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.

These questions and considerations vary per individual and are normal considerations to think about; because at the end of the day you want to live your best retirement life. In this article, we will look at some of the benefits of living in a retirement estate and why buying a home within a retirement estate may be the best option for you, as opposed to renting:

What are the benefits of living in a retirement estate?

When it comes to your post-employment life, you will find that your lifestyle and health needs begin to change. As this change affects your way of living, moving into a retirement estate can benefit you in a number of ways. Let us take a look at how you can benefit from living in a retirement estate:

1. Flexible Living
   A retirement estate provides residents with flexibility when it comes to their current living arrangements. This flexibility grants residents the ability to downsize from a standalone home to an apartment or a small bedroom unit with ease, should the situation warrant it. With life being unpredictable and ever-changing, quality retirement estates tend to consider all eventualities and have all life stages covered.

2. A Safe and Secure Environment
   As you get older, your need for security and safety may start becoming more of a priority. This is where retirement estates take extra care to ensure the safety and security of their residents. At most retirement estates, there are a broad set of security measures in place, such as electric fencing, access control systems, security guards and CCTV cameras with 24-hour monitoring.

3. Access to Health Care
   Find a retirement estate that offers easy access to quality health care facilities and services at each life stage. The quality and level of access to health care facilities and services will vary depending on the retirement estate. Some estates include 24-hour nursing care, health care centres, onsite emergency response and easy access to hospitals and doctors, to ensure all residents are healthy, happy and well looked after.

4. Carefree Retirement Lifestyle
   Contrary to popular belief, seniors do not always like to sit around knitting. Nowadays, retirees remain active well into their golden years, by enjoying activities both inside and outside the retirement estate. Whether you join in on social gatherings, exercise clubs, game clubs, mini-markets, libraries and more, you can do what you enjoy, whilst being in a safe environment.

5. Community and Friends
   Enjoy a sense of community with likeminded individuals. Almost every retirement estate, across the globe, offers fun filled and stimulating activities for their residents to enjoy. These activities range from outdoor or exercise activities, like yoga, hiking, cycling, bird watching and so on, to other activities, such as bridge evenings, movie nights, social dinners, book clubs and so much more.

6. Being Outdoors and One with Nature
   Being outdoors has a multitude of physical and mental health benefits for individuals for all ages. It can help with reducing stress and anxiety, boosting energy and motivation and even assist with improved physical health and mental focus. Enjoy the outdoors with beautiful gardens, picnics, walking areas, bird watching, hiking paths and more to feel recharged in nature.

7. Working From Home
   Many people choose to work after retirement, whether it is full time or part time, this is financially driven for some, while others prefer to keep their business mindset sharp whilst earning extra income. Many of today’s retirement estates have a strong technology backbone, with high-speed internet, residents can continue or kickstart their part time consulting or freelance business from home.

It is important to understand your current and potential lifestyle and health care needs when considering which retirement estate to buy into. At Lonehill Manor Retirement Estate, we offer our residents a beautiful and bustling community, where you can confidently start the next chapter of your life.

What to consider before buying into a retirement estate?

Now that we have covered some of the benefits a lifestyle or retirement estate has to offer, there are a few things you should take into consideration before buying a home, apartment or small bedroom unit. Let us take a look at a few things you should consider:

1. The Purchase Price vs Purchase Value
   Buying a home in a retirement estate is often perceived as expensive. In reality, the building that you buy is not all you are getting, what you are actually getting is flexibility, safety, security and a stimulating environment. This comes with access to on-hand medical assistance and healthcare, a carefree retirement lifestyle, community and friends, amazing outdoor experiences, fast internet and so much more.When moving into a retirement estate you are joined by likeminded individuals, where you can create great memories and better friends.

2. Location is King
   The last thing you want is to buy into a luxury retirement home situated right next to a garbage dump in the middle of nowhere. This is why location is king! When looking for a retirement estate to buy into, always look at where they are situated and what is in close proximity to the estate and, if possible, have a look around to see if the area in question suits your health, social and physical needs.

