If you have loved ones who are elderly (and we all do), don’t forget them during the Holiday season this year. While most assisted living facilities do their best to take great care of your loved ones, there really is nothing that could substitute for a visit from you.

The holidays are a lonely time for many people. Make sure it isn’t a lonely time for your loved ones. We know that the travel can be inconvenient, but it means all the world to those who are in assisted living facilities to know that you still think about them regularly and care enough to drop what you’re doing occasionally and stop by for a visit.

Here are some ideas to think about to help make the Holiday season a little brighter for your loved ones in assisted living facilities:

• Stop by for a surprise visit. Even if you aren’t able to stop by on the actual holiday, a visit during the Holiday season is always appreciated.
• Send a card. Better yet, bring one by when you come to visit.
• Call. If you aren’t able to stop by during the holidays, at least call and let your loved ones hear your voice.
• Write a letter. When you’re lonely, sometimes a heartfelt letter means even more than a phone call, if for no other reason than you can pull it out and read it over and over again.
• Decorate their living area. Whether they have a shared room or an apartment to themselves, it’s always nice to have their area decorated. Make sure, of course, that you come back after the holidays and take the decorations back down. It’ll be a great reason to stop by for another visit anyway.

Don’t get us wrong; many people in assisted living facilities can and do get around quite a bit by themselves. And the majority of facilities keep their residents busy with activities. Some facilities even take their residents on regular outings. But, in the end, nothing can replace time spent visiting with those we care about the most: family.

One part of staying healthy is staying engaged and having an active social life. That’s why assisted living facilities typically provide numerous ways for patients to take part in community activities. You can check with the activities director at any facility to find out more about specific programs, but here are some of the kinds of activities you can usually find.

• Bingo parties, arts and crafts, and classic movies are standard assisted living activities that most people can enjoy.
• Mall walking or other walking activities can be held indoors year-round, while outdoor activities such as nature walks, fishing, and Frisbee golf are typically available in warmer months.
• Water aerobics and other water classes are great for patients with arthritis, back and knee pain, and other mobility or range of motion limitations.
• Swing dance, sock hop, square dance, and other such dances are very popular.
• Card games such as bridge, cribbage, or rummy may be held weekly. In addition, poker tournaments or tournaments for other popular card games are sometimes offered.
• Board games like Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, and home editions of TV game shows can be fun to play on game night, but can also be done tournament-style.
• Guest speakers, weekly prayer meeting, Bible study, and religious ceremonies are typically offered on-site for people of all faiths.
• Make your own musical instrument night combines an arts and crafts activity with a musical sing-along, which can be great fun.
• Most facilities plan seasonal events, especially around the holidays.
• Poetry readings, comedy club, and talent show night can be a great way to show off your talents and skills, and encourage your friends to do the same.
• Music therapy and art therapy can be especially helpful when a patient is working to regain muscle control. They are also ideal for anyone who appreciates the arts.
• Pet therapy is good for any resident who likes animals. Visiting or resident pets can provide an opportunity to soothe and be soothed, and can help reduce stress.
• Gardening clubs may be offered for those with a green thumb, or a desire to find one.
• Many facilities provide transportation to local stores for some shopping and socializing away from home.
• Scavenger hunts, balloon volleyball, miniature golf, and ice cream socials are often well-attended events.
• Some facilities have Wii Sports, which can be a fun way for residents to stay in shape while playing a video game that improves hand-eye coordination.
• Many facilities also offer book clubs, bowling leagues, and quilting circles, plus many more activities depending on resident interests.

If there is a specific type of activity you would like to see on your schedule, be sure to talk with staff and find out if you can make suggestions. Most activities directors are happy to plan events around their residents, provided the activity isn’t dangerous or outrageously expensive.

A trip to the hospital often means crisis for those in assisted living facilities. Hospital patients may be rushed through the discharge process and sent home with a list of prescriptions, with little forethought or plans for aftercare. After all, the hospital worker’s job is done as soon as the patient leaves through the front door, but the effects of surgeries and other treatments are far from over. That’s why it’s important to have a good aftercare plan.

