Assisted Living Checklist: What to Pack

 

Moving can be an overwhelming experience for anyone, especially seniors who are downsizing. They may have to make some hard decisions about the belongings coming with them. Before moving day, it will be extremely helpful to obtain the floor plan with the correct dimensions of the apartment your loved one is moving into.

Having accurate dimensions on hand will make the packing process that much easier because it will allow you to help mom or dad make smarter decisions about what belongings can go along with them. If your loved one can bring their favorite belongings into the new living space (like their comfy recliner chair), then the assisted living community will start to feel more like home.

If you’re still not sure how to start, check out the packing checklist below the team at United Methodist Communities at Collingswood put together. 

Furniture and other home essentials

Their new living space will most likely be smaller than what they’re used to. Make sure to identify and narrow down which home furnishings are the most important to hang onto. 

• Sofa, chairs, and end tables (include extra folding chairs for visitors)
• Dishes, bowls, glasses, and utensils
• Towels and bedding- comforter, throw pillows, mom’s homemade quilt…
• Important Keepsakes and knick-knacks
• Framed photos of family and pieces of artwork

Living necessities & toiletries

Check the assisted living community first to see what necessities may already be available to your loved one.

• Appliances (if not provided) – mini-fridge, coffeemaker, microwave, TV, and radio
• Clothes hangers and closet organizers 
• Assistive devices – eyeglasses, hearing aids, canes/walkers
• Cleaning wipes for quick clean-ups
• Favorite books and games 
• List of prescriptions 
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, razor or buzzer
• Shampoo, conditioner, soap and lotion
• Make-up

Clothes

Take the climate into consideration when helping your loved one pack clothing staples. 

• Clothing – sweats, tracksuits, jeans, and sweaters
• Pajamas and robe
• Socks, slippers and comfortable shoes
• Jackets and warm coats
• Formal outfits for special occasions

More packing tips: 

• Figure out a solid packing plan with your family as soon as possible. Moving always takes longer than expected.
• Start sorting through the smallest room in your loved one’s house. The smallest room will be the easiest to tackle. 
• When sorting through belongings, make “yes” or “no” piles only! 
• Do not pack alone! All family members can take turns and alleviate stress by sharing this responsibility. 
• Use this time as a bonding experience. Mom or dad will have the chance to reminisce over the memories associated with each special item and share these stories with the entire family. 

Assisted Living in Collingswood, New Jersey

Once mom or dad is settled in their new place, help them create a cozy home feeling by placing items where they’re used to seeing them. For example, set up the living room with the same sofa, chairs and framed photos that were in their previous home. It’s also important to remember that the staff is also there to help your loved one settle in.

Here at Collingswood, our highly-trained associates are available 24/7 to help residents transition to community living more positively. Whether they need daily reminders to join group activities or someone to just listen to their downsizing struggles, the associates at UMC are here to support and encourage your loved one to live life more abundantly. 

For more information about assisted living services at Collingswood, or any of our other senior communities across New Jersey, please contact United Methodist Communities and book your visit today.

Originally posted: https://collingswood.umcommunities.org/collingswood/assisted-living-checklist-what-to-pack/

Diabetic Treatments Have Come a Long Way

 

A day in the life of a person with Type 1 diabetes includes finger pokes to check blood sugar levels, counting carbs, and insulin injections. However, managing this disease hasn’t always been so easy. 

Here is how far we’ve come in the treatment of diabetes and how our assisted living community in Pitman, NJ can help you. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been living with diabetes for a while, our full-service community is well equipped to help you manage your diabetes. 

What is diabetes exactly? 

Before we jump into treatments, it helps to really understand what diabetes is. In the simplest terms, diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. To expand on this, the food we eat is broken down into sugar and released into your bloodstream. When blood sugar levels go up, the pancreas releases insulin to turn the sugar in your blood into energy. If you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin effectively. Without insulin to regulate sugar in the blood, more serious health issues can develop over time, such as loss of limbs, heart disease, kidney disease, and vision loss. 

