Assisted Living Vancouver WA

Clark County offers a variety of Senior Living Options

When social, health or emotional factors make you think that a move is in the future for yourself or a loved one, A Caring Heart is here to help. Our referral services are available free of charge to seniors who are moving into communities as private pay and long term care insurance residents.

Here are some questions frequently asked of Kathy regarding choices in senior housing:

What kind of senior housing is available in the Vancouver, Washington area?

There are more than 225 housing choices available in the Vancouver, Washington area. A Caring Heart has the expertise to help you find the location that best suits your situation and provides the physical and mental care necessary for you or your loved one.

Click here to view a chart that illustrates the number of market rate housing options available in each neighborhood and surrounding community in Clark County, Washington.

What are Senior Living Communities?

Housing options for seniors that offer amenities that can provide for a better quality of life through socialization, nutrition, physical programs, and mental stimulation.

Why should I consider moving into a Senior Living Community?

Senior Housing Communities provide a network of safeguards for people to continue living in the same community while progressing through different levels of care.

What is a Retirement Apartment?

Retirement apartments provide senior housing plus supportive services such as meals, shopping, activities, and laundry. They do not provide personal care services, such as medication management or bathing and dressing.

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted Living Communities provides a social environment with medical and safety monitoring. It includes support services plus a staff that is specially trained to provide personal care and intermittent nursing services including medication management. This care is outlined in the resident’s care plan, documented by the staff at the facility, and supervised by a nurse.

How do I know when it is time to move into Assisted Living?

When there is concern that it is no longer safe to stay at home or in your apartment alone. This could be related to health, physical, emotional, or social factors.

A few examples of behaviors that might indicate you are at risk include:

weight loss
falling
depression
forgetfulness
confusion
wandering

What are Memory Care facilities?

These are boarding home facilities that have staff that is trained to work with people who have such diseases as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and memory loss as a result of such impairments as strokes. A high level of both physical and mental care is usually available in these communities.

What are Adult Family Homes?

Adult Family Homes are small communities with no more than six residents who live in a house that provides for their needs much like an assisted living facility. However the ratio of caregivers to residents is usually higher and can provide for residents whose needs are greater.

What are ADL’s?

Activities of Daily Living – Everyday routines generally involving functional mobility and personal care, such as bathing, personal hygiene, dressing, toileting, meal preparation, eating, and mobility. When there is a deficit in the ability to fully perform these tasks, assistance is needed. Caregivers are trained to help residents to accomplish these tasks in order to have the best possible quality of live.

For more information about how the A Caring Heart referral service works, click here.

Alzheimer’s disease research and life changes to build reserves to delay the need for memory care in Vancouver WA

There seems to be a lot of Alzheimer disease-related research out lately. One such study, reported by TIME writer Alice Park, shows that bigger brain and higher IQs are linked with specific genetic variants .

Scientists have known for a while that the size and volume of certain parts of the brain are linked to disorders that include developmental conditions like autism and degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. But, they weren’t sure what was influencing brain size. Because brain size is inheritable, it was felt that genes may be an influence. So, through the Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) Consortium, more than 200 scientists from 100 institutions around the world began to search for the genes responsible for brain size.

They found two genetic variants, one that appears to be associated with overall brain size and another that was linked to the volume of the memory center which shrinks in people with dementia. According to Paul Thompson, a professor of neurology and psychiatry at UCLA Medical School, none of these changes on their own will give you a disease, but they “vastly tilt the scales in favor of the disease.”

People who had the genetic variant associated with the smaller memory center volumes had shrinkage equivalent to about five years of aging. Professor Thompson explained that “whatever degradation in brain functions – memory, learning or attention – that occur with aging would be accelerated. That’s even after accounting for the known factors that can affect brain volumes like ethnicity, height, and other physical attributes.”

When two copies (one from each parent) are present, then the shrinkage is doubled. “With normal aging, the brain loses about 0.5 percent of tissue a year, but the variant that Thompson and his colleagues discovered sped up that process considerably, potentially making the person more vulnerable to developing age-related disorders, including Alzheimer’s.”

The scientists aren’t sure whether the loss of tissue “tilts the sails for people to have an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, but it gives you a very strong lead.”

As for IQ related to brain size, many contributors – like a good education, exercise and other environmental factors – can relate the two and these would outweigh the effect of a single gene variant. However, the thought is that, when both variants are present, there is a need to figure out how to improve diagnosis and eventually treatment. With Alzheimer’s, experts believe that people can use brain-boosting techniques like exercise, continuing education and social interaction to reinforce existing nerve networks and build up a cognitive reserve. If reserves are in place, it is thought that, as the brain’s networks start to deteriorate naturally with age, these reserves can be called upon to compensate for the loss of tissue and still function reasonable well.

