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If you are placing your loved one in assisted living in Orlando, social media websites (like Facebook) can help you and your loved ones stay in touch. Many senior citizens do not have a Facebook page, so there are some steps you want to take before placing your loved one in a facility to ensure they can interact with you and other family members on Facebook. Continue reading below as we go over some of these steps to help your loved one stay in touch on social media. 

Set Up a Facebook Page For Your Loved One

One of the first things you need to do to ensure your loved one can stay in touch with you via Facebook once they move to Orlando, Florida assisted living is help them set up a page. It is important to help them set up a page and send friend requests to all of the family and friends that they will want to remain in contact with. During this phase, you will also want to teach them how to interact with others on Facebook and how to operate the social media platform. 

Remain Active on Facebook

Another tip to help you and your loved one stay in touch via Facebook is to remain active on the platform, and to encourage your loved one to do so as well. If you are not active on the platform, your loved one may get bored with it and interact with it less. Be sure to upload photos of yourself and your children so your loved one can see and experience what is going on in everyone’s lives. 

Teach Your Loved One About Dangers and Scams Associated With Facebook 

The final tip to keep in mind when you are teaching your loved one about Facebook is to teach them about online scams. For those of us on social media regularly, scams may be easy to spot. However, for those who are elderly or who do not have much experience on social media, scams may not be as easy to pick out. Teach your loved ones about the dangers on Facebook and encourage them to reach out to you if they have any questions about potential scams.

Whether you are looking for assisted living facilities in Orlando, Florida, or independent living, Westminster Towers can provide the care your loved one needs. Reach out to us today to schedule a tour of our facility or to learn how we can help your loved one. 

Owning a pet can be beneficial for a variety of reasons. They are always there for you, they cheer you up when you are feeling blue, and they are simply adorable! That is why at Westminster Towers, an independent living community in Orlando, we allow pets. We understand that they are part of your family, and it’s important that they can move with you to your new home. When caring for your pets, you may be asking yourself; Do I need pet insurance? 

How Can It Help?

Pet insurance has become increasingly popular in recent years and it is very similar to health insurance for humans. Premiums, deductibles, co-payments, and limitations are common features of pet insurance policies, limiting the amount of money paid out each year. However, if your pet is starting to age and could develop health issues in the near future, it could help lower your out-of-pocket payments for specific procedures.

How Pet Insurance Works

Although pet insurance is similar to our personal insurance, there are some differences. Unlike people’s coverage, you will normally have to pay the full amount of the vet fees upfront and then wait for reimbursement from the insurer. Pet insurance coverage ranges from basic plans that solely cover accidents and illness to comprehensive policies that cover everything from annual exams, vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and more. It is important to note that most pet insurance policies exclude pre-existing diseases and that premiums are normally lower when your pet is young and healthy.

Pet Insurance Costs 

Pet insurance prices vary by insurer and policy, but they are often determined by factors such as the cost of veterinary care in your area, as well as the age and breed of your pet. For more information on average costs, visit the North America Pet Health Insurance Association.

Do I Need Pet Insurance?

This is a question that only you can answer after you review your budget, research your options, and then decide what is best for you. Insurance policies vary by type of pet, age, and more. If you decide to go the pet insurance route, please find a reputable company and make sure to read all the fine details. Don’t be afraid to talk to your family and get their opinion. It is a big financial decision and it won’t hurt to get multiple perspectives.

All in all, pet insurance can be beneficial for some and non-essential for others. Taking the time to find trusted insurance companies, reading all of the details, and crunching the numbers is important. Just remember, whether you go the pet insurance route or not, your best friend is always welcomed at Westminster Towers, our independent living community in Orlando, Florida.

Before learning how to choose between assisted living and memory care, it’s crucial to understand the differences between the two types of care. There are numerous parallels and distinctions between senior care lifestyles, but here are seven differences between assisted living and memory care in Orlando.

Specialized Treatment for Memory Care

Gyms, pet-friendly apartments, transportation services, and more are just a few of the amenities that particular assisted living homes in Orlando may provide. Meanwhile, memory care facilities may include features such as enclosures or terraces to deter drifting, spas, and arts and crafts studios, and other amenities.

24/7 Surveillance for Memory Care

Orlando assisted living and memory care staff members have extensive experience caring for the elderly and assisting residents with daily duties. Memory care personnel, on the other hand, get ongoing, comprehensive training in order to offer 24-hour, person-centered care and monitoring to people with memory loss.

Secure Entrances and Exits in Assisted Living

Safety elements such as in-room emergency alarm systems and daily check-ins may be available in Orlando, Florida assisted living settings. However, more excellent safety is a key objective and major worry for seniors with memory loss.

This is due to the fact that wandering, aggressiveness, and falls are all frequent yet deadly symptoms of dementia. Memory care facilities must provide a safe setting with locked gates to avoid roaming.

Memory Improvement Therapies

Seniors in assisted living facilities in Orlando, Florida have lots of opportunities to socialize. A diverse choice of organized activities is frequently offered to cater to various interests.

