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More on lowering your risk of dementia
A recent study at the Oregon Health and Science University has shown that persons over 80 with higher levels of certain vitamins and fatty acids performed better on cognitive tests and had less brain shrinkage associated with Alzheimer’s disease. And a University of Miami study showed that there was less small blood vessel damage in the brain when eating a certain diet. The Mayo Clinic studies have shown that better brain health is related to eating a fewer than 2,150 calories a day. And avoiding trans fats helps brain health, too. Other studies elsewhere have shown similar findings. All in all, the key to decreasing the risk of dementia seems to be to eat a balanced diet. And, while they do more studies, there are some general tips we can pass on. Without going into all the scientific findings and supporting data, the list of brain healthy foods includes beans, green peas, citrus fruits, sweet peppers, strawberries, cantaloupes, tomatoes, broccoli, […]
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Benefits of berries
After recently reading the third article on the benefits of eating berries as related to slowing the progression of cognitive decline in women, I felt I should pass this information along to our A Caring Heart blog readers. A study published in the Annals of Neurology found women with a higher berry intake delayed cognitive aging by up to 2.5 years. Dr. Devore from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston explains that the flavonoids found in plants are high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. In particular, blueberries and strawberries are a rich source of anthocyanidins, a type of flavonoid, “which are known to cross from the blood into the brain and locate in the parts involved in learning and memory.” Flavonoids are also thought to decrease the “effects of stress and inflammation that could contribute to cognitive decline.” The study indicated that a simple dietary adjustment to include one half to one cup of […]
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Comforting News For Long Term Care Budget
There is good news for adult family homes and other long term care programs in Washington . . . and it could have been much worse for assisted living centers. The Washington State budget passed this week with essentially good news for state-funded long term care. Some programs surprisingly received a little more money, one program was spared, and another program received a minimal rate cut. All in all, long term care providers and families who have loved ones in one of the long term care settings were relieved. The Family Caregiver Support program received a slight increase in funding. With the increase, the program can continue to provide training, counseling and respite care for unpaid caregivers. And, due to the passing of Initiative 1163, more funding was approved for the program to train long term care workers so they can receive the required additional training. Assisted living centers received a 2 percent rate cut. The general opinion is that […]
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Delay the need for assisted living and memory care units.
With the research advances focused on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, there may be a way to delay the need for assisted living and memory care units. There have been numerous studies showing that eating healthy can help your brain stay healthy, too. Some of the wholesome foods that lead to a healthier brain to reduce your risk of a dementia include beans and green peas, citrus, sweet peppers, strawberries, cantaloupes, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, almonds, avocados and some oils, leafy greens, cabbage, cauliflower, certain fish, spinach, collards, caffeinated coffee, and tumeric, eggs, and some fortified foods in combination with sunlight. Turns out it is beneficial to eat a balanced diet that is low in trans fats. One study showed that eating a Mediterranean diet that included “vegetables, fruits, small amounts of meat and fish, whole grains, nuts, olive oil and moderate amounts of alcohol” decreased the occurrence of small blood vessel damage in the brain. The beans and green peas […]
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Alzheimer’s Disease News
We know that assisted living is necessary for a variety of reasons, any of which result in loss of independence. One of the reasons someone might benefit from assisted living is because they are suffering from a dementia, which includes Alzheimer’s disease. When the dementia is advanced, there may be a time when a memory care unit is the assisted living housing option best suited to meet the significant needs. Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for about 75 percent of the cases of dementia, is on the national news. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “about 200,000 Americans younger than 65 are among the 5.4 million Americans with the disease” and they estimate about the same statistics for those with other types of dementia. This means about one half million Americans, some as young as in their 20s, have early-onset or younger-onset dementia. Every 72 seconds, a new case of Alzheimer’s is diagnosed in the United States. That number is high because […]
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Assisted Living As Your Housing Option Can Be A Positive Experience Regardless Of Your Age
There is proof that choosing assisted living as your housing option can be a positive experience. Just consider a recent article about a woman who was living in an assisted living facility. She will be 100 years old this year — just like the Girl Scouts organization. Obvious by the interview, her assisted living experience hasn’t slowed her down a bit. She remains independent with a “can-do” attitude. It appears she attributed her independence from her 87 years of scouting; saying, “You learn how to be independent, work well with others, and later on in life it will be with you.” Among the reasons why she has thrived in assisted living and retained so many long time friends are those attributes and her great sense of humor. According to the article, she started her Girl Scout experience in 1925 as a Brownie. The Girl Scouts organization had been in existence for thirteen years. After working her way through brownies, cadets, […]
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Assisted Living Center Term Clarified
There is recent news from the state about senior living facilities. Effective June 7, 2012, House Bill 2056 redefines the legal definition of an assisted living center. After June 7, 2012, adult family homes will no longer be included in the term “assisted living center” and the term “assisted living center” will be used for boarding homes. According to the government affairs director at the Washington Health Care Association, boarding homes are facilities with seven or more congregate senior apartments where residents receive care and services. Those services include housekeeping, meals, snacks, laundry, organized activities, health support and intermittent nursing. Adult family homes are residences licensed to serve up to seven residents, usually in a residential setting, so there is no licensure requirement for such things as two-hour burn doors or indoor sprinkler systems. Services vary within the adult family home. The House Bill is meant to clarify terms for the public at large. So, of the 542 licensed facilities […]
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When Assisted Living Equals Enhanced Living
Assisted living decisions are not only about getting physical needs managed but, perhaps more importantly, about insuring our quality of life continues to meet our personal preferences. When an assisted living facility is being considered, it’s important to get to know the “personality” of each facility on your list of choices. If the potential resident has always been extremely social then it makes sense to choose an assisted living facility that makes it easy for newcomers to integrate into the social structure of the facility. Does the facility have regular formal gatherings? Does the facilty offer group activities that leave room for newcomers? By the same token, if the person moving into an assisted living facility has always been more to themselves, you want to make sure the assisted living facilities being considered do not “push” social interaction beyond what the newcomer will be comfortable with. Does the facility offer quiet areas for alone time? Does the facility offer support […]
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Assisted Living In Vancouver WA Positive Response
Great news for those who may be seeking assisted living in Vancouver WA. We have had a positive response to our new listings of adult family homes on our site. For those persons who are thinking about relocating to an adult family home or other setting in assisted living in Vancouver WA, being able to actually see photographs and read about the residences and facilities makes a difference. Of course, assisted living in Vancouver WA is so vast, with many different levels of care, we can’t list them all – at least not right now, but be assured, we are quite familiar with the senior housing options and services in Vancouver and Clark County. Once we help you determine what your needs are, knowing the vacancies in the area, what services are provided, and other important details makes it easy for us to point you in the right direction. It is our privilege to set up any tours you might […]
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Assisted Living May Become An Option For Caregivers Health
It may be time to consider alternative housing like adult family homes or another type of assisted living in Vancouver WA when your loved one can no longer manage independently in their own home. And, even when there is a caregiver in the home, there may come a time when adult family homes or some other assisted living setting in the Vancouver area is the best choice. Knowing when to start thinking about assisted living like adult family homes in Vancouver WA is our specialty here at A Caring Heart. We have years of experience and expertise in the continuum of care available for adults in the Clark County Washington area and we are proud of the number of satisfied clients we have helped find the right housing option. We know you want the best for your loved one, but we encourage you to also take care of yourself. Caregiving can become stressful, which then can cause interpersonal conflict, affect […]
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