Communicating with Compassion - Navigating Difficult Conversations

One of the most challenging aspects of transitioning your elderly parent to assisted living or another care setting is the conversation itself. How do you convey your concerns and intentions with sensitivity and compassion?

We believe that open and honest communication is paramount. Here are some tips to help you navigate these difficult conversations:

 

• Choose the Right Time and Place: Create a calm, private environment where your parent feels safe and heard.
• Lead with Empathy: Acknowledge their fears and concerns. Avoid blaming or minimizing their feelings.
• Focus on Their Well-being: Emphasize that the goal is to provide them with the best possible care, which may require professional assistance.
• Listen Actively: Allow your parent to express their emotions without interruption.
• Involve Professionals: If necessary, a geriatric care manager or therapist can facilitate difficult conversations.

 

Remember, communication is a process, not a one-time event. Be patient and persistent. Hillside Terrace, a leader in "Elderly Care Ann Arbor" is here to help guide you through this process.

 

Read more on our website!

 

Schedule a Tour Today

 

We warmly invite you to visit our community and see firsthand how we can make a difference in your life or the life of a loved one. Discover the freedom, flexibility, and peace of mind that elderly care in Ann Arbor  can provide.

Recognizing the Shift - When Caregiving Becomes Too Much

Caring for an aging parent is a journey of unwavering love and dedication. But what happens when that journey reaches a crossroads? When the weight of responsibility becomes overwhelming, and you realize you can no longer provide the level of care your parent deserves?

We understand this deeply emotional transition. It's not simply about feeling "burned out." It's about recognizing a fundamental shift in your parent's needs and your own capacity. It's about asking yourself the tough questions:

• Has my parent's health changed dramatically? Are their needs exceeding my ability to provide safe, effective care?
• Am I sacrificing my own well-being? Are my health, relationships, or career suffering?
• Is my parent truly thriving under my care? Or are they merely existing?

Acknowledging this shift is not a sign of weakness, but a courageous act of love. It opens the door to finding solutions that prioritize your parent's well-being. If you are looking into "Elderly Care Ann Arbor" options, know you are not alone in this journey.

Read more on our website!

 

Schedule a Tour Today

 

We warmly invite you to visit our community and see firsthand how we can make a difference in your life or the life of a loved one. Discover the freedom, flexibility, and peace of mind that elderly care in Ann Arbor can provide.

 

Ways to Pay for Assisted Living

Paying for elderly care can be difficult, but luckily, there are a number of ways to make assisted living affordable. With a little bit of help, you can smoothly transition your loved one in to a structured, social environment where assistance for daily life is readily available. 

Many families pay for assisted living with private funds, through a few different avenues including personal savings, pension funds, and retirement accounts. The National Council on Aging offers a senior program that helps to cover drug prescriptions, food, hearing care, dental care, vision coverage, and energy bills. Surprisingly, certain chronically ill seniors are able to receive significant tax deductions, which can go a long way.

Schedule Your Tour Today! Virtual or In-Person Tours Available

Hillside Terrace provides an “aging by choice” philosophy. We work with your family to create the best possible living situation for your senior relative. Our housing, dining, and care services will make your loved one feel at home! Let our family take care of yours.

Hillside Terrace is a facility for elderly care in Ann Arbor. Call us at (734) 761-4451 to schedule a visit!

How to Save Money When Paying for Assisted Living

Finding care for a loved one can be a difficult process, but there are ways to reduce the stress. There are a number of ways to make assisted living affordable. With a little bit of help, you can smoothly transition your loved one in to a structured, social environment where assistance for daily life is readily available. With that being said, finding a way to pay for assisted living can still be tricky. Before you commit to something out of your budget, try these helpful tips:

1. Ask about price flexibility and special deals
2. Consider a roommate
3. See if an a la carte plan works for you
4. Inquire about discount programs for low-income seniors
5. Explore tax deductions

Schedule Your Tour Today! Virtual or In-Person Tours Available

Hillside Terrace provides an “aging by choice” philosophy. We work with your family to create the best possible living situation for your senior relative. Our housing, dining, and care services will make your loved one feel at home! Let our family take care of yours.

Hillside Terrace is a facility for elderly care in Ann Arbor. Call us at (734) 761-4451 to schedule a visit!

