Jennings recognizes, supports Family Caregivers

Chances are, you or someone you know will be a family caregiver during your lifetime. You may even benefit from someone else’s help as you age. During National Family Caregiver Month, Jennings recognizes this special commitment.

According to the John A. Hartford Foundation, there are 53 million family caregivers providing care to a loved one in the United States. Many of these family members are assisting a loved one who is aging, which can be difficult to balance responsibilities of working and caring for children. Options such as adult day services and respite care can help family members find this balance.

Adult Day Services

"Adult day services support families by providing an active and safe space for a loved one, especially those living with Alzheimer's Disease or other cognitive challenges," explains Kathy LiPuma, Director of Adult Day Services at Jennings. "Family members can go to work, attend to other responsibilities or simply recharge. Meanwhile, the older adult is engaged with their peers in a caring environment."

Adult day services provide a good balance of activities, social stimulation, personal care and access to medical care in an environment where they are safe. Activities vary throughout the day for social, physical and cognitive stimulation and can be customized to individual interests as much as possible. Adult day center participants also attend campus events, such as concerts, speakers and intergenerational programs. Adult day services also work hand in hand with home care. Where adult day services provide social stimulation and access to care, home care provides one on one support that for times like evenings and on weekends. Combining these services can help family members customize a solution that best supports them while also making their best plan financially.

Family members often remark that their loved ones who participate in adult day services are more relaxed in the evenings because they have spent the day in a positive, productive way. Adult day services provide a good balance of activities, social stimulation, personal care and access to medical care in an environment where they are safe. Activities vary throughout the day for social, physical and cognitive stimulation and can be customized to individual interests as much as possible. Adult day center participants also attend campus events, such as concerts, speakers and intergenerational programs. While families may pay privately for adult day services, there are benefits and community-based programs that can help cover the cost.

Respite Care

“A Staycation offers the temporary support of assisted living,” explains Lisa Brazytis, Chief Marketing Officer at Jennings. “Our guests enjoy all the comforts, care and amenities of assisted living during their stay. We often serve guests who live independently with the support of their families but need temporary support while family members are out of town.”

A short-term assisted living residence is also ideal for someone who has finished short-term skilled nursing but does not feel strong enough to return to their residence independently. The Staycations have nurses and care staff who continue to support recovery progress, combined with therapies to help guests regain strength before returning home. This type of temporary care allows individuals to recover in a supportive environment, without the pressure of handling daily tasks alone.

Another advantage of assisted living for both long- and short-term stays is the availability of meals, housekeeping, and transportation services. These services eliminate the need for residents to worry about these everyday tasks, making life more manageable and stress-free.

Jennings offers Staycations in its Brecksville Chardon and Garfield Heights communities. For additional information, call (216) 581-2900.