1. Patient advocate. Whenever possible, the patient should have an advocate present whenever discharge plans are made. The patient advocate can make a list of medications, physical therapies, and other plans for aftercare, and assist the patient in asking questions of doctors and nurses as well as recording their responses. The patient advocate should not be shy in pursuing answers or getting updated information. Remember that access to hospital staff will be extremely limited after discharge. This is probably the best time to get the advice of healthcare workers who are up to speed on all the details.
2. Discharge plan. All the information should be collated into a discharge plan, which includes medication schedules, any food or drinks to avoid, orders for bed rest and wound care, and when the patient can resume normal activities. A simple form can help you prepare the plan, and could help remind you of certain questions to ask prior to discharge from the hospital.
3. Follow up. An aftercare appointment with the attending physician or surgeon should be made before leaving the hospital. While it’s common for this visit to take place within a week or two after a hospital stay, the doctor will give orders for when the patient should be seen. You will also want to schedule a follow up visit with the patient’s primary care provider so that aftercare can be integrated with the patient’s existing healthcare plans. In most cases, you should be sure the primary care provider will receive copies of hospital records. At some point, the attending physician or surgeon may transfer care of the patient back to the primary care provider, meaning the hospital records and any information from the follow up visit will be essential for ongoing healthcare.

After surgery or serious illness, patients may not be the best ones to advocate for themselves. The body has undergone trauma in many cases, and side effects from pain medications may make it hard to concentrate and/or remember important details. Successful aftercare often depends on the involvement of loved ones to track details and put together a discharge plan. The plan can then be implemented by healthcare providers or other caregivers.

It takes a special kind of person to be a good caregiver. Most of us have a tendency to get impatient when faced with the kind of tasks all caregivers must provide, but those who make a living at caring for others should have special skills and personality traits that make them good at what they do. When you’re shopping around for assisted living facilities, pay special attention to certain indicators that can tell you a lot about the people you’ll be dealing with.

• Direct care providers need to be people-oriented. Watch for facial reactions and indications of empathy when talking with any facility’s employees. Do they seem to care? You can usually tell when someone’s putting on a false front, but active listeners make it easy to talk and open up. You’ll often find yourself telling them far more than you had planned without even realizing it.
• Caregivers must also have good attention to detail. If healthcare workers are buzzing about, knocking things over, or forgetting simple things, it could be a sign of disorganization. You don’t want to entrust your health to someone who’s likely to make mistakes when it comes to administering prescription drugs or forget to change a bandage. Watch for signs that your caregiver seems to have things under control.
• Note any signs of personal or occupational stress when you’re evaluating any facility. Do workers complain about their own family situations or make offhand remarks about other residents? You may overhear conversations between employees that could also indicate the staff is overworked, underpaid, underappreciated, or otherwise ill-equipped to provide the highest standard of care. Everybody has a bad day now and then, but there are easily identifiable signs that the problem goes deeper than that. When morale seems to be low in general, it could be an indication of systemic problems.
• A good caregiver will respect their patients’ independence. Some folks just have a need to be needed, and will quickly take over even mundane tasks that the patient may be able to do for themselves. Watch out for these do-gooders, as their needs may take priority over your own. Try setting a minor boundary (“I can do it myself”) and see how they respond. Do they promote your independence or take over when you ask them not to?

Evaluating caregivers is something most of us aren’t trained to do. When we tour a facility, our attention is usually focused on many other things. Remember that the quality of care you will receive is heavily impacted by the staff, and be sure to choose carefully when deciding who you will work with on a daily basis.

Assisted living facilities often provide wonderful services, but those services come with a hefty price tag. No one can know for sure if they will need to stay in an assisted living facility someday, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared with insurance built just for that need. While it can be costly, the price you’ll pay without it will be to either forego the care you need when you’re sick, or bankrupt yourself trying to cover the cost.

