Posts Tagged ‘levels of care for seniors’
The Importance of High-Quality Sleep for Seniors
Getting enough sleep – and making sure it is high-quality sleep – is important for all of us, but it is especially important for older Americans.
It affects almost every aspect of our mental and physical health, including some of the aspects of health with which older Americans tend to struggle the most.
The next time you consider burning the candle at both ends, remember these benefits to getting high-quality sleep every night.
Improves Concentration and Memory
Sleep is when the brain is processing everything from the day before. Sometimes it combines or interprets the day’s experiences in strange ways, which is why you wake up wondering what the heck that dream was about. It is just your brain’s way of working through data.
The brain also performs a sort of clean up while you sleep. Your brain cells are surrounded by fluid, which needs to be flushed out and replaced with clean fluid on a regular basis. This cleanup occurs primarily during sleep, so if you are not getting enough sleep, you are essentially letting trash pile up in your brain.
Of course, this does not mean a good night’s sleep can cure dementia, which is increasingly common in older Americans. But alongside other healthy habits, it can help prevent dementia.
Reduces Stress
Have you ever gone to sleep obsessed over something, and in the morning wondered what you were so worried about?
While it is true that things often look different in the light of day, it is not the daylight that makes them look different. It is the fact that your brain was able to rest and process the events of the day before, putting them into context.
When your brain is rested, it is much easier to maintain a sense of perspective and to think of creative solutions to problems. When you are tired and stressed you are more likely to jump straight to assuming you will be forced to face the worst-case scenario.
Improves Immunity
It is well documented that people who get at least eight hours of sleep a night are less likely to get sick. Everything from the common cold to chronic illnesses are more likely to affect the sleep deprived than the well rested.
Since older Americans are not only more likely to get sick, but also more likely to be hospitalized or even die from these illnesses, it should come as no surprise that they can benefit from a good night’s sleep even more than the rest of us.
Speeds Up the Aging Process
One study showed that even one night of bad sleep caused cells to age faster compared to when the person was well rested.
This is about more than just wrinkled skin. Everything from bone density to joint and brain health can be affected by a faster aging process.
As with most things, you have the final say in whether you get a good night’s sleep. But at Stillwater Senior Living, we are committed to doing everything we can to help all our residents sleep peacefully at night so they can continue to live their best lives. If you have any questions about how we do that, you can reach out now. We are always happy to talk about all the ways we strive to keep our residents healthy and happy.
The Importance of High-Quality Sleep for Senior Citizens
Getting enough sleep – and making sure it is high-quality sleep – is important for all of us, but it is especially important for older Americans.
It affects almost every aspect of our mental and physical health, including some of the aspects of health with which older Americans tend to struggle the most.
The next time you consider burning the candle at both ends, remember these benefits to getting high-quality sleep every night.
Improves Concentration and Memory
Sleep is when the brain is processing everything from the day before. Sometimes it combines or interprets the day’s experiences in strange ways, which is why you wake up wondering what the heck that dream was about. It is just your brain’s way of working through data.
The brain also performs a sort of clean up while you sleep. Your brain cells are surrounded by fluid, which needs to be flushed out and replaced with clean fluid on a regular basis. This cleanup occurs primarily during sleep, so if you are not getting enough sleep, you are essentially letting trash pile up in your brain.
Of course, this does not mean a good night’s sleep can cure dementia, which is increasingly common in older Americans. But alongside other healthy habits, it can help prevent dementia.
Reduces Stress
Have you ever gone to sleep obsessed over something, and in the morning wondered what you were so worried about?
While it is true that things often look different in the light of day, it is not the daylight that makes them look different. It is the fact that your brain was able to rest and process the events of the day before, putting them into context.
When your brain is rested, it is much easier to maintain a sense of perspective and to think of creative solutions to problems. When you are tired and stressed you are more likely to jump straight to assuming you will be forced to face the worst-case scenario.
