Have you mapped out a plan with your aging parents to address what will be done as they move toward their more senior years?

If you haven’t yet, you’re not alone. 53% of adult children anticipate that talking through senior care options with their loved ones will be difficult.

Most of Us Ignore “Getting Old”

Fact: we’re all aging. And the majority of us tend to ignore that reality. While many of us may plan for finances, that’s just a small part of the picture.

Statistically, very few of us set up legal documentation to make sure our wishes are known to our families.

For example, while 76% of people 65+ have a will, just 22.6% of those 35-44 do.

“Aging plans” Are Uncommon

The truth is, “aging plans” are rare. Many assume or even expect that family members will take care of them later in life.

Some statistics:

27% expect their spouse to care for them

20% expect other family members to

17% expect to use a professional, paid in-home caregiver

16% expect to move to an assisted living community

10% expect to move to a nursing home

4 Reasons We Avoid Planning for Our Future

The question is, why do so many of us avoid thoughtful planning for our older years?

Here are four common reasons people often don’t plan well for aging:

• Lack of education around what retirement options exist 
• Not finding a financial institution or intermediary that they feel comfortable with
• Conflicting priorities, like balancing long-term needs with more immediate ones
• Getting stuck in a do it yourself mentality and not asking for help or delegating

Medicare Isn’t Always the Answer

Many people incorrectly assume they can rely on Medicare as their safety net.

While it’s true that Medicare plays an important role for ages 65+, there is quite a lot it doesn’t cover. This can leave many people caught off guard when it doesn’t cover a particular situation.

For example, Medicare may pay for inpatient hospital stays and some home health care, but there are strict income and asset restrictions.

And while Medicare can be a useful means to pay for long-term care for low-income seniors, it does not pay for assisted living.

Veterans Are Eligible for Some Support

If you have an aging parent who is a Veteran, good news: they’re eligible for certain types of support and care.

While the VA does not pay for room or board anywhere, your parent may receive some at-home services depending on their eligibility criteria, like level of disability or income.

For example, the US Department of Veterans Affairs has a program called VA Aid and Attendence, designed to help Veterans and their surviving spouses defray costs. This program includes a range of benefits, from financial compensation to disability pension, which all have specific criteria which must be met in order to qualify.

It’s recommended to start the application process with the Veterans Administration as early as possible, so you can work with your parent to determine which services they may be eligible for. 

Companionship Care versus In-Home Health Care 

So what can you do as you’re considering how best to help plan with your aging parents.

First, it’s important to know there are two main types of support you may want to look into: in-home companionship and in-home health care. Let’s take a look at how they’re different.

Companionship care, like a personal care aide or care companion, is helpful for older adults who simply need extra help to live safely at home, but who don’t need additional medical services.

In-home health care, on the other hand, offers monitoring and basic medical care from a trained aide. This is important for seniors who need help with ADL (activities of daily living) such as eating, bathing, and dressing. You can hire a caregiver directly as an employee, or find one through an agency.

In-Home Care Versus Senior Housing

Once you’ve established it’s time for your aging parents to get some extra support, you’ll need to discuss whether it’s best to have in-home help, or if it’s the right time to find a senior living option that feels good to them instead.

There are many things to consider, from how much medical support they require, to whether they’d enjoy the companionship of a senior living community.

If senior housing is something you’re considering, it’s a good idea to start researching and calling around sooner rather than later, because senior living communities tend to have high occupancy rates.

Next Steps 

Helping your aging parents map out a plan for the future may seem intimidating.

But once you start taking small steps, and learning together, you may find it both rewarding and comforting to develop a plan together.

Have questions? We’re always here to talk through how we can best support you and your family.

If you could use any more specific guidance on planning for the future, we’d love to help. Feel free to call us at 855-461-2552, or send us a message, anytime.

The post Helping Your Aging Parents Plan for the Future appeared first on Benton House.

You want to help them find (and stick to) a fitness routine that keeps them feeling their best.

