As you walk with your loved one down this final path on their earthside journey, making sure you have a trust-worthy, compassionate, and qualified hospice care team to support you is critical. So what should you look for in a hospice care provider? Word of mouth or personal referral is a
In our previous installments, we’ve covered all the many ways hospice can help, but when is the right time to make that call? Challenges and Signs To Look For Like so many other aspects of this disease, there are some challenges and patterns we see in hospice care for persons
The amount of financial and legal decisions you are faced with as a loved one comes to the end of life can be overwhelming. In addition, families may also seek spiritual support to guide them through this transition. Hospice has a team of experts who can help. Treating body and
In our previous post, we discussed the history and background of hospice. But what does hospice care look like today? Hospice is covered by Medicare Part A, Medicaid, and most private insurance. You must qualify for hospice, which is done by a doctor’s evaluation. Medicare stipulates that you must have
Hospice. The word alone can incite panic. It signifies the end of one life and the beginning of another chapter for the ones left behind. And perhaps that’s the reason just the mere mention of hospice evokes such sadness and fear – in trying to avoid that final goodbye, we
A dementia diagnosis is life changing, both for the individual with the disease and their loved ones. If you sense that you or a family member may be showing signs of dementia, you likely have dozens of questions. But who should you call first when seeking a diagnosis? Dementia is
Customer Care Manager Debi Trammell is a natural when it comes to assisting others who reach out to us in their time of need, but the tables were turned recently when the person on the other end of the line asked if she could help us. Debi learned that Ellen Horan had been busy
Each year we recognize our outstanding employees with 3 special awards: Family First: This award is given to the person in each region who is our top team player Memories Matter: This award is given to the person in each region who is most committed to the mission of Autumn
[in-vig-uh-reyt] to give vigor to; fill with life and energy; energize. At Autumn Leaves, we use essential oils in simple, yet impactful ways to help our residents with dementia change their mood or behavior. We call it Invigorate™: Lemon at lunch Diminished appetite is one of many challenges we face
We are very proud to announce that 14 of our Autumn Leaves communities have been selected as 2018 Best of Senior Living Award Winners on SeniorAdvisor.com! Awards were based on over 150,000 family-created reviews of nearly 45,000 communities currently listed on Senior Advisor’s site. Just over 1,600 were recognized with
The holidays can be a challenging time of year for families living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. With some planning, adjusted expectations, and the tips below, your celebrations can still be happy, memorable occasions: Prepare guests for changes in your loved one. Take extra care with children who
Routine is a caregiver’s best friend and not-so-secret weapon. Having a good routine in place can make the difference between a bad day or a good day for someone living with Alzheimer’s. In a world that is increasingly confusing, unfamiliar, and overwhelming, routines offer comfort and stability. Familiar touchpoints throughout
Communicating with someone with Alzheimer’s and other dementias can present a special challenge. Here are some strategies and activities to help get the conversation started: • Remember When? Choose a memory from long ago to talk about, such as the vacations your family used to take together, or the day
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia comes with a host of major changes, including a new home for many on this journey. Our residents understandably long to stay connected to the local community beyond our Autumn Leaves doorstep and give back in some way. The process of
Good nutrition and a well-balanced diet are important when your loved one has Alzheimer’s. As cognitive function declines, appetite may diminish, too. A person with dementia may become overwhelmed by food choices, forget to eat or drink, have difficulty using utensils, or may not recognize the food. Try these tips:
It can be overwhelming to take care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, but too much stress can be harmful to both of you. Here are ways to avoid burnout: • Understand available resources. Adult day programs, in-home assistance, visiting nurses, and meal delivery are
Many of our resident family members express an interest in staying involved in the daily lives of their loved ones and in our Autumn Leaves community life. If that’s important to you, please consider joining the Autumn Leaves Booster Club! The Autumn Leaves Booster Club is a volunteer group run
Meeting the specialized physical needs of individuals who are living with a form of memory impairment has long been a priority for caregivers, but it is all too easy to dismiss or diminish their complex emotional needs. Having grown up among seniors in the assisted living home where her parents
Talking to children about dementia can be a daunting task. While well-intentioned, leaving children out of conversations about a loved one’s memory impairment diagnosis can complicate the situation. But if they understand what is happening, we can avoid hurt feelings and frustration on both sides. The information should always be
Boredom. It plagues us all from time to time, but for individuals living with dementia, it can be especially frustrating. Depending on the progress of their disease, they may not be physically able to do as much as they used to, or perhaps they miss their old daily routine. Wandering,
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