At Lakehouse Sheboygan, the first step in individual care planning is to really listen to the resident. That's because personalized senior care is about far more than just clinical needs. It involves paying attention to the whole person, including their preferences, desires, and goals.
The 65 and above age group is the fastest-growing in Sheboygan, and the good people of this city and beyond deserve the best in responsive elder care. In our assisted living community, residents enjoy private apartments close to amenities, daily activities, on-site restaurant-style dining, and sunny outdoor spaces. Personalized senior care has never looked or felt so good.
In practice, personalized care means shaping the support offering of an assisted living community to each individual resident. Listening is a crucial part of the equation.
To provide the right daily support in Sheboygan, we sit down with new residents and really get to know them. We want to hear about who they are, what they have done with their life so far, and what makes them tick. We're keenly interested in their goals in moving to an assisted living community and what they enjoy doing.
We are also interested in family and getting them involved. After all, they are the ones who love our residents the most and know them the best. So with the resident's consent, we will actively involve the family in the process of organizing personalized senior care.
After all, assisted living is about getting the support you need so you can thrive again. Responsive elder care provides just what is needed at the right time while prioritizing independence.
The Duke Center for Personalized Health highlighted several key elements that apply to personalized senior care:
At Lakehouse Sheboygan, we take each of these aspects into account, recognizing all of them as important aspects of senior wellness in WI.
So, we ensure that the physical environment is safe, clean, and well-maintained. We encourage a sense of community and relationship-building through our wide range of social activities, and we focus on personal growth and occupation through meaningful hobbies and activities.
Talking and listening are essential, but at some point, you need to write everything you have learned down. Individual care plans are essential for dignity in aging.
Care plans detail all the individual's current needs and are active documents that are constantly updated. In our assisted living community, this will definitely include at least one of the activities of daily living, which are:
Individual care planning involves recording the assistance seniors need. Caregivers are careful to provide the right level of support. This "not too much and not too little" approach ensures seniors are dignified and can maintain as much independence as possible.
The best care plans take a holistic approach. They recognize that spiritual, emotional, and social needs are also critical for health and happiness.
So they will include activities that the resident may enjoy. Caregivers can help the older person to create a schedule of events throughout the week that allows them time to socialize with others, get needed exercise, and nourish the inner person.
Here's a simple, real-world example of what personalized senior care could look like for an older adult who needs assistance with dressing and medication.
You get up when you are ready and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. After your shower, a caregiver helps you select your clothes and dress for the day, and reminds you to take your medication. You relax in your apartment in the morning.
You make your way to the restaurant for a light lunch. After a coffee and some good conversation, you head to your afternoon art class. This is followed by a leisurely stroll around the grounds.
After school, your grandson FaceTimes you. There is WiFi in every part of the community, so you are always contactable. A kindly caregiver arrives to remind you to take your early evening medication.
A comforting meal with friends is followed by a relaxing movie. You make your way back to your apartment, and a caregiver drops by to help you change for the night and ensure you have taken your nightly medication.
Each touchpoint provides reassurance and keeps you safe, but does not go beyond what you need. Your dignity and independence preserved, you look forward to another meaningful day tomorrow.
There are two answers to this question. First, care plans are regularly reviewed to ensure they are current and sufficient for the needs of the older person.
However, they can also be updated responsively. For example, a senior may need extra support as they regain stamina after a hospital stay. However, the support may be dialed back as they regain strength to allow them to remain independent.
Also, if needs rapidly increase, the care plan will be adjusted so there is always an appropriate level of support in place. Of course, we always listen to residents, so they can feel free to discuss their needs with us at any time.
Assisted living is for older adults who need help with at least one activity of daily living. When you notice your loved one is struggling, it's time to start discussing options. Emphasizing that receiving personalized care at our assisted living community can give them a new lease on life can ease the transition.
At Lakehouse Sheboygan, you're never just a face in the crowd. Our personalized senior care approach, coupled with our small scale, means that we truly know each of our residents as an individual. Each one is cherished, celebrated, and helped to enjoy the most fulfilling life possible.
Contact us today to learn more about what personalized senior care can mean for your loved one.