As the Dallas-Fort Worth areas most experienced senior care advisors, we understand how uncertain adult children feel when searching for senior housing for a parent. One question we often receive is whether adult children should visit communities on their own or bring their parent along when touring assisted living communities the first time.
Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy answer to this one. But there are pro’s and con’s you should be aware of as you make this decision. [Read more…]
When an aging loved one needs senior living, adult children are often shocked to learn Medicare doesn’t pay for these often steep expenses. For some families, covering the cost of care without some form of assistance just isn’t possible. One frequently overlooked program that might help bridge the gap is the Veteran’s Aid & Attendance benefit. This program is designed to help veterans and their surviving spouses access the care they need.
Understanding whether or not a loved one is eligible and working your way through the application process can be discouraging for families. [Read more…]
One of the most important steps in finding an assisted living community or residential care home in north Texas is the personal visit. We encourage the families we work with to visit each community they are seriously considering in person on several occasions (daytime, evening and weekend is a great combination!) before making their final decision.
Making time to tour a community and ask questions is an essential part of the process. It gives seniors and their adult children the opportunity to get a feel for the community’s culture and decide whether or not it is a good fit.
To help you make the most of your visit, we have pulled together some tips on what to look for during your visit and a list of questions to ask the staff. [Read more…]
The number of multi-generational households in this country continues to climb. According to researchers, 18% of the U.S. population lives in a home with loved ones who span several generations. From young adults returning home to live with parents to older adults moving in with adult children, a record setting 57 million Americans are part of a multi-generational household.
It isn’t uncommon for sandwich generation adults in the Dallas – Fort Worth areas to consider moving an older parent into their own family home. It helps on a variety of fronts. Grandparents can provide afterschool supervision and emotional support while parents are at work. Older adults who feel isolated living alone or are experiencing health problems benefit from being around their loved ones. [Read more…]
The holidays can be a challenging time of year for everyone. But for already overloaded family caregivers, there are added pressures. Seasonal tasks such as shopping for holiday gifts, wrapping presents, decorating the house and hosting parties can take a toll. When you add caring for a north Texas senior loved one to that list, it can result in a potentially serious case of caregiver burnout.
Not surprisingly, four in ten caregivers say they can’t manage it all during the holidays. But there are steps you can take to lighten your load and take care of your own mental, emotional, and physical health during the holiday season. [Read more…]