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How Assisted Livings Improve Quality of Life Part 2

Posted on by lw@adm22

Want to improve your quality of life? If so, it’s time for you to think about moving into an assisted living community!

There are many benefits to living at home, but as you age, it gets more and more difficult to live on your own. Not only is living on your own isolating, it can also be dangerous. In our last blog, we went over just a few of the ways that you can improve your quality of life by moving into an assisted living in Durham. Keep reading to learn about more exciting ways that living in an assisted living can improve your quality of life:

#4. You’ll get more intellectual stimulation. 

The brain can be compared to a muscle, if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. The brain needs to be stimulated every single day, and when you live by yourself, that can be difficult to do. When you live in an assisted living, you’ll have access to groups and classes, like art classes and book clubs, where you can get the intellectual stimulation you need.

#5. Assisted livings promote independence. 

Many people are under the impression that living in an assisted living means the end of independence, but actually the opposite is true. While assisted livings do offer help for activities of daily living that you may struggle with, they don’t just do it for you, they will help to teach you to care for yourself as well.

These aren’t the only ways that an assisted living can improve your quality of life. Stay tuned for our next blog to learn more.

How Assisted Livings Improve Quality of Life

Posted on by lw@adm22

Some people see an assisted living as the end of their life, but in reality, an assisted living can improve your quality of life in many ways. 

Moving into an assisted living can be difficult, but the fact of the matter is that change is never easy, no matter what kind of change it is. However, as difficult as it can be to leave your home and move into a new place, living in an assisted living in Chapel Hill can actually improve your quality of life in many different ways. The following is a list of a few of the ways that an assisted living can improve your quality of life:

#1. You ‘ll have easy access to physical fitness and other activities.

In many of our past blogs, we’ve talked about the importance of staying active for people of all ages, but especially for people who are elderly. Living in an assisted living community gives you access to many activities that will get you up and moving, which will reduce your risk for falls and improve your quality of life.

#2. You’ll have many opportunities to be social. 

For seniors who live at home, isolation and loneliness are very real problems. Assisted livings not only offer group meal times, they offer a variety of structured activities, like field trips, parties and cultural events, to give you plenty of opportunities to make friends and be social.

#3. You’ll be living in a safer environment. 

A fall or a slip when you live on your own can be a disaster, but when you live in an assisted living, you’ll have access to emergency care in a manner of seconds or minutes. Assisted livings are also equipped with shower railings, medical alert systems and so much more.

Want to learn about more ways that living in an assisted living could improve your quality of life? If so, please stay tuned for our next blog.

 

Tips for Creating a Happy Holiday for Your Loved One with Dementia Part 2

Posted on by lw@adm22

The holidays are a wonderful time,  but they aren’t always easy when your loved one has dementia. 

Dementia is an incredibly difficult disease, not just for the person who suffers from dementia, but for all of their friends and family as well. The last thing that anyone wants is to celebrate the holidays without their loved one, and luckily, you can read about helpful tips for creating a happy holiday for your loved one with dementia in our latest  blog. Today, our memory care professionals in Durham will be finishing up our list with these last few tips:

#4. Watch what you serve your loved one at mealtimes. 

There are certain things, like sugary foods and drinks, that can exacerbate the negative behaviors associated with dementia, so avoid giving your loved one too much of these foods. It’s also important to avoid giving your loved one too much alcohol, as this could increase their risk for falling. If you plan on giving them alcohol at all, consult their physician before your party.

#5. Involve your loved one in the preparations for your party. 

People of all ages like to feel included and useful, and that fact doesn’t change when someone has dementia. There are lots of little things you can do to get your loved one involved in your party preparations, like decorating cookies, hanging decorations, setting the table, etc.

#6. Create a quiet place for your loved one. 

Even a small get-together can be overwhelming for someone who has dementia, so it’s always a good idea to have a backup plan in place. If you notice that your loved one is getting too agitated or stressed, take them to a quiet place where they can relax and calm down.

Tips for Creating a Happy Holiday for Your Loved One with Dementia

Posted on by lw@adm22

The holidays can be a difficult time for families with loved ones who have dementia. 