But what’s the best way to support them in creating a senior specific exercise program that will significantly benefit their health and that they will enjoy enough to stick to long-term? Because if you ask us, enjoying our days is a crucial part of our overall health and well-being.

Here’s what to consider for a fitness routine for seniors that supports both physical fitness and fun.

Mix and Match Exercise Types For Physical Fitness

Here’s the reality: older adults need three different types of exercise to stay physically fit, according to the CDC. That’s aerobic activity, muscle strengthening, and balance exercises.

Aerobic exercise (AKA cardio) includes a wide variety of activities, from mowing a lawn to doing jumping jacks. It’s all about getting your heart rate up. Group aerobic activities like walking clubs and yoga classes are a win-win: they get you moving, plus have the added bonus of socialization.

Muscle strengthening supports older adults to not lose muscle mass as they age. This can include activities like using free weights at a gym, or going to a strength-building yoga class. When choosing an exercise, it’s important to include each muscle group in the body for overall fitness.

Balancing exercises are also essential, as they help reduce the risk of falling in older adults. Simple activities like walking backward or using a wobble board can help. Many types of yoga are also wonderful because they often naturally incorporate balancing poses throughout a practice.

Group Exercise for Senior Fitness That’s Fun

Socialization. Laughter. Silliness. What could be better than spending time with friends and getting fit at the same time?

We’ll say it: senior exercise programs should be fun.

Because what’s the point of working up that sweat if there’s no one to commiserate with? And we all know falling over trying to hold tree pose in yoga is a much better experience if your friends are there to laugh with about the experience.

But while fun tops our list of favorite reasons to do anything, there are also scientific benefits to pursuing fitness with friends.

Around a quarter of community-dwelling Americans 65 and older are socially isolated. When you consider that social isolation is up there with more commonly known factors like high blood pressure and smoking when it comes to premature mortality, it’s clear that supporting older adults in finding community is crucial.

This means that supporting your loved one in finding a group to exercise with compounds the benefits of physical fitness alone.

Next Steps

As a caregiver, you want to support your aging parents to get and stay physically fit. But their happiness is important to you, and you want them to enjoy themselves, too.

So while there are countless specific exercises out there to choose from when it comes to senior fitness, we highly recommend supporting your loved one to integrate fun and socialization into their exercise activities.

Could you use more tangible help when it comes to helping your loved one stay fit and active? We offer tailored caregiver assessments — plus actionable support — completely free of charge.

Simply call us at 855-461-2552 or send us a message, anytime.

The post Creating a Senior Exercise Program For Both Physical Fitness and Fun appeared first on Benton House.

Do you feel unsure sometimes how to support your aging parent or loved one to stay active? Curious what types of exercises can help your loved one remain healthy?

With all the information out there, it can seem overwhelming. But at the root of it, senior fitness is actually quite simple.

Let’s explore the three types of exercises older adults need.

What Three Types of Exercises Are Recommended For Senior Fitness?

Here’s an unfortunate truth:

Just 38.5% of Americans 65 and older met aerobic activity guidelines in 2016. Even fewer (17.5%) meet muscle strengthening guidelines, according to a 2016 CDC study.

But regular exercise is essential to health and well-being in older adults.

As we age, physical fitness helps protect us from many diseases, including diabetes, stroke, and some types of cancer. Besides that, exercise can help improve mental health, delay dementia onset, and generally improve quality of life.

So what, exactly, does physical fitness mean?

The CDC recommends a combination of three specific types of exercise to prevent and delay health challenges for older adults: aerobic activity, muscle strengthening, and balance exercises.

Aerobic Activities For Older Adults

For aerobic activity, the CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week for older adults.

This can break down in many different ways, but here’s one common example: about 30 minutes per day, five days a week, of brisk walking.

If seniors want to dial up the intensity to what the CDC considered vigorous activities, recommended time can lower to 75 minutes per week. Intensity refers to how hard your body is working during exercise. You can tell you’re doing appropriately vigorous exercise for your body when you feel your heart rate increase and it’s hard to say more than a few words without pausing to catch your breath.

