Important Considerations When Looking for Assisted Living Facilities

Assisted Living is fast becoming a popular senior living option for the older adults who cannot live on their own and require constant care and support. However, choosing the right facility can be a challenging task because of the many options available.

There are a number of things that you need to consider in order to single out the best Assisted Living facility for your loved one and just a few of them are mentioned below-

• Learn who the staff members are – First, it is important for you to choose a facility that has experienced and highly trained staff members. In addition, find out the staff-to-resident ratio to ensure that your aging loved one will get proper care and support they need.
• Services available – Older adults may need a number of services and amenities to spend their twilight years peacefully. So, before making a final decision, make sure to ask about the different services that the facility provides,including transportation, daily socialization activities, exercising activities, wellness programs and more. When you choose a facility that best suits your loved one’s needs and requirements, take all of these into consideration, not just the budget.
• Budget – It is important for you to consider your budget before making a final decision. A great idea is to shortlist a few of the best facilities in your area, compare their services and prices, and choose the one that best suits your budget requirements. Make sure you ask about additional fees and what is included to get the most accurate cost.

These are just some of the important things that can help you choose the right Assisted Living facility. By choosing a reputed facility, you’ll have peace of mind that your aging loved one is safe and all his/her needs are met.

If you or your loved one is living in Monroe, NJ, and you are looking for an Assisted Living Facility for your aging loved one, then contact Always Best Care. They have a team of highly trained and experienced care coordinators who understand the needs of each client and assist in finding a suitable senior living option. They also serve many areas in Middlesex, Ocean, Somerset, and Monmouth Counties.

For more information, call them today at (732) 483-4611.

Looking for Assisted Living Facilities? 3 Search Mistakes to Avoid

Moving your loved one to an Assisted Living facility is a life changing decision, so make the right choice that you will not regret in future. Choosing a suitable Assisted Living facility is much easier when you have the required knowledge, so do your research. Here are some of the common mistakes that you need to avoid when looking for an Assisted Living facility for your aging loved one.

• Not being realistic about your loved one’s needs – It is important for you to know what your aging parent’s current needs are, plus what needs are foreseen in the future. This way you can easily find a community that is equipped to provide care according to the needs and requirements as they age. Moving to an Assisted Living facility can be emotionally and physically challenging for a senior and choosing the right facility can make a lot of difference.
• Making a decision quickly – Many times, people are in such a rush that they end up choosing one of the first if not the first, facilities they visit. However, you should never make your decision in haste, especially when it’s about how your loved one is going to spend the rest of their life. It is a good idea to shortlist a few options, find out the details around their services, amenities and costs, and choose the one that best suits your aging parent’s requirements.
• Not consulting a professional – Choosing the right facility can be a difficult task for anyone, especially those who know little about Assisted Living. It is always a good idea to look for a professional who can assist you in finding a suitable facility.

If you have pressing needs, get in touch with the expert care coordinators of Always Best Care today for their professional guidance. They consider the unique needs of every client and provide them a list of suitable Senior Care Options in Monroe, NJ. They also provide their services in parts of Middlesex, Ocean, Somerset, and Monmouth Counties.

For more information, call them at (732) 483-4611.

Alzheimer’s Risk Factors

The greatest known cause of Alzheimer’s is advancing age. It is a common form of dementia that strikes older adults and worsens over time. It affects the memory and slows down the learning capability of seniors.However, age is not the only risk factor, there are many more. By knowing the risk factors of Alzheimer’s, seniors can take care of themselves to avoid or lessen the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

Here are some common risk factors of Alzheimer’s:

Head injuries: There is a strong connection between a serious head injury and Alzheimer’s, especially when trauma occurs repeatedly. Therefore, protect your head from injury at all ages. Always buckle your seat belt while driving, wear your helmet when participating in sports, and prevent falls.

Smoking: Smokers are more vulnerable to develop Alzheimer’s. Stop smoking as soon as possible.The risk lessens once quit, no matter how long you have been smoking.

Hypertension: Hypertension may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. It narrows the blood vessels in the brain, which may further bring a risk to developing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Lack of Exercise: Lack of physical activities can also increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Regular exercise can lower its risk and can help in maintaining overall health.

Obesity: Obesity nearly doubles the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Not only this, obesity can cause or complicate several other health issues such as: diabetes, cancer, and heart diseases.