There’s no doubt about it, the holidays are a stressful time, but when your loved one has dementia, it can make the holidays even more stressful. As stressful as the holidays are, they also give provide us with a break from everyday life so that we can enjoy spending time with our family and friends. No one should be left behind during the holidays, and with the following tips from our memory care experts in Chapel Hill, you can help your loved one who has dementia enjoy a happy holiday season:

#1. Prepare all of your guests ahead of time:

Anyone present at your holiday get-together needs to understand that your loved one has dementia. It’s also important to warn guests ahead of time about any behaviors your loved one may be exhibiting recently, like cursing, wandering, aggression, etc.

#2. Be wise about the time you schedule the event. 

Some people who have dementia do better at certain times of the day, like in the morning or the afternoon. Plan your holiday event around your loved one’s best time of the day to avoid preventable issues.

#3. Keep your get-together low-key. 

If there are a lot of loud, startling noises and lots of people around, it could easily frustrate or confuse someone who has dementia. To avoid unnecessary stress and confusion, be sure to keep your holiday get-together quiet and low key.

These are just a few of the many things you can do to create a happy holiday for your loved one with dementia. Please stay tuned for our next blog to learn more.

The Benefits of Yoga for Seniors Part 3

Posted on by lw@adm22

You are never too old to start practicing yoga.

Yoga has a reputation for being something exclusively for young people, but luckily, that isn’t actually the case. Yoga is a wonderful thing for people of all ages, including older people. You can learn about some of the benefits that we have already talked about by reading our latest blog. Today, our in home care experts in Raleigh will be going over the last few benefits of yoga for seniors:

#7. Strong Bones

In one study, half of the participants with osteoporosis practiced yoga for two years and half did not. The participants who practiced yoga not only avoided the bone loss that the other participants experienced, they even had an increase in bone density.

#8. Diabetes Management

Keeping blood sugar levels low can feel like a constant struggle for people who have diabetes. But luckily, yoga can help reduce blood sugar levels. One study found that, after forty days of practicing yoga, participants with diabetes found notable improvements in their disease.

#9. Sharp Mind

A big part of yoga is concentration. When you practice blocking out the world and concentrating on your breathing and the movement of your body, it keeps you centered and focused.

#10. Low Strain Exercise

Yoga is a wonderful form of exercise for people who are intimidated or can’t handle a more vigorous workout. When practiced properly, yoga puts very little (if any) strain on the body. However, as with any form of exercise, you should consult your physician before you try it.

 

The Benefits of Yoga for Seniors Part 2

Posted on by lw@adm22

Yoga is great for people of all ages!

The misconception that only young people can practice yoga is far too common. Not only can older people practice yoga, but it can actually benefit them in many ways! In our latest post, our in home care experts in Chapel Hill went over a few of the benefits of yoga for seniors. Keep reading to learn about more ways you can benefit from yoga:

#4. A Reduction in Stress

Stress can not only have negative emotional impacts, it can also have negative physical impacts as well. Just because you no longer work or care for a house full of kids doesn’t mean that you no longer have stress, and yoga is a great well to cope with that stress as you age. Yoga helps to calm the mind and reduces the impacts of stress on your body.

#5. Healthy Heart

Research has shown that people with mild to moderate high blood pressure could reverse it with a regular yoga practice. Another study has shown that not only does yoga lower blood pressure, it can also lower triglycerides and bad cholesterol.

#6. Fall Prevention

As we age, we start to lose our range of motion, which contributes to a higher fall risk. However, yoga improves flexibility, which in turn, improves range of motion. Balance is also a huge part of yoga, and the ability to balance can really decrease your risk for a fall.

We have just a few more benefits to go over with you. So if you would like to learn more, please stay tuned for our next blog!

The Benefits of Yoga for Seniors

Posted on by lw@adm22

Isn’t yoga just for young people?

Although, when many people think of yoga, they imagine young, lean people forcing their bodies into awkward positions, many seniors love to practice yoga as well! When practiced safely and correctly, yoga can actually be incredibly beneficial for seniors, but it is important to consult your doctor before starting any new form of physical activity. The following is a list from our assisted living in Raleigh of a few of the many benefits of yoga for seniors:

#1. Chronic Pain Management

Yoga helps to build muscle that supports the joints, which can help ease some of the pain that comes from chronic illnesses, like arthritis.