The history of diabetes and the treatments available today

Did you know that insulin wasn’t discovered until the 1920s? I bet you’re wondering how people with diabetes coped before then? Unfortunately, the answer is not very well. Children rarely lived more than a year after diagnosis and adults sometimes lived 10 years with the disease and had many complications, such as loss of limbs. It wasn’t until the 1970s, until we made breakthroughs in treatment. Here are some of the ways to manage chronic diabetes. 

• Home testing kits so people can check their blood sugar levels 
• Insulin “pen” delivery system, so people can perform their own insulin injections at home
• Seeing an endocrinologist (a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hormone-related diseases like diabetes) frequently 
• Maintaining a healthy diet and keeping active 

Today, people who practice good home care and see medical professionals on a frequent basis rarely develop the more serious complications associated with diabetes. This is because diabetes is a manageable disease when treated effectively. 

Treating Diabetes at UMC at Pitman

Although there is no cure, this chronic disease is very easy to manage with the right treatment. Here at Pitman, we provide care for residents with diverse medical conditions.  We can help residents living with diabetes to lose excess weight, maintain a healthier diet and keep active. By incorporating all the methods mentioned above, residents can live their most abundant life with diabetes. 

If you’d like to see if we’re the right assisted living option in Gloucester County, New Jersey, or if you’d like more information about our long-term care options, please contact us today. 

Assisted Living Changed for the Better During COVID-19

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has put our team to the test as frontline workers, caregivers and medical personnel. We are so proud to say that our infection control expertise, the fast implementation of our health and safety initiatives, as well as our dedication to teamwork, has made senior living in Cape May County safer than ever before.

UNITEDforSAFETY™: A leading COVID-19 initiative for United Methodist Communities

Understandably, many people were concerned about moving into assisted living during COVID-19, but the team at UMC knew that seniors needed access to more help – not less – during this time. We are proud of the implementation of UNITEDforSAFETY across all of our full-service senior living communities in New Jersey.

Once the pandemic hit, our associates put their heads together and sprung into action to protect those who needed it the most. The UNITEDforSAFETY standard is a set of comprehensive protocols, procedures and equipment to combat COVID-19 and other potential health risks.  

Some examples of the UNITEDforSAFETY procedures are…

• Utilizing negative air pressure machines
• Using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified products that kill 99.9% of bacteria on a daily basis
• Regular screenings of residents, associates, visitors, and vendors
• Limiting communal activities and indoor visitation
• Enhanced cleaning of resident rooms, communal spaces, and other high-touch areas
• Mandating hand washing and strategically placing hand sanitizer stations throughout the building
• Requiring social distancing and a quarantine period if necessary 
• Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as needed

Moving into 2021 with more innovative ways to connect

It is definitely possible to create a social life for seniors in assisted living during the pandemic. It isn’t easy, but we truly understand how important it is for older adults to stay active and engaged at all times. With that said, we’ve incorporated new ways to keep seniors in touch with family and friends, and to keep their social calendars full while minimizing COVID-19 risks.  

• Color-Coded Levels of Socialization. Our color-coded zones allow our associates to understand what guidelines are in effect (i.e. outdoor visitation, dining, socialization, and limited indoor visitation with PPE required).

• Zoom Calls. All residents have access to iPads, tablets, and computers, along with technological assistance from our associates. Not only can residents more easily connect with their families, but they could also join Zoom sessions with their fellow residents for group social activities. 
• Theme Days. With proper health and safety guidelines in place, there’s no reason why our residents can’t participate in themed activities like “Disney Day” or “Pajama Day.” At UMC at The Shores, we love our fun theme days and will keep them coming in the New Year! 

Leading the way in community safety for seniors in Cape May County

Today, we are more than ready to bring your loved one into our community. We’ve come out of 2020 a stronger, more proactive, and COVID-aware community that works harder than ever to prioritize senior health and safety, as much as senior independence.

