by Shelley | Feb 21, 2022 | Dear Donna
Dear Donna:
My brother and I have recently started the search for an assisted living community in Michigan for our mother. She is reluctant to consider moving, so we are trying to narrow down the choices to those we strongly believe would be a good match.
Based on our research and phone calls, we have a list of assisted living communities that seem to meet our criteria. Our next step is to visit the communities. We can’t decide whether we should take her along. Should we wait until we’ve found what we think is the best community?
Can you offer any advice?
Elizabeth in Holly, MI
Visiting Assisted Living Communities for a Parent
Dear Elizabeth:
This is a great question that comes up quite often among adult children. When a senior isn’t fully onboard with moving to an assisted living community, having them go along on tours of communities you haven’t seen yet can be risky. If a community is obviously not the right fit, it can put your mom off moving. While you want your mother to feel like part of the decision-making process, screening out communities that don’t seem to be a good match is probably helpful.
Another factor to consider is your mother’s health. If she has problems with mobility, for example, limiting the number of assisted living communities you tour together might be the best approach. She will still feel involved in the process and have an opportunity to see communities without being overly taxed.
Whatever you decide, there are a few questions I recommend you ask:
- How long is the tenure of the average caregiver?
- What types of activities are available? Are there activities on weekends and evenings?
- What is included in the monthly fee? What additional expenses should you expect to incur each month?
- How did the community perform on its last state survey? Ask to see a copy of the survey if it’s not available online.
- If your mother’s care needs change, can the community accommodate them, or will she be required to move again?
- Can family members visit at any time or are visiting hours restricted?
- What steps are the community’s staff taking to protect residents from COVID-19?
AARP created a comprehensive checklist of questions to ask on an assisted living tour. You can download and print it here.
If your mother continues to be resistant to moving, you could take advantage of short-term stays. Known as respite care, it’s a good way for a senior to try out a community. Respite Care as an Assisted Living Trial has more details on these services.
I hope this information is helpful! Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
Kind regards,
Donna
Visit a Heritage Senior Community This Winter
With communities throughout Michigan and one in Indiana, we encourage older adults and their families to make Heritage a part of their search for assisted living. Call the Heritage community nearest you to learn more today!
by Shelley | Feb 14, 2022 | Caregiving, Dear Donna
Dear Donna:
My dad was diagnosed with a chronic health condition last spring. It’s a fairly complex illness with multiple physicians involved in his care. Because his condition came on suddenly, I never had an opportunity to come up with a system for organizing his medical calendar and onslaught of paperwork.
While I’m more of a technology person, my dad isn’t. He wants a system he can use instead of an online platform or app. Maybe it’s because our stacks of paper are so high, but the task feels daunting. Do you have any suggestions for organizing his health information?
Sincerely,
Dana in Saginaw, MI
Keeping a Senior’s Medical Information Organized
Dear Dana:
I understand your predicament! Keeping up with all the information health care providers pass along can be challenging. And the calendar can be equally difficult when a loved one has a variety of physicians on his care team. The key is to create a system that is easy to maintain and update. That will make you more likely to use it. These tips will help you get started.
Begin by sorting all your dad’s medical information by topic or category. Then place it all in a binder you take with you to appointments. Getting organized will make your role of family caregiver easier. A few suggested categories to include in your file are:
- Calendar: It’s convenient to store appointments in an app. It lets you set reminders and quickly view your dad’s schedule when you need to make physician appointments. But having a physical calendar as a back-up is important, too. It’s also easier to plan your entire week when you can quickly glance at all your dad’s appointments.
- Medical history: This broad category is a good place to include your dad’s visit notes from medical appointments, hospital discharge orders, and any health summaries a physician may have provided. It might also help to keep a chronological list of milestones in his diagnosis and treatment.
- Test results: While health care systems use electronic medical records, not all systems interact with one another. For older adults like your dad, who see multiple physicians, keeping hard copies of test results is a good idea. That makes it easier to share among his doctors during visits.
- Family medical history: When seeing a new patient for the first time, providers ask them to review their family medical history. This information helps physicians assess a patient’s predisposition for hereditary conditions. Having this information typed and saved on your computer makes it easy to update and print when you need to make changes.
- Medication list: At every medical appointment, you’ll likely be asked if your dad has started or changed any medications since his last visit. Create a list that includes medication name, dosage information, and the prescribing physician. Remember to include over-the-counter medications, too, as they can impact the effectiveness of prescriptions.
