How can I afford a Care Advisor?

Anyone can afford an Assisted Living Locator Care Advisor. That’s because we are paid only when we help you make a decision about your senior’s living location and we are paid by the location you choose. And because we only receive payment when you’re paying the Care Community directly, we’ll also put you in touch with your state’s social service network to make sure that you receive the proper state support in the event that you are unable to pay for senior care and housing yourself.

What can a Care Advisor help me with?

An Assisted Living Locators® Care Advisor specializes in knowing your senior housing and in home care options, but via their referral network they can connect you with state resources in the event that you need to consider state resources to finance and secure senior housing, as well as a wide variety of specialists who focus on some aspect of the senior services industry- Eldercare Attorneys, Financial Specialists, Real Estate Agents, Downsizing Specialists, Home Health Experts, and just about any other senior service need you can think of.

Who is my Assisted Living Locators® Care Advisor?

Glad you asked. This site gives you a number of ways to find your local Assisted Living Locators® Care Advisor. Pick one and we’ll either get them on the phone, or make sure that they contact you in a timely fashion. Click here to get to our Care Advisor page.

How are Care Advisors trained?

Assisted Living Locators® Care Advisors are vetted for the right set of skills before they ever even buy a franchise. Once they do, we provide comprehensive initial training and a 13 week “in community” onboarding process. We ask all Assisted Living Locators® Care Advisors to become Certified Senior Advisors, a nationwide accreditation program that provides additional industry specific knowledge. Care Advisors also participate in continuing education provided by us and provided by local senior oriented industry associations to ensure that they understand the latest tools, techniques and industry rules and regulations to help you navigate the senior experience.

What does a Care Advisor do?

An Assisted Living Locators® Care Advisor spends time at each of the communities and homes in your local area. They understand how well the community is performing against state standards and they understand what the community is good at- in short, they understand what isn’t in the community’s glossy brochure. An Assisted Living Locators® Care Advisor networks to ensure that they have a broad array of qualified resource team members that they can call on to help deal with challenges beyond senior housing and care, which is their own area of expertise. And Assisted Living Locators® Care Advisors spend time with families and seniors. They can’t help if they don’t know and understand you and your family. Assisted Living Locators® Care Advisors have a structured way to identify important needs that you and your senior have, which they then use to match you to the best community choices or the best members of their resource network that can meet your needs.

Who is Assisted Living Locators®?

A franchise business based in Arizona, with local owners and operators across the US. Our Care Advisors bring problem solving skills and compassion to your local senior community, and we supply the training, processes and industry knowledge they need to provide you with the help you want.

Where are your Care Advisors located?

Everywhere. If we don’t have a Care Advisor yet in your local area, we’ll find you an affiliate advisor who can help. But every month we train more Care Advisors to meet the growing needs of seniors in every community across the US. You can find your local Care Advisor by using the tools on this website. And because we are nationwide, we can help you in your town or in towns all across the US.

When should I contact an Assisted Living Locators® Care Advisor?

Since Care Advisors understand the entire range of living options available to seniors, any family with a senior over 55 can benefit from their expertise. Use us to understand your independent living options if your senior wants more time for leisure pursuits after 55. Use us especially when you are concerned about the safety or health of your senior loved one. And it’s critically important that you reach out to us if your senior is in the hospital or rehabilitation facility so that we help you navigate the immediate next health care and housing steps that must be taken, giving you a voice in how the health care and insurance systems in your state manage your senior’s needs.

Family Ties: Creative Ways to Celebrate ‘Visit Your Relatives Day’ in Senior Communities

By Laura & Ken O'Dea

Published July 28, 2024

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Visit Your Relatives Day’ is a heartfelt observance that encourages us to reconnect with our family members, emphasizing the nurturing of relationships that may have been overlooked during the busyness of everyday life. This occasion holds particular significance in senior communities, where residents often cherish the company and attention of their loved ones more than anything else.

Family visits provide profound emotional and psychological benefits for seniors. Such interactions can boost their mood, enhance their mental acuity, and provide a much-needed break from the routine of senior living facilities. The presence of younger family members, including grandchildren, can invigorate seniors, remind them of happy memories, and help them feel more connected to the world outside their immediate living environment.

Here we’ll explore various creative ways to make ‘Visit Your Relatives Day’ a memorable and joyful occasion for everyone involved, particularly focusing on how to enrich the lives of seniors in community settings.

Pre-Visit Planning

Making the most of ‘Visit Your Relatives Day’ involves thoughtful planning and coordination, especially when planning to visit seniors in a community setting. Here are key steps to ensure a smooth and enjoyable visit:

Coordinate with Facility Staff

Understand Protocols: Before your visit, check with the facility staff to understand any specific health protocols or visitation guidelines. This is crucial to ensure compliance with safety measures, especially in light of ongoing health concerns.
Schedule Appropriately: Coordinate with the staff to schedule your visit. This helps in avoiding overcrowding and ensures that your visit doesn’t conflict with the senior’s routine or facility activities.
Discuss Activities: Inform the staff about any activities you plan to engage in during your visit. They can provide valuable input on what is suitable and enjoyable for the senior, based on their health and interests.

