Tuesday 29 March 2016

Respite care services for post-operative seniors

If your mother, father or loved one has recently been discharged after surgery or hospital treatment or is ready to be released from short-term rehabilitation but is not yet ready to return home, then respite care services may be just what you need.

Hospitals are designed to treat patients until they are able to care for themselves or at least manage with a little help. This becomes more of an issue when the patient is an older adult who relies on a family caregiver for assistance. While taking care of your loved one may be perfectly manageable when they are healthy and strong, this could be a completely different story when they are recovering from treatment. Their mobility might be compromised, as well as their ability to do daily tasks, clean and bathe and remember to take certain medications at particular times.

Respite care offers a solution through temporary professional care tailored to your loved one’s needs. This includes:
  • Accommodation in a spacious senior residential apartment.
  • Licensed nursing staff available 24-hours a day.
  • Assistance with all daily tasks including preparation of meals, medication assistance, health monitoring and personal care.
  • Delicious meals.
  • Housekeeping services.
  • Access to daily programs, events and social outings.
  • Trained therapists to assist with physical, occupational and speech therapies if needed.
These respite services are available for as long as they are required and can change according to your loved one’s needs. Respite care is also available for caregivers who need a safe and secure environment for their loved one while they take a much-needed break or family holiday. This is key to managing stress levels and keeping yourself well taken care of, refreshed and recharged.

Respite care services from compassionate caregivers in New Jersey 

At Francis Asbury Manor, a United Methodist Home of New Jersey community, we offer full respite services for seniors recovering from an illness, hospital stay or requiring reliable short-term caregiving services.

Our residential community is open and friendly, ready to welcome your loved one into our family. With an emphasis on maintaining an independent and full lifestyle, we ensure that all of our seniors have the professional care, companionship and entertainment to fully enjoy their stay with us.
For more information on our respite care services, please contact us today or visit www.umh-nj.org.

Monday 21 March 2016

A guide to senior and assisted living apartment layouts

One of the greatest benefits of assisted living communities is the residential  lifestyle offered. Find out why from United Methodist Homes (UMH) of New Jersey:
  • Downsize in comfort: Many seniors choose to move into assisted living because their current home is simply too big for them to maintain and live in comfortably. Rather than downsizing to a small apartment in a condo or development,  an assisted living community is chosen because it offers a spacious high quality alternative complete with all the essentials  needed to continue enjoy a wonderful lifestyle..
  • Space to move: Senior and assisted living apartment homes are designed specifically with older adults’ needs in mind. All on one level with spacious rooms and doorways that can easily accommodate walkers and wheelchairs, these apartments allow easy movement from room to room.
  • No tripping hazards: Falls are a serious health concern for seniors, so actively preventing them are a priority for senior living communities. With grab-bars in bathrooms, non-slip flooring surfaces and great lighting in every room, these apartments are optimized for safety without sacrificing their lovely homey feel.
  • Maintenance-free: With trusted on-site maintenance teams dedicated to keeping the apartments in perfect condition, you never have to worry about the hassles, expenses and risks of home maintenance. From changing light bulbs to fixing flooring, plumbing and electrical issues, their professional team will take care of everything.
  • Security alerts: One of the biggest worries for seniors and their families is the potential for an emergency to occur when they are home alone. In assisted living communities, apartments are set up with 24-hour security and medical alert alarms, as well as smoke detectors to help ensure the health and safety of residents. These systems are effective and regularly tested as well as unobtrusive, so your home is kept secure as well as attractive and cozy.

Assisted living services for seniors in New Jersey 

At UMH Collingswood Manor in Camden County, your comfort and health is our priority. Our assisted living community and services are designed to take care of daily tasks so that you can enjoy a full and independent life. With a lively spirit, beautifully kept gardens and cheerful, compassionate staff, we pride ourselves on putting the wellbeing and happiness of our residents first.

Our residential programs and living options are designed to assist your loved one only when they require it, and to scale these services at any point if they require a lower or higher level of care.

Collingswood Manor in Camden County, NJ also serves residents of Gloucester County, Salem County, Cumberland County and Atlantic County and especially the towns of Collingswood, Camden, Cherry Hill, Gloucester, Pennsauken, Voorhees Township, and Winslow Township, New Jersey.

