Manor community in University Place, Washington. These pictures are from a field trip to the Point Defiance Zoo. 


It was the great Peanuts author Charles M. Schulz who exclaimed, "Happiness is a warm puppy." Well, our staff and residents were sure happy visiting these lovely animals.





Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Go jump in the lake? Why, sure!

The staff at the Forest Grove Beehive and Hawthorne House were in the news again this past week as their "Plunge for Alzheimer's" went viral. The article is below. Here is the link

47 local plungers raise $1,175 for Alzheimers disease research

by: NEWS-TIMES PHOTO: PATRICIA GARNER - Misty Lewis of Forest Grove donned a red prom dress for her plunge into Hagg Lake last week as a way to raise money for the National Alzheimers Association. In all, 47 area residents jumped into the lake during a social media-driven challenge last week.
by: NEWS-TIMES PHOTO: PATRICIA GARNER - Misty Lewis of Forest Grove donned a red prom dress for her plunge into Hagg Lake last week as a way to raise money for the National Alzheimers Association. In all, 47 area residents jumped into the lake during a social media-driven challenge last week.
Forty-seven folks from western Washington County literally went and jumped in the lake for charity last week.

Between Monday, March 17, and Friday, March 21, small groups of adventurous people drove to Hagg Lake near Gaston and plunged into its chilly waters at Boat Ramp A as part of a social media-driven fundraiser for the National Alzheimer’s Association (NAA), alternately dubbed the “Winter Challenge” or the “Fearless Challenge.”
“If you have nothing going on, come take a refreshing dip with me ... it’s gonna be a party tomorrow,” read a challenge by Forest Grove resident Misty Lewis on her Facebook page March 18.
At 8:15 a.m. Wednesday, five good-natured and hearty women answered the call, which started out “as a dare,” not a sanctioned NNA fundraiser, according to Sheila Lardy, administrative assistant in the City of Forest Grove’s engineering department. Plungers included Lardy of Buxton; Lewis, Blanca Gates and Susan Lavier, all of Forest Grove; and Lulu Aker of Beaverton.
Air temperature that morning was 37 degrees, and the water temperature was “hella cold,” according to Lewis. The women sported specially-planned outfits, including prom dresses, “princess” get-ups and a 1980s pantsuit.
The charitable ball really got rolling in western Washington County two days before that, however.
“My high school friend up in Washington originally just challenged me to jump into a large body of water in the middle of winter” after she had hopped in a lake near Seattle, said Heather Warren, a friend of Lardy’s who took the Hagg Lake plunge March 17 and, in turn, challenged Lardy on Facebook to do the same. “I told her I wouldn’t do it alone.”
by: NEWS-TIMES PHOTO: PATRICIA GARNER - Posing after jumping into Hagg Lake near Gaston to raise money for the National Alzheimers Association March 19 are Sheila Lardy of Buxton; Misty Lewis, Blanca Gates and Susan Lavier, all of Forest Grove; and Lulu Aker of Beaverton.
by: NEWS-TIMES PHOTO: PATRICIA GARNER - Posing after jumping into Hagg Lake near Gaston to raise money for the National Alzheimers Association March 19 are Sheila Lardy of Buxton; Misty Lewis, Blanca Gates and Susan Lavier, all of Forest Grove; and Lulu Aker of Beaverton.

Warren, a medical aide at Hawthorne House, the memory-care component of The Beehive Assisted Living facility in Forest Grove, said her boss, Beehive manager Kathleen Leatham, saw an opportunity to raise money for Alzheimer’s disease research.
“When I told Kathleen I was going to jump into the lake with (Beehive caregiver) Maria Aleman for no good reason, she said, ‘Anything we can do to help, let’s do it,’” recalled Warren. The women decided that for every person who took the plunge and provided a photo or video to prove it, The Beehive would donate $25 to the NAA. “It started off as the 2014 Winter Challenge and turned into the 2014 Alzheimer’s Challenge.”
The effort mushroomed locally over five days, with nearly four dozen people taking the challenge and $1,175 raised for Alzheimer’s research, Warren said.
“We thought it would be just a few people, but it turned out to be this big thing,” she noted. “Our group posted a video on Monday, tagged more people, and it just went from there.”
Friday at midnight was the deadline for like-minded individuals to submerge themselves in a large body of water — bath tubs and swimming pools didn’t count — and post proof of their escapades on social media. One catch was that once they were challenged by a friend or family member, they had only 24 hours to complete the task.
Elyse Evans of Forest Grove brought her daughter, Jaclyn Polich, and her son, Jake Evans, to the chilly waters of Hagg Lake at the invitation of a friend.
“I initially participated because I was called out to do so by Mindy Nerheim,” said Evans. “But additionally, the challenge is for a great cause and I have several great aunts who were affected by Alzheimer’s.”
For Warren, taking the challenge and raising money for research into Alzheimer’s sprang not from a family story, but from a work-related one.
“I started in the assisted care profession three years ago and I thought it would only be temporary,” Warren said Saturday. “After about two years I decided this is where I want to be. Being around these people on a daily basis and observing the changes they go though with Alzheimer’s motivates me to do whatever I can.
“You realize it’s a very cruel disease, and you want to help.”
Two years ago, Hawthorne House opened adjacent to The Beehive’s main building on Hawthorne Street in Forest Grove. “I’ve seen people whose dementia has progressed and who have moved next door,” said Warren. “We witness on a daily basis what this horrible disease does to someone you love. This was a chance to do something, and the momentum spread throughout the week, every single day.
“This started as a dare and ended as a triumph.”