This means vigorous intensity activities differ from person to person based on fitness levels, but common examples include hiking, water aerobics, and running.

Your loved one can stick to either moderate or vigorous activities, or try a mix of the two.

Muscle Strengthening Activities For Older Adults

Besides aerobic activity, the CDC recommends at least two days per week of activities that work all major muscle groups.

Muscle strengthening should target legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms. These types of activities support older adults in retaining muscle mass as they age.

The key to gaining benefits? Finding their edge. For optimal health, it’s crucial to repeat muscle-strengthening activities to the point where another repetition would be too hard to do without support.

Whether at home or a fitness center, there are many types of activities that strengthen muscles.

Popular examples that require a gym or investing in a little equipment include using free weights, resistance bands, and exercise machines.

However, using your own body weight can be just as effective. Classic examples include push-ups and sit-ups. Exercises that overlap into hobbies can be wonderful, too, like intensive gardening and more strength-focused yoga.

Balance Activities for Older Adults

Don’t leave balance activities out! In addition to strength training and aerobic exercise, devoting time to practicing balance has major benefits for older adults.

In fact, a CDC study suggests that an exercise program that includes both balance activities and functional exercise (a type of strength training) reduces the risk of falls in older adults by 24%.

And if seniors spend more time on this combo of exercise? That reduction in fall risk nearly doubles, at 42%.

So what counts as a balance activity?

Walking backward, stranding on one leg, or wobble boards all help to improve balance. Many yoga poses, such as tree pose, are also wonderful for balance.

Next Steps

You want to support your aging parent in getting the recommended exercise to stay healthy and well.

And while there are countless specific exercises out there to choose from when it comes to senior fitness, the most important part is simply to remember the three crucial categories: aerobic exercise, strength training, and balance activities.

Could you use more tangible help when it comes to helping your loved one stay fit and active? We offer tailored caregiver assessments — plus actionable support — completely free of charge.

Simply call us at 855-461-2552 or send us a message, anytime.

The post Senior Fitness: The Three Types of Exercise Older Adults Need appeared first on Benton House.

There are countless reasons why you as a caregiver may consider seeking outside help.

Perhaps you’re experiencing caregiver burnout, and it’s time to find compassionate support that will allow you to step away for a few hours each week and take care of your own needs.

Maybe you and your loved one have started a conversation about moving into a senior living community. Starting with day programs first can help pave the way for a smooth transition.

But what is the difference between adult day programs and respite care? And how can they support both you and your loved one?

Let’s take a look.

How do adult day programs work?

Typically, adult day programs support families by offering senior care for a certain number of hours. These services don’t include overnight stays.

At Benton House you can expect a warm, caring atmosphere where seniors can enjoy the day and caregivers can savor a little extra time to relax and recharge. Stays can range from a one-time afternoon visit to a regular weekly schedule.

Your loved one is welcomed to take part in any of the community’s daily programming for either full or half days. Outings, exercise classes, meals, socializing: all included.

We ask that you schedule day program stays ahead of time to ensure we have the proper resources to offer the best experience for everyone.

What are the advantages of adult day programs for caregivers?

Whether you schedule a one-time visit or regular stays for your loved one, we hear one major benefit over and over again from caregivers: the opportunity to take care of your own needs.

For some caregivers, this looks like time set aside each week for errand-running, a quiet morning alone, or social time with friends. For others, adult day programs allow caregivers to show up to work every day knowing their aging parent is getting compassionate care.

This means that supporting your loved one in finding a group to exercise with compounds the benefits of physical fitness alone.

What are the advantages of adult day programs for seniors?

Isolation is one of the top challenges facing seniors today. So for aging adults who may otherwise spend much of their time alone, being around other seniors is a top benefit of spending full or half days at Benton House. From seasonal outings like fishing trips to exercise classes to mealtimes, socializing goes a long way in supporting your loved one’s health.

Another top benefit: if mom or dad is considering moving to a senior living community long-term, adult day programs are a wonderful way to explore what a residence has to offer.

How do senior respite services work?

