Special points of interest:

Aging in Place

July Birthdays

Companionship

Word Search

In this issue:

Article:

Aging in Place

July

Fun Facts

1

2

Holiday Word

Search

2

Calendar 3

Article: Transportation

4

The Lodge at Leon Springs

News from The Lodge July 2013 Volume 1, Issue 2

Aging In Place ~ Do you know what it means?

Aging in Place is having the ability to stay in one location through the various stages of aging. This alleviates multiple moves, which is upsetting as the residents must relearn routines, meet new friends, etc. and promotes a more relaxed aging process as the destination for aging has already been decided. When looking for a place for yourself, you and a spouse or your parents, aging in place is worthy of consideration for many reasons. When one ages in place, they have selected a place to live that offers Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care and possibly end of life care depending if a nursing home would be needed, or not, when time runs out. A location, such as The Lodge at Leon Springs, that offers these options are what aging in place is all about. Independent Living: When the decision is made to move from the family home, or move closer to family, into a place that offers 24/7/365 staff, meal service, laundry, housekeeping and enter-tainment with the freedom to go where you want, when you want, as long as you are capable. Many even offer the option to have a small companion animal. Assisted Living: Independent life will become more difficult, such as losing driving privileges, forget-ting about taking medicine, forgetting every day events or having a spouse that is more dependent and it becomes more difficult to be the caregiver. Assisted Living provides 24/7/365 staff, three meals a day, help with medications, help with bathing, dressing, hygiene and more services as required. Although there is a cost associated with Assist-ed Living, these costs are minimal compared to the stress and pressure put on other family members who would have to provide this care at home as well as ending up in a nursing facility. Memory Care: Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia and other mental disorders are common for this day and age. Because of these debilitating diseases, many locations, such as The Lodge at Leon Springs, have had the forethought to build secure areas for those that have memory disabilities. These memory care units are designed with safety and security of each individual in mind. Because many spouses will care for each other, when one spouse begins to show signs of any mental or memory disorder, the other spouse feels obligated to care for them at their own expense. Unfortunately, this is a dangerous and difficult task and many older spouses are simply unable to provide sufficient care. Those locations that offer care for all stages of adult life make it easy on the individuals or couples to stay in one location, sometimes not even having to change rooms or build-ings unless Memory Care becomes a requirement. The really nice option at these loca-tions is the ability for one spouse to live Independently or in Assisted Living at the same location as their spouse even though their spouse may need Memory Care. This ena-bles the couple to see each other without the stress or duress that a Memory Care patient can put on a spouse.

Aging In Place—Continued on Page 2

The Lodge at Leon Springs expects to open four (4) new Independent Living duplexes in

August and four (4) more by October. Beause we understand how important Aging in

Place is, The Lodge at Leon Springs is building a new and unique Alzheimer’s Disease

Unit, which includes 16 private suites and bathrooms! The design will be 4 rooms per

’pod’ and 4 ‘pods’ total. Although the Alzheimer’s Disease Unit will be ’locked down’, the

residents will have access to walk outside in their private park like setting and enjoy the

nature that surrounds The Lodge. Our Alzheimer’s Disease Units are being designed

and staffed specifically to work with all aspects of Alzheimer’s Disease and the residents

are looked after 24/7/365. Our Managing LVN and staff are educated and familiar with

Alzheimer’s Disease; both its personalities and estimated progression.

Contact The Lodge at Leon Springs for more information about how we help older adults

age in place.

The Lodge at Leon Springs

24137 Boerne Stage Rd.

San Antonio, TX. 78255

210-698-9365

Aging In Place—Continued from Page 1

July Fun FactsJuly Fun FactsJuly Fun FactsJuly Fun Facts

Residents Peg—July 20

Doris—23 Margaret M.—30

Staff

Sheila—12 Alex—20 Linda—26

Birth Stone Ruby

Birth Flower WaterLily

Holidays Independence Day—4

Parent’s Day—28

July 2013 Calendar

Got Transportation?

Unfortunately, it is common for older adults to have their driver’s license revoked, access to a car removed, the car removed entirely from their possession or for the older adult to realize their driving is not as safe as it once was, or they are afraid to drive, and give their car to the family or others. With the inability to drive comes the idea that the older adult is now immobile and can no longer get out and enjoy those things that they used to, such as shopping, beauty salon/barber, movies or the option to just get out of the house. A sense of worthlessness, dependency and depression can quickly set in with the loss of this freedom. Senior Buddies can help alleviate the symptoms that occur with the removal of the ability to drive. We have caregivers that are authorized to drive. Background and references are checked prior to employment. Give your family member a little freedom and contact Senior Buddies to give them a day away! They will appreciate the freedom of not having to rely on family members to take them places, and sometimes it is easier to tell a caregiver what they want to do because they do not have to feel guilty if they know it is something the family member may not enjoy doing. Consider all of the emotions that must be taking place when the older adult in your life can no longer drive themselves to where they want to go and can no longer do what they want, when they want.

At Senior-Buddies we understand that your loved

one is unique. Our services are tailored to meet

your loved one’s needs. We explain the services

available that best suit your needs.

We answer any questions, and help our client and

their family develop a Care Plan specific to their

individual requirements.

Our services are available in the greater San Anto-

nio area and surrounding cities, 7 days a week, 24

hours a day, including holidays.

Our mission is to help your loved one maintain in-

dependence and give relief to family caregivers.