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How to Evaluate Senior Living Communities

February 1, 2021

If you or a family elder are searching for a senior living community, you might be wondering how to make an informed choice. It can be easy to let attractive interiors play a role in your decision. While a clean, well-cared-for community is essential, other factors are even more important while evaluating senior living.

Quality of support services, team member experience, and a dedication to resident happiness and safety are just a few. Let’s take a more in-depth look at how to assess senior living communities.

6 Tips to Objectively Evaluate Senior Living Communities

Start your search online.
Most senior living communities have both a website and a presence on social media channels. You can start online to get a basic understanding of what levels of care they offer, as well as their services and amenities. The photos and posts on social media channels, especially Facebook, can also provide a glimpse into the daily life of a community. Read the online reviews to get a feel for the community. Analyze the negative reviews as well as the positive ones. Was there a response? Did the response demonstrate an open, collaborative mindset?
Ask friends and professional advisors for referrals.
Word of mouth is a great way to add (or subtract) a senior living community from your potential list. Ask those you know and trust if they have been through this search for a loved one. People who have done this understand how important this decision is and are generally willing to share their experiences. Do you have friends who have lived in the community? Do you have friends or colleagues who have loved ones who have lived there?

Don’t forget to ask your professional advisors. Your physicians, clergy, legal and financial advisors, realtors, and other trusted resources that are part of your circle of influence are often a wealth of knowledge for you. At Five Star, we suggest that you ask these individuals, “If it was your Mom, would you choose that community?”
Make phone calls to narrow the search
Once you have a preliminary list of senior living communities to evaluate, create a list of questions to ask when you call. Block out some uninterrupted time to contact each community. Make sure to take detailed notes during your phone calls. You may think you’ll be able to remember what you talked about, but speaking with multiple communities can make that tough to do.

Pay attention not only to the information that you gather. Observe the community representative in you and your story. Did they listen with interest? Did they ask you questions to determine your needs and wants

Common Questions About Senior Living is a good article to review when you are developing your list of questions. From costs to pets, it contains helpful information.
Review state survey results for communities
Each state has different regulations for senior living communities. The licensed service lines including Assisted Living, Memory Care and Healthcare (skilled and rehab) will be surveyed by the state regularly to determine if they are complying with state regulations.

Most states publish their survey results online. This makes it easy for older adults and their families to review them. For those states that don’t publish results online, ask to see a copy during your visit.

For communities that have skilled nursing and rehab, and take Medicare and/or Medicaid – the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) publishes a star rating that can be found at www.cms.gov
Schedule an in-person or virtual tour
A tour, whether in person or virtual is an important component of your selection process. Often, at Five Star, we find that families want to make multiple visits.

While we know that an in-person visit is generally best, some communities are restricting outside visitors due to COVID-19 concerns. Fortunately, many senior living communities can accommodate virtual tours. These are the next best thing to being inside the community. Again, take good notes whether your tour is in person or through a video chat platform.

When you tour, pay close attention to resident and team member interactions, how clean and tidy the community looks, and whether residents appear engaged. Does the environment seem positive and friendly? Does it look and feel like a place your family member could call home? Did team members greet you, were you introduced to associates and residents? In this era of COVID, did you observe safety precautions such as mask-wearing and social distancing? We think that either an in-person visit or a virtual tour should give you a feeling for the “vibe” of the community.
Weigh the pros and cons
Finally, sit down and carefully review your notes. Think about what you liked and didn’t like, as well as how well each community met your needs and your wants Some communities will be easier than others to eliminate. If you are able, it’s typically a good idea to visit any senior living community that is a serious contender more than once.

Another option, if available, is to take advantage of a community’s respite program. Through this program, a potential resident can enjoy a short stay and experience the community first hand. This gives both the prospective resident and the family to make a more comprehensive evaluation. Keep in mind, these stays may be limited due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Transitioning to a Senior Living Community

We know lingering coronavirus concerns may leave families wondering if this is the right time to consider making a move. That’s why we created a helpful resource to aid you in making that determination. Transitioning to Senior Living During the Pandemic answers some of the most commonly asked questions older adults and their loved ones have right now. You can download this resource at no cost.

