Tag: elder care homes
admin Dementia Care, Elderly Care, Elderly Care Home,

Dementia Care: Training focus & approach towards caregivers for empathetic & skilled support

Dementia is a disease that worsens gradually over time and affects the ability of a person to recall and understand daily events like names, dates and places. Dementia is especially common in the elderly and affects the way they communicate. Whether it be at home or a care home, caring for an elderly with dementia requires patience, a skilled approach and an empathetic attitude. The caretaker who is going to be caring for the elderly will need to play many different roles depending on the elderly’s condition. From taking care of the patient medically to providing them emotional support, caretakers should be able to manage all.

Following are the qualities and attributes that a caregiver should have to care for the elderly with dementia in an optimal manner.

  • A better understanding of the disease- The caregiver has to be an expert in handling dementia cases. Dementia patients require personalised attention. From keeping them engaged to understanding their habits and emotions, it can be difficult for a caregiver to manage all of them if they are not adequately trained to treat or help the patient with dementia.
  • Taking care of the elderly is just like taking care of a child- A caregiver is responsible for personal care of the edlery, supporting them with their daily life activities, meals, health appointments and more. It is similar to taking care of a child wherein the caregiver must be extremely attentive and mindful of their actions. So choosing the proper care home or caregiver is crucial.
  • Understanding of the trigger points of the patient-  A dementia patient may have mood swings and behavioural changes. The caregiver should observe them closely and get a better understanding of what triggers the elderly to avoid using those words or actions in a day to day routine to establish a sound and healthy relationship with the patient.
  • Gentle and empathetic approach- When talking to the patient, a caregiver should always use a gentle approach and keep track of the following:

1) Don’t tell them they’re wrong

 2) Don’t argue with them

 3) Don’t ask them whether they remember anything

 4) Don’t remind them that their wife or parent or any other loved one is no more.

 5) Don’t talk to them about issues that may upset them.

  • Knowledge of medications – They should understand medicines properly and know the treatment schedule of the patient.
  • Knowing about hobbies and interests of the patient- To establish a healthy relationship with the elderly, the caregiver must try and talk about the interests and likings of the elderly. This is imperative for the caregiver as with this information they can better engage with elderly and better chart out the activities the elderly can participate in. 

A caregiver needs to listen more carefully when caring for an elderly with dementia.They may need to be more aware of nonverbal messages like facial and body expressions. They would also need to use assuring gestures with the elderly such as patting their arm or smiling to them while talking. 

At senior care genie, we help you provide the best care for your ageing loved ones with dementia with our empathetic and trained caregivers.Our caregivers make sure that the physical, emotional and social wellbeing of your ageing loved ones is taken care of. From elderly’s diet to their daily life activities, they handle every routine perfectly.
admin Dementia Care, Elderly Care,

Keeping seniors with dementia engaged! Stimulating dementia activities to try with your loved one

Staying active and keeping your elderly engaged is beneficial for both physical and mental health, and therefore it is imperative to engage in some form of activity with elderly.. Certain activities have proved particularly useful for those with dementia, such as games, risk- free household work,  outdoor activities, music and art. One thing that we need to ensure is that all the activities should be failure-free. Like all of us, they still have the need to feel successful. We have also experienced that if an elderly is happily engaged in an activity it reduces agitation & anger and calms their anxious nerves and aggressive behaviour.

Regardless of the stages of dementia, there are several everyday activities that one can do with their ageing loved ones. These can be very attractive and encouraging for elderly. 

We should carefully choose the activities and it should aim to:

  • Stir memories and allow them to reminisce about their life
  • Foster emotional connections with others – contact with others is vital
  • Encourage self-expression
  • Make them feel more engaged with life
  • Help them feel productive

Important note: We need to ensure that no sharp objects are around your elderly loved one. There is a possibility that they put things in their mouth, try to bite or hide things. Avoid small things. 

  1. Physical activities and exercises

Exercises and physical activity can have many advantages for dementia patients. It can help to regulate their sleep and prevent restlessness at night. It can also help maintain a good mood and reduce the risk of depression. A walk around their neighbourhood or at a park should be very much in their daily routine. Going out to temples, restaurants, and cafes should be occasionally planned as per their lifestyle. 

