Avoid Burnout While Creating a Senior Care Plan

Realizing that it’s time for your senior relative to get some extra help in their day-to-day life is tough. You may not know where to begin figuring out how to help them, and you may face the additional challenge of a stubborn or obstinate senior. Here are a few tips to ease your burden while also maximizing efficiency in your effort:

• Work together. Before going forward with any plan, reach a consensus with other family members. There are a wide variety of assisted living resources and facilities - make sure you all agree on what is best.
• Divide and conquer. Split up tasks among family members so you don’t bear the weight of the task alone. Allow one person to tour facilities while another person goes through financial documents to assess assets and income.
• Seek professional help. Consider hiring an attorney who specializes in elder law. They’re skilled in navigating health insurance bureaucracy and can help with the complex task of estate planning. 

Make Hillside Terrace Senior Living Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about elderly care services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!

Does Your Senior Relative Need Some Help?

As we age, so too do all our elder relatives. Almost all of us have wondered if the behavior changes we’ve witnessed in senior relatives warrant our intervention. It can be difficult to gauge what’s serious and what isn’t. Here are a few signs you should never ignore:

• Rapid weight loss. A rapid loss of weight in your senior relative should send up red flags for a few reasons. It could be a symptom of a wasting illness. It could also be a sign that your senior relative is not up to the task of shopping and cooking for themselves. Is the refrigerator empty? Are there signs of heat damage on the stove? These can all be indicators that the task of feeding herself is becoming overwhelming to your senior relative.
• Driving infractions. It could be a problem with their eyesight or a sign of cognitive decline, but either way, traffic violations indicate your senior relative may be having trouble on the road. If possible, try allowing your senior relative to drive you somewhere and gauge for yourself.
• Unpaid bills. Finding stacks of unopened mail around your senior relative’s home or receiving collections calls could indicate your relative is unable to care for their finances. It could be a matter of financial hardship, or it could be cognitive problems making the mathematics of bill-paying difficult. 

Make Hillside Terrace Senior Living Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about elderly care services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!

How to Stop Family Disputes Over Elderly Parents

 

Family can often disagree on how much care is really needed. We have a solution for you! 

1. Ask a geriatric care manager to assess your parents’ home for safety. 
2. Talk to your parents’ primary care physician about recent deterioration and developing physical challenges.
3. Research your parents’ options for senior care. 
4. Schedule a tour to check out the amenities and how they can help your loved one.

Make Hillside Terrace Senior Living Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about assisted living services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!

Are Your Aging Parents Resisting Care?

Sometime the parent can be the one who causes the family disputes over their health and well-being. Explain the benefits of senior care to them. Often, the older generation has an outdated view of what senior living is actually like. According to A Place for Mom, “After understanding the amenities and lifestyle senior living has to offer, they may be more likely to make the transition.”

Make Hillside Terrace Senior Living Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about assisted living services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!

Are You Prepared to Take on The Responsibility of Caregiver?

At Hillside Terrace Senior Living, we treat you like family because you are family!  If your senior loved one is in desperate need of assistance, you may want to consider assisted living.

Chef Prepared Meals at Hillside Terrace Senior Living

We provide your adult relatives with a variety of nutritious meals, including diabetes-friendly options. Proper nutrition goes a long way toward improving these seniors’ quality of life. 

Tour Our Facility for Assisted Living in Ann Arbor: Schedule Your Tour Today!

If you’re interested in learning more about assisted living at Hillside Terrace or scheduling a tour, contact us today! 734-761-4451

Questions to Ask Yourself if You’re Thinking About Caregiving

Are you thinking about being the caregiver for your loved one?

It’s a lot of responsibility that can take a mental toll on you. Being prepared for the potential changes of caregiving means asking yourself these important questions:

1. Am I financially prepared for the extra costs of caregiving?
2. Am I really capable of taking care of Dad or Mom all by myself? Do I need to hire home care or consider assisted living?
3. Do I have the social support and resources I’m going to need?
4. How will caregiving affect my physical and mental health?
5. If my parent has dementia and can no longer filter their behavior, will I be able to cope with potentially hurtful words or actions?
6. Will I be able to allow myself to accept help and take breaks?
7. Will I be able to cut back on work responsibilities during those times when I need to care for my parent?
8. Will I be able to make time for myself and my family?

