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One of the biggest barriers that seniors in St. Petersburg independent living facilities face is the need to go to the doctor for routine visits and to get care for things like minor infections. Telehealth has done much to bring these barriers down. This is because in many cases, a telehealth doctor can diagnose conditions over the internet or by phone, eliminating the need to arrange for a ride to a physical doctor’s office.

Retirement Communities Rely on Telehealth

Retirees often need to see doctors, not for new diagnoses, but to get prescription refills. Here, telehealth really shines. A telemedicine professional can renew prescriptions for residents of St. Petersburg retirement communities with no need for an office visit. The new prescription is then sent to the patient’s usual pharmacy. This can be a mail-order pharmacy, which totally eliminates the need to go out, or it can be a standard outlet that is conveniently close to the patient.

Why Do People in Assisted Living Arrangements Need Telehealth?

Unlike those in a skilled nursing facility, people who live in assisted living facilities in St. Petersburg, Florida take care of many of their own needs. The assistance can include reminders of when to take medicines, but in many cases, actually getting prescriptions and medications is still up to the patient. This makes the telehealth option very valuable to these residents.

Residents of other St. Petersburg retirement communities, such as memory care or rehabilitation, also benefit from telemedicine services. For them, telemedicine allows for faster diagnosis and treatment of conditions since they don’t have to wait for a facility doctor to handle everything. Needed prescriptions can also be renewed more efficiently. Because of this, assisted living facilities in St. Petersburg often have arrangements with one or more telemedicine providers already in place.

Don’t Waste Hours Being Shuttled to Doctors

When residents leave their St. Petersburg, Florida assisted living apartments, it should be for fun things like shopping. Telemedicine eliminates the need for many rides to the doctor’s office, so residents can take the shuttle bus to exciting places instead and pursue their favorite hobbies.

If you’re looking for a community that makes life easier for you so that you can remain independent longer, check out our assisted living arrangements at Westminster Shores. Along with telemedicine, you’ll enjoy restaurant-style dining, a fitness center, two pools, a library and computer center, and much more.

Making the decision to call sunny St. Petersburg “home” is one of the best moves you’ll ever make! Next comes the process of leaning into your new Tampa Bay lifestyle—and with that, Westminster Shores is here to help.

As your top, trusted name in independent and assisted living in St. Petersburg, we are here to help you embrace life by the water to the fullest! Just read on for a few fun ideas to try as you prepare to join our vibrant coastal community.

Make every day a beach day

Before calling the Gulf Coast “home,” a beach day might have felt like a large undertaking—but here at Westminster Shores, where the water is just a short trip away, it’s easier than ever to enjoy a just-because beach day. Make it your place to relax and recharge, catch up on a good book, stroll with your loved one or simply enjoy the view!

Pick out fun, sun-safe accessories

Of course, if you’re moving to our sunny, balmy climate, you will want to come prepared with sun-safe accessories! No Shores closet is complete without must-haves like sunscreen, a comfy, wide-brimmed hat, and lightweight long-sleeved tops that let you safely spend time in the sun.

Enjoy the H2O

Even beyond the beach, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the H2O that defines your Tampa Bay experience. Our community is home to gorgeous fountains and water features that provide a pleasing environment, the perfect backdrop to a picnic or leisurely stroll. And of course, you can hop into our beautiful outdoor swimming pool (heated for year-round enjoyment) and take part in a fun, splashing exercise class as part of your My W Life Wellness program! Plus, you can expand your horizons and use a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard to further explore local waterways—or go fishing or enjoy a chartered on-the-water adventure. Add coastal touches to your home and wardrobe Even when you’re back in your living space for the day, you can still continue the Gulf Coast touches with beautiful beach-inspired furniture and clothing (think tropical, leafy prints, and shades of Old Florida). You can also play breezy calypso-style music in your home for a serene experience as you unwind for the day.

Savor resort-style amenities

From housekeeping services to restaurant-style dining, your Shores lifestyle is full of features reminiscent of your favorite Sunshine State resort.

The first step in achieving your dream Gulf Coast lifestyle is, of course, deciding to move in! Just contact Westminster Shores today to learn more about our one-of-a-kind community and unique, flexible options for senior living.

There is a misconception that senior living communities are only for long-term care. For this reason, many older adults fail to consider moving to assisted or independent living facilities until they require more care from others. However, the downside to this attitude can mean missing out on a plethora of benefits that independent living has to offer!

Independent living services and amenities are designed to make things more convenient for residents, even though they may not need extra healthcare or living assistance. Amenities often include a fitness center, fine dining venues, and pools to facilitate a higher quality of life and a healthier lifestyle. So, why move to a senior community when you are still healthy and active? Read on for some common reasons to make the transition!

Low Maintenance Living

Say goodbye to household chores, cooking, and other menial tasks! In independent living facilities, staff will take care of everything for you so you can spend your time on your favorite hobbies and activities while also exploring new interests. Moving in sooner means not having to wait as long to indulge in this maintenance free lifestyle.

Stay Active

Even for active seniors, their current regimen will still be dwarfed by all the opportunities of an independent living facility. Residents of Westminster Shores often realize how little they were doing before simply because they had a much more limited access to healthy living. With a wide array of amenities that include a fitness center, tennis court, and our exclusive My W Life well-being program, you can stay as busy as you’d like.