  1. Go down memory lane.

Elderly with dementia have their long term memory intact for a longer period of time. Creating a box full of their memorable things & engaging them in discussions and activities has always been wonderful. We call it a “Memory Box”. This can be a mixture of things that they would have used at work, books & magazines, pictures of family & friends or a favorite celebrity, or things from hobbies. For example: We created a memory box for an aunty recently and it was such a pleasure to see her smile looking at her favourite hair-clip & an antique hand-mirror. It is calming and joyous to relive treasured moments and celebrate the memories that the elderly love.

You can make this process even more interesting by creating a new stock of memories not only for your loved one but for all the near and dear ones.

  • Video record your loved one and discuss about their life,their childhood & their family, sing their favourite songs with them 
  • Look through photos and make a photo album
  • Watch family videos together, a relative’s wedding video might interest them!
  • Ask them about their favourite memories around a particular topic, such as their favourite holiday or oldest friend
  • You can even watch Youtube videos of their favourite singers or actors to facilitate this. This has numerous advantages, such as encouraging positive discussion and helping them reconnect and feel acknowledged.
  1. Explore nature

The perfect place to see new things and get some fresh air is in the lap of nature, wherein you can plan many stimulating activities for the edlerly. If your ageing loved ones like greenery then this one could be especially good.

  • Doing gardening together or a visit  to a botanical garden locally will be very encouraging to your loved one. 
  • You can create a mini garden & a sitting arrangement in your garden. 
  • Look at a nature documentary: TV can still offer some great opportunities to explore if the health of your love doesn’t allow you to go outdoors.

4. Explore their artistic side

Art and craft is an excellent way to explore the creative side of  your loved ones. For many, arts and crafts can provide a wide range of sensory stimulation even if they are not particularly artsy or creative.

The activities to be taken into account include:

  • Painting
  • Knitting
  • Colouring

If your aging loved ones don’t seem interested in activities or look resistant to the action, take a break and try again later. You may also try something else or ask them about how you can make this activity more pleasant to them. You must also concentrate on the process of spending time with them, and not just the results – the most important thing is that your loved one is happy.

5. Folding Laundry

The safest & successful way to keep an elderly engaged is to ask them to help you fold laundry. This activity will make them feel like they are contributing to the daily routine of the household. 

Experiences shared by our carers suggest that it’s best to use hand towels as they are small and easily folded.One more addition to the activity is pairing socks. It does not matter how well the performance is, the point is to make them feel good about the activity. 

6. Playing cards

With our experience we can say that most of the seniors enjoy playing cards and spend a good amount of time in the activity especially when the letters and numbers are large and easily readable. However, in the advanced stages of dementia, they might only enjoy shuffling the cards or separating them by color or suit. 

While engaging the elderly in any activity, it is super important to be highly observant about their expressions and reactions. If they seem disinterested or frustrated, then you may have to remove some cards so that they do not have to manage so many.

7. Music therapy

Music plays an important role in soothing and stimulating people. We always suggest families to keep a pen drive attached to their loved one’s TV with a playlist of their favourite artist or genre. It helps them connect well to their past. Watching videos of their favourite movie star or favourite singer brightens up their mood. 

Example : Recently, we created a playlist of a few bhajans for an aunty. It’s been 15 days and she has started humming along the tunes. It’s such a pleasure to see her connect so well to music and yes her behaviour has improved. 

8. Peeling peas & segregating pulses

We usually suggest this activity to seniors who were majorly involved in managing the kitchen and cooking in their lives. Simple & safe activities like peeling the peas and segregating pulses while listening to their favourite music keeps them engaged for a long time. 

We at Senior Care Genie connect families with the right caregiver specially trained for dementia patients to assist them patiently and empathetically. Patience and alertness is the key to manage the care for seniors with dementia.
admin Elderly Care,

Take a Back Seat While We Help You Choose The Right Home

The longer you live, the more beautiful life becomes. We at Senior Care Genie aim to provide your parents with an inclusive and wholesome community, which can be their space of mindfulness. We understand and respect your concern and love towards your parents, and as a part of our social responsibility, we help you with the right home care services for your parents and grandparents, making them feel welcomed, loved, and alive. 

What is a nursing home? 

A nursing home is a community or multi-residence housing facility for the older people which encompasses an ecosystem of their healthcare & nursing needs. Signing up for a nursing home is a great way to make your parents feel secure in a space that allows them to engage and interact with like-minded people of their age.  

