by Shelley | Jun 1, 2024 | Healthy Aging
As the medical research community continues to discover more about inflammation and the role it plays in disease management, they’ve also come to better understand how it impacts aging. Studies seem to indicate a link between inflammation in the body and a variety of health issues. These are believed to include osteoarthritis, depression, multiple sclerosis, lupus, Alzheimer’s, ADHD, diabetes, and even some types of cancer.
By reducing the presence of inflammation, experts believe we may be able to decrease our risk for illness or better manage diseases already present in the body. It can also help promote more successful aging and pain management. That’s because inflammation is a driver of many types of pain.
Researchers believe nutrition could be one way to manage inflammation. This requires avoiding the foods thought to increase inflammation and consuming more of those that reduce it. Here are a few tips to help you plan anti-inflammatory menus.
Avoiding Foods That Increase Inflammation
Most people don’t know which foods help beat inflammation and which ones increase it. So, let’s start by talking about the foods known to ramp up inflammation in the body. Here are a few of the most common ones:
- Processed meats
- Baked goods
- Red meat
- Deep-fried foods
- Sodas and other sugary drinks
- White-flour pastas and breads
For many people, these foods are a part of their daily diet. By eliminating or reducing the amount of them you consume, you may be able to avoid or delay the onset of some diseases.
Eating an Anti-Inflammatory Diet
In contrast to the foods outlined above, these choices might reduce inflammation in your body:
- Salmon: With a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids along with vitamins B12 and D, salmon is another good inflammation fighter. But people often struggle with preparing it so the flavor is more appealing. If you need ideas, try one of these healthy salmon recipes.
- Blueberries: This popular superfood is rich in an anti-inflammatory agent called quercetin. Whether you add them to your morning oatmeal, your lunchtime salad, or a fruit smoothie, try making blueberries a routine part of your diet.
- Leafy greens: Most of us know eating our greens is good for us. When it comes to reducing inflammation, leafy green vegetables should be a dietary staple. You can toss a little chopped spinach into tuna salad, add fresh kale to a bowl of soup, or swap lettuce for bread in your sandwich.
- Pineapple: This popular citrus fruit is also a hardworking one. It’s packed with good nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin B1, potassium, manganese, and a digestive enzyme known as bromelain. Together, these ingredients help boost the immune system and reduce inflammation. It’s a great natural sweetener to try with chicken dishes, salads, and smoothies.
- Bone broth: Don’t let the trendiness of bone broth put you off of the benefits it offers. Nutritionists recommend it to patients because it contains inflammation-fighting ingredients like glucosamine and collagen. If you aren’t excited about the lengthy process of making it yourself, you can find it at most local grocery stores or online through companies like Brodo and Kettle & Fire.
- Walnuts: Nuts often have a bad reputation because they can be high in fats. But in the case of walnuts, those are healthy fats. Just a quarter cup of them contains all the omega-3 fatty acids you need in a day to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease, inflammation, diabetes, and more.
- Beets: This root vegetable is another superfood. The betalain found in beets has anti-inflammatory properties. You can roast them in the oven, blend them to make a healthy dip, or just slice them up to add to salads.
Transitioning to menus that include more anti-inflammatory foods might be a process. It will also take time to fully implement. If it feels too overwhelming to tackle these changes all at once, try making a few at a time.
The Heritage Difference
At Heritage Senior Communities, we are committed to providing a higher level of care and hospitality. We call it the Heritage Difference. Among the seven service standards that make Heritage different is our dining program. Every day, residents enjoy meals that are both nutritious and delicious. If you are considering making a move to a senior living community, we hope you will visit one of our locations in Michigan or Indiana for a personal tour!
by Shelley | Jun 1, 2024 | Dear Donna, Healthy Aging
Dear Donna:
I’m writing in hopes that you can answer a few questions for me. I’ve been living alone the past three years since my husband lost his battle with cancer. We had purchased a condo about two years before he got sick, and it’s been an easy place to maintain by myself. However, I’m ready for a change.
Many of my friends have passed away or moved to be closer to their children, so my social circle has decreased. While both of my kids are great about checking in on me and helping when I need them, I don’t want to be a burden.
I’ve been seeing ads for independent living communities, and it sounds like they might be a good option for me. However, I want to make sure I’m on the right track before I make any major life changes. Can you tell me how a single woman might benefit from moving to one of these communities? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Barb in Omena, MI
Understanding the Benefits of Independent Living
Dear Barb:
It sounds like you are on the right track! I’m happy to share some of the ways independent living communities benefit active older adults. They include:
- A variety of different services
Independent living communities offer a wide range of services designed to make it easier for you to live a more independent, carefree lifestyle. These vary from one community to another, but often include housekeeping/laundry, meal plans, transportation services, and access to fitness facilities and daily life enrichment activities. Residents also leave worries about lawn care and maintenance behind when they move.
