Posts Tagged ‘memory care’
10 Signs of Caregiver Stress
March 4, 2013
1) Denial – about the disease and its effects on the person who’s been diagnosed. “I know Mom’s going to get better.”
2) Anger – at the person with Alzheimer’s or others that no effective treatments or cure currently exist and that people don’t understand what’s going on. “If he asks me that question one more time, I’ll scream.”
3) Social Withdrawal – from friends and activities that once brought pleasure. “I don’t care about getting together with the neighbors anymore.”
4) Anxiety – about facing another day and what the future holds. “What happens when he needs more care than I can provide?”
5) Depression – begins to affect the ability to cope. “I don’t care anymore.”
6) Exhaustion – makes it nearly impossible to complete necessary daily tasks. “I’m too tired for this.”
7) Sleeplessness – caused by a never-ending list of concerns. “What if she wanders out of the house or falls and hurts herself?
8) Irritability –leads to moodiness and triggers negative responses and reactions. “Leave me alone!”
9) Lack of concentration – makes it difficult to perform familiar tasks. “I was so busy, I forgot we had an appointment.”
10) Health Problems – begin to take their toll, both mentally and physically. “I can’t remember the last time I felt good.”
For more information, please visit the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org
Posted in Uncategorized | 
Tags: Alzheimer, Coventry Assisted Living and Memory Care, Dementia, health, memory care, older adult health, older adults | 
No Comments »
5 Myths about Exercise and Older Adults
February 25, 2013
Myth 1: There’s no point to exercising. I’m going to get old anyway.
Fact: Exercise and strength training helps you look and feel younger and stay active longer. Regular physical activity lowers your risk for a variety of conditions, including Alzheimer’s and dementia, heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, high blood pressure, and obesity.
Myth 2: Elderly people shouldn’t exercise. They should save their strength and rest.
Fact: Research shows that a sedentary lifestyle is unhealthy for the elderly. Period. Inactivity often causes seniors to lose the ability to do things on their own and can lead to more hospitalizations, doctor visits, and use of medicines for illnesses.
Myth 3: Exercise puts me at risk of falling down.
Fact: Regular exercise, by building strength and stamina, prevents loss of bone mass and improves balance, actually reducing your risk of falling.
Myth 4: It’s too late. I’m already too old to start exercising
Fact: You’re never too old to exercise! If you’ve never exercised before, or it’s been a while, start with light walking and other gentle activities.
Myth 5: I’m disabled. I can’t exercise sitting down.
Fact: Chair-bound people face special challenges but can lift light weights, stretch, and do chair aerobics to increase range of motion, improve muscle tone, and promote cardiovascular health.
For more information, please visit www.healthguide.org
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: Coventry Assisted Living and Memory Care, excersise, health, memory care, older adults, senior living | No Comments »
Knowing the Basics – What is Alzheimer’s?
February 21, 2013
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Often times the symptoms develop slowly and get worse over the course of time, becoming so severe that they interfere with daily tasks. It is not a normal part of aging, and though the greatest known risk factor is increasing age, the majority of people are over 65 years old.
Alzheimer’s gets worse with time, as it is a progressive diseases. Most people live on average eight years after their symptoms become noticeable, but survival can range from four to 20 years, depending on health conditions and age.
There is no cure of Alzheimer’s, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues. And although treatment will not stop the progress of the disease, it does temporarily slow the worsening of symptoms and improves the quality of life for those along their journey of memory loss.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: Alzheimer, Alzheimer's Care, Coventry Assisted Living and Memory Care, Dementia, health, memory care, older adults | No Comments »
“Dear Abby” – A Voice for Alzheimer’s
February 18, 2013
Pauline Philips, the woman we all knew as “Dear Abby”, was never afraid of bringing difficult topics in front of the public for discussion, including Alzheimer’s disease.
In 1980, long before her own diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease, she put dementia in the spotlight when she published a letter from a woman searching for guidance, whose 60-year-old husband had was suffering from memory loss.