What constitutes a good nursing home? 

There is an end number of qualities of a good nursing home. Before booking a home for your parents, you might want to look for the following things: 

  1. An excellent Old age facility has safety nets within the parameters of its ecosystem. 
  2. A facility with open spaces and greenery for fresh air is always an excellent option to consider. It would help if you also looked out for spacious personal areas.
  3. Every nursing home must have an emergency medical service system with required medical equipment and medical staff. 
  4. A clean and hygienic space is a healthy option to look out for. 
  5. Nursing homes with modern communication and entertainment facilities help you stay connected to your loved ones and keep them engaged. 
  6. It would be best if you also looked out for the standard of living. 
  7. If the organization has any rules, then you must go through them thoroughly. 
  8. The nursing home must have a proper security system to ensure the health and safety of your elderly dear ones. 
  9. Open gardens, a library, walking areas, clubs, and common rooms are always preferable to ensure your parents feel at home. 
  10. Advanced medical facilities and nursing options are crucial for the well-being of your parents. 

About us and what we do: 

In layman language, Senior Care Genie assists you with suitable Senior care services for your parents and grandparents. With our services, we believe in making old age comfortable and spread smiles amongst them. Each smile inspires us to do better. With our senior care services, we wish to increase our outreach to help as many people. With your support, we can make old age a journey full of happiness and gratitude. Old age can be an uncomfortable process if not taken care of timely. We have taken the initiative to destigmatize the notions about Senior Care homes and put forth a healthy and non-biased perception about senior care. 

How can we help you choose the right home for your parents? 

People who have 24*7 jobs cannot always cater to their elderly ones to the best of their abilities. That’s where we step in to help you find the best housing facilities in the industry for your parents and grandparents. With the pandemic comes ambiguity. Secure the health of your parents and grandparents by letting us help you with medically verified old age homes. There are challenging times, and seeking timely medical aid can safeguard not only your parents’ today but also tomorrow. 

We believe that a person never stops growing, and age is just a barrier. Upon thoroughly studying the needs of the elderly, we have come up with a flawless system to facilitate never-ending growth for your parents by providing them with compassionate senior housing facilities. 

After years of research, consultation with healthcare professionals, and counsellors for the elderly, we have established a model to help people with a benevolent and trustworthy housing facility for their parents where they can seek medical, physical and emotional support. 

Conclusion: Senior Care Genie has been established to change the dynamics of Old Age homes and prove the stereotypes wrong. Our services are loyal, honest and trustworthy. So help us normalize using Old age homes for the elderly! If you are looking for an elder care home, elderly care services at home, elder care services in Delhi, contact us for more details.
admin Dementia Care, Elderly Care, Elderly Care Home,

Dementia Care Home: Points to keep in mind before making the final decision

Taking care of elderly with dementia at home can be challenging, but most of us don’t want to consider the idea of care homes at first. However, elderly with dementia need continued attention and skilled care, which can be difficult to provide at home in the absence of a trained caregiver. Due to this, specialised care homes might emerge as the only solution to this specific situation.

However, making the final choice regarding the right care home can be equally daunting due to the emotions involved and differing opinions. Senior Care Genie makes this process easier for families by helping families make informed decisions according to their personalised needs.

Whether you are looking for care homes or for long-term care for your loved one, these are the key things that will help you decide the best:

Expertise and training of the team

The staff of the care home will be responsible for ensuring your loved one’s safety and wellbeing.Therefore, their expertise and professionalism is the key element that you need to check. You should always ask a lot of questions and keep an eye on the staff before you decide.You should consider care homes with skilled caregivers and nursing experience. Also observe if they are polite, warm and welcoming. Dementia patients require utmost care, so ensuring the appropriate training of the staff caring is vital and should not be ignored.

Direct contact person

The caregivers in the care home should see the elderly more than as a mere patient and should take their unique qualities, interests, preferences and needs into account. Here the personal care also includes maintaining the dignity and respect of the elderly. Knowing the direct contact person who is in charge of taking care of your parents/grandparents will help you to get weekly reports and updates about any changes in the elderly’s behaviour. Also, you can directly share the likes and dislikes with the person to help him understand the needs of your loved one easily. 