- Access to more care if it’s needed
Your move may also take care of your future needs. For example, some independent living communities are part of a campus that includes assisted living and/or dementia care. If your need for care and support changes down the road, you’ll be able to remain part of the same community.
- Around-the-clock safety and security
Independent living communities offer a safe and secure living environment. In addition to on-site staff around the clock, most individual apartments or suites have emergency call systems. This can give seniors and their loved ones greater peace of mind.
- Flexible, maintenance-free living
Residents usually have a choice of floor plans, and some communities even offer different housing options for independent living. For example, it might be a stand-alone villa, an apartment, or a suite. What they all have in common is maintenance-free living. By moving to an independent living community, you’ll leave behind worries about furnace repair or tracking down a trustworthy contractor to install a new roof. That’s in addition to not having to concern yourself with lawn care or snow removal.
- Formal and informal ways to socialize
Independent living offers a variety of opportunities for socializing, entertainment, and fun. This is often one of the primary reasons older adults make this type of move. Each community has a calendar of daily activities for residents to enjoy. They typically range from fitness classes and movie nights to outings to a local mall or museum. On an informal basis, you’ll find residents enjoying a cup of coffee together in the lounge in the morning or working on a volunteer project together for a local nonprofit organization.
I hope this gives you a better idea about what a day as a resident of an independent living community looks like, Barb!
Please call a Heritage Senior Living community near you to schedule a tour at your earliest convenience. One of our experienced team members will be happy to show you around and answer any questions you have about independent living.
Kind regards,
Donna
by Shelley | Apr 30, 2024 | Healthy Aging
Loneliness and isolation are more common as we grow older. A decreasing social circle, being out of the workforce, and mobility challenges are just a few contributing factors. Research is clear about the health risks linked to senior isolation. Some experts go as far as to liken these dangers to those associated with smoking and obesity.
Socially isolated older adults are at higher risk for:
- Depression
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Dementia
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Premature death
So, what can you do to prevent spending too much time alone? We have a few suggestions.
Combatting Isolation in Older Adults
- Explore transportation options: If you only drive for necessary outings and avoid asking loved ones for rides, you might be spending more time at home. A couple of avenues to explore are ride-sharing services and senior transportation companies. Check with your local senior center or agency on aging to see if they are aware of any local options. Many maintain lists of reliable transportation providers who cater to older adults.
- Volunteer your time: Another way to prevent isolation as you grow older is to volunteer for a local nonprofit organization. You’ll likely find a variety of opportunities close to home. Some may even offer transportation to and from their office. Check with your favorite organizations to see if they need volunteers or call the closest United Way office for suggestions. If in-person volunteering isn’t possible, you’ll likely still benefit from connecting with a virtual project. This article can help you find one.
- Adopt a senior pet: Depending upon your situation and budget, you might find adopting an older dog or cat can help boost the spirit and prevent loneliness. Check with a local animal shelter to see what older animals are looking for a forever home. Younger adults and families with young children typically don’t rescue senior pets. That means older animals often spend longer amounts of time in shelters.
- Explore senior centers and clubs: It’s common for older adults to find their social circle decreasing over the years. One way to remedy that is by joining or participating in senior groups and organizations. If you aren’t aware of any in your neighborhood, start by searching online for senior centers and senior fitness clubs. For those who belong to a religious institution, call and ask if they have any retiree groups.
- Consider moving to senior living: One more solution to combat isolation and its associated health risks is moving to a senior living community. These communities are designed to promote connection and healthy aging. You’ll benefit from shared meals, daily life enrichment activities, and outings to nearby shopping centers, restaurants, and other popular destinations. Residents also find the daily informal gatherings that take place around the community to be a great way to develop new friendships.
Visit a Heritage Community This Summer
Summer is a great season to start your search for a senior living community. It will give you an opportunity to tour the community and take a stroll around the campus. Call the location nearest you to set up a time!
by Shelley | Apr 30, 2024 | Alzheimer's and Dementia
When a senior loved one has Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, their verbal communication skills are impacted. Because of this, it’s essential that families explore new ways of communicating.
Some families find it useful to provide visual reminders. Examples include a sign with a picture of a cup on the cabinet where you store glasses or a photo of socks on the sock drawer.
Another option is to provide cue cards with photos for the senior to use when they need something and can’t express it. You could include photo prompts for food, water, a blanket, the bathroom, and more. On days when your family member is struggling, these tools can make communication less difficult.