There is no cure to Alzheimer’s, but it can be well-managed by following some of the tips:

• Eat a healthy and balanced diet.
• Exercise regularly.
• Stay socially active.
• Stress less.
• Make proper sleep schedule.
• Cut down on sugar and salt.
• Learn new languages.
• Keep a check on your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol.

Knowing the risk factors of Alzheimer’s and follow the above tips can help you avoid the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. For the best Alzheimer Care Services In Monmouth, New Jersey, get in touch with Always Best Care. They can also help you with finding the right Assisted Living facility in your area according to your senior loved one’s needs. In addition to Monmouth, they serve parts of Ocean, Middlesex, and Somerset Counties. Call (732) 483-4611 to learn more!

Low-Impact Exercises for Seniors

Exercise is good for people of all ages and seniors are no exception.To exercise, it isn’t necessary to go to the gym. There are many low-impact workouts which offer several health benefits to seniors that can be done at home. Low-impact exercises are divided into four categories: strength, endurance, flexibility and balance.

Here are a few exercises every senior should practice:

• Walking is one of the best low-impact endurance exercises. The best way to start exercising is to begin with a daily walk. This is one of the easiest exercises a senior can start to get in shape with. Set a small goal, even if it is just to the corner and back, and gradually increase the distance. Walking offers several benefits such as:
  • Lowers high blood pressure
  • Lowers blood sugar levels
  • Boosts mental health
  • Improves social engagement
  • Improves heart health
• Swimming helps improve endurance and flexibility of the body. It reduces the risk of osteoporosis, improves muscle strength, improves blood circulation and improves heart health.
• Yoga is also very beneficial for seniors. But before you try yoga, consult your doctor about how to get started and find out if you should avoid certain poses. Yoga offer several benefits to such as:
  • Improves balance
  • Minimizes hypertension
  • Strengthens bones
  • Helps you lose and maintain weight
  • Protects joints
  • Boosts your mood
• Cycling is another low-impact exercise for seniors offering a wealth of benefits. It increases cardiovascular fitness, increases muscle strength and flexibility, improves joint mobility, decreases stress levels, strengthens bones, decreases body fat, and improves posture and coordination.
• Sitting or chair exercises are beneficial for seniors, especially those with mobility issues. These exercises can help build muscle, increase blood circulation, and keep the joints lubricated.

All seniors should try at least some of these exercises to maintain their health in their senior years. For those who need assistance with daily living tasks and cannot get the right level of care at home, Assisted Living may be the right option. There are many trusted agencies that can help you explore different Senior Living Options In Monroe, NJ. For the best Assisted Living placements contact Always Best Care. They also serve parts of Middlesex, Ocean, Somerset, and Monmouth Counties. Call (732) 483-4611 to find out more about their services.

6 Ways Caregivers Help the Elderly

Caring for older adults can be tough because of the cognitive and physical health conditions they may have, but experienced caregivers can help them maintain a high quality of life through their expert care and support. They help seniors focus on lifestyle choices that improve the chances of living a longer and healthier life.

Here are few ways a caregiver can help the elderly:

Provide emotional support:  There are many ups and downs in senior’s life and many seniors do not have anyone to share their problems with. This leads to senior isolation and may lead them into depression. A professional caregiver provides emotional support to seniors by listening and understanding the situations seniors are facing.

Perform household tasks: Simple tasks, like cleaning, dusting, and preparing meals, may become too difficult for seniors, especially ones that have mobility issues. A caregiver will take care of the daily living tasks, which help the seniors to relax. At the same time, they will give their help and support in the household tasks that the senior can do to help them retain as much independence as possible.

Help with mobility: Mobility, even if it is just from the bed to a chair,improves blood circulation and keeps the joints active. Caregivers will help seniors with mobility issues, letting them move to-and-fro safely.

Offer companionship: Caregivers bring companionship and various activities, such as exercising, meditation, and socializing, into the lives of seniors. They help stave off the feelings of loneliness from a senior’s life by being an all-time supporter in most situations.

Assists with personal needs: Bathing, dressing, and grooming can become more complicated with age. A caregiver can help seniors with all such challenges, but encourage them to remain as independent as possible.

Take care of medication: Seniors often forget their correct dosages and at what time it is to be taken. Caregivers manage the medication prescribed by the doctor by understanding the correct schedule.
Due to our busy schedules we are unable to pay attention towards our senior loved ones and fail to notice that they need assistance in their daily activities.