Generally speaking, respite programs welcome aging seniors to communities on a temporary basis. This is more intensive than adult day programs because respite services include overnight stays. But respite services are meant to be short term, so they’re also not moving fully into a community.

At Benton House, we consider short term residents to be part of the family. They enjoy

the same services and amenities as other residents of the community.

What are the advantages of senior respite services for caregivers?

Caregivers look to our respite services for short term support. Let’s look at a few examples. 

Perhaps you’re going on a two week cruise with friends, and you know it will be too much stimulation for your aging mom or dad. Respite services can make it possible for you to enjoy your vacation while knowing your loved one is well taken care of, and enjoying their time away, too.

Another advantage: support for caregiver burnout. Respite services are ideal if you’ve reached a level of burnout where you need a significant chunk of time to step away and take care of yourself for longer than what the adult day program can offer.

What are the advantages of respite services for seniors?

The truth is, seniors can often benefit from a shift in routine as much as caregivers. Respite services can offer relief from the isolation and monotony of living alone, with short term stays giving seniors space and time to make friends, learn a new hobby, or simply enjoy a change of pace for a little while.

Short term stays include all the services full-time community members enjoy. Which means that respite services also offer the ideal opportunity for your loved one to get a true sense of what to expect if they’re considering moving into a senior living community.

Next Steps

You’re considering adult day programs or respite care for your loved one because you want them to receive the best care. We do, too.

If you have any questions, we’re always here to talk through how we can best support you and your family.

Because at Benton House, we don’t just care for our residents. We care about them.

If you could use support finding specific activities for your loved one, we’d love to help. Feel free to call us at 855-461-2552, or send us a message, anytime.

The post Adult Day Programs and Respite Care: How They Help Both Caregivers and Seniors appeared first on Benton House.

Or feel unsure of whether they can accurately identify their different pills, or even why they’re taking each one?

Supporting your aging parent in preventing medication errors can feel like a balancing act. How can you offer support while also respecting their independence? It can be challenging to navigate.

But effectively managing medicine is crucial to the well-being of seniors. In fact, 15% or more of older patients who visit offices, hospitals, and extended care facilities require care due to taking medications improperly.

How Medication Errors Happen

Older adults are often on multiple medications for multiple conditions, prescribed by multiple physicians. On top of the inherent risk of confusing so many medications, the unstructured environment and unique communication challenges of living at home as a senior also contribute to medication errors.

What does this actually look like? For example, mom may take a fall because she feels dizzy. When you dig into it, the doctors may identify her dizziness as a direct result of taking her blood pressure medicine incorrectly.

Or perhaps dad drops pills on the floor. He either doesn’t realize it, or can’t lean down to pick them up. This could result in his not taking the proper dosage, getting confused, and forgetting to eat, or maybe wandering outdoors without being certain where he’s going.

Luckily, there are many tried-and-true methods to support your loved one in preventing medication errors. Help keep your aging loved one on track with one or more of these tools or methods.

Let’s dive in.

Simple Systems For Preventing Medication Errors

Anyone who takes medication can benefit from reminder tools. But it can be especially tough for older adults coping with memory loss, like Alzheimer’s or dementia. Mix and match any of these methods to help your loved one stay on track with taking the right medication, at the right time. 

Medication chart template

Sometimes, simple is best. Start with a medication chart template that you can print out. Keep it in a highly visible area, like the refrigerator. No bells and whistles to distract, just a clear visual guide with space to write each medication and dosage, along with boxes to check off when each pill has been taken.

Manual daily or weekly pill organizers

Simple manual pill organizers typically come in daily and weekly versions and are an ideal complement to a medication chart template. The most stripped down versions typically have one compartment for each of the seven days in a week. However, they can get as complex as multiple compartments to organize as many as 30 days of pills.

Reminder calls from a loved one or family member

If your aging parent or older adult in your care could use further support to remember to take their medication, a reminder call is a wonderful option. Try a simple phone call in the morning and evening, or whenever they need to take their pills. Bonus: this human-centered method offers time to personally connect and support their social needs as well.