To find out more about our senior living community in Cape May County, contact us today or visit our website at: https://theshores.umcommunities.org/

Originally posted: https://theshores.umcommunities.org/the-shores/assisted-living-changed-during-covid-19/

5 Ways to Deal with Senior Loneliness

 

Senior loneliness is a very real and serious issue. Especially over the winter months and during the COVID-19 pandemic when isolating at home is safer than traveling, seeing loved ones, or even going to the grocery store. Here is some helpful advice from the team at our independent living community, Bristol Glen, on how to manage senior loneliness and why it truly matters to us.

How to manage senior loneliness

#1 – Introduce new, social hobbies. Whether they bring back an old hobby or develop a new skill, hobbies bring a sense of purpose and enjoyment into life. They keep people busy and help to form strong social connections that fight off loneliness. There are endless hobbies available to seniors of all abilities, from knitting and crocheting to yoga, tai chi, and dancing.

#2 – Passing on skills. Seniors have rich histories filled with successful careers and useful skills that can be passed onto younger generations. Mentoring programs (even ones online) are a great way to share that knowledge, feel a sense of purpose, and take part in the community. Teaching is one of the most rewarding things you can do in life. It will reinforce a senior’s sense of worth in the community, while passing on skills to people who actually want to learn them.

#3 – Light therapy. The winter months, especially after the holidays, can get anybody down! With dark, short days, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can easily make you feel tired, unmotivated, unenergetic, and sad. It’s an easy disorder to treat – all they need is a little bit of light therapy! Going into the sunlight for as little as 20 minutes a day boosts serotonin (the happiness hormone) and increases Vitamin D production, which is important for bone and general health. It’s a bit cold outside for older adults at the moment, but sitting in a sunny spot indoors has the same effect. You can also get a SAD light that has a special lightbulb that emits the same light as gentle rays.

#4 – Adopting a pet. If your senior loved one is fairly fit and mobile, adopting a pet is a fantastic option. There are so many benefits apart from companionship. Seniors with pets have healthier blood pressure levels and pulse rates, report 21% fewer trips to the doctor, suffer less with depression and are more motivated to live healthier lives for their fur babies. Pets are also a great way to meet people, and to help someone through the loss of a loved one.

#5 – Creating a Support Network. Creating a network of family, friends, and neighbors will help keep your loved one to be an active part of your social group. Everyone has busy lives these days, but having a support network will help everyone stay connected more easily. Great ideas include a daily check-in call or text from a neighbor, nearby family member or friend, and weekly family video meetings to catch up on the latest news in everyone’s life. 

As a senior living community, we know the importance of connection and take steps to manage senior loneliness. It’s one of the reasons why the social aspect of a senior community is every bit as important as the medical aspect. Here at Bristol Glen, we do everything possible for seniors to live a life that enhances them – mind, body, and soul. 

For more information on our senior care services in Bristol Glen, please contact us today or visit our website at: https://bristolglen.umcommunities.org/assisted-living-sussex-county-nj/

Originally posted: https://bristolglen.umcommunities.org/bristol-glen/5-ways-to-deal-with-senior-loneliness/

3 Cognitive Exercises to Delay Memory Loss

 “Minds are like parachutes, they only function when open.” Who knew such a profound message came from Thomas Dewar – yes, the distiller for Scotch whisky. Nevertheless, it’s a quote that everyone should live by, especially those experiencing memory loss.

Many studies have shown that when people keep their minds active, their thinking skills are less likely to decline. With that said, what are some ways to keep our minds active? Just like our bodies, exercise is the best way to take care of our minds as well. Our assisted living team in Pitman, NJ has put together a list of the best cognitive exercises to retain memory function. 

1. Exercise #1: Puzzles. Besides being fun, puzzles are also a real mental workout! Did you know puzzles can exercise both the left and right side of the brain? The right side of the brain controls your creativity, while the left side is responsible for logic and analytical thinking. Puzzles are also a great way to improve problem-solving skills and short-term memory, as we have to remember the shapes and sizes of puzzle pieces, and then figure out where they fit in.