At Five Star Senior Living, we intend to be the educator and to help you make wise senior living choices. We are here to be your Trusted Resource.

Nearer My Mom to Me: The Pros and Cons of Seniors Moving Closer to Family

December 16, 2020

There’s a lot of anecdotal evidence accumulating that one way families are dealing with separation during the pandemic is to move their aging parents out of senior living and to an apartment near them, even cross-country. Clearly there are many benefits to such a change, including safe, socially distanced in-person visits with loved ones; being able to physically offer help when parents need it; and a feeling of proximity that can bring comfort to all during this extended time of separation and social isolation, especially for aging adults.

However, there are also some downsides to such a move that may not be apparent right away. Just Google “move my parent closer to me” and you’ll find plenty of articles listing all the reasons why you shouldn’t.

That’s not our purpose here. At Five Star Senior Living, we see ourselves as a trusted partner to the families we serve, and if moving Mom (or Dad) is something you’re pondering, we want to offer some thoughts that are specific to the times we’re living in—COVID times—because you won’t find COVID discussed in those articles. Living through a pandemic does toss in a few things to consider about relocating a parent that you wouldn’t have to think about in any other year.

Here is what to consider if you are thinking about moving a parent to be closer to family.

What happens when things go back to “normal”? Will your loved one expect the same level of visiting and attention when you’re back to your normal, crazy schedule, chauffeuring the kids to dance lessons and soccer games and working late at your job? Will they end up sitting home alone a lot?
Will they miss what they left behind? If your parent moved from a senior living community, chances are they had a lot of friendships and fond relationships with the people taking care of them. They had their routines. They knew their surroundings. This is something to consider, for the older we get, the less we like change—and COVID has served up a lot of change already.
Has the pandemic actually made those bonds stronger? Every day, we at Five Star hear stories from our residents of how our team members have made life during COVID not just safe but happy. Our residents and families write to us or leave reviews speaking of our team members as friends, not “staff,” who have gone above and beyond They see us as all going through this challenging time together. The pandemic has brought us all closer than we might have been.
Are you thinking long-term? Perspective is important here. Moving a parent to be near you may make sense right now, for a lot of very good reasons. But is this the best course in the long run? If the pandemic were not happening, would this be a smart move? Thinking this through can ensure the decision you make is one you and your parent can live with.

What should you do? Try answering the questions here—but talk with your parent, too. What do they want? If together you decide to make the move, try using our senior community finder app to find out if there’s a Five Star community near you. That could assure your parent lives in a safe, warm, happy community where there’s always a lot to do and friendly people to meet—in between spending time with you, of course. Check it out. We’d love to hear from you!

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6 Transportation Resources for Seniors

November 25, 2020

From the time a young adult reaches legal driving age, hopping in the car represents freedom and independence. The same is true for a senior who has been driving for decades. As we grow older, however, safety becomes an issue.

Some elders continue to drive despite not feeling especially safe doing so. It might be to avoid asking a friend or family member for a ride to the doctor, grocery store, or other essential appointments. Having a list of reliable, affordable transportation options might be the key for all parties involved.

Here are a few suggestions for creating a list of safe and reliable ride options.

Where to Find Transportation Options for Older Adults

Community level programs: Start your search locally with your area agency on aging or neighborhood senior center. If you need help locating these organizations, you can search online by visiting the Senior Center Directory or the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging.
Medical system van service: If a senior needs transportation to and from medical appointments, see if the provider’s network offers any services. Some hospitals, rehab centers, and physician groups are part of bigger health systems that offer complimentary transportation in company-owned vans. Most will pick up patients at home and drop them off afterwards.
Volunteer transportation programs: The National Center for Mobility Management is another resource to explore. They maintain a database of volunteer transportation services for older adults. Search their site to check for programs near your loved one’s home.
Public transportation: While public transportation might sound intimidating to seniors who are unfamiliar with it, some local municipalities offer transportation designed for people with mobility challenges and disabilities. Call your township supervisor or mayor’s office to find out what is available.
Senior living communities: When the time comes for a family elder to give up driving, moving to a senior living community might be another solution to consider. Many communities offer transportation. Transportation team members can schedule rides to and from essential appointments and social outings for residents.
Rideshare services: Many people associate ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft with out-of-town travelers or young adults, but seniors utilize them too. Some rideshare companies, such as Lyft, are working diligently to attract older clients. If your aging loved one doesn’t want to book transportation through a cell phone app, GoGoGrandparent can help. Seniors can call them for help arranging transportation anytime. Additionally, “Are Ride Share Services a Transportation Option for Seniors?” is a good article to help you learn more.