Medication management devices with alarms

Even the most highly organized systems for preventing medication errors are useless if your loved one struggles to remember to use them. Sometimes reminder calls aren’t feasible or desired, and that’s where it can make sense to invest in a medication management device with an alarm. These devices offer audible and visual reminders to reliably take the right pills at the right time.

Automatic pill organizers

For aging adults with a complex medication schedule, you might want to consider investing in an automatic pill organizer. These high-tech medication minding systems typically hold a few months of pills, offer various alarm styles, and can even synchronize with a smartphone app.

Next Steps

Did one or more of these methods seem helpful for you?

Preventing medication errors for seniors in our care can seem daunting. But hopefully this overview of both ultra simple and more high tech options sparked an idea that will help.

Would you like more hands on support caring for your elderly parent? We’re here to help.

Get tailored caregiver assessments — plus actionable support — completely free of charge.

Simply call us at 855-461-2552 or send us a message, anytime.

The post Preventing Medication Errors in the Elderly appeared first on Benton House.

Longer days and more sunshine lift our moods and urge us outdoors. But as our loved one’s age, finding comfortable and rewarding ways to support them in getting movement and exercise can become more of a challenge.

In fact, only 13.9% of Americans 65 and over meet participation guidelines for leisure-time aerobic and muscle strengthening activities.

Yet regular exercise is vital for seniors. That’s why at Benton House, we have a handful of go-to spring activity ideas that are both enjoyable and accessible for the residents in our communities.

Shall we explore our top seven?

Let’s Look at our Top 7 Spring Activity Ideas for Seniors

#1 – Fishing Trips

Getting out into nature. Beautiful calm water. The excitement of catching a fish. Being with friends or family. Organizing a morning or afternoon fishing trip for your senior loved one is an excellent way to support gentle exercise and time outside, breathing in the fresh air spring brings.

#2 – Gardening

The classic spring activity: planting flowers! If your loved one has spent a lifetime tending plants, support them to find ways to adapt their garden to be accessible as they age, like building raised beds and installing benches to rest and enjoy the beauty. If gardening is a new hobby, starting small with a few hanging flowers and herbs on a sunny porch.

#3 – Walking Clubs

Social isolation is one of the biggest challenges facing seniors today. And while it’s wonderful to find ways to spend time with your mom or dad as they age, it’s just as important for them to spend time with friends. Helping them find a local walking club, or supporting them in creating one in their community, encourages both exercise and a health-giving social life.

#4 – Park Visits and Picnics

What better time than spring to visit a local park for a walk and lunch with friends? Blooming trees, sunshine, and birdsong are uplifting and accessible for all ages, which makes parks especially great spots to gather diverse groups of people together.

#5 – Reading on the Porch With a Friend

Who says reading needs to be a solitary activity? Combine a good novel or magazine, some iced tea, a porch, and a dear friend, and you’ve got a beautiful afternoon for those days when fresh air is on the menu, but your loved one is in the mood for a more leisurely day.

#6 – Bird Watching

One reason bird watching is popular with seniors is accessibility and flexibility. Less active seniors can enjoy the hobby with binoculars from a garden chair, or even indoors, seated near a window. If your loved one can take longer walks, you can support them by helping them find a local bird sanctuary.

#7 – Leisurely Spring Flower Drives

Maybe your loved one can no longer take the long walks they used to enjoy to admire their neighbors flowers or walk around their favorite park. Instead, taking a slow sightseeing drive around beautiful neighborhoods or parks can bring the joy of nature to seniors, despite any physical limitations.

Next Steps

Did any of these spring activity ideas for seniors plant a seed to help mom or dad get outdoors to breathe in some fresh air this season?

It can be a challenge to find ways to inspire your loved one to stay active as they age, but with all the fresh energy, spring is a wonderful season to encourage a new hobby.

If you could use support finding specific activities for your loved one, we’d love to help. Feel free to call us at 855-461-2552, or send us a message, anytime.

The post 7 Spring Activity Ideas for Seniors appeared first on Benton House.

