• Assisted Living Center Term Clarified

    There is recent news from the state about senior living facilities.  Effective June 7, 2012, House Bill 2056 redefines the legal definition of an assisted living center.  After June 7, 2012, adult family homes will no longer be included in the term “assisted living center” and the term “assisted living center” will be used for boarding homes. According to the government affairs director at the Washington Health Care Association, boarding homes are facilities with seven or more congregate senior apartments where residents receive care and services.  Those services include housekeeping, meals, snacks, laundry, organized activities, health support and intermittent nursing. Adult family homes are residences licensed to serve up to seven residents, usually in a residential setting, so there is no licensure requirement for such things as two-hour burn doors or indoor sprinkler systems.  Services vary within the adult family home. The House Bill is meant to clarify terms for the public at large.  So, of the 542 licensed facilities […]

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  • When Assisted Living Equals Enhanced Living

    Assisted living decisions are not only about getting physical needs managed but, perhaps more importantly, about insuring our quality of life continues to meet our personal preferences. When an assisted living facility is being considered, it’s important to get to know the “personality” of each facility on your list of choices. If the potential resident has always been extremely social then it makes sense to choose an assisted living facility that makes it easy for newcomers to integrate into the social structure of the facility. Does the facility have regular formal gatherings? Does the facilty offer group activities that leave room for newcomers? By the same token, if the person moving into an assisted living facility has always been more to themselves, you want to make sure the assisted living facilities being considered do not “push” social interaction beyond what the newcomer will be comfortable with. Does the facility offer quiet areas for alone time? Does the facility offer support […]

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  • Assisted Living In Vancouver WA Positive Response

    Great news for those who may be seeking assisted living in Vancouver WA.  We have had a positive response to our new listings of adult family homes on our site.  For those persons who are thinking about relocating to an adult family home or other setting in assisted living in Vancouver WA, being able to actually see photographs and read about the residences and facilities makes a difference. Of course, assisted living in Vancouver WA is so vast, with many different levels of care, we can’t list them all – at least not right now, but be assured, we are quite familiar with the senior housing options and services in Vancouver and Clark County. Once we help you determine what your needs are, knowing the vacancies in the area, what services are provided, and other important details makes it easy for us to point you in the right direction.  It is our privilege to set up any tours you might […]

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  • Assisted Living May Become An Option For Caregivers Health

    It may be time to consider alternative housing like adult family homes or another type of assisted living in Vancouver WA when your loved one can no longer manage independently in their own home.  And, even when there is a caregiver in the home, there may come a time when adult family homes or some other assisted living setting in the Vancouver area is the best choice.  Knowing when to start thinking about assisted living like adult family homes in Vancouver WA is our specialty here at A Caring Heart. We have years of experience and expertise in the continuum of care available for adults in the Clark County Washington area and we are proud of the number of satisfied clients we have helped find the right housing option. We know you want the best for your loved one, but we encourage you to also take care of yourself.  Caregiving can become stressful, which then can cause interpersonal conflict, affect […]

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  • Tips To Prevent Memory Loss As You Age

    (StatePoint) You may not realize it, but you can take steps to keep your brain fit and flexible as you age. In fact, some experts now say that through proper diet and routine mental health exercises, you even can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease long enough to avoid experiencing the symptoms. “The sooner you start to protect your brain against Alzheimer’s, the sooner you will notice improvement — not only in recall and mental focus, but also in energy level, mood, general health, and sense of well-being,” says Dr. Gary Small, M.D., Professor at UCLA, and author of the new book “The Alzheimer’s Prevention Program” (Workman Publishers). Small offers these stay-sharp tips to help you get started: Eat brain food: Stock up on food filled with antioxidants like berries, avocados, and raw vegetables; omega-3 rich, anti-inflammatory food choices, like fish, whole grains, and legumes; and memory-boosting spices like turmeric and cumin. Alcohol in moderation can be beneficial too, so […]

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  • Adult Family Homes vs. Boarding Homes

    We are often asked the differences between Adult Family Homes and Boarding homes. One difference lies in the number of people that care services can be provided for.  An adult family home is licensed to provide care services for up to six adults in a regular house located in a residential neighborhood.  A boarding home is licensed to provide housing and care services to seven or more people in a home or facility located in a residential neighborhood. Adult family homes may be run by a family, single person or business partners. The adult family home may also hire other employees. Some adult family homes allow pets and in some homes, multiple languages are spoken. All adult family homes and boarding homes both provide housing and meals (room and board) and assume general responsibility for the safety and care of the resident. What additional services are offered will be different from home to home but may include: Varying levels of assistance with personal care. […]

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  • Adult Family Homes In Vancouver WA Make Longevity More Joyous

    Often our clients contact us because their loved one is having some challenges living alone. When we introduce them to adult family homes in Vancouver WA and the surrounding towns of Clark County, WA, we help families make choices that bring more joy to their loved ones as well as meet their basic needs. It is our experience that, though our body may put some restrictions on us,  getting older does not mean we can’t still have some fun! The right adult family homes in Vancouver WA provide the kind of support that helps each person live their life to full potential. Adult family homes should offer more than just meeting the basic needs of food and medical care. A good adult family home will provide a sense of family and community to each person that shares the living environment. This kind of community enhances our lives and helps keep the joy in our life!

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  • Assisted Living In Vancouver WA Could Actually Increase Your Independence

    People often associate the move to assisted living in Vancouver WA with giving up independence. Our relationships with seniors have taught us time and again that this is absolutely not the case. Choosing the right Vancouver WA assisted living facility means understanding your needs and analyzing the opportunities each assisted living facility may offer. Assisted living often  increases independence because the facility offers transportation as part of their services. For many people giving up their drivers license is equal to losing their independence. When we help families investigate assisted living options we talk with you about these very subtle needs in addition to the more obvious needs that may come up in the future. Many of our clients are very independent, even still driving,  but want the security of knowing assistance is nearby if they do need it. Another benefit of joining an assisted living community is the chance to connect with peers. Increasing social interaction helps to maintain a sense of independence because we realize others have similar […]

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  • Assisted Living In Vancouver WA – How To Start Your Search

    The nature of support we offer to families looking for assisted living in Vancouver WA has, by it’s nature, made it so that people in our community know they can turn to us for senior housing and related resources. Assisted living in Vancouver WA is a phrase often used to search for other types of solutions such as Memory Care, Senior Housing and Adult Family Homes. We feel it is important to remind our visitors that  “assisted living in Vancouver WA” is a phrase that may not actually bring the right resources to the forefront. Often this search is made during a highly emotional time. We would encourage you to start your assisted living search by leveraging a free service like we offer here at A Caring Heart. We can help you process your needs and determine the correct assisted living in Vancouver WA solution base on your unique needs. It is possible that an assisted living facility, in it’s truest definition, is […]

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  • Adult Family Home – Determine The Right Choice

    Talk About Life Changes: Everyone involved needs to overcome their reluctance to talk about changing needs. Set aside time to talk when everyone is rested and prepared. Do some homework and have some knowledge about adult family homes in your area. Involve the person that needs the additional care and support. Allow each person to talk without interruptions or criticism. Emotions will be a big part of this discussion. Be patient with each other. Don’t try to tackle too many issues in one meeting – take your time. It is normal to find change difficult, stay positive. Don’t make rash decisions. Allow everyone time to think about everything discussed. If helping a loved one, remember you are making recommendations not decisions. Review Needs Make a list of medical, physical and social needs. Does someone need to do laundry and cooking? Is help needed to get to the bathroom or to dress? Are regular medication reminders necessary? What type of help […]

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