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What do you do when you get THAT call?

I received this wonderful testimonial the other day from the daughter of one of our clients and I wanted to share it with you. It’s affirming to know that we are making a difference and why I love what I do.

No one wants to get the call that your parent needs to be moved into assisted living with skilled nursing care. Moreover, when that day comes, most of us are unprepared to make the myriad of decisions that follow.

I was so fortunate to have been introduced to Leann Dale of Senior Living Options of the Desert. Leann was so professional, kind and caring. She took into consideration our family’s needs and offered us viable options. I want to stress to anyone who is looking for a liaison to assisted living facilities, how important it is to have someone who actually LISTENS. The other national organization that most people would think to call, just gave me lists of assisted living homes, too many of which did not meet my father’s requirements. Moreover, managing their emails (they reach out to you) was overwhelming.

Leann personally took me to the facilities once we narrowed down the contenders. Not only did she answer my questions, but she asked questions that I might not have known to ask. Leann has been available to me any time I have needed her and even advocated on my father’s behalf to coordinate his release from acute rehab. Her ability and willingness to connect me with additional services has made what is a challenging situation so much more manageable.

Leann’s integrity is rare in this world of senior living options. I honestly do not know what I and respectively my father would have done without her helping to navigate a world so far removed from my wheel house and in a different city. Even after he was safely ensconced in his new home, she continues to reach out and check in.

If you find yourself or a member of your family needing to make this kind of move, I strongly encourage you to reach out to Leann Dale 760-322-0322 seniorlivingoptionsofthedesert.com. It will be the smartest and kindest call you can make.

Jane D.

April 8, 2021
5 Tips For Reducing Pandemic Fatigue in Seniors
For us here in Southern California, this month marks one year in some form of lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Many people are experiencing the effects of pandemic fatigue, a certain kind of exhaustion which arises from dealing with the side effects of the coronavirus on a daily basis. Seniors are at greater risk for complications if they catch COVID-19. They are also more likely to experience isolation and loneliness during quarantine. For these reasons, older members of our community are more susceptible to senior pandemic fatigue.

Pandemic fatigue among seniors can take many forms, but it often shows up as extreme exhaustion and can include symptoms like anxiety, loneliness, irritability, and generalized fear. The signs of pandemic fatigue can also include:
- Brain fog or trouble focusing (may appear like dementia)
- Changes in appetite or overeating
- Racing thoughts
- A lack of motivation
- Constantly feeling on edge
- Arguing with loved ones
- The urge to withdraw from others
- Feelings of helplessness
It is important to pay attention to the toll that the health crisis is causing on mental, as well as physical health. If you notice that a loved one in your life has been showing signs of senior pandemic fatigue, consider one or more of these healthy coping strategies.
1. TURN OFF THE NEWS. Sorry, I’m not yelling…well, maybe a little. Seriously, a steady stream of upsetting news headlines can wear down emotional well-being. It’s happened to me. It’s good to stay up-do-date on public health information but set limits to how much news you consume.
2. Deal With Stress. Making joy and relaxation a priority is a good way to manage stress during difficult times. Reading, breathing exercises, yoga, and nature walks can all help the senior in your life unwind. Accept that it’s ok to feel stressed and then take some action to reduce it.
3. Reach Out To Others. Connecting with loved ones is a fantastic way to manage senior pandemic fatigue. Most of us have used FaceTime or Zoom for meetings this past year. If you haven’t already, encourage your loved one to connect this way or reach out to a senior and show them how to Zoom. The Cathedral City Senior Center has a video on How To Zoom To Stay Connected that you can check out.
4. Practice Healthy Habits. Taking good care of the body not only helps build up the immune system against COVID-19, but also boosts well-being. Make sure the senior you love is drinking enough water, getting enough sleep, and eating balanced meals. Also, replace negative thoughts with kind, encouraging statements.
5. Forge New Traditions. Face it, life is different during COVID-19 and our traditions have suffered. So, create new ones. Having things to look forward to can help reduce senior pandemic fatigue. Consider setting aside one night a week for group calls with family, or for a self-care night at home.
Continue to follow preventive measures

While many seniors have gotten the vaccine, there’s still that window where you’re susceptible to becoming infected with COVID-19, according to the American Medical Association.