To reduce overwhelm, it’s often useful to get a clear picture of where to point your attention. To help, here are the six challenges facing seniors today. Plus, don’t miss our tip on where to focus or find help for each one.

Let’s jump in.

What are the 6 biggest challenges facing seniors today?

#1 Medication Errors

Seniors living at home are considered particularly vulnerable to medication errors.

Consider that 88.9% of Americans 65 and older have taken at least one prescription drug in the past 30 days. Seniors often take multiple medications for multiple conditions, prescribed by multiple physicians. Specifically, 66.4% have taken 3 or more, and 41.9% have taken 5 or more.

That’s a lot of potential for medication errors. In fact, 15% of older patients arrive at offices, hospitals, and extended care facilities due to taking medications improperly.

What can you do? Start here:

Tip: Try this medication chart to reduce errors by keeping your elderly parents’ medicine on track.

#2 Poor Health and Fitness

Regular exercise is essential for seniors.

The CDC recommends two types of physical activity weekly to improve health: aerobic and muscle strengthening. This includes moderate exercise for at least 30 minutes, five days a week, and muscle strengthening for two or more days a week to work all major muscle groups. Yet just 13.9% of Americans 65 and older meet those guidelines.

What can you do? Start here:

Tip: Take this fitness and physical needs quiz to find out if your loved one is getting enough exercise.

#3 Poor Nutrition

Poor eating habits lead to multiple health problems in seniors.

Many seniors fail to get proper nutrients in the form of lean protein, whole grains, low-fat dairy, fruits, and vegetables. This is at least in part because 30% of seniors skip at least one meal a day. Not getting enough protein puts seniors at risk for loss of muscle mass — called sarcopenia — which affects about 30% of adults over the age of 60.

What can you do? Start here:

Tip: Take this nutrition needs quiz to discover whether your elderly parent is eating right.

#4 Isolation

Feeling isolated affects more than emotional health. The reality: loneliness and isolation are linked to a 29% increase of a heart attack or angina, and a 32% heightened risk of having a stroke.

It’s more common in seniors than you might realize: did you know that older people in the U.S. are more likely to live alone than anywhere else in the world? And that disparity is only growing. There are 7.1 million single person households ages 65-74 today — up 51% since 2010.

What can you do? Start here:

Tip: Take this isolation considerations quiz to pinpint whether your loved one may be at risk.

# 5 Risk of Elder Scams and Abuse

The prevalence of both elder scams and abuse is probably the hardest reality we hear about from residents.

We’ve seen that scammers will stop at nothing to steal from our parents and grandparents. From phony tech support to “your grandchild is in trouble” calls, these predators keep finding new ways to hurt them.

In addition to scams, elder abuse — both physical and mental — is on the rise. 21.5% of older persons report elder abuse today, up from 83.6% from before the pandemic.

What can you do? Start here:

Tip: Help protect your loved ones by reading this blog: five statistics about elderly scams everyone should know.

# 6 Lack of Planning

Have you mapped out a plan with your parents to address what will be done as they age? From the numbers, we can see that if you haven’t, you’re not alone.

53% of adult children anticipate that talking through senior care options with their loved ones will be difficult. Without a clear conversation, many aging seniors assume or “expect” family members will take care of them. 27% expect their spouse to take care of them, while 20% expect their family members to.

What can you do? Start here:

Tip: Take this quick “Planning Ahead Questionnaire” to get clarity around where you and your loved one could use support around future planning.

Next Steps

Did any of these challenges facing seniors today feel familiar to you?

You’re not alone. We understand what you’re going through. And we know how helpful it can be to talk to someone who’s seen it all.

If you could use support to navigate caring for your elderly parent, we’re here to talk. Not sure exactly what type of support you’re looking for, but know you could use a knowledgeable listening ear?

We offer tailored caregiver assessments — plus actionable support — completely free of charge.

Simply call us at 855-461-2552 or send us a message, anytime.

The post 6 Biggest Challenges Facing Seniors Today appeared first on Benton House.

if you’re a caregiver for an elderly parent who is still living at home, you’ll likely eventually find yourself curious about what kind of outside support is available.

