“I don’t want to move into a home when I get old. I want to stay in my own house!” Have you heard this phrase before? You may have even said it yourself if you’re a senior who’s making plans on how to deal with aging-related challenges. Aging in place – which means configuring your home and coordinating care so you can live safely in your home if your health needs change – is becoming more and more popular as Baby Boomers age.
“At Abe’s Garden Community, we completely understand the desire to age in place,” says Angel Van Horn, Community Relations Specialist at Abe’s Garden Community (formerly Park Manor), the most trusted retirement community in Nashville, TN. “Your home is where you’re comfortable and where you’ve experienced many happy memories. The good news is that, with the right planning and assistance, aging in place is a perfectly reasonable solution.”
According to a recent Aging in Place report from HomeAdvisor, 61 percent of American seniors desire to remain in the home as they age due to convenience, location, closeness to family and the ability to retain their independence. However, Van Horn notes, there’s a lot of planning that must be undertaken in order for this to happen. Seniors and family members of seniors who are hoping to age in place have to consider all the options of how health needs may change, and what type of help and services would be needed to provide support and maintain independence.
What are Personal Support Services?
Personal support services are exactly what they sound like: personal support for seniors who need a little extra help living independently. If you move to a senior living community, this type of care can be part of the services provided to residents. There are also many caregiving agencies that provide in-home care if you choose to remain in your current residence.
When hiring in-home caregivers, the services you receive will be personalized to your individual needs. You can receive assistance for just about any task you can think of. Here are some of the more common things personal support services handle:
Personal care, such as mobility assistance, help with grooming or getting dressed, or dignified assistance for bathing or using the bathroom.
Household chores, including yard work, grocery shopping, laundry or house cleaning, or simply running errands like taking items to the drycleaners or walking the dog.
Meal preparation and cooking, which removes the worry of planning a nutritious, balanced meal, as personal support assistants can provide delicious and healthy meal options without you having to lift a finger.
Money management, such as paying bills or filing health insurance forms.
Health care assistance and coordination, like medication assistance, scheduling and taking you to doctor’s appointments, rehabilitation and therapy, and other medical-related services.
The Different Kinds of Personal Support Providers
There are a variety of services available to seniors looking to remain at home. The difference between the services is the frequency of care, level of care and types of services provided. While the cost of services can vary greatly, there are many in-home caregiving services that accept private health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid.
Personal Care Aides (PCAs)
One of the most common types of support for seniors at home is a Personal Care Aide (PCA). These individuals help seniors with daily activities of living, including laundry, general housekeeping, meal planning and cooking, money management, personal care like dressing, bathing and mobility, running errands and providing transportation to doctor’s appointments and personal events.
Home Health Aides (HHAs)
Home Health Aides are similar to Personal Care Aides, but have the added benefit of health-related training and licensing. Not only can they assist with day-to-day tasks, but they’re also trained to recognize issues such as illness, the onset of diseases like dementia and various other conditions. This allows them to identify issues and get assistance before problems become more severe.
Registered Nurses (RNs)
Registered Nurses are licensed caregivers who provide individualized medical services to seniors with more serious health needs. If you or a loved one are recovering from surgery or a major illness or medical condition, a Registered Nurse can assist with post-treatment care, rehabilitation, diet and exercise, medication management and nutrition. They can provide care in a hospital or at home, and are often recommended as follow-up care when an individual has been discharged from a care facility.
Independence Plus at Abe’s Garden Community Apartments
Many of our Abe’s Garden Community residents come to our community when they’re still active, healthy and ready to enjoy everything retirement has to offer. They enjoy the independence of having their own personal apartment as well as the convenience of maintenance-free living, a community of friends at the same stage of life, an active social calendar and so much more. For our residents, Abe’s Garden Community becomes a true “home,” and our goal is to make sure you can continue living here even if you need a little more help to live independently.
Independence Plus is offered to our independent living residents who wish to remain living independently in their own Abe’s Garden Community apartment. For an affordable fee, services are available when you want them, for as long as you want them. Our services include:
- Companionship, whether that’s a lively conversation, someone to read to you, or simply a friendly face to greet you in the morning
- Personal assistance for bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, dental care, mobility and whatever else is needed
- Assistance with chores such as housekeeping, changing linens and laundry
- Help with errands like shopping, running to the post office and scheduling medical appointments
- 24/7 personalized care and medication supervision provided by professional, pre-screened care partners
- Travel companions, whether you’re going across town or across the country
“At Park Manor, the continued independence of our residents is a top priority,” says Van Horn. “Nashville seniors move to our community so they can enjoy the comfort and privacy of their own apartment while having peace of mind knowing that personal support services are available whenever needed. For over 50 years, we’ve served residents by providing a community that supports an active, independent, secure, healthy and worry-free lifestyle. Our personal support services are provided by professional caregivers who are trained to serve residents with compassionate care that respects dignity and wellbeing.”
If you’re on the search for a place where you can truly love where you live, contact our staff at Abe’s Garden Community Apartments. We’re located in one of Nashville’s most desirable areas, Belle Meade, and our community has the best of both worlds. The serenity of our secluded seven-acre campus is close to shopping, golf courses, fine dining, theater and world-class entertainment.
Love Where You Live!
Have you ever asked yourself the question, “Do I love where I live?” If you ask that question of the residents of Abe’s Garden Community Nashville’s premier retirement community, the answer would be a resounding, “Yes!” For over 50 years, Abe’s Garden Community has served Nashville’s seniors by providing a community designed to support an active, independent, secure, healthy and worry-free lifestyle. Located on seven spacious acres in the desirable Nashville neighborhood Belle Meade, we’re proud to provide a lifestyle our residents love each and every day.
Abe’s Garden Community’s approach to senior living is simple: exceed our residents’ expectations. We strive to provide everything you could possibly need and want to live your life the way you choose. At Park Manor, you will enjoy a standard of living reminiscent of a luxury resort – but it’s not a vacation – it’s your lifestyle! This commitment is why we are held in such high regard by our surrounding community and are known as the premier retirement community offering independent living and assisted living lifestyles.
For seniors requiring memory care, Abe’s Garden Community is associated with the prestigious Abe’s Garden® Memory Care Campus. Abe’s Garden® is committed to transforming the care of those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia by establishing a national model of residential living and daycare programs for those suffering from the disease. Abe’s Garden® provides an unprecedented level of care in addition to a comprehensive array of services and lifestyle options.
At Abe’s Garden Community, your continued independence is our top priority. Enjoy living life as you choose … in the comfort and privacy of your own apartment while having the peace of mind of knowing help is available if and when you need it.