5 Dementia Care Tips

dementia care tips Caring for a loved one with dementia can be difficult and often times a strain for family members sharing in the care responsibilities and decisions. Although there will inevitably be challenges, there are communication tools and practices you can learn to better address the needs of your loved one with dementia. Here are five dementia care tips to get you started:

1. Put forth a positive attitude:

Your attitude and actions speaker louder than words. Be aware of your facial expressions, your tone of voice, and your body language when communicating with your senior. Use a positive tone, and even incorporate humor when you can (as long as it is not at their expense). A positive attitude can truly be seen and felt by your loved one, more than you may realize. Having a good attitude will not only help your loved one battling dementia, it will also your family through the difficult process of caring for your senior.

2. Practice effective and clear communication:

Communicating to those with dementia may be difficult, but you can become a stronger communicator when you are open to learning and putting your new skills into practice. To best communicate with your loved one, follow these tips:

3. Be proactive to prevent wandering:

Often times people with dementia have a tendency to wander aimlessly. This may stem from factors such as boredom or forgetfulness. Using the following tips, you can take proactive steps to prevent your senior from wandering and to prepare in the event he or she does:

4. Increase daytime activities:

Incorporate activities to keep your senior engaged in their daily routine. Physical exercise is beneficial and it can be as simple as walking, gardening, dancing or easy stretches or exercise  at home. Incorporating physical activity can improve sleep, increase confidence, build balance, and maintain cognition. Depending on the activity, some physical activities can benefit the heart and blood vessels, strengthen and tone muscles, and create more flexibility in the joints. It is important to avoid too much inactivity or sleeping and to add variety to their daily routine to keep your loved one with dementia stimulated.

5. Practice patience:

One of the most important tips of all is to be patient with your senior and the demands of caring for your loved one with dementia. Many individuals with dementia will occasionally break out in verbal outbursts such as cursing or arguing. It is important to not argue or raise your voice back to them. Remind yourself that your senior may be experiencing frustration and they need you to be patient and help them work through the mental and physical obstacles.

Following these tips, can help smooth the transition of taking care of a loved one with dementia. If you have any questions about dementia or when it is time to consider assisted living, please call Paradise Living Centers at (480) 878 – 4112.

Celebrating the holidays with someone who has dementia

holidaysCelebrating the holidays with a loved one who has dementia presents some challenges, especially if your family member resides in an assisted living home. It is natural to want to recreate those holiday memories you have shared together and get in touch with the feelings those shared experiences gave each of you. But how do you recreate something that dementia may have changed or faded for your loved one? This loss of shared history never hurts quite as much as it does during the holidays, when so many memories were made.

Talk to your loved one’s caregiver

Before you make too many plans or set up too many expectations, talk to the day to day caregiver of your relative. He or she will be able to give you the best guidance on what plans you should make. Kristie Chadwick, the director of Paradise Living Centers, has extensive experience working with dementia and Alzheimer’s patients.

“This is a really hard time of year for the family members of our residents. They remember the holidays being a certain way, they remember their mom or whomever being a certain way and they want to somehow return to that.”

Their reality must become your reality

Kristi explains that it is vital for you to accept and understand the reality of your loved one at this moment. Their perspective, she says, needs to become your reality.

Most people suffering from dementia lose their short-term memory first. It is only their long -term memories they can grab on to, so they will invariably stop recognizing spouses and grown children. However, they will remember going fishing when they were eight. This person, whom you remembered as a loving mother who loved walking through her neighborhood, may not remember the neighborhood or those long walks. Arranging to take mom on a tour of that neighborhood while you point out various sites to jar her memory, may be far from enjoyable to Mom. In fact, says Kristi, those suffering dementia find that constant pressure to remember very confusing and stressful.

Instead of a walk through the neighborhood, maybe Mom would enjoy a drive to look at Christmas lights. This is exactly the kind of thing you need to discuss with your loved one’s care giver. He or she can tell you what would feel good to your mom now. It’s up to you to accept that it may be quite different from what your mom would have liked a few years ago.

Meet them where they are now

Kristi suggests, “Join your loved one in their journey. Jump in and meet them where they are right now.”