According to Dr. Anna Yap, a third-year resident in the UCLA-Ronald Reagan/Olive View emergency medicine program, until everybody gets vaccinated, we probably can’t loosen up our mask-wearing or physical distancing.

So, stay safe and help each other through this.

About Senior Living Options of the Desert

Senior Living Options of the Desert is Southern California’s leader in senior living referral. We’ve been helping families find compassionate care for their loved ones since 2004.

Whether you’re looking for independent living, assisted living, memory care, or another form of senior care, our local family advisors will help you find the right option for you and your family. Our mission is to provide families with the best residential care options based on care needs and location, no matter what the budget. And, our services are always FREE.

You can get more information at www.seniorlivingoptionsofthedesert.com.
March 23, 2021
Senior Assisted Living Palm Springs – What Are The Options?
What to Consider About Assisted Living in Palm Springs
If you are looking to retire in a modern paradise, Palm Springs, CA is the perfect place. There is an abundance of gorgeous scenery and sunny weather year round, offering a host of natural attractions like hiking trails that will surely keep you busy and in shape. In order to help families find the right senior assisted living in Palm Springs, the folks at Senior Living Options of the Desert have compiled some information that will help you with your decision. With an average monthly cost of $3,525 in Palm Springs, it’s often challenging to find an assisted living community that provides high-quality care at an affordable price. At Senior Living Options of the Desert, our mission is to make that process as easy and painless as possible. We are the local experts in senior care referral and have been helping families in the Palm Springs area find the best care options since 2004.

Assisted Living Communities in Palm Springs
Located in Riverside County, Palm Springs is a desert resort city in the Coachella Valley that also includes cities such as Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, La Quinta, and Coachella. Seniors, age 65 and over, in Palm Springs make up approximately 30 percent of the population and it continues to gain in popularity as a destination retirement hot-spot. There are several assisted living and memory care facilities, as well as residential care facilities to choose from in the Palm Springs area. California’s assisted living communities are classified as Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) and overseen by the California Department of Social Services’ Community Care Licensing Division.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Palm Springs

The cost of living in Palm Springs is about 30 percent higher than the national average. However, the cost of living is lower than the average in California. Although this reflects in higher home prices, the cost of assisted living in Palm Springs is actually slightly lower than both state and national averages.

Palm Springs’ climate is quite pleasant through fall, winter and spring months but can become extremely hot during the summer with temperatures well into the triple digits, making air conditioning an absolute must for seniors.

Palm Springs has a vibrant Cultural Center that provides year-round programming in live theater, movie screenings, artist in residence programs, book clubs, speaker series and a farmers market seniors can enjoy on group outings.

Eisenhower Health, located near Palm Springs in Rancho Mirage, is highly ranked in the Riverside-San Bernadino area and recognized for its high performance in hip and knee replacement and the treatment of COPD, heart failure and lung and colon cancer.

The Sunline Transit Agency serves the greater Palm Springs area, providing buses, transportation for disabled residents, plus a taxi voucher program. It runs within the city of Palm Springs plus connects to Palm Desert, Cathedral City, Coachella and beyond. Senior fares are very low, including transfers to other services.

