Annette Kurman | Assisted Living Presentation

“My mother puts the peanut butter in the

freezer and forgets to change her clothes”

Changes in a loved one that reveal a need for extra assistance and the choices you have

Assisted Living is one of them

04/10/23 Blaire House of Tewksbury Assisted Living

Things you once took for granted about mom and dad have changed

• Change in mood/behavior

• An acute health episode• Loss of a spouse• Sudden weight Loss • General forgetfulness • Late bill payments• Repeated accidents in

kitchen or bathroom• Missed medications or

taken incorrectly


It’s no longer safe for mom or dad to live alone

• Cannot cook safely or prepare nutritious meals

• Cannot keep the house up — inside or out

• Cannot handle finances• Unable to maintain

personal hygiene or dress appropriately for season

• You’re concerned for her safety when alone


Is it time to think about alternatives to keep mom/dad safe?

• Mom moves in with you/sibling

• Home health aide comes into the home

• Nursing home• Adult Day Program• Assisted Living

Residence


Mom moves in• Still needs assistance

with several activities of daily living

• Worry about safety while she is alone when you are at work

• Socially isolated from peers

• Impacts entire family• Fill in the blank


Pay for someone to come into the home

• While you’re at work ($15/hr. x 8 hrs.= $120/day or $480/work week or $24,960/yr)

• Family takes on evening/weekend responsibility

• Some people prefer not to have a stranger come into their home

• Mom or dad still socially isolated


Is a nursing home appropriate?

• Mom or dad really just needs a little help with their “ADLs,” not 24-hour skilled nursing care

• She would benefit from getting together with others for activities, entertainment, outings, and dining

• Appropriate for skilled nursing care: IVs, oxygen therapy, etc.


An Adult Day Program may meet your needs

• Check the hours of the program — will drop-off and pick-up work for your family?

• Is there transportation available?

• Does it have a home-like environment?

• Are recreational activities and games posted and do they offer a wide variety that your family member will enjoy?

• Are there nutritional meal plans?

• Is there an exercise program and intergenerational activities?

• Are skilled nursing services available?

• Can you have a “trial day” to see if your loved one likes the program?


The best of all worlds — Assisted Living

• Assistance with needed ADLs:– Bathing– Dressing– Toileting– Transferring

• Medication management• Nutritious meals served

restaurant-style• Apartment cleaned regularly• 24-hour Lifeline (or similar)

security for immediate response from staff

• Low staff turnover


What else should I look for?• A 7-day/week activities program,

including evenings and weekends• Alzheimer’s-trained CNAs• Employees who love their work• Outings, activities, entertainment,

events• Regular communication with

family• Residents’ Council• Contact with Administrator or

Residence Care Director at any time with concerns


Is Assisted Living really less expensive than my loved one living at home?

Your Cost Assisted Living

Monthly mortgage/rent……………………….. IncludedProperty tax…………………………………….. IncludedProperty insurance…………………………..... IncludedCondo maintenance fee…………………….... Included24-hour security services…………………..... IncludedThree meals/day……………………………….. IncludedMonthly utilities

Electricity, gas, oil, water)………………… IncludedHousekeeping services……………………… IncludedHealth monitoring……………………………… IncludedPersonal care…………………………………... Included24-hour emergency call system…………….. IncludedLawn care/landscaping……………………….. IncludedSnow removal/lawn maintenance…………... IncludedTrash removal………………………………….. IncludedExterior building maintenance……………… IncludedPlumbing/appliance repairs…………………. IncludedSocial, cultural events………………………... IncludedOther miscellaneous expenses……………... Included

WHAT IS YOUR TOTAL MONTHLY COST?


