Unplanned Life Changes – April 2025

Very few things are certain in life and changes arise as people move through each unique stage of life. While these life transitions may elicit strong emotions such as fear and anxiety, there are ways to prepare you and your loved ones for and uncertain future.

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 business 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

Long Term vs Short Term Needs

Everyone is different and in recognizing the diversity of needs among seniors, it’s important to distinguish between long-term 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 needing long-term care. Brookestone Meadows (brookestonemeadows.com) is unique in its unwavering emphasis on the discharge process. The facility takes great pride in its dedication to facilitating a patient’s smooth transition back to their home or a retirement community. This is a commitment exemplified through Brookestone Meadows 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.

There continues to be an escalating demand for senior care services but this surge in demand is further exacerbated by a shortage in caregivers. This significantly impacts the overall cost of care and consequently, seniors are facing the daunting task of locating suitable care options that align with their financial constraints. Families must consider several factors before taking the next step in choosing the right option for them, such as cost, quality of care and the time they will be able to spend together.

Retaining Independence with Caretech

Caretech (caretechinc.com) has provided dedicated service to countless families through compassionate, personalized and professional care for seniors for 25 years. Caretech strives to support their caregivers as their dedication and empathy are the heart and soul of high-quality in-home care. As leaders in the senior care sector, Caretech looks forward to strengthening community connections and continuing to innovate in the years ahead.

Caretech offers a comprehensive range of care services tailored to the unique needs of individuals from all backgrounds, such as post hospital home care, dementia care, veteran’s care for vets and their surviving spouses, 24-hour homecare, or personal care at home. Whatever you need, Caretech is here to serve their community and support their caregivers and clients.

Caretech is dedicated to empowering individuals to live independently with dignity and confidence. They believe in helping individuals gain the skills and confidence they need to live fulfilling and independent lives.

What are independent living skills?

• Household Management: Cooking, Cleaning and organizing
• Financial Skills: Budgeting, paying bills and shopping
• Personal Care: Hygiene, dressing and grooming
• Time Management: Planning daily routines and managing schedules
• Social Skills: Building relationships, communication and self-advocacy

For more information visit caretechinc.com or contact them at (402) 697-5121

Living a Life of Purpose at The Brant

The Brant at Gretna (frontiermgmt.com) is a premier Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care community in Omaha, NE, that serves the surrounding areas with comprehensive and compassionate care. The Brant aims to ensure their residents feel loved and care for and have everything they need to meet their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

Your loved ones are in good hands with the friendly and experienced team at The Brant at Gretna. They have several amenities including billiards, social lounges and even a bistro. However, this is not what makes them so unique.

What sets The Brant at Gretna apart is their use of the award-winning SPARK® program. This research based program is specially designed by Maria Montessori and Dr. Cameron Camp, 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 giving residents meaningful ways to feel needed and be productive. The staff of The Brant at Gretna are dedicated to supporting residents’ ideas, choices and independence, so they feel empowered to create a community that speaks to them.

The effectiveness and success of the Spark® 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 exciting rather than daunting.

Change is scary, but change associated with aging doesn’t need to be. Being prepared is the best thing to do for yourself and for your loved ones to ensure that transitions are smooth and easy. With an abundance of options to pick from in the local Omaha area, preparing for the future just got a little easier. Whether it’s time to consider a move, or perhaps enlist some more help around the house, local businesses are here to help you navigate life’s many ups and downs.