5 Fun & COVID-Safe Halloween Traditions for Families

 

It’s a spooky season! Even with a pandemic in effect, it is still possible to carry on fun traditions central to this exciting time of year. With Halloween just around the corner, you can definitely still take out the decorations, plan costumes, and stock up on candy. People of all ages can enjoy this holiday, so it’s time to start some new, COVID-safe Halloween traditions with the family.

1. Visit a pumpkin patch. While it is possible to buy your Halloween pumpkin from the grocery store, choosing it from a pumpkin patch is a fun day out that the whole family can take part in. With COVID-19 still among us, it’s important to call ahead or visit the website of the pumpkin patch before visiting. Duffield’s Farm near UMC at Pitman has new rules and procedures in place to keep all visitors safe, while they enjoy timeless traditions like hayrides, apple picking and pumpkin picking. 
2. Have a classic Halloween movie marathon. In the week leading up to October 31st, pick one Halloween movie to watch each night at home. It’s a sure-fire way to get into the Halloween spirit, plus you’ll never get sick of watching the classics. We recommend starting with It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. If your kids are older they’ll enjoy movies like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Ghostbusters, and The Addams Family. Your preferred streaming service should have a wide selection of Halloween-themed movies for people of all ages, so check it out and start planning your movie marathon now!
3. Host a haunted backyard. Instead of decorating the inside of your home like a haunted house, move the decorations outdoors. Hosting a haunted backyard is more COVID-safe, and a great opportunity for long-lost friends and family that live elsewhere to come by for some Halloween fun. You can still go all out with decorations, fog machines, spooky soundtracks, and scary window projectors, or opt for a more kid-friendly version.
   Whichever option you choose is guaranteed to fright and delight all who enter! With masks and proper social distancing in place, there’s no reason why close friends and family can’t stop by for a quick spooky tour. Don’t forget to have each member of your immediate family pop-out to give visitors a scare! 
4. Tell scary stories by candlelight. Who doesn’t love a classic ghost story? Light some candles, gather your immediate family in the living room, turn off all the lights, and share your best spooky tale. As each person finishes, have them blow out a single candle. So when it’s time to tell the final story, only one light is left. Perhaps a special prize is in store for the person who tells the scariest story.
5. Bake delicious Halloween-themed treats. Cookies shaped like ghosts, pumpkins, and black cats; orange and black cupcakes; and even spooky cheesecake – check out this great list of 81 Halloween treats to bake at home. Baking delicious treats with family is a great way to bond, make unforgettable memories and get into the Halloween spirit. 

Halloween Fun Near UMC at Pitman 

As mentioned before, Duffield’s Farm is open and operating under new COVID-safe guidelines. This means Halloween fun is far from cancelled this year! The best part? This farm, that hosts hayrides, apple picking and pumpkin picking, is only ten minutes away from our Pitman location. 

For more information about UMC at Pitman, or if you have any questions about our other communities across New Jersey, please contact United Methodist Communities and book your visit today. 

Original content posted on  https://umcommunities.org/blog/5-fun-covid-safe-halloween-traditions-for-families/

Winter is Coming: How Seniors Can Prepare Ahead of Time

 

Autumn has arrived and we’re enjoying the cooler temperatures, the changing leaves, and the festive feeling in the air. While many of us look forward to the colder months, along with winter comes cold and flu season, slippery sidewalks, and freezing temperatures.

For seniors especially, the winter season can be bothersome if they are unprepared. At United Methodist Communities, we recommend taking as many precautionary measures as possible to prepare for the challenges that come with the winter season. Some of these measures include:

Getting up to date with immunizations. Vaccines are an essential healthcare measure, especially as we age. Older adults are susceptible to the flu, pneumonia, and other illnesses and sometimes it can be difficult and time-consuming for seniors to recover. It’s important for seniors to speak with their primary care physician to ensure immunizations are up to date. 