Social Connections

Social isolation can have devastating effects on physical and mental health, and some people may especially be feeling that after the past year. Fortunately, social opportunities are built into our everyday life at Westminster Shores! We make it easy to indulge in fine dining or scenic walks along the seawall path with friends. No matter what you like doing, you can do it with friends here, or make new ones trying something else!

Accessible Care

It is impossible to tell when health may take a turn for the worse. Even for older active adults still enjoying a high degree of health, it is important to have convenient and quick access to the proper healthcare. After moving into an independent living facility, you will enjoy priority access to quality care right in your community if your needs ever take a turn for the worse. It is better to make the move early so that you don’t risk missing out on quality care in the moments when it becomes necessary.

To truly understand what independent living could offer you, contact Westminster Shores today! Here, the waterfront of Tampa Bay’s Little Bayou is your limitless horizon. Residents stay active with kayaking, walking, and biking through our gorgeous surroundings. Plus, we also offer our own My W Life well-being program and lifelong learning programs to keep residents fit mentally and physically. Let us make you smile with a host of delightful amenities and services by giving us a call today.

No matter how much care a family is able to provide for an older adult with dementia, it may get to a point where they simply cannot provide the necessary resources to treat this terrifying condition. Fortunately, memory care communities are designed to allow adults with dementia to live their best quality of life by combining security with life enrichment. If the time has come for your family to begin looking into memory care communities for a loved one, we have the necessary tips to make sure you will feel confident in your choice!

Tour the Community

Online research and phone calls are a good starting point to narrow down your choices, and you can gather necessary information such as pricing and availability, but it is absolutely essential to see the community either in person or through a virtual tour. Getting this first-hand look is the best way to see the kind of care and life enrichment activities available to your loved one.

Location is Not the Only Priority

Distance matters but being able to conveniently visit your loved one should not be the only factor to consider. There is a plethora of criteria to factor in as well, including security, quality of care, and wellness. It is one thing to decide on a memory care community that will provide the necessary care for your family member, but it is another thing entirely to find one such community that also lines up with your hopes and goals for your senior.

Ask About Team Member Training

Treating forms of dementia requires specialized training. Knowing how to communicate with someone who has impaired verbal skills is an essential skill for memory care, for example. Be sure to ask each community about the type and frequency of training team members receive so that you have a better understanding of the qualifications possessed by the staff overseeing the long-term health of your loved one.

Check State Survey Results

Assisted living communities are licensed at a state level, and each state has its own rules and regulations. Fortunately, state surveyors perform routine visits to evaluate compliance and may also make a visit if a complaint is lodged against a community, and these results are available for public review online and at the community. You can visit the National Center for Assisted Living to learn more about your state’s specific regulations.

Learn About the Philosophy of Care

Each assisted living community has a unique mission and philosophy of care and we highly suggest asking each community that you consider what their philosophy is. For example, consider asking how they get to know their residents, or what programs they have in place to nurture residents’ bodies, minds, and spirits.

At Westminster Shores in St. Petersburg, FL, our Person-Centered Care philosophy offers a customized approach to providing support while maintaining dignity and individuality through lifestyle transitions. We offer skilled-nursing services in private and shared-suite accommodations to support your changing needs. Choose Westminster Shores and set sail for a life of high spirits with active senior living!

While researching online for senior care options, you may have come across Saint Petersburg skilled nursing facilities. At Westminster Shores we can offer 24/7 nursing support for short and long-term stays. There are different room options to accommodate the changing needs of your loved one. Whether it is a short-term rapid recovery rehabilitation or long-term skilled nursing care there are some key services available at our Health Center in St Petersburg Florida.

If your loved one is needing additional care and wants to maintain a sense of community, look no further than Westminster Shores. Staying in one of our communities means they will get access to all the main campus amenities, fitness center, library, swimming pool, and events.

What are some services that are offered at a Saint Petersburg Skilled Nursing facility?

1. IV Therapy Services
   • Intravenous therapy or IV therapy is being used more often in Saint Petersburg skilled nursing facilities because of the expanding list of diagnoses it can help treat. Diabetes, heart failure, and a variety of infections are just a few of the medical diagnoses that can be treated with IV fluids and medications.
2. Short-stay rehabilitation
   • At Westminster Shores, our goal is to help our short-term residents recover after an illness or injury as quickly as possible. We also want to make sure that they have access to the privacy they need to recover comfortably while still meeting their socialization needs.
3. Restorative Nursing
   • This is a program that was designed to promote a resident’s ability to function at their highest level. If they have recently recovered from an injury or fall but still need some help adapting to a more independent lifestyle, then our nurses will assist. They focus on activities that aid with psychosocial, physical, and mental wellbeing.
4. Long-term nursing care
   • At Westminster Shores, we understand that some medical needs will not go away during a short stay at a Saint Petersburg skilled nursing facility. That is why we also offer long-term stays so that our nurses can work with your loved one on a regular basis.
5. Wound care, under physician supervision
   • We have specialized nurses who can assist with wound care needs at our skilled nursing facility. The goal is to reduce the resident’s pain and promote healing as quickly as possible.
6. Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy
   • Westminster Shores is here to help with any of your therapy needs at our skilled nursing facility in St. Petersburg Florida.

For more information on all our services available contact us here. If you would like to see the facility before deciding, you can schedule a tour here.