What You Can Do to Prevent Falls at Home

There are several things you can do to help prevent falls and minimize injuries in case of a fall. Encourage your aging loved one to: 

- Maintain their fitness

- Eat well

- Hydrate

- Tell someone if you feel different after taking new medications

- Physical therapy

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!

Elderly Fall Prevention Starts with Keeping a Detailed Record

According to A Place for Mom, “If you’re caring for a senior loved one at home, keep a detailed record of any incidents. Check for fall risks in their home, and discuss these potential contributing factors during any medical assessment after a fall.”

Common medical causes of increasing your or a loved one’s risk for falls include: 

1. Medication side effects
2. Blood pressure changes
3. Vision and hearing loss
4. Underlying medical conditions
5. Vitamin D deficiency

Learn more here!

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!

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!

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!

Respect in Elderly Care

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Whether it’s in catchy songs or in kids’ shows, respect has always been important to our relationships. And why shouldn’t it be? Regardless of skin color, financial status, body type, or age—everyone in every walk of life should be respected. That doesn’t end just because someone goes to an elderly care facility! So what behaviors are considered “respectful” towards the elderly? When it comes to elderly care, here are our ideas:

• Refer to the resident by their first name
  

Unless a resident specifically asks to be called by a nickname, we’ll call them by their first name. Calling someone “gramps” or “grandma” might not bother some people, but for others it may be unflattering. We’ll always ask what our residents want to be called. 

• Communicate clearly and politely

What are the rules? What are the procedures? We’re upfront and clear about all our processes and procedures. We’ll always try to be polite—asking for a resident’s opinion and always knocking before entering unless there’s a medical or personal emergency. We work hard to respect any boundaries a resident may have.

• Allow a resident to make choices

We allow our residents to make choices. Whether it’s the food they eat or the clothes they wear, they’ll always have the first say. Retiring to an elderly care facility shouldn’t mean the end of individuality and personal freedom! You and your loved one deserve to be treated with the best in care and—you guessed it—respect!

So don’t be worried about your loved one needing care. If your loved one needs elderly care in Ann Arbor give us a call today! We’re happy to help! 

Health as a Priority

When your parents begin to need elderly care in Ann Arbor, health becomes a real concern—injuries become more severe, and their risk of many diseases can increase. Their health and autonomy are our priority, so your parents can enjoy their days at Hillside Terrace. 

“Health” can mean different things to different people. So, what do we do for our residents who require elderly care? From providing a healthy diet to supporting a positive mindset, we spare no effort to support your loved ones’ mental and physical health.

Here are a few things we do to make your loved ones’ health a priority:

• Keep our grounds clean and safe
• Provide healthy, tasty diets
• Keep highly trained professionals on staff 
• Provide lots of meaningful activities

Elderly Care in Ann Arbor

You should never have to worry about the physical or medical safety of an elderly loved one in a care facility. Whether it’s the food they eat or the facility they live in, their health is our first concern. We provide meaningful activities for the mind and body. Our professionals are ready for medical and personal emergencies at all times. We don’t want Hillside Terrace to be considered the “end of the road,” but rather the beginning of a time to live with care nearby. We strive to make our care supportive and enjoyable for all of our residents!

We know what it’s like to worry about the health of an elderly loved one. If you want your parents to experience exceptional elderly care in Ann Arbor, give us a call, today!

How to Pay for Your Parents Stay in a Retirement Home

Not sure how you’re going to pay for your parents stay in a retirement home?

Do your parents have a retirement or saving account?

Did they purchase long-term care insurance?

The cost of affording your parents stay in a retirement community can be difficult, as they can be expensive. Assisted living can help you reduce the risk for your parent to be without assistance when they need it most, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. At Hillside Terrace, we understand the amount of responsibility and stress that you’re under. 

To learn more, read “When You Want to Retire but a Parent Needs Elderly Care.”

Best Elderly Care in Ann Arbor: Schedule a Tour Today!

For more information about elderly care in Ann Arbor 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!

Ready for Retirement but a Parent Needs Elderly Care?

Are you looking forward to your retirement?

Are you caring for elderly parents?

Are you worried about the cost for assisted living?

