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A Place for Mom •

Assisted Living vs. Memory Care: What’s the Difference?

If you’re looking for long-term care for an aging loved one, you’re probably faced with a difficult decision. Senior living varies greatly in terms of levels of care, amenities, staff training, and cost.

About 70% of adults older than 65 will need long-term care at some point in their lives, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Many who require senior care will have some type of cognitive decline or memory loss. In fact, over 55 million people worldwide have dementia,
A Place for Mom •

5 Ways the Elderly Hide Signs of Dementia

Dementia signs may be subtle in the early stages. Your mom may have trouble recalling certain words, or your dad may forget to pay a few bills. It’s possible they don’t even realize they’re showing signs of dementia — or they may not want you to know.

“For so many years, dementia has been a stigma,” says Brenda Gurung, a certified dementia practitioner for the Alzheimer’s Association and a senior national account manager at A Place for Mom. “But specific dementia diagnoses are diseases — they d
Hearing Aid Project (Hearing Journal) •

Hearing Aid Project: Changing Lives Through Collaborations: The Hearing Journal

With 36 million Americans living with significant hearing loss, it's important to improve access to hearing health care. In August 2016, the Hearing Charities of America (HCOA) officially launched the Hearing Aid Project, a program that aims to provide low-income people across the United States with access to hearing aids at no cost to promote healthier hearing. Central to this program is the collection of hearing aids that have sat in drawers or have been discarded after users purchased new hea
A Place for Mom •

Hospice Care at Assisted Living

In many states, terminally ill residents can receive hospice care, or end-of-life care, without leaving their senior living community. In response to seniors’ desires, many assisted living communities embrace an “aging in place” philosophy. This means assisted living and hospice caregivers work as a collaborative team to provide residents with increased levels of care, within limits, in their assisted living community.

“Hospice focuses on the person and not the disease. It makes the patient’s w
A Place for Mom •

Residential Care Homes for the Elderly

When your senior loved one begins to need regular help with their daily tasks and can no longer live alone safely, it may be time to consider senior living options. We know that this decision is a difficult one for families, but the safety of your loved one may depend on getting the proper care. Residential care homes are a great place to begin your search, especially if their needs require full-time supervision.

Residential care homes are intended for seniors who would benefit from full-time a
A Place for Mom •

How A Senior Care Plan Helps Manage Care

Families moving a loved one into a senior living community for the first time can be filled with worry and uncertainty about trusting new caregivers, says Kathleen Leonard, a Senior Living Advisor at A Place for Mom and former director of an independent living community. “It can be an overwhelming process,” she says.

How can you ensure your loved one is well cared for? A senior care plan is instrumental, followed by involvement with the community and good communication, Leonard says.

A senior
A Place for Mom •

5 Ways the Elderly Hide Signs of Dementia

Dementia signs may be subtle in the early stages. Your mom may have trouble recalling certain words, or your dad may forget to pay a few bills. It’s possible they don’t even realize they’re showing signs of dementia — or they may not want you to know.

“For so many years, dementia has been a stigma,” says Brenda Gurung, a certified dementia practitioner for the Alzheimer’s Association and a senior national account manager at A Place for Mom. “But specific dementia diagnoses are diseases — they d
A Place for Mom •

50+ Top Assisted Living Activities

People have the same basic needs at any age: to explore, have fun, learn, and live life to the fullest. Activities for assisted living residents do much more than just pass the time. They help seniors lead healthier, happier lives.

Activities for seniors in assisted living suit all interests and lifestyles

Assisted living communities offer a variety of activities to suit residents’ varying abilities and interests. Here are some of the top ways assisted living communities help seniors stay acti
A Place for Mom •

When to Take the Car Keys From Elderly Drivers

Driving a car may feel like second nature, but aging may affect your reflexes, eyesight, cognition, and overall safety at the wheel. Elderly drivers 80 and older also have the highest rates of automobile deaths, according to AAA.

Determining whether to take the keys away from elderly parents can be an emotional process — but there are ways to make it easier. By having conversations and detecting the warning signs now, you can better protect your mom and dad, as well as others on the road.

Disc
A Place for Mom •

Understanding Independent Senior Living Costs

Independent living, sometimes called active adult communities or retirement homes, typically refers to communities for active seniors age 55 and older. These retirement communities offer a spectrum of activities, and vary in style, services, and — you guessed it — cost.

Although senior living prices differ quite drastically around the U.S., independent living typically costs less than assisted living.

Learn about the average cost of independent living in the U.S., typical charges, and the most
A Place for Mom •

A Guide to Pet-Friendly Assisted Living

More than half of older adults age 50 to 80 have a pet, according to the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging. That’s not surprising considering furry friends provide love, companionship, and a sense of purpose and responsibility. In addition to warm and fuzzy feelings, pets help reduce stress, anxiety, and blood pressure, research suggests.

In a nod to the ever-growing popularity of pets and their benefits to senior health and wellness, many senior living communities nationw
A Place for Mom •

How to Pay for Assisted Living: Surprising Options and 7 Tips

Your aging loved one is ready for a social, engaging lifestyle with activities, amenities, and meals. But they need help with some daily activities as well. Assisted living can offer support while encouraging your relative to maintain independence and enjoy retirement.

The national median cost of assisted living is $4,300 a month, according to Genworth’s 2020 cost of care survey. Many families are surprised and disappointed to learn it’s not covered by Medicare, and may not have that money in t
A Place for Mom •

How to Pay for a Nursing Home

Your loved one is at a point in their life when they need help with day-to-day activities and functions, and you want to secure the best possible care to support their health and well-being.

Nursing homes — sometimes called skilled nursing facilities or convalescent homes — are one senior care option to explore. Nursing homes offer the highest level of care to adults who have chronic, debilitating physical or mental health conditions and require round-the-clock supervision. They provide more sp
A Place for Mom •

Ways to Pay for Home Care

Older adults who prefer to live in their home but need extra help with daily living often gravitate to home care. From assisting with day-to-day tasks like cooking and running errands, to helping with personal care like dressing and bathing, this type of care can relieve stress while providing safety and companionship.

But for some families, determining how to pay for home care is stressful itself. However, there are several little-known funding sources, including VA programs, reverse mortgages
A Place for Mom •

Family Mediation: Is It Time for a Pro?

It’s the sort of thing that can ruin a family — heated arguments that turn into life-long grudges.

You’ve probably heard stories of siblings arguing about what’s best for their parent — who should provide care, help out financially, find senior living options, and other scenarios. Regardless of the dispute over elderly parents, sometimes it takes conflict mediation services to resolve the problem.

Acting as neutral guides, professional mediators lead meaningful discussions, mitigate high tensi
A Place for Mom •

Understanding Sundowners Syndrome

For many elderly people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, sunset can be a time of increased memory loss, confusion, agitation, and even anger. This behavioral shift is called sundown syndrome, otherwise known as sundowners syndrome, or sundowning. Doctors aren’t sure what causes sundown syndrome, but there are certain triggers to avoid and ways to manage symptoms.

Sundown syndrome is a term used to describe a range of unusual behaviors — often including agitation,

Social Media Experience

Social media is an incredibly powerful and connective tool, and I've enjoyed every minute of my 10-year journey using it. I've managed the national accounts for organizations including Aging Care, Sertoma Inc., Hearing Charities of America, and the National Hearing Aid Project. I've created content for most major platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.