Spending some time outside in the sunlight. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs as a result of reduced exposure to natural daylight. SAD is commonly reported in winter due to the gray, overcast days we sometimes experience during this season. That’s why it is important to take advantage of sunny weather and spend as much quality time outside as possible.

Making sure screenings are up to date. Being proactive and having routine screenings done now means seniors won’t need to leave the house for  doctor’s appointments on  cold, snowy days. Every primary care physician has a set of screenings recommended for people in this age group, including cholesterol, diabetes, osteoporosis, several cancers, vision and eyesight. Going into winter with a clean bill of health will be a huge sigh of relief for anyone.

Senior Health During The Colder Months 

Staying physically and mentally healthy during winter can be a challenge, especially for older adults. In addition to the preventative measures above, there are other strategies seniors can adopt to be as safe as possible this winter season:

• Stock up on the necessities. This includes food, water, any medications, toiletries, and cleaning supplies, used on a regular basis. If the weather conditions are too dangerous for driving, they’ll have everything they need to tide them over until the harsh weather clears up.
• Keep an extra pair of gloves, a scarf, and a hat in the car. If driving isn’t an option, keep an extra set of everything in a handbag because they may be needed when popping out for a short errand. It’s better to be a little too warm than too cold.
• Stay mentally and physically active. Winter can be difficult on our mental health and it’s tempting to stay curled up by the fireplace, but it’s essential to engage the mind and body by staying active. Playing board games, card games, puzzles, and crosswords will help the mind stay sharp. Physical activity can be a bit more difficult during winter, but even some light, daily stretching will be hugely beneficial.

Staying mentally and physically active is especially important for seniors in Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC). At UMC at Bristol Glen, we understand that the winter season takes a toll on our minds and our bodies, which is why we have dedicated programs that keep our residents active during the colder months. 

For more information about our Bristol Glen community, or if you have any questions about senior health, please contact United Methodist Communities today. 

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/continuing-care-retirement-community/winter-is-coming-how-seniors-can-prepare-ahead-of-time/

Senior Care of the Future: What it Could Look Like

 

People today are living longer than ever before. Thanks to advances in healthcare, ever-expanding knowledge in nutritional needs, and continuous improvements in medical technology, our lifespans have increased. It’s even been predicted that by the year 2050 one in six people will be older than 65 years old!

While we can certainly celebrate the fact that many of us will enjoy long, fulfilling lives, our increased life expectancy raises questions around senior care. What is the best way to care for a growing population of older adults?

Researchers are studying attitudes towards telehealth technologies that improve the quality of care older adults receive, and the senior living industry itself to determine what the future of senior care might look like. Here are some of their findings and predictions:

Attitudes about assisted living are becoming more positive. Many of us have had difficult conversations with our aging family members about senior care, and many of us have received expected resistance. But there’s evidence that seniors are starting to feel more positive about community-based care facilities because they’re able to retain their independence, their freedom, and feel more supported. They much prefer a community-based approach  over a rigid, highly-structured approach. As more care communities pivot towards a community-based model, older adults will be more willing to enter assisted living.

Technology will play an essential role in senior care. At United Methodist Communities, we use technology to deliver the best care to our residents. Two-way video telehealth calls with primary caregivers, monitoring vitals with a secure app, and AI-powered (artificial intelligence)fall prevention are just a few technologies we use to administer the most efficient and convenient care. Seniors can also use digital tools to set medication reminders, have questions answered by specialists, and share data like daily blood pressure readings with their physician instantly.

Acknowledge that there is no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to senior care. Much of the resistance that older adults have toward assisted living has to do with their individuality. They want to live somewhere that accommodates their unique routines. Older adults still enjoy their freedom, and they’re averse to strict schedules with no flexibility. With that said,  assisted living communities are now acknowledging that a blanket approach is not ideal. Instead they’re creating environments where residents can thrive, live life on their own terms, and retain all of the qualities that make them unique. 