If your senior family member is unable to manage their daily living tasks and need someone for help, it is a good idea to hire a caregiver. Contact Always Best Care to find the most experienced and knowledgeable Senior Home Care providers in Monmouth County. They also provide their services in some parts of Ocean, Middlesex, and Somerset Counties.

For more information, call today at (732) 483-4611.

Self-Care Tips for Seniors

How frequently do you practice self-care? Sure, you are busy and finding time to take care of yourself is not easy. But if you don’t, you will soon land yourself in bigger problems – physical, mental, and emotional.
Self-care means managing your health, your diet, and fulfilling the needs of your body and mind by yourself. Here are our best self-care tips for seniors to help them lead a healthier and happier life.

Eat a Healthy Diet
For seniors, age-related health issues may make it hard to prepare healthy meals. When you’re not feeling well, it’s easier to just have food delivered or make a microwave meal. Eating a balanced diet is very important for your overall health, so try to eat healthily even it calls for a bit of extra effort. Consider making freezer meals ahead of time using fresh foods for those days you’re not feeling up to cooking. You can make 3 or 4 at one time, saving you effort later.

Exercise Regularly
Many people usually think they’re too old to start a new workout routine, but exercise is good for everyone no matter the age. Practicing some exercises regularly can boost your mood, make you stronger, and improve your balance. Exercise can even reduce the risk of falls and other age-related problems.

Take Time to Relax/Rest
Take time to relax,especially after exercising or whenever you feel tired. Relaxation is very important for your mind as well as body.

Get Enough Sleep
Older adults need at least seven to nine hours of sleep. However, many older individuals may experience more trouble falling asleep. Since they tend to sleep less deeply, they also wake up more often during the night, which makes it hard to get a good night’s sleep.

When seniors don’t get enough sleep, they’re more likely to fall into a depressed state. They’re also more likely to suffer falls at night. For a sound sleep, follow a regular sleep schedule.

Seniors who cannot manage their health and need assistance with daily living can contact Always Best Care. They are a trusted senior care organization known for providing the best home care and Assisted Living Placement services in Ocean County. They also provide their services in Monmouth County and parts of Middle sex and Somerset Counties. To learn more, call (732) 483-4611.

 

How Regular Exercise Helps Dementia Patients

Exercising is far from a person’s mind when it comes to dementia. Many people believe that dementia patients don’t or wouldn’t enjoy an active life.It’s not true. Dementia patients can and should exercise regularly, as it is really helpful for both their physical and mental health.

How can exercising regularly helps dementia patients? Well, take a look.

• Older adults who exercise daily are likely to cope better with dementia and experience improved mood. Exercising daily may lift their spirits and boost their mood. It may also help lessen the anxiety and irritability that comes with the disease.
• Seniors are more likely to get better sleep if they work out regularly. Regular sleep does much to postpone some of the complications that comes with the disease.
• In older adults suffering that from dementia and exercise regularly often see an improvement in their behavior. As a result, it can reduce the risk of wandering or acting out aggressively.
• In general, regular workouts improve motor skills, flexibility, strength and balance in seniors. They will become more active and fit. It may also reduce a senior’s risk of falling due to the improved strength and balance.
• Regular exercise has been linked to the reduced rate of mental decline caused by this medical condition. In addition, it may even help in improving memory.

Working out on a daily basis has many benefits for any senior citizen, but especially those who suffer from dementia.
Dementia patients may often require additional assistance in exercising. They may need someone to accompany them to daily walks in the park or to other exercise classes. While many family members can accompany their aging loved ones at times, there are even more that live further away, unable to visit regularly to assist. In this case, families can consider moving their loved one to Assisted Living.

To explore Assisted Living options in Monroe, NJ, contact Always Best Care. They serve Monmouth County and parts of Ocean, Middlesex and Somerset Counties too. Call today at (732) 483-4611.

Pains and Myths – What Seniors Should Know?

Pains and aches are common in seniors’ lives. Aging, muscle weakness, injuries or medical conditions might be the reason behind such pains. However, there’s a lot of misinformation in seniors about aches. Such lack of information or half-truths cause confusion in older adults, leading to misinterpreted conditions.

Here are three myths about pains that confuse older adults.