For more information, please contact UMH Collingswood Manor today and ask about our assisted living program or visit http://www.collingswood-manor.umh-nj.org/.


Monday 14 March 2016

How much does assisted living cost in New Jersey?

For many families, the cost of assisted living could be a barrier. Knowing the finances behind assisted living services and researching what different communities offer is key to finding affordable care that delivers a full and independent lifestyle.

The average cost of assisted living in the USA 

In the 2015 cost of care survey conducted by Genworth Financial, the average cost of assisted living in New Jersey for a one-bedroom, single occupancy apartment is $5,725 a month. However, it is important to realize the huge diversity in what different facilities offer, including their living accommodation, quality of life and services.

At United Methodist Homes of New Jersey, the cost of a full-service assisted living studio apartment starts at around $3,000per month plus the cost of any additional services. Depending on the services you require, the cost can fall anywhere between $3,000 and $9,000 per month.

What services are offered in New Jersey assisted living communities?

Services vary greatly between different assisted living communities. Some offer standard packages for senior care while others offer scalable services only when you require them. This ensures that you don’t pay for services that you don’t need.
For example, United Methodist Homes of New Jersey offers certain basic assisted living services that include:
  • A daily meal or meals, if you require them
  • Housekeeping services
  • Building and apartment maintenance services
  • Water, gas and electric utilities
  • 24-hour security
  • Community enrichment programs and events
However, these additional services are available if required:
  • Alzheimer’s and memory care services – including the development of therapeutic everyday routines, companionship, and physical and mental fitness.
  • Skilled nursing home care – pharmaceutical and laboratory services, social and educational activities, laundry services, limited transportation and personal care services.
  • Short-term rehabilitation – physical, occupational and speech therapies.
  • Hospice services – palliative care services to support patients and families, focusing on the patient’s total comfort.
Assisted living services customized to your needs 
At Pitman Manor, we offer a wide range of tailored support services for older adults in an environment that delivers the highest quality of life. Our residential programs and living options are designed to assist your loved one only when required, and to scale these services at any point if they require a higher level of care.

Pitman Manor serves Burlington, Camden, Salem and Gloucester County as well as the communities of Deptford Township, Glassboro, Harrison Township, Pitman, Sewell, Sicklerville, West Deptford, and Woodbury, New Jersey.

For more information, please contact UMH Pitman Manor today and ask about our assisted living programs or visit https://pitman.umcommunities.org.

Monday 7 March 2016

How to choose the right nursing home

For many families, choosing a nursing home is a challenging and emotional task – and with the rising costs of long-term care it is critical to find a facility that is affordable and puts your loved one’s wellbeing first. Here is some advice for finding the right nursing home.
  • Make a budget: The services offered and cost of assisted living and nursing home care varies widely between facilities. Drafting a budget will help determine what facilities should be considered. Don’t forget to research different types of government assistance that may help you afford the facility you prefer.
  • Services required: Nursing homes offer a wide range of services that your loved one may or may not need. Deciding on a general list of essential services will help you narrow down your choice of facility. For example, if your loved one has dementia or the beginnings of dementia, then facilities that offer Alzheimer’s and memory care and support services will be able to care for your loved one properly.
  • Health and safety: The nursing home must comply with strict health and safety regulations but it shouldn’t stop there. Standards should apply to the general wellbeing of their residents. For example, removing or repairing frayed carpets that present a tripping hazard, having sufficient lighting to prevent falls and utilizing a layout that is easy to navigate with walkers and wheelchairs.
  • Quality staff: There should be sufficient staff to manage the number of residents in the nursing home; housekeepers, food service, activities to run events, 24-hour nursing, and security staff. The property should be in good repair and supported to high standards by maintenance and grounds staff.

Our Continuing Care Retirement Communities are designed with safety in mind 

At United Methodist Homes (UMH) of New Jersey, we offer all our residents comfortable accommodations that are designed to meet the highest senior safety standards. Complete with 24-hour emergency alert and fire safety systems, accommodations are well lit and easily navigable with a walker or in a wheelchair. We offer housekeeping, interior maintenance meal services, and 24-hour access to a licensed nurse for additional care and peace-of-mind.

For more information on our long-term and nursing home communities in Camden County, Sussex County, Gloucester County and Cape May County in New Jersey, please contact us today or visit www.pitman.umcommunities.org.