Paying for Assisted Living in Palm Springs
Assisted Living costs in Palm Springs start around $3,000 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of assisted living is $4,000 per month, according to the latest figures from Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey. Assisted living costs in Palm Springs are low by both state and national standards, according to the 2019 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. The $3,525 a month seniors pay for assisted living in Palm Springs is well under the $4,051 similar care costs nationwide, and it’s far below the $4,500 such care costs elsewhere in California. By way of contrast, assisted living in San Jose costs an average of $5,853 a month, while the lowest costs in the state are in Madera, where assisted living averages $3,313. There are many options to consider when paying for assisted living including long-term care insurance, veterans benefits, reverse mortgages, and more.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Palm Springs
Senior Living Options of the Desert is Southern California’s leader in senior living referral. We’ve been helping families find compassionate care for their loved ones since 2004. Whether you’re looking for independent living, assisted living, memory care, or another form of senior care, our local family advisors will help you find the right option for you and your family. Our mission is to provide families with the best residential care options based on care needs and location, no matter what the budget. And, our services are always FREE. You can get more information at www.seniorlivingoptionsofthedesert.com.
March 8, 2021
Three Reasons Why Now is a Good Time to Move to a Senior Living Community
We are almost one year into this pandemic and hopefully there’s a light at the end of the tunnel in the form of vaccines. All of us have been forced to make significant adjustments to the way we behave and interact with others. Senior Living Communities have done the same.
Many people are wondering if senior living communities, including assisted living and independent living, are safe during COVID-19? In this environment, the highest quality senior living communities have adapted quickly and responsibly. Those that do it best are now, more than ever, some of the safest and best places for an older adult to live.
If you’re not sure if this is the right time to consider a senior living community, think about what the past year has been like for many seniors who are feeling isolated and afraid to be out in public places. Senior living communities have spent the past year planning what safe socialization looks like, with opportunities for indoor exercise and dining, lifelong learning, entertainment, and more.
Consider these 3 benefits of senior living communities as we navigate through the impacts of COVID0-19.
Committed to Protecting the Health of Residents
Since the onset of the virus, senior living communities have been working to protect the health and well-being of their residents through testing, contact tracing and strict safety protocols.
Vaccinations Have Begun – The CDC considers senior living communities a top priority and have recommended that residents are among the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Timely Testing – Communities are running regular (many weekly) testing clinics in order to help control the spread of the virus. They continue testing all new hires, as well as residents returning from hospital and rehab stays.
Contact Tracing – The best way to stop the spread of the virus is to understand where it’s coming from and react quickly to new virus activity. Most facilities have implemented this protocol. In addition, new and returning residents are typically required to quarantine for 10 days.
Staying Engaged in Daily Life
Most communities are preparing for the day when residents can once again enjoy all the programs and activities they have to offer. In the meantime, they have adjusted and are offering new opportunities to learn and connect with one another from a safe distance.
In-Apartment Programs – Many communities have initiated virtual programs such as conference call book clubs, guided meditation, indoor gardening, and a variety of art projects.
Social Distant Dining – Some communities have started offering small group dining options with special seating arrangements so residents can dine safely and eat in the company of friends and fellow residents.
Time Outside – With face masks and proper social distancing, residents can enjoy gardening, walks outside and other outdoor pursuits in the company of staff.
Keeping Families Connected and Informed
Maintaining contact with family and friends is vital to well-being. Most communities are keeping that vital line of communication open between residents and families.
Connecting Virtually – Many communities have tablets with cellular service and conference lines for residents to connect with their families and friends.
In-Person Visits – Depending on state and local guidelines, family and friends may enjoy drive-up visits or gathering in designated outdoor spaces or visits inside residents apartments.
Staying up to date every day – Most communities are doing a great job keeping families informed of how their family member is doing as well as important COVID-19 updates.
Communities Are Welcoming New Residents
Most communities here in the Coachella Valley and Southern California are welcoming new residents. Touring communities is possible with proper safety measures such as wearing masks, taking of temperatures, and keeping distance from residents.
You can also schedule a virtual tour or Face Time tours in most communities.
Please reach out to me if you have any questions or if you would like to discuss your own unique situation. Having a year to plan for life during and after COVID-19, now may be the best and safest time ever to consider a senior living community
February 21, 2021
Can You Still Move To a Senior Living Community?
We have all been hugely impacted by COVID-19 and its relentless persistence. My team receives calls every day from seniors, or family members, asking if it’s still advisable and even possible to move to a senior living community. The short answer is YES!

While there has not been a mandated government shutdown of assisted living, all communities have instituted protocols to ensure their residents and staff stay as safe and healthy as possible. These protocols also apply to prospective new residents and are a mandatory part of the move-in process. It’s important to note that each community is unique with differing rules. However, most often this includes two necessary steps:
1. A negative COVID-19 test result
2. 10 day period where the new resident is separated from those who currently reside in the community.
It’s crucial that these practical steps are taken to safeguard the seniors we serve and the team members who care for them.

