Senior citizens reach a point in their lives when they are no longer able to care for themselves. Whether this is a result of physical or mental decline, they are unable to perform daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, bathing, dressing, or taking medication.

In such circumstances, it is essential for seniors and their families to make the decision to transition into the care of a professional, fully equipped, and well-resourced frail care or assisted living facility. However, choosing the right type of facility will depend entirely on the level of care your loved one needs.

Here are a few things you should know about frail care:

What is frail care?

Frail care is designed to be a long-term living solution for seniors that have suffered some kind of health incident where they are no longer able to care for themselves. These health incidents can range from a heart attack, stroke, bad fall, or mental health decline, all of which can be a requisite for more acute hospital care.

Frail care can provide around-the-clock access to the health care services that these seniors need and can become a permanent home where the level of care is necessary and beneficial to those who live in them.

What are the benefits of frail care?

Frail care can provide many benefits for those who find themselves in need of extra care. These benefits include helping seniors maintain their independence and dignity, it can provide them with social and emotional support, and can help improve the quality of life not only for the senior receive the care, but also peace of mind to the loved ones.

The types of frail care services will differ across retirement villages!

While most retirement estates are intended to meet the needs of older people generally, frail care facilities, services and level of care will vary from one community to another. For example, some retirement estates will offer basic frail care or caregiving services, where a caregiver will help their community members with daily tasks, such as cooking, bathing, laundry, cleaning, and even taking medication.

Whereas other retirement estates may have a more sophisticated and better-staffed frail care facility that could include part-time or full-time medical staff, a pharmacy, surgical theatres for urgent care and life support equipment.

Some retirement estates may also offer independent or assisted living facilities with healthcare access or specialised facilities for mental illness, in addition to their frail care wings. With different types of frail care and healthcare options available to seniors at retirement estates, it is crucial that you look for the best option that meets the needs of your loved one before making a decision.

What are the challenges associated with frail care?

As with all areas of healthcare and assisted living when it comes to our senior citizens, there are many challenges. In the case of frail care, the challenges often focus on the financial aspect to level of care.

Frail care can be seen as very expensive and medical aid schemes are notorious for their fine print. In the case of senior health care, there is an unforgiving difference in the way that health insurance companies define medical care versus frail care.

In the type of health incidents, we covered earlier, short-term healthcare provision may be covered, but only for a limited time. If you suffer a stroke, heart attack or broken hip, they will cover your immediate medical care which does not include assisted living or frail care if that is what you require after recovery.

When it comes to level of care, finding the right frail care or assisted living facility has its’ own challenges. This can be seen when seniors have complex health needs that require a lot of time and attention which is not easy to provide or sustain in a busy hospital or nursing home environment.

This is where research is key, here are a few things to consider:

• What type of assistance does your loved one need?
• What are the costs involved for frail care or assisted living?
• Is the facility well-staffed, properly vetted, and qualified?
• Are existing residents happy with the level of care?
• Is the facility able to properly care for your loved ones needs?

Is home-based care a better alternative than frail care?

When we think of home-based care, we think of a part-time or live-in caregiver that is able to help our loved one better manage their day-to-day tasks in a familiar environment. This definitely sounds better and more cost-effective than the alternative, which is moving your frail loved one into an unfamiliar environment, surrounded by medical staff.

However, home-based care can become a cost-prohibitive process and access to high-level medical care is limited. It is also important to include additional costs such as transport, groceries, housekeeping, hospital stays, and at-home GP visits on top of the monthly caregiver salary in order to gain a clearer understanding of the financial implications of home-based care.

Home-based care can be a viable option if your loved one does not require complex care. If they do, then for thousands of rand less, your loved ones can get the full-time care they deserve with medical professionals and facilities accessible in the retirement village they choose.

Making the decision to move into a retirement estate

Deciding to move into a retirement estate’s assisted living or frail care facility is life-changing decision for seniors and should not be taken lightly. It should be a considered and thoughtful family decision that takes into account the needs and feelings of our loved ones.

Choosing the right retirement estate – with all the requisite facilities and resources – is critical to ensuring the best quality of life, wellbeing, and care for our beloved elderly members of society.

If you are looking for a retirement village, with frail care or assisted living facilities, that are fully staffed and equipped by health professionals and caregivers who are committed to the health and happiness of their community, look no further than Manor Retirement.

The post Facts About Frail Care That You Should Know appeared first on Manor Retirement.