Dementia activities

It is equally important to analyse what all dementia activities are available before picking up a care home. Activities are really important as they keep the elderly occupied and do not let boredom hit them. Physical exercises ensure that they are physically fit and mentally stimulating activities like remembering past events, places they have travelled, art and craft, etc. to keep them engaged.

Security

Elderly with dementia have the tendency to roam around and walk out of secured premises. So, the security of the care home is most important. There should be defined emergency and alert systems in all areas of the care home. 

Food and dietary requirements

The food and dining experience has a significant effect on the satisfaction levels of care home residents. So before making a final decision, you should always visit the home during meal time for a clearer understanding of the kind of meals they serve. You should check during your visit to see if residents can choose from various options. Ask someone whether they offer food options and nutritious snacks when residents ask for it. Learn how they care for the elderly who are unable to feed themselves.

Timely reports

A care house is not only responsible for caring for the elderly with dementia. Care Home staff are also required to remain in contact with families if an accident or incident occurs. A staff member should always be available to discuss any specific concerns  with family members. This should include physical and emotional problems, and you should always look for whether this support is available.

It is important to choose the right care home for elderly with dementia and the above points can help you avoid making the wrong decision. After all, your elderly loved ones deserve time, attention and the right care. You can always rely on Senior Care Genie to make such decisions more informed and convenient for you, as we have intensive experience in caring for the elderly. We first understand the health requirements of the elderly and the expectations of the families to then help them find the right senior care services.

elderly care services at home
admin Elderly Care Home, ,

Gaps in at-home elderly care services that Senior Care Genie is filling

There is no denying that with the increasing pace of life and time management challenges, senior care services such as elder care homes and at-home elderly care are becoming a sought after option for ensuring the wellbeing and daily life maintenance of the elderly. However, there still remain many inhibitions and trust issues regarding the quality of care that at-home senior care can provide to one’s ageing loved ones, along with the anxiety of the possibility of abuse and neglect. Finding trained staff and carers becomes another hurdle and challenge for people searching for a kind of assistance that can enable optimal and skilled care to the seniors. 

Moreover, the stigma attached to seeking elderly care services hampers families to explore options that can offer improved quality of living for the elderly and unfaltering attention to them, and further steers them away from finding the right solution to their requirements and needs. Additionally, the general at-home care services are usually unable to meet the families’ expectations and have an inadequate approach towards quality senior care. 

SeniorCareGenie fills this gap through comprehensive at-home eldercare services that include a meticulous caregiver profiling process, detailed medical assessment of the elderly and personalized care programs that align with families specifications and expectations. Following are the ways we are eradicating the potential challenges that at-home care can pose to one’s ageing loved ones in the absence of a methodological, ethical and quality approach and processes.   

The challenge of finding trained & skilled carers

Finding trained staff for the specific medical condition of the elderly is one of the challenges many families might face when looking for at-home senior care, as the usual approach lacks rigorous training of the carers. Training of caregivers is a continuous process as every family will have a different health and lifestyle scenario of the seniors along with varied specifications. 

SeniorCareGenie trains the carers or staff according to these specifications after a detailed study of the families’ expectations and the elderly’s medical history. So, for a senior with difficulties in daily life activities and for an elder afflicted with a medical condition like diabetes, the curriculum and framework of training that their carer would have to undergo will be different.  

The challenge of miscommunication with caregivers

It might be complex for the families to get accustomed to the presence of a caregiver, but the carers face the same challenge in the absence of a smooth transitioning process. For the quality of elderly care to remain uncompromised,  a collaborative effort from both the families and staff is required from the very beginning. 

Our processes ensure an open conversation with families wherein the onus for making the transition of the carer in the new environment easier lies on the shoulders of both us and the families. They are requested to be upfront about their systems, lifestyle, and difficulties, followed by a customized training of carefully chosen caregivers to align with the information we get.  This process ensures no miscommunication and gap between the carer and the families so that the overall experience remains highly synergic.    

The challenge of finding trained dementia care staff

We have a very detailed process of assessing the condition of the elderly needing dementia care wherein we visit their homes with a specialist and a trained nurse to consolidate our understanding of their specific requirements, behavioural symptoms and severity of the condition. 