3. Type of Care Offered
   When considering a retirement estate, take into account your current and potential health care requirements and determine whether the estate can accommodate those health care needs. For instance: do they offer independent living, assisted living, frail care, long- and short-term rehabilitation care, dementia care, in-house nursing staff or access to primary health care?The retirement estate should be able to provide all of its residents with access to various care options, that are easily accessible and all in one estate, if possible.

4. Monthly Costs
   Do not be afraid to ask what the monthly levies are. If you are looking at buying a property in a retirement estate, be sure to ask your agent what the monthly levies are; whether they are capped and, if not, what is the annual rate of escalation. Another question to ask your agent is what do the levies cover, for example: do they cover general maintenance, insurance, garden services, frail care and homecare services?Knowing these costs can help you better prepare financially towards your future retirement lifestyle.

5. Know How the Estate is Managed
   Do you know what the estate’s management track record is? Before moving into a retirement estate, speak to the residents or view online testimonials to see what current and past residents had to say about living on the estate.You can also request the financial information regarding the operation, maintenance and security of the estate. Find out what protections you have if the estate is sold to another organisation, what resident committees there are and what roles they play in the management of the estate.

Purchasing a retirement property is investing in the creation of new and exciting memories, especially with Lonehill Manor Retirement Estate. Where we ensure the stability and care necessary for our residents’ health and happiness.

What are the different purchasing options?

Purchasing a home is an important financial decision at any age. Whether you are choosing to downscale to a freehold home, buying into a life rights estate or opting for sectional title unit; these are all decisions that require careful thought and consideration. Each purchase option and property type come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages and should be considered in light of your unique circumstances.

Let us take a dive into a few of the purchase options available to you:

1. Freehold Property Ownership
   Buy and own your home. When purchasing a freehold home within a retirement estate, you become the title deed holder and have full rights and responsibilities of property ownership. This also means being liable for any bond registration costs, transfer duties or conveyancing fees.When it comes to the management of the property, typically, under freehold property ownership and with you as the owner, you are responsible for the management, maintenance, upkeep and insurance of the property.With this in mind, you may find that the maintenance and upkeep of the property may end up becoming a burden as you get older. Especially if you are a retiree, looking for a more hassle-free retirement option. On the other hand, since you own your property, you do not have restrictions in respect of pet ownership. Enjoy your personal space, maintain your home as you please and have the freedom to bequeath the property in question to your loved ones.

2. Life Rights Property Ownership
   Life rights property ownership is ideal for those who want to invest upfront for the right to live in a property on a retirement estate for the duration of their lifetime. It is leasing a property for life. In return, the retiree gets to enjoy a high standard of living, with access to world-class amenities, without the hassles of maintaining their property.As the estate is solely responsible for the management of the property, they are in charge of the maintenance, upkeep and insurance of the entire complex. This means, the management is driven to keep the facilities and amenities of their estate in good condition, to not only ensure continued clientele in the future, but satisfaction of residents at all times.It is important to understand that every life right agreement is different. This means you need to know exactly what you are paying for when you choose a life right ownership option. On the bright side, you as a resident of the estate can enjoy nursing and medical care, frail care facilities, entertainment, relatively low levies, prepared meals and excellent security.

Conclusion

Purchasing a property close to retirement may seem like a daunting task. This is why we recommend doing your homework, considering your options, your current and potential health care needs and your budget. Through doing so, you can make informed decisions with regards to buying or leasing your new home and venturing into this exciting new life chapter.

At Lonehill Manor Retirement Estate, we strive to provide our residents with attentive care and personal support to ensure that their changing needs are always met. Our estate offers a full range of quality nursing care and accommodation to meet individual needs. Situated in a park-like property along Concourse Crescent in the popular suburb of Lonehill, Sandton. Its convenient location ensures easy access to doctors and health care providers, Life Fourways Hospital and numerous modern shopping centres, such as Lonehill Shopping Centre and Fourways Mall.

If you are interested in knowing about current sale and rental options, we warmly invite you to view our retirement village in person. Please call Natasha on 083 271 1176 or email natasha@lonehillmanor.co.za to book a viewing. You can also visit our Lonehill Manor Retirement website for more information on how we can help you find your dream retirement home.

The post The Benefits of Purchasing a Home in a Retirement Estate 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.