Name: Cherished Transitions
Telephone: (913) 378-4322

Benefits of Living in a Senior Community

March 23, 2018 by Cherished Transitions LLC

Is Living in a Senior Community Right for You?

Accepting and embracing change can be difficult, especially when it’s time to say goodbye to a house you’ve been coming home to everyday for years. Replacing that home is impossible, but there are numerous advantages to living in a senior community.

One of the advantages is not mowing the lawn, no more cleaning the bathroom, no more shoveling snow from the driveway and steps, etc. There are many communities that even do the cooking for you, so you don’t have to think about what’s for dinner? Leave the taxing chores of homeownership behind and move forward with a senior community that eliminates the heartaches of owning a home.

The word “community” literally means “people with common backgrounds”. It’s a breathe of fresh air to be invited into a community where there are other seniors with similar backgrounds living in the same area. Residents immediately become a part of a welcoming community and are bound to make some great new friends among their fellow residents.

We don’t think you’ll be likely to be bored at a senior living community. With activities ranging from exercise classes (including yoga), to swimming and aerobic classes, trips to museums, movie nights, arts & crafts, dancing, restaurant outings, and even singles nights, senior activities now days are slightly more active than your typical bingo night. Today’s seniors want an active retirement and are no longer favoring shuffleboard and sing-alongs.

Residents also have a peace of mind when it comes to medical assistance while living in a senior community. Emergency response systems are in each apartment area or often times as a pendant on the residents’ themselves. Too often seniors fall within their own home and are unable to receive immediate help. The reliable staff members along with the emergency response systems will help you feel safe and secure.

Senior communities may not be for everyone, but as seniors age and aren’t always able to handle day to day household chores or need the peace of mind that comes along with emergency response systems, these communities can bring color back into a grey world. Friendships blossom, activities are abundant, and the ease of living in a community is welcome. With an open mind, the advantages begin to far outweigh the disadvantages.

Bathroom Safety for Aging Loved Ones

March 6, 2018March 22, 2018 by Cherished Transitions LLC

The typical person spends a minimal portion of their day in the bathroom getting ready for their day, using the facilities, brushing their teeth etc., but most people don’t think of the dangers lurking in a bathroom when it comes to the elderly.

In 2015 alone, more than one in four older adults reported falling and more than 28,000 older adults died as a result of falls – that’s 74 older adults every day.

A lack of things to grab onto (such as grab bars), slippery wet floors, and getting up from the toilet are just a few of the risk factors most people don’t think about being dangerous, but can really be detrimental to the elderly. Statistically speaking up to 80% of falls in the home happen in the bathroom.

The good news is there are precautions and steps to take to help keep aging loved ones safe in the bathroom.

Install a Grab Bar:

An easy and inexpensive fix to keep a bathroom safer is to install a permanent grab bar in the shower or bathtub. Seniors getting in and out of the shower can be dangerous since they would have to stand on one leg while raising their other leg up and over the tub all on a slippery surface. Having a grab bar to hang on to and balance on is much safer and can prevent a fall. Most home improvement stores offer a number of grab bars in various sizes and finishes. Grab bars range anywhere between 5” – 50” and from $12 – $50. A grab bar is a relatively easy and cheap fix to guarantee higher safety while getting in and out of the shower.

Implement a Shower Chair:

The possibility of falling while in the shower can be daunting for seniors. A once simple task now has the ability to cause anxiety due to the chance of falling in the shower or bath. By providing safety (a secure area), shower chairs and bath chairs are especially useful for those that are in wheelchairs, the elderly, or anyone who finds excessive movement painful or difficult. Bath and shower chairs range anywhere from $30 to $300 depending on the quality and complexity of the chair.

Eliminate Slippery Surfaces:

We’ve already covered the fact that elderly have a hard time getting in and out of the shower or bath. Having a non-slip mat (or decals) on the floor of the shower or bath as well as a non – slip rug on the floor when stepping out of the shower or bath helps reduce slipping and falling on hard bathroom tiles.

Non – slip Adhesive strips are also a great addition to the bathroom, specifically placed on the top of sink edges to guard against hand slippage if these surfaces are used for balance support. For less than $20, installing non-slip mats or non-slip adhesive strips are a sensible precaution to provide stable footing and balance.

Take a look at your aging loved ones bathroom and implement these easy and inexpensive safeguards to make sure they feel safe and secure while doing everyday tasks.

How do I know which senior living placement service is the right one?