- Physician contact information: Create a list with your dad’s current and past physicians. Include contact information, such as office addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and fax numbers.
Make sure to create backup copies to store in a safe, secure location.
Finally, if you would like to utilize an app to make your role of caregiver easier, consider Healthspek. Apps like these are often a good solution for families, especially where multiple siblings are involved in care.
Good luck getting organized, Dana! I’m sure you’ll be happy you made time to do this.
Kind regards,
Donna
Get to Know Heritage Senior Communities
Planning for the future is important when you are a caregiver for a family member. An essential part of that plan is exploring local senior care resources, including senior living communities. For seniors in Michigan and Indiana, we encourage you to make Heritage a part of your search. Call a community near you to learn more!
by Shelley | Feb 7, 2022 | Alzheimer's and Dementia
When an aging parent has Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, adult children face unique challenges. Protecting a parent with memory loss can be tough. Initially, you might need to assist with paying bills and managing household finances. It is common for people with dementia to struggle with these tasks.
As the disease progresses, there are a variety of issues loved ones will need to monitor and take precautions for. These include kitchen fires, wandering, and medication management. If you are the caregiver for or family member of an adult who has Alzheimer’s, these tips will be useful.
How to Keep a Senior with Alzheimer’s Safe at Home
- Take advantage of GPS technology: Research shows 6 out of 10 people with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s will wander from home at some point. Locating them quickly is key to a safe return, and GPS tracking devices are one way to do that. A variety of products have GPS built in. You can choose a watch or pendant, or even an innersole that fits in a shoe. Many GPS devices use wireless technology, making it possible to track a senior’s location in real time or near real time.
- Conduct a kitchen safety audit: Kitchens present safety hazards at every age, but especially for those with memory impairment. Judgement is often impacted by Alzheimer’s, so it’s important to eliminate as many risks as possible. One issue to address is keeping towels, aprons, curtains, and other flammables away from the stovetop. If they are too close, they can brush against a burner and ignite. Also make sure sharp knives, chemicals, and other potentially hazardous items are stored safely out of the senior’s reach.
Encouraging a senior’s independence is linked to slower disease progression but preparing meals can be a challenge. A senior may leave the kitchen and forget about a pan cooking on the stove. A device called Cook Stop might help. This electronic unit senses when a pan has been unattended too long and turns the stove off.
- Establish medication management: Seniors with early Alzheimer’s, especially those living alone, may get medications mixed up or forget to take them altogether. Your family might find electronic pill dispensers Some even sound an alert and open the designated compartment on the dispenser at the appropriate time.
- Monitor finances: Poor judgment combined with forgetfulness can make it difficult for an adult with dementia to keep their financial affairs in order. Common behaviors include paying some bills twice while neglecting others. Scams and identity theft are other concerns.
Depending on the stage of the disease, a family member may need to monitor a loved one’s accounts online or completely manage all banking and financial matters. You can also set up credit card alerts to receive a text when the card is used remotely or spending limits are exceeded.
- Assess for fall risks: Alzheimer’s disease can cause changes in gait and vision that put a senior at increased risk for falls. By assessing their home for potential problems, you can minimize their fall risk. Stair treads, clutter, poor lighting, and throw rugs are hazards to look for. These fall prevention tips from the National Council on Aging will help you identify areas of concern.
Dementia Care Options to Consider
Despite your best efforts, there might come a time when caring for a loved one with dementia at home is no longer safe. Heritage has 8 dementia care communities throughout Michigan. We encourage you to call today to learn more about the benefits of specialized dementia care.
by Shelley | Jan 24, 2022 | Alzheimer's and Dementia
If a senior you love has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a similar type of dementia, you may worry about your risk for developing the condition. Unfortunately, the cause of Alzheimer’s continues to elude researchers, as do potential genetic links. But there are steps experts believe you can take to reduce your risk for the disease. One is regular exercise.
Physical Fitness and Brain Health
Research surrounding the connection between brain health and physical activity has increased in recent years. Studies continue to explore the idea that engaging in fitness activities seems to protect cognitive function longer. A study from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (UW SMPH), for example, suggests that lifestyle can impact your risk for Alzheimer’s.
Another study examined the amount of exercise it takes to make a difference. Older adults who participated in this study engaged in what is considered modest exercise, walking at a moderate pace on a treadmill for 30 minutes five times a week. A moderate pace is considered to be a speed that raises the heart rate while still allowing the participant to carry on a conversation.