After a thorough analysis of their medical history comes the part of shortlisting the caregiver who will prove to be an excellent fit to the elderly, followed by training geared at making the carer proficient in managing the symptoms of the senior, their preferences and the families expectations. Moreover, we train three caregivers at a point in the specific condition of the elderly to effectively navigate any unforeseen circumstances or emergencies of the assigned carer that requires prompt replacement. 

The challenge of finding elder care with a human touch

Our caregivers and carers are trained and ingrained with an approach wherein they assist your ageing loved ones as a family where no tasks taken is deemed big and small. This effectively eradicates the worries and anxiety of families regarding issues like neglect and abuse. Given that there is no hindrance to the carers’ responsibility towards the senior they are appointed to, additional responsibility is not a burden until and unless their services are not impaired and halted. 

The challenge of keeping caregivers motivated

We have regular counselling sessions with the staff and caregivers to keep a tab on how they are accommodating to the environment and if they are facing any specific challenges, and any scope for improvements. Our regular call sessions and counselling efforts keep the staff motivated and us updated on the happenings related to the elderly. 

The challenge of finding quick yet quality eldercare service

After hopping on a detailed call with the families regarding their requirements, we provide quick service to them, whether assigning a suitable carer or replacing an existing one, within 3 hours. Also, the families that connect with us and continue with our services get access to our other elder care services on a priority basis. 
As a senior living consultant & senior care service & equipment provider, we aim to make the families feel as comfortable and assured as possible with the at-home elderly care solutions we provide while ensuring that the elderly can enjoy dignified, independent, and happy living. If you are looking for elderly care services at home or a home attendant for the elderly, contact us for more details! We have tailored made programs suiting your requirements best.

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admin Senior Care, Senior Care service provider,

How to ensure the right care for the elderly amidst Covid-19

With the Covid-19 wave taking over the world at a tremendous pace, the health of individuals, especially children and the elderly, have been put at great risk, creating uncertainty, fear and a need to stick to the guidelines outlined by the authorities. ‘Prevention is better than cure ‘ never held more relevance than today, with social distancing, lockdowns, and curfews becoming the new norm in a fight to control the growing number of cases. Every facet of our lives are affected, the senior citizens are even more exposed to the potential threats pertaining to their emotional, physical and social wellbeing. 

According to reports and statistics, the risk of mortality and susceptibility to the coronavirus for older people is at a far greater magnitude, making it essential for the right care to be deployed to them, whether it be within one’s home, elder care homes or retirement homes. The distance from loved ones, unavailability of skilled home attendant for the elderly, existing medical conditions, make the whole situation more challenging, magnifying the gravity of the impact both in terms of a possibility of worsening state of health and the quality of daily living. The same isolation needed to contain the spread of the virus can become the cause of many other issues for the aged, thus there is a dire need for urgent attention to the elderly’s psycho-social health. Following are the few ways in which the right support can be ensured for the seniors during these tough and challenging times:

Maintaining the elderly’s dignity & respect

During this especially sensitive time, it is essential to make the elderly feel acknowledged and heard through rightful communication. The ongoing circumstances might emotionally drain you, but being responsive, respectful, attentive to the various needs of the elderly would positively impact the psychological and emotional health of the seniors. The last thing you would want to do to aggravate their situation is to disregard them and treat them with disrespect, something which shouldn’t take a global pandemic for you to realize. 

Following the prescribed rules

Abiding by the rules and guidelines released by the authorities is not something to be contemplated but followed positively. When the impact of your actions can travel to other people in the form of onset of symptoms of a deadly disease, maintaining social distancing should not be an idea to be toyed with and moulded as per one’s convenience. The most basic way one can ensure the elderly’s betterment during Covid-19 is by not becoming the probable cause of virus transmission by observing rules you are supposed to follow.   

Including them in the conversation

Answer the questions the elders of your family have from you and make them an active part of the conversation by enlightening them about the various guidelines and measures conveyed by the authorities. Make them aware of sanitizing, keeping away from stoves when applying alcohol-based sanitizers, and maintaining basic hygiene.

Seeking the help of technology

Understand the medical requirement of the elderly and make the required preparations, like booking online consultations or telephonic appointments with doctors as per their condition. Discuss with their doctors the best way moving forward to keep their body healthy and their medical condition from deteriorating.

