Preserve your Quality of Life as you Age

 

You’ve probably heard the expression that regular maintenance is the best type of prevention, and while it’s usually said in reference to things like cars or plumbing systems, it’s actually true for people as well. No matter what age you are, it’s never too late to start looking after your health, Our bodies change a lot as we get older, and prevention is always the best way to enhance and preserve your quality of life.

These are some of the most common health challenges that seniors face today, with steps you can take to help you take control of your health and feel ten times better!

Address Dental Issues

Oral health is a major concern for people of all ages, but as we get older, our teeth and gums require a bit of extra care.  Aging causes our mouths to become dryer, more prone to cavities, and our bones often weaken, which opens the door for numerous oral health concerns like periodontitis, a potentially serious bacterial infection that affects the gums and bones.

If you don’t already, we recommend having regular dental check-ups and cleanings every six months. Your dentist can check for early signs of gingivitis and other common oral health concerns for seniors. If there is a problem, you can catch it and treat it before it seriously impacts your health. 

Take Extra Precautions During Cold & Flu Season

Many people think having the flu is no big deal, you simply stay in bed for a few days until it passes. But for older adults whose immune systems aren’t as strong, catching the flu can lead to more serious illnesses and infections like pneumonia. As we age, our body’s ability to fight off common things like the flu gets weaker – so seniors become particularly vulnerable to colds and the flu. 

Keeping your immune system strong with regular exercise, vitamins, and healthy food is important for your quality of life, especially during cold and flu season. We also recommend getting an annual flu shot, and if you haven’t already, speak with your doctor about getting the pneumonia vaccine.

Avoid Unnecessary Weight Gain 

It makes sense that most of us gain weight as we age. We aren’t as active as we once were, our mobility changes, and our metabolism tends to slow down. Getting older doesn’t mean that exercise is no longer an option, though. There are many different types of exercise you can enjoy depending on your mobility: swimming, walking, dancing, stretching, light strength training, and much more. Perhaps you can join your local gym, many of which offer senior discounts. Or if you already live in an active senior community, ask an activities director on site about what kind of classes they offer. 

Manage Arthritis Pain 

Arthritis is incredibly common among people 65 years old and up. Itcan make everyday activities painful and difficult, leading seniors to become sedentary to avoid uncomfortable flare-ups. But arthritis doesn’t have to get in the way of leading an active life! While there is no cure for the condition, you can work with your doctor to develop a personalized pain management plan that will allow you to stay active well into your retirement years. 

If you have any questions about how to enhance your quality of life, or if you’d like more information about active senior living communities in NJ, please contact our team today: https://umcommunities.org

This blog was originally published at https://umcommunities.org/blog/senior-health/

How to support a loved one with Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s disease is traumatic because it takes away your loved one’s independence. They need additional help and support to maintain their quality of life and keep active. Since the disease also affects the whole family, relationships with friends, and engagement in the community, it can be difficult for everyone involved. 

Are you wondering what you can do to support your loved one with Parkinson’s? Here are some practical things to think about. 

Be Honest with Each Other

Now is the best time to start an honest and loving conversation with each other. It is the first conversation of many to understand what everyone’s needs are. Just because a loved one has Parkinson’s disease does not mean they are suddenly unable to think or do for themselves.  Pre-planning who will handle what needs, and plans for future care may be helpful as having a plan in place can often reduce stress on everyone involved. If your loved one isn’t ready for that conversation yet, respect their wishes and bring it up at a later date. This can be an overwhelming time and everyone will process it differently. 

Educate Yourself

Parkinson’s is a disease that develops differently for each person. Educate yourself by reading materials or watching videos that help you understand the disease and its likely progression. Get this information from as many reliable sources as possible, like the Parkinson’s Foundation.     

As a neurodegenerative disorder, Parkinson’s disease may have symptoms that are movement-related (motor) and unrelated to movement (non-motor). Movement-related symptoms can include rigid limbs, tremors, shuffling, lack of balance, or a slow and awkward gait. Non-motor symptoms include depression, fatigue, cognitive impairment, constipation, sleep behavior disorders, and hallucinations. The non-motor symptoms sometimes affect a loved one more than the motor symptoms.        

Attend Doctors’ Appointments

Attend doctor’s appointments with your loved one, even when they can get themselves there. Symptoms, moods, and abilities sometimes change so subtly that your loved one might not even realize there is a difference. 

Make notes of the changes you observe and any complaints or concerns your loved one shares. Share this information at the doctor’s appointment and ask questions about any concerns or changes you don’t understand.. To promote communication and lessen stress levels, use a calendar to track doctor’s and therapy appointments, medications, and their side effects.  