For example, if your father, a former basketball coach, believes you are one of his former athletes, be one of his former athletes. Let him reminisce with you and laugh about Cinderella victories and rue the agony of defeats. Yes, it hurts that your father is not seeing his son. But take this time to get to know a different side of your dad. Do your best to know and interact with the person your dad is right now.

No amount of jarring or flash carding with family photos will bring back what dementia is taking away. Rather than continually setting up unreal expectations that are guaranteed to fail, but sure to upset your loved one, understand where he or she is now. Meet them there, take their hand and create a holiday that brings you together in a way that both of you can enjoy.

To speak with Kristi Chadwick about caring for someone with dementia and learning more about the services Paradise Living Centers provides, visit the website or call (480) 878-4112.

Top 5 Memory Care Activities To Practice With Seniors

Top 5 Memory Care Activities To Practice With SeniorsSeniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease often withdraw from their favorite activities with family members and friends because it’s too difficult to remember or stay focused. While witnessing such behavior can be devastating, it’s imperative you, their caregiver, family member, or friend, work hard to maintain their relationships and interests.

Various research studies have found physical and mental activities can help stimulate memories and emotional connections while reducing the severe cognitive effects of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Therefore, it’s important you encourage your loved one to participate in meaningful activities that help them feel connected to their surroundings.

There are many “suggested” activities available on other dementia and Alzheimer’s disease-related blogs, but the caregivers, nursing staff, and memory care experts at Paradise Living Centers have actual experience in this area. They are available on call 24/7 or during normal business hours to provide residents with the individualized attention they deserve. In their experience, the following memory activities work wonders for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease:

  1. Participate In Arts and Crafts

This may seem like a “no-brainer,” but helping seniors participate in arts and crafts can help encourage self-expression and positivity while lessening irritability. The goal, however, is not to choose activities you think they’d enjoy, but pick activities you know they would enjoy. Do your research and take the time to actually find out what your loved one or patient likes, and most importantly, keep is simple. Some crafts, like knitting or cross stitch, may overwhelm the person you’re caring for, so keep these little tidbits in mind as you come up with memory care activities.

  1. Read Books, Newspapers, Magazines, Etc.

Reading is a great brain-stimulating activity for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Try to encourage your loved one to read a book or article aloud to you or someone they know. If their condition is so severe that reading is too difficult, take it upon yourself to read them some of their favorite books. Re-reading books they’ve already read may help stir memories.

  1. Take Long Walks

According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia, exercise helps memory and cognitive thinking through direct and indirect means. The research team found regular aerobic exercise increased the size of the hippocampus, which is the area of the brain involved in verbal memory and learning. That said, the caregivers at Paradise Living Centers encourage daily walks for those affected by these debilitating conditions.

  1. Work on a Puzzle

Puzzles are a fun, yet mildly challenging activity that can help boost cognitive function, specifically problem solving skills. Because puzzles are relatively thought-provoking, they may hold the interest of your loved one with dementia for long periods of time. This activity is generally more enjoyable for individuals affected by dementia over Alzheimer’s because it requires a great deal of concentration. Nevertheless, gauge the situation and see if your loved one would be up for the task.

  1. Sing Songs or Dance

Lastly, singing and dancing can help stimulate healthy brain activity in people with dementia or Alzheimer’s. As we alluded to previously, movement of any kind can help boost cognitive function, and dancing is no exception. If your loved one is physically capable of dancing, have them participate in a dance class or play some music in their room to encourage movement. Singing can also help bring up memories and promote self-expression, two things that can help with behavior, memory, and thought.

Try these five memory care activities with your loved one today and let us know what you think!

Key Differences Between Assisted Living And Nursing Homes

Key differences between assisted living and nursing homes

Do you have a loved one in need of assisted living? Are you looking for an affordable, yet luxury assisted living option for yourself? Whether you stumbled across this article intentionally or by accident, you’ve come to the right place for information about nursing home care options. As one of the leading assisted living care homes in the Phoenix metropolitan area, Paradise Living Centers is dedicated to helping residents and their loved ones feel at home in a safe, yet welcoming environment.