Transportation at Five Star Senior Living

At Five Star Senior Living communities, residents can take advantage of transportation services for errands, appointments, and outings to local destinations like restaurants and shopping centers. Contact a Five Star Senior Living community nearest you for more information on resident transportation.

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What to Do When an Aging Parent Won't Accept Help

What can you do when a parent’s health is declining, but they won’t accept help? It’s especially concerning when the senior lives alone and is trying to maintain their home. The situation is surprisingly common. For families, it’s frustrating and worrisome.

Researchers at Penn State University conducted a study that explored this very issue. They found that nearly 80 percent of adult children acting as a caregiver for a parent (or parents) described their loved one as “stubborn.” Family caregivers struggle with concerns ranging from unsafe driving to annual physicals.

One commonly contentious topic is what to do when an aging parent’s home is no longer safe for them to live in, especially alone. They may have mobility issues, for example, that an older house can’t accommodate. In addition to reducing the risk for a disabling fall, moving to an assisted living community can improve nutrition and reduce isolation. But older adults sometimes refuse to even consider it until a crisis occurs.

Whatever the challenge, it can lead to friction between family members. If your family is having a tough time agreeing on what to do next, there are steps you can take to improve communication.

3 Tips for Productive Communication about Senior Care

Open-ended questions are best: You won’t be able to move forward until you get to the root of your loved one’s hesitation. Are they resistant to selling their house because they raised a family there? Or maybe they dread having to get rid of some belongings. Even when an older adult feels unsafe in their home, emotional attachments may keep them from making a change.
Instead of doing most of the talking, ask open-ended questions that encourage the elder to explain their feelings and fears. Be patient and let them talk without interrupting or trying to tell them how to feel. It’s essential to understand what’s behind the barriers they are putting up.
Kindness and empathy matter: For a proud senior who has always been independent, accepting help or moving from their home can be emotionally devastating. Acknowledge how tough these changes are. Kind words and an empathetic tone will usually go further than frustration or strong-arm tactics.

It may help to explain that senior care solutions, such as in-home caregivers or assisted living, actually protect independence. By accepting a little help now, an older adult will likely be able to maintain their independence longer.

Change is a process: Unless you or the senior’s physician suspects they are in immediate danger, accept that this will be a process. This is rarely a one-time conversation that leads to big changes immediately.

While you might think they need to move to a condo or an assisted living community right away, meet in the middle. Perhaps they will accept a few hours of home care a day while beginning to watch virtual tours of nearby assisted living communities.

Explore Five Star Senior Living

At Five Star communities, we know change can be difficult. Our experienced team members know how to put a senior at ease and help them see the positive side of moving. Contact us today to learn more!

Free Resources for Dementia Caregivers to Explore

Being a caregiver for a loved one who has Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia can be both rewarding and challenging. It often leaves caregivers navigating a rollercoaster of emotions. Many wonder how well they are doing caring for their family member or friend. If you find yourself in this situation, learning more about your loved one’s disease might help.

Fortunately, there is a wide range of information online to help you gain confidence in your caregiving abilities.

7 Free Dementia Resources for Family Caregivers

1. Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association is one of the foremost authorities on the disease worldwide. Their website is rich with information and tools designed for people with the disease and their caregivers. One popular feature is educational guides you can download at no cost. They cover a variety of topics, such as driving after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, treatment options, and care partner packets.