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

"What Home Means to Me"



Last month, San Juan Villa residents were asked to participate in a project for Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County. Our residents designed the artwork for their volunteer appreciation card with the theme, “What home means to me”. Take a look at all of the wonderful pieces that were designed! 








A big thank you to Habitat for Humanity for coordinating this project and allowing our participation. And a special thank you to all of the residents who participated! 

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Seth Rogen's Hilarious and Heartfelt Senate Testimony on Alzheimer's Research

This is a Must Watch! Actor Seth Rogen gives his opening statement before a Senate hearing on Alzheimer's Research. Hilarious, Sad, and Powerful, all wrapped up into one. 

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Oh I Wish I Were an Oscar Meyer Weiner!

Raise your hand if you remember this jingle!


On March 2, 2014, our residents over at Easthaven Villa received a surprise visit from none other than the classic Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile! Everyone, staff included, enjoyed seeing the vehicle in person.








Thursday, March 6, 2014

At Fernhill Wetlands, another 1,700 plants added by volunteers from Friends of Trees

The Forest Grove Beehive was recently featured in The Oregonian for their volunteer efforts at the Fernhill Wetlands.Fernhill Wetlands tree planting
Adalyn Weaver, 18 months, and Jay-linn Weaver, 3, play in the dirt while their mother, Mary-Alice Weaver, plants trees at Fernhill Wetlands. Weaver volunteered with other employees of Forest Grove Beehive assisted living center.
Samantha Swindler | sswindler@oregonian.comBy Samantha Swindler |  
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on February 24, 2014 at 9:09 AM, updated February 24, 2014 at 9:51 AM
0
Volunteers planted 1,700 shrubs and trees in Forest Grove on Saturday morning, during the second event at Fernhill Wetlands organized by Portland-based nonprofit,Friends of Trees.

Fernhill Wetlands, in southeast Forest Grove, is owned by Clean Water Services, which has a sewage treatment plant on the property. Before treated water from the plant is released into the Tualatin River, it flows through a series of man-made ponds and wetlands, which further aerate, cool and naturally clean the water.
Fernhill Wetlands tree plantingView full sizeEmployees of Forest Grove Beehive assisted living facility clean out birdhouses in preparation for spring at Fernhill Wetlands. (Photo Courtesy Maria Betancourt-Aleman)
The unique take on water treatment also provides a public outdoor space. The area includes walking trails, a gazebo, scenic bridges and some of the best bird watching in the area.
As volunteers gathered Saturday morning to plant trees, Christian Haaning, water resources specialist with Clean Water Services, pointed out a bald eagle nest and migrating flocks of swans and cackling geese overhead. 

Among those who volunteered on an unexpectedly sunny Saturday were about a dozen employees of Forest Grove Beehive assisted living facility, who planted Oregon grape around the ponds.
“This was a team building effort, and it turned out to be a community service effort, and everybody was so proud of the whole idea, that I think it’s something we’ll keep doing in the community in more ways,” said administrator Kathleen Leatham.

And they did. Beehive employees returned to the wetlands on Sunday to help clean out bird houses at the site and prepare them for spring.

Monday, March 3, 2014

Elderly Woman Waves at Students Every Day. Then She Got a HUGE Surprise.

This video was touching, and we wanted to pass it along!

