Of all the senior clients and families I have worked with, I have never met a senior that said "Someday, I really want to live in a nursing home."

Some seniors just need additional help with daily acitivities so an assisted living community will fit their needs just fine. Hopefully the senior and their family moved into the assisted living community with a very good understanding of what changes in their health would necessitate the need for a move.

Common reasons that require a senior to move from assisted living to a more skilled level of care include; insulin dependence, increased need for memory care, needed 2 people to transfer into/out of a wheelchair, and some times incontinence care.

There is a type of care that is slowly becoming more prevelant in Minnesota-- Residential Care Homes. The licensure is for no more than 5 residents in the home. Most of these are currently housed in remodeled residential-type homes. They all offer different services, some take memory care, 2 people transfers and have nurses on staff and can even take someone with insulin dependence. But they are all different so it becomes even more important for the consumer to ask good questions.
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"This is the closest thing to Heaven on earth, I'm so lucky to be here."   Noreen, Afton Care Resident

Dear Ellie and family,

"I just wanted to thanks all of you again for how you took care of Dad for his last too few days with us. He was very Happy in your home and said so, many times. I will also say that my observations confirmed his feelings about how well you took care of him! Sitting here, it warms my heart to think about how hard you worked to make him happy, comfortable and better. I believed (in my heart l knew) we would lose the battle to make him better but you never quit on him and for that I thank you!!!"

Best regards and thanks,
Charlie

"Your hospitality was appreciated very much. You certainly have a special touch! Thanks so much for the wonderful dinner on Mom’s birthday!!! We really appreciate all you do to make her life and ours as pleasant as can be."

Love,
Jim and Carol

"I don’t know what l would do without you!"   Ruth, Afton Care Resident

Ellie,

"Just a note to tell you what a joy it is to visit your "home". You keep everyone so well taken care of and loved. The comfort and love just spills out of every room. You make life good for so many. God bless you."

Sharon