Personalize Your Visit

Bring Familiar Entertainment: Tailoring the visit to the senior’s interests can make it much more enjoyable. Consider bringing items that are meaningful to them, such as favorite books, music, or games. This can help stimulate conversation and shared memories.
Plan for Physical Activities: If the senior is able, plan some light physical activities like a walk in the facility’s garden or simple seated exercises. This can be refreshing and beneficial for their physical health.
Create a Comfortable Environment: Bring along items that might make the environment more comfortable and homey for them during your visit, such as a favorite pillow, photos, or a blanket.

Creative Visit Ideas

Celebrating ‘Visit Your Relatives Day’ in a senior community can be transformed into an extraordinary experience with a bit of creativity and thoughtful planning.

Here are some inspired ideas for themed gatherings, memory-sharing, and interactive activities that can bridge generations and energize seniors.

Themed Gatherings

Theme Ideas: Pick a theme that sparks joy and nostalgia for the senior, like a ‘1950s Diner Day’ or a ‘Garden Tea Party’. Themes can be centered around a favorite decade, hobby, or cultural celebration.
Decorations and Costumes: Decorate the visiting area to match the theme. For a 1950s diner day, think about checkerboard tablecloths, jukebox imagery, and classic diner menus. Encourage family members to dress in period attire to enhance the atmosphere.
Music and Entertainment: Create a playlist of era-appropriate music or select tunes that have special significance to the family. Music is a powerful mood setter and can make the event feel more authentic and immersive.

Memory Lane Tour

Creating Memory Lanes: Use photo albums, familiar objects, and a playlist of favorite songs to guide the senior through their personal history. This activity is particularly touching for seniors and can be deeply therapeutic.
Reminiscence Therapy: Discussing past experiences and viewing old photos can be beneficial, especially for those with memory challenges. This form of reminiscence therapy can help enhance emotional well-being and cognitive function.

Interactive Activities

Multi-Generational Engagement: Choose activities that can involve children, parents, and seniors, such as crafting custom photo frames, cooking a family recipe together, or planting seeds in small pots.
Adaptability: Ensure activities are suitable for the senior’s mobility and health condition. For instance, seated gardening or simple cooking tasks that can be performed at a table.

Outdoor Excursions

Planning an Outing: If the senior is able to venture outside, organize a picnic or a gentle stroll in a local park. Ensure the location is accessible and considerate of their physical capabilities.
Essentials for Comfort and Safety: Ensure seniors’ comfort and safety outdoors by packing seating, sun protection, water, medications, and notifying the community a day in advance for medication preparation. Prepare for weather changes with extra clothing or an umbrella.

Technology-Enhanced Visits

Technology can play a crucial role in bridging the gap between family members and seniors in communities, especially when physical visits are not possible. Here are some ways to use technology to ensure everyone can connect and share meaningful experiences, regardless of distance.

Virtual Connections

Setting Up Video Calls: For families who cannot visit in person, video calls can be a lifeline. Use platforms like Skype, Zoom, or FaceTime to facilitate these calls. Ensure the senior’s device is set up properly before the call, with necessary apps installed and volume levels adjusted for ease of hearing.
Pre-Call Checklist: To make the most of the virtual visits, check the internet connection beforehand, ensure the camera is positioned at a comfortable angle for the senior, and the lighting is sufficient to see faces clearly. It might also help to schedule calls in advance to create anticipation and prepare any topics or activities to discuss.
Group Calls for Family Gatherings: Arrange for multiple family members to join a single call, making it feel like a real gathering. This can be particularly uplifting and make the senior feel more connected to the family as a whole.

Post-Visit Follow-Up

After a special day like ‘Visit Your Relatives Day’, ensuring the momentum of family connections continues is crucial. Here are some strategies for creating lasting memories and maintaining strong family ties, even after the visit.

Creating Lasting Memories

Capture Moments: Take photos or videos during their visits. These can capture joyful moments and activities that occurred, which are especially valuable for seniors who may cherish these memories.
Sharing Digitally: Create a digital album or a private family group on social media where these photos and videos can be shared. This allows family members who couldn’t attend or live far away to also see and enjoy these moments.
Memory Projects: Consider creating a scrapbook or a digital slideshow of the visit, possibly as a gift for the next visit. This not only preserves memories but also gives seniors something to look forward to and reminisce about.

Scheduled Regular Visits

Importance of Regularity: Discuss with family members the importance of regular visits to maintain emotional connections and provide psychological support. Regular visits can significantly enhance a senior’s quality of life and overall well-being.
Planning Ahead: Set a schedule for future visits. Having a predictable routine can help seniors deal with the loneliness that might occur in senior communities. It also helps families manage their time and commitments effectively.
Flexible Communication: For family members who cannot visit frequently, set up regular phone calls, video chats, or even letters and emails. This keeps the lines of communication open and makes seniors feel valued and loved.

Key Takeaways on Making Visits a Regular Occasion

While ‘Visit Your Relatives Day’ is a wonderful occasion to come together, it’s important for families to strive to make these visits more frequent than just once a year. Regular visits, whether in person or via digital means, can sustain and nurture the relationships that are essential for emotional support and happiness.

‘Visit Your Relatives Day’ is more than just a day on the calendar—it is an opportunity to reaffirm the bonds that connect us, highlighting the profound impact that family can have on the well-being of its eldest members. Let us use this day as a stepping stone towards more frequent and meaningful engagements, ensuring that the seniors in our lives feel valued, loved, and connected throughout the year.

Family Ties: Creative Ways to Celebrate ‘Visit Your Relatives Day’ in Senior Communities