Twin Town Villa

Tips for Compassionate Downsizing

By

Streamlining Before a Move to Assisted Living

For many seniors, moving into an assisted living community means leaving behind a home full of memories and possessions. When a person has lived in a home for decades, it’s likely that they’ve accumulated quite a bit of furniture, mementos, and assorted odds and ends. When it’s time to downsize, it’s vital to remember that these are more than just things to them. Many of the objects in a senior’s home hold sentimental value, and parting with treasured items is distressing for most people.

downsizing for a move to assisted living

As you prepare to help a loved one with the task, it’s important to remember a few key strategies:

  • Start early – The process of going through a lifetime of possessions almost always takes longer than you think it will. Start at least three months ahead of any move.
  • Begin with the low-hanging fruit – Trash, old clothes, worn out furniture, and other items that can be eliminated quickly without debate are an easy place to begin downsizing.
  • Keep your loved one involved – It might be tempting to dive into sorting things without their input, but that’s a sure way to make a senior feel left out and resentful. Remember, these are their things and they should have a say in what happens to their belongings.

At Twin Town Villa, our inviting and welcoming senior community offers homey apartments and suites in a variety of styles and sizes. Contact us for information, or to schedule a tour.

Patience is Vital

The emotions of sorting through personal possessions in preparation for a move to assisted living can be overwhelming. Many older adults also have mobility or health issues that make it difficult to move forward at a fast pace. Patience is absolutely essential. Don’t rush or scold—think about how you would feel if you were in their position.

To learn more about Twin Town Villa and our assisted living and memory communities, contact us. Schedule a tour to see our apartments and suites — you may even be able to reserve your apartment today!

 

Who Can Benefit From Living in a Memory Care Community?

By

Seeing a loved one struggle with dementia is difficult. You may fear for your loved one’s safety and feel unsure about the appropriate living environment for their needs. Memory care communities are designed to address the unique needs of those suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. In memory care, your loved one will have the warmth of a friendly, residential atmosphere, but close supervision is provided around the clock to reduce accidents and ensure that their daily care needs are being met. If you’re not sure whether your elderly parent or relative could benefit from memory care, consider whether they’ve experienced one or more of the following conditions. Here is more information about who can benefit from living in a Memory Care Community.

Getting Lost or Wandering

Living in a Memory Care Community - Twin Town VillaA common sign of dementia is getting lost on familiar walking or driving routes. Alternatively, your loved one may have trouble recalling how they got to a specific location. In some cases, individuals with dementia may wander or be unaware of their surroundings, which can put them in dangerous situations, such as walking in an unsafe neighborhood or wandering onto a busy street. 

Forgetting to Eat Meals

For many older adults suffering from dementia, living alone can compound health issues because basic care needs are not being met. For example, your loved one may be regularly forgetting meals or be unable to prepare healthy meals that offer the nutrition they need. They may also have trouble keeping up with personal hygiene, medication management, and toileting.  

Safety Hazards at Home 

Dementia is more than simple forgetfulness, and it can quickly create safety hazards that may endanger your loved one. Burners and appliances may be left on, fireplaces may be unattended, and areas of the home may go unmaintained, causing fire hazards and potential for other accidents. 

Reach out to Twin Town Villa Today!

If you think your loved one may benefit from memory care or another level of senior living, contact us to schedule a tour of the community or call us at 218.643.9542 with questions. Now is a great time to reserve your room before winter! From assisted living to memory care, we provide a continuum of care that can cater to your loved one’s needs. 

How Medication Management Helps Seniors Stay Healthy

By

Missing doses or overdosing on medication can have significant health risks and is common for seniors living on their own. At Twin Town Villa, our structured assisted living community helps with medication management and offers other health related services to minimize risks for our community members.

Prevent Accidental Overdose

medication management - Twin Town VillaEven if your loved one doesn’t have advanced memory issues or require Alzheimer’s care services, he or she may still be in danger of an accidental overdose of prescription or over the counter medication. In the United States, an estimated 3 million older adults are admitted to nursing homes due to drug-related problems. However, this can be prevented by finding an assisted living community like ours at Twin Town Villa, which offers a comprehensive, effective medication management program. 

Reduce Risk of Missed Doses 

Missed doses are another common issue among older adults and seniors who are on a daily medication or vitamin regimen. Even the most competent adult is at risk of forgetting whether they have taken their daily medication, and for some, this greatly increases their risk of illness, severe health complications, accident, or injury. At Twin Town Villa, we carefully manage our community members’ medication schedules to ensure there are no missed doses.