Pauline responded to the women by directing her towards the Alzheimer’s Association – an organization that at that time, was a newly formed group. They helped provide assistance to people with the disease and their families, as well as raise awareness and advocate for state and federal help. They also worked to increase government funding for research.
Pauline spent many years bringing the topic to readers across the country, and in 15 years after she put Alzheimer’s on the map, she began showing signs of the disease.
The difference she made was profound. She encouraged people to talk about the disease and she helped to change and shape lives through information. She also let those living in fear of the Alzheimer’s know they were not alone, and by spreading awareness, she was a fundamental part of increasing the research budget from 2 million in 1980 and 450 million today.
For more information please visit the Alzheimer’s Association website, at www.alz.org.
Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures from 2012
January 23, 2013
Some astounding figures by www.alz.org
-Today an estimated 5.4 Million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s Disease
-Someone develops Alzheimer’s ever 68 seconds
-Alzheimer’s Disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States
-An estimated 1 in 7 people with Alzheimer’s live alone
-The US has more than 15,000,000 Care Givers
-In 2011 these Care Givers provided over 17 Billion hours of care, valued at 210 billion
-If Alzheimer and Dementia Care Givers were the only residents of a single state, it would be the 5th largest state in the country
-Since 2000, deaths from Alzheimer’s have risen over 66%, while other major diseases have gone down
-Alzheimer’s costs the nation 200 billion annual
“Join the cause – As Alzheimer’s disease threatens to bankrupt families, businesses and our healthcare system, scientists are coming closer to finding better treatments that could drastically alter the course of the disease. Now is the time to join us and speak up for the needs and rights of people with Alzheimer’s and their families, and help persuade Congress to address those needs through legislative action.”
Visit www.alz.org for more information.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: Alzheimer, Coventry Assisted Living and Memory Care, Dementia, memory care, older adult health, older adults | No Comments »
Transportation for Seniors – Is it time to hide the keys?
January 21, 2013
Losing your ability to drive is one of the scariest parts about aging for many seniors. Elderly parents who are often cooperative can be very resistant to loosing this type of independence, as it creates strong feelings of isolation.
Before you take the keys away, your parent must understand why they need to stop driving and whether or not they have any other options. Start by explaining how reflexes become slower for everyone as they age, and driving then becomes a threat to both themselves and others on the road. Move then towards describing what other options they have for transportation so they can maintain their independence. There are the obvious forms of public transportation, such as buses, subways, and even taxis. However, another option in many communities is a dial-a-ride program, where a senior calls to schedule an appointment for transportation to and from a specific location and at a specific time.
To find other local resources, search the online Eldercare Locator maintained by the federal Department of Health and Human Services.
Please visit http://www.eldercare.gov/eldercare.net/public/resources/topic/Transportation.aspx for more information
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: Alzheimer's Care, health, memory care, older adult health, older adults, senior living | No Comments »
How to communicate with seniors who cannot speak
January 17, 2013
Just because your loved one has suffered a stroke, has dementia, or is not capable of verbal communication, does not mean you are unable to communicate with them.
Start with asking a few good questions to those who care for your loved one. Be sure to watch body language for clues as to enjoyment or distress when participating with them in any way.
- Do they like to be touched? (remember: touch is not always appropriate for every person)
- Do they like music?
- Do they like being read to?
Touch – If the your loved one likes to be touched, one way to communicate is to hold their hand. People respond to touch, and even though they may not be able to squeeze your hand back, that does not mean they don’t know you are there. Many seniors also can benefit from light massage. Remember though touch is not appropriate for everyone, and be sure to know if it something they would be comfortable with.
Music – Music can be soothing and even healing, and rarely offends. Often times hymns seniors grew up with are favorites. Especially for the very religious, music can even have a healing effect. Be careful however to only play songs of hope and spirit, as opposed to songs played in funeral homes. Again, watch body language to see how the person responds to the music you choose.
Reading – Reading to someone who can’t speak is another way to “be there” with them. What did they like to read in the past? Sit comfortably, read aloud at a soothing rate, and as always, watch the body language. Though there may not be a physical reaction, the person is likely to know you are there with them because they know your voice.