2. Exercise #2: Play board games with family. Get your kids, grandkids or close friends together for a weekly game night. Mix it up by trying new games each week. The added bonus to activities like these? Social connections will also help stimulate brain activity. As we are still feeling the effects of COVID-19, it’s important to maintain social distancing and hygienic guidelines when getting together with loved ones. Perhaps, a Zoom game night might be the best call on this one. 

3. Exercise #3: Learning a new skill. Did you ever want to play the piano? Or how about learning how to speak Italian? Well, now is the time to do it! Learning a new skill increases myelin in the brain. Myelin is the white matter that helps improve our overall brain performance on a number of tasks. People who continue to learn new things are also less likely to develop dementia. This is because dementia is linked to demyelination which is the damage or loss of myelin in the brain.

 

Tapestries® Memory Care at United Methodist Communities in New Jersey 

Our Tapestries® Memory Care focuses on retaining the thinking abilities of each resident by creating customized care plans. We adapt to the natural routines of each person to make them feel comfortable and enrich their quality of life. 

Our associates have been extensively trained in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and keep themselves up to date with the latest research-based practices in memory care. UMC has been successfully welcoming new memory care residents during COVID-19. To read more information regarding our industry-leading guidelines in navigating the Coronavirus, click here. 

If your loved one suffers from early stages of dementia, please call our assisted living community in Gloucester County to find out how we can meet their needs, as well as yours. To learn more about our Tapestries® Memory Care across New Jersey, please contact United Methodist Communities today. 

Originally posted: https://pitman.umcommunities.org/2021/01/12/3-cognitive-exercises-to-delay-memory-loss/

Keep Moving: The Mantra of Aging Gracefully

 

“Move it or lose it!” Not sure if that expression was originally used to describe aging, but it should have been. Maintaining your mobility is key to keeping your independence as you age. In order to have the best quality of life in your senior years, you have to fight the urge to be a solitary couch potato. 

Here are some (of the many!) advantages to staying active in your senior years. The United Methodist Communities HomeWorks team has also included examples of mobility exercises that older adults can perform safely at home.

Why exercise is key for older adults 

It’s safe to say that everyone could be exercising a bit more – after all, the most popular New Year’s resolution is to sign up for the gym! But it’s even more important for adults over 60 years old. Here’s why:

• Helps you stay independent. When you lose your mobility as a senior, you lose a part of your independence. And the only way to prevent this from happening is to keep moving! Just 30 minutes a day of strength and cardio training will help older adults build the necessary muscle mass to keep them moving without any extra help.
• Supports healthy brain activity. Physical activity is just as essential for brain health as mental stimulation. Exercise helps to boost blood and oxygen circulation throughout the body. Not to mention, multiple studies show that regular exercise can reduce the risk of developing dementia by as much as 30%.
• Reduces arthritis pain. Exercising regularly lubricates your joints which helps reduce the pain and stiffness caused by arthritis. It also reduces overall pressure on your joints, which can help you shed some unwanted weight more easily. 
• Lowers your risk of heart disease. Heart disease is an extremely common condition for older adults in the US. Exercise is incredibly effective at lowering the risks for heart disease because it improves circulation to the heart, helps reduce excessive weight, and keep issues like high cholesterol and diabetes at bay. 
• Promotes better sleep. One of the most common issues seniors experience —  trouble sleeping. Not only do we tend to sleep lighter as we age, many medications can also prevent us from sleeping well. Exercise is a great cure, helping to tire the body and mind. Just remember to exercise each day (preferably not in the two hours before bed) and you should be able to sleep soundly every night.
• Helps fight depression. There are many ways to treat depression, and one of the most effective is exercise, which can reduce symptoms by as much as 30%. Not only does exercise benefit the body, it also helps the mind by preventing and treating feelings of isolation, depression, loneliness, and anxiety.