Make Hillside Terrace Assisted Living Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about assisted living services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!

Thinking About a Move to Assisted Living? Hillside is the Safest Place to Be with Protections in Place to Keep You Safe!

It can be hard to guarantee a home that’s free of contamination with friends and family coming and going. At Hillside Terrace, we are required by the State of Michigan to prohibit visitors at this time so that Hillside remains a safe environment, free of potential Coronavirus contamination. 

Learn more about what we’re doing to keep your loved ones safe here.

Make Hillside Terrace Senior Living Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about senior living services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!

Get Creative to Stay in Touch with Loved Ones During COVID

 

There are plenty of ways to keep in touch! Try these out:

1. Schedule virtual visits with your loved one
2. Call your loved one on the telephone
3. Play your favorite online games together
4. Communicate the old-fashioned way with a hand-written letter

Learn more here!

Once it’s safe to do so, we’ll happily invite friends and family back to visit their family in person. However, for the safety of our residents, staff, and families, we encourage you to practice safe social distancing recommended by the CDC.

Make Hillside Terrace Senior Living Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about senior living services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!

Hillside Terrace Senior Living is the Safest Place to Be with Protections in place to Keep You Safe!

It can be hard to guarantee a home that’s free of contamination with friends and family coming and going. At Hillside Terrace Senior Living in Ann Arbor, we're required by the State of Michigan to prohibit visitors at this time so that Hillside remains a safe environment, free of potential Coronavirus contamination. 

We have safety measures in place that include: frequent sanitization on frequently touched surfaces, daily temperature checks for our employees, and personal protective equipment for our all our employees when in contact with our residents.

We are continuing to evaluate our procedures on a daily basis to ensure that we are practicing safety and health standards set forth by the CDC and State of Michigan.

Make Hillside Terrace Senior Living Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about senior living services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!

Why a senior should make a move to senior living now in a pandemic?

Reasons you should still consider moving to assisted living include:

• Preparedness security
• Resident assessment 2x a day for COVID-19 symptoms
• Nurses around the clock to respond to any sudden illness like COVID-19
• Chef Prepared meals
• Medication administered
• Laundry service

We all know a senior has a better chance to stay healthy and alert if their issues are assessed quickly and medical care is initiated fast. If your senior loved one is in desperate need of assistance, you may want to consider assisted living.

Make Hillside Terrace Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about senior living services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!

Eight signs of mental health problems in seniors

As loved ones age, we can’t help but notice changes in them. Often the changes are physical and happen slowly and naturally. But what if we start to notice personality changes? What types of behavioral changes are normal? Which ones might be a sign of something worrisome?

The following eight symptoms are signs you may be dealing with a serious issue. If you notice any of the following, it’s time to talk to a doctor about your observations:

• Difficulty maintaining concentration – sudden confusion or disorientation
• Rapid appetite or weight changes
• Home or personal appearance in disrepair
• Memory issues, especially short-term memory loss or problems with recent memories
• Ongoing depressed moods lasting two weeks or longer
• Expressing feelings of hopelessness, undue guilt, or suicidal thoughts
• Unexplainable physical pain or fatigue
• Isolation from social groups or loss of interest in friends and hobbies

 

If you have questions about assisted living or have noticed changes in your loved one, please give us a call at 734-761-4451 or visit our website at www.hillsideterrace.net.

Memory loss and confusion: dementia? Or something else?

Many people associate the onset of mental illness with adolescence of young adulthood. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder: all of these disorders tend to be diagnosed before age thirty. The exception is dementia. Dementia typically affects seniors, and its symptoms may be more readily recognized in older patients.

Early stages of dementia and early stages of other mental illness may bear similar symptoms. Depression, anxiety, dementia, and even bipolar disorder can present the same early symptoms: memory loss, confusion, and unpredictable behavior. It’s important to always seek professional help when dealing with potential psychiatric illness, but it is doubly important to insure a correct diagnosis. 