April 4, 2017February 22, 2018 by tbandy

Having trouble placing your loved ones? Let us help – Assisted Living Services in Kansas City If the time has come to consider placing your loved one into a senior living community, there are many questions that need to be answered. At this delicate time in your loved one’s life, this may be one of the most important decisions that you will ever make. A quick search of the Internet will show you numerous options in the Kansas City area that advertise “senior placement services.” What should I look for when choosing a senior placement service to help in finding a senior living community in Kansas City? How are they different?

There are three main types of senior placement services. (It is important to note that nearly all senior living placement services are offered at no charge to you. They are compensated by the senior living communities’ referral programs).

1. The Internet Based Senior Placement Service

The first type of senior placement service you immediately find when you do an internet search are the “internet based” referral companies. This type of senior placement service focuses on pointing you in the direction of preselected senior living communities after completing a generic online form. The internet based service will provide you with a list of senior living communities in the Kansas City area and usually provides your contact information to the communities as well. While this service gives the impression that it is a quick and efficient system, it still leaves you doing the majority of the work and research. Additionally, your family will field multiple marketing calls and/or emails daily from the communities that received your contact information from the referral company. These internet based companies spend big dollars on advertising to draw you in, but are you ever more than just a quota to them?

2. The Franchised Senior Placement Service

The second type of senior placement service is the nationally based franchise. The franchise owner is usually local to the Kansas City area. The main difference is that this second type of placement service utilizes a sales territory, meaning that the communities provided to you must be within their territory or you will be passed off to another sales representative. These franchised offices also benefit from the large corporate dollars spent on advertising efforts. Typically, the sales team may have taken some classes on seniors and elder care but have no formal medical training or clinical healthcare experience. Is a salesperson taking a class enough assurance that your family is choosing the best facility?

Your Cherished Care Placement Specialist is standing by to assist you with your FREE Senior Living Community Placement evaluation.
Call (913) 378-4322 Today to get started!

3. Local and Medically Trained Senior Placement Service

This third type of senior placement service found in the Kansas City area is much harder to come by. However, they are better equipped to handle the needs of your loved one when considering placement into a senior living community. These Registered Nurses (RNs) have been in the healthcare industry and are able to complete a thorough clinical assessment to identify the appropriate level of care needed by your loved one. These medically trained senior placement specialists will take the time to sit down with you and explain the senior placement service options, answer questions or concerns based upon the needs of the your loved one rather than the needs of the senior living community. It is after the assessment is performed that the Registered Nurses will identify and match the communities that meet the individualized clinical needs and personal wishes. The common goal is to find the best matched community to provide the greatest quality of life and to eliminate the communities that would not be a good fit.

Cherished Transitions is your local, Kansas City, medically trained senior placement service

Greetings, My name is Troy Bandy, Owner of Cherished Transitions. If you take a few moments to read over the reasons why I decided to work within the senior placement industry; you will find my heart was motivated by the challenges I faced during the placement of my loved one into a senior living community. Then my eyes were opened to the fact that the senior living placement process could be very overwhelming and often confusing for those trying to navigate this process alone. Sometimes it takes an unbiased, clinical perspective to truly understand and recognize the actual level of care needed for your loved one. I was also disappointed to see that most senior living placement services were basically sales people disseminating generalized information.

After this experience, I set out to change the process. I founded Cherished Transitions, a local senior placement service in Kansas City made up of Registered Nurses (RNs) like me, that have a passion for providing the residents of Kansas City with quality, personalized senior placement services that are based upon the needs of the individual. Our service is provided at no charge to you and yes, we are compensated by the senior living communities. However, this is not (and will never be) the motivating factor of Cherished Transitions. We treat every client as if we were placing our own loved one into a senior living community. As RNs, we take it that seriously!

Useful Links

To learn more about the services offered by Cherished Transitions in Kansas City – Click Here

To get started with your no cost, no obligation evaluation – Click Here

3 ways to break the stigma of “nursing homes” amongst our elderly loved ones

April 3, 2017February 22, 2018 by tbandy

Today the all-inclusive title of “nursing home” no longer applies. Currently, senior living can consist of independent living communities, assisted living communities and memory care homes. These types of communities are very different and not synonymous with the traditionally thought of “nursing homes” that are still available.

One of the challenges faced when discussing assisted living in the Kansas City area is the negative stigma that immediately comes to mind about “nursing homes.” Now, we’re not saying that these negative perceptions of nursing homes are not valid, as a matter of fact, critical concerns needed to be addressed. However, when looking closely at many of the accounts of nursing home conditions you find that the information is based off reports from decades ago.