1. You don’t have to be old to need long-term care in a nursing home or assisted living facility. Tragic accidents can and do happen, and some of the most traumatic injuries are now survivable thanks to medical advances and treatment options. The ongoing need for medical care, however, may be steep. Without long-term care insurance, you could be facing a long road both medically and financially.
2. You buy life insurance to protect your family in the event the worst should happen and you would be unable to provide for their needs. While that will help them out if you were to die, life insurance won’t pay a dime to help your family out with expenses for long-term medical care in case you are severely injured.
3. Medical bills can quickly drain a family of all financial resources and lead to bankruptcy. Ongoing treatment can be very costly, and most families couldn’t possibly pay for assisted living without some help. Long-term care insurance offers that help, and can protect your family from financial ruin.
4. You should make decisions about your treatment options based on what’s needed in your medical situation, not based on how much care you can afford. To place yourself and loved ones in the indefensible position of having to choose care based on the price tag is gut-wrenching, and it doesn’t have to be that way.
5. Your quality of life is the most important thing to consider. While many people can get by without assisted living or nursing homes, they often put a strain on loved ones who have to care for them with little medical knowledge and without breaks. To maintain your independence and be sure you will be cared for by professionals, it makes sense to purchase long-term care insurance.

No one wants to think the worst will happen. You buy homeowners insurance hoping you’ll never have to use it. Long-term care insurance is no different. Don’t think of it as money down the drain if you get so lucky as to not have to use it. Just make sure you and your family are protected from the high cost of long-term care.

Assisted living facilities provide care to the elderly, especially individuals that require special assistance like medication or physical therapy. Making the decision to put a loved one into an assisted living can be rough for everyone involved, but there is help out there. Understanding all aspects of the assisted living concept and the process in choosing the right facility can help to simplify the process, and knowing how to help your loved one make the transition smoothly will prevent any bumps along the way. Most retirement and assisted living facilities nowadays are very pleasant to live in, many offer trips, special game nights and much more.

