Preparing for the Holidays in Assisted Living

 

One of the hardest parts of adjusting to having a family member in assisted living is navigating the first holiday. The change in surroundings and family dynamics can bring up mixed emotions, especially if mom always used to host Christmas dinner in the house you grew up in. Fortunately, it’s the people who make the holidays special, not the location. Your loved one may be living in a community now, but they’re still able to celebrate the holidays with you. There are tons of different ways to make Christmas feel special, even if it’s no longer celebrated in your loved one’s home. Our assisted living team at UMC at Pitman put together some ways to celebrate the upcoming holidays if you have parents who are new to our independent lifestyle community in Gloucester County.

Hunker down and watch classic holiday movies. Classic movies like Miracle on 34th Street, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation can bring back past memories for your loved one. Viewing them as a family might remind them of you and your siblings excitedly opening presents under the tree, or even holidays they spent as little kids. A holiday movie night is also a great tradition to start if mom or dad has mobility issues. Make an event out of it and get your immediate family over to their apartment – and don’t forget the movie theater-style popcorn and fresh baked holiday cookies!

Get their apartment holiday-ready. Just because your loved one is no longer a homeowner, doesn’t mean they can’t decorate for Christmas. They can still go all out with decorations even if their space is smaller. Instead of having one big Christmas tree, opt for a few smaller ones to place throughout their assisted living apartment. The best part about decorating an apartment vs. a house is that clean-up will be much easier come January!

Encourage them to celebrate with their new community. Many assisted living communities, like UMC at Pitman, have a lot of fun seasonal activities planned for the holidays. Encourage your loved one to get involved, and if possible, join them for a holiday event or meal on site. From Christmas PJ day, to holiday movie night to Christmas cookie bake-offs, there is an activity to interest every resident at Pitman.

Blend the old with the new. The holidays will look different, but some things don’t have to change. If you always helped dad buy gifts for the family, make sure the same thing happens this year. If mom always loved to decorate sugar cookies with the grandkids, bring them over to her new apartment and make a day out of it. Blending old traditions with new will help everyone transition to this big change in no time.

Spending the holidays at UMC at Pitman

As we mentioned above, we have a ton of festive events and activities planned to get your loved one into the holiday spirit. Not to mention, any of the activities offered can be modified to accommodate mom or dad’s needs. The most important thing for us, is that all of our residents, short-term and full-time, enjoy the holidays in our community!

For more information about our assisted living services for seniors at UMC at Pitman in Gloucester County, please contact us today or visit our website at: https://umcommunities.org/pitman

This blog was originally published at https://umcommunities.org/pitman/blog/preparing-for-the-holidays-in-assisted-living/

3 Activities Proven to Engage Seniors with Alzheimer’s

While seniors with Alzheimer’s may be limited in some of their abilities, not all abilities are lost. If you are a caregiver to a loved one with Alzheimer’s, it’s important to acknowledge this fact and create opportunities that facilitate meaningful experiences for your loved one. One major way to do this is through stimulating activities. Many studies have concluded that there are many different activities that can engage, benefit, and be enjoyable to people with Alzheimer’s disease. If you are looking for inspiration, here are 3 activities to engage seniors with Alzheimer’s disease from our Tapestries Memory Care team in Gloucester County.

1. Sensory stimulation. This can be especially helpful for seniors who are in the later stages of Alzheimers and have difficulty expressing language or understanding logical reasoning. Most seniors in these stages still have their 5 senses intact (sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch), which means caregivers can use those senses as a way to engage with their loved one. Some examples include playing their favorite song, lighting their favorite candle, or cooking their favorite food. Although short-term, sensory stimulation will have a positive effect on your loved one’s behavior, stress level, and emotional state. 
2. Creating art. There is freedom in expression, especially when working with an art form like painting, drawing, or sculpting. There is no right or wrong when it comes to creating art, which is a breath of fresh air to those with Alzheimer’s. The artistic process can be very therapeutic and offers seniors the ability to be creative and communicate on their own terms, free from the frustrations their dementia symptoms can cause.
3. Games tailored to Alzheimer’s. Performing a quick Google search can help you find dozens of games that are tailored to those with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Some popular examples include Qwirkle, Shake Loose a Memory, and Words with Friends. Our Life Enrichment Team Specialists in Tapestries also recommend playing more traditional and interactive games with your loved one. Classic games like checkers, dominoes, cards, and chess can spark long-term memories of them playing while they were young. Not only will more traditional games be easier to pick up on, they will also keep your loved one engaged and help foster a stronger connection to you.