Senior mobility exercises to try

There’s no need to order the latest Nikes and start training at a marathon level. Exercise should be something you enjoy that is tailored to your abilities, not some dreaded event you don’t want to get out of bed for. Here are some mobility exercises suited for older adults. Please note: consulting your primary caregiver before performing any new exercises is advised. 

• Yoga and pilates – Build strength, improve balance, and relax your mind with yoga and pilates. What’s great is you don’t have to leave your home to participate! You can find many free yoga and pilates videos to follow on YouTube.

• Dancing – Dance is the perfect balance of entertainment and exercise, allowing you to enjoy great music and get a good cardio workout in at the same time. Like yoga and pilates, you can dance in the comfort and privacy of your own home with many videos available to watch on YouTube. 

• Nature walks – The outdoors benefit  the mind, body, and soul! Although it’s cold outside, it’s more than feasible to bundle up before taking a short walk around the neighborhood. 

 

Exercising with UMC HomeWorks  

The hardest part of sticking to a workout routine is staying motivated. You have to hold yourself accountable. A lot of the time, it helps when you have someone else to hold you accountable as well. With UMC HomeWorks, we have home health aides available who can come to your home and provide as little or as much support as needed. Whether it’s cooking, cleaning, shopping or getting a morning workout in, our carefully screened and certified aides are ready to help! 

To find out more about our in-home care services, please contact us today or visit our website at: https://homeworks.umcommunities.org/home-health-aide-services/

Originally posted: https://homeworks.umcommunities.org/blog/keep-moving-the-mantra-of-aging-gracefully/

Smart Home Technology: Understanding the Benefits for Seniors

 

Smart home technology has made life easier and more convenient for so many people over the last decade. Devices like voice-controlled thermostats and lights, voice-activated coffee machines, voice-controlled security systems, and customized daily reminders make your home as comfortable as possible.

For seniors who live alone or in a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), smart home technology can enhance their lives and create a safer environment. It also allows them to retain their independence and can give their loved ones peace of mind. So, what are some of the most popular smart home technologies, and how can they benefit seniors?

• Smart thermostats for improved sleep quality. We’ve all experienced restless nights, trouble falling asleep, and waking up because we’re too hot or too cold. Getting a good night’s rest is essential for your health, especially for seniors. Using a voice-controlled smart thermostat will help you achieve the right temperature in your bedroom without having to move. Therefore, keeping your sleep uninterrupted and sound.
• Smart medication dispensers. It’s so easy to get distracted and forget to take your daily medications. Or to forget what time you’re supposed to take each medication. For seniors who are on multiple medications, taking them at the right times throughout the day is essential. Smart medication dispensers like Reminder Rosie help you stay organized and on track with your medication schedule. You can also use certain medication dispensers to remind you of other daily tasks and appointments. Think of it as a multipurpose to-do list!
• Smart technology for a safe, energy-efficient environment. How many times have you left the house and accidentally left some lights on, or couldn’t remember if you turned the stove off? Have you ever left in a hurry for a weekend trip and forgot to adjust your thermostat? Not only can these things run up your monthly electric bill, but a stove left turned on can be dangerous.
  Smart technologies allow you to use voice commands to turn off lights, adjust the thermostat, and even switch off the stove. Some smart home technologies use sensors to switch off appliances when no one is using them, or you can put your systems on a timer to ensure you never forget again.

Integrating technology with independent senior living communities

Smart home technology has been hugely beneficial for CCRCs and assisted living communities. By harnessing the power of technology, residents are able to remain independent for longer, lead safer lives, and maintain better control of their environments.

Smart home technology can also be used by staff to alert them when there’s a possible fall or injury. This allows them to check on the resident as soon as possible and provide assistance if needed. In the past, when a senior fell, they often had to wait until someone found them, prolonging their discomfort and injuries. By utilizing smart technologies, CCRCs can ensure residents will remain as safe as possible in the event of an injury or a fall.

Our CCRC in Newton NJ, Bristol Glen has independent living apartments for the residents that utilize smart home technology. We encourage residents to maintain as much independence as possible, and our smart technology helps them do this while ensuring their apartments are safe, comfortable, and suited to their needs. Our residents love the ease and convenience of our “smart” apartments.