It can be worrisome to take care of your elderly parents. Especially if you leave for the day only to come back and find that they struggled while you were gone. According to a Place for Mom, “here are some common resources to explore to pay for your parents’ senior care:” 

- Home equity

- Investments

- Long- Term Care Insurance

- Pensions

- Retirement or Savings Accounts

- Social Security

- Medicaid

To learn more, read “When You Want to Retire but a Parent Needs Elderly Care.”

Best Elderly Care in Ann Arbor: Schedule a Tour Today!

After raising a family together, you may decide that keeping up a home is too much for you. And that’s okay! There are many communities for elderly care in Ann Arbor that will allow you the flexibility to create a retirement lifestyle that is perfect for you!

For more information about elderly care 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! 

6 Questions to Protect Elderly Patients in the Hospital

Are you wondering what the hard questions are that you should ask when you or your parent is in the hospital?

Are you prepared for the unexpected?

Are you worried about you or your parent’s potential risk for memory loss?

Don’t worry! Going to the doctor can be stressful, but we have some information that will be useful for you and your parent’s next visit to the doctor, especially if there’s a hospital stay.

The New York Times asked “three experts their advice when it comes to six questions family members should ask to lower an elderly patient’s risk for hospital delirium:

1. Do the nurses and doctors routinely screen for delirium or identify high-risk patients?
2. How does the hospital deal with agitation or delirium in patients if it develops?
3. What does the hospital do to keep patients from being disoriented?
4. What policies are in place to make sure patients get adequate sleep?
5. If my family member needs a urinary catheter or other bedside interventions, how does the hospital decide when to remove them?
6. Will the physicians and pharmacy staff review my family member’s medications to identify medications that increase delirium risk?”

Get Started Today: Schedule a Tour! 

Our "Aging by Choice" philosophy allows a flexibility of options for our residents and their families; you choose what is best for you, and we make it possible. We’re confident in our ability to provide the best quality of care, the security, and the family atmosphere that you’re seeking! We warmly invite you to see the difference we can make when your family shares life with our family. 

We can help your family create 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 of Hillside Terrace today– a facility for memory care in Ann Arbor.

For more information about hospice care offered at Hillside Terrace, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here!

8 Tips for Exercising Safely as a Senior!

Are you worried about starting an exercise routine?

Do you think you’re too old to exercise?

Did you know a little exercise can go a long way?

Keep your bones strong with a little bit of exercise to help avoid falls and breaks. According to the National Council on Aging, “one-fourth of Americans aged 65+ falls each year.” Don’t let this be you!

If you want to stay young and strong, follow these helpful tips from Senior Advisor to keep your exercise routine safe as you age:

• Talk to your doctor before trying out a new exercise
• Stretch regularly
• Know your limits
• Work with a trainer or instructor if you’re doing something new
• Stick with senior friendly exercises
• Eat plenty of protein
• Drink plenty of water 
• Rest when you need it

We have daily exercise opportunities to help you improve the quality of your health and wellness. These activities include strengthening movements, stretching, volleyball, bocce ball, ring toss, NuStep, and we even have a walking group you can join!

If you’re at all worried about following an exercise program, it’s best to consult your regular physician for medical advice.

Best Elderly Care in Ann Arbor: Schedule a Tour Today!

Is your parent prepared for their end of life care? Discussing moving your parent into assisted living can be a scary thing for any adult to face. However, it’s the reality of so many in this country. We can help your family create peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands!

At Hillside Terrace, we understand that it can be a challenging time and we want to help you in any way we can to make 

things easier. We’re focused on holistically improving and maintaining the well-being of our residents through promoting independence, a stimulating environment, and building rapport.

Hillside Terrace Elderly Care Communities

View a virtual tour of our floorplans:
The Heritage & Grace
The Rose-Marie
The Mayflower

For more information about elderly care in Ann Arbor 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!

The Power of Laughter for Senior Health

Looking for an easy way to boost your health and happiness during the senior years of your life? Caring for a senior family member or friend who has been a little less than perky lately?

You’ve heard it before and we’ll say it again: laughter is the best medicine! Well, as far as non-medicine medicines go. There’s no replacing blood pressure prescriptions if that’s something your doctor has assessed you need, but the powerful medicine of laughter can do wonders for our health.

Read a list of the amazing benefits of laughter!