2. ALZConnected

Created by the Alzheimer’s Association, this resource helps caregivers remember they aren’t alone. Finding and connecting with those who share your path is easier with ALZConnected. The site is home to forums for adults with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia and their family caregivers. You’ll find advice and support for coping with some of the most physically and emotionally difficult aspects of this journey.

3. National Center on Caregiving

Created by the Family Caregiver Alliance, a leader in caregiving, this site hosts online support groups and chat forums. You’ll also find tools, information, and opportunities to learn more about advocating for people with dementia. Learn more about the NFCSP support program.

4. AFA Care Connection webinar series

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) shares many great resources on their site, including a dementia caregiver webinar series. Past topics range from home safety to using cognitive behavioral therapy to help a senior with Alzheimer’s overcome insomnia. There is no cost to watch or use these tools.

5. National Institute on Aging

Another site to visit is the Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Dementias page at the National Institute on Aging. Here you will find resources on topics ranging from dementia basics to connecting with a clinical trial near you.

6. Community Resource Finder

Families are often unsure where to turn after a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Community Resource Finder, from AARP and the Alzheimer’s Association, makes finding support easier. You can search for local care options, medical services, and more for free.

7. Family Caregiver Toolbox

Created by the Caregiver Action Network, the Family Caregiver Toolbox has videos on caregiver topics, including some specifically for dementia. As is true of the resources listed above, there is no charge to use these tools.

Finally, if you think you may need more support in the form of residential memory care living options, contact the Five Star Senior Living team to learn more about a community near you.

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How to Feel at Home After a Move to Assisted Living

Downsizing and settling in to an assisted living community can feel overwhelming. As is true of any big change in life, moving is an adjustment no matter how excited you are for a new chapter. It isn’t uncommon for seniors and adult children to struggle to unpack, organize, and feel at home.

If you or a senior loved one has recently moved or is planning to, we have a few tips that may help make the transition go more smoothly.

4 Tips for Adjusting to Life at an Assisted Living Community

Get involved before you move.

Many people struggle with change. For older adults who lived in their home for decades, moving can be physically and emotionally challenging. Giving up a home that has many fond memories attached to it can be tough. You might find yourself questioning if you are making the right decision.

One suggestion is to get involved at the assisted living community before moving. Ask the life enrichment team how you can do that. With current concerns about the coronavirus, team members are getting creative about keeping residents safely engaged in activities and events. There might be opportunities for you to connect with residents through video chat platforms, such as Zoom or Skype.

Take your time downsizing and moving.

Unless you must move quickly for a health reason or if your house is sold, try to establish realistic timelines. There are so many tasks associated with downsizing and moving that it’s easy to be paralyzed by all of the details. Hosting an estate sale and finding a charity to donate unneeded household items to are time-intensive projects.

Some older adults and their families wait to list or sell the house until after the move. Then you can set up a more reasonable schedule for downsizing and selling the home.

Make the new place resemble the old one.

An all-new environment with unfamiliar faces can be intimidating, especially for more reserved seniors. One step to settle in faster is to make your assisted living apartment look and feel familiar.

As you plan your move, decide how to decorate your new apartment so it resembles home. While you might need to donate or sell some of your furniture and home décor, hang on to your most treasured items. Incorporating a favorite chair or love seat, framed family photos, and other memorabilia can help make your new residence comfortable.

Be kind to yourself as you settle in.

It’s important to remind yourself that you will have good and bad days during this time. Most residents find as the weeks go by, the good days outnumber the bad. Be patient and kind to yourself while you are adjusting to this change.

Some older adults and their families find it helpful to create a plan for handling bad days. It might be an agreement to call an adult child or watch favorite family videos for comfort.

Visit a Five Star Community Today

Whether it’s an in-person visit or a virtual tour of a senior living community near you, there are many ways you can get to know Five Star Senior Living. We invite you to contact us to learn more!

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Staying Connected with Seniors through Technology

November 23, 2020

In today’s transient society, families are often separated by many miles. It makes frequent visits tough. Other times, health concerns keep loved ones apart. Yet staying connected is an essential part of successful aging. Isolated older adults experience higher rates of health issues than their more engaged peers.