Where Are Outbreaks Occurring?

Another question we receive is about the outbreaks of coronavirus occurring specifically within the places where the elderly reside. I think it is important to note that many of these devastating outbreaks have happened at what’s referred to as, skilled nursing facilities. These facilities are not the same as the assisted living communities we work to locate for our seniors and their family. While assisted living has not been immune, we help to identify those who’ve had cases and what measures have been put in place to safeguard the resident’s health.

Independent/Assisted Living (Our area of focus): these include large communities all the way to small residential board and care homes. It also encompasses specialized memory care communities.

Skilled Nursing (we do not work with these facilities): these are in-patient rehabilitation and medical treatment centers staffed with medical professionals. As widely reported in the media, the pandemic has had a devastating effect on these facilities. Thankfully, better safeguards have been implemented.

What Happens Once You Move In?

Senior Living Communities follow protocols and precautions outlined by the CDC and state and local Health Departments. In almost all cases these include:

Visitor restrictions: Only essential visitors will be permitted to enter inside senior living communities until further notice. However, many communities have outdoor visiting areas designated specifically for families to see their loved ones. These include patios and other outdoor venues that adhere to strict social distancing policies while allowing a safe place to visit. Some communities have indoor rooms designated for visiting where the resident is seated near an open window and can safely meet with a loved one who is outside and at a safe distance.

Social Activities: Many communities are able to provide social and spiritual activities based on their unique situation. These include small group activities like art and music that adhere to social distancing protocols. Hallway Bingo is another popular activity.

Dining: Most communities are allowing two residents per table in their dining areas and have even installed plastic partitions to further safeguard seniors. Others choose to provide meals directly to residents in their own apartment or room. It depends on the unique situation and number of residents in each community.

Let Us Help

We have been helping seniors and their families find the right senior living option in the Coachella Valley and Southern California since 2004. We know each facility personally and can let you know what they are doing to keep their residents safe. We can also arrange a tour based on their existing protocols to ensure you and your loved one stay safe and healthy.

COVID-19 may be with us for a while longer unfortunately. But, rest assured that we are staying on top of state and local health guidelines and are monitoring each facility we work with to understand their specific protocols. Give us a call and let us help you find the best senior living option while staying safe and healthy.
November 8, 2020
These Are The Best Jobs You Can Pursue After Retirement

By Sharon Wagner

With retirement in mind, it’s easy to envision lazy days spent sipping cocktails on a sun-dappled beach. In reality, this is a rarity. A volatile economy is devaluing retirement benefits while living expenses continue to sore. Not only that, an increasing number of seniors desire more fulfilling lives post-retirement. This is why seniors rejoining the workforce is not unheard of these days.

The benefits of continuing to work past retirement are diverse. Financially, it’s a great way to supplement a post-retirement fixed income, as well as delay tapping into retirement benefits to allow them to grow further. Moreover, it also has the potential to keep one mentally sharp and physically healthy — not to mention that it’s a great time to pursue a fulfilling new career.

On the other hand, this does come with a few considerations — not the least of which is age. Indeed, you’re probably wondering what work you can do after your prime with a much younger workforce to compete against. Well, as it turns out, plenty! Here are a few.

Enhance Your People Skills

After a lifetime in the workforce, you’re most likely an old hat at dealing with people. So, why not put this to good use and pursue a sales or client-based career, say, in the insurance industry? You can make great use of your people skills, work on your own time, and get paid handsomely to boot. In fact, insurance sales agents earn a median of $50,600 a year — a figure that is projected to increase by 10 percent in the next decade.

Lincoln-Heritage-Life-Insurance-Company/reviewsGetting your foot through the door in this industry is fairly easy, as well. Doing your due diligence on the many insurance companies you can apply to is a great way to start. Consider using Indeed, a free website where employees can post honest reviews and other information about companies they work for, to separate the wheat from the chaff and find the best that the insurance space has to offer, such as Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Company and more.

Contribute to the Community

You’ve had many years of invaluable life experiences, so why not use it to give back to your community? In fact, this could very well be one of the most rewarding things you can do with your time, and not just financially. Consider becoming a tutor. Not only do you get to help shape young minds, but you can also keep your schedule flexible to give you more time for other pursuits. Ditto with working in childcare or as a school bus monitor.