Be Flexible

Because the progression of Parkinson’s disease is slow and inconsistent, a loved one’s symptoms may vary from day to day. When a loved one struggles to perform a task that they easily completed another day, be patient. Don’t step in and do it for them unless they ask for help. 

Be flexible with your program and tasks. If you are going to do errands and your loved one is having a bad day, stay at home. Speak with family and discuss the possibility and timing of letting someone else take over tasks from you or your loved one. 

Be Sure Medications Are Taken 

Medicines for Parkinson’s, and their dosages, vary depending on a person’s needs and metabolism. For the medications to work effectively, they must be taken consistently. Discuss medication schedules with your loved one and agree on the best tool to serve as a reminder, whether a smartphone or wall calendar. Adapt the tool until both of you are happy with the routine.  

It is normal if you feel overwhelmed as the family caregiver. The best gift you can give your loved one is to take care of your own mental and physical health. Make time to do something you enjoy. Have lunch with friends, go for a long walk or just sit in the sunshine. And remember, it is ok to ask for help and accept it.  

For more information, or if you have any questions on how to support a loved one with Parkinson’s, please contact our team at UMC today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Original blogs posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/how-to-support-a-loved-one-with-parkinsons/

4 Benefits of Seniors Having a Daily Routine

We all benefit from having a daily routine, but for seniors who are enjoying their retirement years, a daily routine becomes even more important. Once someone retires, they have a little less structure in their life and significantly more free time, so they may need help creating a new daily routine that gives them a sense of fulfilment and purpose. 

As humans we all need to feel a sense of certainty, and no one likes to wake up feeling aimless. If you have older adults in your life who have recently retired, we know they’d greatly appreciate assistance with creating a new daily routine for this new phase of their life. Here’s why having a routine is beneficial:

Reduces anxiety and stress for seniors

Are you afraid of the unknown? Many of us would answer yes. As people age, it’s normal for them to slowly lose control over certain things like independence, mobility, and cognitive abilities, and this loss of control can make older adults feel anxious and stressed. 

One way to combat anxiety and stress is to plan and create a structure, in this instance via a daily routine. If your senior loved one knows what is going to happen and when, as well as knowing that you’ll be there to help, this creates a sense of comfort and stability.

Promotes safety and security for older adults

For older adults who need assistance with certain daily tasks, like cooking, cleaning, driving, or attending appointments, creating a daily routine helps them stay safe and secure. This is especially true for seniors with memory issues. For example, if your aging parent tries to stand on a step stool to change a light bulb and they fall, how long will it be until someone finds them and they get medical care? Take a walk around their house and make a list of everything that needs doing, and let them know you’re taking care of it. 

Enhances senior sleep patterns

It’s common for seniors to have trouble sleeping, yet proper sleep is a critical part of remaining healthy in our older years. Many doctors recommend doing certain daily activities at the same time each day, like bathing and eating, to establish a sense of routine and to facilitate better sleeping habits. Sticking to a daily routine during the day and even having a specific bedtime routine at night can help seniors sleep more soundly through the night. 

Increases control over the day’s events

As mentioned above, we lose control of many parts of our lives as we age, but retaining a sense of control is important to our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. If your loved one is feeling anxious or bored throughout the day, sit down together and work out a daily routine, then do your best to stick to it. 

Daily routines in assisted living

There comes a point when it’s no longer best for seniors to remain in their homes, and if you feel you’ve reached this point with your loved one, it may be time to consider assisted living. Senior living communities provide a sense of structure and routine, while also ensuring residents remain safe and healthy with access to medical professionals and caregivers around the clock.

For more information about our senior living communities across NJ, or if you have any questions, please contact our team today. Discover how we can help create a successful daily routine for the seniors in your life by visiting our website at: https://umcommunities.org

Original blog posted on https://umcommunities.org/health-wellness/4-benefits-of-seniors-having-a-daily-routine/

Mood Boosting Activities For People With Dementia

If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, you may feel overwhelmed and confused about how best to move forward. You’ll undoubtedly have many questions about providing the best care, how to keep them engaged and interested in mental and physical activities, and how to keep them comfortable and safe. 

Staying mentally and physically active is important for people of all ages, but for older adults with dementia it’s especially important. Certain things like music, exercise, outdoor activities, and games have been proven helpful for those with memory loss. The effects of dementia can cause anxiety, moodiness, and loss of interest in regular interests, so our teams throughout the Tapestries memory care neighborhoods put together a guide of mood-boosting activities you can do with your older loved one. 

Memory games for dementia

Having a regular game night is a great way to get your loved one mentally engaged and thinking about new things. Perhaps you can do jigsaw, crossword or sudoku puzzles together, or maybe the whole family can enjoy a night of boardgames. If your loved one enjoys card games, you can start with simple games like Go Fish or Uno.

