Why You Should Look Forward to Retirement Living

When you hear the phrase “assisted living,” what comes to mind? For families with loved ones who can no longer safely live alone, or for older adults who have certain medical needs, assisted living communities can be a wonderful option. Unfortunately, some people still have very outdated notions of senior living communities. They picture strict schedules, idle time spent sitting around doing nothing, and a major loss of independence. 

Luckily, modern assisted living communities could not be more different than the senior living communities of decades past! Today you’ll find that many assisted living communities are bustling places full of life, activities, new experiences, and independent older adults who retain complete control over their own daily lives. 

Assisted living communities are often the best of both worlds: they allow seniors to continue living independently, while also offering necessary care services to those who need it. This combination gives seniors and their families much-needed peace of mind.

Here’s why senior community living is something to look forward to:

• Opportunities to have many new experiences. Many assisted living communities are full of activities for residents, including exercise classes, cooking lessons, music and movie nights, arts and crafts, and much more. Whether you want to learn how to garden, learn a new language, or master the latest technology, your time in community living will be full of new experiences. 
• Surrounded by like-minded peers, and maybe some who aren’t so like-minded! As the saying goes, life would be boring if we were all the same, and senior living communities are as diverse as they come. Meeting new people who challenge us to think in new and different ways is an important part of personal growth, and we’re never too old to stop learning from people with different perspectives.
• Able to maintain your independence for as long as possible. One misconception about assisted living communities is that residents are no longer independent. At United Methodist Communities, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Our modern assisted living communities are designed to encourage independence, respecting residents’ preferences and routines while also providing any care services residents might require on a daily basis. 
• Access to any medical services you need. Most importantly, should your health needs change, or if you experience a change in mobility, you won’t have to relocate to get the medical care you need. There’s absolutely no need to uproot your life and relocate to a new community because most modern assisted living communities provide high levels of care, including skilled nursing and specialized memory support. 

Enjoying assisted living in Pitman NJ

Getting older is something to look forward to, not something to resist or to be afraid of! While many of us would love to be able to keep our loved ones at home as they age, it’s not always possible due to health issues and mobility issues. There may also come a point where older adults are simply not comfortable living alone anymore, and would rather live in a community setting with people their own age. 

When that time comes, assisted living communities like UMC at Pitman near Deptford NJ are an excellent option. We have a resident-directed approach, meaning each resident is in charge of their own schedule and receives the specific level of care they need. 

For more information about UMC at Pitman, our Gloucester County assisted living community, please contact our team today or visit our website at: https://pitman.umcommunities.org/

Original blog posted on https://umcommunities.org/assisted-living/why-you-should-look-forward-to-retirement-living/

Is there a Genetic Link to Alzheimer’s Disease?

 

September is World Alzheimer’s Month, a campaign created to raise awareness and challenge the many stigmas that surround this disease. If someone you love has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s then you know how frustrating, difficult, and confusing the disease can be. And navigating the situation while continuing to support your loved one can be tough. Medical researchers are working hard to understand more about Alzheimer’s and answer one common question: “Is Alzheimer’s disease genetic?” 

Here’s what the latest research says:

There are two types of Alzheimer’s disease: late onset and early onset. Late onset represents most of Alzheimer’s cases and people typically start to show signs in their mid-60s or later. While researchers have not found an identifiable gene responsible for late-onset Alzheimer’s, there is a gene called the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene that increases a person’s risk. Everyone inherits two forms of the APOE gene – one from each biological parent – but inheriting the APOE gene does not necessarily mean you will get Alzheimer’s. Similarly, people who did not inherit the APOE gene from either parent are sometimes diagnosed with the disease. 

Early onset Alzheimer’s is much more rare,and usually occurs between ages 30 and 60. While not all cases are genetic, there are three inherited single-gene mutations believed to be associated with early onset Alzheimer’s. For a person whose biological parent carries one of these three genetic mutations, there is a 50% chance that person will inherit the mutation which may lead to developing early onset Alzheimer’s. 

Having a parent who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease does not strictly mean you will also get it. Research shows that if you have a sibling or a parent with Alzheimer’s you are more likely to develop the disease, but it’s not a guarantee. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia and dementias typically run in families but researchers are still trying to determine if it’s caused by hereditary factors, environmental factors, or some combination of both. 