It’s all about keeping a good work-life balance, and generating an income while serving your community allows you to do exactly that.

Share What You Know

Here’s a fact: You have a wealth of work experience under your belt, so why not make great use of this by sharing your knowledge? In fact, many seniors opt to continue working in their respective fields after retirement, usually on a contractual basis.

Consider becoming a consultant or an authoritative subject-matter expert. You can also consider teaching. More often than not, you only need to be an established expert in your field to teach at a local college, so that’s definitely something to consider. In any case, it’s a win-win situation: employers get the benefit of your expertise while you continue to earn money.

In short, life after retirement can be rife with financial difficulties and boredom. However, by simply re-entering the workforce, you have the potential to hit both birds with one stone. Who knows? You might even have fun in the process.

May 10, 2020
Senior Care During COVID-19 – A Message From Leann Dale

Dear Families and Caregivers,
First of all, I hope you and your family are healthy and safe.
Information about the COVID-19 (coronavirus) is evolving quickly. We want you to know that the health and well-being of you and your family, our senior living communities, and employees remains our number one priority. We are continuing to monitor the guidance from our local health officials and government leaders and will keep you updated as we learn more.
Our team at Senior Living Options of the Desert is working around the clock to help caregivers like you address the needs of your loved ones during this challenging time.
I have been speaking with many of the senior living communities here in the desert where we refer our families. I’m really in awe by how hard they are working to ensure that our moms and dads stay safe and healthy in this critical time. They are taking strong, proactive measures and are following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Senior living communities are an important extension of the caregiving network for our aging family members, especially now with the increasing demand on our healthcare system.
I want you to know that we are here to talk. Whether you have an urgent need or just want to talk with someone who knows senior living, we are here. Please give us a call. Together we can move from panic to proaction.
Please call us at 760-322-0322 or email me directly at leann@seniorlivingoptionsofthedesert.com and I will ensure you are connected with the right resource. You can also visit our website and schedule an appointment online. Thank you for putting your trust in us. Together we will find the best care for your loved one.

March 25, 2020
Covid-19 (coronavirus) Update

We are closely monitoring developments with respect to COVID-19 (coronavirus). I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know that while we are still actively working with families to find the right care options, we have intensified our preventative measures to ensure the health and safety of everyone.

Many of the communities are putting in place restrictions on visitors who meet any of the following criteria:

1. They have been diagnosed with, or exposed to anyone diagnosed with, COVID-19.
2. They have reason to believe that they, or someone in their household, or someone who they are in close contact with, has been exposed to COVID-19.
3. They or anyone in their household has traveled abroad in the last 14 days.

Thank you for understanding and for your ongoing partnership and cooperation in ensuring the health and wellbeing of all the residents in our local communities. That’s always our first priority. As always, I am available by phone or email at any time if you have any questions. Don’t hesitate to reach out, that’s what we’re here for.

Sincerely,

Leann Dale

March 10, 2020
Choosing an Assisted Living Community – Free Checklist
Choosing an assisted living community is daunting
Moving an older adult or family member to assisted living is a big challenge for many families.
Deciding when it’s the right time for assisted living is tough, but once that decision has been made, the next question is how to find an assisted living community that’s the right fit.
Some important considerations are that they will be well cared for and that the community is a good fit for their lifestyle and personality. Where the community is located may also be an important factor as many people prefer to be close to friends and family.
Generally, that means looking at your older adult’s budget, visiting a few places, and comparing the pros and cons to make a final decision.
A Checklist to help you choose a good assisted living community
To make the process easier, we found a useful free guide that summarizes key information and has a handy checklist. This guide and checklist help you organize your thoughts, notice important details, and compare one community against another.
Argentum (formerly ALFA), a non-profit group for senior living communities, has a free guide and checklist that answers top questions about how to choose an assisted living facility.
The checklist helps you evaluate each community and puts the most important questions at your fingertips. We recommend reviewing the entire guide, but you could also go straight to the checklist in the last section.
What’s in the guide:
Pages 1 to 3 – introduction
Page 4 – what are assisted living communities, benefits, pricing
Page 5 – amenities, services, types of care available, payment options
Page 6 – who oversees quality, state regulation inspection reports, how to find a community
Pages 7 to 11 – community review checklist

