Are Senior Living Communities Male-Friendly?

Although the gap is closing, there is a seven year difference in the life expectancy of men and women. In senior living communities, there is a ratio of 7 women to every 1 man, making these communities much more geared toward females. However, because that gap is, indeed, closing, senior living communities will need to address the issue of more and more males becoming part of the resident roster.

Men approach aging and conflict differently than women do, so it’s important for loved ones and family members to approach the idea of in-home care and assisted living respectfully, and with full knowledge of male thought patterns. Throughout men’s lives, they are taught and expected to be in control, they are expected to have leadership qualities and to be fiercely independent. So, when the time comes for them to get some assistance, it can be harder on them than it is on women in the same situation.

If you are looking for assisted living for a senior man, there are some ways to help avoid him from being placed in an overly-feminine community. Although, it might seem to some like a 7:1 ratio would be to the man’s benefit, the reality is that the senior man needs to feel that the community gears itself to him, as well, and to his needs. 

• Talk to senior men who already reside in a community that you are considering for important first-account feedback.
• Talk to these senior men about activities they can do together and what the community offers that they find enjoyable.
• During a tour, find out if there are any specific places where men can gather to socialize.
• Talk to the activity director to find out if there are activities specifically geared toward men.
• Find out if the community offers their male residents the opportunity to help out (this can help satisfy the male need for independence and leadership).
• Only consider placement in a community where men are 20-25% or more of the population.

If you are interested in in-home care in Birmingham, Alabama, or other types of elderly assistance in the area, contact the Always Best Care local office at 205-874-9730 or email them at info.bham@abc-seniors.com today for a free consultation. 

Get the Best Senior Care in Birmingham through Always Best Care

Always Best Care Senior Services has been providing compassionate care to seniors all over the country and Canada for the past 20 years. They provide in-home care assistance to seniors who wish to alleviate some of the stress and tension of their daily tasks (that can get overwhelming as we age), to free up time to do more of the things they enjoy.

The in-home care assistance in Birmingham, Alabama, is provided by exceptional caregivers that are licensed, trained and certified in CPR and first aid. The ABC caregivers take their role as non-medical caregivers and companions very seriously, resulting in happy seniors and caregivers who find fulfillment in their career choice. 

What are some of the tasks that ABC caregivers help their senior clients with? There are many and they cover a wide spectrum of activities that are necessary in helping the senior get through the day. They include:

• Preparing future meals
• Taking care of pets
• Taking care of plants
• Medication reminders
• Transportation to & from religious services
• Assisting with clothing selections
• Playing cards and games
• Stimulating mental awareness
• Conversing about current & past events
• Organizing mail
• Aiding with reading
• Dusting, vacuuming, sweeping
• …so much more

If you live in the Birmingham area and are interested in senior care and receiving a free consultation with an Always Best Care Coordinator, call 205-874-9730 today to set up an appointment. They will help you create a Care Plan and also help you decide which is best for you: assisted living or in-home care. ABC provides a minimum of daily one hour home care assistance in Birmingham. With 20 years of experience in assisting seniors, they have logged more than three million hours of caregiver time and have helped over 25,000 seniors around the country and Canada live fuller and happier lives. Give them a call today at 205-874-9730 to find out how they can help you with your senior care and in-home care assistance decisions in Birmingham.

Malnutrition in Seniors and How to Help Prevent It

As we get older, our bodies change. Everyone knows this because it is visually obvious, but the changes go beyond just what we can see. Seniors are at a higher risk of becoming malnourished because of a number of factors that take place simply because they are older adults. It’s important for caregivers, family members, neighbors, and friends to be aware of these problems and to keep an eye on their senior loved ones to make sure they are getting the proper nutrition.

Factors that Contribute:

• Medication side effects. It’s a simple fact that as we grow older, we take more medications than we did as a younger adult. Many medications have side effects and some of those effects could be in the form of anorexia, suppression of the appetite, taste bud changes, weight loss, and weight gain.
•  Dental health problems. Poor dental care (which can stem from either lack of insurance/money to see the dentist, or even dentist phobia) can cause tooth loss and loosening of the teeth, which can cause pain when eating certain foods, which the senior will then avoid altogether. Dentures that don’t fit correctly can also cause this.

     

 

• Health changes. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol can all change the way someone eats, and it might not be for the better. Or, if the senior has any one (or more) of these conditions, they might not be able to change their diet at all, creating more health risk.
• Taste buds dull. As we age our taste buds become dull and it’s difficult to taste food. Many seniors end up eating very salty, spicy, or hot food to try and compensate, but this often leads to damaging the stomach, throat, tongue, etc.
• Fatigue. Not having the energy to cook a good, healthy meal can lead to poor food choices such as calling out or going to fast food restaurants.
• Budget. Seniors who worry about their budget may be extra cautious about spending money on food that is good for them – historically, less healthy food is less expensive.

Are you interested in obtaining a free consultation regarding in home health care in Birmingham, Alabama? Call (205) 874-9730 or email info.bham@abc-seniors.com to discuss senior care options such as in home care, and assisted living communities in the Birmingham, Alabama area.

Talk to an Always Best Care Consultant about Senior Care in Birmingham Alabama

There comes a time in everyone’s life when senior care, whether it’s in-home care, assisted living,dementia care, etc., becomes a consideration. Generally, seniors talk to their families about what type of senior care they are considering, what would be best for them to fulfill their needs, budget, etc. Always Best Care Senior Services has been providing seniors with information about assisted living communities, as well as providing caregivers for everyday in-home care for the past 20 years.

ABC offers free consultations, so that seniors and their families can sit down and talk with an ABC Care Consultant and get a good idea as to which option would be best for them. Considerations such as necessary medical attention, budget, physical, mental, spiritual and social needs are all weighed and taken into account. Many times seniors want to be nearby their families, when this is the case, ABC can help them research assisted living communities regardless of the desired location.

If you live in the central Alabama area, and are considering in-home care in Birmingham, call (205) 874-9730 today for a free consultation. This office also serves several other locations in the central Birmingham including but not limited to Blount, Chilton, Coosa, DeKalb, Jefferson, Marshall, St. Clair, and Tuscaloosa. The Always Best Care in-home care providers are all bonded, insured, CPR and first-aid certified. They are chosen by ABC because they are dedicated and passionate about working with seniors and helping them with not only daily tasks but also with lively conversation and companionship.

One of the benefits of in-home care through ABC is that a number of other special services become available, as well. These include Always in Touch: a telephone reassurance program that is available to seniors (or disabled adults) who are living alone with not much contact with the outside world. Once a day, a phone call is placed to make sure they are safe.

Other free services include Always Safe: a fall prevention and detection program that features Lifeline with Auto Alert; and Always on Call: a program that allows 24/7 access to physicians to seniors and their families.

 If you live in the central Alabama area and are interested in obtaining more information about Always Best Care in-home care in Birmingham, or referrals for senior care the Birmingham, Alabama area, call (205)874-9730 today, or email info@bham.abc-seniors.com.