If Alzheimer’s disease runs in your family, you can take a blood test to determine if you have any of the genes that increase your likelihood of being diagnosed. But it’s important to keep in mind that there is no current test that can tell you definitively if you will develop the disease or not. In order to monitor for early signs of Alzheimer’s, experts recommend understanding your family’s medical history, being aware of the signs and symptoms, having consistent conversations with your doctor, and checking in with family members regularly. 

Assisted living for your loved one

When someone you love receives an Alzheimer’s diagnosis there are many factors to consider. First and most importantly is their safety and well-being, and unfortunately most people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s will struggle to continue living independently after a period of time. An assisted living facility with around-the-clock care and security, but that also allows your loved one to maintain their lifestyle and retain their independence, is often the best way forward. 

At United Methodist Communities our residents enjoy personalized care and have full access to many amenities including housekeeping and maintenance services, health monitoring, medication assistance, and more. For those with Alzheimer’s disease, our facility ensures they are always healthy and safe at all times and you’ll also have peace of mind knowing they’re being cared for by professionals. 

For information about Pitman, our assisted living community in Gloucester County, please contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Original Content posted on https://umcommunities.org/health-wellness/is-there-a-genetic-link-to-alzheimers-disease/

What Will the Future of Senior Care Look Like?

 
With people living longer than ever before, it’s time to examine how we can help them make the most of these years. People previously thought the elderly should be institutionalized – similar to those with mental health challenges – as opposed to people who can age within their own homes. The Baby Boomer generation, however, is not going to age the same way as their grandparents.

Will retirement communities still make sense in the future?

Years ago, the standard retirement age of 65 was based on the average age people reached before dying. Now, people still have another 30 years of longevity after retirement, which means they may delay moving into a retirement community

People want to be part of communities and neighborhoods. They want to live closer to different generations and be able to contribute because the essence of successful aging is contributing. Today’s boomers want to rely on friends, family, and neighbors to receive and give help. This generation will need to co-design the communities that they would want to live in one day.

Emerging concepts from overseas

In other parts of the world, notably The Netherlands and Denmark, there are whole cities and villages for people who share a common disability or feature. There are currently dementia villages in British Columbia and California, which is about two decades behind Europe.

Multi-generational villages are another example of what the future of senior care may look like. In these villages, young families, seniors and middle-aged people live together in co-housing setups where they share facilities such as gardens and kitchens. This can also take the form of cluster living, where three to five families live together, interspersed with single unit apartments. These types of customized neighborhoods allow people to forge successful and meaningful connections and can include various combinations of living, depending on zoning and cost constraints.

These multi-generational homes and villages could solve the problem many seniors face — having too much house once the children leave, versus students who need accommodation. Connecting these two may potentially solve the problems of students and elders.

The living situation may be customized according to needs, geography, and various other factors. This can only come to fruition if future seniors step forward and help design the type of future they envision for themselves. Some forward-thinking senior living organizations have already done so.

We have not innovated on the retirement model for many decades and it is time to bring affordability, shared costs, and better living to retirees who want to age well. It’s time to start rethinking housing, senior care, and how the environmental design can accommodate the aging population’s needs.

UMC’s assisted living community in Gloucester County, NJ, is a senior care option that many people choose due to the quality of care and flexibility it offers. It helps its residents with the activities of daily living and medical care support in a comfortable and private residential setting. Residents can opt for three meals a day and take advantage of many recreational and social opportunities, housekeeping services, apartment maintenance and transportation. Learn more about our assisted living community today.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/what-will-the-future-of-senior-care-look-like/

The Difference Between Assisted Living and Memory Care

Assisted living and memory care are both types of senior care services. While people assume these terms mean the same thing, there are some important differences between them. Here is some insight from our assisted living community in Gloucester County.

What is Assisted Living? 

As we get older, we will all slowly start to require some extra help to manage our daily lives. These are known as assisted living services. Assisted living communities are designed to provide all of these under one roof. The following are included in these services: 

• Rooms or apartment homes are wheelchair and walker-friendly and have safety measures in place to help prevent falls;
• Manageable-sized housing, which is maintained by building services;
• Transport to shops, events, and scheduled appointments;
• Trained staff to assist with activities of daily living (ADLs), like eating, bathing, dressing, medication management, and mobility; and
• Additional services that support senior health, like a calendar of social events, clubs, senior classes, outings, fitness centers, communal dining, libraries, computer centers, and wellness therapies.
  
  

There are different levels of care within assisted living that scale according to a resident’s needs. For example, independent seniors may only need housekeeping, transportation, and companionship, while older less robust seniors may need help with physical therapy, pain management, or grooming.

What is Memory Care? 

