When first looking into senior living options, you may come across the term “supported independent living,” or “Independent Living with Assistance.” But what does that mean exactly and how does it differ from assisted living? Independent living with support is the best of both worlds for seniors who would like to continue to direct their lives, have increased socialization options, live in a secure community, with options for light assistance if needed. It is the middle ground between assisted living and just moving into an over 55 community. This type of senior living option also varies depending on the community that offers it. We think the independent living setup at Lester Senior Living in Morris County is truly unique and appealing to a wide variety of independent-minded seniors.
Benefits of Independent Living with Support at Lester Senior Living Perhaps one of the first and most important aspects of Lester Independent Senior Living is that it is truly separate living from those receiving assisted living in the community. The Margaret and Martin Heller Independent Living building is across the lobby from the Josh and Judy Weston Assisted Living Building. While these communities can come together for meals, classes, Bingo, Movies, and other recreation, the independent lifestyle of folks is respected and they are living with others who also require less assistance. But if their needs change, it is easy to scale the services you receive, we already have the staff right there. Activities and exercise programs. When you choose to live independently at Lester, you are not choosing total isolation by any means. We are a very active community through and through. If there isn’t a special event going on, you’ll still see residents and staff all over the campus – sitting on park benches in front of the building, reading in the library, having lunch in the dining room and catching up in the main lobby. We also have a monthly activities calendar that we are constantly adding to in order to satisfy the many interests of our residents. Some examples are the Lester book club, chair dancing, tabletop word games, bingo and even sing-alongs. The best part? Nobody gets left behind! These activities are available to both assisted living and independent living residents in the building. Help is available when needed. In the Lester Senior Living community, we have two wings that are on either side of the main lobby. One is the Weston assisted living apartments and the other is the Heller independent living apartments. Because assisted living and independent living residents are housed in the same building, help can be more readily available for those who live independently since assistance is essentially right next door. We have one of the best staff-to-resident ratios in the industry, plus almost every staff member on site has been with the community for over 10 years! Meaning, you won’t find a team who cares and is more than willing to help than the one here. Safety and security. As we’ve already touched on, independent living is more than just moving into a new apartment building. Everyone takes the time to get to know one another. Our staff members are very passionate about senior care, and develop relationships with each resident. Which means you won’t be left to your own devices for too long – there is always someone checking in! On top of this, there are security personnel on site 24/7, as well as safety measures in place to ensure each resident can live more comfortably. From easy-to-navigate apartments, with smoke detectors and medical alert systems to on-site home health services, seniors can relax knowing that support and security is right there when they need it. Scalable Senior Living Options in Morris County At Lester Senior Living, our aim is to ensure each of our residents maintain their quality of life and independence. Our activity and exercise programs encourage residents to get involved with the community at a level they are comfortable with. The services we offer can also be scaled to the resident. We understand that someone in independent living may not prefer the same care level as someone in assisted living with mobility issues. As we mentioned before, we really take the time to get to know each resident to ensure they get the proper support required to live a full and happy life here. For more information about supported independent living in Morris County, please contact our community today or visit our website to discover our other senior communities in NJ: https://jchcorp.org/ The original blog is posted on: https://jchcorp.org/what-does-supported-independent-living-mean-for-seniors/
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This centuries-old cookie is a staple in our culture. Even though Mandelbrot has been around for so long, there are many different variations to enjoy. Variations that include dried fruit, nuts, and even sprinkles! But for today, we’re going to share the signature recipe from our chefs at Lester Senior Living. Did we mention it includes chocolate chips? Yum.
Mandelbrot Ingredients:
The senior living residents at Lester have the option to eat in our spacious dining room for breakfast, lunch and dinner every single day if they’d like! Also opening soon is our newly remodeled cafe where they can grab lunch in style with their friends. Whether they are Jewish or not, they enjoy many staples from our culture like matzo ball soup, challah bread, honey apple cake, brisket and of course, Mandelbrot. The chefs at Lester understand that some residents may have dietary allergies or preferences and will gladly modify any recipe to suit their needs. For more information about our senior meal plans in Morris County, NJ, please give us a call today. You could also visit our website to learn more about what independent living looks like at Lester Senior Living: https://jchcorp.org/ The original blog is posted on: https://jchcorp.org/jchc-mandelbrot-recipe-a-cookie-tradition/ With the winter holidays coming and caregivers planning some time off, concern for senior loved ones is also on the horizon for many people. Who will watch out for mom and dad’s daily needs while I’m away? And, will their interests be attended to in ways that will keep them happy and safe? These concerns are even more magnified when your loved one suffers from a memory loss condition.
