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There are various kinds of elder care available
By Clare Marie Celano
When an elderly parent loses the ability to remain independent, it is emotionally trying for both the parent and his or her children. Deciding if
 | | Kensington Court, Tinton Falls |
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an elderly parent needs professional care or special services can be a difficult decision, but area facilities and services can help to make the decision easier.
Kensington Court, Tinton Falls, has been named one of the 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in the country by the Assisted Living Federation of America.
The staff at the facility prides itself on caring for residents and "infusing them with the vitality of life,"according to administrator John Woznisky.
"Our philosophy is to help residents continue life as they lived it before," he said."Most of our residents are highly educated and well traveled. Most have had professional careers. We offer them the opportunity to develop new interests,"he said.
Besides offering a wonderful, caring staff and the best medical services, your loved one will live in a beautiful, tranquil environment.
 | | Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey |
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A private dining room for family events, a main dining room,and a country kitchen where residents can do their own baking are available. Residents can also participate in growing their own fresh vegetables.
Privacy, dignity and decisions are all taken seriously and the staff assists residents with anything they need.
According to Woznisky, whether a resident needs help in recovering from a hospital stay or in dealing with the natural process of aging, certified, professional caregivers help to maximize the potential to lead a rich, fulfilling life.
Kensington Court also provides adult day services at The Club.This offers a comfortable, safe, stimulating environment for your loved one during the day. Crabbing in the Navesink, betting at the track, going to a BlueClaws game, and playing the slots in Atlantic City are just some of the activities those in the program do.
Those with some level of cognitive deficiency or early dementia are candidates for the adult day services at The Club, and because it is located on the campus of Kensington Court, participants also have the advantage of the facility services. Clients have their medication administered by a registered nurse and vital signs are monitored. Onsite physicals and occupational therapies and dental and podiatry services are also available.
 | | JEFF GRANIT staff Pine Brook Care Center, Englishtown |
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In some cases, staying at home may be the answer for a loved one and Home Instead Senior Care may be the right choice.Phyllis Venacio,owner of the Eatontown-based agency, said her caregivers provide meal preparation, light housekeeping and transportation for loved ones.They also help with daily activities such as bathing and dressing. Caregivers can stay anywhere from three hours to overnight. They can also be a live-in helper.
"We make sure to always match up the right caregiver with the right client,"Venacio said.
"It's a big step for people to give up their independence," Venacio said."We let them know we are like a friend who has come to help."
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Venacio said caregivers allow family members to do the "fun things" with their loved one while the caregiver does the nitty-gritty work, such as laundry and shopping for groceries. Family members can also hire caregivers to give themselves a respite for a summer vacation or a weekend away.
The Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) of Central Jersey provides geriatric care management services to help families determine what service best meets the needs of their loved one, according to Lucille Richards, chief operating officer.
Services provided by the VNA include nursing, infusion therapy,physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, social work,nutrition and home health aide services.
Visits are intermittent and are approximately one to two hours long for a period of 60-90 days.A patient must be homebound and under the care of a physician who determines that they need skilled care.
"The majority of seniors who require skilled care have an onset of an illness that requires nursing or therapy intervention, such as a person with diabetes,Parkinson's disease, or one recovering from a stroke. Each discipline determines the plan for care that will meet the needs of the patient," Richards said.
Terminally ill patients receive a special kind of care that focuses on comfort, support and dignity that is a coordinated effort of physicians, nurses, social workers, aides, therapists, spiritual counselors and volunteers.
The VNA also provides hospice families access to music therapy, pet therapy, reiki and massage.
For those who need a more intense, comprehensive care plan, a nursing home may be the answer. Pine Brook Care Center, Englishtown, is a 132-bed multiservice health-care facility that provides sub-acute care for med- ically complex patients, short-term rehabilitation stays, hospice, respite and long-term stays.
The staff strives to provide patients with quality care while maintaining dignity and self-esteem.They offer quality of life within a comforting,warm environment.The facility implements a quality assurance program to ensure commitment to quality is upheld for patients and families.
A state-of-the-art rehabilitation center with trained professionals who monitor and meet patient needs is also on site. Services include physical therapy, help with activities of daily living and speech therapy.
For more information about Kensington Court and The Club, call 732-542-8700. For more information about Home Instead Senior Care, call 732-542-9004. For more information about The Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey, call 800-862-3330. For more information about Pine Brook Care Center, call 732-446-3600.
How to recognize when an aging relative needs help
• Physical health of the person: This is one of the most decisive factors in whether or not a nursing home is the right move. Chronic disease can greatly limit an elderly person's independence, sometimes making it impossible for them to live alone. If you cannot care for them adequately, a nursing home or another facility might be your only option.
• Mental health: Typically Alzheimer's is a chief concern for relatives of the elderly. If your loved one appears disoriented most of the time or has regular feelings of confusion, professional help might be warranted. While these conditions do not mandate you put your loved one in a nursing home, it may be necessary, if someone cannot provide round-the-clock care.
• Medication use: Pay close attention to your loved one's medication routine. If he's forgetting to take his medication, or taking too much, or even failing to remember if he took it or not, independence is no longer a legitimate option. Too little or too much medication can prove to be a fatal mistake.
• Daily living skills: Exhibiting difficulty with some of the more routine tasks a day presents could be a sign that help is necessary. Struggles with bathing, dressing, or even using the toilet, indicate a dwindling ability to live independently. Similarly, you may worry about your loved one's ability to cook and clean for themselves. If your loved one still has his mental health but might be struggling with some of these tasks, perhaps having him move in with a younger relative or hiring someone to help can avoid the nursing home scenario.
Source: AARP
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