This senior care service is available at many assisted living communities. It is specifically tailored to the everyday needs of residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia conditions. These residents need specific care only available from trained and experienced staff who understand the needs of residents with cognitive decline. This assistance is designed to ensure comfort, dignity, and the highest possible quality of life. These services can include the following:

• Cognitive therapies and wellness programs;
• Assistance with ADLs;
• Management of doctor’s appointments, medication, and transport;
• Social events suitable for dementia patients;
• Additional safety measures and trained associates to ensure residents don’t become disoriented or wander off;
• Life Enrichment Team Specialist (LETS) experts lend companionship, hands-on assistance, strategic intervention, and more; and
• Highly trained LETS associates understand not only the challenges of working with dementia patients, but also their needs.
  
  

Your loved one’s cognitive health primarily determines the choice between memory care and assisted living. If he or she has not been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s, then assisted living should be a good fit. If your loved one has a diagnosis, however, you can rest assured that memory care will ensure all their needs are expertly met.

Compassionate Memory Care and Independent Assisted Living at Pitman, NJ 

Pitman is an assisted living community in Gloucester County, NJ, offering high-quality scalable assisted living services in a comfortable, well-supported, and beautiful environment. As part of the United Methodist Communities network, we also offer rehabilitation, access to therapists, hospice care, respite, and Tapestries® Memory Care, and support services. We welcome seniors from all faith backgrounds.

To find out more about our assisted living community, please visit our website at https://pitman.umcommunities.org/ contact us today or book a personal tour.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/the-difference-between-assisted-living-and-memory-care/

How is Medicare Changing in 2020?

December is the last month of the open enrollment period for Medicare, allowing beneficiaries to review and make changes to their coverage. To help you to make an informed decision, the team at our assisted living community in Gloucester County offers some important information on how Medicare is changing in 2020:
 

Major Changes to Medicare in 2020

The biggest change that will be implemented in the New Year is that there will be no more first-dollar coverage plans available to beneficiaries. These are also known as Medicare Supplement Plans, and they were designed to leave you with zero out-of-pocket costs. These plans included Plan C, Plan F, and High Deductible Plan F. This will only affect beneficiaries who apply for Medicare from January 2020 and who are considered eligible for Medicare. If you turned 65 before this date, you can still enroll in these discontinued plans.

The other significant change is that premiums for Medicare Part B will be increasing. Part B covers outpatient hospital care, doctor’s bills, and physical therapy among other services. As an optional extra that costs a monthly premium, the premium will go up for everyone by an amount dependent on your income.

Alternatives to First-Dollar Coverage Plans 

If you only turn 65 after January 31, 2020, you cannot enroll in the first-dollar coverage plans. However, alternative options will keep your out-of-pocket costs low. In fact, the only difference between the new plans and the old ones is the Part B deductible ($195 as of 2019).

Alternatives to Plan C 

Plan N – Plan N is a cost-sharing plan in which you have a co-pay of up to $20 for each doctor’s appointment and up to $50 per emergency room visit. If you are on Plan N and go to urgent care rather than your doctor or the emergency room, there is no co-pay.

Plan D – This offers the same protection as Plan C, with the exception of covering the Part B deductible. It has no co-pays.

Alternatives to Plan F 

Plan G – This is the same as Plan F but does not cover the Part B deductible. It offers the best coverage for medical and hospitalization costs, including excess charges. It also offers a lower premium than Plan F. It’s ideal for seniors who want the fullest coverage.

Alternatives to High-Deductible Plan F 

High-Deductible Plan G – This plan is now available for anyone who wants to sign up for an effective alternative to the High-Deductible Plan F. These services will only come into effect on January 1, 2020.

Medicare Premiums for 2020 

Projected approximate Medicare premiums for 2020 are as follows:
Medicare Part B – $144 (an increase of about $8)
Part B deductible –  $197 (an increase of $12)
Part A deductible – $1,420 (an increase of $56)

Looking for a Wonderful Assisted Living Community? Choose Assisted Living at Pitman, NJ 

Pitman is an assisted living community in Gloucester County, NJ, offering high-quality, scalable assisted living services in a comfortable, well-supported, and beautiful environment. As part of the United Methodist Communities network, we also offer rehabilitation, access to therapists, compassionate hospice care, respite care, as well as memory care and support services. We welcome seniors from all faith backgrounds.

To find out more about our assisted living community, please visit our website at https://pitman.umcommunities.org/ or contact us today or book a personal tour.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/how-is-medicare-changing-in-2020/