At Hillside Terrace in Ann Arbor, we advocate for our residents and work with their families to make sure any health concerns are addressed. Every senior resident has case management that includes regular, ongoing communication with family members. We offer social activities and interaction to help stave off feelings of loneliness and isolation as well as round-the-clock security, nurse, and staff support. If you have questions about assisted living or have noticed changes in your loved one, please give us a call at 734-761-4451 or visit our website at www.hillsideterrace.net.

When Your Parents Need Assisted Living –Schedule a Tour at Hillside Terrace!

Have questions? We can help you evaluate your needs and help you decide which assisted living community is right for you during a tour. You’ll even have an opportunity to dine in our dining room and taste one of our chef–prepared meals.

We provide your adult relatives with a variety of nutritious meals, including diabetes-friendly options. Proper nutrition goes a long way toward improving these seniors’ quality of life. 

Make Hillside Terrace Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about assisted living services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!

Steps to Take When Your Parents Need Assisted Living

Are you searching for the perfect assisted living community for your loved one?

Can’t find the right community that fits your budget?

Wondering which steps you need to take?

Follow these steps to find the right assisted living community for your loved one:

1. Figure out what you can afford.
2. Schedule a tour!
3. Have a conversation with your aging parents.
4. Consult a variety of resources before you make a decision.

Make Hillside Terrace Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about assisted living services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!

The best thing you can do for someone in mourning – anything!

When a friend or loved one is grieving, many of us say, “let me know if there’s anything I can do.” While the sentiment here is genuine (you really do want to do something nice for them,) it also shifts the burden onto the grieving person. In the throes of grief, that person may not even know what they need.

Instead, pick something within your capabilities and just do it! Maybe bring a casserole over for dinner on a weeknight. You could also come mow their lawn or do a couple loads of laundry or pick up some groceries. During such a difficult time, they’re probably not going to be great at gauging what needs they have. Pick something nice to do for them and just do it!

If your grieving friend or loved one is a resident at one of Hillside Terrace’s community for assisted living in Ann Arbor, please feel free to contact us at 734-761-4451. Our professional staff will be happy to assist you in any way possible.

The common phrase to avoid telling a grieving person

“He’s in a better place.” We’re all tempted to tell a grieving person that their deceased loved one has moved on to a better plane of existence. It feels like the right thing to say – after all, the process of dying is often physically painful and protracted, and it seems like it might comfort their grieving loved ones.

Even deeply religious people aren’t always ready for their loved ones to become an angel or get sent to the afterlife. A better bet is a straightforward, “I’m so sorry for your loss.” It conveys your deep sympathy and acknowledges the pain of the grieving person.

If your grieving friend or loved one is a resident at one of Hillside Terrace’s community for assisted living in Ann Arbor, please feel free to contact us at 734-761-4451. Our professional staff will be happy to assist you in any way possible.

Assisted Living Communities in Ann Arbor Focus on Nutrition

According to a Place for Mom, “Clearly, good nutrition plays a vital role in the quality of life in older persons. This is why preventative medicine and focusing on good eating habits is crucial.

Health professionals recommend following a preventative health maintenance nutritional program, such as the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It describes two eating plans:

1. The USDA Food Patterns
2. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Eating Plan”

Find out how Hillside Terrace helps combat bad nutrition habits in their assisted living communities by reading the latest on our website.

Make Hillside Terrace Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about assisted living services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!

Find Out How Hillside Terrace Assisted Living Combats Nutrition Bad Habits

Our bodies change as we get older and so do the nutrients we crave. Good nutrition is essential for health, quality of life, and vitality. Unfortunately, some seniors find themselves with habits that lead to bad nutrition and poor health. 

Find out how Hillside Terrace helps combat bad nutrition habits in their assisted living communities by reading the latest on our website.

Make Hillside Terrace Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about assisted living services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!

Hillside Terrace Offers Unique Assisted Living Options in Ann Arbor!

Hillside Terrace Senior Living in Ann Arbor offers four unique types of assisted living apartment homes for aging adults. We go beyond classic assisted living to make sure we have the right option for your family. 

Assisted living: The Gardens boasts 49 assisted living apartments. We work with your family to determine the daily living services needed for each resident. These apartments include weekly housekeeping and laundry services, utilities and three chef-prepared meals a day.