If you’re starting to feel overwhelmed with caregiving responsibilities, your loved one is experiencing more cognitive or physical challenges as they age, or they’ve simply indicated that they’re interested in finding an alternative to living at home, you may be wondering: how does assisted living work, exactly?

It’s a good question. And while we can’t speak for other assisted living centers, here’s an overview of what you can expect from any of our Benton House communities.

What can you expect at Benton House?

Imagine a place where flowers, along with the sounds of friendship and laughter, dance with the breeze. A place of warmth decorated with fine furnishings, stunning artwork, and, more often than not, the scent of something delicious baking the kitchen.

A place where independence thrives, but help is only a call away. A place where you are always like family.

This is how you can expect any of our Benton House communities to feel. Put simply… like home.

What kinds of services can you expect from Benton House?

• Delicious meals with multiple menu options
• Weekly housekeeping and linen services
• 24-hour access to staff
• Medication and personal assistance as needed
• Assistance with coordination of support services
• Full-time social director for events and outings
• LTC insurance and VA assistance accepted
• Entire community on one level
• Emergency response systemsBright, family style living room

Who is Benton House for?

Benton House serves seniors who don’t want or need a nursing home, but who are weary of home upkeep, in need of a little personal assistance, or simply desire to have more friends and interactions with others.

What is the living space like at Benton House?

The single-story design offers a variety of apartment home styles. Residents bring their own furnishings so the apartment can truly be made their own. A full array of services is included — delicious meals, weekly housekeeping, and a full social calendar. Discreet and dignified personal assistance, if needed, is accessible and provided by our caring staff.

• Cafe/activity kitchen and media center
• Beautifully landscaped courtyard and exterior
• Full-service beauty and barber salon
• Variety of apartment sizes, layouts, and views
• Kitchenettes including sink, and small fridge
• Emergency alert buttons and grab bars in baths
• Utilities included (except cable and telephone)

Is Benton House the right community if your loved one is experiencing memory loss?

dedicated to residents experiencing memory loss. Bright and beautiful, our unique Beacon Neighborhood still offers personal care, but features an innovative design that is open and homelike yet keypad-protected.

Residents also benefit from Daily Life, a special daily calendar that blends familiar routines with unique events. Higher staffing ratios and a dedicated neighborhood coordinator are hallmarks of his unique lifestyle.

Beacon Neighborhood Benefits:

• Beautiful, open design
• Higher staff-to-resident ratio
• Dedicated Beacon Coordinator
• Separate enclosed courtyard
• Unique Daily Life event schedule

Assisted living at Benton House

Hopefully this overview of assisted living at Benton House gives you a helpful snapshot of what to expect.

Still have questions? Or maybe you’d simply like to share what you’re experiencing right now caretaking for your aging parent with a listening, supportive ear? We’re here to help.

Call us at 855-461-2552 or send us a message, anytime.

The post How Does Assisted Living at Benton House Work? appeared first on Benton House.

Whether you live a state away or just across town, it’s never easy to witness your parents age. It can be challenging to know when it’s time to intervene or have a conversation, but there will likely come a time when it becomes more clear that mom or dad probably shouldn’t live alone anymore.

What should you be looking out for, though? Here are seven tell-tale signs it may be time to consider assisted living for your aging parent.

1 – Unkempt home

Keeping a clean home takes both desire and mobility. If mom or dad begins to lose either one, it’s important to pay attention. Maybe you start to notice dirty dishes piling up, groceries left on the counter, spoiled food in the fridge, or even spills that haven’t been cleaned up.

Whether this happens because your senior parent has lost the physical capacity to wipe up a juice spill off the kitchen floor, or they’ve simply stopped caring about how their home looks, if you notice a change in the cleanliness of their space, it’s time to have a conversation.

2 – Poor hygiene

Perhaps you start to notice mom hasn’t been keeping her hair cutting appointments anymore. Maybe dad hasn’t been shaving. Sometimes this is due to no longer taking pride in their appearance, and sometimes it’s more of a symptom of forgetfulness, or even losing the fine motor skills to apply makeup anymore, for example.