Retirement communities, including assisted living as an industry have made great advancements in resident care in the many recent years. Some advancements have been seen through government involvement, but most have been from honest business owners that have sought to create a better quality of life for the senior residents of Kansas City.

The trouble comes when this negative stigma amongst our elderly loved ones is causing friction in the discussions about choosing a senior living community. Cherished Transitions, serving the Kansas City area with quality senior care placement services, would like to provide you with three ways to help break the “nursing home” stigma amongst our elderly loved ones.

1. Do Your Homework

When speaking to an elderly loved one about assisted living care, they are quick to provide generalized examples of things that they have heard about or have seen in the news media about the quality of assisted living care in the Kansas City area. If you’ve not researched these news articles, you’ll find yourself on the losing end of a short conversation. Take the time to do your homework on the senior living communities in the Kansas City area. If there are negative reports about a particular facility, follow these steps to educate yourself about the situation:

Determine how long ago that event took place.
Is the same management company still in charge of the facility?
Have there been notable accomplishments or changes that came as a result of the situation?
Does the report have a factual basis or was it a nonspecific editorial that simply stereotyped senior communities without any specifics or statistics?

Often, news reports can sensationalize the events making generalized statements that form negative opinions about an industry without any direct correlation to individual facilities. Remember, most senior living communities are not controlled or funded by government, but rather by independently owned companies. A good business will always take each instance and learn from the mistakes that were made and make positive changes to keep it from happening again.

Your Cherished Care Placement Specialist is standing by to assist you with your FREE Senior Living Community Placement evaluation.
Call (913) 378-4322 Today to get started!

2. Get to Know the Staff

If you’re considering a specific senior living community because of its geographical location in the Kansas City area, take time to get to know the staff. When working with a loved one who is resisting the idea of going to a senior living community, presenting them with some accomplishments from the staff may help them feel more at ease about the decision. Working for an assisted living community at the professional level is a noteworthy and valid achievement. Many of the staff members working in the senior living industry have achieved certifications as well as accolades from their peers in the industry.

By identifying and recognizing these accomplishments and presenting this information to your elderly loved one, it may help to convince them that the negative stigma that’s been developed over the years does not apply like it used to. Note that this type of individual research can take time, time you may not have; but is needed information in order to make sure that your elderly loved one gets the best care possible. Cherished Transitions is a senior living placement service that is locally owned and operated in the Kansas City area. The staff is made up of all Registered Nurses (RNs) that have done the research to determine the level of care for each senior living community in the Kansas City area.

3. Activities and Events

Probably the largest stigma that assisted living communities in the Kansas City area face is the perception of residents lying in a bed all day doing nothing. With today’s senior living communities, nothing can be farther from the truth. Most senior living communities in the Kansas City area have full-time activity coordinators that are specifically trained to create activities and events to keep seniors socially engaged and active.

These professionals not only understand medical limitations, but create activities that work in a variety of different environments as to make sure that everyone can get involved on some level. By educating your senior loved one, on the wide variety of activities and events that the senior living communities have available, you may be able to peak their interest and lessen their negative perception and resistance to the notion of assisted living.

Trust Cherished Transitions to help you on your journey

The challenges of dealing with the negative stigma of senior living in the Kansas City area are more difficult than finding a quality senior living community that works with the individual needs of your elderly loved one. The Registered Nurses (RNs) at Cherished Transitions can help, at no charge to you, guide the process of finding the retirement home or senior living community that is the best fit for your elderly loved ones.

Useful Links

To learn more about the services offered by Cherished Transitions in Kansas City – Click Here

To get started with your no cost, no obligation evaluation – Click Here

Dangers of Medication Mismanagement at Home with Elderly

February 27, 2017February 22, 2018 by tbandy

This topic is one of the underlying social concerns that does not get the attention that it should. Every day in America our elderly Kansas City citizens are being prescribed medications to provide a greater quality of life, in some cases, quite a few of them. With many studies identifying that most seniors over the age of 68 have an average of 8 to 12 daily medications to take, the chances of accidental overdose are greater now than ever before.

Cherished Transitions serving the Kansas City area knows the dangers that medication mismanagement at home can pose with our elderly loved ones. In this article we will address some of these concerns and ways to prevent this from happening to your elderly loved one.