We understand there is a growing concern for the safety and well-being of loved ones who may be at risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s, which is why we stress the importance of part-time or full-time care early on. While there are many benefits associated with assisted living, nursing homes, and skilled nursing facilities, figuring out what’s best for you of your loved one in this predicament (i.e. dementia and Alzheimer’s disease) can be overwhelming. In this blog, our team discusses the key differences between assisted living facilities and nursing homes.

First and foremost, an assisted living facility or community is a type of living quarter (similar to a private apartment or condominium) that encourages an atmosphere of independence, but still provides medical aids and housekeeping to aging adults (i.e. senior citizens). This living arrangement is usually recommended for seniors who are younger or more physically and mentally capable of taking care of themselves and others, but still require custodial help. More often than not, these residents can dress, bathe, eat, and go to the bathroom without the help of an aid, but the facility has these people present in case of an emergency.

A nursing home, which is also referred to as a skilled nursing facility, is a living quarter that is staffed with medical aids who provide residents with around-the-clock care. These facilities generally offer less privacy than assisted living homes, and for good reason. Residents usually suffer from debilitating medical problems that require constant care. Because of this, nursing homes tend to cost more than assisted living facilities because they provide medication dispersal, access to physical and occupational therapists, healthy meals, and other amenities.

Deciding which environment is right for you or your loved one depends on the physical and mental well-being of the person in question. Fortunately, there are options out there that offer both services, making it easier for residents to transition into a more hands-on environment should they ever require the care. We, of course, are talking about Paradise Living Centers: an assisted living care home that provides access to expert care for residents 24/7 that includes memory care for those in need.

The caregivers and on-site staff at Paradise Living Centers are committed to healthy senior living, which includes planned activities for residents, chef-prepared meals, pet therapy sessions, intergenerational programs, and lively entertainment.

While the process of finding a home that’s right for you or a loved one can be nerve-wracking, you can rest assured knowing there is an assisted living facility in your neighborhood committed to exceptional care. For more information about Paradise Living Centers, please call 480.878.4112 to speak to a Care Manager today.

World Alzheimer’s Month Awareness

The month of September is dedicated to raising awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and challenging its stigma. The initiative was originally launched in 2012. The goal is to unite opinion leaders, people with dementia, caregivers and family, medical professionals, researchers and the media. This campaign provides opportunity for Alzheimer’s associations internationally to gain recognition and credibility for the work they do, but it’s also an excellent occasion to have some fun and participate.

World Alzheimer's Month

The stigma and misinformation surrounding dementia continues to be a problem globally. This year’s campaign theme is “Remember Me.” The campaign encourages us to learn how to spot the signs of dementia, but also to not forget about loved ones living with dementia, or who have passed.

Many of our residents at Paradise Living Centers live with dementia and our team is fully qualified to address the needs of those residents. We pride ourselves on being able to offer care that makes a difference in not only the residents’ lives but their families too. Our Care Manager, Kristie Chadwick is a Certified Dementia Practitioner. She is actively involved with the Alzheimer’s Association’s dementia division and has participated in several of their Walk to End Alzheimer’s events.

At Paradise Living Centers, we help our residents and their loved ones learn about dementia but many have little or no understanding of the condition. In this blog we are taking this year’s campaign message, “Remember Me” to heart and highlighting some of the stats and facts that represent the global impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Here are just some of the numbers that you may not be aware of:

While there are just a few days left in the month of September, we encourage you to share what you’ve learned about Alzheimer’s with a colleague, friend or family member to spread the campaign message. It is up to us to remember for those who cannot.

 

 

The Benefits of Pet Therapy

Pet Therapy

There is extensive research that shows seniors benefit from owning a pet, but this is not always possible for those living in an assisted living facility.  At Paradise Living Centers, we partner with Hospice of the Valley pet therapy services, which brings trained and certified dogs to interact with the residents at least once a week. On these visits, residents have an opportunity to spend time with the dogs and enjoy their company.

Interaction with pets is known to have a number of therapeutic and health benefits including:

Alan Beck, director of the Center for Human-Animal bond at Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine found that placing a fish tank in a nursing home with Alzheimer’s residents helped them hold their interest while they were eating, resulting in weight gain. Weight loss is a concern for sufferers of Alzheimer’s disease.