Improves Immunity
It is well documented that people who get at least eight hours of sleep a night are less likely to get sick. Everything from the common cold to chronic illnesses are more likely to affect the sleep deprived than the well rested.
Since older Americans are not only more likely to get sick, but also more likely to be hospitalized or even die from these illnesses, it should come as no surprise that they can benefit from a good night’s sleep even more than the rest of us.
Speeds Up the Aging Process
One study showed that even one night of bad sleep caused cells to age faster compared to when the person was well rested.
This is about more than just wrinkled skin. Everything from bone density to joint and brain health can be affected by a faster aging process.
As with most things, you have the final say in whether you get a good night’s sleep. But at Stillwater Senior Living, we are committed to doing everything we can to help all our residents sleep peacefully at night so they can continue to live their best lives. If you have any questions about how we do that, you can reach out now. We are always happy to talk about all the ways we strive to keep our residents healthy and happy.
Tips for Celebrating “Healthy Aging Month” This Year
If you have ever heard the advice to, “Never get old,” that is the attitude Healthy Aging Month was designed to reverse. Healthy Aging Month was first celebrated in 1992 when people born in the 1940s were turning 50. The goal was to help people entering their Golden Years to celebrate those years, rather than dread them. Healthy Aging Month aims to do this by encouraging people to eat right and exercise at all stages of life, but especially as they get older. The idea is that aging healthy leads to graceful aging, and that is what we are all about here at Stillwater Senior Living.
September has been designated as “Healthy Aging Month,” and while we encourage people to maintain a healthy lifestyle all year long, we do have some ideas as for celebrating healthy aging this month.
Set Health Goals
Who says January is the only month for setting goals to change your life? When it comes to your health and well-being, we think September is a great time to develop new habits that will help you feel better all year long.
Losing weight is one of the most common health goals we hear about, but it is far from the only important metric of health. It is equally important to build up your muscle mass, improve your flexibility and balance, and keep track of your numbers (blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.) Once you know what your goals are, you can create a plan that will get you there.
Get an Accountability Partner
Regardless of the goal you are trying to achieve, if you get an accountability partner, you are significantly more likely to achieve your goal than if you do not have an accountability partner.
So whether you are trying to eat more vegetables, drink less alcohol, or exercise more, getting an accountability partner to participate in (or avoid) those activities with you can help you make progress towards your goals. Whether your goal is to lose weight, gain muscle, or just feel better, there is no doubt that doing it with a buddy is not only more effective, but also more fun.
Do Not Forget About Mental Health
Mental health often takes a back seat to physical health, but not only are the two equally important, they also tend to go hand in hand. If your physical health is suffering, chances are good your mental health will suffer as well, and vice versa.
So it does not always make sense to focus on your physical health if your mental health needs your attention right now. That could mean anything from therapy to gardening.
In addition to reducing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s, gardening has also been shown to improve mood, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of depression.
If gardening is not your thing, try learning a new board game, taking dance classes, or learning pottery. All are great activities that, in addition to improving your mood, will improve your cognitive abilities, which is even more important as you age.
At Stillwater Senior Living, we are committed to the health of our residents, which is why we like to celebrate health all year long. But there is something special about Healthy Aging Month. If you would like to share with us your tips for healthy aging, we are all ears. You can either fill out our form or find out how to reach us directly here.
Natural Ways for Seniors to Lower Their Blood Pressure
Many of us struggle with high blood pressure as we age, and while there are many medications on the market designed to help people control their blood pressure, not everyone wants to rely on pharmaceuticals. That leaves the question, what are some natural ways for older Americans to lower their blood pressure?
Diet
One of the best ways to naturally lower blood pressure is to maintain a healthy diet. That means staying away from highly processed foods, especially the ones that are high in salt and sugar.
Instead, we recommend ditching the junk food in favor of plenty of vegetables and protein. Not only is it a great way to nourish your body with all the building blocks it needs to get and stay strong, it is also a great way to naturally lower your blood pressure.