1. Mormon Insights: A look at caring for aging parents from a Mormon perspective.
2. Barchester: Understanding different types of care homes and assisted living facilities.
3. SandwichINK: Reviewing a book on transitioning with an aging parent.
4. Chase Point: Assisted living frequently asked questions.
5. Transition Aging Parents: Looking at a 5 part method “ADAPT” to helping an aging parent deal with crisis and change.
6. Lawrenceville Retirement: Frequently asked questions about assisted living and independent living.
7. Info Senior Living: A look at Medicare as an essential part of the taking care of an elderly parent.
8. Senior Care Solutions: A guide to evaluating your assisted living needs and aiding in the transition.
9. Brilliant Aging: Taking an ageless approach to the concept of senior living.
10. Legal Medicine: A look at the costs associated with assisted living facilities.
11. Senior Housing News: Looking at a recent survey which looks at how the concept of retirement is changing.
12. Bacon Wilson Law: A look at some of the most common challenges and pitfalls in the estate planning process.
13. Assisted Living Directory: Talking about a book about Alzheimer’s disease and its hold on a person and how it can impact a caregiver.
14. Assisted Senior Living: A look at the costs associated with senior living and how they differ from state to state.
15. Long Term Care Link: An introduction to care giving addressing costs and trends involved in care giving, characteristics of those giving care and the challenges that they face.
16. Aging Home Health Care: A look at the difference between elderly home care and assisted living care with emphasis on the costs involved.
17. Senior Mag: Addresses the different options available for assisted living, senior care centers and senior residence centers.
18. Caring for Aging Parents: A look at senior assisted living communities including what assisted living services are available and who should consider them.
19. Get Ready for Tomorrow: Helping senior citizens downsize and simplify to enjoy the rest of their time with less stress and worry.
20. Assisted Living Seattle: How to determine if a decision to move into assisted living is the right choice for you and your family.
21. Long Term Care Living: Assessing your needs in the long term for care giving and assisted living.
22. Aging Care: A look at the caregiver’s role in helping a family member adjust to assisted living.
23. Thou Shalt Honor: Beginning the process of making a transition toward living with elder assistance.
24. Assisted Living Advantage: A former caregiver helps other people find the right assisted living facilities and assistance.
25. Our Parents: Learning how to have that conversation with a parent about assisted living and making the transition.
26. Elder Care ABC Blog: Addressing the upside to elderly home care versus assisted living communities and facilities.
27. A Place for Mom: Understanding that feeling guilt over putting a parent in an assisted living environment is normal, and learning how you can cope with that guilt.
28. Elder Care Help: A look at different assisted living issues that you need to address along the way.
29. Silver Planet: Retirement communities and assisted living for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered elderly.
30. Care Pathways: A checklist for long term assisted living care, ensuring that you find the right assisted living support for your loved one’s needs.
31. Nursing Home Advocates: A look at whether or not assisted living is right for individuals suffering from bipolar disorder.
32. Home Instead Senior Care: A look at different senior care and assisted living options available to families.
33. Williamson and Lavecchia: It is important to consider all aspects of elderly care and assisted living care, even the potential for abuse.
34. Saiontz and Kirk: A look at nursing home statistics.
35. Third Age: A look at assisted living options and insistence that you should start researching options soon to make the transition smoother.
36. Nursing Homes Abuse Blog: A look at Alzheimer’s patients, the challenges they face and whether or not assisted living is the right place for them.
37. Dibbern Law: Making the transition into a nursing home and how to bridge the gap.
38. Toghers: An overview on assisted living including what to expect in an assisted living facility.
39. Transition Aging Parents: When and how to transition aging parents into assisted living facilities.
40. Help Guide: Tips for how to choose the right assisted living facility and how to make the transition into assisted living.
41. Veterans Financial: A look at assisted living and care facility options for veterans.
42. Sunrise Senior Living: A look at how to choose the right assisted living facility and how to be a good caregiver to a senior in need.
43. Geri Care Finder: A guide to assisted living and care for people who are new to the concept.
44. Nursing Home Neglect: The importance of carefully considering your options when it comes to considering if you should put a family member in a nursing home or assisted living facility.
45. Blog Long Term Care: Looking at purchasing affordable insurance for long term care for elderly parents.
46. Elderly Care Services: A look at the advantages and features offered by active senior retirement communities.
47. Senior Living Referrals Blog: A look at the tax-deductibility of assisted living costs.
48. Natural Wellbeing: A comprehensive guide to senior residences and home care for the elderly.
49. The Real Estate Home Guide Blog: Moving a loved one to an assisted living facility.
50. Retirement Living: A retirement sourcebook with information on decision making and choosing an assisted living facility.
51. Assisted Living Info: Checklist of extensive questions to ask when searching for the right assisted living facility to make the smoothest possible transition.
52. Argent Court: A look at what assisted living is, who uses assisted living facilities and what the costs are like.
53. My Jewish Learning: A Jewish perspective on how to care for an elderly parent.

Image Credits: Sarah_Jones

Alzheimer’s disease is a serious illness that we are still trying to understand. Sometimes it seems to appear from nowhere, striking our loved ones and stealing their memories. Alzheimer’s disease takes hold of the mind and causes it to deteriorate, and people with this disease need help and understanding. Alzheimer’s patient rights are vitally important because they protect people with this disease from being taken advantage of and ensure that they get the help they require.

