Posts Tagged ‘care giving’
Thursday, June 6th, 2013
Dear Maryellen…
How truthful should we be with someone who has dementia or any form of Alzheimer’s Disease?
Dear Uyla,
Changes in memory are part of the aging process. It is when it interferes with the day-to-day tasks that it becomes a cause for concern. Seeing the doctor for a checkup and following his advice for testing will help determine how to proceed.
As we age, we are all too familiar with the fact that we become forgetful. I don’t see any reason to share the words Dementia or Alzheimer’s with your loved one. They are probably the two words that all seniors fear the most. I will share a conversation I had with my mother when she started to realize she was becoming more forgetful.
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Tags: alzheimer, care, care giving, caregivers, elder health, elderly, elderly care, elderly homes, family, health, health care, MaryEllen, mom, residents, senior citizen, senior citizen health, seniors
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Wednesday, May 29th, 2013
Dear Maryellen…
It takes a very special person to care or assist someone that is forgetful or has dementia. What do you do when a resident is up all night? The practice here is let them be, but from what I observe it is exhausting. What would you do in a situation like that?
-Uyla T.
Dear Uyla,
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, people with Alzheimer’s or dementia often have problems with sleeping or may experience changes in their sleep schedule.
To create an inviting sleeping environment and promote rest for a person with Alzheimer’s the following are recommended:
- Maintain regular times for meals and for going to bed and getting up.
- Seek morning sunlight exposure.
- Encourage regular daily exercise, but no later than four hours before bedtime.
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine and nicotine.
- Treat any pain.
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Tags: alzheimer, assisted living, Assisted living blog, assisted living communities, Bristal, care, care giving, caregivers, communities, community, elder health, elderly, elderly care, elderly homes, family, health, mom, senior citizen, senior citizen health, seniors, services, tips
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Friday, April 26th, 2013
Dear Maryellen…
My mother is in her mid-eighties and has been getting progressively more forgetful, but my father and mother just won’t admit it. My mother is currently going through some diagnostic testing. Our situation is very worrisome from a lot of vantage points. Can you tell me if Alzheimer’s is hereditary?
- Joan K. from Greenwich, Conn.
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Tags: activities, alzheimer, assisted living, Assisted living blog, assisted living communities, Bristal, bristals, care, care giving, caregivers, elder health, elderly, elderly care, family, genetics, health, hereditary, mom, senior citizen, tips
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Tuesday, April 16th, 2013
Engaging in creative activity is extremely beneficial for people of all ages, not just the young. Research shows both the acts of creative expression and social interaction are vital to the mental and physical well being of senior citizens. According to Gene D. Cohen, MD, PhD of the Center for Aging, Health & Humanities, George Washington University, “Expressing ourselves can actually improve health, both mentally and physically.”
Dr. Cohen’s research claims the following benefits:
- Creativity reinforces essential connections between brain cells, including those responsible for memory.
- Creativity strengthens morale. It alters the way we respond to problems and sometimes allows us to transcend them. Keeping a fresh perspective makes us emotionally resilient.
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Tags: activities, alzheimer, art therapy, assisted living, Assisted living blog, assisted living communities, Bristal, care, care giving, caregivers, communities, community, creative activities, Creative Art, elder care, elder health, elderly, elderly care, family, health, health care, long island, mom, senior citizen health, seniors, services, tips
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Friday, April 5th, 2013
Dear Maryellen…
My father lives in Boca Raton, Florida and was recently ill. Until now, he has been in pretty good shape for his 85 years. He is living with a few chronic ailments, such as Diabetes and COPD, and, from time to time he has an episode and has to pay attention to one condition or another. I’ve had some midnight calls from him lately that have caused me a lot of worry and him a lot of stress. It’s impossible for me to get down to him fast enough in an emergency. Are there any resources you would recommend to help me care for my dad long distance?
– Sandra, Floral Park, NY
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Tags: alzheimer, assisted living, Assisted living blog, assisted living communities, Bristal, bristals, care, care giving, caregivers, communities, community, elder health, elderly, elderly care, elderly homes, family, health, health care, long island, MaryEllen, medication, mom, residents, senior citizen health, seniors, services, tips
Posted in Dear Blogger | 2 Comments »
Thursday, February 21st, 2013
Dear Readers,
According to Webster’s dictionary, music is defined as vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony. What we personally view as music might vary from person to person but the health benefits are undisputable. According to Harvard Medical School, listening to music offers the following benefits:
- Boosts the metabolic function, including the immune system
- Improves recovery from surgery
- Improves gastric symptoms
- Reduces anxiety and depression
- Regulates energy
- Speeds up the metabolic recovery from stress
- Provides pain relief
- Stimulates a sense of meaning and self in someone with dementia
- Provides language and movement stimulation as part of recovery
Whether your preference is blues, rock, country or jazz, turn it up and enjoy!
Regards,
Maryellen
Tags: activities, assisted living, Assisted living blog, assisted living communities, Bristal, bristals, care, care giving, caregivers, communities, community, elder health, elderly homes, family, health, health care, hypertension, long island, MaryEllen, medication, mom, senior citizen health, seniors, tips
Posted in A message from Maryellen | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 19th, 2013
Dear Readers,
Suggesting Assisted Living to your senior loved one can be very difficult. Perhaps you’ve been avoiding the conversation. The Bristal’s TheTalk covers questions and concerns that your loved one might have and can be used as a guide for your discussion.
Regards,
Maryellen
Tags: alzheimer, assisted living, Assisted living blog, assisted living communities, Bristal, bristals, care, care giving, caregivers, communities, community, elder health, elderly homes, family, health, health care, long island, MaryEllen, mom, residents, senior citizen health, seniors, tips
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Saturday, January 12th, 2013
Dear Readers,
It’s been said smiling can brighten the darkest day. In fact, research shows having a positive outlook helps manage stress and may provide the following health benefits:
- Increases life span
- Lowers rates of depression
- Lowers levels of distress
- Builds greater resistance to the common cold
- Improves psychological and physical well-being
- Reduces risk of death from cardiovascular disease
It’s unclear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits. One theory however, is that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body. It’s also thought that positive and optimistic people tend to live healthier lifestyles — they get more physical activity, follow a healthier diet, and don’t smoke or drink alcohol in excess. (more…)
Tags: assisted living, Assisted living blog, Bristal, bristals, care, care giving, caregivers, communities, community, elder health, elderly homes, family, health, health care, long island, MaryEllen, mom, residents, senior citizen health, seniors, services, tips
Posted in A message from Maryellen | No Comments »