Social distancing, not social isolation

Social distancing should not be confused with social isolation. It should be ensured that the sudden disruptions in the elderly’s daily life like visiting a temple, walking in the garden, sitting in parks, doesn’t cause any negative repercussions on their mental peace. Help them keep in touch with relatives and friends, grandkids, children in the family through video calls to bring about an environment of joy where they are occupied with something they enjoy.  

Keeping stock of medicines

Depending upon the health of the elderly, they could be heavily dependent on daily medication for basic functioning and to prevent it from getting hampered; it is crucial to stock up on their prescriptions medicines as advised by the doctor. Also, keep an eye on the expiry dates of these medicines and don’t engage in panic buying. Be proactive about it while maintaining reason and caution.

Keeping them occupied & engaged

Make the senior citizens indulge in activities as basic as watering the plants, playing with kids, reading books, knitting, cleaning the bookshelf, helping with little chores around the house, to not let the feeling of isolation overpower them. Avoid them from participating in strenuous activities as something mild but engaging would do without running the risk of an injury. 

Spreading positivity

Keep your home environment, mind and things surrounding you like social media to be free from negativity. Ensure the same for your ageing loved ones by not spreading false rumours and forwards on platforms like WhatsApp.  

Ensuring optimal rest, activity & nutrition

Proper sleep, adequate nutrition and optimal intensity of exercises are important to be maintained the way they were before lockdown or social distancing. Seniors can do yoga, meditation and other forms of low-intensity activities to enable good health of their body and some break from the monotonous routine of daily life while being restricted in the four walls of one’s home.

Senior Care Genie provides holistic solutions for the elderly that includes guiding families with better decision making regarding the optimal care for their ageing loved ones, the formalities associated with the transition & move-in process to care homes, at-home blood investigations and skilled nursing support and medical equipment for the elderly at their homes. We are working to create a better future for the elderly where all aspects of their wellbeing are maintained by empowering one family at a time with the right information, assistance and resources.

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admin Senior Care, Senior Care Consultation, Senior Care service provider,

Importance of seeking help and assistance for the elderly at the right time

It is the family member’s responsibility to seek medical assistance for the elderly as they are often reluctant to get the right help themselves. Increased physical, pathological and neurological problems are prominent in older age that at times necessitates at-home nursing care and GDA support. Identifying the early signs of symptoms in the elderly, getting it diagnosed and then providing a supportive, empathetic and suitable environment for them to recuperate and live a quality life becomes important with the decision still remaining quite complex. The process can be time-consuming, challenging, but still remains a decision that cannot be delayed for long to avoid deterioration of the condition of their loved one’s condition.   

Mental health issues in older adults

The most commonly diagnosed mental health issues in the elderly are anxiety and depression. Many family members or caregivers live in denial that senior citizens can face mental health issues, but the truth is illnesses like dementia, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s disease are more prevalent in the older population. These are often overlooked and unnoticed, resulting in enhanced chances of mishappenings and even self-harm tendencies in the aged. 

Statistics even show that there are a number of elderly suffering in silence, who need thorough monitoring, unfaltering attention and help with activities of daily lives. The absence of the right care not only adversely affects their life but also the other people associated with them. It can result in them feeling isolated, helpless and even in situations where the specific physical or mental problem gets out of hand. Herein, at-home care provided by a trained staff skilled in the specific condition of the elderly can be beneficial in improving their health outcomes, whereas assisted living homes can provide them with a conducive environment and community to improve their quality of living. Seeking the proper assistance at the correct time can make a massive difference in the comfort of living for the elderly in the future. 

  1. Providing care to the elderly by appointing the right nursing care and GDA support ensures professional management of the specific condition and complete attention to the elderly. It would ensure that your loved ones’ wellbeing is taken up as the priority that an expert skilled for meeting their specific needs as family members might be unable to offer unwavering attention to their ageing loved ones. 
  2. A proper schedule of medical appointments, a caregiver who can provide them medicines on time, and a healthy routine to follow all physician guidelines is the basic requirement of enhancing their physical wellness. 
  3. Assisted living homes or elderly care services at home provide support from a community of like-minded people that understand each other. One might feel isolated and shut off from society as they age, further affecting their recovery, overall health and mental state, but the social communications and interactions that elderly living homes have as a part of their amenities can alleviate that issue.