Every pain is arthritis when you’re in retirement age – When you’re over the age of 65, it’s easy to assume that every pain is arthritis. Seniors are sure at a higher risk of this condition, but it doesn’t mean that you have it, if you have swollen, achy joints. Instead of arthritis, it could be a soft tissue injury or bursitis. Only a doctor can diagnose and confirm if you have arthritis, so if you suspect it, get proper diagnosis.

Heat is a better option than ice to relieve pain – Many older adults believe that heat is better than ice to relieve pain. However, it’s not true. Both heat and ice can relieve pain and ease joint inflammation.

No exercise means less pain and stiffness – It’s a common belief that if joint pain flares up, it’s better to just rest and not move much. Seniors believe that exercise will only aggravate the joint pain. But it’s far from the truth. Regular exercise eases joint pain, reduces stiffness and increases range of motion. If you’re in pain, then opt for low impact exercises that are less taxing on joints. If needed, get assistance from loved ones or caregivers.

Older adults’ pain, discomfort and stiffness affect their mobility. In such conditions, they may need mobility assistance and daily living help. You can assist them yourself or hire senior home care providers in Monmouth County.

Contact Always Best Care to get experienced caregivers for senior in Monmouth County, and parts of Ocean, Middlesex and Somerset County. Call today.

Top Issues Seniors Face Due To Aging

When you enter the retirement age, the only thing that comes to mind is relaxing years to come. Most people don’t even consider the possibilities of problems that might be waiting for them. No matter how disheartening it seems, every person must know and be ready for any aging related issues.

Here is a list of top issues that most older adults face due to aging.

Medical conditions & declining health – Seniors are more prone to various medical conditions including heart problems, diabetes and arthritis. Health starts to decline with each passing year. Vision or hearing loss are other common problems that older adults face. Due to such issues, the risk of falling also increases, leading to hospital visits and stays. To avoid such situations, they need regular care.

Mobility Issues – Due to aging and medical conditions, many seniors experience mobility issues. Even simple tasks like getting up and moving around the house become difficult for them.

Losing independence – With mobility issues and medical conditions, older adults start depending on others for daily living, personal care and transportation. It may lead to loss of independence. However, assistance in daily living from caregivers or family members can help them maintain their independence.

Vulnerability to exploitation – Seniors are more vulnerable to exploitation compared to the younger generation. Scammers and con artists target older adults to con them out of money. And, they use various convincing ways to do it by targeting seniors’ emotional and financial matters including charities, medical treatments, retirement investments etc.

Fortunately, seniors can tackle these troubles with the support and help of their family. If you are unable to provide regular care to your aging loved one, then hire in home care providers from ABC in Monroe, New Jersey. Always Best Care covers Monmouth County and parts of Ocean, Middlesex and Somerset County. Call today at (732) 483-4611.

Rehabilitation After A Fall – What Your Senior Will Need?

Falls are one of the biggest risks for older adults. Stats show that one-fourth of older adults falls each year in America. It leads to fatal and non-fatal injuries including head trauma, hip fractures and broken bones. For seniors, the recovery period after a fall is likely to be a long one, especially if they suffered broken bones.

However, here are the techniques to help seniors recover from a fall and in get back on their feet faster.

Physical Therapy – Physical therapy helps older adults in increasing flexibility, strength, balance and coordination.Physical therapists prepare an individualized treatment plan for each patient to ensure they get stronger and healthier effectively recovering from the fall. Physical therapy helps seniors restore the independence they lacked after a fall.

Regular exercise – Physical therapists suggest seniors to continue with regular exercise to improve overall strength, flexibility and balance. It not only improves mobility, but also decreases the risk of falls. However, they might need assistance in the beginning that family members can provide. Or they can hire professional geriatric care providers from a noted Monmouth County firm.

Home modifications – After a fall, it’s essential to ensure that seniors’ home is safe for them. Installing grab bars in bathroom, railings on stairs and removing loose rugs from the house is important. Make sure the house is clutter free, and properly illuminated.

Healthy diet – Healthy diet, including fiber-rich foods, improves health and reduces the risk of falls.

Control medical conditions and take precautions – If your aging loved one has a medical condition (diabetes, failing vision, hearing loss etc.) that increases their risk of falls, then make sure to control it, get proper treatment or take precautions.

With these techniques, older adults can recover from a fall fast.

And, if you are looking for caregivers, then contact Always Best Care at (732) 483-4611. They cover Monmouth County as well as parts of Ocean, Middlesex and Somerset County.