For older adults with dementia, Lester Senior Living provides short-term respite stays in our Memory Care Suite. These stays allow seniors with memory disorders to enjoy the safety, security and warmth of a true home-away-from-home, with personalized attention from specially trained caregivers who support each resident’s needs. This is an extension of our assisted living respite program. All respite stays are available for anywhere from ten days to two months, ideal for when family members or regular caregivers are away for short periods of time or need a break. Respite care for seniors with memory loss Respite stays in our intimate Memory Care Suite let seniors with memory issues try out what’s available to our full-time residents. With respite, you’ll find that your loved one receives compassionate care that puts their well-being first, with emphasis on wellness of the body, mind and soul. Our holistic approach includes many different ways to stimulate or soothe, to encourage socialization while also respecting a person’s need for quiet time. Whatever each resident needs at that moment, is what our caregivers are able to provide. Short-term respite care in the Memory Care Suite includes:
On top of the usual amenities available, our respite team also ensures our short-term residents are able to enjoy the holiday season. We do this by offering special activities, events and meals that are signature to the holidays. Some examples include lighting the menorah, having a hanukkah dinner, torah study classes, crafting dreidels and a New Year’s brunch – just to name a few. All of our residents (short and long term) are invited to the special celebrations and are welcome to share their own traditions with us, as we want to ensure everyone feels like they are truly “home for the holidays.” For more information about short-term respite care during the holidays at Lester Senior Living, please give us a call today or visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org The original blog is posted on: https://jchcorp.org/what-you-need-to-know-about-holiday-respite-care-for-seniors-with-dementia/ Alzheimer’s disease is a diagnosis that not only your loved one, but the whole family as well. Life is going to change, and mom or dad will require more help and supervision on a day to day basis. The degree of this help will vary depending on what stage your loved one is at in the disease. In most cases, Alzheimer’s symptoms manifest slowly through three stages: mild, moderate, and severe. However, everyone who has this memory disorder experiences symptoms differently. If you are a caregiver to someone with Alzheimer’s, our professional memory care team at Lester Senior Living has compiled different ways to navigate each stage of this disease, so you can better help your loved one.
Caring for a loved one with mild Alzheimer’s disease People with mild Alzheimer’s often live independent lives, caring for themselves, driving, paying bills and meeting up with friends. However, they may experience memory lapses, lose things, forget what they just heard, or be unable to recall the right word for a common object. They may have trouble performing tasks or find it increasingly difficult to plan or organize. You may begin to notice these changes as well. A person diagnosed with mild Alzheimer’s is often likely to understand what that means and may react with fear, denial, anxiety, depression, and anger. The people close to them often experience these emotions too. While your loved one is in this early stage, it’s a good time to discuss future options for legal, financial, and long-term care arrangements. It’s also smart for you both to take advantage of the many support services and resources that are available to you. Learn as much as you can about Alzheimer’s together. One of the best resources out there for seniors and their caregivers is the official Alzheimer’s Association website. Aside from familiarizing yourselves more with Alzheimer’s and discussing legal matters, here are some other ways you can help care for them:
In middle-stage Alzheimer’s, there will be good days and bad days, but caregiver responsibilities will increase. The individual may find it more and more difficult to perform routine tasks like dressing, expressing themselves verbally, or following a conversation. Routines become more important at this stage and will have to be adapted according to how dementia advances. People with moderate Alzheimer’s may exhibit changes in behavior or personality. Angry outbursts, confusion, irritability, sleep disturbance, or wandering are all distressing signs of moderate Alzheimer’s disease. The person may not always recognize you, and you too may wonder who this stranger is. Remember that the disease, not the individual, is causing these changes. Caring for your loved one is going to be much more involved by this point and will include your help with the following:
Caring for a loved one with severe Alzheimer’s disease Seniors with severe Alzheimer’s need round-the-clock personal care. They usually have trouble eating and eventually become bedridden or chair-bound. They may experience incontinence and be prone to infection. Your focus is now on preserving their dignity and quality of life. You may also have to make difficult personal and medical decisions on their behalf. Never be afraid to tap into your network for emotional and professional support. Even if your loved one can’t communicate, you can still let them know you care. Here are different ways to connect with your loved one in the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease:
Be mindful of your own stress level throughout the journey of caring for your loved one with Alzheimer’s. It’s important to keep yourself healthy and don’t be afraid to ask for help if it becomes too overwhelming to handle by yourself. When memory loss starts affecting everyone’s daily life, it may be time to consider the holistic approach to memory care at the specialized Memory Care Suite in Lester Senior Living. Our memory care residents receive intensive and individualized support from our specially trained caregivers who are onsite at all times. Our program also ensures your loved one’s quality of life is enhanced through cognitive activities, socialization with other residents and meaningful connections with each of our caregivers. For more information about professional and compassionate memory care in New Jersey, please give us a call today or visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org The original blog is posted on: https://jchcorp.org/how-to-navigate-the-stages-of-alzheimers-disease/ |
AuthorWe offer seniors a range of options in terms of housing, services, amenities, location and cost, all within the Jewish tradition: independent living, assisted living, memory care, respite, affordable housing, enriching programs, and on-site services for our residents, many of whom have special needs. Archives
May 2023
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