People with the genetic variants isolated in the ENIGMA study may have a smaller reserve due to their genetically influenced brain structures and may therefore be more vulnerable to any environmental factors like obesity or excessive alcohol consumption that further reduces brain volumes.

Whether these gene amounts and combinations are present or not, it is wise to invest in exercise, a good diet and education just to ensure you have good start in those reserves.

The definite good news from the study of these over 21,000 people is that brain imaging (MRIs) can be a powerful indicator of gene activity or a way of tracking how certain genes are functioning and possibly contributing to disease well before any symptoms appear. By applying research findings with positive lifestyle changes, we very well may be able to decrease the need for assisted living and memory care in Vancouver WA and elsewhere around the world. We wouldn’t mind that at all.

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 blueberries or one cup or more of strawberries a week may over time help retain cognitive functioning that includes memory and learning.

The study controlled for other health factors, but also couldn’t “rule out the possibility that the preserved cognition in those who eat more berries also may be influenced by other lifestyle choices, such as exercising more.”

Simple changes in diet and activity certainly can’t hurt as we age. With a goal to live independently as long as possible, simple changes now might make all the difference. Assisted living and Memory Care units are necessary when the time comes, but being able to delay the need is nice, too.

A senior housing option may be needed, but in the meantime, learn about community resources

Just a reminder about the 50+ Connections Expo tomorrow. Geared toward people 50 and older, the Expo offers more than 120 exhibits with resources, services and activities.

Being informed as we age helps us maintain an active, healthy and independent lifestyle. The Columbian had a nice article about the Expo. They summed it up by saying that the exhibits are meant to provide information and interactive activities on travel, recreation, health, nutrition, senior housing, finances, and more.

Free of charge, with a suggested donation for the Human Services Council’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, this year’s Expo is sure to exceed the expectations of the previous Expos.

Health screenings include blood pressure, lower extremity circulation, lung function, glucose, and body mass index.

There will be live music and mini-presentations on personal enrichment activities such as our laughter yoga.

We are proud to be among the many exhibitors and seminar presenters as well as one of the 16 companies and non-profit organizations and government agencies to sponsor the event.

It is our goal to help make any transition to one of the many senior housing options in the Vancouver WA and Clark County easier, but we totally support any of the many worthy efforts to delay the need to transition from your own independent housing. That is one reason why we are a participant and sponsor of this 50+ Connections Expo. Stop by to say “hello.” We can help you determine whether you need assisted living or some other senior housing option.

Come join us at the 50+ Connections Expo April 29th, 2012

Come join us at the 50+ Connections Expo next Sunday, April 29, 2012. A Caring Heart is pleased to be a participant and one of the sponsors for this exciting event where you can learn about services, ideas, and resources available for your active, healthy, independent lifestyle in and around the community.

There will be over 120 interactive and informative exhibits, seminars, a boutique, free health screenings, and prizes. The new Toyota Prius C will be shown. And two therapy llamas will be waiting to greet you.

A Caring Heart will have an exhibit. Other exhibitors include Biogift, Boys and Girls Club, Dove Chocolate Discoveries, Lucky Eagle Casino, Isagenix Health & Wellness Coach, Scentsy, Jafra Cosmetics, Bath Fitter, Global Health Alerts, Elder Justice, Empower UP, Vancouver Acupuncture, Navidis Olive Oil and Vinegars, Fred Meyer, Whole Foods Market, and many, many more along with various senior living facilities and care centers.

There will be about eleven seminars held in either the Heritage or Discovery Ballrooms. Some of the seminars include memory, tai chi, helping your dog age gracefully, a cooking demonstration, and our Laughter Yoga.

Enter to win various prizes. The grand prize is a six-day Mississippi River Cruise courtesy of USA River Cruises.

The 50+ Connections Expo will be held at the Vancouver Hilton on 301 W. 6^th Street from 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is a suggested donation at the door which supports the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program. For more information, you can call 360-735-3683 or log onto www.50plusconnectionsexpo.com.

This is going to be a great event – even bigger and better than in previous years. We are looking forward to seeing you there. Stop by our exhibit to say “hello”.

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 a 2 percent cut is tolerable and can be absorbed without having to implement the drastic changes they were anticipating.

Funding for nursing homes, adult family homes and in-home care did not change.