Tinney waves at high school students walking by every day. It fills her with joy to bring a smile to their faces. However, she never expected THEM to give her such a surprise.


Thursday, February 20, 2014

After suffering stroke, musician turns into painter

After suffering stroke, musician turns into painter

Diane Glassmiers watercolors grace lobby at Forest Grove Beehive

by: NEWS-TIMES PHOTO: MICHELLE THOMAS - Diane Glassmier, 76, stands in the lobby at The Beehive in Forest Grove next to one of her many paintings. The former professional violinist turned to watercolors after suffering a stroke at age 37.
by: NEWS-TIMES PHOTO: MICHELLE THOMAS - Diane Glassmier, 76, stands in the lobby at The Beehive in Forest Grove next to one of her many paintings. The former professional violinist turned to watercolors after suffering a stroke at age 37.
“People inspire my artwork,” Diane Glassmier said with a laugh. “All kinds of people — children, parents, it doesn’t matter. Everybody brings such positivity to my world.”
Glassmier, of Forest Grove, began painting at the age of 38. It was, she said, the creative release she needed after a major stroke the year before left her in a coma for a month. When she woke up, Glassmier found her right arm and leg were paralyzed from the elbow and knee down.
She suffered two smaller strokes a week later, prolonging the return of her motor skills. Three doctors’ evaluations, as well as a grueling series of tests, never revealed the exact cause of the cerebrovascular incidents. At 37, Glassmier’s world had taken a shattering turn.
“I didn’t know what to do ... I just knew I had to stay positive for my kids,” she recalled.
At first her affliction didn’t bother her. But soon she realized her days performing as a musician were over. At the time, Glassmier was married and working as a professional violinist, having secured a career that spanned the U.S. She’d played with symphonies in Lexington, Ky., and Eugene and Corvallis, Ore., respectively.
Shortly after her strokes, however, Glassmier’s personal life changed radically as well. She had four young daughters to raise from her first marriage, was unable to find work due to her disability and was living with a disgruntled second husband, she said.
The couple subsequently divorced, making Glassmier a single parent. She and her daughters survived on monthly child support and disability checks. The women relied on each other to help make it through, Glassmier noted.
It was during this period she discovered her desire to paint.
“I started playing the violin at the age of 7. I loved it [and] when I realized I couldn’t play anymore it broke my heart,” said Glassmier. “I needed something to keep my mind occupied. I thought painting would be a great outlet for me.”
Glassmier chose watercolors as her media. She found them to be “forgiving,” she said, and — because she wanted something to help her stay focused long-term — they took the longest to learn. She also enjoyed the way the colors represented themselves on paper.
Having found her way to Portland via central Oregon, she decided to take two classes each from local art instructors Caroline Buchanan and Bill Chumbley. The classes, she felt, helped her understand the way the paint worked. She spent the next 30 years practicing her adopted craft.
When Glassmier considered moving to The Beehive Retirement Community in Forest Grove, she told manager Kathleen Leatham about her hobby. After viewing her work, Glassmier said, Leatham asked to display four or five paintings in the assisted care center’s lobby, and the artist readily agreed.
The paintings include landscapes, abstracts and portraits. New works of Glassmier’s are rotated in and out of the lobby every six weeks. With her girls grown and at a thriving 76 years old, Glassmier typically finishes one painting a day — because, she said, it keeps her happy.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Caring for the Alzheimer's Caregiver


The following is from a New York Times article written by Jane E. Brody:

Caring for the Alzheimer’s Caregiver

Yvetta Fedorova
Personal Health
PERSONAL HEALTH
Jane Brody on health and aging.
Paul Divinigracia does not consider himself a saint. But to observe how he cares for his wife, Virgie, now 11 years into Alzheimer’s disease, you might think otherwise.
The Divinigracias celebrated their 50th anniversary in August. At 75, Mr. Divinigracia still calls his 87-year-old wife “dear,” and he clearly means it, even after he has answered the same question a dozen times within a few moments. Patience, he said in an interview, is the watchword of his existence.
“We laugh a lot — laughter definitely helps,” he said. “I make jokes out of many of the problems. Maintaining a sense of humor enables me to stay in balance.”
Lest he run out of things to laugh about, he and his wife watch amusing programs on Filipino television (both are natives of the Philippines). “It reduces the tension,” he said.
But there is no question that being the full-time caregiver of a family member with Alzheimer’s or any other form of dementiarequires constant adjustments. New challenges frequently arise. Mr. Divinigracia’s latest is trying to persuade his wife to bathe.
“Sometimes I offer a reward, like telling her, ‘We’re going out for lunch or dinner, and the restaurant won’t let us in unless we smell good,’ ” he said.
Mr. Divinigracia could easily have been the subject of one of the 54 stories in a new book, “Support for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers: The Unsung Heroes,” by Judith L. London. Dr. London is a psychologist in San Jose, Calif., whose first book, “Connecting the Dots: Breakthroughs in Communication as Alzheimer’s Advances,” broadened her contacts with family and professional caregivers facing, and often solving, everyday problems related to dementia.
She based each of the stories on situations confronting caregivers she has encountered, offering suggestions that could help others in similar circumstances.
The challenges include convincing patients or other relatives that something is really amiss, that lapses are not only a result of the gradual decline in memory that can accompany aging, as well as keeping people with dementia from slipping unnoticed out of the house and getting lost. (Double deadbolts on all the doors are a common and effective deterrent.)
“I have to be very observant of what’s going on at all times,” Mr. Divinigracia said. “She’s become very obsessive about safety, constantly checking to be sure all the doors and windows are locked and plugs are unplugged, and wanting to take out the garbage.” One day, after putting garbage in a pail outside, Mrs. Divinigracia forgot where the house was and had to be brought home by a neighbor.
The Divinigracias often visit family. Their daughter has taken to putting notes everywhere in her home, reminding her mother what to do and what not to do. “She does read the notes and follow the instructions,” Mr. Divinigracia said.
“Caregiving is an act of love, even for paid caregivers,” Dr. London said in an interview. “You put so much of yourself out there all the time, especially with Alzheimer’s patients. The average span of the disease is seven years and it can go on as long as 20 years, and the challenges only increase with time.”
Dr. London worries a lot about the stress on these caregivers, and rightly so. According to the data from Stanford University and the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 15 million people provide unpaid care for family members or friends with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. The strain of the task has been shown in many studies to increase the risk of a variety of illnesses, and even death.
Mr. Divinigracia loves to travel, and he’s discovered that taking trips stimulates his wife in a positive way. “Her attention spanincreases, and information is better retained from the new places we visit,” he said. On a recent drive from Fremont, Calif., where they live, to Seattle for a family event, they passed through beautiful mountains north of San Francisco.
“She just loved that and can recall it, even though she can’t remember what I told her two minutes ago,” he said. To maximize quality time together in whatever time they have left, he’s planned trips to Hawaii in April and Europe in September.
Sometimes, though, returning to an old activity can be stimulating and fun. In one of Dr. London’s stories, a caregiving wife gets her husband, who has serious dementia, to again enjoy golf, his former passion, by saying she wants to play. Once at the driving range with club in hand, he suddenly remembered what to do and sent the ball flying.
The message: “Once you get him started, he may still know how to do something he could do years before. What a thrill!” Dr. London wrote.
Likewise, there may be ways to awaken pleasant memories through new experiences. Dr. London tells the story of a woman who picked a sprig of rosemary during a walk around a lake. The smell reminded her husband of how much he liked her rosemary chicken, and he said so in the first complete sentence he’d spoken in months.
One of the most common, distressing challenges faced by caregivers occurs when dementia patients become agitated or physically or verbally abusive, situations that are emotionally exhausting and sometimes dangerous for patients and caregivers alike.
Laura N. Gitlin, a professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, works with a team of occupational therapists to find ways to cope with such situations without drugs. They prescribe activities that patients and caregivers can do together tailored to the patients’ abilities, needs and interests. The result is patients who are calmer, safer and more engaged, and caregivers who are less stressed. Still, there are times when even the most astute and clever caregiver fails to overcome a challenge, particularly when an Alzheimer’s patient becomes violent. When one woman’s husband seemed possessed by demons, screaming curses and menacing her with a knife, Dr. London wrote, she finally realized that she could no longer care for him safely at home. Reluctantly, she had to place him in a home so that both of them could be safe.
From conversations with others and participation in a semimonthly Alzheimer’s Association support group, Mr. Divinigracia knows that the worst is yet to come. He continues to learn effective ways to cope with the challenges that arise, and how to take them in stride.
Still, Dr. London said, “caregivers are often the casualties, the hidden victims, of Alzheimer’s disease.
“No one sees the sacrifices they make,” she said.
It is vital for caregivers to take good care of themselves, she added, by exercising, eating and sleeping properly, and getting respite care when needed.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Fighting Alzheimer's Stigma


