Senior Living – December 2023

The senior care industry confronts significant challenges, including the rapidly growing population of seniors, workforce shortages and the demand for high-quality, individualized care. To address these challenges, a multifaceted approach is essential. This involves investment in workforce development and training to attract and retain caregivers, adopting technology solutions for efficient and personalized care delivery and prioritizing collaboration with healthcare providers to ensure holistic well-being. Person-centered care plans and family involvement play a crucial role in addressing the diverse needs of seniors, promoting their independence and dignity. Meeting these challenges requires a combination of innovation, compassion and a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for our aging population – something that Omaha businesses do exceptionally well.

The process of navigating senior living and care choices is a multifaceted and time-consuming endeavor. As individuals age, or when their loved ones reach an age where senior care is necessary, they are often faced with a myriad of options and decisions to make. This journey typically involves considering various aspects, such as the level of care needed, financial considerations, location preferences and the unique health and lifestyle requirements of the senior in question.

The senior care industry itself is also constantly evolving with a diverse range of choices, from independent living communities to assisted living facilities, memory care and skilled nursing facilities, each offering a different set of services and amenities. Striving to find the best fit for their loved ones can be an overwhelming experience for families, and it requires thorough research, careful evaluation and thoughtful decision-making to ensure that the senior’s well-being, comfort and quality of life are upheld throughout their senior living journey.

Because finding the right care option can be a very stressful and emotional process, Assisted Living Locators of Greater Omaha (assistedlivinglocators.com) goes the extra mile to work with you through the entire decision-making process, using expertise to find the appropriate care option for now and the future. When looking at the best decision for now, it is important to consider the upcoming holidays – Christmas and New Year’s. The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration and togetherness. It’s also a time when many of us reconnect with our loved ones, including senior family members. While the holidays can be a source of happiness, they can also bring about challenges for seniors.

“Our mission is to empower seniors and their families to make informed decisions about senior living,” shared Owner Nikki Wulff. “During the holidays, we encourage families to plan ahead so they can spend quality time with their loved ones. This includes considering their unique needs and preferences, reaching out in advance to make plans and offering assistance with decorating and transportation.”

From the first step to the last, no matter where you are in your search for the perfect senior care, Nikki and her team is here to provide answers to all your questions and alleviate any concerns. They will ensure that you’re fully at ease with the choices you make.

As with any type of senior care, education also plays a pivotal role in memory care for seniors facing cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s and dementia; however, the industry faces challenges such as a lack of awareness and stigma surrounding memory-related conditions, diverse individual needs, limited resources and access and evolving research in the field. Tailoring education to seniors and caregivers while addressing the emotional impact of cognitive decline, ensuring compliance with regulations and staying updated with best practices are critical aspects of overcoming these obstacles and providing effective memory care.

Prairie Meadows Alzheimer’s Care Center (frontiermgmt.com), in response to the challenges of education in the field, makes a point to provide exceptional, in-depth education for their team members in relation to memory care so that you never have to worry about your loved ones. According to Don Woods, “Our training programs are comprehensive and encompass various dementia types. We cover a lot of ground so that team members have valuable insights and effective strategies to engage with individuals affected by memory care issues.”

Additionally, Prairie Meadows places emphasis on remaining up-to-date with new research about memory care so they can implement such education into their treatment plans. Their most popular program, SPARK, draws inspiration from the teachings and research of Maria Montessori and Dr. Cameron Camp. SPARK is designed to offer individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease meaningful and life-enriching experiences. This unique program engages residents by implementing well-established rehabilitative strategies aimed at enhancing interaction, optimizing cognitive abilities and instilling a profound sense of purpose and accomplishment.

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 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.

To help alleviate some of the strain in the senior care industry, Hallmark Homecare (hallmarkhomecare.com/116), a Referral Agency specializing in the recruitment and placement of experienced caregivers with seniors on a direct-hire basis, is placing extra emphasis on their value propositions including affordability, client controlled care and creating a larger pool of professional caregivers who make more money with preferable shifts and increased 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.”

Hallmark Homecare’s comprehensive approach focuses on making senior care more accessible, personalized and attractive for both seniors and caregivers, contributing positively to the evolving landscape of the senior care industry.

Education in senior care is essential for providing high-quality, safe and tailored support to elderly individuals. It equips caregivers with the knowledge and skills to address the unique needs and challenges of seniors, and equips seniors and their families with the knowledge they need to choose the best care option in the ever-changing senior care industry.