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Thank you for subscribing to "In Great
Health," an Avera eNewsletter that provides you
with information to help you live a healthy
lifestyle. In conjunction with May, "Older
Americans Month," this issue we discuss health
care needs for older adults, including options
in long-term care. To learn more about what
Avera can do to partner with you to improve your
health, visit www.Avera.org.
To your
health,
The Avera
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Avera
Meets Your Health Care Needs for Every
Age
Physical and emotional needs change
throughout your life. Many Avera facilities
offer special services, both at the hospital and
at outreach locations, to help meet specific
needs of older adults.
At Avera, we
recognize that 80 percent of older Americans are
healthy enough to engage in normal activities,
and much of our focus is on helping you and your
loved ones maintain an active lifestyle at every
age. In fact, 64 percent of persons ages 65 and
older report no limitation in major activities,
and rates of disability continue to decline.
Studies show that people who continue to learn
and regularly exercise are more likely to stay
mentally, physically and emotionally
healthy.
Because behavior and
environmental exposures throughout life are the
causes for decline at any age, Avera's approach
is to promote wellness throughout life for the
whole person - body, mind and spirit. Should
disease manifest itself later in life and cause
physical decline in you or a loved one, Avera
facilities offer services that can help. Needs
may include routine screenings, assistance or
treatment for chronic illness, depression,
stress management, maintaining independence and
more. Available services include:
- Assessment and referral to appropriate
services
- Caregiver support
- Home health care
- Professional case management
- Counseling
- Therapy
- Behavior management
The following
Avera regional hospitals offer special services
for older adults who may be facing health
issues:
Avera
St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen, S.D.
Avera
Marshall Regional Medical Center in
Marshall, Minn.
Avera
Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell,
S.D.
Avera
McKennan Hospital & University Health
Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Avera
Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, S.D.
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Different
Needs Require Levels of Care
For many
people, the idea of moving into a long-term-care
facility (nursing home) can cause anxiety and
stress, especially when the move is necessary
because of an unplanned event such as a fall or
stroke. Knowing the different types of care
available can make life changes more palatable
as you are considering a higher level of care
for a loved one.
First,
talk to a physician or social worker about the
levels of care available in your or your family
member's community. They can help you determine
the best living situation to meet your loved
one's needs. A person with chronic confusion,
for example, may need a higher level of care
than someone who needs help monitoring
cholesterol or blood sugar levels. A social
worker can give you more information on these
types of services and housing, which offer
different levels of care:
Adult
Day Services: These programs help provide
medical and other assistance for adults to give
a caretaker, such as a spouse or adult child,
time to themselves during the day.
Independent or Senior Housing:
This is typically apartments, townhouses or
duplexes designated for seniors. Often,
residents do not need daily assistance with
health care but may enjoy the fellowship of a
caring community. Services available may include
meals, transportation, social activities and
housekeeping.
Assisted Living: In this type of
housing, residents need some help with personal
care. Staff members are on hand 24 hours a day
to help with health care needs and
emergencies.
Long-Term Care or Skilled Nursing
Facility: This housing offers the highest
level of care for residents' medical, spiritual
and social needs. Licensed and certified health
care providers are on duty 24 hours a day to
provide care.
Note that
many facilities offer several levels of care, so
a person can move between those levels when
their health care needs change.
Read
a story about
a family that uses adult day services at Avera
Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall,
Minn.
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Helping
Loved Ones Transition to Long-Term
Care
If you
have a loved one who may need a greater level of
care, here are some ideas on making the move
smoother.
Keep
the whole family involved. It's important to
include the entire family in the decision-making
process. Change is hard for many people, and
often people who need a greater level of care
will try to deny that a move is necessary. Use
the resources of a social worker to help you and
your family members have discussions on types of
living situations.
Talk
to the family physician. If your family
member has an upcoming appointment, speak to the
physician beforehand. It may be helpful to have
the physician talk to your family
member.
Offer
reassurance. Dr. Daniel Megard of Yankton
Medical Clinic, P.C., in Yankton, S.D., says
that 95 percent of patients are happy with the
transition to a long-term-care facility in a
fairly short amount of time. "They will enjoy
this change if they give it a few weeks. Most
are comfortable in their next living situation,"
Dr. Megard notes.
Research different options. When
you first start to notice a decline in your
family member's abilities, start looking at and
touring alternate living situations, such as
assisted living or long-term care facilities.
Many assisted living or long-term-care
facilities have a waiting list, so it's best to
be prepared long before a fall, stroke or other
health event necessitates a sudden
move.
Read
more about a Mitchell resident
who made the transition to Avera Brady Health
and Rehab in Mitchell, S.D., after she fell in
her home.
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"In Great
Health" is one in a series of Avera eNewsletters
that gives readers valuable information about
health and wellness at Avera facilities. It is
not intended to replace personal medical advice,
which should be obtained directly from a
physician.
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