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4 Ways to Keep a Senior with Dementia Safe on Halloween

4 Ways to Keep a Senior with Dementia Safe on Halloween

by | Oct 28, 2019 | Alzheimer's and Dementia

For many, Halloween is a time for costumes, spooky decorations, and trick-or-treating. Unfortunately, many of these traditional celebrations can be overwhelming for a person with dementia. Because this disease affects the ability to process new information, it can be difficult for those affected to distinguish reality from fiction. 

By understanding the challenges a person with dementia may experience on Halloween, caregivers can take steps to keep their loved ones safe.

Halloween Safety for Seniors with Dementia

  1. Be considerate when wearing a costume.

Dressing up is one of the most popular ways people celebrate Halloween. Because your senior loved one might struggle differentiating reality from pretend, costumes can be confusing. They may not realize painted blood is not real or that there is a friendly face behind a scary mask. This may cause them to become scared or anxious.

If you are spending Halloween with your loved one, avoid wearing anything that conceals your identity. Instead, opt for something simple, like a festive tee or holiday-themed jewelry.

  1. Deter trick-or-treaters.

Trick-or-treaters are a hallmark of Halloween. Unfortunately, the continual ringing of the doorbell can be overwhelming for a person with dementia. Repeatedly opening the door to strangers can make matters worse, especially when they are wearing strange outfits.

Do your best to limit noise by placing your candy bowl on the porch. Or turn off the porch lights and leave a note on the door politely asking guests not to ring the doorbell.

  1. Avoid the commotion.

On Halloween night, the streets are often busy. Kids are trick-or-treating, neighbors are hosting haunted parties, and people are wearing costumes. The excess stimuli can be a lot for a person with dementia to handle.

Seniors with dementia are usually most comfortable staying inside with a close friend or family member. If no one is available to keep them company, you may want to consider respite care.

  1. Create a safe room.

Decorating is a common tradition on Halloween. Although it may be fun for you, a decorated house is not always easy for a person with dementia to navigate. They often rely on familiarity and structure, so changing their living space may lead to unnecessary stress.

Do your best to limit decorations. It may even be a good idea to create a safe room. Having a place free from decorations and unnecessary stimuli can be helpful if they become anxious or scared.

Having Fun on Halloween

Caring for a person with dementia on Halloween can be difficult, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. There are plenty of festive activities you and your loved one can do safely. 

Seniors who love to cook may enjoy baking a homemade pumpkin pie. Others may prefer to bring out their creative side by decorating a pumpkin. Sometimes, soothing music and a good meal is all you need to have a nice evening.

Memory Care at Heritage Senior Communities

Predicting possible dangers can be difficult for caregivers. By understanding the challenges a loved one with dementia experiences, you can better prevent accidents.

If you are struggling to keep a loved one with dementia safe, you may want to consider dementia care. Heritage Senior Communities offers specialized dementia care for seniors with memory impairments. Contact us today to learn more.

Setting Realistic Expectations for a Senior’s Move to Assisted Living

Setting Realistic Expectations for a Senior’s Move to Assisted Living

by | Oct 21, 2019 | Caregiving

Dear Donna,

My mom is selling her home to move to an assisted living community. She is ready to move but also sad to leave a place with so many happy memories. 

How can I help her set realistic expectations about the move to assisted living?

Sincerely,

Clara from Saline, MI

Setting Realistic Expectations for a Senior Living Move

Dear Clara,

Moving to an assisted living community is an exciting transition for many seniors. Regardless of how much your parents are looking forward to their new home, the change can still be challenging. It’s not easy to leave the place where they raised their family. 

Here are a few ways you can set realistic expectations for the entire family when a loved one is moving to an assisted living community.

Transitioning to Assisted Living

  1. Be patient with yourself and your parent.

Although your loved one may be looking forward to the move, it’s important to understand it can take time to adjust. Assisted living is a new lifestyle for them. Understand emotions may arise during the move, and be patient with them as they settle into their new home.

  1. Incorporate favorite belongings in the new space.

Even though many senior living communities are designed to feel homey, it can be helpful for your loved one to bring some items from their family home. Having a few cherished belongings around gives a sense of familiarity and creates positive associations with their new space. 

Depending on the size of their living area, they can bring anything from their favorite reading chair to a few decorative elements.

  1. Plan for ups and downs.

Ups and downs are inevitable, regardless of how well you prepare. Some days will be smooth, while others will be more challenging. Reminding your loved one of this when things aren’t going as planned can alleviate some of the pressure for perfection.

  1. Ask friends and family to visit.

For many people, their new place doesn’t feel like home until friends and family come over. Encourage the important people in your loved one’s life to visit or help with the move. Some seniors may want to show off their new place by hosting an open house. Regardless of when people visit, your senior loved one will appreciate having a familiar face around when they transition.