For more information about independent living at UMC at Bristol Glen, or any of our other communities in New Jersey, please contact United Methodist Communities today at: https://bristolglen.umcommunities.org/contact/

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/smart-home-technology-understanding-the-benefits-for-seniors/

5 Essential Questions to Ask an Assisted Living Community

 

If your parent or loved one is reaching a point in which living independently is no longer the best option, it may be time to consider an assisted living community. A community setting that specializes in senior care can provide the necessary support mom or dad needs, while also keeping them safe and healthy. Not to mention, an assisted living community like UMC at Collingswood provides residents with many opportunities to socialize! 

It can be overwhelming to decide on the right community for your senior family member. You want to make sure they’re in the best hands possible, and feel confident with the final decision. Once you narrow down senior living communities to tour nearby, we recommend asking each community the critical questions below. 

• Question 1: What is your background in senior care? How long have you been caring for seniors?
  Perhaps the most important question is what is the community’s background in senior care? How long have they been doing it and why do they do it? When entrusting your loved one’s care to someone else, you want to make sure that community has their best interest in mind. United Methodist Communities, for example, has continued to grow and innovate to meet the needs of older adults for 113 years.
  
  Each of the full-service UMC campuses has been designed as a continuum to allow residents to access multiple care levels under one roof.  And throughout the years, our philosophy has essentially stayed the same: to provide all seniors with the most abundant lifestyle. 

• Question 2: Are staff members, including medical professionals, onsite 24/7?
  Assisted living residents should be relieved of day-to-day responsibilities like traveling to and from doctors’ appointments, remembering to take prescriptions, cooking meals, and cleaning. Staff members  assist residents with daily tasks of living at all times of the day. Wellness providers should also be on site 24/7 in case of a medical emergency. Here at UMC, our highly-qualified team of associates are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide care that is tailored to the wants and needs of each resident. 

• Question 3: Do staff members have experience and qualified training in caring for residents with dementia?
  Even if your loved one does not currently have dementia, this is still an important question to address. It would be very stressful to move into an assisted living building and then find out a couple years later you have to move again, as your current community does not offer memory care services. UMC’s memory care program called Tapestries® focuses on the cognitive strengths of each resident by adapting to their natural routines. This process ensures their comfort and enriches their quality of life. Our associates also stay  up to date with the latest research-based practices in memory care.

• Question 4: Are there procedures in place to combat COVID-19 and preserve the health and safety of residents?
  Many people still feel uneasy about moving their parents into an assisted living community since the pandemic hit. In reality,  many senior living communities have extensive experience in infection control. Along with other strategies, they implemented efficient health and safety procedures early on to minimize COVID-19’s impact. The right community should be able to provide you with extensive information regarding their COVID-19 responses. For example, UMC has developed “UNITEDforSAFETY,” which is quickly becoming the industry standard for infection control and cleanliness.  

• Question 5: What are the costs associated with assisted living?
  Monthly assisted living costs vary  by  the community and the types of service your loved one needs. The base cost for an assisted living community depends on the selected floor plan, apartment size, and the care services and amenities selected. For example, seniors with dementia that require 24/7 health monitoring will cost more than a senior who only needs help with a few daily tasks, such as dressing and bathing. For more information on assisted living costs at UMC, please visit our website. 

Assisted Living at United Methodist Communities in Collingswood, NJ

Choosing the right assisted living community for your parent is a huge decision for your family. Ask as many questions as you need to until you are satisfied with the level of care, policies, and costs. Use the questions above to compare communities as you tour to help you reach a final choice successfully. 

At UMC at Collingswood, we’re committed to providing your loved one with a senior living experience that enhances all aspects of their wellbeing – mind, body and soul. If you’d like to see if we’re the right assisted living option in Camden County, New Jersey, for your loved one, please contact us today to schedule a personal tour. We’d love to hear from you.