Five tips to overcome Alzheimer's stigma

The following tips are based on the advice and experience of current and former members of the Alzheimer's Association National Early-Stage Advisory Group (ESAG), which consists of individuals in the early stage of the disease who help raise awareness about the disease.
  1. Be open and direct.
    Engage others in discussions about Alzheimer's disease and the need for prevention, better treatment and an eventual cure. Engage with others like you on our message boards.
  2. Communicate the facts.
    Sharing accurate information is key to dispelling misconceptions about the disease. Whether a pamphlet or link to online content, offer information to help people better understand Alzheimer's disease. Learn the facts about Alzheimer’s and find an education program near you.
  3. Seek support and stay connected.
    It is important to stay engaged in meaningful relationships and activities. Whether family, friends or a support group, a network is critical. 
    Contact your local chapter about an early-stage support group near you.

  4. Don't be discouraged.
    Denial of the disease by others is not a reflection of you. If people think that Alzheimer's disease is normal aging, see it as an education opportunity. 
    Tips for helping family and friends.

  5. Be a part of the solution.
    As an individual living with the disease, yours is the most powerful voice to help raise awareness, end stigma and advocate for more Alzheimer’s support and research.
    Learn how you can take action in the fight against Alzheimer’s.
[Tips and Video courtesy of alz.org]

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

San Juan Villa, Seattle's 12th Man



With the Seattle Seahawks amazing run through the 2014 NFL Playoffs, the Seattle fans have been labeled as the best in the NFL. The self-designated "12th Man" has made a huge impact on the Seahawks' post-season success. Likewise, our very own team from San Juan Villa has been doing their part, representing the 12th Man. The following is an interview we had with San Juan Villa's administrator, Erin Parker:

Seems like San Juan Villa has caught the Seahawk fever? Yes we have!!!! There are a lot of die hard Seahawk fans and “12 men/women” in our community, including some of our Resident’s. In some ways, many of us have ALWAYS had the fever!

What impact has your SJV staff had on the Seahawks' playoff success? We immediately hung a 12 man flag in our entrance to the community when they made it to the NFC playoffs, and the staff participate in the “Blue Friday” craze! We think that subliminal support by all of the 12’s is one reason for their success. Not to mention they have the best Defense in all the NFL.

Has the "12th Man" brought your staff closer together? It has brought a sense of team to the staff. Those who were not interested before, hopped on that bandwagon and it has been a fun ride so far.

Who is the craziest fan on the staff? Our Maintenance Supervisor, Joey. That’s all he talks about all day, everyday!!!!! He gives the Twitter and NFL updates, and we talk about the news of the Seahawks everyday…….

Have any residents caught on to the excitement surrounding the Superbowl? There are a few. We make sure the staff set them up to watch the Seahawks every game day. Many of our resident’s are life long PNWesterners and have followed the team since they came to Seattle.

Score prediction for the Superbowl? 24-20 Seahawks!!!!!!!





Monday, January 13, 2014

Best Alzheimer's Books for Caregivers

Looking for a new read to bring in the new year? Take a look at this list of the "Top Alzheimer's Books" compiled by alzheimers.net:

Boundless Grace: Devotions From a Caregiver’s Heart (Lois Carter): This author tells how faith in God inspired her in caring for her mother through the difficult stages of dementia. It includes descriptions of how dementia affects people differently and how looking for those cheerful moments in the midst of the struggle can make all the difference.
Top Alzheimer's Books for CaregiversCreating Moments of Joy for the Person With Alzheimer’s or Dementia: A Journal for Caregivers (Jolene Brackey): A touching look at how to make the most of the moments you have with someone with Alzheimer’s, this book describes memory as a series of moments. And it helps educate people on the needs of a person with Alzheimer’s disease.
Chicken Soup for the Golden Soul (Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Paul J. Meyer): The Chicken Soup series comes highly recommended by our Facebook fans. In this particular collection, you’ll find stories from seniors such as Erma Bombeck, Tom Landry and Roy Rogers, who share their experiences through the golden years.
Inside Alzheimer’s (Nancy Pearce): Aimed at caregivers, this book stresses the importance of connecting with Alzheimer’s patients. And how building these connections can help create a more supportive care community. It also provides exercises to help exhausted caregivers energize their spirits.
Inside the Dementia Epidemic: A Daughter’s Memoir (Martha Stettinius): Chronicling her experience as her mother’s caregiver for eight years, Stettinius candidly portrays the challenges she faced and how she sought help. She structures the story in five parts, each one dedicated to the type of care her mother required as her dementia progressed, and tells an inspiring story of what life as a caregiver is really like.
The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for Persons With Alzheimer’s Disease, Related Dementing Illnesses, and Memory Loss in Later Life (Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins): Considered "the definitive guide on caring for people with dementia," The 36-Hour Day was originally published in 1981. Since then, it’s undergone several revisions to ensure that it provides the most up-to-date information on causes of dementia, how to manage early stages of dementia, finding long-term care options for people with dementia and more.
What are your favorite Alzheimer’s books?