One last suggestion that is worth the time it takes to master is prompting. You can use it to encourage a loved one with dementia to try to accomplish tasks on their own, but with a little direction from you.
Prompt Techniques for Adults with a Memory Impairment
While it can be tough for family caregivers to cope with their loved one’s inability to communicate, it’s probably even more frustrating for them. That’s further compounded when caregivers run out of patience and take over doing tasks completely. Instead, learn more about the types of prompts people with dementia may respond to.
- Verbal prompts: Tasks that require memory and abstract thought are especially challenging when memory is impaired. Getting dressed in the morning or preparing for bed at night are two examples. While you may think it’s helpful to lay clothing out on your loved one’s bed, that’s really only step one of the process. By using verbal prompts, you’ll make it possible for the older adult to maintain a sense of independence. You could carry on a simple conversation while also guiding them step-by-step through the task. Keep the directions short, such as, “Take your shoes and socks off. Put your bathrobe on.” Giving a person with dementia too many steps to follow at once will force them to rely on short-term memory that is likely damaged.
- Hand gestures: A person with memory loss will likely be able to follow gestures you provide one at a time. If you want them to brush their teeth for example, point to their toothbrush and toothpaste. Then pretend as if you are placing toothpaste on an invisible toothbrush and lifting it to your mouth. You might have to model this step twice and then mimic brushing your teeth. It will take longer than just doing it for your loved one, but they will feel more independent doing it for themselves.
- Hand guidance: Though this one doesn’t allow for quite as much self-sufficiency, it still gives the senior a sense of independence. If your family member is struggling with a particular task, place your hand over or under theirs to act as a guide. Gently help your loved one overcome what is keeping them from succeeding, and then allow them to try again to finish the action. The idea is to provide just enough support as is necessary.
Memory Care Neighborhoods at Heritage
As the leading provider of dementia care in Michigan, caregivers in memory care neighborhoods at Heritage communities receive specialized training. It helps our staff to learn how to support the unique needs of people with memory loss. We invite you to schedule a private tour to learn more.
by Shelley | Apr 30, 2024 | Dear Donna
Dear Donna:
My husband and I are about to begin the search for an independent living community in Michigan. We are tired of home maintenance, repairs, and being tied down. Independent living seems like a solution that offers freedom and flexibility.
We are trying to figure out a timeline for everything. We will need to significantly downsize our belongs and sell our house. While we have savings and investments to help supplement our lifestyle for a while, the equity in our home is one of our biggest assets.
As we are working on our plan, we keep getting stuck on when to put our house up for sale. Should we start the process before we find an independent living community to move to or wait until after we’ve made our transition? Any advice would be much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Alysha in Grand Haven, MI
When to Sell the House When You Are Downsizing to Senior Living
Dear Alysha:
This is a question we are asked quite often. Unfortunately, there really isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. But I can offer you a few suggestions on what you and your husband should consider.
- How soon will you need the equity from the sale of your house?
Like you mentioned, a house is often a senior’s greatest financial asset. You’ll likely benefit from creating a budget that gives you an idea of when you will need the funds from the sale of your home to help pay your monthly fees.
Then consider the health of your local housing market. In a hot sellers’ market, it may be easy to move first and then sell. You won’t have to worry about when and if your house will sell.
Bridge loans are an option to consider if the market is slower. These allow you to use the equity you have in your house to finance a move to senior living. Many only require you to pay the interest on the loan until the house sells. Once your residence is sold, you can pay off the bridge loan. A variety of banks and lenders offer these programs.
- Can you keep the house in show-ready condition?
If you’ve ever sold a house before you know how tough it can be to keep it show-ready at all times. You never know when a realtor is going to ask to bring a client by. A clean, clutter-free house generally suggests that the house is well maintained. However, the process of downsizing and packing isn’t usually tidy.
If your budget permits, you might find it less stressful to move, clean out the house, and then hire a staging company. Professional home stagers are experts at creating an environment that attracts buyers and closes deals more quickly. They’ll even bring in enough furniture and décor to help make the home look inviting.
- Are you willing to accommodate showings at all hours?
Potential buyers might work and have busy family schedules. Or they may be visiting from out of town and have a tight timeline. This often results in requests for early-morning or late-evening showings. When you first list your house, you may even have multiple viewings in one day. While you can restrict access to certain days and times, it might cause you to miss out on a sale.
Also keep in mind that when a home is being shown to potential buyers, the real estate agent often asks the homeowners to be absent. It is important to consider whether these interruptions will pose a hardship.
I hope these tips help you and your husband decide what option is the best fit for your budget and future plans!
Kind regards,
Donna
Visit Independent Living at Heritage
We invite you to include a Heritage independent living community near you in your search. Call us today to schedule a tour!
