Relaxation Day: 3 Ways Seniors Can Unwind

Mark your calendars now: Relaxation Day is on the 15th of this month, and we all deserve some time to unwind. Especially our beloved seniors who have worked hard all their lives to provide for their families! Relaxation Day is a great opportunity to kick back and relax with your senior loved ones and show them you appreciate all they have accomplished. If you’re looking for ideas, here are some relaxation techniques and activities for seniors provided by our assisted living team in Ocean City, NJ.

#1 – Meditation and deep breathing

Have you ever felt the need to stop, sit, and just simply be, even if it’s just a few minutes? That’s meditation! There’s nothing too mysterious about it. In fact, the benefits are scientifically proven, with Harvard researchers showing that it reduces stress, clarifies the thought process, lowers blood pressure, and even improves empathy.

There are lots of ways to learn how to meditate, and it’s all about finding your personal preference. Some people like to sit outside under a tree, others like to focus on a candle flame, or listen to soft, gentle music. You can even use an app like Headspace or Insight Timer. 

Here are the basics:

• Find somewhere quiet where you won’t be disturbed.
• Sit comfortably, stacking your head above your neck, letting your shoulders draw backward and down. Use a cushion or sit in a chair if that helps.
• Close your eyes.
• Try to be present. Be aware of what’s happening right now – sounds, smells, thoughts, and sensations in the body. Don’t let yourself drift off, and try to just pay attention to the moment instead.
• It’s natural to get caught up in distractions, so try to keep your focus on your breath, breathing in and out at a slow, steady pace.
• Don’t give up, and be kind to yourself each time you drift off – it takes a lot of practice!
• Try to meditate for 10-20 minutes at a time, once a day.

#2 – Scents and sensations

Our environment can greatly affect how calm or agitated we are, so try and include calming elements in your home. It’s a good idea to start this project a while before Relaxation Day (and rope in some family and friends) so you can enjoy the results! 

Think about things like:

• Aromatherapy – Scented candles and diffusers with soft, natural essential oils like lavender, jasmine, sandalwood, and orange blossom. Plan a lovely long soak in the tub with some luxurious, scented bath bombs and pamper yourself!
• Color – Calming colors like warm greys and pale browns, soft blues and greens, off-whites, and soft pinks are cozy, welcoming, and calming. Treat your home as if it’s a spa or luxury hotel, and plan a makeover to create the perfect calming space!
• Textures – If you are redoing your décor, think about choosing soft, warm textures rather than those that are very bold, bright, or dominating. Natural fabrics and materials are a wonderful choice that makes us feel calm and relaxed as if we’re out in nature.
• Cleanouts – Clutter in the home can be incredibly stressful, making you feel claustrophobic, making it difficult to find things when you need them, and making a fall pretty likely! Get some help and plan a clean-out. Hold onto the things you love, replace the things that no longer work for you, and refresh your home to make it more functional, more open, and more relaxing to be in. Sit back, relax, and let the kids do the heavy lifting!

#3 – Get nurtured by nature

Reestablishing our connection to nature is an important way to get back to our roots, enjoy the blessings of our lives, and relax. Just remember to pack the sunscreen and a big floppy hat! 

Here are some ways to celebrate Relaxation Day in the great outdoors:

• Picnic – Plan a picnic in the park with your loved ones where the grandkids can run and play, you can share great food, and relax under the arms of a tree. 
• Nature walk – Take a gentle stroll through nature at a reserve, on a farm, or by a lake. It’s a great activity for all ages and can be combined with feeding the animals, fishing, picnicking, picking berries, or visiting a market.
• A family-friendly escape – Relaxation Day is also a great time to go off the beaten track and escape the hustle and bustle of the city. If you’re an independent senior, this could be the perfect opportunity to bond with the grandkids at a cabin, visit a nature resort, tour a national wildlife park, or even go camping.

UMC at The Shores is a leading assisted living community in Cape May County, offering seniors of all ages a full and independent way of life. Contact us today to find out more about our services, or visit our website at https://theshores.umcommunities.org/. 