Moving Requires Change

Moving to a senior living community is a new chapter in your loved one’s life. Although they are saying goodbye to a home full of memories, they are saying hello to an exciting new lifestyle. By supporting them during this important move, you can help them ease into their new routine.

I hope this helps your mom transition to senior living. Good luck!

Regards,

Donna

Heritage Makes Moving to Assisted Living Easier

Heritage Senior Communities, including our Linden Square Assisted Living location, helps new residents prepare for their move to assisted living. By guiding seniors and their families through every step of the process, we can make the transition easier for everyone. 

To learn more about how we help seniors transition to assisted living, contact us today.

From Home Care to Assisted Living: Understanding Senior Care Options

From Home Care to Assisted Living: Understanding Senior Care Options

by | Oct 14, 2019 | Dear Donna

Dear Donna,

I have been caring for my father, who has Parkinson’s disease, for three years. Until recently, I’ve been able to assist him with his needs. As his condition progresses, I am finding it more challenging to take care of him and keep up with my responsibilities. I know he needs additional assistance, but I am not sure if I should explore local home care providers or assisted living communities.

Which senior care option would be best for my dad?

Sincerely,

Mia from Holland, MI

Understanding Senior Care Options

Dear Mia,

Caring for an aging parent with a progressive health condition is never easy. Not only do you watch their health decline, but your caregiving responsibilities continuously increase. It can be challenging to make time for yourself. Fortunately, there are many senior care options, including home care and assisted living.

Home Care versus Assisted Living

Starting with Home Care

Home care is popular among those who want to keep their loved ones at home. With home care, seniors have the advantage of staying in a familiar environment while a professional caregiver comes to them. The caregiver helps with nonmedical activities they need to perform to live on their own. If your loved one’s home is safe to live in and they require only a few hours of assistance with activities of daily living, home care can be an excellent choice.

Keep in mind, however, that home care is usually a short-term solution. As your loved one’s disease progresses, an assisted living community will most likely be a better option.

Transitioning to Assisted Living

Assisted living communities also support seniors with the activities they need to remain independent. Seniors move to an apartment or studio where they have access to around-the-clock care. In addition to more assistance, seniors may also enjoy the following perks:

  • On-site social events
  • A safer, more accessible environment
  • Experienced staff members who can offer advice

Assisted living can be a particularly attractive option for seniors with progressive illnesses, such as Parkinson’s. As their symptoms increase, they can adjust the amount of assistance they receive accordingly.

Deciding between Home Care and Assisted Living

Exploring senior care options is different for everyone. By exploring your options and understanding your loved one’s needs, you are more likely to find a solution that works for everyone.

I hope this helps you come up with an effective senior care plan for your dad.

Sincerely,

Donna

Heritage Senior Communities

At Heritage Senior Communities, including our Appledorn location, we are dedicated to helping seniors extend their independence. By assisting only when necessary, we help our residents stay in control of their lives and maintain their dignity. Contact us today to learn more about how we enable seniors to live their best lives.

How to Stay Healthy as Flu Season Approaches

How to Stay Healthy as Flu Season Approaches

by | Oct 7, 2019 | Dear Donna

Dear Donna,

I had the flu last year, and it took me weeks to recover. With flu season approaching, I want to do everything I can to stay healthy. How does the flu shot work, and what are some other ways I can protect myself?

As an older adult, I know I’m at higher risk for contracting the virus.

Sincerely,

Leslie

Staying Healthy during Flu Season

Dear Leslie,

By now, most seniors know a flu shot is the most effective way to avoid the flu. A flu shot works by introducing your body to just enough of the virus to trigger an immune response. 

There are two flu shots specially designed for seniors. They differ from other versions because they provoke a stronger immune response. While a flu shot is the best way for seniors to protect themselves from the flu, it isn’t the only method. There are other best practices you can use to stay healthy.

How Seniors Can Avoid Catching the Flu

1. Wash your hands frequently.

If you handle something with the virus and then touch your nose or mouth, you can catch the flu. Because the flu is very contagious, you also risk spreading it to others. Frequently washing your hands with soap and running water is an effective way to reduce both your risk of catching the flu and circulating germs to others.

2. Eat healthy.

Eating a healthy diet is another effective way to avoid the flu. By consuming foods rich in vitamins and micronutrients, you can strengthen your immune system. This helps your body fight off the flu or, at the very least, recover faster. Here are a few foods to include in your diet:

  • Salmon: Salmon is rich in vitamin D, which is particularly effective at preventing many respiratory infections, including the flu.
  • Blueberries: Blueberries contain flavonoids, which support a healthy immune response by working with gut microbes.
  • Lemons: Lemons are high in vitamin C, which strengthens the body’s resistance to viruses.