A Caring Heart and the other Professional Senior Advisors who help with long term care issues, including assisted living, are also relieved over the budget news. Even though A Caring Heart services are free to our clients, we know that having a variety of options is paramount and, with the budget passing as it did, well, those options remained essentially untouched – and even ensures our elderly loved ones who require long term care will receive even better services in the long run.

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 are a rich dietary source of B-complex vitamins along with protein and fiber. Some foods are fortified in some of the B vitamins. B-complex vitamins have been found to to reduce an amino acid that has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and contributed to less brain shrinkage.

The citrus - like tangerines, oranges, limes and lemons, along with the sweet peppers, strawberries, cantaloupes, tomatoes, broccoli, leafy greens, lettuce and cabbage, are a great source of vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and is beneficial in blood vessel functioning and dissolves toxic plaques that build up in vessels.

Almonds, avocados, and healthy vegetable oils like olive, canola and sunflower as well as spinach, broccoli, and collards are a rich source of vitamin E. Vitamin E is, again, important in promoting healthy blood vessels.

Certain fish, like the oily cold water fish – salmon, herring and mackerel – are higher in the Omega-3 fatty acids. These polyunsaturated “healthy fats” improve heart functioning, decrease the occurrence of brain shrinkage in the brain, and decrease inflammation. Persons who have a higher level of Omega-3 have show higher performance on memory tests.

Among other nutrients, spinach is high in flavonoids which has been shown to inhibit the formation of certain plaques found to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. Cabbage, broccoli and kale have been found to decrease cognitive decline.

Caffeinated coffee evidently decreases blood levels of a plaque forming protein and some times reduces “Alzheimer’s-like cognitive impairment”.

The spice tumeric, in combination with sunlight (vitamin D) may also reduce the plaque that has been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. “Salmon, sardines, eggs and fortified foods like milk and soy products” are also good sources of vitamin D.

Be sure to consult your physician or nutritionist when you or your loved one is on medication as some foods – and even vitamin supplements – can cause a reaction with some medications. Also, for elderly, taking a supplement for some of these nutrients may be more beneficial, but eating a balanced diet is always healthy whether you need supplements or not.

Memory care can start early; we can all get a jump on a healthier brain by considering what foods we are eating. It may just be beneficial in avoiding assisted living and memory care units.

Saluting the recipient of the Compassion for Senior award who helped establish a supportive in-home program

Being so involved in the welfare of seniors, whether they are residing in an assisted living or other setting or still at home with supportive services, recognizing those persons in the Vancouver WA area who contribute to the senior community, is an honor.

The annual Clark County Loaves and Fishes charity luncheon on April 12, 2012 will recognize Larry Smith with its Compassion for Seniors award.

Councilman Smith helped implement SNAP, a senior nutrition program, and he played a key role in introducing Loaves and Fishes, a program that delivers food to homebound seniors in Clark County in 2006.

We encourage everyone to attend the luncheon at the Hilton Vancouver Washington at 301 W. Sixth Street. The event is free, but donations are welcome and registration is required. You can visit feedseniors.org to find out more about the event and to register.

Congratulations to Councilman Smith. And, just a reminder, if your senior can no longer manage at home, even with the various supportive services in place, it may be time to consider assisted living or another type of housing option.

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 there are so many aging baby boomers. There is no evidence of an increasing rate of diagnoses in those persons younger than 65. While younger adults are interested in whether those memory lapses might be due to an early-onset dementia and are getting tested in an effort to start treatment early, statistics are showing that their concern is usually unfounded.

By early identification of those at most risk, it is the goal of researchers to learn which lifestyle changes or medications can slow down or even reverse the progression of the disease.

Statistics show that after age 65, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s doubles every five years. By age 85 or over, up to 40 percent of Americans may be suffering from some stage of Alzheimer’s. Researchers are making advances in their knowledge of the disease and are making strides toward better diagnosing, treatment and prevention.

Memory lapses are a normal part of aging. But, if you notice that a family member has “lost the ability to recall or even learn new things, then it’s worth discussing the problem” with their physician. They can help determine whether these changes are “a part of normal aging, another medical condition,” medication management, stress or grieving, or possibility the first signs of mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s.

If you have a family member who is having difficulty maintaining their normal daily routines in caring for themselves, whether it is due to dementia or some other diagnosis, there are options that can be of benefit. Being able to distinguish the level of need and the county resources available is an important part of what we do here at A Caring Heart. One of those options may very well be a memory care unit or assisted living.

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.

Assisted living in Vancouver WA knows we can thrive just like the oldest Girl Scout does in her assisted living facility 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, seniors and mariner’s, she became a troop leader and camp director, then joined the Order of the Evergreen – for Girl Scouts older than 40 years old.

