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Hope For Those Living With Alzheimer’s
There are more than 5 million Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease, and an estimated 15.5 million currently caring for them. For all of these millions of people, there is some new hope created by a new drug introduced by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. For those individuals showing very early symptoms of the disease, the new drug seems to help prevent the buildup of amyloid plaques in the brain. This is the type of plaque that is believed to be a factor in the development of Alzheimer’s. It is still very early in the process of drug testing. There is no clear evidence yet that this will have a long term effect. Though it’s too soon to tell, this new drug offers a glimmer of hope for a devastating disease with very few prospective cures in sight. There have already been many failed attempts at drugs to modify or change Alzheimer’s. So far the hope of a cure for Alzheimer’s […]
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The Benefits of Pets
Pets not only provide companionship and help dispel the loneliness seniors can struggle with, but their presence also has real health benefits. Pets can be very good company and provide comfort to their owners in a way only a nonjudgmental animal can. The loving presence of a pet actually produces chemicals in the brain that helps lower stress. The levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, drop, and serotonin levels increase when one spends time with a pet. Living with a beloved pet can help anyone live a healthier life. It has been shown to reduce blood pressure and heart rate. It also can help lower cholesterol, fight depression, and contribute to the prevention of heart disease. For these reasons and many others, Cascade Inn in Vancouver welcomes pets to live with residents. Living with a pet has been shown to reduce stress for those with memory loss. It can also strengthen self-esteem, help build social relationships, and encourage seniors to […]
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Financial Considerations For Senior Housing
Making the move to Van Mall Retirement Community, or one of the other communities in Vancouver, requires some planning ahead, especially when it comes to the financial considerations. Whatever your current financial situation is, here is some basic information about funding your move to a senior community. First, there is the more traditional path, where your move is funded with income from interest, capital gains or dividends from savings and investments. It is also an option for some people to get a line of credit on one of these accounts to pay for senior housing. Many seniors use the funds from the sale of their home to pay for senior housing. For those who are not ready to sell their home, there are home equity options that may be used for this purpose. Some people are in the position to use their life insurance policy to fund a move to a senior community. It is possible to get a life […]
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Staying Active At Touchmark
The events calendar at Touchmark at Fairway Village is full of fun, interesting and socially engaging things to do. Just looking at all the activity choices gets the creative juices flowing. For those who love to play games, there are several opportunities to join others in some friendly competition. Weekly games of Bingo, Bridge and Mexican Train are open to all players. If Cribbage or Pinochle are more to your liking, those games are also played weekly. How about Bunco, Social Poker or Rummikub? If you’re looking for something a little more active, you can join the bean bag baseball team. If it’s classes you’re interested in, residents at Touchmark have opportunities to learn computer use, cell phone use, art, sewing, crafts and reader’s theater. To keep your brain active and healthy they offer Brain Builders, Mind Benders and Lifelong Learners groups. Support groups at Touchmark include caregiver support and dementia support. There is a club for residents who are interested in […]
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Life at The Quarry
The Quarry is a planned retirement community that offers a phenomenal living experience with an amazing array of recreational opportunities onsite. There are so many activities to choose from, you will have a hard time fitting it all into your busy day. Or not. You can be as busy as you want to be there. They offer a variety of clubs and support groups to interest almost anyone. There are groups that focus on hobbies, games and special interests. There are support groups that address personal development or civic interests. Special outings are regularly scheduled to musical performances, theatrical productions, and foodie events. Also available are trips to local attractions, and sightseeing trips to destinations in Washington and Oregon. You can take classes on all kinds of topics, from a variety of fitness and exercise classes to genealogy and crafts. The Quarry’s activity calendar is truly impressive. There is so much to choose from, no one could ever say they […]
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Memory Care At Windsor Gardens
Windsor Gardens is one of the best facilities in Vancouver providing memory care and assisted living services to seniors who have dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. With its dedicated staff, warm and friendly atmosphere, and secure environment, Windsor Gardens makes the perfect place for you or your loved one to feel at home. Services Daily meals Housekeeping and laundry service Medication management 24-hour staffing Personal assistance with activities of daily living Specialized memory care support Amenities Private and semi-private furnished apartments Phone and cable television in every room Emergency call system in every room and bathroom Outdoor video monitoring Electronically armed gates for the safety of our residents Non-smoking environment Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, communities that provide memory care programs report a higher quality of life for residents in several areas. A significant number of residents even experience an increase in mental function, or at least maintenance of their skills. Special memory care features Secure environment High staff-to-resident […]
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Continuing Care
When you or your loved one is ready to move from the family home, it may be worthwhile to consider a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). These facilities offer a range of services in one location. They provide lifetime housing, social activities, and increasing levels of care as the needs of the resident change. On one site there are facilities for independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care, making it possible to accommodate the changing needs of aging seniors. When they enter the community, seniors can live independently in a home, apartment or condominium. As they come to need more assistance with daily activities, they can move over to the assisted living or nursing care sections. This arrangement makes it possible for seniors to live in one location for the duration of their life, and it takes care of many of the decisions that older adults have to make along the way. CCRCs are the most expensive of the long […]
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Helping Seniors Downsize
Many seniors have a plan to pay for assisted living expenses with the sale of their home. This process brings with it the challenges of moving and downsizing their household. Overwhelming and intense emotions, lots of difficult decisions and plenty of physical work makes many seniors put off something that must be done. While it is an inevitable part of moving to a new home, downsizing can be especially tough for seniors. Things they’ve accumulated over a lifetime, things with sentimental value that remind them of loved ones who are no longer here, are so hard to let go of. Our past is a big part of who we are, and often physical items hold the essence of our past. If these issues aren’t confronted, they may just become a barrier to moving. Fortunately for family members, there are some strategies you can try to ease the process, and unblock the resistance. Enlisting the help of trusted friends or family can often […]
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Technology For Seniors
The numbers of seniors using some form of technology is rapidly growing. According to a 2012 survey, more than half of older adults use the internet and cell phones. It’s an important trend because today’s technology can help seniors be engaged, connected, safe, and mentally active. Technology will play a bigger and more important role in the lives of seniors as we move into the future. Many seniors are already using tablets and iPads. These enable them to participate in activities that exercise their brains, and also to maintain their social ties. The new devices are lightweight, have easy-to-use touch screens, and are easy to see, making them ideal for senior use. Tablets can be used to view photos, access email and social media, listen to music, read, play games, and stay informed. Video and computer games are also becoming more popular with the older generation. They can improve cognition and mental agility. Game systems such as the Wii can also promote physical […]
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Preventing Winter Falls
We are in the middle of the cold, snowy, rainy, icy season. Unless you don’t go outside at all at this time of year, you are at risk for a winter fall. We all know they can be very dangerous for seniors. Nearly 50 percent of falls for older people happen outside. And winter is an especially treacherous time of year to try to get around because of the snow and ice on the ground (depending on where you live). Here are some interesting ideas to help you prevent falls. Stay physically active. The fitter and stronger you are, the less likely you are to fall. Exercise makes you stronger and improves flexibility and balance. Wear socks over your shoes. There was a study done on people wearing socks over their shoes, and it showed that the people wearing socks on the outside slipped much less than those wearing just shoes. When walking on slippery ground, focus on changing your gait. Try these tips: […]
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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 […]