1. Estate Plan and Asset Protection: Resources for families relating to Alzheimer’s disease.
2. Elder Advocacy Blog: Addresses elder care laws, Alzheimer’s rights and laws as well as other related topics.
3. Coping and Praying: An Alzheimer’s disease reference written by the daughter of a woman with Alzheimer’s disease who attempts to put a positive and spiritual spin on the disease.
4. Alzheimer’s Dad: A look at the last three years of a father’s fight with Alzheimer’s disease.
5. Eldercare at Home: A look at living with Alzheimer’s disease and how it has impacted people.
6. Clinically Psyched: A look at findings that the cold sore virus may actually be linked to the cause of Alzheimer’s disease.
7. Senior Health and Elder Care Blog: A look at “tough love” care giving for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.
8. Alzheimer’s Disease Library: A look at what it means to obtain wrong information about Alzheimer’s disease.
9. Dealing with Alzheimer’s Blog: A comprehensive look at Alzheimer’s disease from a writer suffering from early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
10. Natural Wellbeing: The definitive guide to home care, assisted living and determining what choices you need to make for your loved ones.
11. Assisted Living Directory: A look at Alzheimer’s disease and the impact that it can have on a person and his or her caregiver.
12. 12. Nursing Homes Abuse Blog: A profile of Alzheimer’s patients, the myriad of challenges that they face and whether or not assisted living is the right destination for them.
13. My Demented Mom: A look at a woman’s struggle caring for her mom who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
14. Assisted Senior Living: A look at Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia and the care options that are available for people suffering from dementia.
15. The Caregiver’s Voice: Preventing nursing home abuse, especially in patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
16. The Alzheimer’s Spouse: A look at all aspects of Alzheimer’s disease including Alzheimer’s patient rights and new developments.
17. Healthier Talk: Looking at natural programs intended for Alzheimer’s prevention.
18. In-Law Suite: Late stage and end of life care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.
19. Alzheimer’s Reading Room: A look at health care organizations and how they should be held accountable in treating patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
20. Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog: A look at negligence and abuse cases in assisted living facilities and how Alzheimer’s patients may be at risk.
21. Alzheimer’s Club: A forum for Alzheimer’s disease topics including news, research, ideas and technology relating to the disease.
22. Law Elderlaw: A look at traditional estate planning and elder law.
23. Around and About Chattanooga: Elder law 101 by the Jewish Federation of Chattanooga.
24. Elder Law Answers: A comprehensive collection of blog posts on elder law and Alzheimer’s patient law.
25. The Myth of Alzheimer’s: What the 2008 Barack Obama presidency will mean for people who are aging and those with Alzheimer’s disease.
26. Our Parents: How to be careful but not afraid when choosing a nursing home for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.
27. Out for Justice: A look at elder law programs for Alzheimer’s disease patients and other elderly individuals by the National Center for Lesbian Rights.
28. Wealth Strategies Journal: A look at the home sweet home initiative in elder care law.
29. Slutsky Elder Law Blog: Looking at the next step in elderly home care and elder law.
30. Elder Law Answers: A look at how to prepare when elderly parents suffering from Alzheimer’s or other issues move in with their adult children.
31. Cooper Law Blog: A look at grandchildren trusts as an option for elder law estate planning.
32. California Elder Law Attorney Blog: A look at pertinent facts regarding bed sores, pressure sores and decubitus ulcers in elderly patients of nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
33. Email Wire: An elder law attorney discusses elder law and senior citizens.
34. Karp Law: A look at updates in estate taxes and how they apply to elder law and Alzheimer’s patient law.
35. Patti’s Blog: A look at the duties of elder care law attorneys and what they can do for you and your family.
36. Andelcare Blog: A look at how elder law attorneys specialize in finding ways to help the elderly by upholding elder care laws, which apply to Alzheimer’s patients.
37. Accident Law Firm Blog: A look at what you should do if you suspect elder abuse.
38. Oregon Elder Law Blog: A guide to the players involved in elder law like conservators and guardians.
39. Rick’s Law Blog: Growing up with Alzheimer’s and what it means to only know life with parents with dementia.
40. Elder Law Blog: Guidelines on protecting elderly people from financial predators and other vital information about the protection of the elderly.
41. Your Family Matters Blog: A look at how one’s living will directives can be preempted by a simple pacemaker.
42. Virginia Estate Planning Blog: Alzheimer’s disease may now qualify many individuals for automatic disability benefits.
43. Chicago Injury Law Blog: Dangers to Alzheimer’s patients that wander.
44. Probate Lawyer Blog: A look at estate planning law and other related topics.
45. Brain and Spine Injury Law Blog: A collective of Alzheimer’s disease and age related issues.
46. Canadian Finance Blog: Can you afford retirement care?
47. Tucker’s Disability Benefits Blog: A look at early-onset Alzheimer’s and its recent addition to the list of allowances for Social Security disability insurance.
48. Anthony’s Song: A look at essential information pertaining to baby boomers, care giving, aging and healthcare.