Original content posted on https://theshores.umcommunities.org/the-shores/relaxation-day-3-ways-seniors-can-unwind/

5 Facts You May Not Know About Assisted Living

With so many different senior living options available, it’s easy to get them mixed up. What are assisted living communities really like? Are they all basically the same? Do some communities offer more custom services and levels of care? Can someone with dementia go to an assisted living community? Let’s find out some facts you may not know from our assisted living team in Ocean City, NJ.

Fact #1 – Assisted living is more than personal care services

The best providers offer a very wide range of services to residents that include:

• Personal care – Grooming, bathing, and dressing
• Nutritious meals or meal preparation
• Transportation to stores, appointments, social events and more
• Laundry and housekeeping
• Medication management and health monitoring
• Mobility assistance
• Home maintenance and repairs
• Hotel-like amenities like fitness centers and beauty salons

These services are designed to take care of all the essentials of daily living, making regular day-to-day tasks easier and supporting seniors in living a full and independent life.

Fact #2 – All services can be customized to the individual

At premier assisted living communities, you can choose the types of services your loved one needs. This helps match independence with assistance, which can be scaled up or down as your loved one’s needs change. For example, mom may require housekeeping, medication management and transportation, but not personal care like bathing or meal assistance. On the other hand, dad may need more intensive care due to a chronic health condition, while mom is more self-sufficient. A top notch community like UMC at The Shores will provide services to meet both of their needs.

Seniors can even move into assisted living communities temporarily when recovering from an illness or surgery, or if the family caregiver needs access to respite care. A short stay like this is a great way to give the community a trial-run before becoming a full-time resident!

Being able to tailor assisted living services is easier on residents and means you aren’t paying for services your loved ones do not want or require. 

Fact #3 – The amenities are great

Assisted living communities vary in terms of what amenities they provide their residents, and the best communities try to create a holistic community that enhances every aspect of resident life. This can include beauty salons and barbershops, art and fitness centers, swimming pools, gardens, places of worship, libraries, movie theatres and more. This helps promote a full, enjoyable and independent-style of living right on campus!

Fact #4 – Assisted living is different from a nursing home

Although both cater to the needs of seniors, they’re pretty different in reality! Assisted living is about creating a senior-friendly community, filled with similarly-aged residents who are out and about, enjoying life, and are fairly independent. Usually, residents have their own, apartment-style space, and can enjoy an extensive range of services, amenities, and social events. While some facilities do offer more intensive medical care for residents, the main focus in assisted living is living an abundant, social, and independent life.

Nursing homes cater to seniors who need skilled nursing care, constant supervision, and intensive medical treatment. While any senior can join an assisted living community, getting into a nursing home requires a professional recommendation by a physician. Generally, accommodation is shared in these communities, and it caters to residents who are bedridden or otherwise require a high level of care.

Fact #5 – Assisted living communities can take seniors with dementia

If you have a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s, you may think a nursing home is the only option. However, some of the top assisted living communities can assist residents with these conditions through a professional, specialized Memory Care program.

Qualified, experienced professionals will help manage symptoms and problem-solve strategies to handle challenges and difficulties associated with dementia. They will also employ memory-enhancing therapies to help stimulate cognitive function. Assisted living communities offering Memory Care help create a safe, secure, and supportive environment, especially in the earlier stages of these conditions.

Interested in exploring assisted living in Cape May County as an option for your loved one? Visit our website, call our team, and have an online consultation. You’ll quickly see how we can fit into your support network, and provide your loved one with the comprehensive care and fulfilling life they deserve. To learn more, visit us online at: https://theshores.umcommunities.org/

Original content posted on https://theshores.umcommunities.org/the-shores/5-facts-you-may-not-know-about-assisted-living/

Parkinson’s: 6 Tips to Help Your Loved One (And You) Cope

It’s not easy to be a caregiver to a loved one with Parkinson’s disease. You are constantly keeping track of doctors’ appointments, medications and new ways to slow the progression of the disease, as well as providing attention and support. Understandably, it may also feel like you are putting other elements of your life on hold to be a full-time caregiver.