The Dirty Little Secret

Beyond the experience of the medically trained registered nurses (RNs) at Cherished Transitions there are many medical journals, articles and research papers identifying the dangers of medication mismanagement among our senior population; but there are only a few statistics that can specifically identify the extent of the problem. This is because very few autopsies are performed on the elderly; at many state levels, it’s considered an unnecessary expense to identify the cause of death for someone that “probably” died of natural causes.

However, in researching several articles by medical examiners across the country, it is noteworthy to mention that these experts attribute a very high percentage of deaths due to medication mismanagement or accidental overdose in the elderly population. It has also become a negative stigma to perform full drug analysis on the elderly at the request of the immediate family because no one wants to think that “grandma or grandpa died of a drug overdose.”

This is why this problem must be identified and addressed, to establish awareness of this concern and institute methods of prevention to keep our elderly loved ones from becoming an unknown statistic.

Your Cherished Care Placement Specialist is standing by to assist you with your FREE Senior Living Community Placement evaluation.
Call (913) 378-4322 Today to get started!

Methods to Prevent Medication Mismanagement at Home with the Elderly

here are several methods of prevention for medication mismanagement in our elderly Kansas City population. These methods range from awareness and education to product dispensing units and finally managed care as options:

Awareness and Education – By identifying that there is a problem with medication management amongst our elderly, we can begin to look for ways to educate our Kansas City community and family members. There are only so many colors that pills can come in and with most seniors taking 8 to 12 pills per day (some studies have measured up to 25 per day) it’s easy to get confused as to which pill to take. In addition, some medications can react dangerously when combined incorrectly, which is why the timing of medication management can be very important. With such a high volume and variety of medications, it can be difficult for the doctor to properly educate the patient on medication management and control.

Medication Dispensing Products – Available from many retailers or medical equipment suppliers, medication dispensing products and devices can help prevent medication mismanagement in our Kansas City community for our elderly population. The simplest method would be a seven-day segmented box that you could put a few pills in so it would be easy for your elderly loved one to open and take the correct medication. There is also a more complicated system that allows for multiple medications per hour, day and week. This system has a programmable alarm that would identify when it is time to take the next medication. Some of these also have a lock to keep the medications from accidentally falling into the wrong hands. More advance units can be hooked up through the phone system to notify a medical alert company or care provider if the system is not working properly.

Managed Care – Sometimes the best method to prevent medication mismanagement in our elderly Kansas City community is through managed care. Managed care at this level can be done by a loved one, neighbor or a home health nurse. It is important that the individual responsible for the medication management speaks directly with the physicians that prescribe the medications and the pharmacists that fill them to make sure that they fully understand the medication regimen.

The next level that is available for managed care would be in a assisted living community where medications can be properly dispensed by medical professionals (RNs) in controlled circumstances.

Medication Mismanagement – Intentional

Of the medication mismanagement circumstances that are reported, having a senior or elderly loved one overdose on purpose is a tragic breakdown that occurs all too often. Cherished Transitions, serving our community in Kansas City, is aware of these types of overdose situations that can occur because of loneliness, depression, the lack of will to live and pain.

Many of these situations have been discussed previously through articles on our Cherished Transitions website. Regardless of the reason why the end result is the same: a loved one has passed away and it potentially could have been prevented by addressing those needs.

Cherished Transitions is Here to Help

Cherished Transitions is a service provided to the Kansas City community at no charge. Our medically trained registered nurses (RNs) have the passion to assist our elderly community to have a better quality of life. This stems from education and understanding of the different problems facing our elderly community. There will be times when your elderly loved one will be challenged with the mindset of whether managed care in a senior facility is the best option; when that time comes be sure to contact the medical professionals (RNs) at Cherished Transitions for sound advice and information on assisted living communities in the Kansas City area.

Useful Links

To learn more about the services offered by Cherished Transitions in Kansas City – Click Here

To get started with your no cost, no obligation evaluation – Click Here

Positive Effects of Socialization by Living in a Senior Community

February 15, 2017February 22, 2018 by tbandy

It is a proven scientific and medical fact that loneliness and isolation can lead to a chemical imbalance and depression. Depression can effect someone both emotionally and physically presenting additional biological and physical challenges that can become debilitating. At Cherished Transitions, serving the Kansas City area; we have seen the effects that isolation and depression can have on seniors. As a team of medically trained professionals (RNs) we want to help with providing a better quality of life for seniors in the Kansas City area. This article will focus on some of the positive effects of socialization.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

“In our busy day-to-day life, we often only focus on those things that are immediately in front of us; meaning that some of society’s darkest concerns never get properly addressed”.