Senior Living at UMC Collingswood 

Assisted living facilities must prepare for an increasing older adult population and make the necessary adaptations. When looking at senior living communities for you or for a loved one, here are some helpful questions to ask:

• Do you have a resident-directed approach to assisted living? Can you tell me about it?
• How do you support the individual needs of each resident?
• How are you using telehealth to improve the quality of healthcare?
• What other technologies do you use that enhance quality of life?
• Can you tell me about your onsite security and safety?

Assisted living facilities like our community at Collingswood should have satisfactory answers for each question. They should also  share examples of everything they’re doing to support current residents, while transitioning into senior care of the future.

For more information about senior care at UMC Collingswood, or any of our other communities across New Jersey, please contact United Methodist Communities today to book your visit. We look forward to hearing from you.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/covid-19-update/senior-care-of-the-future-what-it-could-look-like/

What is Telehealth and How Can I Take Advantage of it?

 

As we continue dealing with COVID-19 and advising older adults to stay home whenever possible, New Jersey telehealth services have become an important part of many peoples’ everyday lives.Telehealth is defined as the administration of healthcare and health-related services via telecommunication technologies.

Examples of telehealth services include  routine medical check-ups from home via video conference with your doctor, using an app to monitor your blood pressure, and using an online portal to request medication refills. By using this technology, we are able to connect patients to their healthcare providers quickly, safely, and from the comfort of home. 

More Benefits of Telehealth Services

Healthcare providers can see more patients virtually versus in person, which means  patients enjoy shorter waiting times and eliminate travel time. We’ve all experienced long waits in doctor’s offices, but with virtual appointments both healthcare professionals and patients benefit from efficient time management.

Telehealth services allow doctors to connect with and provide care for patients who have limited mobility and difficulty attending in-person appointments. For older adults who have mobility issues, going to a doctor’s appointment poses certain risks and can be physically and emotionally exhausting. 

Medical professionals have integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI) into certain telehealth practices. By using AI doctors can analyze, screen, and treat certain medical conditions remotely, monitor for falls and other injuries, reduce in-person contact for vulnerable people, and patients can have AI-powered conversations to find answers to their questions. 

Most importantly, telehealth improves patient satisfaction. The nationwide pharmacy chain, CVS, has a telehealth service called MinuteClinic, and a recent survey of their patients reported a satisfaction rate of up to 99%.  

We’ve seen a surge in telehealth services since the start of COVID-19. Pivoting to technology-enabled healthcare may feel daunting to some people, especially older adults, but with proper support and guidance they can enjoy the benefits and convenience of telehealth.

Virtual Healthcare Through United Methodist Communities 

UMC is proud to be a licensed New Jersey telehealth provider and we’re working with trusted partners to ensure our residents continue receiving the best medical care via remote patient monitoring, video consultations, remote treatments and more. 

Some of the ways we’ve been supporting our residents using telehealth include:

• Wearable patches that monitor vitals like heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature. The real-time data from the patches is transmitted to a secure smartphone app, where clinical associates can track it and be alerted to any changes.
• Two-way live video conferences that connect patients to onsite staff, primary physicians, specialists, and other healthcare providers anywhere in the country. These live video calls also keep our residents connected to their family members, which provides great emotional support when in-person visitation isn’t possible.
• Fall prevention technology. Artificial intelligence (AI) motion analysis predicts when a resident intends to leave their bed or chair, 31 to 65 seconds before they get up. Alerts are then sent to  the monitoring associates on the floor to detect and prevent falls.

Telehealth has become an integral component of resident care in the wake of COVID-19. Our goals are to continue improving health outcomes through virtual healthcare, reduce costs associated with traditional healthcare, and to maintain the level of healthcare that all residents deserve.

For more information about UMC and how we’re using technology to support our residents with their virtual healthcare journeys, please contact us today.

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/what-is-telehealth-and-how-can-i-take-advantage-of-it/