Unplanned Life Changes – April 2024

If there is one constant in life, it is change. New changes arise as people move through each unique stage of life. While it’s natural for any life transition to elicit strong emotions, fear and anxiety, there are ways to be better prepared. As Alan Watts so eloquently put it, “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”

The best way to anticipate change is to plan ahead. This seems to go without saying, and yet, many seniors are caught off guard when facing unexpected changes that come up later in life.

Seniors and their families may suddenly find themselves facing new shifts in housing, health and more with no plan in place. Local businesses throughout Omaha are here to help ease their fears and worries surrounding these unplanned life changes, so that seniors and their loved ones never feel alone on their journey.  

Long Term vs Short Term Needs

Recognizing the diversity of needs among seniors, it’s important to distinguish between long-term care and short-term rehabilitation. While long-term care is necessary for many seniors, short-term rehabilitation is something that cannot be overlooked or mistaken for the need for long-term care. Unique to Brookestone Meadows (brookestonemeadows.com) is its unwavering emphasis on the discharge process. The facility takes great pride in its dedicated commitment to facilitating a patient’s smooth transition back to their home or a retirement community, a commitment exemplified through its robust discharge planning services.

“Our dedicated team members are wholeheartedly committed to making a meaningful and positive impact in the lives of the seniors we have the privilege to care for,” expressed Katie Van Boskirk, Social Services Coordinator. “It’s a two-way journey of learning and growth, and we often find that we gain as much wisdom, inspiration and life lessons from our senior residents as they do from us.”

Brookestone Meadows’ approach to rehabilitation is meticulously designed to guarantee the long-term success and well-being of its patients, extending far beyond their stay at the facility. The team at Brookestone Meadows recognizes that the ultimate goal is not only to provide excellent care during the patient’s time with them, but also to equip individuals with the tools, support and resources necessary for a successful and sustainable life once they leave the facility. The comprehensive discharge planning ensures that individuals are well-prepared for the next phase of their journey, offering peace of mind to both patients and their families.
In the senior care industry, another pressing challenge revolves around the escalating demand for senior care services. This surge in demand is further exacerbated by a shortage of caregivers, a situation that significantly impacts the overall cost of care. Consequently, seniors are facing the daunting task of locating suitable care options that align with their financial constraints. With Summer 2024 right around the corner, many families and seniors are figuring out what the next steps are, taking cost, quality of care and the time they’ll be able to spend together into consideration.

Staying Active Throughout Life

See The Trainer (seethetrainer.com) recognizes the increased likelihood of unexpected injuries as individuals age and the subsequent need for effective rehabilitation to resume normal daily activities.

For seniors aspiring to maintain an active lifestyle to prevent or mitigate injuries, See The Trainer offers a diverse range of sports medicine products designed to protect against aggravating previous injuries or vulnerable body areas. In situations requiring surgery, See The Trainer extends its support through the rehabilitation phase. Owner Kristie Egan emphasizes their commitment to aiding those undergoing post-surgery or injury recovery by offering a variety of helpful products like canes, sock aids, bathroom accessories and more.

“We understand the challenge of having to adjust your daily routine for weeks or months due to something unexpected. Our products can help you through your recovery, minimizing disruptions caused by health setbacks and ensuring everything heals properly so that you can get back to your pre-injury routine,” explained Kristie.

See The Trainer has been the premier provider of soft goods, rehabilitation and bracing products in the region for over two decades, since 1996. Their dedicated team takes pride in educating patients about their injuries and matching them with the most suitable products tailored to their specific needs.

Another facet of keeping seniors happy and healthy involves addressing the escalating demand for senior care services. This surge in demand, coupled with a scarcity of caregivers, significantly impacts the cost and availability of quality care options. Seniors and families are navigating complex decisions, considering factors like cost, care quality and the time they can spend together while seeking suitable care solutions.

Home-based Care Set-up For You

In response to the pressing challenges within the senior care industry, Hallmark Homecare (hallmarkhomecare.com), a distinguished Referral Agency specializing in the recruitment and placement of seasoned caregivers directly with seniors, is intensifying its focus on key value propositions. These include affordability, client-directed care, and the cultivation of a robust pool of professional caregivers who benefit from increased earnings through preferable shifts and extended hours.

According to Shane Neuharth, “The competitive advantage of the Hallmark Model of Care stems from cutting out the middleman, namely the traditional senior care agency. This results in our clients saving money and having a greater voice in decisions concerning their care while also experiencing greater continuity in caregiver relationships. The Hallmark Model’s higher caregiver pay and preferable shifts with increased hours significantly increases the pool of qualified caregivers for clients to select from. Lastly, our clients are fully protected knowing their caregivers are credentialed, verified, screened and fully insured.”

With a shortage of caregivers for our beloved seniors comes stress. This shortage amplifies concerns about the quality and availability of care for aging family members who require assistance with daily activities, medical needs or companionship. Family members often face the challenge of finding adequate and reliable care options, leading to heightened anxiety and stress as they strive to ensure their loved ones receive the necessary support and attention. Additionally, seniors themselves may experience stress due to limited access to essential care services, leading to feelings of vulnerability and uncertainty about their well-being and future. The widespread shortage of caregivers adds pressure to an already challenging situation for families and seniors alike, emphasizing the critical need for more support and resources in elder care services.

Fortunately, technological advancements in home-based care services provide a range of tools to support seniors in aging at home while prioritizing their safety and access to essential medical care. These innovative technologies encompass safety monitoring systems that offer round-the-clock surveillance, ensuring immediate assistance in emergencies. Medication management tools aid in organizing and reminding seniors to take their medications correctly, reducing the risk of errors. Additionally, cognitive stimulation programs and devices help maintain mental acuity and engagement. Telemedicine services enable remote access to healthcare professionals, facilitating medical consultations and support from the comfort of home. Together, these technological advancements empower seniors to live independently at home while ensuring enhanced safety measures and better access to necessary medical care.

Sparking Joy for Seniors

The Brant at Gretna (frontiermgmt.com/communities/the-brant-at-gretna) is a senior living facility, offering different levels of care such as independent living, assisted living and memory care. Their amenities include billiards, social lounges and even a bistro. However, this is not what makes them so unique.

What sets The Brant apart is their use of the award-Winning SPARK™ Program. This Montessori based program is specially designed for seniors that not only strives to help them reach their full potential, but also provides an opportunity to spend their days with a sense of joyful purpose. SPARK™ places ultimate focus on supporting residents’ ideas, choices, and independence, so they feel empowered to create a community that speaks to them.

The program is based on four foundational pillars:

Social Roles: Each resident has a role in the community, ensuring they have a sense of purpose.

Skills Focused: Through skills assessments, the staff helps seniors build and strengthen identified skills.

Procedural Memory: Repetition makes routine tasks simpler and easier.

Progression and Goal Setting: Long-term projects and working toward a goal allows residents to feel successful as they work toward their objectives.

Through this program, The Brant allows seniors to continue to live purpose-driven lives. While moving into a new facility later in life may be a big change, moving to a place so dedicated to enriching lives can make this change an exciting one rather than a daunting one.

While it goes without saying that life is full of unknowns, changes associated with aging needn’t be scary. Being prepared is the best thing you can do for yourself or your loved ones to ensure that transitions are smooth and easy. Whether it is time to consider a move or time to enlist more help around the home, there are local business who are in your corner and ready to help you navigate life’s many ups and downs.