Exercise
A healthy diet and regular exercise regimen should go hand in hand for building and maintaining a strong body. Doctors recommend an exercise routine that raises your heart rate for at least 15 minutes every day. By engaging in regular cardiovascular workouts that get your blood pumping, your body will be better able to maintain a steady heart rate and blood pressure when you are not exercising.
Do Not Smoke
Smokers are much more likely to have high blood pressure than non-smokers, so if you smoke, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to quit. Not only will it help lower your blood pressure, but it will also increase your lung capacity, which in turn will increase your stamina and your energy levels. Quitting is hard, but it is worth it.
Maintain Healthy Sleep Habits
Sleep is critical for all areas of our health, both mental and physical. The average person needs about eight hours of sleep a night to be healthy and live their best life, but keep in mind that that is the average. Some people are fine on six hours of sleep a night while others need nine hours. Know what works best for you and do whatever you need to do to get that sleep.
That means going to bed at the same time every night and trying to get up at the same time every morning. Limit distractions before bedtime, especially screen time and anything with blue light. You can download an app onto your phone or computer that dims the blue light on your screen when the sun goes down. You can also set your phone to automatically darken the screen and block notifications from your bedtime until your normal wake-up time.
If you sleep best with music or white noise, you can get a radio or device that plays whatever noise will help put you to sleep. You can even use your phone to listen to soothing music, rain, or anything else you like to listen to as you fall asleep.
Keep in mind, physical exercise during the day can also make it easier to fall asleep at night, so you can kill two birds with one stone by exercising regularly.
Meditation
Meditation is excellent for lowering blood pressure, both in the moment, and in the long term. Any time you feel yourself getting stressed, your heart rate and blood pressure both go up, and by taking a few deep breaths and meditating, even just for a few minutes, you can bring down your heart rate and blood pressure.
People who meditate on a regular basis report feeling less stress overall, as well as lower blood pressure. If you have chronic high blood pressure, meditating once or twice will not be enough to get the results you need. You should instead try to meditate on a regular basis for at least a week or two before determining whether you notice a difference in your blood pressure or stress levels.
At Stillwater Senior Living, our goal is always to help keep our residents healthy in whatever way works best for them. If they need help remembering to take their medication, we are happy to help with that. If they would prefer to stay healthy without medications, we can help with that, too. Reach out now to ask how we can help you or your loved one live their best life in assisted living.
What Does a Typical Day in Assisted Living Look Like?
If you or a loved one are thinking about moving into assisted living, you probably want to know what to expect after move-in day. What does the day-to-day life of an assisted living resident look like?
Honestly, it does not look that much different from the life of any other retiree, although it might be more fun. Here is what a typical day at Stillwater Senior Living looks like:
Wake Up When You Want
Have you ever wanted to throw your alarm out the window when it wakes you up from a deep sleep? While we do not condone throwing things, one of the benefits of assisted living is the ability to wake up whenever you want. Early risers can get up to watch the sunrise, while those who do not consider themselves morning people can sleep in as late as they want.
Breakfast
Residents who are capable of making their own breakfast can do so in their apartment. If they need help preparing their food, or if they just want to linger over a cup of coffee with a friend, they can head to the dining hall where our staff will prepare a nutritious breakfast for them.
Morning Activities
Mornings are full of organized activities. Residents are free to create their own activities, but they are also encouraged to participate in at least one of our planned activities. Not only are they fun, they are a great way to get to know and socialize with the other residents. Some of our activities include:
- Exercise classes
- Board games
- Crafting
- Trivia games
- Bingo
Lunch
As with breakfast, residents who are capable are free to make their own lunches, but most people choose to eat lunch in the dining hall with the other residents. That way they can chat about the morning’s activities with their fellow residents.
Afternoon Visits
Visiting hours are not restricted to the afternoons, but it is a great time to visit. Our residents have had a chance to get plenty of sleep and then have a nice, relaxing morning on their own or participating in one of our planned activities. That makes the afternoon an ideal time for friends and family to visit their loved one and catch up over a cup of tea or engage in some activities of their own.
