The 2009 Overview of Assisted Living, a comprehensive measure of the state of the industry conducted by the leading senior living associations, shows occupancy rates in 2009 are nearly 95 percent, only a slight decrease from the 2006 survey when the economy was stronger. Communities which provide specialized care for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia report even higher occupancy rates.

“The high standards and commitment to quality embraced by the assisted living industry have made assisted living a trusted option for America’s seniors,” said Richard Grimes, the President and CEO of the Assisted Living Federation of America (www.alfa.org). “Our members have led the way on a philosophy of care which allows seniors to age with dignity, grace and independence.”

The 2009 Overview shows that nearly all assisted living communities provide a wide array of services and safety measures which include wellness, social and recreational activities. But most also adhere to high standards and practices and conduct formal assessments of each resident prior to move in, draft written care plans for each resident, install smoke detectors and sprinklers in residents’ rooms and common areas and conduct criminal background checks on every employee before hiring.

The survey also showed that the average age of residents continues to rise. Female residents outnumber male by a three to one margin. The median age is now 86.9 years and median income is $18,972, a slight increase from the 2006 survey. More than one third of all assisted living residents suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or some other form of dementia.

Assisted living is the fastest growing long term care option in the United States. Assisted living communities provide assistance in the activities of daily life, such as bathing and dressing, in a residential setting for seniors.

The 2009 Overview of Assisted Living is a joint project of ALFA, the American Association of Housing and Services for the Aging (AAHSA), the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), the National Investment Centers for the Seniors Housing and Care Industry (NIC) and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL). The survey was conducted by Acclaro Growth Partners with assistance from REDMARK Economics.

Source: Assisted Living Federation of America

Written By:  Chris Black of ALFA

Agree?  Disagree?  Share your thoughts below or Take our Poll on www.SeniorsGuideOnline.com

]]> http://seniorsguideonline.wordpress.com/2009/06/16/safety-and-quality-contribute-to-popularity-of-assisted-living/feed/ 0 seniorsguideonline http://seniorsguideonline.wordpress.com/2009/01/07/social-securitys-new-online-retirement-application/ http://seniorsguideonline.wordpress.com/2009/01/07/social-securitys-new-online-retirement-application/#comments Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:34:26 +0000 seniorsguideonline http://seniorsguideonline.wordpress.com/?p=55 ]]> The Cousins are Back and They’re Filing Online:

Patty Duke Reprises Patty and Cathy Lane for new Retire Online Campaign

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, and Patty Duke,

Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy winning actress, today unveiled

Social Security’s new online retirement application and launched the

agency’s Retire Online campaign.  Featuring cousins Patty and Cathy Lane

from the hit 1960′s sitcom, “The Patty Duke Show,” the campaign will let

Americans know that it’s now easier than ever to retire online at

www.socialsecurity.gov.

Read More

Alzheimers – CareFinder – Finding the care that’s right for you! – Read More

Alzheimer’s - 10 Tips for Keeping Your Independence – Read More

If you are a senior, you are constantly bombarded by advertisers eager to sell you a scooter or powerchair. Many of these late night TV commercials are keen to point how you can get one at no cost but never discuss what the differences are between a scooter and powerchair. Both can be partially paid by Medicare – let’s find out which is the best fit for you.

Senior Mobility Comparison Continues Here

Nursing Home Story Continued – Click Here

1. They don’t check references. It is very common for people to believe that they are a good judge of character and fail to perform reference checks. Failure to perform these vital checks can result in the hiring of someone who is unreliable and undesirable.

2. Failure to expect a caregiver to dress professionally for an interview and a care giving job. Tight-fitting clothes, jeans, tank tops, high heels, long, painted fingernails, facial jewelry are all forms of inappropriate attire for a caregiver. Failure to set a standard will result in a caregiver who will be led to think that anything she wears or does will be acceptable.

3. They don’t run a background check. Running a background check is very important these days. There are tons of sweet-looking, sweet-talking people out there with felony records. You don’t want to make a mistake by not taking this step and installing such a person into your home with your frail or confused parent.