Image Credits: xornalcerto

For many couples and individuals the passing of the years open the doors to more and more possibilities for excitement and exploration. With the advent of retirement age many people find themselves excited to take off and discover new horizons as they join the surge of senior travellers touring the world.

The older adult traveller can enjoy a number of benefits not available to their younger counterparts, who are restricted by the demands of their work and family.The more mature traveller may find it helpful to carry out some research before setting off so as to avoid any surprises along the way.

1. Vagabonding for Seniors Guide to minimalist travel with specific links for seniors.
2. Finding wheelchair friendly destinations Advice on finding accommodation for those who are less mobile.
3. Cruising News for the Young at Heart Information on taking to the seas on cruises for older adult travellers.
4. Planning for Pit Stops Humorous take on travel from one savvy senior citizen.
5. On the road to the Opera Seasoned senior combines travel tales with popular past-60 pastime.
6. Mature musings on France An older lady’s experiences while exploring in Europe.
7. Life on the Road after Retirement Retired couple share tales from their motor home as they tour.
8. Africa Adventure for the Over 50s Discover the delights of this diverse continent.
9. How to Afford Travel after Retirement Tips for affording post-retirement holidays or that trip of a lifetime.
10. Going all Inclusive – The Perfect Choice for Retirees Why mature people should not be afraid of the all inclusive holiday choice.
11. How to Afford the European Option Hints and tips to make European travel affordable for seniors
12. Travel Ideas for the Older Adult Inspiration for intrepid older explorers.
13. Top Tours for the Older Traveller Popular planned routes often used by the older adult traveller.
14. Why Seniors Choose to Cruise The ‘floating hotel’ holiday offers a range of benefits over traditional tours.
15. Safari for Seniors African adventures offered for older travellers –wildlife spotting and the experience of a lifetime.
16. Tips and Tricks for the Older Adventurer Advice for the more mature person heading off on an expedition.
17. Baby Boomer Travel Blog Hear advice and experiences from a seasoned senior traveller.
18. Advice from Experienced Travel Agents The inside knowledge older travellers need for a smooth getaway.
19. Mature Lady Traveller Tells All Firsthand experiences of life on the open road from a well travelled woman.
20. The Senior Education Vacation Older travellers offered the opportunity to enhance their education with special residential courses geared towards the more mature
21. Retirement Trekking Read all about one older blogger’s exciting adventure experiences in the open air.
22. Pensioners on Planes Air travel tips for the older tourist helping the trip go smoothly from departure to arrival and everything in between.
23. Travelling Tips for the Older Adult Helping the more mature explorer stay safe away from home so they can enjoy their adventure.
24. Retirement Travel Advice Travel resources, tips and tricks for retirees.
25. Advice on Travelling with the Elderly in Europe Help and advice on how to enjoy this ancient continent alongside seniors and older adults.
26. Travel Tips for Carers of Senior Citizens Advice and ideas to help carers and their charges enjoy adventures together.
27. Healthcare Help for Mature Travellers Careful planning means health issues need not affect international explorations for the adventurous senior.
28. Before Setting Off Pre-departure checklist for the older adult traveller
29. Selected Tours for Seniors A round up of some of the interesting itineraries available to the older traveller.
30. Finding Destinations for those with Limited Mobility Niche travel companies catering for the older adult traveller with mobility issues.
31. Helpful Hints for the Older Traveller Agent offer handy device for older adult travellers
32. Juniors and Seniors on a Journey Together Advice for Families travelling in a group with seniors and youngsters.
33. Senior Skiing Find out about discounts and deals for the silver skier
34. Older adults on the Road RV lifestyle site for those taking off into the sunset to enjoy their golden years
35. Destinations for the Senior Citizen Popular places for older adult travellers to visit in their retirement years.
36. Travelling with Grandma A blog exploring the joys of multi-generational journeying
37. Silver Scholars! Educational exploration ideas for older travellers interested in all areas.
38. Retired Backpackers Fuss free travel for the older adult market.
39. Older Explorers Round the World Trips Circumnavigating the globe in the golden years is a popular option.
40. China Travel tips for Seniors Explore the orient as an older traveller and discover China with confidence.
41. Challenges for Older Adventurers Agent offering excursions integrating the expectations of old and young
42. Trip Planning for the Mature Tourist Seasoned senior itinerant offers indispensible advice.
43. Senior Citizens Getaway Guide Tips and tricks helping older travellers achieve a smooth getaway.
44. Accommodation for the Older Adult Interesting home stay and bed and breakfast options for older explorers
45. Destination and Itinerary Ideas for the Older Adult Suggestions for exciting and inspirational itineraries for the more mature traveller.
46. Senior Citizen Tips for Travelling Things the older traveller should know before they go.
47. Seniors Travel Help Online advice resources for the older adult travel community
48. Discounts, Doctors, Passports and Packing All the older traveller ever needs to know before they go.
49. Exploration Options for the Older Adult Traveller Types of trips on offer to the explorer of a certain age.
50. Savvy Seniors Save on Travel Tips for travel with a tighter budget including offseason and volunteering options.
51. Destinations for the Older Adult Traveller Areas to aim for when travelling as an older adult.
52. Trip Planning Resources Handy sites and organisations suggested for seniors  and tried and tested by travel writers.