Dinner
Not all our visitors choose to stay for dinner, but many do. Some choose to make dinner with their loved ones, while others join them in the dining hall where our staff can cook their meal while they focus on catching up with their loved one.
Evenings
Residents are encouraged to spend the evenings winding down and getting ready for bed. Whether this means enjoying a movie or curling up with a good book, a pre-bedtime routine is as important for a good night’s sleep as a bedtime routine.
If you still have questions about daily life in assisted living, you can always reach out to ask us. We are always happy to talk about our work helping our residents live their lives to the fullest for as long as possible.
3 Tips for Applying to an Assisted Living Community
Just like schools needed to be expanded in the 1950s and 1960s as the baby boomer generation reached school age, now assisted living communities have had to expand and create waitlists to account for the surge in people applying to live in assisted living. This increase in demand can make it harder for you to get a space in your preferred assisted living community, so we are going to give you some tips you can use to give you a leg up on the competition when applying for assisted living.
1) Start Early
Most people want to avoid thinking about moving into assisted living until they have reached the point where they are no longer able to take care of themselves, but at that point it is already too late. If you wait until you need assisted living before you start researching your options, you will be forced to move into whichever community has a space for you, which may or may not be your first choice.
Alternatively, you might have to move in with a family member or hire a home aid to help you while you wait to get off the waiting list.
2) Get Your Medical Documents Ready
Assisted living is different from a retirement community in that it is designed to help those who need help with daily tasks. It could be reminding them to take their pills, helping with cooking and cleaning for those with arthritis, or help with hygiene for those suffering from dementia.
As a result, assisted living communities often review your medical history and will probably conduct their own assessment of your physical and cognitive abilities to determine the level of care you need. Be prepared for the assessment and have all your papers in order when you are getting ready to apply because that will make the process go that much more smoothly.
3) Create a List of Questions to Ask the Staff
To make sure you end up in your preferred assisted living community, it is important to know what you want in an assisted living community. Location is important, but there are other factors, such as whether you can take your pet with you, the types of activities they offer, etc. Know what your qualifications are and have a list of questions ready to ask the staff so you can make sure it is a place where you want to live for the foreseeable future.
At Stillwater Senior Living, we know we are not the right fit for everyone, but we would love to see if we could be the right fit for you. If you have any questions about what it is like to be one of our residents, just reach out to schedule a tour.
What You Need to Know About the Different Types of Arthritis
Most people are aware of arthritis as a common symptom of aging, but did you know there are different types of arthritis? They all have different causes and symptoms, so if you think you or a loved one might be suffering from arthritis, it is best to have an idea of the different types of arthritis before you jump to any conclusions about what might be causing your arthritis or the best way to move forward.
Keep in mind that a blog post does not constitute medical advice. The best course of action is always to consult with your doctor so they can perform an exam and provide you with a diagnosis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is when the cartilage in the joint begins to break down, causing the bones to rub against each other when the joint is used. This can be extremely painful, and is the most common reason for older Americans to lose mobility as they age.
Osteoarthritis is most common in the hands, hips, and knees, but is by no means limited to those joints. Any joint that has been used frequently over a long period of time can be susceptible to osteoarthritis. After all, it is called “wear and tear” arthritis for a reason.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells in the body. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system primarily attacks the joints, usually the hands, wrists, and knees. It is common for several joints to be affected by rheumatoid arthritis all at the same time.
Because it is an autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis tends to cause the affected joints to become inflamed as the body tries to flood the area with white blood cells. This damages the joint tissue and can cause chronic pain in the affected joints, and even cause them to become misshapen, especially if left untreated for a long period of time.
In addition to the joints, rheumatoid arthritis can also affect various organs in the body, including the lungs, heart, and eyes.