Tapestries® Memory Care at UMC at Pitman

The Tapestries memory care philosophy places a strong focus on getting to know each memory care resident to learn their wants, needs, and level of care required. This model of care has been successful time and time again in preserving residents’ independence and cognitive function. Our Life Enrichment Team Specialists (LETS) help support this care model by acquiring the knowledge, compassion, and patience to keep memory care residents engaged through stimulating activities and advanced treatment. Members of the LETS team are available on-site, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in order to promote the most connected and fulfilling lifestyle for your loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

For more information about memory support services at UMC at Pitman in Gloucester County, please contact us today or visit our website at: https://pitman.umcommunities.org/

Original content posted on https://pitman.umcommunities.org/2021/09/06/3-activities-proven-to-engage-seniors-with-alzheimers/

5 Fun Outdoor Workouts for Seniors

 

The air is getting warmer and the sun is shining! Which means it’s time for everyone, especially seniors, to get outside, get a good workout in and have some fun in the process. You may be wondering, why should seniors especially get outside to workout? Well, for one, seniors who stay active preserve their mobility for longer, have less dementia-related sleep problems and are just happier in general! Seniors who choose to exercise outside gain another benefit: healthy and direct exposure to Vitamin D. So, what’s the hold up? It’s time to engage in a fun, outdoor workout. Not sure where to start? Our assisted living team in Gloucester County has put together a list of their favorite exercise programs for seniors.

Safety note: Please apply sunscreen generously when spending extended periods of time outdoors. Also, please consult with your primary care physician or professional fitness trainer before performing any new strenuous exercises that might do more harm than good.

#1 – Walk outdoors. Perhaps the easiest option on this list is to take a daily walk outside. Did you know that a short 30-minute walk can burn up to 300 calories? That’s reason enough to set time aside everyday for a walk. Not to mention, it’s a great opportunity to have a friend tag along to catch up. If no one is around, grab a pair of headphones and listen to your favorite playlist on repeat. Or if you really want to switch it up, choose a new location to take your walk each day like a local park or a lively cul-de sac nearby.

#2 – Play a game outside with the grandkids. Nothing says “fun” like spending quality time with grandkids – and of course, games! Playing a quick game of catch will work out muscles you’ve forgotten about and stimulate hand-eye coordination. Now that’s a game nobody could lose.

#3 – Outdoor chair yoga. Bring a light, but stable chair outside and say “namaste” to a new, fun way to do yoga. If you or a loved one reside in an assisted living community, make sure to inquire about moving fitness classes like chair yoga outside when the weather is fine. Or if you’d rather do yoga alone, visit our blog to learn some new yoga poses to try out. 

#4 – Gardening outside. Carrying the hose and moving around the garden to water each plant is a workout in itself. An added bonus: choosing to grow fresh fruits and vegetables will help you to eat healthier too! If your thumb is not quite “green,” visit our blog that outlines beginner gardening tips for seniors.

#5 – Bring your workout weights outside. Working out inside in the same room or home gym could get a little stale after a while. So, here’s a better solution: take your weights outside to do some strength training. It’s amazing what a change of scenery could do to improve your enjoyment while getting fit!

Exercising safely at UMC in Pitman, NJ

At United Methodist Communities at Pitman, we offer every assisted living resident opportunities to exercise safely. With industry-leading COVID-19 protocols in effect, there’s no reason why we can’t hold fun fitness classes with our senior residents!

Some of our favorite fitness classes include dance, traditional yoga and chair yoga. We understand that everyone has different exercise goals and that they need to find what routine works best for them. That’s why we make an active effort to offer multiple programs and support each resident’s fitness level to the fullest at our assisted living community.

For more information about senior exercise classes in Pitman, New Jersey, please contact UMC at Pitman today or visit our website at: https://pitman.umcommunities.org/

Original blog posted on https://pitman.umcommunities.org/2021/05/17/5-fun-outdoor-workouts-for-seniors/

Gardening: Your New Favorite Pastime

 

It’s Garden Month – which means it’s the perfect time to take up this rewarding pastime. You may be wondering, why should you start this new hobby? For one, it’s gratifying to be able to see your progress with each plant. It’s almost like reaching a new level in your favorite video game.

Another major reason to garden is to promote a healthier lifestyle. You can grow delicious fruits, vegetables and herbs – all in the comfort of your own home! Seniors in particular can benefit from gardening because it reduces stress and the chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease. It can also be a great source for Vitamin D, as you’ll   get outside in the sun more frequently.

If you’re ready to take up gardening, but you’re not sure where to start – look no further! The assisted living team at UMC at Pitman has put together beginner gardening tips, which you can find below.