Long term care: The Palms boasts 16 long term care apartments. In addition to the amenities offered at The Gardens, The Palms offers 1:1 life enrichment and enhanced memory training. Medication is administered by a registered nurse 1-3 times daily, and in-house palliative care is available.

Independent living: The Orchard is comprised of nine apartments for seniors who are able to live independently but are ready for a break from home upkeep. These apartments include housekeeping and meal services as well as kitchenette and on-site laundry for independent living. The Orchard offers bi-weekly shopping trips, as well as lunch and dinner outings.

Memory care: The Vineyard is home to eight apartments providing enhanced care for seniors suffering memory loss and dementia. In addition to the amenities offered at The Palms, The Vineyard provides escorts to meals and activities, a daily caregiver to remove trash, make the bed and provide clean towels and hourly wellness checks. 

At Hillside Terrace Senior Living, we work with your family to create the best possible living situation for your senior relative – you choose what is best for you, and we make it possible. Call us today at 734-761-4451 to schedule your tour and learn more about our assisted living options.

The Many Benefits of Assisted Living in Ann Arbor!

If you’re thinking of looking into a senior living facility for a loved one, you may be wrestling with the decision. There are a lot of negative connotations about senior and assisted living – no one wants to put their relative “in a home.” But modern senior living facilities offer a myriad of benefits that can help you feel better about your decision.

Community: Adults in senior living settings benefit from the presence of peers. Social relationships can be hard for older adults to maintain, especially if they live alone and are unable to travel independently. The close proximity of neighbors in senior living facilities strengthen these social bonds.

Chef-prepared meals: In addition to relieving seniors of the burden of shopping and cooking for themselves, senior living facilities provide your adult relatives with a variety of nutritious meals, including diabetes-friendly options. Proper nutrition goes a long way toward improving these seniors’ quality of life. 

Round-the-clock assistance: Basic tasks like dressing and bathing can be very difficult for some aging adults. It usually befalls family caregivers to attend to these tasks, but for many, the level of help a senior relative requires far exceeds the help their family can give. It is the primary function of assisted living facilities to help seniors with these tasks while also enabling them to be as independent as possible.

Activities: Senior living facilities are outfitted with fitness equipment, indoor recreation areas and outdoor spaces offering a multitude of activity options for older adults. In addition, senior living facilities offer daily or weekly activities like bingo, exercise classes, book clubs and outings to local stores and museums. 

Hillside Terrace is a premier facility for assisted living in Ann Arbor. Call us today at 734-761-4451 to schedule your tour and learn more about our senior apartment homes.

What to Know When Planning Ahead for Future Healthcare Decisions

Planning for future healthcare needs seems like a lot of guesswork. But failing to plan is an even bigger gamble. Without planning, an unexpected health crisis could mean you’re making big decisions under pressure with limited choices.

Hillside Terrace gives you lifestyle choices now and a plan in place for future care. For more information about assisted living services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here!

Is an Assisted Living Community the Right Choice?

With the rising costs of housing and healthcare, planning for retirement has become a necessity. But when you’re worried about your health or the health of your loved one, retirement planning takes on a whole new dimension. Is an assisted living community the right choice for you?

Make Hillside Terrace Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about assisted living services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!

Live Life Together in a Senior Living Community

Hillside Terrace is home to many couples, like you, who are living life together in a new way. With fewer responsibilities and more recreation options, they’re enjoying more quality time together than before. We always want to provide the best living, dining, and assistance options for our residents. But it’s equally important that we create a caring, vibrant, inclusive community that nurtures the body, mind, and spirit. We want more for you than just room and board; we want you to thrive together.

Schedule a Tour Today!

We warmly invite you to see the difference we can make when your family shares life with our family. For more information about elderly care services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” Schedule a tour today!

Senior Living Can Help Your Marriage Thrive!

You know that a quality senior living community provides clean, safe housing and excellent care. Hillside Terrace takes it a few steps further than that. We’re a family-oriented community in a park-like setting with activities and support designed to feed your body, mind, and soul — and your relationship. 

Make Hillside Terrace Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about elderly care services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!