How to use the assisted living review checklist
The checklist goes beyond the usual questions about assisted living services. It digs deeper and helps you think about those “little things” that can be easy to miss as a casual visitor.
These are the important details that give you an idea of what life is really like there and how good the care really is.
Some of the more important questions we identified are:
Are you able to talk with residents about how they like the community and staff?
Are visits with the resident welcome at any time?
Is staff available to provide 24-hour assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) if needed?
Does the community conduct criminal background checks on employees?
Does the community train staff on elder abuse and neglect? Is there a policy for reporting suspected abuse?
What are the most common reasons why a resident may be asked to move out of the community?

No need to go it alone…there is help!
While this guide is extremely helpful in identifying questions to ask and things to consider, it should not be a reason to navigate this process alone. Senior Living Options of the Desert is a free service for families trying to find the right assisted living community. They are the local, trusted experts in assisted living placement and referral services. And, they have been helping families in our community since 2004.
The Family Advisors at Senior Living Options of the Desert already know a lot of the answers to the questions on the checklist and can be your advocate while you are visiting and evaluating different communities. They know the right questions to ask and will ensure that you are making an informed decision
Next Steps
After you give Senior Living Options of the Desert a call, go ahead and download or print the ALFA Guide to Choosing an Assisted Living Facility (pdf). Be informed before you start your search.
Download the free Guide to Choosing an Assisted Living Community here!
March 8, 2020
What is a Senior Care Advisor?
Accepting that it’s time for an aging parent or family member to sell their home and move in to an assisted living or memory care facility can be overwhelmingly tough. Unfortunately, it’s a scenario that many of us adult children are facing as our parents age. We often delay talking about the subject because the idea of moving can be so emotionally difficult and we don’t know how to even begin the search for a care community that would be a good fit.
This is where a senior care advisor can help.
Senior care advisors like the ones at Senior Living Options of the Desert provide support and guidance to people looking for senior care options for themselves or their loved ones. This includes educating families on the different types of care options and local providers who might be a good fit.
Why Work With a Senior Care Advisor?
An experienced senior care advisor can save you lots of time and money trying to weed through all the options. First of all, their services are free! Senior Care Advisors help families narrow their focus to the right level of care and the communities or facilities that meet the individual’s personal criteria.
Another advantage of working with a senior care advisor is being able to access their first-hand knowledge of the local senior care market. A good local care advisor knows which care communities or facilities receive high marks from residents, their families, and state surveyors. And, probably more importantly, which communities don’t!
The Care Advisors at Senior Living Options of the Desert live and work in the Coachella Valley and have been providing services to families since 2004. They are the local trusted senior care experts!
Questions to Ask a Senior Care Advisor
Here are some important questions to ask a Senior Care Advisor during your initial phone call.
How do you help us find a community that is a good fit for our needs?
How do you help us determine what type of care is needed?
How much experience and what kind of training do you have as a care advisor in the senior care industry?
How many families are you currently working with?
How many families have you helped find a senior living community?
How long does it typically take for a family to find a community?
Do you set up the appointments and tours for us? Will you go with us to make sure we’re asking the right questions?
Will you be able to tell us what the different communities cost?
How many communities do you typically recommend we visit?
Are you aware of any financial resources that might help pay for care?
Do we need to sign a contract with you?
How much do you charge for your advice and guidance?
Do you have contact information for senior-friendly realtors and moving companies?

About Senior Living Options of the Desert
Senior Living Options of the Desert is Southern California’s leader in senior living referral. We’ve been helping families find compassionate care for their loved ones since 2004.
Whether you’re looking for independent living, assisted living, memory care, or another form of senior care, our local family advisors will help you find the right option for you and your family. Our mission is to provide families with the best residential care options based on care needs and location, no matter what the budget. And, our services are always FREE.
You can get more information at www.seniorlivingoptionsofthedesert.com.
February 24, 2020