There may also be some trivia nights or bingo nights you can attend together at a local bar or restaurant, or you can host one of your own with family and friends at home. 

Exercise and outdoor activities for seniors with dementia conditions

We’ve all had times where we’ve felt stressed out and frustrated, only to take a short walk to get some fresh air and instantly feel better. Seniors with dementia often feel frustrated, anxious, and agitated, so exercise and outdoor activities are a wonderful way to mitigate those feelings. Additionally, there are many outdoor activities you can enjoy together, allowing you to spend valuable quality time with each other. 

Your loved one’s doctor or memory care advisor will be able to give you more information about recommended levels of exercise, but short walks, gentle stretching, and practices like tai chi are easier on the body while still providing many health benefits. Getting outdoors for some exercise is great for everyone, not only for those with dementia, so we recommend starting a daily exercise ritual that the two of you can do together. 

Music and art activities for those with memory loss

People of all ages have a passion for music and art, and music can dramatically alter our mood and our emotions. If your loved one is often feeling agitated, put on a calming playlist and see if it has a positive effect on their mood. You may also want to try playing some songs from their childhood or younger years, since people with dementia can sometimes better recall song lyrics from decades ago. 

Arts and crafts are also a great way to stimulate the brain, and it’s a fun way to let creativity shine. You can find inspiration from hundreds of crafty YouTube videos tailored to skill levels ranging from beginner to advanced. To start, we recommend some simple art activities like making a family photo album or collage to hang on the wall, or creating a scrapbook together. 

Caring for a loved one with dementia can be frustrating and challenging at times, but finding things you can enjoy together like games, music, and art is hugely rewarding and helps strengthen your emotional connection. We hope this guide has been helpful and has given you some inspiration for new activities to try with your loved one. 

To learn more about our advanced memory care and therapies for residents with dementia, please give us a call today or visit our website at: https://umcommunities.org

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/mood-boosting-activities-for-people-with-dementia/

3 Things Every Family Should Know About Hospice Care

If someone you love is about to enter hospice care, you and your family may have questions about what will happen, what hospice care includes, and how the process works. Hospice care is a type of palliative care for people with terminal illnesses, and the aim is to provide the person with the highest levels of comfort and dignity during their final months. 

Hospice care can be provided in the home by a dedicated hospice care team, or in a long-term care community if the person is no longer able to remain in their home. The choice to remain at home or move to a community is a personal one, and it’s often a decision the whole family makes together. In this article, our hospice care team will explain several key components of hospice care to help you and your family make the best decision for your loved one.

Hospice care is for everyone involved

When someone in your family is diagnosed with a terminal illness, it greatly affects the whole family. While it may seem that the immediate purpose of hospice care is to provide medical care to the person who has been diagnosed, hospice care teams actually work to ease the difficulties the whole family faces. 

Caring for someone with a terminal illness can become both mentally and physically draining. In-home care can lighten the load for family members who have become full-time caregivers by monitoring medication, assisting with routine care, and making sure your loved one is as comfortable as possible. Hospice care teams can also provide valuable resources for emotional and spiritual support, if needed, and keep the family up to date about next steps and expectations. 

Hospice care is provided in the location of your choice 

The top priority of hospice care is the comfort of the terminally ill person. Hospice care teams provide care in your loved one’s home, in assisted living communities, and in dedicated hospice care communities. There are many reasons a terminally ill person may want to remain at home, and equally, there are many reasons why that may not be the best choice for them. 

We recommend making the decision together with your loved one and with the rest of your family. Dedicated hospice care teams will meet you where you are to provide medical care, monitor and administer medications, and help create a comfortable, peaceful environment for your loved one. 

Medication and medical supplies are included within hospice care

Millions of families worry about how they’ll afford hospice care for their loved one. The good news is that hospice care is covered by Medicare, and medication and medical supplies are included in the hospice benefit. 

Some of the most common medical supplies are bandages, incontinence supplies, walking aids, wheelchairs, and hospital beds. These supplies and any medications will be delivered to your home for free, and the hospice care team will teach you how to use everything. 

You deserve to spend precious time with your loved one instead of worrying about trips to the pharmacy for medication and supplies. And thanks to the hospice benefit, you can do just that. Your hospice team will also be there to help relieve the burdens that come from being a caregiver, so you can focus on the valuable time you have left together. 

If you’d like more information about hospice care, or if you have any questions about any of our hospice care communities at UMC, please contact our team today or visit our website at: https://umcommunities.org/

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/3-things-every-family-should-know-about-hospice-care/