Assist While Still Offering Some Independence

Our staff is on site 24 hours a day, and we offer a variety of different levels of service depending on the specific needs and desires of our assisted living community members. We do not believe in a “one size fits all” mentality, and we think it’s important that community members and family work together to design a program that allows the resident to maintain some independence while still receiving the care they need.

Rooms Available Now – Move in Before Winter!

At Twin Town Villa, our residents receive the specific level of care they need to live a safe, happy, and fulfilled life. We also offer fun social events that families can participate in as well. To learn more about how we can help you and your family with assisted care or memory care, contact us to schedule a tour of the community or call us at 218.643.9542 with questions. Now is a great time to reserve your room before winter!

Why Regular Social Activity Is Essential for Healthy Aging

By

According to recent reports from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), physical activity is essential to healthy aging. At Twin Town Villa, we understand the importance of social and physical activity, and our assisted living community has a variety of safe, fun, and healthy activities that our residents can enjoy. 

Prevent Loss of Mobility

Healthy Aging - Twin Town Villa - Breckenridge MNRegular physical and social activity can prevent loss of mobility, delay or prevent symptoms of arthritis, and improve sleep and appetite. Adults over 65 need at least 150 minutes of physical and social activity per week, including at least 2 days per week of activities that strengthen muscles and improve balance. Mobility promotes healthy aging!

Improve Memory and Brain Function

Studies have shown that participating in social activities that require problem solving, such as doing crossword puzzles and playing card games, can improve memory and brain function. As part of our memory care services, we can design a family and community centered program for your loved one’s specific needs, including social activity and games that improve memory function.

Reduce Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke, and More

You can help your loved one reduce their risk of a heart attack, stroke, falls, and other health issues by ensuring they participate in daily physical and social activity. A senior living community or Alzheimer’s care community can provide safe, enriching physical and social activity for your loved one.

Learn More About Our Community Life Program

Our Community Life program, called “A Part of You,” includes activities, hobbies, and events that are designed specifically centered around our residents’ experiences and preferences. Because we want our assisted living community members to feel like family, we encourage them to help us design our social and physical activity curriculum. 

Reach out for a Tour of Twin Town Villa Today!

At Twin Town Villa, our residents have plenty of opportunities for socializing and engaging with each other, and we offer a variety of fun events that families can participate in as well. To learn more about how we can help you and your family with assisted care or memory care, contact us to schedule a tour of the community or call us at 218.643.9542 with questions.

What to Look for in a Senior Living Community

By

There is a wide variety of senior living communities and care options available for older adults who need varying levels of care and assistance in their daily lives. At Twin Town Villa, we recognize the value in letting families decide the specific level of care their loved one needs in order to thrive emotionally, physically, and mentally.

Determine the Level of Care Your Loved One Needs

While some senior living communities offer different levels of care, some are more senior living community - Twin Town Villaspecialized and cater to residents who need Alzheimer’s care or memory care. You can speak with your loved one’s doctor about whether they would be safe and healthy in an independent living community, or need more structured care, such as assisted living, continuing care, or memory care. You can also review our Memory Care FAQ’s here.

Investigate Financing and Payment Options

You may find out that you can afford the cost of an assisted living community using your loved one’s pension, retirement account, SSI, or other insurance payments. You can also consider using funds from the sale of your loved one’s current home. If your loved one is a veteran or spouse of a veteran, you can apply for assistance from the Veterans Aid and Attendance Program. We are here to help you with financing options that are available to you. Reach out to Mary at 218.643.9542 or contact her online through this form with any questions.

Take a Tour 

One of the most important things you can do when choosing a senior living community is to take a tour of the community. Meet with staff members and the manager or executive director of the community. Find out what services they offer, what the residents’ rooms look like, what customizations can be made, and what amenities are available.  We love welcoming guests for tours at Twin Town Villa!

Look at Social Activities

A varied and structured social calendar is an integral part of any senior living community. Engaging in physical and social activity is vital for aging adults, and can prevent depression, and health issues, and even make the transition into senior living easier. Twin Town Villa has a wide variety of social activities that meet the needs of many interests and abilities.

Reach out to Twin Town Villa with Questions

At Twin Town Villa, we offer structured care specifically tailored to each senior living community member. In addition to assisted living, we also offer memory care, care suites, and health-related services for our residents. We also have a vibrant community life program. Please contact us to schedule a tour of the community or call us at 218.643.9542 with questions. First-floor apartments are available, but won’t last long!