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Short-Term Rehabilitation: An Overview

February 13th, 2013 | Posted by northernservicesgroup in Health | Rehab Center | Senior Care - (0 Comments)

Northern FacilitiesMaking the decision that you or a loved one has reached the point where an inpatient rehabilitation stay is needed is never an easy one. In a perfect world, we would all live healthy, happy and independent lives right up until the end. Sadly, we live in an imperfect world and as we age, our health often deteriorates.

This begs the question of what to do next. 

A short-term rehab stay is often the answer. The trained staff is able and willing to ease the pain and frustration of your health problems. They understand the unique needs that accompany aging and provide the respect and care you need to meet these challenges successfully. Their goal is to get you rehabilitated and back on your own in as little time as possible.

Our New York rehab centers offer physical, occupational, cardiac and speech therapies to all who are in need. Your treatment program will be designed specifically for you by a team of experts. Your unique skills and needs will be assessed and a program of action will be developed from that. Our therapists will also work on skills for daily living to ensure you are able to have a successful reentry into the community.

Call us today for an assessment and to learn more.

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Find Strength To Ask for Help

February 7th, 2013 | Posted by northernservicesgroup in Rehab Center | Senior Care - (0 Comments)

Everyone wants to be able to give back to those who have spent their lives giving to us. This is especially the case when it comes to aging or sick parents. These are the folks that carried us for nine months, taught us right from wrong and ushered us safely into adulthood. They are a large part of the reason we are who we are today.

Therefore, it only makes sense that initially people fight the urge to call a NY rehab center for their parents. The idea of telling our parents they need more help than we can give them is often unappealing. And, frequently, adult children take on the role of caregiver as a result. What about when it becomes too much?

First, ignore the internal voices that may be telling you that seeking more help for your parents is selfish, weak or wrong. The fact of the matter might be that your parents simply need more care than you can provide them. Calling a rehab center in NY for a respite stay is often the most loving act you can take. This ensures they get the care they need while you get the break you need to return to being the caregiver they deserve.

Visit our website to learn more.

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Discuss End Of Life Care With Your Family

October 12th, 2012 | Posted by timd in Health | Rehab Center | Senior Care - (0 Comments)

Caring for loved ones in retirement can quickly become a full time job. This is why there has been a lot of national advocacy about discussing end of life care with your parents, children and spouses. Creating a clear plan for your somewhat inevitable decline is not just good for establishing the kind of care you expect, it is a way to lighten the load for your loved ones. Instead of making decisions about your life while you are becoming less lucid they can have a clear sense of what you actually wanted.

This extends beyond just looking for the right Rockland County nursing homes for you. It extends to how your loved ones might handle dealing with you should you end up needing significant life support. In a lot of cases families end up dealing with troublesome legal issues around comatose parents or loved ones. These issues can end up becoming a huge burden both emotionally and financially on a family.

Taking time to consider your end of life care is a good thing for you as well. Offering your family some peace of mind is great, but it also helps to take some of the sting out of the looming anxiety death can perpetuate. Beyond all of that, it is probably nice to size up a few Rockland County nursing homes before you end up in one.

The Advantages of a Retirement Community

October 4th, 2012 | Posted by tristanl in Health | Senior Care - (0 Comments)

Living in a retirement community offers certain, pointed advantages over living on your own. As people age, the need for care rises. From emergency health care to regular visits from healthcare professionals. Being in a retirement community also gives seniors and elders access to people undergoing the same physical processes of aging, having a support network in a difficult time such as old age is just the thing some seniors need. There are a variety of styles of retirement facility,  some include more built in care than others.

Some communities are full service while others are simply condo complexes that are set up for retirees. Some common amenities to look for include subsidized housing, shuttle services, on site home care, maid services, on site medical facilities and communal dining and recreational facilities.

Financially speaking there are different types of payment plans for non-nursing home facilities and communities. They are generally arranged with a large one time fee per household.

  • Full Care: Meaning after a single fee and a monthly fee all medical needs for the resident are taken care of, even if real costs are higher than fees.
  • Modified Care: Includes a single fee, and monthly fees but generally covers less.
  • Pay as You Go: The community entrance fee is substantially lower, but medical care is not covered.

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Retirement Mistakes to Avoid

September 19th, 2012 | Posted by tristanl in Senior Care - (0 Comments)

Retirement is a time when you and your spouse should be enjoying life. When you’ll be able to make your dreams come true and live out the plans you’ve been making for a lifetime. There are many choices to make, but you don’t have infinite resources on hand with which to make them, so planning will be key during your retirement. Here are a few things that ought to be avoided, at least, if you want to make the most out of your retirement.

  • Don’t drop your healthcare. Yes, you may be eligible for medicare, but the quality of care available in the U.S. depends on what type of plan you have. Veterans and their families are fortunate to have VA clinics and hospitals, and many other people have the option to stay on a pension health plan after retirement. Do it, medicare should be a last resort. Living in a retirement center can offset some healthcare costs.
  • Don’t make any large purchases rashly: Buying  a boat or an RV might have been your dream when you were a journeyman accountant, but when that dream becomes reality you might not like what you see. Spend your money wisely.
  • Do consider downsizing. Moving to a smaller , more manageable  home or retirement center can help you save money and it can make the process of aging easier.

 

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The Progression of Alzheimer’s

August 28th, 2012 | Posted by KristenM in Health | Senior Care - (0 Comments)

nursing homes in Rockland CountyAlzheimer’s and dementia are two very common brain disorders, neither of which has a cure. Unfortunately, the disease continues to get progressively worse as the mind further deteriorates. As with any disease, people want to avoid hospitals and all-day care for as long as possible. In the beginning stages seniors are still able to live independently. Eventually, though, they may find themselves in need of home care to help with personal grooming, medication management, money management, etc.

