{"id":10513,"date":"2020-08-31T18:01:29","date_gmt":"2020-09-01T01:01:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=10513"},"modified":"2020-08-31T18:01:29","modified_gmt":"2020-09-01T01:01:29","slug":"time-to-move-to-a-senior-living-facility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=10513","title":{"rendered":"Time to Move to a Senior Living Facility?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Time<\/a>

Time to Move to Senior Living Facility, Santa Barbara Independent, Active Aging Special Section, July 30, 2020.<\/p><\/div>\n

Westmont Living Experts Answer This Question and More<\/b><\/p>\n

Today\u2019s seniors and their loved\u00a0ones have an abundance of\u00a0choices when it\u2019s time to move\u00a0into a retirement community. But\u00a0there remain many factors to consider\u00a0when deciding the timing of that transition\u00a0and determining which location\u00a0is best for you. Experts from Westmont\u00a0Living<\/a>, which owns Mariposa at\u00a0Ellwood Shores in Goleta<\/a>, share their\u00a0insights.<\/p>\n

How do you know when it\u2019s time to choose\u00a0senior living?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIdeally, families should start looking\u00a0for an appropriate senior living community\u00a0when when there isn\u2019t a sense of urgency,\u201d\u00a0said Nick Begane, community relations\u00a0director at Mariposa at Ellwood Shores, a\u00a0senior community offering independent\u00a0and assisted living as well as memory-care\u00a0options.<\/p>\n

Waiting lists can be very long for desirable\u00a0senior living situations. Can you get on a waiting\u00a0list even if you\u2019re not quite ready to move?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cA family should start their research\u00a0at least one year ahead of your desired\u00a0move,\u201d said Jack McCarty, vice president\u00a0of sales and marketing for Westmont Living,\u00a0which also runs The Oaks in Nipomo<\/a>\u00a0and will open The Oaks in Paso Robles<\/a> in\u00a02021. \u201cWhen you find a place that meets\u00a0a majority of your criteria, consider\u00a0placing a deposit with the community\u00a0so that you can secure a place when you\u00a0are ready or when they have an opening.\u201d<\/p>\n

How can you tell if a place is right for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cSome communities allow short-term or\u00a0respite stays,\u201d said McCarty. \u201cThis allows\u00a0for your parent(s) to spend time getting\u00a0to know the community, those that work\u00a0there, and to enjoy the amenities firsthand.\u00a0Interestingly, some people stay\u00a0rather than move out again. When that\u00a0happens, it\u2019s a win-win for the seniors\u00a0and their families.\u201d<\/p>\n

What questions should you ask about\u00a0a community?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Is the building secure and do\u00a0they follow the recommended\u00a0CDC guidelines?<\/p>\n

\u2022 How competent is their health\u00a0support? Are they licensed to\u00a0provide health services? Are\u00a0nurses on-site every day? What\u00a0are their COVID-19 procedures?<\/p>\n

\u2022 Does the building look like a\u00a0place that you would like to live?<\/p>\n

\u2022 Do they have a fitness center or\u00a0exercise options for optimum\u00a0health and wellness?<\/p>\n

\u2022 Is therapy after hospitalization\u00a0available?<\/p>\n

\u2022 Does the dining program provide\u00a0the right menus?<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce you have determined\u00a0that a particular community is\u00a0a good fit for your family member,\u00a0then meet with a community relations\u00a0person to review the payment\u00a0structure and termination and refund\u00a0policies,\u201d said Begane.<\/p>\n

How can you best learn about the culture\u00a0and vibe?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAsk to see the community schedule\u00a0and look at the quality of the activities\u00a0available and the frequency of social\u00a0activities,\u201d said McCarty. \u201cFind out if the\u00a0community can support the mind, body,\u00a0and spiritual needs of your parent(s).<\/p>\n

Stop by and have lunch and spend time\u00a0observing your new home.\u201d<\/p>\n

COMMON SIGNS THAT EXTRA\u00a0SUPPORT IS NEEDED INCLUDE<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ue0e4 short-term memory loss<\/p>\n

\ue0e4 forgetting to pay bills<\/p>\n

\ue0e4 not managing personal affairs<\/p>\n

\ue0e4disorientation of time and place<\/p>\n

\ue0e4 loss of normal judgement, such\u00a0as making an illogical approach\u00a0to a problem<\/p>\n

\ue0e4 not cooking or eating regularly<\/p>\n

\ue0e4 loss of weight<\/p>\n

\ue0e4 poor home maintenance (dirty\u00a0dishes, unwashed laundry, and\u00a0clutter)<\/p>\n

\ue0e4 poor personal hygiene (not\u00a0bathing regularly, repeatedly\u00a0wearing the same clothes\u00a0without washing)<\/p>\n

\ue0e4 not taking medication or following\u00a0medicine instructions<\/p>\n

\ue0e4 losing touch with friends, not\u00a0socializing or participating in\u00a0favorite activities<\/p>\n

\ue0e4 showing signs of depression,\u00a0like sleeping or crying<\/p>\n

Westmont Living: westmontliving.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Active<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Originally published in the Santa Barbara Independent on July 30, 2020. To view the Active Aging Guide to Senior Life, Seen Through a Pandemic Lens, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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