Image Credits: Maureen Lunn

The thought of putting a loved one in an assisted living facility can bring out a whole host of emotions from their families. In addition, the senior involved might have some pretty strong emotions about the idea as well. It can be difficult to know where to turn at times like these. Fortunately, there is much information to be found that can help families to navigate these often tumultuous times. The list below will help a family in coping with placing their loved one in an assisted living facility.

1. GeriCare: Help with understanding assisted living.
2. Emeritus: Explains Alzheimer’s disease which is a leading reason loved ones enter assisted living facilities.
3. Snap for Seniors: Informs consumers what to be aware of when looking at assisted living facilities
4. Revolution Health: Answers the question of whether or not a loved one should be put in an assisted living center
5. Veterans Financial: Focusing on veterans, this site gives the options for long term care.
6. Real Estate Home Guide: Some things to think about when deciding when to put a family member in an assisted living center
7. Health Beat Blog: Focuses on how legislation affects seniors.
8. Toghers: Provides a great overview of assisted living.
9. Caring for Seniors: Article about how to choose the right assisted living center.
10. Nursing Home Abuse: Asks whether or not assisted living facilities can provide quality care to Alzheimer’s patients.
11. San Diego Accident Injury Lawyer: Details things to watch out for when choosing an assisted living facility.
12. You Have A Lawyer: Offers some statistics about assisted living facilities.
13. The Guardian: Talks about the financial exploitation of seniors.
14. Health Design: Explains why design is so important when looking at assisted living facilities.
15. California Elder Law Attorney: Article about safety in assisted living centers.
16. Williamson and Lavecchia: Warns of the prevalence of residents receiving the wrong medications in assisted living centers.
17. Solomon & Relihan: Article about people with bi-polar disorder and assisted living centers.
18. Silverado Senior: An article about dementia and how to cope with a loved one who has it.
19. Sage Merlin: A look at one man’s decision to place his mother in an assisted living center.
20. Wellsphere: Resources for when a loved one with dementia is in an assisted living center.
21. Inside Elder Care: Many resource articles for elder care are found here.
22. Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers: Article that tells what to watch out for when thinking about placing a loved one in an assisted living facility.
23. Seniors Bay Area: Helpful article about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
24. Natural Well Being: How to tell when a loved one needs assisted living.
25. Nursing Home Legal: Details signs of verbal abuse that can occurs in assisted living centers
26. Silver Planet: Gives options for those seniors who are LGBT and who need assisted living.
27. A Place for Mom: Coping with the guilt over placing a parent in assisted living
28. Our Parents: Talking to parents about making the transition to assisted living
29. Search Warp: Ideas for caring for elderly parents.
30. Elder Abuse Help: Advice from a child helping a parent transiting to assisted living.
31. Surf Net Parents: Details housing options for aging parents.
32. Third Age: Deciding when it is the right time to transition a loved one to assisted living.
33. My Jewish Learning: Options for caring for aging parents.
34. Finding Dulcinea: Offers resources for dealing with older parents.
35. Nursing Home Neglect: Some cautions to be aware of when considering putting a loved one in an assisted living facility.
36. Aging Care: Tips on moving aging parents to assisted living.
37. Assisted Living Advantage: Details a new trend in assisted living.
38. Elder Care ABC Blog: Getting rid of the guilt often associated with placing a loved on in assisted living.
39. Elder Care Reality Check: A look at problems with assisted living centers.
40. Henry VandeKooij: Questions to think about before moving a loved one to assisted living.
41. Senior Living : helpful glossary of terms related to seniors housing.
42. Care Pathways: Article about the options for long term care for seniors.
43. Help Guide: Many ideas for making the transition to assisted living a smooth one
44. Assisted Living Seattle: Tips to help find out if assisted living is the right option.
45. Senior Market Advisor: Resources for seniors and their loved ones.