A few medical problems linked to isolation among seniors include heart disease, depression, obesity, and diabetes. Even more alarming is the research on early mortality—socially isolated seniors are 26% more likely to experience early death.

Finding ways to stay in touch with the older adults in your family is essential. Fortunately, technology makes this easier than ever.

Tech to Connect with Senior Loved Ones

While nothing can replace in-person gatherings, these tech options are the next best thing:

Smart phone: Don’t believe the myth that seniors can’t master technology. According to Pew Research Center, four out of ten seniors own a smart phone. That’s double the amount from 2013. In addition to making it easier to catch up, apps like FaceTime allow for more personal conversations.
Video chat: While phone calls are nice, video chat platforms on a tablet or laptop let families experience a face-to-face conversation. They also enable an adult child to assess a parent’s appearance for changes. Flushed cheeks, weight loss, and disheveled hair are a few signs the senior may be struggling. Skype and Zoom are two free, easy-to-use chat services. Houseparty allows family members to play games together from afar.
Email: While less personal, email helps people stay connected too. Families can share photos, videos, recipes, updates on important appointments, and children and grandchildren’s activity schedules.
Social media: Platforms like Facebook have become fairly contentious in recent years, but they don’t have to be. If you don’t like the politics and gossip in your News Feed, set up a private group. You can limit membership to anyone you want. That allows you to share photos, videos, and updates without Facebook’s infamous drama.

Consider a Senior Living Community

This spring’s coronavirus quarantine forced many families to remain apart for an extended period of time. For many adult children, having a parent feel isolated and alone was one of the most difficult parts.

One way to help an older loved one feel connected to the world is by moving to a senior living community. These thoughtfully designed communities offer a range of social and wellness activities throughout the day. Residents also have informal opportunities to visit neighbors daily.

Call the Five Star Senior Living community nearest you to learn more!

How Often Does a Healthy Senior Need to See the Doctor?

November 19, 2020

Let’s face it, few of us are excited to make a doctor’s appointment. If you feel well and consider yourself healthy, it’s easy to think you don’t need an annual checkup. So, is it really necessary to see the doctor when you aren’t sick?

How frequently you should see a doctor when you feel healthy is a question often debated by adults. This is especially true for those who suffer from white coat syndrome, a term used to describe anxiety experienced during physician appointments. For some, white coat syndrome can be serious enough to cause a rapid rise in blood pressure.

While there’s no hard and fast rule on how often a healthy senior should visit their doctor, at least one wellness visit a year is essential.

4 Reasons Seniors Need a Yearly Physical Exam

Screenings: A yearly checkup gives your physician an opportunity to evaluate the need for and schedule routine health screenings, such as mammograms and colonoscopies.
Bloodwork: This visit will also give your doctor an opportunity to order and review routine bloodwork. Cholesterol screening, vitamin deficiencies, and diabetes testing are a few common ones.
Immunizations: Your doctor will likely discuss an immunization schedule with you. This can include when to get a flu shot and if you need a pneumonia or shingles vaccine.
Early intervention: When you are feeling great, an annual physical lets your physician confirm there’s nothing wrong. It also gives the doctor an opportunity to identify small issues before they become big problems. For example, frequent headaches might be a symptom of seasonal allergies that can be managed without medication. Your physician can likely offer some suggestions.

Take Advantage of the Medicare Wellness Visit

Medicare Part B and many Medicare Advantage plans will pay for one physician visit each year to assess a senior’s health. If you’ve been participating in Medicare Part B for at least one year, you are entitled to a Medicare Wellness Visit.

Fortunately, your Medicare Part B deductible won’t apply to this visit. However, there may be a co-pay or deductible that applies to any screenings or tests your doctor orders. If you have questions, speak with the billing specialist at your physician’s office for clarification.

Health & Wellness at Five Star Senior Living

Seniors looking for other ways to stay healthy may also want to consider moving to a senior living community. Independent living often provides ample access to activities and facilities. For example, Five Star Senior Living communities prioritize wellness and many offer amenities like pools, walking paths, fitness centers, and more. Dining and nutrition is something we take pride in too.