Most seniors will prioritise keeping their minds strong and their memories clear, but there is always more that can be done. There is an abundance of research that shows the rates of memory loss in seniors can vary greatly, depending on a variety of factors. Genetics, lifestyle, physical activity, diet, habits, social lives and other factors play a significant role in improving memory retention.

There are many different factors that can lead to positive changes in our memory retention, as well as mental and physical health.

Let us take a look at 7 simple ways that senior citizens can make noticeable improvements in their memory retention:

1. Go get regular health check-ups
   At any age, there are a number of physical and mental conditions that can have a negative impact on our memory retention. Illnesses, like depression, thyroid problems, mineral or vitamin deficiencies, heart conditions and degenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, can diminish our recall ability. Getting regular health check-ups can help identify potentially harmful illnesses, medications or activities that could minimise the risk to our elderly loved one’s memory retention.

2. Keeping mentally stimulated
   Our loved ones are never too old to take up new hobbies, develop new skills and stimulate their minds. Introducing new activities, such as card games, artistic pursuits, cooking or creative writing, or encouraging them to continue reading, learning, and engaging with new ideas, will help keep their brains sharp and agile. Trying an instrument or consuming different types of media can inspire older citizens to increase their mental capacity and memory retention.

3. Taking a break and calming minds
   Giving your mind a break is beneficial for any person at any age. Mindfulness, meditation, rest and calming your mind are just some of the ways to bolster our mental recovery. These recovery periods can help reduce stress, regulate the nervous system, improve breathing and, indeed, strengthen memory retention. Promoting calmness and prioritising rest is critical for our loved ones as they get older; encourage them to take a break for their minds.

4. Maintaining a regular exercise schedule
   Exercise is one of the simplest and most important changes we can make to improve our mental and physical health as we age into our senior years. The benefits of exercise for the brain are well documented, but we have learned a lot recently about how advantageous exercise is for memory retention in elderly people. Beyond boosting cognitive functionality, exercise makes their bodies healthier, which reducing their risk of other diseases that cause mental harm.

5. Improving diets and eating better
   It is hard to describe the perfect diet for any individual. However, much like regular exercise, eating better will have a significant impact on mental and physical wellbeing. Our elderly loved ones have even more reason to improve their diets as it can help them maintain energy, improve memory retention and avoid common ailments. Broadly speaking, their diets should include a good balance of healthy fats, fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and daily water intake.

6. Staying socially active
   Senior citizens are often battling feelings of isolation, alienation and loneliness that can contribute to a variety of physical and mental ailments. This includes precipitating memory retention loss in our later years and reducing the desire to hold on to a lifetime of memories. Helping elderly loved ones keep strong bonds with their family, friends and local community can be transformational to their mental state – inspiring them to hold on to their precious memories.

7. Prioritising good quality sleep
   There are very few things better for our minds than sleep. Almost every brain function benefits from high-quality sleep and prioritising a regular sleep schedule is one of the best things senior citizens can do for their memory retention. They should focus on avoiding electronics, alcohol, caffeine and stimulating distractions in the evening; making their bedroom a sanctuary for rest and relaxation. Improving diets, regularly exercising, socialising and reducing stress also contribute to better sleep.

A Final Thought

The space that you occupy will have a large impact on your general wellbeing. This is especially true for retirees and senior citizens who, often, require particular services, amenities and options from their residential space. Most retirement communities offer physical, creative and social activities for their residents that help keep them active and their bodies and minds healthy.

Choosing the right residential option for senior citizens can have a variety of positive mental and physical benefits for them. Whatever their post-retirement lifestyle requirements, you can rest assured that your loved ones will have every need met at one of Manor Retirement’s beautiful and bustling retirement communities.

The post 7 Simple Ways Senior Citizens Can Improve Their Memory Retention appeared first on Manor Retirement.

Researchers found that seniors with a healthy heart would be able to maintain and improve their memory, mental capacity and mental health. Factors, such as diet, blood circulation, lifestyle, physical activity and stress levels, will all play a part in our cardiovascular health as we get older. We need to consider these factors when deciding what we want our retirement years to look like and when trying to maintain our lifetime of memories.

Here are a few ways to that improving your heart health can help keep your mind sharp as you age:

Poor Blood Circulation Can Precipitate Mental Decline

Poor blood circulation can have various negative effects on our physical and mental health as we age. Research shows that the reduced blood flow associated with poor circulation can lead to a more rapid decline in our memory. This is as a result of poor blood flow to the temporal lobes of the brain.

