People often think of what an assisted living facility is in the literal sense, living with just a little assistance. Many families wait to call us for our help for assisted living in Denver CO until they think that their loved one needs a nursing home because they can’t dress themselves or they need assistance with bathing or medication. But, you might be surprised by how many quality of life services assisted living facilities actually provide that could alter WHEN your family starts their search.

First of all, the team at Stacys Helping Hand, Inc appreciates and wants to thank Geriatric Care Managers for what they do. We’ve found that this profession is a calling for them because they care. Previously, they may have even been a nurse or case manager at a hospital. As they honed their skills and preferences, they realized many seniors need more hands-on guidance. We have a lot in common. Most Geriatric Care Managers have been placing clients for years on their own. Because of this, they hesitate to call us to help assess their client’s needs and determine which is the best care and housing option. But, it is time intensive and sometimes, a family just needs more one-on-one assistance. Here are four reasons, we hope to work in tandem with more case managers:

Caring for a senior who has mental health issues can be one of the hardest challenges someone faces in their life. A family caregiver might be able to face the daily challenges with grace, but sometimes, transferring a loved one into Senior living, Assisted Living or a Nursing Home is necessary. Making the decision to transfer can be exceptionally difficult because caregivers often feel like they “should” be able to care for their elderly mom or dad.

Your loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia might become suspicious of the people around them. Changes can be stressful for anyone, but they are especially difficult for a person with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia can increase feelings of fear and fatigue from trying to make sense out of an increasingly confusing world. The good news is that if you are dealing with paranoid behaviors, there are things you can do to minimize the outburst and reduce their chances of recurring. Below, our team at Stacys Helping Hand, Inc shares steps you can take and tips to help your loved one.

Are you feeling overwhelmed going through the process of researching and deciding if it’s time for your loved one to enter assisted living? You’re not alone. This is almost never an easy time for families. We understand. In addition to having assisted hundreds of Colorado families through this tough time, we have personally been through the process. As Denver’s Assisted Living Experts, the team at Stacys Helping Hand, Inc are advocates for you and your loved one through this transition. Our promise is to not only help your loved one find the best environment for their physical and mental well being, but to support you and your family during this emotional journey.

By the time the actual day comes for your loved one to move, there is a mixed bag of emotions for everyone involved. The process is challenging, but if you stay positive and ask for help, you can overcome the temporary stress. There is plenty of work to go around so conduct a family meeting to prepare, plan and delegate:

Once you’ve decided on an assisted living facility for your loved one the transition process might feel like a whirlwind, but facilities will help guide the process. They’ll want to review the finances and you’ll need to go through mounds of paperwork. Doctors also need to sign off that your loved one needs assisted living. One main thing our team at Stacys Helping Hand, Inc looks for after picking an Assisted Living Facility is to check that the facility is prepared to adequately care for your loved one. This sounds like a minor detail, but it’s really important and often overlooked.

Transitions are never really easy, but they can be especially difficult for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Everything in Tips for Visiting a Loved One After a Transition still applies, but with Alzheimer’s and dementia, the process can be more involved. Anxiety often runs high, so any tactics that involve fond, comforting memories will help. You just keep trying different approaches until something works. Sometimes you have to think a little bit outside of the box in order to achieve a good outcome. Here are a few things that have worked for our clients at Stacys Helping Hand, Inc to soothe people in memory care:

After your loved one is in an Assisted Living facility, previous caregivers and family members need to shift gears. Assisted Living facilities are normally good at fulfilling people’s physical care needs. Moving forward, family members need to put a renewed focus on well being and purpose. This doesn’t just apply to your loved one, it applies to everyone.

Stacys Helping Hand clients Valerie and her mom Elizabeth share how Pam and her team helped them transition to a new Assisted Living Facility in Denver, Colorado that would be a better fit. After Valerie’s Dad died, her mom’s social and community needs changed. The place she was in was a good facility, just not the best fit for her lifestyle.

