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HELPING SENIORS MAKE DECISIONS continued...
advise the family to provide the facil-
ity with the person’s likes and dislikes
since their younger years. It will help
the facility interact with residents, es-
pecially if the person has memory loss.
Our registered nurse will also assist
with the adjustment by meeting with
the individual the first month to make
sure his/her needs are being met. This is
a service that we offer and is available
to all of our families.”
Making the Move
Some decisions can be easier if an
older adult is still independent enough
to live on their own. For example,
Elaine Cook moved to independent
housing after experiencing some life
changes. While recovering from a heart
attack shortly after her husband died in
2004, her sons added her to the wait-
ing list for People Inc. Marigold Senior
Living in Grand Island, NY. Fifteen
years later, the 90-year-old continues to
call Marigold her home.
“I love it here,” said Cook. “I’m
still able to do my own housework,
shop, and go to church.”
She considers the safe environ-
ment, plus the affordability, as part of
the best features of the apartment build-
ing. “Come summer, I can leave my
windows open and I feel safe,” she said.
Coping with
Dementia – Consider
Your Needs
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•
•
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3 well balanced meals w/ choices
Housekeeping & laundry services
Extensive daily activities
Beauty salon
Emergency call system
Medication management
ADL assistance
Beautiful Grounds
However, for families who have a
loved one living with memory loss or
dementia, it can be extra challenging
and important to gain as much knowl-
edge as possible about available housing
and services. There are many things to
look for when seniors and their families
start the process of moving or selecting
a senior facility, whether it’s for assisted
living, nursing home, or memory care.
“If the person we are coordinating
care for can participate in the conversa-
tions and decisions, that is best. How-
ever, particularly in the case of demen-
46 WNY Family March 2019
tia, the patient may not have insight
into their own deficits or limitations
and may not realize they are no longer
cooking, cleaning, or managing their
own finances,” said Sarah Harlock, pro-
gram director, Integrative Center for
Memory, Dent Neurologic Institute. “In
that situation, it is difficult to include
them in the conversations.”
Some questions that Harlock advis-
es family members to consider are cur-
rent and future needs. “Although no one
has a crystal ball, what are the probable
future needs related to any health issues
the person may have? For example, if
the person has a diagnosis of memory
loss of some kind, it may be wise to
look at a facility or community that has
the ability to add care or has a memory
unit should that need arise.”
With any type of move, there is an
adjustment period. When asked what
to recommend to seniors and caregiv-
ers on how to help make the transition
go smoothly, Harlock suggested several
items. “Give it time. Recognize that
moving from one’s home is a ‘loss.’ Ac-
knowledge that it is a loss and give the
person time to grieve, but don’t let them
get stuck there,” added Harlock. “The
person who is moving may still miss
‘home,’ but keep in mind that it may be
that they are really wishing they could
turn back the hands of time. They may
not ‘miss’ having to climb the stairs
every day, but they may miss the days
when they playfully chased their kids up
the stairs. They may not ‘miss’ having
to prepare their own food, but they may
miss the days when their house was the
place all the family gathered for holiday
meals. As a family member, you can ask
the staff how they are adjusting, like if
they are socializing at meals and if they
are involved with other residents.”
Through her professional eldercare
experiences, Harlock has learned many
aspects that could help seniors and care-
givers feel at ease with their decisions.
“Honestly, what we often see is
that when a person is moved to an envi-