Isolation in Kansas City is something that we often don’t think about, but the problem is there and it is very real. As our loved ones age and our own lives get busy, it is easy to forget that our loved ones are now living at home by themselves. Their kids are all grown up, their spouse and friends perhaps have passed… It’s easy for them to become depressed, especially if your mobility needs have increased as well as the diminishing mental faculties that come with age.

What Can I Do?

Recognize that the issue of isolation is a real factor and determine whether or not your loved one is showing the signs of depression. Help your elderly loved one get involved with a local group in Kansas City (trying to keep them within their age group) like a bridge club, health club or senior activity center.

If the decline in physical and mental capacities has created a need for your loved one to consider a senior living community, Cherished Transitions can help. Our team of medical professionals(RN’s) located here in Kansas City, can help assess the level of assistance that your loved one will need and place them with a caring facility that will help nurture their individual needs. This is a service that is provided at no charge.

Your Cherished Care Placement Specialist is standing by to assist you with your FREE Senior Living Community Placement evaluation.
Call (913) 378-4322 Today to get started!

Benefits of Being Socially Active in a Senior Living Community

The benefits for being socially active in a local Kansas City senior living community are both physical and mental as they help reinforce one of the basic needs that everyone has… to be needed. Over just a short period of time you will see a discernible improvement in the physical and mental acuity of your loved one.

Some of the noticeable benefits identified with being socially active are:

A greater sense of belonging – In many cases your loved one simply needs to feel loved and wanted again; by getting your loved one socially active in a local senior living community in Kansas City they will find the companionship to fulfill this need.
Improved physical health – How you feel emotionally is directly related to how you feel physically. When someone is socially active and feels needed/ wanted/ accepted; they are more apt to be mobile and alert. Clinical testing clearly identifies a direct relationship between emotional stability and physical health.
Enhanced mental acuity – Studies consistently confirm that those that have active social interaction are able to maintain mental agility over a longer period of time. Motor skills and focus, as well as better attitude are notably documented for those seniors that are socially active in a senior living community. In addition, social skills continue to challenge us as we grow older;cases note a direct correlation between social skills and problem-solving/ conflict resolution.
An attitude of accountability – Part of having a direct emotional connection in your surroundings is having an attitude of accountability when it comes to relationships. When someone is relying on you it helps the mind remain alert and aware of its surroundings and timeframe. As seniors age the lack of accountability creates a lackadaisical mindset towards schedules and deadlines. By being socially active it allows for this attitude of accountability to be restored, rebuilding a sense of trust and reliability in the individual.
Having a purpose – Your senior loved one in Kansas City shares the same passions, the same desires andthe same goals as everyone else. At the end of the day we all want to have a purpose in life, someone to share it with, someone to cry with and someone to rejoice with. Left unattended our loved one can begin to turn inward creating a wall or barrier, trying to shut out the world that they sometimes feel they cannot relate to. By providing our loved ones with a relationship-based care system through a senior living community in Kansas City we can help preserve and extend the quality of life for our loved ones.

The Quality of Life your Loved One Deserves

Cherished Transitions has a passion for providing seniors the high quality of life that they deserve. When considering the benefits of a senior living community, it is important to work with medically trained professionals that understand the system, as well as, the facilities to make sure that your loved one is placed in a community that will work with their particular needs. Contact Cherished Transitions today and speak with one of our caring professionals that will provide a placement recommendation at no charge to you.Cherished Transitions is local to the Kansas City area and is not part of any large franchise that utilizes salesman rather than medically trained professionals. The RNs that make up the consultation team are ready to work with you and your loved one to find the perfect solution to help your loved one find the quality of life they deserve.

Useful Links

To learn more about the services offered by Cherished Transitions in Kansas City – Click Here

To get started with your no cost, no obligation evaluation – Click Here

How to tell when someone, trying to hold onto their independence, is actually leading to their own Isolation and Loneliness

February 2, 2017March 28, 2018 by tbandy

As our loved ones get older in Kansas City, things begin to change; strength, tolerance and patience begin to show clear signs of this change. However, seniors are often very scared of losing the independence that has defined them over the course of their lives.

It is their independence that has allowed them to achieve the things they are most proud of, and in many cases, the very last thing that they can call their own.

Left unchecked, this independence coupled with physical and mental challenges, can find a senior withdrawn and lonely as they seek to tackle the challenges in life while holding on to their independent spirit.

In this article we will address some of the warning signs to look for when your loved one is trying desperately to hold onto their independence in Kansas City.