The phrase “quality of life” is everywhere these days. Like a box delivered to your doorstep, a good quality of life is something you can buy and own. It’s in mission statements and brochures. Through overuse, the phrase lost meaning. Quality of Life is just words.

As the demographics of our country transforms and more of us enter Assisted Living communities, the communities evolve too. People still want a good quality of life, but our team at Stacys Helping Hand knows that there is more to it than that.

What is a Residential Care Home?

They are refurbished houses and small Assisted Living communities go by several names, such as: Residential Care, Adult Living, Supported Care, Adult Care, Board & Care, Residential Assisted Living. Residential Care is one of the most commonly used terms, but the image the term conveys is inaccurate. Residential assisted living is a more accurate name because the residence provides the same services as a large Assisted Living in a home-based personal setting. They are also licensed by the State of Colorado and have same rules and regulations to follow.

The line between memory care and assisted living isn’t always cut and dried, because each care facility is different in their size, setup and culture. If you are looking into Memory Care compared to assisted living, start by asking yourself why. The answer will probably shine a light where your loved one should go next. You might need to find a smaller assisted living that is a better fit for your loved one instead of memory care, but let’s explore the benefits of memory care to help you decide.

You might have experienced a little sticker shock after reading our blog post how much does Assisted Living Denver cost? But, beyond the variety of ways to pay for assisted living in Denver, you can also significantly lower the costs. Our team at Stacys Helping Hand shares eight strategies to save more money and/or pay for assisted living.

If you have reached the time in your life when you need to find senior care for your aging loved ones, you may be feeling overwhelmed, unprepared, and alone. Even despite your best efforts to keep your family member at home as long as possible. There are certain circumstances may require you to find a new care arrangement that will better suit their needs. Assisted living is one option that ensures your grandparents or parents will feel independent, happy, safe, and they are well-taken care of.

After someone is diagnosed with a memory impairment some family members will question whether living at home is the safest option. It is for someone dealing with memory loss, Alzheimer’s Disease, or dementia. This question does not come with a one size fits all answer and the answer varies on a case-by-case basis. Some seniors with memory impairments are perfectly capable of living at home with a little help. While others need to be move to memory care facility to ensure their safety and improve their well-being. Memory care facilities in Denver are one way to improve your loved one’s quality…

One of the toughest decisions that a family has to make is deciding whether or not it’s time to move a family member to an assisted living community or home. If this choice will be what’s best for their overall well-being. While the idea of moving a loved one may seem frightening at first, after doing some initial research you will find that most assisted living community / home in Denver can benefit your loved one both mentally and emotionally. Mental and Emotional Benefits of Assisted Living Community / Home in Denver Moving your loved one to an assisted living facility could…

So you and your family have decided that it’s time to move into an independent living community, congratulations! This is a big and exciting decision, and a whole new environment and community is waiting for you in Denver. While you or your loved one might be excited for this change, you are likely a little apprehensive about what awaits. With the proper resources and support your move can be less stressful. There are also local placement services, like Stacy’s Helping Hand, to help your family find the best independent living community in Denver for you and make the transition easier. When is…

Having a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or another memory impairment isn’t easy and can oftentimes be very overwhelming for family members. Although you may want to take care of your loved one at home, cognitive impairments are often progressive. It can be challenging to manage without proper experience and training. We need memory care facility for them. Luckily, Denver is home to many reliable memory care facilities. Navigating the many options and selecting the facility that is best for your loved one takes a lot of time and research. Which is why many families in Denver seek the…

Are you worried that you may no longer be able to care for your aging loved one? The decision to move them to an assisted living facility can be difficult. It might be the best choice for their overall well-being and health. Assisted living facilities are a great option because they not only have the right equipment, medication, and training to ensure your family member is well taken care of, but will encourage your loved one to remain independent. Once you have decided that assisted living is the necessary route for your family, Stacy’s Helping Hand can make finding a good…