Tuesday, January 7, 2014

When Your Parents Need Assisted Living


The following article was written by Jeff Anderson from aplaceformom.com
It can be a difficult moment when you come to realize that your mom or dad needs senior care in a setting like assisted living. As young children, we saw our parents as all-powerful sources of benevolence and care. It’s sometimes difficult to admit that the roles have reversed. But just as our parents kept us safe, sheltered and secure when we were little and vulnerable, we’re called on to return this love to our parents when they need a helping hand and a comfortable, safe place due to the frailties and ailments associated with advanced age.
Some of us will provide care to our parents in our own home for a period, but this is not always possible for all families, or always desired by the children or parents themselves.
Naturally, many families find themselves searching for assisted living, an intermediate level of residential care for seniors who aren’t safe living alone. Ideally, your parents can be full participants in the search; but when your loved one is impaired by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia you may have to proactively take more control of the decision making.
If you see that your parents need assisted living care, here are steps to help you find the right care:

1. Get Your Loved One Involved

The more involved your parents are in the search, the better. Of course you can do much of the legwork for them, but have discussions with your parents about their desires and preferences and, ideally, present them with a range of options. If your parent is in denial about his or her need for care, read our article about overcoming resistance in the situations.

2. Figure Out What You Can Afford

Like it or not, money is going to be a factor in most families’ searches. Look at what your family can afford on a monthly basis. Our guide to financing senior care page could be ahelpful reference. Look into veterans benefits and othercreative ways to pay for care. Some seniors and families may have to consider difficult options such as pooling resources form the senior’s grown children, selling a family home or even cashing-in a life insurance policy.

3. Get Connected with a Senior Living Advisor

This really could have been step-one on our list, as you can call us at any point in your search. But a good point for your initial consultation from an A Place for Mom Senior Living Advisor is after you have already done a little investigating into you what your family can afford. That way your Advisor can provide a list of seniors communities that meets the needs and preferences you have already established, and that are in your price range. This list of communities is an excellent starting point for your search. From there a logical way to proceed with the decision making process is through the process of elimination. For those families who ultimately cannot afford private-pay senior care and require state assistance in the form of Medicaid (not to be confused with Medicare), your Advisor will connect you with the appropriate liaison at the Area Agency on Aging so that you can get this process started.

4. Tour Senior Communities

No amount of time viewing photos, brochures, floor plans or reviews can substitute for an in-person visit to a community. Schedule visits for you and your parent at least three of the communities on your short-list. If you have—and your parent have—the time and stamina, it may be helpful to view up to five or six communities as your narrow the search. A good time to tour is during a meal, such as lunch, for example. Potential residents can try the food and get a good sense of the community’s culture; as most of the residents will be out and about during a mealtime. Based on these initial tours, narrow down your search down to two or three favorites. Perform follow up tours, perhaps even unannounced, to get a good sense for the community you and your parent are considering. Your Senior Living Advisor can make this process easier for you by arranging all your tours in one short call.

5. Come to a Decision

Whether your parent is choosing the community themself or whether you need to make that decision for parents impaired by dementia or Alzheimer’s, try to make sure that everyone in your family feels good about the choice. When possible, have conversations with your parents discussing the pros and cons of each option and try to find consensus about the right option. You can always bounce ideas off of your Senior Living Advisor during your decision making process and get his or her impressions of communities on your referral list. Another smart move is readingreviews of senior communities on SeniorAdvisor.com can also help your make a informed and confident decision. Finally, you can also check the background of an assisted living community you are considering with the licensing agency in your state that monitors assisted living.

6.Make the Move

If you’ve come this far in the process, there’s no sense needlessly delaying the process. It’s risky to procrastinate when a parent needs care, as the delay can lead to avoidable accidents and medical problems. Our article 6 Survival Tips for Moving Your Elderly Loved One has important information about helping assure this move goes smoothly.