Our brain’s temporal lobes play a key role in memory formation, retention and maintenance. Over time, a restricted cerebral blood flow will precipitate the effects of memory and mental decline that we see in aging. This is all as a result of poor blood circulation and weakened heart function that reduces blood flow to these critical areas of the brain.

Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease and Good Heart Health

One of the most common and devastating forms of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Much like cancer or heart attacks, we have all had to deal with loved ones suffering from dementia. The symptoms of dementia can range from memory loss and cognitive decline to confusion and inability to reason. Alzheimer’s is one of the more severe types of dementia, and all preventive measures should be considered.

Alzheimer’s disease is caused by plaques, tangles and abnormal clusters of protein fragments that build up between nerve cells and synapses that cause brain cells to die. In a recent study, it was found that elderly participants who had healthy hearts (strong blood circulation and healthy blood vessels) were less likely to build up plaques and tangles in the areas of the brain where Alzheimer’s first forms.

Good for the Heart Is Good for the Brain

Maintaining our brain health and memory as we age is more than a matter of keeping our hearts healthy. However, the healthy behaviours and lifestyle choices that are emphasised for maintaining heart health are the same ones that benefit our brain health. Cardiovascular and mental health are intricately linked to our overall health and can both be improved by certain lifestyle changes.

Making big lifestyle changes can be difficult as we get older, but even the smallest changes could make a difference to our long-term cardiovascular and mental health. Healthy behaviour changes like these could include: quitting smoking, doing regular exercise, getting good sleep and eating a well-balanced diet. You never know what positive lifestyle changes will have the biggest impact, but all of them are definitely worth a try.

Deciding where you are going to live in your retirement years is an important and difficult decision to make. Whatever your medical or lifestyle requirements, Manor Retirement’s beautiful and bustling retirement communities have a range of senior living options to meet your needs, including independent and assisted living, as well as frail care.

The post Research Shows Link Between a Healthy Heart and Lasting Memory in Seniors  appeared first on Manor Retirement.

From 24-hour care to assisted living and independent living to continued care residences, there are so many options to consider and choosing the right one will have a huge impact on your loved one’s life. In order to help you make the best decision possible, we are going to look at the five most popular senior care living options for your loved ones.

In-Home Caregivers

Being able to retain the familiarity and comforts of your own home is a wonderful privilege in your retirement years. For seniors who would prefer to stay in their family homes, in-home caregivers are a wonderful option for providing all necessary support while retaining some sense of normalcy. Professional in-house carers are able to assist with all daily needs, such as nutrition, medication, personal hygiene, housekeeping and transportation.

This kind of support will afford your loved ones the opportunity to live out their retirement years without disruptions and assistance with daily necessities. In-home care is a more expensive senior care option and does not provide specialised medical or rehabilitative care. It is important to understand the level of medical support your loved one requires before committing to this option.

Independent Living Communities

Independent living communities, better known as retirement villages, are the most popular living option for modern retirees and seniors. These communities are for healthy seniors who can take care of themselves, want to maintain an active lifestyle and keep a bustling social life. Retirement communities are usually in a complex environment with close access to medical care.

The private homes, apartments or rooms available in these communities offer a range of services, such as housekeeping, gardening, transportation and various physical and social activities. Most retirement villages offer access to amenities like gyms, swimming pools, clubhouses, restaurants and medical facilities. This is a great low maintenance and safe option for seniors wanting to maintain their independence, but remain active.

Assisted Living Facilities

Assisted living facilities are another option for independent, active and social seniors who require a little extra assistance and care on a daily basis. Despite the independent apartments and rooms, social environment and independent lifestyle, your loved ones can have daily household assistance and medical care. This option is best suited for elderly people who need help with their medication management, meals, hygiene, specialised medical care and other daily support.

Frail Care Facilities

Frail care facilities offer 24-hour care for seniors who require round-the-clock support due to physical or mental deterioration. This is also a great short-term option for seniors who are recovering from an injury, managing a serious illness or rehabbing after surgery. This is a perfect option for seniors who are bedridden, disabled or battling dementia; whatever their medical requirements, frail care services will help you manage them with the best care and consistent support.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC)

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) are another term for retirement villages, but ones that include all of these senior care options, available in a progressive living arrangement. These communities will include independent living, assisted living and frail care residential options, so that your loved ones can move around the community as their needs change over time.