To learn more about the the healthy lifestyles a senior living community can provide older adults, contact us today!

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Should You Try Virtual Physician Visits for Your Aging Family Member?

Finding ways to get to and from a physician appointment can be tough for older adults who have given up driving or live in rural areas. This is especially true if adult children live far away or work during the day. For some seniors, lack of transportation is a barrier to getting quality health care on a regular basis.

Consider trying virtual physician visits, sometimes known as telemedicine. The technology has gotten better and easier to use. Insurance companies and Medicare will cover some e-visits and telehealth services.

If you are an older adult or a family caregiver, here are a few things to be aware of about virtual physician visits.

4 Advantages of Virtual Physician Appointments

Safety from viruses: It should come as no surprise that physician waiting rooms are filled with sick people. Infections and viruses may be tough for a senior, especially one with a weaker immune system. Meeting with your physician online eliminates the risk of catching a bug in their office.
Fewer distractions: Doctors’ offices are very busy places, and patients often say they don’t get the attention they need. The physician may be distracted by other staff and patients. Some patients who have taken advantage of virtual appointments say they found their doctor to be more attentive and focused.
Less waiting time: If you’ve been to a physician’s office in the last few years, you’ve probably spent more than a few minutes waiting. It can be stressful and aggravating. When you schedule a virtual physician visit, your home is your waiting room. You can fold laundry, do the dishes, or just relax.
Access to specialists: Patients who’ve been diagnosed with a chronic health condition or life-limiting illness often want a second opinion. Accessing specialists can be tough, especially for people in rural communities with fewer physicians. Through the magic of technology, a patient in Nebraska can meet with a physician in New York without ever leaving home.

Before you schedule your first appointment, however, there are a few questions to ask the staff at your physician’s office:

Is the technology easy to set up and use?
Is the senior’s internet fast enough?
If you run into problems, who is available to help?
Will your senior loved one’s insurance or Medicare cover a virtual visit? If not, how much will it cost?

Leave the Transportation to Us

One of the most popular services at Five Star Senior Living is transportation. The community’s staff can arrange for transportation to physician appointments, local outings, shopping centers, and more, giving seniors and their family members peace of mind.

Call the Five Star community nearest you to learn more about the wide variety of services we offer, including transportation.

Planning a Summer Vacation with a Grandchild

If you’re considering taking a summer vacation with the grandkids this year, you aren’t alone. Intergenerational trips are becoming increasingly popular. A road trip provides opportunities to bond and make lasting memories. The key is to plan and prepare well in advance.

4 Tips for a Successful Road Trip with the Grandkids

Choose a destination that appeals to everyone.

Keeping your budget in mind, talk with the grandkids about a few destinations. Ask them for suggestions too. If you haven’t done this before, consider taking a short trip close to the grandchildren’s home.

Consider your mode of transportation.

While air travel might be faster, a road trip can be more fun. The key is moderating how long you stay cooped up in the car. Make the drive pleasant with car games and fun breaks along the way. Dinosaur parks, petting zoos, and other unique attractions can be entertaining for kids of all ages.

Reserve rooms in family-friendly hotels.

Not every hotel is geared towards children. Even well-behaved kids can be noisy and busy. The last thing you want to worry about is keeping the kids quiet. Depending on the destination, this list from Trivago magazine may help you find a kid-friendly hotel.

Balance healthy food choices with fun ones.

While the grandkids might try their best to convince you a diet of milkshakes, burgers, and fries is healthy, we all know it’s not. Foods high in sugar, trans fat, and sodium aren’t good for anyone, but saying no repeatedly isn’t fun. Try to balance healthy choices with special requests from the grandkids.

Staycations with a Grandparent

If a road trip with the grandchildren isn’t feasible, consider a staycation instead. Even if you live in an assisted living community, you can still have fun with the grandkids this summer. “Visiting Assisted Living: 7 Fun Activities for the Grandkids” may give you some ideas.

If you are searching for an independent or assisted living community, we hope you will consider Five Star. With 270 communities in over 30 states, there are a variety of options from which to choose. Call us at (853) 457-8271 to learn more!