Senior Living Resource Guide

Beginning the journey of looking for a senior living community for yourself, a parent, grandparent, or friend, whether independent, assisted, or memory care is a challenge for everyone. In spite of what seems overwhelming at times, the journey can be a positive adventure. Supporting your parent, grandparent, or a friend by managing his or her golden years in a creative way can be a wonderful gift when you treat them to any of our luxurious senior living communities nationwide. There are many resources to help take the stress out of the search as well as ideas that will help you plan for a brighter tomorrow. Aging services related to housing and care in America are often changing, and you have many options. Each of us at Grand Living has been on this journey with our parents and family members during the past decade, and we have collectively worked in this field for well over 100 years. Based on our personal and professional experience, we have put together some resources that we hope will help you in your search.

INDEPENDENT LIVING SENIOR COMMUNITIES

Find Help Guide Suggestions at: www.helpguide.org/articles/senior-housing/independent-living-for-seniors

ASSISTED LIVING SENIOR COMMUNITIES

Find Help Guide Suggestions at: www.helpguide.org/articles/senior-housing/assisted-living-facilities

MEMORY CARE SENIOR COMMUNITIES

Find Help Guide Suggestions at: www.helpguide.org/home-pages/alzheimers-dementia

WE RECOMMEND working with a professional Move Manager, as they provide a wonderful service that takes the stress and work out of moving. Visit www.nasmm.org to learn more, or speak to the Sales and Marketing Coordinator at a Grand Living community to learn about move managers in your area.

A DAY IN THE LIFE AT AN ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY By ALFA – Assisted Living Federation Living Community: Published on May 9, 2013 “The dedication and passion of all the big-hearted people who choose to serve seniors is a reason why resident-centered senior living is the fastest-growing long-term services and support option in the United States. The high-quality, resident-focused care provided by these outstanding individuals and their communities is what our nation’s seniors need and deserve.” – Rick Grimes, President & CEO, ALFA. Click on the video to watch, or watch it on YouTube.

YOU SAY GOODBYE AND WE SAY HELLO: THE MONTESSORI METHOD FOR POSITIVE DEMENTIA CARE by Tom & Karen Brenner

Tom and Karen have dedicated years to working with persons living with dementia.  This practical tutorial explores the roles of the declarative memory system and the procedural memory system.  The book shares wonderful stories that lead to practical advice in continuing and developing your relationship with a person living with dementia.  Available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble.

STAYING AFLOAT IN A SEA OF FORGETFULNESS: COMMON SENSE CAREGIVING by Gary Joseph LeBlanc

A sensitive story about Gary’s life with his father as they traveled the journey together, discovering the importance of routine and structure in managing their relationship. He develops five main characteristics in the book that you as a caregiver should try to embrace while fulfilling the role of caregiver. They are Commitment, Compassion, Endurance, Unselfishness and Honesty. Available at Amazon.

CREATING MOMENTS OF JOY by Jolene Brackey

This wonderful book takes you on a practical journey of helping you understand the person with Alzheimer’s; explores tools that you can use to create positive outcomes in your relationship with someone living with dementia; gives practical hints for communications; makes suggestions for memory enhanced environments; and concludes with ideas on how to discover what will bring back joy to the person, and to you! Available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble.

HUMAN VALUES IN AGING NEWSLETTER H.R. Moody, Editor

Send an email to hrmoody@yahoo.com to subscribe to the newsletter.

THE ALZHEIMER’S READING ROOM

Read the newsletter online at: www.alzheimersreadingroom.com A one-stop resource that’s consistently voted the number one blog by notable outlets like The New York Times. Editor Bob DeMarco cared for his mother, Dotty, as she bravely fought Alzheimer’s in her final years. He continues to add to the more than 4,000 video and editorial items stored on the site. Topics include just about anything that will help educate and support caregivers, from those just beginning their care journey to those who are more familiar with the course of the disease.