Beginner gardening tips for seniors

1. Choose the right spot. “Location, location, location.” While the saying is known primarily in the real estate industry, it applies to gardening as well. It’s important to choose a location for your garden that is easy to access, has lots of natural sunlight and is close to a water source. If you are in assisted living, we recommend starting small with an easy-to-manage container garden in your apartment.
2. Select plants that will thrive. This tip requires a little extra research that is well worth the time and effort. Choosing plants that match the growing conditions is essential to having a successful first garden. Luckily, many plants can be grown in smaller containers and pots, such as vegetables, berries, herbs, and flowers. Also, think about what plants may be the most useful to you. For instance, if you love to cook or add extra seasonings to your meal, look into growing herbs like basil or mint. These herbs can easily be grown indoors as long as they have ample sunlight and water.
3. Apply tender, loving care (TLC). One of the best ways to care for your plants is to give them quality soil. Invest in soil that is nutrient rich and well drained for the best results. It’s equally important to keep up with watering your plants — that’s why we recommend keeping your garden somewhere that’s easy to access. If you’re not sure whether or not your garden needs watering, push your knuckle down into the soil to check if it’s dry. If the soil is dry — it’s time for water.

Activities and more at UMC in Pitman, NJ

At UMC at Pitman, we always encourage our assisted living residents to branch out and explore new hobbies. With proper health and safety guidelines in effect, there’s no reason why our residents can’t socialize and have fun with other residents!

Since the pandemic hit, we’ve held group activities such as meditation, fitness classes, movie nights and even virtual tours of zoos, museums and art galleries. Whatever your pastime, our goal is for every resident to feel completely supported and confident to live their life to the fullest at our assisted living community.

For more information about senior activities in Pitman, New Jersey, please contact United Methodist Communities today or visit our website at: https://pitman.umcommunities.org/

Original blog posted on https://pitman.umcommunities.org/2021/04/06/gardening-your-new-favorite-pastime/

How to Best Manage Your Loved One’s Health

 

Gandhi said it best, “It is health that is real wealth, not pieces of gold and silver.” We often don’t realize how valuable our health is until it’s too late. That’s why we must prioritize it every single day, especially those of us who are seniors or take care of seniors.

A healthy lifestyle is essential to living the most abundant life in your senior years. If you are a caregiver to a senior loved one, there are three core ways you can help keep track of their health. Our assisted living team in Pitman, NJ has provided insight into these methods and hope they will prove useful in your caregiving journey.

1.       Accompany them to all doctor appointments. Arguably, this is the single best way to keep track of your senior loved one’s health. By accompanying them to all doctors’ appointments, you will acquire the most up-to-date information regarding their health status. If there is something in particular you are concerned about, make a list of questions to discuss with their doctor beforehand. Have you noticed any new symptoms? Are any of their prescribed medications causing harmful side effects? You may notice things that your loved one doesn’t realize or forgets to ask about which can prove very helpful in the long run.

2.       Figure out a solid medication management plan. It’s normal for older adults to take multiple medications. It’s also very easy to get them mixed up, accidentally skipping a dose of one and taking a double dose of another. Fortunately, there are different ways to make managing medications easier. For one, buy a color-coded, easy-to-read weekly pillbox and help set it up for mom or dad. Then, decide on a set time to take the AM and PM pills. Once times are set, your senior loved one can use timers on their smartphones or even apps to remind them to take their medications correctly, and on time. You could also set the same timers or download the same on your phone as a back-up. This may take some time and trial and error to figure out what works best for you and most importantly, your loved one.

3.       Encourage healthy diet and exercise. In short, exercise has been proven to enhance seniors’ health, strength, sleep, mood and lower the risk of falls! 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.
Try yoga, dance classes and short walks around the neighborhood with mom or dad to get started. However, it’s highly recommended to check with their doctor before starting a new exercise routine to ensure two critical things: 1. The exercises are within their ability to perform safely and 2. The exercises won’t make any existing medical conditions worsen.
Couple this new exercise plan with nutritious foods that are easy to prepare. If your loved one does not acquire the master cooking skills of Chef Ramsey, don’t worry! Instead, bring over some healthy frozen meals that can be easily reheated in the oven at a later date. You could also use this opportunity to take a look at their current fridge situation to make sure they aren’t holding onto greasy or expired food.

Assisted living care services in Pitman, NJ

Here at United Methodist Communities at Pitman, we encourage a healthy senior lifestyle for all assisted living residents with a well-equipped team of licensed nurses, therapists and other health specialists. Our care team can manage many complex medical conditions, all while ensuring a proper diet and exercise plan that is – dare, we say it – fun! Activities like group chair yoga can help keep senior residents engaged and social with people their own age. Put your loved one’s health in the best hands possible by considering UMC at Pitman for assisted living.   