With that in mind, the team at The Shores, an assisted living community in Cape May County, NJ, wants to make your caregiving journey easier with tips on how you and your loved one can cope.

1 – Keep learning. Use informative resources to keep learning about Parkinson’s disease, so that you can better understand the condition, its symptoms and how it progresses. This will help prepare you for changes in your loved one’s care needs and behaviors, so you can manage them more effectively. In addition to talking to your loved one’s doctors and specialists, read about the condition through reputable websites like the Mayo Clinic, the Parkinson’s Foundation, and Parkinson’s News Today. These resources will also have the latest news and updates on Parkinson’s disease management.

2 – Accept that you’re not perfect. A diagnosis like this one will turn anyone’s world upside down and can push you into a position that you never prepared for. Everything about your life changes, and with that comes stress and responsibility to deal with. While you’re going to have to adapt significantly, be kind to yourself and forgive yourself for any inevitable missteps. Lean on your resources, adapt your daily routines accordingly, and don’t be too hard on yourself – you are only human.

3 – Don’t go at it alone. Don’t try to take on every caregiving role, situation and need yourself. It’s hard enough to navigate your own life, and adding the responsibility of being a sole caregiver can quickly become overwhelming, especially in later stages. Bring people you trust into your fold, whether it’s neighbors, friends, family or support groups. It takes a village to cope with such a life-changing diagnosis. The needs that arise as a result of Parkinson’s disease, along with taking on too much work is a surefire way to burnout. Your needs matter too. Ironically, you need to prioritize your self-care first, in order to be a well-balanced caregiver to someone else. 

4 – Get organized. Being organized helps reduce frustration and stress as a caregiver, and helps ensure your loved one gets the right care. Develop a system for storing and referencing your loved one’s medical notes, insurance information, health records, appointments, and contact details for doctors and specialists. Track all their medications, as well as how they are being administered. Get to know their medical insurance policy inside out. This folder should go with you to all appointments, so that you can make informed decisions without having to go back and forth searching for the most recent information.

5 – Know yourself and your limits. One of the most important factors in providing quality care to a loved one is keeping an eye on your own well being. Knowing when you are reaching your own limits as a caregiver is critical to avoiding burnout, and will give your loved one the most high quality care. Too many caregivers neglect themselves while caring for a loved one, which can cause your mental and physical health, as well as your relationships with others to suffer.
Learn to recognize symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and illness within yourself, and take the necessary time off to help yourself get back to a healthy space. This can mean letting other family members help out more, calling in a local respite caregiver, or committing to 24-hour care in an assisted living community.

6 – Make space for joy, love and happiness in your relationship. A Parkinson’s diagnosis is devastating to both you and your loved one, and as their care needs progress, the nature of this condition can let negative emotions flood in. However, it’s important to make space for as much joy and happiness as you can in your relationship. Enjoy activities together as much as you can, whether it’s going for a walk outdoors or helping your loved one get dressed. Relive happy memories, watch your favorite movies together, keep them involved in their favorite hobbies as much as possible, and just make those quality moments together count. The best advice we can give is to treasure their drive to keep living life to the fullest, when it’s there.

Let United Methodist Communities help make every moment count

The Shores is an assisted living community in Ocean City, NJ, that’s designed to provide professional, compassionate care to seniors that promote their independence and quality of life. With 24-hour specialized support available to residents with Parkinson’s disease, your loved one will have the care and space they need to enjoy quality time with family and friends.

If you are seeking assistance as a caregiver of a loved one with Parkinson’s, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team, or visit our website at: https://theshores.umcommunities.org/

Original blog posted on https://theshores.umcommunities.org/the-shores/parkinsons-6-tips-to-help-your-loved-one-and-you-cope/