For elders with memory loss, memory care provides both group and individual activities and therapies. Activities are planned carefully to offer a sense of comfort and routine food to help elders maintain cognitive skills.

Large Staff

Because memory care patients have more demands than assisted living residents, the facilities have hired more people to guarantee that each person’s needs are addressed.

Ambiguity Reduction

Memory care facilities have distinct layouts and designs to assist residents in orienting themselves and reducing confusion. In memory care communities, design aspects may include well-defined communal spaces, color-coded walls to help individuals with memory loss find their way around, and outside gardens to keep patients from feeling trapped or confined.

Cost of Assisted Living

Memory care homes or units provide specialized care and nursing services that are not available in traditional assisted living facilities in Orlando, Florida. As a result, memory care is more expensive and varies depending on the community and region.

If your loved one wants to live independently, think about all areas of house safety from their perspective and create a safety plan that fits their requirements and limits. The following are some ideas to help!

Prevent Injuries

Remove any potential tripping hazards and rearrange furniture to make rooms more accessible. To avoid stumbling into walls or sharp corners, keep hallways adequately illuminated, especially at night. To aid balance, install safety bars along with the porch steps or in the bathroom.

Home Maintenance Management 

• In the winter, have someone check the house for electrical fire dangers and frozen pipes.
• Check the house for cleanliness regularly. If you see that a chore has become too challenging for your loved one, seek assistance.
• Check the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for functionality and replace the batteries if necessary.

Ensuring Adequate Security Measures 

• Install a security system that sounds an alarm when someone comes into the house. If your loved one is prone to wandering, look for a system that notifies you when they leave the house.
• Close the blinds or curtains at night or when the room is empty.
• Outside doors should have deadbolts installed.
• To avoid telemarketing frauds, enroll your loved one on the Do Not Call list or buy a phone with a Caller ID.

Prepare for the Unexpected

• Move your loved one’s bedroom to the first floor of the house if they have limited mobility. Ensure that all exits are conveniently accessible and accommodate any mobility devices.
• Display a list of all emergency contacts and phone numbers in a conspicuous location.
• Purchase a medical ID bracelet for your loved one to wear.
• Prepare an emergency kit in a water-resistant case in case of a natural disaster. Bottled water, prepared food, a flashlight and batteries, extra clothes, extra medication or medical devices, and copies of crucial paperwork, such as legal papers, insurance documents, and prescription and dosage lists, should all be included.
• Decide who will be accountable for assisting your loved one if an evacuation is required.

These are just a few of the many ways you can assist with the safety of your loved ones at assisted living facilities in Orlando, Florida. Once you’ve devised a strategy for keeping them secure, put it into action by delegating various chores or responsibilities to family members who reside nearby for everyone’s peace of mind.

Mmm – if there’s one thing we love about summer, it’s the opportunity for fresh and delicious food. As you plan your good eats for the season, don’t miss these helpful nutritional recommendations and healthy meal ideas to enjoy at your Orlando, Florida, assisted living facility.

Promoting Healthy Staples for Orlando Assisted Living

A few healthy substitutions can go a long way toward enhancing your nutrition when it comes to all your favorite senior-friendly summer staples. Try a few of these options:

• In your smoothie or shake, replace ice cream with low-fat yogurt and add a few teaspoons of butter made from nuts for a protein boost.
• In your baked goods, replace refined white sugar with natural alternatives, such as honey, maple syrup, or dates.
• Replace high-fructose juices and lemonades with cool glasses of water flavored with lemon, cucumber, or lavender.
• Substitute manufactured salad dressings with simple choices like olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and lemon juice.

• Herbs can replace salt to improve the flavor of your food. Having a range of spices on hand helps you try out new flavor profiles to improve the overall experience while keeping the dish healthy.
• On your toast, replace the butter with fresh avocado. (For a fantastic snack, add sliced tomato and a pinch of salt and pepper.)

And these are just the start of healthy options available to you when you enjoy the services of a facility for Orlando memory care, assisted living, and independent living!

Keep Yourself Hydrated

Seniors enjoying Orlando, Florida, assisted living should take care to avoid feeling dehydrated, especially during the warmer summer months when you’re more likely to be outside sweating away important fluids. Stay hydrated by eating vegetables and fruits filled with nutrients – they’re surprisingly high in water, too! Try options such as cantaloupe, melon, and cucumbers, in addition to sipping a lot of water throughout the day.

Enjoy Natural Foods

Summer is the perfect time to take advantage of fresh seasonal fruits and veggies. Try exploring local farmers’ markets, grocers, and roadside kiosks this summer. This is the perfect opportunity to splurge on farm-fresh produce from summer squash to strawberries.

Eating well is easy at independent living facilities in Orlando, FL – and even moreso when you make your home at Westminster Towers! Contact us to learn more about pursuing a healthy, fun, active lifestyle at our independent living facility.