Simply in Denial

The most common occurrence when someone is facing the loss of their mobility is denial. It is absolutely natural for someone to avoid dealing with a sensitive topic; such as losing control of one’s body or mind. Denial can be in many forms: verbal, withdrawal or physical (putting on the act that everything is okay)

Those that are in denial usually know that there is a problem; but to accept this truth means to also accept the consequence. It is this acceptance that they are in denial of.

Dealing with someone who is in denial often takes patience; but more than that… options. Allow them to see that the consequences are not as severe as they have been led to believe. Fantastic options are available in Kansas City that would actually give them more mobility and freedom than they currently are experiencing. They will have caring professionals around them that will help them.

Your Cherished Care Placement Specialist is standing by to assist you with your FREE Senior Living Community Placement evaluation.
Call (913) 378-4322 Today to get started!

Embarrassment

It takes a lot for someone to admit that they do not have the independence and strength that they once had. In many cases it develops a level of embarrassment because this strength is what has been a defining factor for them their entire life.

Consider someone in Kansas City who has worked with their hands as a craftsman, is now getting to the point that their hands constantly shake.

Perhaps someone who has spent their life as an educator, now is not able to remember the simplest things.

Think about a loved one who was a leader (military or corporate) of many, always standing strong and proud; now finding they need assistance to go to the restroom.

All of these examples and more can easily be summed up in the area of embarrassment. To admit that they no longer have the ability to work with their hands, share their experience or pride may cause them to become withdrawn and lonely.

Look for this individual to draw themselves away from conversations that may lead to a discussion about their physical condition or mental disposition. They may even ask you not to visit, not because they don’t want to see you, but they wish to avoid the uncomfortable conversation of a nursing home or assisted living facility.

A reassuring tone is necessary here; try to get them involved in something in Kansas City that allows them to be around others battling with the same challenges. Make sure, in your eyes, you see them exactly as they see themselves; as they used to be…

Here when you need us

Cherished Transitions is a caring group of medical professionals that understand the challenges faced by seniors in the Kansas City area. We work hard to help you and your loved one through these difficult times by helping find the resources necessary for a better quality of life. Through a variety of services available we can help guide you through the complicated process of locating an assisted living facility that will exceed your expectations and provide your loved one with the level of care that they need. Our services are available at no cost to you with our promise of providing you the highest quality service and compassion available in our industry.

Useful Links

To learn more about the services offered by Cherished Transitions in Kansas City – Click Here

To get started with your no cost, no obligation evaluation – Click Here

Tips for discussing the need of a nursing home with a loved one

January 17, 2017February 23, 2018 by tbandy

In a previous article we discussed some warning signs and tips to evaluate whether a nursing home or assisted living scenario was a smart choice for the care of your loved one (click here). Discussing this type of care with seniors can be a very difficult, sensitive and emotional topic that needs to be approached with a delicate hand.

The medically trained professionals at Cherished Transitions in Kansas City have not only been able to help many through this process; but have had this discussion with their loved one as well.

Below are some tips and considerations to think about when discussing the need of a nursing home with the parents or loved one.

It May Not Be a Surprise

For many seniors that still have a good portion of their mental faculties, but are lacking in medical mobility, you will find they’ve already been considering the need of a nursing home or assisted care facility in Kansas City. Often times they are just as nervous to talk about it as you are… Much of this determination will be based upon their current level of mobility compared to the assistance needed from a family member.

For example: if the parent is living with you; the discussion might be different than if your elderly loved one is on their own.

If your elderly loved one is currently living with you and relying on a level of care from a family member, the discussion may be uncomfortable if their mobility needs are being met. If, however, they feel that their mobility needs exceed the ability of the family member (and their mental processes are not clouded because of age or medical condition) they would more be open to speaking about increasing their quality of life and care.

If the elderly loved one is out on their own, they already know their limitations and are going to be more open to alternatives to give them a better quality of life. There are issues of pride that will need to be considered as well and will discuss further into the article.

Note: Keep your ears open because they may be dropping subtle hints that they might want to go to an assisted living or retirement community. Clues like “My friend fell the other day and was found on the floor in her kitchen, I dread to think that one of you kids would come home to find me that way…”

The Right Motive

This topic is just as sensitive as considering an assisted living or retirement facility for your loved one. Having the right motive when considering such a life-changing decision for a parent or loved one requires a little soul-searching. Take time to examine your motives by asking yourself some important and direct questions:

Am I looking into assisted living for my loved one to better their quality of life?… or mine?
Am I looking to relieve my responsibilities as the caretaker for my loved one?
Are there financial constraints that make caring for a loved one difficult or unlikely?
Are there relationship issues that would make caring for a loved one uncomfortable within the home?