Of course, it’s not realistic to expect your aging parent to always look like they’ve stepped out of a catalog. But if you begin to notice personal hygiene and self care declining, it could be a sign that it’s time to consider having a conversation about how you can support them.

3 – Inadequate Nutrition

A concern we often hear at Benton House is whether elderly parents still living at home are getting the necessary nutrition. Maybe you notice they’re not keeping the right types of food in the kitchen anymore.

There could be several reasons for this, ranging from choosing more packaged food because they’ve lost interest in cooking to losing the cognitive awareness around what foods they need to stay healthy.

Good nutrition is crucial to maintain health during the aging process, and a top reason it may be time to consider talking to your parent about assisted living.

4 – Emergencies or accidents

Often the reason someone picks up the phone to call us here at Benton House is that mom or dad has had an emergency that has left the whole family shaken up. Sometimes a fall or other accident is a symptom of something that needs medical attention, but it can also be helpful to consider whether anything else could have contributed.

Is the house unkempt, which caused mom to trip over shoes in the middle of the floor? Perhaps having someone tidy up could help. Do you notice medications in disarray?

It may be time to find a way to ensure mom or dad is taking the medicine they need to feel their best. Whatever the reason, a fall or other medical situation can often mean it’s time to consider whether it could be time for assisted living, where you could trust your aging parent would feel more safe.

5 – Hiding the Truth

Are you getting the sense, or have you found out directly, that perhaps mom isn’t telling the truth? Sometimes pride can keep our aging parents from fully sharing their reality with us, for fear of judgment — or even that something may get taken away from them.

Whether they’ve fallen victim to elder fraud, their license is expired and they’re nervous they won’t pass the test, or they’re feeling depressed on a regular basis, there are many reasons mom or dad may hide the truth.

While it may be uncomfortable, attempting to have candid conversations with your elderly parents about how they’re really doing can go a long way in understanding whether there is a way you can support them.

6 – Depressed Mood

Keeping an eye on mom or dad’s overall mood is important. It doesn’t always mean it’s time for assisted living — there are many reasons it can be hard to keep spirits up as we age. Friends are no longer with us, we often can’t partake in hobbies we once loved, and even aches and pains can become a constant source of low mood.

While we can’t solve every problem, sometimes there are simple solutions that can bring your aging parent relief and a lighter spirit.

Helping mom or dad adjust to a new hobby that fits with their growing limitations as they age, for example, can go a long way. Sometimes, though, a sustained depressed mood can signal that it’s time to consider support from a professional.

7 – Not Exercising

Getting exercise is important at any age, and even more so as we get older. Exercise can support heart health, reduce cancer risk, improve daily task abilities, boost mood, and even enhance cognition for seniors.

If mom’s quit dressing herself well, for example, it could be because she’s become unsteady — and she could be unsteady because she is losing motor function, which exercise can keep at bay. One of the major positives of assisted living is having a community as well as facilities that make exercising both easy and enjoyable for seniors.

Is it time to consider assisted living for your aging parent?

If you’re noticing any of these signs in your aging parent, you may be considering assisted living. It makes sense, because most assisted living communities are designed to support seniors around each one of these points, from nutrition to personal hygiene.

But how do you talk with mom or dad about this potentially sensitive topic?

Approaching the subject successfully depends on the individual’s fear. Sometimes a senior doesn’t realize that assisted living is a lifestyle choice, not a nursing home.

For example, at Benton House we don’t ask residents to start yearly leases. Instead, living here is month to month, so it doesn’t feel permanent if they don’t want it to. It’s also easy to come for a short-term respite stay, which can be anywhere from a week up to 60 days, to see how this lifestyle works for them.

If you could use support navigating talking about assisted living with your aging parents, we’re always here to help.

Call us at 855-461-2552 or send us a message, anytime.

The post 7 Tell-Tale Signs It’s Time to Consider Assisted Living appeared first on Benton House.