The Time of Your Life!
Page 16 • The Courier-Herald • Wednesday, September 11, 2013
www.courierherald.com • www.blscourierherald.com
Many thrive in the world of assisted living ing time for all involved. However, there are a great number of potential options, and assisted living is an increasingly popular choice, because it combines
the best aspects of independence, community, services, and affordability. From seniors who require help with a few weekly tasks, to those who need
Expressions at Enumclaw
Living, Loving, & Thriving
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease or other memory related illnesses can be very overwhelming. We’re here to help. We are offering FREE informative seminars to provide support and education. Thursday, JuLy 11, 2:00 pm
Successful Communication CONCLUDED
Learn how to manage your own expectations and how to create paths for effective communication.
Thursday, augusT 1, 2:00 pm
Managing Challenging Behaviors CONCLUDED Learn how you can minimize and cope with behavior changes.
Take Care of You! CONCLUDED Thursday, augusT T 22, 2:00 pm
Learn about resources specifically designed to support you as you care for others.
Whether you are a family member, professional provider or want to further your education, you are invited to learn how to help support and care for those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. All seminars are free and open to the public.
Thursday, sepTember 12, 2:00 pm
Dining and Nutrition
Learn how to introduce healthy foods and create enjoyable dining experiences.
Refreshments provided.
Bridging the Gap Between Hospital and Home
Learn how to create meaningful and memorable moments with activities and events.
We specialize in short-term rehabilitation. Our physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists can assist in the road to recovery. The goal of our therapy department is to maximize each resident’s rehabilitation potential by using all appropriate therapies to meet individual goals. Our facility is equipped to meet a variety of healthcare needs: wound care, podiatry, ophthalmology, mental health and dental. Our team of professionals include: 24 hour skilled nursing, rehabilitation therapy, restorative therapy, activities director, registered dietician, social workers, certified wound specialist. Enumclaw Health and Rehabilitation Center is conveniently located across from St. Elizabeth Hospital. We accept insurances, private pay, Medicare and Medicaid. Pictured: Administrative team at Enumclaw HealthCare and Rehabilitation Center.
To register for these free events please call (360) 825-4565, or email us at mapodaca@prestigecare.com
861274
See LIVING, Page 17
HealthCare & Rehabilitation Center
Maximize Enjoyment
Prestige Senior Living
the resident can remain in the same home as their need for assistance increases. Of course, moving is stressful, so it’s a wonderful benefit for a senior to be able to remain in the environment that they call home. Social benefits Loneliness is a real problem for many senior citizens. Isolation can lead to depression and one of the most obvious benefits of an assisted living community is the opportunity for social interaction. Each community offers a variety of activities, outings, and events, allowing each resident can choose the ones that they prefer. Most assisted living communities also offer a community center or commonuse area plus a dining room, so even when there are no planned activities, the residents can come together for a chat or a meal. Since most residents are in a similar age group, making friends is far easier than when living elsewhere in an all-ages community. Nutrition and fitness made easy The process of cooking and serving healthy meals can be quite a task
for seniors living on their own. From shopping and preparing the meal to serving and cleaning up, insuring adequate daily nutrition can be nearly a full-time job for a senior. At an assisted living community, residents typically have access to two or three cooked meals daily, prepared with a senior’s nutritional needs in mind and normally included in the monthly fees. Additionally, seniors living on their own often neglect exercise and other beneficial physical activities. An assisted living community provides facilities and scheduled exercise classes for all residents. So joining in is easy. The fitness classes are geared toward seniors, so the level of exertion is appropriate for the age-range. Making the exercise regiment a group activity with sympathetic, supportive help from the coordinators, creates an enjoyable stress-free health promoting activity for all residents. Safety and security An important benefit provided by the assisted living community is a level of safety and security that isn’t possible when living alone. Many residents will move into an assisted living community because certain normal tasks have become difficult. There is the added benefit that if the senior falls or has another medical or personal emergency, someone is always available on property to help immediately.
Enumclaw
Thursday, ocTober 3, 2:00 pm
Expressions at Enumclaw 2454 Cole Street Enumclaw, WA 98022
regular medical monitoring and daily assistance, the assisted living option can be an appealing one. Maximum independence is maintained Perhaps the most significant benefit of assisted living is that each resident may live as independently as they are able. These communities provide health monitoring and assisted living services as needed but for a fully functioning senior it can be just like living in a private apartment or condominium. It’s the best of both worlds, since each resident has access to nursing advice and assistance, prepared food, transportation, housekeeping and community activities, but most of this is optional. Even so, the knowledge that these services are available, helps lessen the stress of the transition for both the resident and his or her family. Care can adjust to each resident’s needs The majority of assisted living communities offer scaled pricing for health and lifestyle services. This means that a new resident, who requires very little help with day to day living, can move in at a modest monthly cost. Then, as the need or preference for additional services arises, incremental fees are added for those additional services once they are provided. By offering varying levels of care and services, an assisted living community can be an affordable and efficient choice for more independent seniors. Then,
www.PrestigeCare.com
876710
When the challenges associated with the aging process require a senior to consider changing his or her living situation, it can be a stressful and confus-
2323 Jensen St., Enumclaw 360-825-2541 • www.evergreenhealthcare.com