Your elderly parent has been around long enough to sense the sincerity of your proposition. If your decision to move your elderly loved one into an assisted living or retirement home is anything other than that of their best interest and well-being… they probably will pick up on that and be left with the impression that they are simply not wanted anymore. Careful evaluation of all the factors involved with such a life-changing decision are important, so that you can help make the transition as smooth as possible.

Do Your Homework

This is a great opportunity to reach out to an organization such as Cherished Transitions in Kansas City. Assessment of your elderly loved one’s physical condition will help in making a determination as to what level of managed care will be needed. Mobility, independence, medication, health and stability are all areas of evaluation for managed care. If an assisted living or nursing home in Kansas City is determined to be the best option for your elderly loved one; the registered nurses at Cherished Transitions can provide you with information on which senior living community will best meet the needs of your elderly loved one. It is always easier to speak with your loved one about options when you actually have some; take some time to work with our caring staff to provide the best options, facility tours and recommendations based upon solid facts.

Putting Out Some Feelers

Maybe not the most scientific term, but simply asking some open-ended questions to your elderly loved one to see what kind of response that you get back. Questions like:

“I remember you saying you had a doctor’s appointment, how did that go?”
“You need me to take you anywhere?”
“The house is looking great, you must work hard to keep it that way…”
“I remember you had a close friend __________ have you spoke with them recently?”

These types of open-ended questions can start up a conversation that will help you make a determination as to their mobility restrictions, frame of mind and social interaction.

For example: if their answer to “You need me to take you anywhere?” is something like “I don’t go anywhere because it’s too difficult to get around”… That would be an indication that their mobility is restricted and their quality of life might be suffering for it.

Your Cherished Care Placement Specialist is standing by to assist you with your FREE Senior Living Community Placement evaluation.
Call (913) 378-4322 Today to get started!

Playing the Proper Role

When dealing with an elderly loved one, especially a parent, it is important to work with them rather than against them. Children often, when placed in this situation, want to be a problem solver… providing a solution that is best for them, rather than what is best for everyone. Nursing homes are filled with parents who feel abandoned and neglected because their children made a decision without involving them in the process. While it is understandable that there are circumstances where medically they’re not fit to make a decision for themselves, the emotional scars that can be left by this type of forced decision can affect the quality of life of your elderly loved one for many years to come. By working together with your elderly loved one and having them come to the conclusion that an assisted living community or retirement home would be best to benefit their quality of life, will make the process much smoother and more productive.

Keep the Drama on TV

Avoid negative, dramatic presentations such as telling them: your house is a mess, you need help, I’m tired of dragging you around, you look awful, your driving is going to kill somebody someday. Your elderly loved one probably already feels like they’re being a burden; there’s no reason to add to it.

Rather start up conversations that might bring them to the conclusion that they might be better at an assisted living or retirement community.

Dealing with an Independent Person

This is one of the more difficult circumstances to approach, when someone refuses to give up their independence. Before you call them stubborn and unreasonable, place yourself in their shoes and think of how you might feel if someone was contemplating your future.

The negative stigma that assisted living and retirement communities have received over the years plays heavily into this mindset of resistance. If you can get your elderly loved one to at least admit that their quality of life is suffering because of their inability to take care of themselves, this is the first and greatest step towards getting them the help that they need.

At Cherished Transitions we recommend taking them on a tour of a potential community in Kansas City as soon as possible. Once they see that assisted living and retirement communities are not the dungeons they suspect them to be, they’ll be much more open to the discussion.

Here to Make the Difference

Cherished Transitions, serving the residents of Kansas City and surrounding communities, was established to provide insightful information from a loving, caring staff. The medically trained professionals here have experience in the variables of senior placement and can help you through the process as well as finding the right community that will meet your loved one’s medical needs. The placement services from Cherished Transitions are provided at no cost to you. Be sure to trust your local, professional senior living solutions service that relies on the expert judgment of registered nurses rather than just trained salespeople.

Useful Links

To learn more about the services offered by Cherished Transitions in Kansas City – Click Here

To get started with your no cost, no obligation evaluation – Click Here

How to know when it’s time to consider a senior care community or nursing home?

December 28, 2016February 23, 2018 by tbandy

The decision to place a loved one into a nursing home or senior care community in Kansas City can be one of the most difficult decisions that you will ever make.