But as time passes and the disease worsens, it’s crucial to closely monitor seniors. Home therapy may not be enough. You may need to increase the hours that home caregivers spend with the patient as he or she begins to forget more things. At some point in time it may actually be necessary to place your loved ones in one of the reputable nursing homes in Rockland County where they can be monitored all day long. The disease is much more than forgetting people’s names or having difficulty remembering what day it is. It also causes immense feelings of disorientation, confusion, depression, and anger. The person may lose the ability to carry out a conversation or respond to his or her environment.

It is in these late stages of the disease where a nursing home is often the best option. Before you make any decisions, speak with your loved ones’ doctors.

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Financial Planning and Medical Care

August 13th, 2012 | Posted by KristenM in Senior Care - (0 Comments)

rehab centers in NYThe cost of medical care is not something that is cut and dry. There are intricacies to covering costs and financially planning for the future. No one can predict what will happen further down the line, especially in terms of one’s health. Some are fortunate enough to have little to no health issues. Others may suffer a stroke or their health simply deteriorates over time. If and when some form of health care is needed, people need to be aware of their financial standings.

So as you get older, think ahead. Figure out all expenses and think about ways to cut costs and save money. Add up all assets, including savings, real estate, and investments and add it to your monthly income. By determining cost of living, you can have a better idea about how much you can afford to spend on nursing home therapy or other medical services. Next, look to your insurance policies. What exactly does your insurance cover? The stipulations and loopholes are endless. Find out exactly what insurance will pay for.

Think about long-term goals. Are you interested in a vacation home? Planning several trips? You want enough money put aside to enjoy retirement, but you also want money put away to cover any and all health care costs that insurance may not cover. Planning for the future early means less worry when the time comes to put these plans into action.

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Service Options to Consider for Aging Parents

August 6th, 2012 | Posted by KristenM in Health | Senior Care - (0 Comments)

Rockland County nursing homesAs seniors age and health deteriorates, taking care of them becomes much more challenging. People have to realize what their limits are and when it is time to ask for help. There are plenty of healthcare options available, but most of it occurs at medical facilities or involves in-home care. Hopefully your parents are forthcoming with information and aren’t afraid to tell you about certain tasks they can no longer do on their own. Otherwise, you will have to be attuned to their daily habits.

Consider some of the following healthcare options for aging parents:

  1. Personal care, including bathing, grooming, dressing, etc.
  2. Transportation and an escort to and from doctors’ offices.
  3. Medication management, as well as money management, e.g. paying bills, purchasing groceries.
  4. Companionship services to keep seniors active and happy.

These are but just a few options that your parents may need. Parents who seem to manage okay in the home should consider in home care before being moved to a nursing home in Rockland County. It’s also more affordable and often less stressful. Moving parents to a facility can sometimes be a difficult and emotional situation, even if it is necessary.

Learn more about all the services offered here at Northern by visiting our website and speak with your parents’ doctors before making any final decisions.

Preventing Trips and Falls In and Out of the Home

July 23rd, 2012 | Posted by KristenM in Senior Care - (0 Comments)

ny rehab centerIt’s no surprise that as we age, our bodies become more frail. Trips and falls are very common among the elderly, both inside and outside of the home. But the difference between a 20-year-old falling and an 80-year-old can be life threatening. With fragile bones and slower healing times, seniors who fall can face serious consequences and may end up in a NY rehab center and need long or short term rehab.

  1. Start by visiting the eye doctor every year to check your eyesight. Deterioration in eyesight is quite common and could be the cause of spills and falls.
  2. Stay active and exercise. Healthy seniors should exercise at least twice a week to maintain strength and flexibility.
  3. Wear the right shoes. Ill-fitted shoes can increase the risk of a fall, not to mention cut off circulation if they are too tight. They can decrease stability and promote falls on slicker surfaces.
  4. Take a look at your walking aids. If you use a cane or a walker, check that the rubber tips are not worn. Worn out tips can weaken the walker’s reliability.
  5. Read the side effects of your medication. Some medicine have side effects of dizziness or loss of balance. Go over your medication and its possible side effects with your doctor.
  6. You can’t help what’s outside your home, but you can make your own home fall-proof. Keep the floors clutter-free, tie up loose electrical cords, and secure any area rugs.

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Taking Care of Aging Parents

July 17th, 2012 | Posted by KristenM in Senior Care - (0 Comments)

Rockland County nursing homesIt can sometimes feel surreal taking care of the folks that once took care of you when you were little. It’s part of the natural cycle of life. But sometimes, aging parents want to resist that cycle, which is understandable. They don’t want to feel like they need to be taken care of. They want to keep their independence. The discussion is necessary and it is best to start that conversation early, while your parents are still in good health. Doing so will make the process less stressful and will give them the opportunity to make decisions for themselves when they are still of sound mind.

As your parents grow older, you must learn to be in tune with any physical or mental changes, as well as your parents’ abilities to take care of themselves. The following list are some changes that indicate it may be time for home health care of nursing homes.

  1. Unexplained weight loss.
  2. Missed medical appointments/not taking medication.
  3. A significant shift in mood or behavior.
  4. Trouble moving safely around the home.
  5. An unkempt home/not cooking or eating properly.
  6. Difficulty performing daily activities.

These are all potential warning signs and unfortunately, your parents may not be forthcoming about all the information. Instead, you must do a bit of detective work and keep watchful eyes.