Geriatric Living Facilities

24th of May, 2017


Geriatric Living Facilities:

When deciding where to place your aging parent, the decisions one is faced with can be tough. It is difficult to know the different between various types of facilities. Here are some ways for you to be able to differentiate and to place your parent in the proper facility for them.

1. Independent Living Facilities are facilities where the elderly residents have good to moderate health and are able to care for themselves. In this type of facility, residents have their own private apartments and require no additional supervision. There is often a common gathering area for all the residents to meet and maintain their social life. These types of facilities are often referred to as Retirement Communities.

2. Assisted Living Facilities are facilities where the elderly residents need regular supervision but can maintain moderate independence as well. The residents at these facilities need assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Assisted Living Facilities can offer housekeeping services, medication management services, laundry, transportation and assistance going to doctor appointments. Occasionally, doctors make visits to these facilities so the residents don't have to travel. Entertainment, excursions and trips are frequently provided to residents who want to participate.

3.  Nursing Homes are facilities that provide 24/7 medical care to the elderly with poor health and mobility. This is the primary choice for those that cannot take care of themselves at all and need around-the-clock supervision. Nursing Homes provide skilled nursing care and high security rooms for those with dementia and Alzheimer's.

Considering the rates for these facilities can range
anywhere between 6k-15k per month, in-home care can provide a personal and more cost affective touch.

Dealing with Depression

11th of April, 2017

Dealing with Depression:

 Depression, also known as clinical depression, can affect people from all backgrounds and genders. Depression is a mood disorder that causes negative feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety and worthlessness.

These are just some of the feelings that occur during depression. There are other factors that occur with depression and it varies from person to person.

Some of the other symptoms of depression are: trouble sleeping (sleeping too much or too little), loss of appetite or overeating, irritability, lack of energy, loss of interest in hobbies or people, thoughts of death, anxiety, low energy, fatigue.

An individual can not just "get over" depression. It is a difficult feeling that some people may not even be able to recognize themselves until confirmed by a healthcare professional. The direct causes are unknown but the link seems to be genetic as well as environmental. Certain medications and life traumas can induce depression in someone who has never had it before. Depression is also most likely to occur in those individuals whose family members had a history of depression. Depression is also very common in the geriatric population and those with dementia.

Some ways of dealing with depression can include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, anti-depressant medications and Electroconvulsive therapy. Exercise and getting a lot of sunlight can increase feel-good neurotransmitters and can also help fight depression. If you feel like you may be experiencing some of these symptoms, talk to a mental health professional. Not all individuals require medications or intensive therapy. Every person will require a different combination of treatment to help you live a happier and healthier life.