Assisted or senior living facilities evolved to meet the needs of adults who are unable, or who no longer want to live independently. Assisted living fills the void between long-term health care facilities such as nursing homes and a private residence.

The typical senior is mobile, but needs help with two or more of life’s basic activities. Health professionals define the activities of daily living as bathing and toileting, dressing, eating and aid in transferring.

Assisted living residents who have lost spouses and friends often gain new friends with mutual interests. Residents are encouraged to participate in meaningful activities and social events sponsored by the facility. Assisted living fills the needs for safety and security that gives peace of mind. Medication management and food preparation by staff support senior health.

People come to senior living from private homes or from retirement or independent living communities. Some have lived with adult children. Hospital or nursing facilities sometimes recommend assisted living arrangements for newly discharged patients.

The average stay at an assisted living facility averages between two and three years. Some residents return home, some will require more medical management than the senior living arrangement can give and transfer to a nursing home. Some residents will pass away.

Assurance of privacy, dignity and respect for each resident is the driving principal behind excellent senior living residential communities.

Residents expect to retain control over personal finances, possessions and health-related services. They want to be free to interact with other residents and the community at large. Excellent assisted living facilities have an active resident’s council. Management has an obligation to support choice, dignity and independence for each resident.

The Agency on Aging established a program of certified Ombudsmen to handle complaints made by residents. These volunteers are trained problem solvers. A resident who files a complaint must give the Ombudsman permission to share the complaint or it remains confidential. Every state is required to have an Ombudsman Program under the federal Older Americans Act.

State laws regulate assisted living communities. Support services include transportation and security as well as laundry, housekeeping and meal preparation. Residents are encouraged to take their meals in a common dining area. Medical assessment at admission determines the tier or level of care the resident requires.

Assisted living arrangements are usually less expensive than nursing homes or home health care, but they are not inexpensive. Price tags are dependent on apartment size and the tier level of care. In 2009 the average rate for a one-bedroom, assisted-living apartment was $3,131 per month. Medicare does not cover assisted living fees. Medicaid pays for services but not room and board, and Medicaid recipients may not have assets greater than $2000.00.

Three quarters of all seniors cover the cost of assisted living from personal or family funds. Government supplied Supplemental Security Income pays for a small number of people. Modern comprehensive long-term care policies underwrite assisted living arrangements, although the insured must meet the policy requirements to receive benefits. Long term care insurance should be a component of retirement planning.

Twenty-five years ago assisted living was a new concept. Senior living continues to evolve to fill the needs of the active but aging baby boomer generation. Today over one million residents inhabit more than thirty-six thousand facilities across the United States. Assiisted living is the fastest growing long-term care option available to senior citizens.

Senior living facilities come in all shapes and sizes, from multi-acre campuses to remodeled mansions. They are located in cities, towns and the countryside. Seniors can find a facility that enhances their abilities and enriches their lives.