3. Get enough sleep.

Sleep is crucial for a strong immune system. Not sleeping enough has been shown to weaken the immune system. Chronic sleep deprivation can even make a person more vulnerable to infectious diseases. Seniors can reduce their risk of contracting the flu by improving their sleep. Aim for at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night.

4. Reduce stress.

Stress can weaken the immune system in many ways, particularly when it comes to chronic stress. It can inhibit your digestive system, raise your blood pressure, and increase your cholesterol levels. Prioritize keeping your stress levels to a minimum. The following activities can help:

  • Meditation
  • Regular exercise
  • Taking time to relax

Stay Healthy This Season

Being sick is never fun, but the flu can have lasting effects on a senior’s health. The best way to stay healthy is to avoid contracting the flu in the first place. By receiving a flu shot, steering clear from germs, and taking care of your overall health, you have the best chance at preventing the flu.

I hope this helps you stay healthy this flu season!

Regards,

Donna

Heritage Senior Communities Supports Senior Health

At Heritage Senior Communities, we understand how important it is for seniors to stay healthy. That’s why we make flu shots available to our residents. To learn more about how we help our residents stay healthy, contact us today to schedule a private tour.

How to Help a Senior Loved One Transition to Assisted Living

How to Help a Senior Loved One Transition to Assisted Living

by | Sep 30, 2017 | Caregiving

One of the best ways to help a loved one transition to assisted living may be by reflecting back on your own memories. What was it like to be ill or immobilized by an injury? What was it like to leave your kids when you dropped them off at kindergarten on the first day? How did you feel moving away from friends or family?

Your answers may help increase empathy for the transition that your Mom or Dad is about to make. Keeping your experiences in mind and following these suggestions can make the transition go a little more smoothly.

Supporting a Senior’s Transition to Assisted Living

Tour the senior living community

Visiting the new community may sound obvious, but it is vital to have sufficient opportunities to see what the community is really like, experience how the caregivers interact with residents and develop familiarity with the place. During the visits, encourage Mom or Dad to ask questions, voice concerns to you, and make some connections with staff and residents.

Once you’ve decided on a community, visit it a few more times with your senior loved one. Participate in activities and events. Stay for lunch or dinner. It can help make the new community feel more like home.

Consider emotions

No matter how much we like the new place, moving may create a feeling of loss. Adjustment takes time, and most people feel sad, angry or depressed at various stages after they’ve made a big move. That happens to eight-year-olds as well as eighty-year-olds.

Love and listening, support and faith, humor and reminiscing can go a long way to providing comfort at those times. Exercising kindness and compassion may help to reduce the fear.

Consider reasoning and logic

Remember why the decision to move was made. Write it down and post it for yourself and your loved one. Refer to it when you need to remind yourself why you are doing this.

It might feel like the wrong decision when the emotions of moving day take over, but “this too shall pass.” Try to focus your mind on how senior living communities improve the quality of life for older adults.

Create a tiny escape clause

If possible, provide a minor “out”, so the older person doesn’t feel trapped. For example, “Mom, if this doesn’t work, maybe we can make some adjustments. But let’s really give this an A+ honest effort. This is our best choice.”

If possible, help the senior make the move before putting their house up for sale. It can take some of the stress and fear out of the equation if you do.

Get the family involved

Contact family and friends who may be willing visit your loved one at the new community. Consider setting up a schedule for the first few weeks. This helps ensure a steady stream of friendly faces during the toughest days of the transition.

Establish some routines

Activities that build familiarity can be helpful to reduce transition stress. Suggest to your loved one that they start a routine, such as eating in the dining area or taking a walk at the same time each day. That will make it easier for staff and residents to see them and develop relationships.

Make it personal

Who am I now? Who was I? Who do I want to be?

Finding those answers are important to our identity and self-confidence at any stage of life. So as much as possible, help your parent identify their unique qualities and potential contributions, even though they may have limitations now.

Also, provide your Mom or Dad with items that remind them of different stages of their life. Familiar personal possessions and furnishings may be more comforting than buying all new furniture for the move.

Advocate for your loved one

Sometimes it’s little rules or small problems that can seem like a very big deal to a senior who recently relocated. Although the staff may be busy, most people want new residents to feel comfortable and at home in their new surroundings. Don’t be concerned about speaking up and acting as your loved one’s advocate. Resolving those issues can help to make an aging loved one feel safe and secure.

Trust your intuition

Intuition is that gut feeling that tells you something is wrong. Listen to it. Ask questions of yourself and respond in writing to generate deeper answers. Talk about it with others. The problem could be an old fear rearing its head or it could be a something that requires immediate action. Most of our parents tried to heed those feelings when they raised us. Now it’s our turn.

Visit Heritage Senior Communities to Learn More

At Heritage Senior Communities, we welcome you and your loved one to visit us. Our team will help provide support to make the transition comfortable for your mom or dad. Call us and schedule a time!