Pets require nurturing and in many cases those living in assisted living facilities no longer have the opportunity to nurture others. Being around animals can remind residents that they were once caregivers and this can bring about psychological and physical relaxation, suggests Beck’s research. As humans we are incredibly tactile and feel loved and rewarded through touch.

Pet therapy does not directly manage hypertension per se, but there is research that proves there is a physiological reaction to animals. In other words, the actual act of petting the animal can help reduce the causes of hypertension.

Animals also have the ability to evoke laughter, which in turn helps to manage stress. A lot of seniors experience stress as a result of loneliness. Having the animals come visit for pet therapy aids in focusing the attention of residents, particularly those with dementia, keeping them in the present.

To learn more about the benefits of pet therapy and pet ownership read Beck’s book, Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship. To find out more about the activities and services we provide our residents at Paradise Living Centers come visit our home or contact Kristie Chadwick at 602-550-1247.

Memory Care for Seniors

PLC - Activity

According to the Alzheimer’s Association more than 5 million Americans are living with the disease. The epidemic affects 1 in 9 Americans over the age of 65. These staggering numbers will continue to grow as our population is living longer. It is important that we educate ourselves on the disease and find ways to combat the epidemic while we wait for science to develop a cure.

At Paradise Living Center memory care sessions are offered to all our residents and we work with an expert team from BrainCare to provide tailored one-on-one sessions to meet the individual needs of our residents.

Memory care is a therapy that is designed to help delay cognitive decline. Memory care is activity based and the exercises provide mental stimulation that concentrate on six mind functions:

  1. Memory
  2. Quantitative thinking
  3. Abstract thinking
  4. Emotive Expression
  5. Visual, spatial and tactical abilities
  6. Speed of processing

The activities that memory care offers provide routine and can make the best of the person’s ability. Studies suggest that the brain needs repetition and challenges help it to work better. Memory care activities are designed to reduce behaviors such as agitation and wandering. The activities create a sense of togetherness between the individual and the caregiver which in turn builds that sense of security.

At Paradise Living Center we ask our residents to join in fun activities such as “Brainiversity” every Thursday. These activities bring residents together socially while providing stimulation.

If you are caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease it is important to have a schedule so you can plan to fit memory care activities into their day. Online sources are a good place to start when looking for activity ideas.

Seniors Guide recommends 10 quick tips when engaging in activities at home with your loved one:

1. Be flexible and patient
2. Encourage involvement in daily life
3. Avoid correcting the person
4. Help the person remain as independent as possible
5. Offer opportunities for choice
6. Simplify instructions
7. Establish a familiar routine
8. Respond to the person’s feelings
9. Simplify, structure and supervise
10. Provide encouragement and praise

Practicing memory care therapy is crucial in helping those suffering from a memory loss disease. The activities provide structure to their daily lives and routine can help behaviors of dementia from becoming an issue to worry about. Consult your doctor for more information and services on providing memory care for your loved ones that are living outside of an assisted living facility. If you are interested in helping to accelerate Alzheimer’s prevention research visit Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry and find out how you can make a difference.

Warning signs of Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease

ALZHEIMERS-AND-DEMENTIA-CARE PLCA popular misconception about aging is that senior moments are common and considered a normal part of getting older. While an occasional senior moment can be expected, if your loved one is frequently having difficulty with his or her memory it may be a warning sign of dementia or the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Dementia is a group of symptoms that affect mental tasks like memory and reasoning. This impairment interferes with a person’s ability to do things which he or she was previously able to do. Alzheimer’s, on the other hand, is a progressive disease of the brain that slowly impairs memory and cognitive function.

Memory loss is the main warning sign for both dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, but there are others you should watch for:

If your loved one has two or more of the following symptoms it may be considered dementia:

Alzheimer’s disease shares similar signs to dementia, although there are a few others to be aware of that may present themselves in varying degrees:

If your loved one exhibits any of these signs, consult his or her doctor for diagnosis and to learn more about treatment options.

*Source: Alzheimer’s Association

Meet Kristie Chadwick

IMG_Kristie Chadwick2 low res (1)
Kristie Chadwick

Paradise Living Centers warmly welcomes, Kristie Chadwick, our new Care Manager. Kristie joined our team in May.

