PHOTO BY CLAIRE FRANELL
For many seniors and their families, the idea of assisted living can be uncomfortable or intimidating. Sun Terrace Hermiston Assisted Living offers a checklist to help those who may have difficulty facing this decision.
If you answer “yes” to four or more of the following questions, it might be time to consider an assisted living community for you or your loved one:
• Are you or your loved one unable to handle house work, yard work and home repairs without assistance?
• Are you or this person unable to shower and bathe regularly without help? Are you worried about safety in the tub or shower?
• Are you afraid that there is risk of falling? Has there been a fall recently? Have you noticed a change in walking, mobility or balance?
• Has your loved one fallen behind on bills? Is old mail piling up?
• Is your parent/grandparent unable to schedule and drive to regular medical appointments?
• Are you attending his or her physician visits to help answer questions or because he or she has a hard time remembering doctor recommendations?
• Are you concerned whether medications are being taken properly?
• Is your loved one unable to shop and prepare proper, nutritious meals?
• Is he or she having difficulty maintaining a healthy weight or unable to get some form of exercise?
• Do you worry about your loved one’s safety when he or she is alone? Do you worry if you can’t reach your loved one by phone?
• Does your parent/grandparent find it difficult to maintain a social life? Does he or she make excuses for not participating with friends or engaging in social events or church activities?
• Do you think your loved one feels isolated, lonely or bored? Does he or she seem to be withdrawn, fearful or depressed?
• Has your loved one’s driving ability diminished? Are there issues with low vision, physical limitations or early memory loss which could affect their driving?
• Has your loved one recently been hospitalized? Are you concerned about his or her continuing recovery at home alone? Is his or her health condition worsening?
Staying in your own home and waiting as long as possible before moving to an assisted living community sounds like a good idea, but it often backfires. People sometimes wait too long, suffering unnecessarily in poor quality of life, decreased health, frustration and loneliness.
When people wait until a trauma or tragedy happens, their choices can become limited. Family or other caretakers often end up having to take over the decision-making process, leaving their loved ones feeling powerless.
“I hear from people all the time, ‘I wish I’d done this sooner,’” says Sun Terrace Community Relations Director Beth Harrington.
Harrington wants seniors and their families to understand the reality of modern assisted living.
“I think there’s still a lot of misconception floating around out there. A lot of people think of what nursing homes used to be. That may be their only frame of reference,” she said.
Sun Terrace is more of a community than a facility, Harrington explained. Residents have privacy in their own apartments and are free to come and go whenever and wherever they choose. They also have the option of participating in daily social, creative, physical fitness, learning and spiritual activities and programs.
The assisted living community also offers scheduled group trips and regular transportation.
“A lot of people think they’ll lose their independence, but it’s actually the opposite,” Harrington said.
Marie Lucas, 87, made the decision to move to Sun Terrace after losing her husband. Lucas enjoys spending time with the other residents and making new friends — especially during the live music programs that Sun Terrace facilitates twice a month.
“I feel at home,” Lucas says. “It’s about the emotional support. Everybody gets undivided attention. I’m in no need of extra care; but if I ever do, there’s someone for me. I’ve never felt lonesome.”
Between gardening, games, movies, coffee time, shopping, and other great activities, Lucas says there’s something for everyone at the assisted living community.
“It’s what you make of it,” she said.
To learn more about the choices available at Sun Terrace Hermiston, visit the facility at 1550 NW 11th or call Beth Harrington at 541-564-2595.