Fibromyalgia
Rather than targeting just the joints, fibromyalgia causes pain all over the body. Sleep problems are another common symptom of fibromyalgia, but in many cases, it is not a separate symptom, but rather a result of the chronic pain keeping the person awake throughout the night. Fatigue and emotional and mental distress, including depression and anxiety, are also common symptoms of fibromyalgia, but they also tend to go hand-in-hand with sleep deprivation. In most cases, if the patient can be cured of their pain and allowed to sleep, the other symptoms tend to vanish.
We still do not know exactly what causes fibromyalgia, but the good news is there are ways to manage it.
Gout
Gout is another type of arthritis caused by inflammation, and it usually only affects one joint at a time. Gout is most commonly experienced in the joint of the big toe, and is characterized by flare ups of intense pain, followed by periods of remission in which little-to-no pain is experienced.
There is no cure for gout, but it can be managed with medication and a diet that is low in alcohol and rich foods.
At Stillwater Senior Living, we provide a wide range of aid levels to make sure our residents have the level of care they need, while leaving them the independence to perform their own daily tasks whenever possible. If you or a loved one is suffering from a form of arthritis and you think it might be time for assisted living, we would love to have a conversation with you.
3 Tips for Making Your Loved One Feel at Home in Assisted Living
Moving is always hard, but moving from independent living into assisted living provides its own, unique challenges. From the misconception that assisted living means giving up your freedom, to the idea of living in a community rather than an independent house or apartment, getting your loved one used to the idea of assisted living is not always easy.
But there are ways you can make it easier, both on yourself and on your loved one. These three tips provide a great starting point when it comes to making your loved one feel at home in assisted living.
1) Include Them in the Process
No one likes to be transplanted from their home into a new place without any warning or say in the matter. Not only does this mean you need to have conversations with your loved one about moving into assisted living before the move-in date, you also need to include them in the process of getting ready to move in.
This means consulting with them about downsizing. What do they want to take with them into assisted living, what do they want to donate, and what do they want to put in storage?
When it comes to setting up their apartment in assisted living, let them choose where to put which pieces of furniture and how to decorate their apartment. They know what will make them feel most comfortable, and if they have a say in setting up their apartment to their liking, they will have a much easier time settling in.
2) Bring Things from Home
It might be tempting for some people to “start fresh” in assisted living by buying new furniture and new décor, but that is the wrong approach to take with assisted living. By including furniture and décor from your loved one’s previous home, you will help them feel more comfortable by surrounding them with familiar objects.
If you have ever had trouble sleeping in an unfamiliar place, you know how hard it can be to feel comfortable in a new place. By surrounding your loved one with familiar objects, you help make their new home feel like home, which will make the transition so much easier.
3) Visit Early and Often
Nothing makes a place feel like home like having loved ones around, so the more you can visit, the better your loved one will adjust. You can also include pictures of yourself and other friends and family members in the décor so your loved one will feel like you are always close by. When you are unable to make a physical visit, phone calls, video calls, and postcards are a great way to stay connected.
Most older Americans worry about feeling isolated and disconnected from friends and family, especially when they need to move into assisted living. By staying present in your loved one’s life as much as possible, you can fight those feelings of isolation, and that will go far towards helping them adjust to their new life in assisted living.
As an assisted living provider, we have no shortage of ideas for helping older Americans feel comfortable about moving into assisted living. These three tips just scratch the service, so if you need more ideas or resources, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are always happy to chat.
How Long Do Most People Stay in Assisted Living?
The uncertainty that comes with moving into assisted living is one of the reasons it can be so hard to convince loved ones to make the move. In addition to the fact that change is always hard, especially when it requires leaving home, not knowing how long your new home will be your home creates an additional layer of stress for those moving into assisted living.
To help relieve some of that stress, we are going to explain how long most people stay in assisted living, as well as some of the most common reasons residents choose to move out of assisted living.
The Average Length of Stay in Assisted Living
The average length of stay in assisted living is about 28 months according to a report that was published jointly by the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living. Keep in mind that “average length of stay” means some people spend less than 28 months in assisted living, while others spend more time in assisted living.
