The doctor says your 68-year-old father presents symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease with moderately severe decline. He may need an assisted living facility in DeForest to help with his care because he also has hypertension and diabetes.

The caseworker recommends “initial skilled nursing care for a short-term rehab stay, then transitioning to a continuing care community with person-centered dementia care resources as the disease progresses to later stages.” What does all that mean?

Caring for a loved one who may need senior housing in DeForest or Deforest memory care can sometimes feel overwhelming. After you speak with healthcare professionals, their jargon may make it even more confusing.

To help you better navigate the world of senior care, here are some common terms explained:

Senior Living Terms

Activities of daily living: This is a term used to discuss the necessary daily tasks of an older adult, such as personal hygiene, toileting, etc. This is often used in the context of a person’s ability to perform them.

Ambulatory: A term used to describe those who can walk freely without assistance. An assisted living facility in Deforest is an excellent place for ambulatory patients.

Adult daycare: This program is offered to seniors on an outpatient basis. Seniors can get interaction with other seniors socially and participate in activities.

Aging in place: Remaining at home or in a Deforest senior living community even as health care needs change.

Alzheimer’s: Short for Alzheimer’s Disease, Alzheimer’s is a medical diagnosis that only a physician determines. The Alzheimer’s Association defines it as “a type of dementia that causes memory, thinking and behavior problems.” This is the most common form of dementia. If your loved one has been diagnosed, check into memory care in Deforest.

Assisted living: At Park Vista, our housing for the older adult includes nursing care, housekeeping, and prepared meals as needed. Our assisted living facility in Deforest provides all of these things along with social connections daily.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities: This is a special community where a resident gets exceptional levels of care depending on need. Park Vista is equipped to handle all levels of care at various locations. Senior housing in Deforest and communities like this often come complete with independent living accommodations, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing care.

Dementia: Dementia is not a single condition but a variety of symptoms in older adults. These symptoms encompass memory loss and impaired judgment and thinking.

Private duty care: A form of in-home assistance largely consisting of help with daily activities like cooking, cleaning, bathing, and dressing.

Hospice care: A form of care emphasizing physical and spiritual needs regarding terminally ill patients with a life expectancy of fewer than six months.

Independent living: Park Vista has lots of independent living communities. Seniors live independently in apartments or townhomes. Our DeForest senior living community might offer supportive services like yard work, meals in a common dining area, or transportation. Sometimes the community may offer no services for totally independent seniors.

A living will: A legal document that tells people what to do for your loved one medically according to their wishes should they become incapacitated.

Palliative care: A form of care centered on pain relief and prevention of chronic suffering often used in tandem with hospice care.

Person-centered care: This is a term used to talk about individualized treatment at a facility. Treatment that is specific to your loved one’s needs.

Power of attorney: The term used to describe the legal document that designates a specific person to make decisions for seniors if they become physically or mentally incapacitated.

Resident care plan: This document is written for each patient or resident at a Deforest assisted living facility and talks about the type of care the resident needs daily.

Respite care: A form of care where a skilled worker relieves a regular duty caregiver and gives them a break.

Sandwich generation: A generation caring for their parents and children simultaneously.

Universal design: A philosophy and practice that creates buildings, products, and places that are accessible to all people no matter what their lot in life is: old, young, with or without disabilities.

At Park Vista–The Legacy of DeForest, we’ll provide a comprehensive list of provided amenities when you tour the grounds at our DeForest assisted living facility. One thing is always a guarantee; you will experience a caring and nurturing environment that will make you feel like an essential part of our community. 

All campuses are pet friendly and offer beauty salons and barber services to ease your stress. There is even a happy hour at almost every location! Our Park Vista locations offer many options for independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care.

It is an Honor & Privilege to care for
those who once cared for us.
Making It Matter one day at a time.

Give us a call today at (608) 807-2888, or contact us online to find out more.