If your loved one requires assisted living care services, please call our senior community in Gloucester County to find out how we can meet their needs, as well as yours. To learn more about our senior care options across New Jersey, please contact United Methodist Communities today at: https://umcommunities.org/new-jersey-elder-care-options/

Original content posted on https://pitman.umcommunities.org/2021/03/05/how-to-best-manage-your-loved-ones-health/

How Seniors at UMC are fighting Back Against COVID

The coronavirus pandemic is still very much part of our everyday lives, and since it affects older people with health conditions more severely, the safe thing to do is to self-isolate and take care of yourself at home. Keep your distance from others including your own family. This can be very difficult as many people are very attached to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

However, the good news is that seniors are taking proactive measures against COVID 19. The recovery and positive attitude of older adults across the world have inspired a glimmer of hope in these otherwise dark times.

 What are our elders doing to fight back against this pandemic?

 

Learning new technologies

 

There are many ways to see and catch up with family and friends without leaving your apartment with free communication tools like Skype to smartphone apps like Facetime. However, many older Americans lack the necessary skills to stay connected through technology. This did not stop our seniors — UMC residents are learning how to use these technologies and make them part of their everyday lives.

Playing socially safe bingo

 

There is nothing like an old fashioned bingo game to bring people together; in fact, bingo is more than just a fun activity. Researchers have found that playing bingo has multiple health benefits for older adults. It takes concentration – which improves listening and short term memory skills and promotes socialization – which is essential for seniors to maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle. Although we can not play games in groups at this time, our seniors, together with our associates, made a plan, and bingo is still being played in a socially safe manner.
 

Making masks

 

In the wake of COVID-19, seniors have been using their skills to benefit the community. Many friends of UMC have been working on the creation and distribution of face masks to protect all associates, residents, clients, volunteers, and others from the potential spread of the coronavirus.

In times like these, it is normal to be apprehensive, but we must remember that this too will pass. Thank you UMC seniors for staying positive and thank you for making an effort to stay in touch — your family needs you just as much as you need them.

At United Methodist Communities in Pitman NJ, we stay positive while staying safe, our staff experts have seniors’ best interest at heart. We encourage our seniors to stay healthy and social during these times aiding them in every way we can.

For more information on Assisted Living at our Pitman please visit our website at https://pitman.umcommunities.org

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/how-seniors-at-umc-are-fighting-back-against-covid/

Use Your Diet to Help Manage Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is a chronic, degenerative disease that affects over 50 million Americans, many of them seniors. Although there are treatments for this condition, there is no cure – and the pain and loss of joint flexibility can dramatically affect the quality of life. Along with effective medications, you can help fight osteoarthritis by getting the right nutrients into your diet. Simply follow the advice below from our assisted living team in Gloucester County, NJ.

5 Anti-Inflammatory Foods 

Diet plays an important role in our everyday health and wellbeing. Keeping a healthy weight and exercising regularly is essential. For people with osteoarthritis, certain foods with anti-inflammatory qualities can help keep joints from getting sore and swollen. These foods include the following:

1. Fatty acids – Foods rich in Omega-3s are not only good for the heart, but they also fight inflammation too. Foods rich in these fatty acids include chia seeds, walnuts, almonds, trout, salmon, eggs, and avocados.
   
   
2. Spices – Ginger and turmeric have great anti-inflammatory properties. The added benefit is that they also make food more flavorful! Add it to muffins, make yourself a nice warm cup of ginger tea, or season chicken to add it into your diet.
   
   
3. Green tea – A refreshing drink, green tea is rich in antioxidants that can help to fight inflammation. It is lovely as a hot or cold drink, mixed with fresh lemon or fruit juice, or even added into marinades and salad dressings.
   
   
4. Vitamin C – This vitamin isn’t just good for fighting off colds, it also helps the body produce collagen – an essential component of the cartilage in our joints. It is most effective when you eat it in foods rather than taking it in tablet form. Try adding cauliflower, guavas, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, strawberries, leafy greens, and oranges to your diet.
   
   
5. Anthocyanins – This is a type of antioxidant that helps keep connective tissue healthy. It is found in brightly colored fruits and vegetables like beets, cherries, berries, grapes, plums, and pomegranates.
   

Independence for Seniors – Quality Assisted Living in Gloucester County 

Pitman is an assisted living community in Gloucester County, NJ, offering high quality, scalable assisted living services in a comfortable, well-supported and beautiful environment. As part of the United Methodist Communities network, we also offer rehabilitation, access to therapists, hospice care, respite- and memory care, and support services. We welcome seniors from all faith backgrounds.

To find out more about our assisted living community, please contact us today or book a personal tour, or visit our website at https://pitman.umcommunities.org/

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/use-your-diet-to-help-manage-arthritis/