#2. Increased Happiness

Exercise, as well as movement in general, can help to boost your mood and lift your spirits, but for seniors who practice yoga, this is especially true. The breathing practices that come with yoga help to calm the mind and put the body at ease.

#3. Weight Management

It can be difficult to keep the pounds off as we age, but you’ll be glad to know that practicing yoga for just a half an hour every week can help you manage your weight. Maintaining a healthy weight can improve your confidence, reduce the stress from your joints and increase your energy.

Although we’ve only touched on a few of them, the benefits of practicing yoga are numerous. If you would like to learn about a few more of the benefits of practicing yoga, please stay tuned for our next blog!

Common Misconceptions About Aging Part 2

Posted on by lw@adm22

Don’t let the common misconceptions about aging ruin your golden years!

Our expectations are incredibly powerful. If you expect something to be bad, then there’s a strong likelihood that it will. That’s why, in our last post, our assisted living in Durham shed some light on common misconceptions about aging. Keep reading to learn the truth about more of them:

#4. Health problems are inevitable when you get older.

It’s true that our bodies start to feel the wear and tear of life as we age, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you will get sick or lose all of your independence. There is a lot to be said for a healthy lifestyle. Staying active and healthy can help to improve your balance, prevent falls, increase your independence and make you feel better as a whole.

#5. When you get old, you can no longer learn new things.

While the learning process is different for older people than it is for younger people, older people are more than capable of learning new things. In fact, learning new things is one of the best ways to keep your brain strong and sharp!

#6. You won’t be happy when you get old.

Although loneliness, depression and misery are often associated with old age, you can still live out your later years with a smile on your face and joy in your heart. In fact, studies have shown that people are at their happiest at the age of retirement. Aging doesn’t mean that you can no longer have a life, it actually opens up the possibilities for you to learn, travel and play at your heart’s desire!

Common Misconceptions About Aging

Posted on by lw@adm22

There are a lot of people who have the wrong impression of aging.

Aging can be a beautiful part of life, and there is a very good reason why the later years are often called the golden years. However, if you expect aging to be a negative thing, then chances are, for you it will be. Perception is a very powerful thing, and that is why you need to be aware of the many common misconceptions about aging:

#1. As you age, your brain power decreases.

While degenerative diseases, like dementia, are most common in older people, many people actually enjoy improved abstract reasoning, math and verbal skills as they age. However, the brain needs “exercise” in order for it to keep getting stronger, so keep it sharp by using it!

#2. You get lonely when you get old.

The fact is that aging doesn’t cause loneliness, but being isolated does. Isolation is a major problem for older people in our society, but there are plenty of ways to combat isolation and loneliness. In our assisted living communities in Chapel Hill, you will find plenty of older adults making new friends, participating in activities and staying social.

#3. You’ll have to live with your bad choices.

Whether you need to quit smoking or you want to change your eating habits, old age doesn’t mean that you can’t change. Sure, a lifetime of habits may be a little more difficult to change, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try. You can still enjoy many benefits of living a healthier life.

Stay tuned for our next blog to learn the truth about more common aging misconceptions.

Planning a Holiday Meal for Someone with Dementia

Posted on by lw@adm22

Concerned about your loved one who has dementia this holiday season?

As the holidays rapidly approach, many of us are starting to plan holiday get-togethers and meals for our family and friends. Unfortunately, dementia makes many things more challenging, including mealtimes. As the disease progresses, it could lead to altered depth perception, difficulty handling utensils, challenges with swallowing and chewing and many more eating difficulties. Luckily, our memory care specialists in Raleigh have come up with this list of a few things you can do to make holiday meals easier for your loved one:

#1. Cook your loved one’s favorite foods.

Sometimes, even getting your loved one interested in eating at all can be a challenge in itself. That’s why it can help to make your loved one’s favorite foods for them and remind them that they like to eat those things. This will help to at least spark their interest in the meal.

#2. Make sure they can clearly see the food and the plate.

Make it a point to use contrasting colors for your tablecloth, napkins, plates, etc. This will help your loved one to be able to clearly see the food that they are served.

#3. Serve one course at a time.

With everything out on the table at once, it can be very overwhelming. Make each course easier for your loved one to focus on by serving them one at a time.

If you need any help planning out a meal for your loved one who has dementia, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our memory care givers are trained and experienced, and we are always happy to help!