The aim of the Girl Scouts is that girls will develop to their full potential by pursuing goals that include relating to others which increases understanding, skill and respect; establishing a meaningful set of core values to guide their actions and provide for sound decision making; and contributing to the improvement of society.

According to the article, early goals were similar to the Boy Scouts including “remaining active, adventurous, and possessing the survival skills of a soldier.” Those core values and philosophy of life have continued to serve this 99 year old Girl Scout well — even in her assisted living facility where she continues to thrive, giving to others and her new community.

Assisted Living Center term clarified

Assisted living center law change 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 in Washington previously called boarding homes, that term will soon become obsolete.

Even though the terminology has been clarified, finding the right match in services, staffing, and fellow residents as well as finding an available assisted living in Vancouver WA and Clark County or another senior housing option can be quite the undertaking. And that’s where we come in.

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 for personal interests such as gardening or crafts?

Needless to say, when it comes to assisted living facilities there are as many “personalities” as you will find in a room full of strangers. What matters is that we take the time to know ourselves and then make sure the assisted living facility we are considering is a good match.

A Caring Heart will help match your personality to the assisted living facilities in the Vancouver WA area at no charge.

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 want and be there with you each step of the way to be sure all questions are asked and answered so you can make an informed decision, ultimately being satisfied with your choice.

Having worked in the senior field and experienced the difficult decisions first hand, we know important it is to choose the right assisted living in Vancouver WA or some other senior housing option. With you and your loved one in mind, we will continue to add to our website on your behalf.

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 your immune system, and lead to premature aging. Even after taking some of the courses available through the community college like Self Care for the Caregiver, Anxiety Disorder and the Elderly, DSHS Dementia Care Specialty Training, and Fundamentals of Caregiving, the situation may become too overwhelming for you. It’s okay, and best for everyone involved, to seek out an alternative housing setting which can include assisted living in Vancouver WA.

Being able to share quality time with your loved one is important. Let us, here at A Caring Heart, gently guide you through the options.

Local newspaper shares information about assisted living options

Our priority is to help families find the right solution in assisted living. We appreciate finding articles like this one recently posted in Living Well. The title really says it all: “Making the right choice on long-term care

Selecting for a loved one can be tough”. Read the full article here. If you have more questions please feel free to contact us. There is no fee to the families or residents for our services.

Tips To Prevent Memory Loss As You Age

(StatePoint) You may not realize it, but you can take steps to keep your brain fit and flexible as you age. In fact, some experts now say that through proper diet and routine mental health exercises, you even can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease long enough to avoid experiencing the symptoms.

“The sooner you start to protect your brain against Alzheimer’s, the sooner you will notice improvement — not only in recall and mental focus, but also in energy level, mood, general health, and sense of well-being,” says Dr. Gary Small, M.D., Professor at UCLA, and author of the new book “The Alzheimer’s Prevention Program” (Workman Publishers).

Small offers these stay-sharp tips to help you get started:

Eat brain food: Stock up on food filled with antioxidants like berries, avocados, and raw vegetables; omega-3 rich, anti-inflammatory food choices, like fish, whole grains, and legumes; and memory-boosting spices like turmeric and cumin. Alcohol in moderation can be beneficial too, so don’t shy away from a glass of wine or beer at dinner.
Train your brain: You can cross-train your brain, by jumping from right-brain to left-brain workouts. “The Alzheimer’s Prevention Program,” offers great daily mental workouts that combine wordplay, letter scrambles, 3-D drawings, tricky equations, logic challenges, and number sequences. For more information, visit www.drgarysmall.com.
Be flexible: Try simple tasks like writing and eating with your non-dominant hand. By engaging neural circuits in ways that are different from their usual patterns, you will provide your brain a good mental stretch.
Make discoveries: Like any muscle you’d work out at the gym, your brain needs variety and stimulation to stay in shape. Find new challenging mental activities that you also enjoy, so that engaging your brain is never a chore. For example, explore a genre of music you haven’t before, or take up a new thought-provoking hobby.
Get Moving: Hopefully you are already exercising for optimum physical health. If you aren’t, consider this: physical activity increases blood flow, oxygenating the brain. So turn off that mindless television program and take a brisk walk!
Reduce your stress: Practice yoga, meditate; take a vacation or even just a bubble bath.

“Stress can temporarily impair one’s learning and recall,” says Small. “By taking away sources of stress, or reacting to stress differently, you can improve your memory.”

Alzheimer’s is already affecting 5 million people in the U.S. alone. But a memory lapse today doesn’t need to become a bigger problem tomorrow. Take charge and help sharpen your memory now.