Lifestyle

Freedom to Choose The Lifestyle You Want

At Gulf Breeze Courtyard it is well known the importance of keeping active. We take a team approach to providing a full schedule with a wide-range of activities, events and wellness programming.

On any given morning you may find an exercise program designed for seniors or mind stimulating word games. In the afternoon you could be on a team bowling for prizes or singing along to your favorite music with local entertainers. At Gulf Breeze Courtyard there will always be a wealth of engaging activities to promote an optimal healthy lifestyle.

Our full time Activity Program Director leads a team of staff members and volunteers to organize Board Games, Book Clubs, Gardening, Group Outings, Spiritual Studies and much more. Keeping the Body, Mind and Soul as healthy as possible takes motivation and some loving encouragement. The Gulf Breeze Courtyard Team is here to do just that every day.

Freedom of Choice to participate in as little or as much of the fun as each person desires, allows our residents to enjoy each day to their full ability. The Gulf Breeze Courtyard Team is here to provide the opportunity to socialize and be part of the Gulf Breeze Courtyard Community.

Gulf Breeze Courtyard is a home where family and friends can visit and join in on the excitement. Download this month’s activity calendar to keep up on all the exciting events at Gulf Breeze Courtyard!

View newsletter here.View calendar here.

Career Services

At Gulf Breeze Courtyard Assisted Living you will find compassionate Resident Care Staff to provide the help you need and desire.  From your first day you will always be treated with dignity and respect by professional staff with your best interest at heart.

A Personalized Plan of Care will be designed by yourself, your family and our licensed nurse.  Your personalized plan will be based on your needs and wants with your physician’s directions to provide:

• Medication Management
• Bathing Assistance
• Personal Hygiene
• Transfer Support
• Dressing Help
• Continent Care
• Activities of Daily Living
• Personalized Needs

The Gulf Breeze Courtyard Team promotes freedom of choice and independence.  The caring staff offers as much or as little care that is needed. Your well-being and care are always at the top of our list.

How Do I Know If I Need Assistance With Medications?

Did you know that many Emergency Room visits are due to mismanagement of medications?  From taking the wrong medication to taking the wrong dose or even taking some types of medications on an empty stomach can cause an urgent run to the hospital.  The more medication and dietary supplements you take the easier it is to lose track of which dose to take when?

There are tell-tale signs you can look for if you think you may be overwhelmed with your medication regiment.  One such sign maybe if you run out of a 30 day prescription in 25 days you could be losing medications or overdosing. If you have medication left over it is very likely you are not taking enough medications. Some over the counter vitamins and products have a generous forgiveness level for taking the wrong dose but many prescription medications require the right dose taken at the right time.  Failure to follow the prescription can lead to much bigger problems.

At Gulf Breeze Courtyard we track every medication given.  We record the name of the resident and the name of the medication, the dose, approximate time and if there are any signs of change in condition of the resident.  We take our responsibility very seriously as we care for each and every one of our residents.

Early Signs Of Alzheimer’s Disease?

Each person is uniquely different in personality and characteristics.  The same can be said for the early signs of Alzheimer’s.  This can make it hard to tell the difference between the normal aging process and Early Sign of the Alzheimer’s disease.  However as more and more information is published we can begin to see similarities.  There are many more indicators other than just memory loss.

Such As:

• Increased Worry and Stress caused by losing track of things and difficulty focusing.
• Difficulty in Handling Routine Tasks that once was simple and completed without concentrated thought.
• Increase Feeling of Confusion and lack of focus.
• Confused About Time. This is not to say losing track of time but looking at a clock and having trouble determining what time it really is.
• Confusion About Location. Looking around on a familiar route and not realizing where you are or how to get where you were going.
• Vision Problems Perceiving Color variations and or contrast of colors.
• Depth Perception becomes more and more difficult.

One of these symptoms or even a couple of these symptoms are not sure signs of Early Alzheimer’s Disease but it is reason enough to consult your physician.  There are many resources available today that can drastically slow the progress of the disease.  Like most illnesses early detection and treatment is very important.  Contact Gulf Breeze Courtyard for more information about Alzheimer’s and what can be done.

Staying Healthy With So Many Germs

Good hygiene is the number one way of fighting germs.  Wash your hands, wash your hands!  We pick up germs all day long from door knobs to physical contact with family, friends and pets.  Washing your hands with a good antibacterial soap sharply reduces the spread of these unwanted germs.

The following is a list of things you can do to keep your immune system at peak performance.

• Sleep Well. Getting proper sleep keeps your immune system revitalized and ready to fight the good fight.
• Eating Right gives your body the vitamins and proteins needed to keep you healthy.
• Manage Stress Levels to avoid wearing down your immune system.
• Keep Hydrated by drinking water, herbal tea and juice. Watch the sugar content in the juice and avoid caffeine when you can.
• Exercising is not only a great way to reduce stress but it gets your heart running a little faster than normal and kicks your immune system into gear.