For years, you have relied on their wisdom, energy and guidance to help you through difficult times and now it’s time to put that knowledge to work to help make a sound decision about their quality of life. If the topic has come up more than once in conversation recently; perhaps it’s time to consider looking at a few things that might help.

Cherished Transitions serving the Kansas City area understands that a life-changing decision such as this should be made based upon solid information. So here are some helpful tips to recognize if your loved one is ready for a nursing home or senior care community.

Mobility Needs

As our loved ones in Kansas City age, their mobility needs change. Depending on the severity of these mobility challenges there are different mobility aids that are available to help your loved one retain their independence. For a loved one that needs to use a cane, walker or wheelchair these aids are there to assist them in getting around. If the mobility aid allows them to have comfort and stability as well as unassisted independence, then the aides have done their job.

However, when a loved one gets to the point that the mobility aid does not provide them with the comfort and stability needed for independent living; it may be a good time to consider a nursing home or senior care community in Kansas City. A walker or wheelchair cannot be effective if the strength of the individual will not provide them with the stability necessary to properly use the mobility aid. While there are medical alert devices that are available in the event of a fall, these devices cannot prevent an incident from happening. In many cases a fall can render the medical alert device useless if your loved one is immobile and cannot push the button for help.

Cherished Transitions understands that caring for a loved one is physically and emotionally demanding. These demands can directly affect schedules of both work and home and a prime reason to consider the need for a nursing home or senior care community in Kansas City. Making this decision is dependent on a family member’s availability; which brings us to the next point…

Your Cherished Care Placement Specialist is standing by to assist you with your FREE Senior Living Community Placement evaluation.
Call (913) 378-4322 Today to get started!

Is someone available to provide consistent in-home care for your loved one

As our loved ones in Kansas City get older the responsibility of a caregiver often falls on a family member. A son or daughter would find themselves needing to stay home from work to attend to the needs of their loved one. However, not everyone is in the financial position to be able to do this. Concerns come into play as to the level of dependency that your loved one has, as well as the need to have someone that is medically trained available to attend to their needs. Often times, early on, it’s just a matter of making sure that the right medication is taken and provisions are made for their mobility and security; but, as time goes on, the level of dependency on a family member can become both financially and physically daunting.

Cherished Transitions can help with recognizing that at some point your loved one’s needs might overwhelm the capability of the caregiver. Here are some things to look out for:

Does your loved one often become confused or have difficulty remembering where they are?
When confronted or informed about where they are or things that have been forgotten, is there a significant change in attitude or mood?
Do they become easily agitated, combative or physically abusive toward the caregiver?
Is the physical size or weight of your loved one more than the caregiver is able to maneuver if your loved one should fall?
Has your loved one become physically frail, to the point that, if they should fall it would require hospitalization for each incident?

For those family members that become caregivers in the Kansas City area, the challenges that you sometimes face can be very great. Financial burdens, issues with medications, emotional strain and your loved one’s increased mobility concerns are all reasons that play into the day-to-day factors of a family member struggling to be a caregiver in Kansas City.

Giving in… is not giving up.

Recognizing when your loved one can no longer have physical and emotional independence is a key step when making choices for their continued care. It’s important to note that making a choice to utilize the professional services of a nursing home or senior living community is not giving up on your loved one; in fact, the opposite may be actually true. Unless you are a medically trained professional, sometimes it’s simply not reasonable to place yourself in a position of responsibility over the physical, emotional and medical needs of your loved one. Cherished Transitions knows that placing your loved one in a situation to where they can receive the stability and care needed for their particular needs can, in many cases, simply be the best choice to make.

Let Cherished Transitions Help Provide Peace of Mind

Cherished Transitions is a No-Cost service that utilizes the talents and skills of local Registered Nurses (RNs) that, like you, call Kansas City their home. They have dedicated their experience and knowledge in healthcare and the senior care industry to help with decisions about nursing homes or senior living communities. From the first phone call to your Cherished Transitions specialist, you’ll know you’ve made the right choice when choosing a caring, local service that can help provide you with valuable information when making a choice about the care of your loved one. If you should decide that a nursing home or senior care community is necessary, your Cherished Transitions specialist will be with you each step of the way with useful information; helping guide you to the right retirement community that will provide the greatest level of care for your loved one.

Useful Links

To learn more about the services offered by Cherished Transitions in Kansas City – Click Here

To get started with your no cost, no obligation evaluation – Click Here