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Assisted Living Helped Rank Our Area High
We’ve been hearing a lot about our community and its readiness in caring for its aging population, whether they are residing in assisted living or not. There is good news for those who plan to remain in the area after age 65! Out of 359 “small” and “large” metro areas, the Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton metro area in the “Large Metros” category ranked 24th overall on the list “Best Cities for Successful Aging.” According to the recent Columbian article, criteria included “cost of living, crime rates, employment for the 65 to 79 age group, living arrangements, health care, wellness, financial, transportation and community engagement.” While we have made great progress in some areas, we know that there is work to be done in better preparing our community for the numbers of baby boomers and their parents and the non-profit Santa Monica-based think tank, Milken Institute, agrees. We do better for the 80 and older category than the 65 to 79 category. But […]
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Assisted Living And Retirement Communities Have Many Benefits
Relocating to a retirement community doesn’t necessarily mean your health and cognitive capacity has declined. There are many reasons to move into an assisted living setting and there are many requests for assisted living. Many times moving to assisted living in Vancouver or Clark County means you can retain the independence you want by adding the assistance you need. Retirement communities can range from no assistance to much assistance and some communities offer step down levels of care to make any transitions to increased assistance easier. Some people prefer to move on their own terms before there is a significant decline. Others prefer to have a more enhanced support system available in a more secure environment. Being in a retirement community can mean more freedom and feeling safer. Studies show that residents in a secure community tend to walk more, which is beneficial physically, mentally and emotionally. One women’s study found that walking about two hours a week increases the […]
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Assisted Living Or Not
When is the right time to start making decisions on behalf of your loved one? When is it time to move to assisted living? Many of us who have loved ones who require care ask these perplexing questions. Studies show that many caregivers go beyond their capacity trying to fill the needs of their loved one, leaving the caregiver at risk; the emotional and physical toll can take years off the life of the caregiver. So, reaching out to the numerous available resources is important for both the caregiver and their loved one. Clark County is fortunate to have resources in the community to assist the caregiver or someone who has a loved one who can no longer function independently. Those resources include various senior agencies, programs, workshops and conferences. We are more than happy to help you find those senior resources. Asking questions and reaching out for assistance is healthy and wise. With our population aging, you are not […]
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Assisted Living Can Be Postponed
With the recently honored work of agencies like the Southwest Washington Agency on Aging and Disabilities, assisted living in Vancouver WA can be postponed. Back in 2009, the Southwest Washington Agency on Aging and Disabilities helped sponsor a forum on aging, the “Get Ready for Aging Boom”. Knowing the impact of aging baby boomers and their goal to remain independent as long as possible without the need for assisted living, the federally designated agency has continued its mission to promote independence, choice, well being and dignity for persons aged 60 and over, adults with disabilities and their families through a comprehensive, coordinated system of home and community based services. This month the agency was honored at an annual conference. The Southwest Washington Agency on Aging and Disabilities has received an Aging Achievement Award from the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging for it Aging Boom forum. The 2009 forum involved more than 180 participants ranging from local service providers, […]
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Assisted Living And Other Clark County Senior Housing Options May Be Better Than Most
Clark County has an advantage over many communities across the nation when it comes to senior housing options. Vancouver and Clark County have a number of adult family homes and assisted living settings as well as retirement communities, memory care units, skilled nursing facilities, and residential care facilities that other communities may not have. Why does this matter? Because nationwide our population is aging. By 2030, one in four Clark County residents will be at least 60 years or older. This means housing needs are changing. Older adults usually experience a decrease in income, physical agility, and support systems. This creates the necessity to start changing our neighborhoods now if the goal is to assist older adults to remain in the communities they are accustomed to. Of course, building safe neighborhoods with affordable housing and nearby essential services is a lengthy process. Being sure older adults and their loved ones are informed about senior housing and assisted living opportunities and […]
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News on hormone replacement and dementia
The U.S. Preventive Services Taskforce weighs the risks and benefits of screening and therapies aimed at preventing illness. Based on the revised analysis by the Women’s Health Initiative study, the taskforce found limited evidence that hormone replacement protects against bone fractures and no evidence that hormone replacement reduces the risk of heart disease. “It also found that for most menopausal women taking home therapy, the risk of developing dementia later in life actually rose a bit.” The Women’s Health Initiative studied more than 160,000 women over a 15-year period. That study initially linked hormone replacement therapy with a higher rate of invasive breast cancer. Since then, more analyses of the study occurred. In summary, based on subsequent analysis, for those women who are past menopause and healthy, the taskforce recommendation is to avoid taking hormone replacement therapy if you are taking the hormones with the goal of avoiding dementia, bone fractures or heart disease. So, it appears that the best […]
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Weight and brain health.
According to some recent studies, being overweight can affect your brain health. Apparently, the brain shrinks more and ages faster when you are overweight. In one study, they compared the same aged people. Some had a body mass index of below 25 and some had a body mass index of between 25 to 30 (overweight). The overweight people had “4 percent less brain tissue and their brains looked eight years older.” Brains of people with a body mass index of over 30 (obese) had “8 percent less tissue and looked 16 years older.” Less tissue means less reserves, which “puts people at a higher risk of dementia” – including Alzheimer’s disease. To calculate your body mass index (BMI), the formula is weight (lb) divided by [height (inches) x height (inches)], then multiplied by 703. Here’s an example: Someone who is 5’6″ (5’6″ = 66″) and weights 160 lb has a BMI of 25.8. The calculation is: 160 / (66 x […]
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More Foods And Vitamins To Keep Your Memory Sharp
There are certain foods and vitamins recommended in order to keep your brain functioning better. Of course, eats lots of fruits and vegetables every day is advised for overall health, too, but here are some specifics that go beyond the basic fruits and vegetables. The foods to add to your diet include salmon, eggs, kale, blueberries, and mustard. Canned tuna, trout, sardines, walnuts, avocados, olive oil, canola oil and flaxseeds are also included in the list. The seasoning to add is tumeric. The vitamins to add daily include DHA Omega-3 and vitamin D-3. Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen recommend taking 900 mg of the DHA Omega-3 because “your brain is 60 percent fat and half of that is DHA, which keeps your brain cells flexible, fluid, and communicating well. DHA also fights memory loss.” They say, “Your body can’t make DHA, so you have to get it from food and supplements.” If you are concerned about fish toxins, there are […]
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Helping You Find The Right Senior Housing Option Is Our Pleasure
There is nothing more satisfying than to help a family locate the right senior housing option for their loved one. Whether they have plenty of time or there is a need to rush the search, we have helped so many seniors find a housing arrangement suitable for them. When your loved one can benefit from some level of assistance in their daily activities, it is important to find just the right level of assistance with the future in mind. And matching interests and accommodations are important, too. Some seniors remain quite active and prefer a setting conducive to wide variety of activities. Other seniors prefer a more sedate or social setting. Some settings offer more independence than others do, some allow pets, some offer some medical care. Offering our expertise in senior housing options and senior resources in the area as well as our familiarity with current vacancies, we help families make informed decisions. We know how to narrow your […]
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Caring For Aging Skin25 Feb 2016
You may notice the following changes as your skin ages. It becomes thinner and loses fat, looking less smooth than it used to. Veins and bones become more prominent through the skin. Scratches, cuts and […]
Short Term Options2 Feb 2016
Many seniors who are looking for senior housing don’t know about short term stay options that are available at many senior living communities. There are a few different reasons you or your loved one might […]