Q: What made you choose a career in senior care?

A: I actually started out training horses and spent many years in Europe and the U.S, training with Olympians. Training horses takes a toll the body, so as I got older, I began thinking about what else I may want to do. My experience as a trainer gave me an opportunity to get involved in pet therapy. My passion for working with others and providing care led me to make the career change. Six years ago, I accepted a position as the Activities Director for an assisted care community.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working in an assisted living community?

A: Well, I started out as the Activities Director for Ventana Winds Assisted Living and Memory Care in Sun City. There I loved working with residents and knew I found the right career path for me. I also spent two years at Encore Senior Living in Paradise Valley working as the Community Relations Coordinator. I found my passion working with seniors with dementia and Alzheimer’s and helping their families cope. I became involved with the Alzheimer’s Association’s dementia division and participated in several of their Walk to End Alzheimer’s events.

Q: In your current role as Care Manager, what do you do for PLC residents and families?

A: I do quite a bit to make sure things run smoothly in our community! To start off each day, I oversee daily monitoring of residential care and ensure that our wonderful staff is engaging our residents during daily programs and activities. I also meet with residents’ families and make certain that their expectations are met, especially those coping with loved ones suffering from dementia.

Q: Outside of work, are you involved in any organizations?

A: Oh yes, a handful of them! I like to stay up to date in my industry to benefit our residents as much as I can. I am a member of the Alzheimer’s Association, Arizona Assisted Living Homes Association, Nursing Care Institution Administrators and the Assisted Living Association of America. I am also a part of the fundraising committee for Justa Center, which is a resource center for homeless people over the age of 55.

Q: What is your long-term vision for Paradise Living Centers?

A: I hope to expand our community and diversify our programs! I want our residents to be in a home that will meet their particular needs.

Fighting Fit: The 4 Best Exercises for Seniors

seniors and fitness

Keeping physically active as an older adult is extremely important to your overall health and well-being. Exercising puts a spring in your step, both physically and emotionally, while keeping many diseases at bay, including dementia.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends four types of exercise for seniors to help retain independence and combat health issues through the aging process.

  1. Strength training:

Lifting weights or doing light weight repetitions helps keep both weight and blood sugar in check, builds muscle and helps increase metabolism. In addition, strength training can help reduce the signs and symptoms of many chronic illnesses, such as arthritis.   Incorporating 30 minutes of strength training into your routine as little as twice a week, can have a positive impact on your ability to perform everyday activities like climbing stairs or carrying groceries. Remember to alternate muscle groups, as the same muscles should not be fatigued two days in a row. It is also important that you control your breathing during exercise and use smooth steady movements.

  1. Balance exercises:

According to the NIH, U.S. hospitals have 300,000 admissions for broken hips each year, many of them seniors falling and resulting in fractures. Balance exercises help build muscle, which helps prevent falls, while increasing the ability to rise from a chair and walk. The body’s balance system promotes cooperation between the brain, nervous system, muscles and bones which ultimately increases strength and stability. Practiced daily, balancing exercises will generate positive results.

  1. Stretching exercises:

Stretching exercises alone will not improve strength or endurance. However, stretching gives you more freedom of movement and flexibility, allowing you to be more active in your senior years. It is important to warm up with light walking or arm pumping before going into a stretch. Stretching should be done daily to effectively improve flexibility.

 

  1. Endurance/Cardio exercises:

Build up your endurance gradually, starting with as little as 5 minutes of cardio at a time. As your endurance improves you can increase the time. Cardio exercises include any activity that increases your heart rate and breathing for an extended period of time. Walking or even raking leaves is considered an endurance activity.  

It’s never too late to improve your health, even if you’ve had an inactive lifestyle for quite some time. Aging should not mean that you have to lose strength or ability to do everyday tasks. Chair bound seniors face greater challenges, but there are chair aerobics to increase range of motion, improve muscle tone and stimulate your cardiovascular health. Before taking part in any exercise routine, it is recommended that you first consult your physician.

Healthy living is a key component of Paradise Living Centers’ philosophy. Learn more about our healthy living practices here.