To Read More visit The Library at www.SeniorsGuideOnline.com

Senior Home Remodeling Tips

Seniors Guide – Your comprehensive guide to all things senior.   Prevent trips and falls by: 
• Removing or securing all carpets and area rugs with double-sided tape
   
• Placing reflective, nonskid tape on uncarpeted stairs

• Rearranging all extension cords and phone cords so that they are out of the walkway

• Installing handrails along both sides of all stairs

• Placing non-skid strips or decals in the tub or shower

• Installing a shower seat

• Placing a “comfort height” toilet seat to simplify the raising and lowering of themselves

• Creating floor level entries to tubs and toilets 

Accommodate decreased hand dexterity and strength by:

• Replacing doorknobs and plumbing fixtures with lever handles

• Replacing faucets with single-lever faucets

• Installing easy-to-grasp handles on drawers & cabinet doors

Accommodate decreased eyesight by:

• Installing night lights (night vision tends to diminish)

• Using light colors when decorating (contrasting light colors help compensate for decreased depth perception)

• Install task lighting for hobbies and activities ∗ Studies have found that staying engaged in hobbies helps to reduce the progression of aging in seniors

Accommodate loss of balance and flexibility by minimizing bending and stretching in the following ways:

• Place a bench or table near outside doors for placing packages while opening the door

• Eliminate changes in floor heights

• Create floor level entries to tubs and toilets

• Install hand-held showerheads and grab bars

• Make other higher levels and basements accessible with elevators or stair lifts

• Lower light switches

• Raise electrical outlets

• Modify cupboards to have slide in, slide out drawer features

• Modify kitchen appliances

• Modify countertops and sinks

When stairs become an obstacle, the main floor should accommodate most daily needs:

• Move the washer & dryer downstairs

• Have a room on the main floor as a designated sleeping area

Accommodate wheelchairs by:

• Widening Doorways

• Installing Ramps

• Using hard surfaces for flooring (Carpeting can be more difficult to wheel through)

• Eliminating changes in floor heights

• Creating floor level entries to tubs and toilets

• Installing hand-held showerheads and grab bars

• Making other higher levels and basements accessible with elevators or stair lifts

• Lowering light switches

• Raising electrical outlets   For an expert on modifying your home, please see our “Locate an Expert” section of our
www.SeniorsGuideOnline.com   Seniors Guide, Seniors Guide At-A-Glance, Senior Industry News, Senior Informer, Senior Advocate and
www.SeniorsGuideOnline.com are all published by Ross Publishing.
]]> http://seniorsguideonline.wordpress.com/2008/07/21/34/feed/ 0 seniorsguideonline Seniors Guide Online Logo http://seniorsguideonline.wordpress.com/2008/07/14/wwwseniorsguideonlinecom-to-include-southern-california/ http://seniorsguideonline.wordpress.com/2008/07/14/wwwseniorsguideonlinecom-to-include-southern-california/#comments Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:20:17 +0000 seniorsguideonline http://seniorsguideonline.wordpress.com/?p=31 ]]>

Ross Publishing is pleased to announce the expansion of www.SeniorsGuideOnline.com to include Southern California.

Seniors Guide Online is dedicated to providing seniors and their families the information they need to assess the many options available in retirement living, senior care, home health care, and senior services.  This online magazine currently highlights information and senior options in Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and now Southern California which will cover San Diego County, Orange County and Inland Empire.

 “Southern California lacks a complete online senior resource where seniors and their families can find the support they need.” John Ross, President of Ross Publishing, goes on to explain his vision behind the expansion “www.SeniorsGuideOnline.com will empower seniors and their families of Southern California with information so that they can make the best decisions possible when it comes to senior needs.”

SeniorsGuideOnline.com strives to make the process of selecting senior housing, senior care and senior experts as easy as possible by providing a wealth of information all in one place.  The Resource Library includes frequently asked questions regarding Social Security, Medicare and Alzheimer’s; Comprehensive checklists; Guides on choosing retirement communities and home care agencies; up to date articles on senior life; and links to key senior resources. The Senior Events section keeps seniors up to date on activities in their area.    

The website is also built as a resource to all members of the seniors industry, from social workers and case managers to marketing directors and geriatric doctor’s alike.  The Professional’s Corner has all of the resources they need, including Job Listings, Professional Events, Networking Information and access to our online industry newsletters. 

As interest in retirement and senior issues grow, SeniorsGuideOnline is growing to meet the demand of this ever changing industry which allows senior citizens to make retirement living the best I can be. 

For more information concerning Seniors Guide Online, visit www.SeniorsGuideOnline.com.

Contact:
Debi Stranahan, West Coast Marketing and Sales

Debi@SeniorsGuideOnline.com

WHAT TO ASK…
When Interviewing a Home Healthcare Agency

AGENCY INTERVIEWED: _______________________________________

Date: _______________

The National Association for Home Care,

which can be reached at 202-547-7424

or by visiting its website at www.nahc.org.

The postal address is:

228 7th St., SE;

Washington, DC 20003

The Visiting Nurse Associations of America,

which can be reached at 617-737-3200

or by visiting its website at www.vnaa.org.

Thepostal address is:

99 Summer St., Suite 1700;

Boston, MA 02110.

US Dept of Health and Human Services

Administration on Aging,

Washington, DC 20201

phone (202) 619-0724

fax (202) 357-3523

Email: aoainfo@aoa.gov

Our website at www.aoa.gov
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