It is also important to note that some people might spend a year or two in one assisted living community before moving to another assisted living community. Whether they move to be closer to family or because they need certain services their first assisted living community did not provide, they might not spend all their time in assisted living in the same community.
Men and Women in Assisted Living
Another important thing to keep in mind is that women tend to live longer than men, which means women are more likely to spend more time in assisted living. According to the Administration on Aging, the average woman needs long-term care services for 3.7 years, while the average man needs long-term care services for only 2.2 years.
Keep in mind that “long-term care services” covers more than just assisted living. It also includes care provided within the home and nursing homes.
Reasons for Leaving Assisted Living
Most residents in assisted living will eventually need a higher level of care, which is the primary reason for leaving assisted living. That could mean moving from an assisted living community that does not provide specific services, such as memory care, to one that does. Or it could mean moving from assisted living to a nursing home, which provides a higher level of medical care than assisted living.
At Stillwater Senior Living, we wish all our residents could stay with us forever, but we also know every time a resident moves on it gives us a chance to love and care for a new resident. If you have any questions about the experiences of our residents here at Stillwater Senior Living, we are always happy to chat. Just reach out to get the conversation started.
What Services Are Offered in Assisted Living?
Some of the services offered in assisted living vary between assisted living communities, but there are some basic services you will find in every assisted living community. In this article, we are going to start with the basics and then go into some of the more specialized services that you will find at Stillwater Senior Living, but you will not necessarily find in every assisted living community.
Cooking and Cleaning
Help with cooking and cleaning is a basic service of assisted living. Most people move into assisted living because they are having trouble keeping up with the daily tasks of living. Whether it is cooking, washing dishes, or folding laundry, any time someone is having trouble performing one or more of the basic tasks of daily living, they are a good candidate for assisted living.
Supervising Medications
Supervising medications is another reason a lot of people move into assisted living. Many of us need to take more prescription medications and dietary supplements as we age and our bodies do not function like they used to. All those medications come with specific instructions: they need to be taken at certain times of the day, and some need to be taken with food while others need to be taken on an empty stomach.
It is a lot for anyone to keep track of, but especially those of us struggling with minor confusion. That is why supervising medications to make sure you take everything when it needs to be taken and you do not accidentally take a medication twice or mix medications that should never be taken together is one of the biggest benefits of assisted living.
Organizing Recreational and Social Activities
Another big benefit of assisted living that most people do not know about is organizing recreational and social activities. We know that living your best life involves much more than making sure the dishes are washed and the laundry is folded. It also involves a rich social life and assisted living is great at getting residents to interact with each other in fun ways. Whether you are passionate about music, arts and crafts, or exercise, an assisted living community is sure to have something for you.
Transportation
Losing access to transportation is something everyone worries about as they age and they have trouble driving, whether because from physical or mental health challenges. That is why assisted living communities offer help with transportation so their residents can get where they need to go.
At Stillwater Senior Living, we offer parking for our residents who are still able to drive. For those who are unable to drive, we can arrange transportation for them.
Beauty Salon
Looking your best is often the key to feeling your best, which is why most assisted living communities include an on-site beauty salon.
Wearable Tech for Safety
Maybe someday we will live in a society where everyone has smart watches, but for now they are still pretty rare, especially for older Americans. But smart watches have some great benefits – namely that they allow you to call for help in an emergency if you can not reach your phone.
We have taken the best of both worlds by giving our residents watches and necklaces they can use to call for help if they need it. All they have to do is push a button, and one of our attentive staff members will come running to their aid.
Memory Care
Memory care involves specialized services from a staff that has been trained to provide memory care. As a result, not all assisted living communities offer memory care services, so if you are considering assisted living and you think your loved one might be in need of memory care services at some point, you might want to look for communities that offer memory care services so you will not have to move your loved one twice.
At Stillwater Senior Living, we are committed to going above and beyond for our residents. If you are interested, you can view our full list of services, and if you have any questions, please do not. hesitate to reach out.