CCRCs give seniors the opportunity to build a life within the same social and physical environment they have come to know, while having increasing levels of care over time as their lives’ change. This is an amazing option for couples, siblings or friends who wish to live together, but have differing medical requirements. This continuity can provide a sense of security, comfort and normalcy as their medical or personal needs change.

Making the Right Decision

There is no perfect solution for senior living, because all seniors are unique and dynamic people who have different living requirements and preferences. It is important to include your loved ones in the decision-making process and ensure that they are comfortable, happy and secure in their new home. Their medical needs and living requirements should always be a priority, but their social life and ability to spend time with friends and family is essential to making the right decision.

Deciding where your loved ones are going to spend their senior years is an important decision for their post-retirement life. Whatever the medical requirements, social activity or daily care needs of your loved ones are, Manor Retirement’s beautiful and bustling retirement communities have a range of senior living options to choose from.

The post What Type of Senior Care Is Right for Your Loved Ones? appeared first on Manor Retirement.

You may have a loved one who was subject to identity theft or a fraudulent online scheme. Even if your family has been lucky to avoid them, you will still know how devastating these types of scams can be for the lives of those victims. Here are four ways to help you keep your loved ones safe from being preyed upon by these fraudsters:

Be aware of the most common scams

The first step in battling these scammers is to become aware of the most common schemes and scams they are trying to run. Today, most of these schemes are performed over the Internet or on a mobile phone. Fraudsters will collect personal or financial information and use that to gain access to their digital platforms, online accounts or extort them for large sums of money.

Here are the most common scams you need to be aware of:

1. Charity scams
   Older people may be approached and asked for donations to questionable or non-existent charities. These scammers will take advantage of the trust, kindness and goodwill of our elderly loved ones. Charity scams can be attempted face-to-face, over the phone or via email.
2. Email and phishing scams
   Your loved ones might receive an email from – what seems to be – a legitimate financial institution, government agent or customer services for a company. They will be asked to verify, update or change their personal details or login information. The scammer will use this information to access older people’s accounts. Others are tricked into ‘upgrading’ digital services, such as antivirus protections or cell phone contracts, which are used to indebt, blackmail or defraud the victims.
3. Phone scams
   Phone scams are one of the most prevalent schemes attempted again older people. Scammers pretend to be family members, friends or representatives of an organisation and request money to be deposited into their account. Some tech-savvy criminals may use that call as an opportunity to gain access to victims’ mobile devices or computers, by directing them to unknowingly download malware and viruses.
4. Fraudulent investment schemes
   Pyramid, or Ponzi, schemes are a common threat to older people who are offered incredible returns that never deliver. Unlike Nigerian prince and fake inheritance scams, these pyramid schemes will attempt to show some legitimacy and reputation through their network of victims. They are designed to exploit their large numbers to gain our loved ones’ trust and optimism.

Be cognoscente of the warning signs

If you are concerned that a loved one is being taken advantage of, there are several signs that might indicate that they are falling victim to one of these horrific scams. The warning signs you should look out for are unusual changes to their banking details, strange cash withdrawals or transfers, extensive use of their ATM cards and any abnormal or new communications. Additionally, ensure that their rent, mortgage, insurance, phone contract, utilities and other bills are being paid into the correct accounts.

Make sure your loved ones are informed and safe

Most scams will offer an opportunity or prize that seems too good to be true. Make sure that your loved ones are aware of these types of financial scams and suspicious of ways to make money quickly over the Internet. They must never hand over personal or banking details to anyone over the phone or via email. If a scammer is pretending to be a friend or family member, they should always ask several personal questions that verify who is contacting them.

Act swiftly and decisively

If, at any point, you believe a loved one is being scammed by a fraudster or cybercriminal, it is critical to take action immediately. You have to contact their bank, credit card or service provider that has been compromised and cancel those accounts or reverse any fraudulent payments. Everyone should be changing their passwords frequently and reset any password-sensitive accounts that are under threat. Being informed and enacting preventative measures should become part of your loved one’s routine.

Deciding where your parents are going to live is critical for their post-retirement security. If your older loved ones are considering where to call home on this exciting, new chapter of their lives, consider joining one of Manor Retirement’s beautiful and bustling communities.

The post How to Protect Your Loved Ones from Becoming a Victim of Scams appeared first on Manor Retirement.