Today, more individuals are keeping personal copies of their medical history. As we've become a more mobile society, this is critical as you never know when something might occur, requiring medical attention. Having your personal medical history is especially helpful when traveling or visiting a new doctor. Having this information available when needed ensures you receive the best and most appropriate care and that you don't accidentally leave out something important in your conversations.

Having your personal medical history with you may also help your doctor identify patterns or possible causes of particular symptoms. And, it's a useful tool for your family when they need to be your advocate or in case of an emergency. If you decide to move into a senior living community, make sure staff has a copy or knows where it is.

Your personal medical history should include the following:

• Name, birth date, blood type
• Allergies, what happens when you are exposed to each allergen, and how you have been treated in the past
• Any chronic conditions
• All medications (current and past), including dosages, duration of use, reasons for taking them, and any side effects. Be sure to include over the counter medications as well.
• Dates of doctor's visits and reasons for each visit
• Information about major illnesses, hospital visits, and surgeries
• Dates and results of tests and screenings
• Immunization history
• Relevant family history
• A more thorough record may also include notes about your emotions, what may have been going on in your life at the time, eating, exercising, and sleeping habits

Be sure your personal medical history is portable, readily accessible, and secure. Let your family know how to find it or give them a copy. Get your template for a Personal Medical History form.

It's not uncommon to see the activity level and social life of older adults decrease, especially if they have lost spouses or suffer from physical ailments. However, staying active is an essential component of one's health and well-being. For instance, social activities exercise the brain, maintain agility and mobility, reduce the risk of cognitive decline, and provide general support and encouragement.

Ways to help older adults stay active:

• Play games – board games and card games are great exercises for the brain
• Adopt a new hobby or attend classes
• Join a charity group or volunteer
• Join a walking group or try a low-impact exercise like water aerobics
• Take a dance class or join a choir
• Join a photography, birding, gardening, or knitting club

If you are looking at senior living options for yourself or a loved one, know that the vast majority of communities offer a variety of activities for residents. Whether you are researching communities on your own, or if you would like the help of a referral specialist, be sure to ask about the activities offered so you can be sure to make the community choice that is right for you.

In the Eugene-Springfield area, Adult Living Solutions works with senior living communities every day and we are well versed in the options available. Give us a call today: 541-685-1533

Deciding to move into an assisted living community is by no means an easy one. It’s a life-changing choice that can be difficult for many people. Although it can be a difficult decision, assisted living often becomes a rewarding experience. So, why do we struggle with making this change? Here are some common concerns and ways to overcome your fears.

“I need to speak with my loved ones first.”
The opinions and feelings of your friends and family are valuable, but they should not be the deciding factor for ruling out assisted living. Unfortunately, people often have strong emotions without having done current research. Like so many industries, changes are happening all the time in senior care and what a person thinks assisted living is may not in fact still be the case. The challenge here is that if it's not discussed ahead of time, difficult as it may be, you could find yourself being without care when you need it most.

The first thing you want to do is consider what you want. With assisted living, your personal needs are the most important. If needed, don’t hesitate to reach out to a counselor, support group, or spiritual advisor. Discuss it with your family when you have a good grasp on what you feel is right.

If you’re a family member making this decision for someone else, remember to think about his or her needs before your own personal wishes. It's easy to get caught up in what is convenient or perceived to be better instead of what is best for the other person and his or her needs.

“I’m worried I can’t afford it.”
Money is frequently a challenging household topic, and the fear of what assisted living will cost can be a big turn off. Ultimately the fear of the finances, more than the living arrangement, can cause people to put off looking at this option altogether.

What's important to know is that there are several options available for how you pay for assisted living. At Adult Living Solutions, we work to find the best solution for your financial situation. We make sure your choice of assisted living community is financially manageable, and every cost is beneficial to your quality of life.

“I’m not ready to leave my home.”
You may find yourself reluctant to the idea of assisted living because it is a new and unfamiliar living environment. Many concerns stem from the idea that you will lose your independence, you’ll be too bored, or you will not receive the proper care you need. Many of these worries are products of assisted living home stereotypes that don’t typically prove to be true. With a variety of activities and social opportunities available, you will always find something to do to keep you entertained and independent. At Adult Living Solutions, we make sure that everything you need to feel happy with your living situation is carefully considered as we research communities for you.

“I haven’t looked into it enough.”
Because assisted living is such a big decision, it does require a fair amount of thought and consideration. For this reason, people often put it off, waiting until the last minute to really “look into it.” All this does is create a delay. When the time comes, and a decision needs to be made, wouldn't it be better to have a plan in place instead of reacting and having limited choices?

​The best solution for this issue is reaching out to a senior living advisor and letting them do the research for you. Taking your best interests to heart, including your condition needs, your interests, and your location preferences, a referral specialist, like Adult Living Solutions, can find the perfect community for you. Save yourself some stress and contact Adult Living Solutions to get started today. 541-685-1533