Assisted Living Resident Profile 2006

• Average age of residents was 85

• More than ¾ of residents are female; 24% male

• Typical resident is an 86-year-old woman who is mobile, but needs assistance with approximately two ADL

• Nearly 1 million people across the country reside in an assisted living setting


Why consider Blaire House of Tewksbury Assisted Living

Our beautiful grounds are professionally landscaped, including Our beautiful grounds are professionally landscaped, including patios, koi ponds, courtyards and gazebos, creating a home-like patios, koi ponds, courtyards and gazebos, creating a home-like atmosphere for our residents to enjoy. We invite you to visit us atmosphere for our residents to enjoy. We invite you to visit us to see for yourself that Blaire House is where your loved one will to see for yourself that Blaire House is where your loved one will receive the best care in an environ-ment that will maintain receive the best care in an environ-ment that will maintain his/her dignity and independence.his/her dignity and independence.

• Voted #1 Retirement Residence Voted #1 Retirement Residence (2002, 2005, 2006) is for seniors, (2002, 2005, 2006) is for seniors, who want independence, yet may who want independence, yet may require a helping hand with personal require a helping hand with personal care and other needs. care and other needs.

• Our household offers quiet Our household offers quiet lounges, a library, a roof terrace, and lounges, a library, a roof terrace, and a sunny dining solarium. a sunny dining solarium.

• We offer a schedule of outings and We offer a schedule of outings and activities of many interests. Blaire activities of many interests. Blaire House provides the same kind of House provides the same kind of feeling of comfort and security you feeling of comfort and security you experience in your own home.experience in your own home.


Be sure you know what services are included in monthly fee

BLAIRE HOUSE OF TEWKSBURY “INCLUDED”SERVICES

• Self Administered Medication Management (SAMM), provides resident with reminders and assistance in taking medications

• Personal Care (available to help with showers, etc.)

• Flat Linen Laundry Service • Housekeeping Services • Scheduled Transportation (if you

do not drive) • Wellness and ISP Plan • Entertainment and activities

(Happy hour, floral design, exercise, etc.)

• Studio & 1-Bedroom Apartments• All Utilities, including Cable,

except Telephone/Internet• 24-Hour Security and

Emergency Call System • Lifeline beepers for Staff for

immediate response• Fine Restaurant-style dining:

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner • Room Service is Available • Maintenance of the Property

(beautiful gardens) • Social and Recreational

Programs


Meals Become Important• Assisted living residences provide

up to three meals daily for residents. In addition to regular meals, snack foods are usually offered.

• Assisted living residences offer basic dietary plans (ex: sodium restricted, sugar restricted, low fat) and a variety of food choices.

• Dietitians are available to work with residents who choose to receive counseling about dietary plans.


Assisted Living Activities• Activities director should meet with new

residents to determine hobbies, interests, activities they like or participated in

• Programs, crafts, entertainment, and outings should meet the needs of all residents.

• Residents with dementia should have a different activities program to meet their special needs.

• Is residence connected with community with intergenerational activities and activities outside the Residence.


What to look for in a specialized program for someone with dementia?

• A structured routine for residents.

• Caring, compassionate staff who have time to interact with residents in a positive and relaxed manner.

• Alzheimer-trained staff with the ability to deal with difficult behaviors and situations.

• Clean, comfortable, safe and secure surroundings.

• Activities that reflect the preferences and routines that each individual resident has established over a lifetime.

• Policies providing clear guidance re: medication management and safety concerns (wandering, behavior management).


What you can do next• Check www.massalfa.org for

Assisted Livings near you.• Check facility Website. • Call for a tour with or without

loved one• Know which reasons you are

looking at AL and how each facility can meet your needs

• How does the residence “feel?”

• Ensure what is “included” in monthly fee.

http://www.massalfa.org/


For more information Blaire House of Tewksbury

Assisted Living• Go to our Website, www.elderservices.com for more info.

• Call Annette Kurman, Administrator, of Blaire House Assisted Living at (978) 851-3121 to arrange a tour or to discuss your situation.

We are Your Guide to Senior Care!

http://www.elderservices.com/

Documents

Annette Kurman | Assisted Living Presentation