So, what types of exercise should older adults discuss with their primary care physician? We have some ideas you might find useful.
Senior-Friendly Forms of Fitness
Some types of exercise are kinder on older joints than others. A few senior-friendly exercises to try are Tai Chi, chair yoga, swimming, walking, cycling, and Pilates. These are all good for managing pain associated with osteoarthritis, too.
Another idea is to explore the SilverSneakers program. If your health insurance plan is a participating organization, you might be entitled to a complimentary membership. Their classes take place at fitness centers across the country every day.
If you’d like a more directed fitness program but don’t want to join a gym, a few options include:
- Growing Stronger: This illustrated guide was developed by Tufts University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s designed to make it easier for seniors to get started with an exercise program and stay motivated. You can download it at no cost.
- Go4Life: The National Institute on Aging is home to a variety of fitness resources through a program called Go4Life. Here you’ll find everything from tools for tracking your fitness activities to finding the right workout clothes.
The bottom line is following your doctor’s advice and getting more exercise may do more than give you a healthier heart. It might just help to prevent or delay Alzheimer’s disease.
Wellness Activities at Heritage Senior Communities
At Heritage Senior Communities in Michigan and Indiana, residents have a variety of fitness activities to participate in every day. Popular ones include morning exercise with friends, Wii bowling, walking clubs, and chair yoga. Contact us at your convenience to learn how our communities make fitness fun!
by Shelley | Jan 17, 2022 | Healthy Aging
Growing up, most people heard that drinking milk was necessary to build strong, healthy bones. And it’s true. Milk contains calcium and vitamin D, which are linked to better bone health. What few people know, however, is vitamin D doesn’t occur naturally in many foods.
One way most of us get vitamin D is exposure to sunlight. When your bare skin is exposed to the sun’s rays, it synthesizes vitamin D from cholesterol. And it doesn’t take much sun for that process to occur.
While many people enjoy spending time outdoors in warmer months, winter is another story. In northern climates, it can be especially problematic. That’s why when the mercury drops, so do vitamin D levels. It can result in a serious vitamin D deficiency.
Health Problems Linked to Vitamin D Deficiency
Research shows a vitamin D deficiency has a negative impact on our health at every age, but especially as we grow older. Experts typically rank a deficiency in two categories:
- Early-stage: The early signs of vitamin D deficiency are often tough to notice and may be overlooked or misdiagnosed. The most common include muscle and joint pain, mood swings, unexplained fatigue, and weakness.
- Advanced: As the deficiency goes untreated, it can result in greater bone pain and possibly even bone fractures. The condition has also been linked to increased risk of heart and vascular disease, as well as some forms of cancer, including prostate, breast, and colon.
Vitamin D: How to Avoid a Deficiency This Winter
As we head into the heart of winter in Michigan and Indiana, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family elder from a vitamin D deficiency:
- Make good food decisions: Cold winter weather might make you want to reach for comfort foods and sugary treats. While they might make you feel better in the short run, most aren’t high in vitamin D or calcium. Try to work canned salmon, milk, tuna, and mushrooms into your meals instead. Vitamin D enriched foods also help. A few to consume are yogurt, cereal, orange juice, and eggs.
- Spend time outdoors: Getting a limited amount of sun exposure can also help. Check with your physician to see how much sunlight they suggest. A common recommendation is about 20 minutes of sun several times a week. If winter temps are too low to stay outdoors that long at one time, break it up over a few days.
- Consider supplements: Nutritionists say it’s best to get essential vitamins and nutrients through your diet. But in the case of vitamin D, that’s not always possible. If you are concerned you or a senior loved one’s vitamin D levels are low, talk with a physician. They might order a simple blood test to check. If you are deficient, your doctor can decide if you need a prescription dose of vitamin D or if an over-the-counter supplement will suffice.
Healthy Diets Are a Priority at Heritage Senior Communities
Seniors, especially those who live alone, often struggle to stick with a well-balanced diet. Meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking can be a lot of work for one person. It’s one reason older adults find their nutrition quickly improves when they move to a senior living community. Better nutrition also boosts their health and energy levels.
At Heritage Senior Communities, our dining teams are committed to creating meals that are both delicious and nutritious. We invite you to call the community nearest you to learn more!