For more information, please visit: http://www.eldercarelink.com/Other-Resources/Communicating-With-Elders-Who-Cant-Speak.htm
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: cannot speak, Coventry Assisted Living and Memory Care, Dementia, health, hearing, memory care, older adult health, touch | No Comments »
Why you need a Health Care Directive
January 16, 2013
Facing the thought of a loved one dying can be very difficult, however the reality is that to protect your family during a terrible time, a Health Care Directive can offer piece of mind.
What is a Advance Health Care Directive?
An Advance Health Care Directive is a document that ensures your wishes at end of life are carried out how you want them to be. It makes clear your feelings on medical treatments and appoints who will make decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourselves. It explains concisely what you want to happen in the event of a life threatening situation or an emergency.
It is also something you should discuss in detail with your family, friends, doctors, and whomever you choose to be your health care agent. The more they know, the better.
Four things to consider when writing yours
- Do you want to receive artificial care, such as respirators, feeding tubes, and the like?
- Do you prefer to receive pain relief, even if doing so may hasten your death?
- Should you include a DNR, or Do Not Resuscitate Order?
- Do you have specific wishes regarding organ donation?
For more information, please visit http://www.eldercarelink.com/Legal-and-Financial/Why-You-Need-a-Health-Care-Directive.htm
Creating a Memory Fitness Plan
January 14, 2013
Kathryn Kilpatrick, Speech and Language Pathologist, specializing in Geriatric Communication and Memory Fitness, understands the benefit in creating a memory fitness plan to promote successful aging, especially in the early stages of memory loss. Her goal is “to help families and caregivers create and support activities at the appropriate level for the person who no longer does the things that were once part of leisure time interests. Whether it was reading, doing puzzles or word games, talking on the phone or participating in conversations, sometimes modifications can be made to facilitate some level of participation.”
A memory fitness plan for successful aging includes maintaining a positive attitude, paying attention, healthier lifestyle choices, effective memory props, upgrading brain games and creating balance in daily routines.
A few modification ideas:
- For those having trouble reading books -Large print books, for those with visual difficulty -Books with shorter stories that are inspirational and humors
- For those having trouble with puzzles and words games Puzzles – Make a copy, enlarging the print Word Search – Help your loved one, either by letting them give you the answer or just sitting with them and helping figuring it out together Scrabble – Create a cheat sheet of uncommon but acceptable two and three letter words
- For those having trouble with Television and Movie Plots -Rent familiar or favorite movies and watch them twice -Used close captioning -Call your loved one to let them know when and what channel their favorite show is on – and have it recorded for them
For additional information refer to the www.eldercarelink.com: Enhancing Your Visits with an Older Adult
Prayer and Meditation Impact Aging
January 7, 2013
Inside Elder Care author Ryan Malone brings to light how prayer and meditation impact aging. Research on the subject has found that religion has a positive effect on the life of older adults. Researchers believe this positive effect is based on a theory called Selective Optimization with Compensation. Selective Optimization promotes that a personal relationship with a higher being, through prayer or meditation, leads to successful aging.
The Theory: When a senior selects a specific task which is important to them, and then completes the task by optimizing the skills they have, they are compensating for the skills they no longer hold.
An Example: When your dad, who still holds his driver’s license but knows he cannot see at night, decides to keep his license but will ONLY drive during the day.
So how does this relate to prayer and meditation? By selecting prayer or meditation as a way to hold identity, older adults optimize their current abilities while compensating that they can no longer be as physically involved in the church/temple/mosque/etc. as they would like. People who pray are often physically healthier than those that do not, which is most likely because prayer and meditation allow people to deal with stress and anxiety in a healthier manner. Prayer and meditation also teach people to give their worries to a higher being or to let go of their stressors. And reducing your stress promotes inner satisfaction and healthier aging.
This does not include however those that seek out religion at end of life. It instead only impacts people who have been receiving emotional support from prayer and meditation prior to their end of life.
For more information, please visit www.insideeldercare.com