1. Studies show that taking a break to laugh can improve your short-term memory performance by 40%. That’s a big deal as we start to get older.
2. Laughing significantly reduces levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, which is linked to cardiovascular disease.
3. A good laugh relaxes the entire body and can alleviate muscle tension and stress.
4. Laughter releases endorphins, the body’s natural pain killer lessening the aches and pains common with old age for up to two hours.
5. A healthy chuckle reduces blood pressure and improves circulation and oxygenation.
6. Laughing regularly boosts the immune system and the body’s ability to fight disease and infection.
7. Laughter reduces stress, anxiety, and depression while increasing levels of dopamine in the body.
8. Laughing exercises the muscles of the core which are crucial for breathing, posture, and mobility.

Each of these benefits happen immediately and as a direct result of laughing. The long-term and greater psychological benefits of laughing and humor are far too many to count here!

To add some laughter into your day, choose comedies over dramas, get everyone to tell a joke or funny story at dinner, or subscribe to a joke of the day email and share it with friends.

If you have questions about the power of laughter or providing elderly care in Ann Arbor, please give us a call. We’re confident you’ll see the difference in quality of care when our family shares life with yours. Schedule a tour of our facilities today. 

Why Seniors Should Join a Knitting Club

Retired and looking for a way to spend your new found free time? Interested in finding a rewarding activity for older parents or a friend?

For a senior activity, you’d be hard-pressed to find something more beneficial for its members than a knitting club. With their relaxed and rewarding environment, these groups are full of opportunities to put both the hands and mind to work. Read on and discover 5 benefits seniors get from joining a knitting club.

Physical

The dexterity and fine motor skill exercised in knitting and crocheting help knitting club members maintain and improve these abilities. Being physically active is also good for both the mind and body.

Mental

Not only is learning or practicing an intricate skill good for mental health and cognitive function, but being part of a social group puts seniors in a stimulating environment. Neurons will be firing all over the place!

Social

Depression can be a common malady of the elderly, especially those living in isolation or prone to spending time alone. Involvement in a group that promotes socialization, like a knitting club, can be a simple way to help an elder family member beat their blues.

Emotional

Engagement in knitting activities can help stay the stresses and anxieties in a senior’s life. Because knitting requires moments of great focus, it’s also a perfect time for relaxation and tranquility as the mind quiets to allow the hands to work.

Purposeful

Settling into retirement after decades of working a regular job can lead seniors to a low valuation of self, missing the feeling of making a contribution to a team or effort. Being creatively active with knitting projects can provide new purpose. A plan to donate projects to hospitals or charities can lead to an even greater sense of purpose.

The importance of these 5 benefits cannot be understated! Joining a group such as a knitting club could be an act which truly saves quality of life at a senior age. If you have questions about knitting or other social clubs, or providing elderly care in Ann Arbor, please give us a call. We’re confident you’ll see the difference in quality of care when our family shares life with yours. Schedule a tour of our facilities today. 

5 Hidden Costs of Family Caregiving

Are you finding it hard to make ends meet while caring for your loved one?

Caregiving can be a big expense. After all, assisted living communities can be quite expensive, so it must be cheaper to do it yourself, right?

Wrong!

Here are a few benefits you could be missing out on by being your family’s caregiver, according to A Place for Mom:

1. Lost wages- Caregivers frequently have to give up on their own career to take care of their loved one, missing out on an average $143,000 in lost wages.
2. Decreased employability- Caregivers find that it’s difficult to find a new job when their time as a caregiver ends.
3. Increased health care costs- Caregiving can take a toll on your physical and mental health.
4. Lost savings and retirement- Out-of-pocket expenses can really add up! The National Alliance for Caregiving and Evercare found that a stunning 47% of working caregivers reported having used up all or most of their savings.
5. Reduced productivity- Caregiving not only effects the caregiver, but the economy too. MetLife found that American businesses lose an estimated $34 billion each year due to employees’ need to care for aging loved ones.

Get Started Today: Schedule a Tour!

We can help your family create peace of mind. When you’re at home you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” Come see the difference we can make when your family shares life with our family. Schedule a tour of Hillside Terrace today– a facility for hospice care in Ann Arbor.

For more information about hospice care offered at Hillside Terrace, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here!