A few more things you can do is to keep your hands away from your mouth and eyes whenever you can and ask people around you to cover your nose and mouth when they cough or sneeze.  Don’t forget to get your Flu Shot.

Stay Healthy and keep free from those nasty germs!

Pay Options

Cost of Assisted Living

Assisted Living is not as expensive as you might think. The average cost for assisted living in Florida is between $2,500 and $3,500 monthly compared to $5,000 and up to $10,000 in a Nursing Home. Once you calculate the serves included in the monthly fee compared to what it would cost in a private home the Assisted Living options can be a better choice.

At Gulf Breeze Courtyard the monthly rent is based on the size of apartment the Resident has chosen and the care the Resident needs and desires. This simple approach eliminates the guessing game lets you know what your monthly fees will be for your budget needs. Each person is charge for the serves they receive and gives the resident and family members a financial peace of mind.

Helpful Insights Affording Assisted Living

Long-Term Care InsuranceIf you have purchased Long Term Care Insurance policy you will need to contact your insurance provider to verify the policy covers Assisted Living. Most Long Term Care insurance policies will cover Assisted Living but you will want to verify. Even with a policy with a designated payment for home care can be paid directly to the resident or to the beneficiary, who then uses it to pay for assisted living.

Filing a claim with your Long Term Care Insurance Company will require some information from the Assisted Living Community you select. We are standing by ready to help you file your first claim. You can get started by calling Gulf Breeze Courtyard at (850)934-1662 and asking to speak to the Executive Director.

Veterans Benefits Help Pay For Assisted LivingYes! The most commonly use program is called Aid and Attendance. These benefits are for the Veteran and the surviving spouse.

Who Is Eligible For The Aid And Attendance Benefits?

• A Veteran who is receiving a V.A. pension, or the surviving spouse that is receiving V.A. Death Pension.
• The Veteran served in active duty as least 1 day during a Military Action or War Time. The veteran is not required to have served overseas or in a War Zone.
• The veteran or surviving spouse requires regular assistance in order to perform activities of daily living.
• He or she is living in an Assisted Living, due to mental or physical incapacity.
• There are financial and asset requirements along with other qualifying guidelines. You can call Gulf Breeze Courtyard and ask for the Executive Director for more details.

How do I apply for V.A. Aid and Attendance Benefits?The Veteran Affair Aid and Attendance Benefit and The V.A. Aid Attendance Application Check List: download it here.

At first glance looks like a lot of forms and information required. Applying for the Aid and Attendance Benefits can be challenging and many Veterans seek help with applications process. The Executive Director at Gulf Breeze Courtyard would be happy to help you get the ball rolling and walk with you every step of the way through the process. The Executive Director can be reached at (850)934-1662.

Gulf Breeze Courtyard has also partnered with the V. A. and other agencies that can help with the application. Many times the assistance is at no charge to the Veteran or surviving spouse. Of course the Gulf Breeze Courtyard Team never charges to help our Veterans apply for benefits.

Other help applying for V.A. Aid and AttendanceYou can get free assistance by calling the V.A. at 800-827-1000 and ask for the help line.For question and help in person you can reach out to one of the V.A.’s Vet Centers. You can find the closest V.A.’s Veterans Benefits Administration Office nearest you with this link www.va.gov/directory/guide.

Using A Home To Pay for Assisted Living

Reverse Mortgage OptionReverse mortgages allows you to get cash out the value of your home equity in a lump sum or in form of monthly payments. The borrower can stay in the home even if a spouse is living in an Assisted Living. The home owner must be at least 62 and at least one of the owners must live in the home.There are many different types of Reverse mortgages and this option is not right for everyone. Be sure to you understand and have looked over the small print. The reverse mortgage is binding and has many different conditions. With all financial options seeking help from a trusted source is advised. You can reach the US Government Department of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at this link www.consumerfinance.gov.

Renting Or Selling The HomeWith a strong housing market many seniors are finding their home is worth a great deal more than they once thought. By renting or selling their home they have the resources they need to enjoy an independent life style with the care and security they need.

Combining Family Resources For Mom And DadMany family members are making small and sometimes large contributions towards the care of their parents. Having a family meeting and discussing the concerns about Mom and/or Dad and the increasing need for assistance can produce very beneficial results. If you or your loved ones has concerns chances are your family have the same concerns. Many families have found solutions to the time demands and financial responsibility that come along with caring for loved ones.

The following are some examples of a solutions different families have found in a family meeting:

• The financial short fall is evenly picked up between each sibling.
• If a family does not want to sell the family home yet and has the funds available might pay for assisted living with the promise of repayment when the house is sold.
• Some siblings pick up the financial short fall while other family members provided the day to day responsibilities. This could be by visiting often, going to doctor visits or doing the shopping for personal needs.

At Gulf Breeze Courtyard we have worked with many residents and their loved ones in finding solutions to both the time and financial needs in caring for our residents. Call (850)934-1662 to speak to someone at Gulf Breeze Courtyard and we will work with you to find the best solution for your situation.

Testimonials