Posts Tagged ‘senior living in Illinois’
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.
Can Seniors Maintain Their Privacy in Assisted Living?
The short answer is yes. Of course, residents can maintain their privacy in assisted living. Nevertheless, many people continue to worry about losing, not only their independence in assisted living, but their privacy.
We have already covered on this blog how residents can maintain their independence in assisted living, so now let us debunk the myth that moving into assisted living means giving up your privacy.
Maintaining Dignity
Maintaining the dignity of our residents is of the utmost importance to us, and you cannot have dignity if you do not have privacy. We have 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments to accommodate our residents’ budgets and personal preferences. Some people like having a room all to themselves while others prefer to have a roommate.
Our staff is well trained to be available whenever our residents need them while respecting the privacy and personal space of our residents. Staff will never enter a resident’s apartment without their permission, and they will not provide any assistance without first confirming the resident’s express permission to do so.
Following the Law
Not only is it our personal philosophy to provide our residents with as much dignity and privacy as possible, we are also legally required by Illinois law to respect their privacy at all times, especially when they are being examined or given medical care.
This includes the same right to confidentiality of their medical records afforded to any patient being provided with medical care.
Your medical records and information are yours alone and we will not share them with any unauthorized person.
Personal Property
Not only are residents able to keep their personal property in assisted living, they are encouraged to take it with them when they move into one of our apartments. Being surrounded by familiar objects makes the transition to assisted living that much easier, especially if the person is struggling with some form of dementia. Having familiar objects at hand can help ground the person struggling with dementia and prevent confusion.
Making Life Easier, Not Harder
The goal of assisted living is just that: to provide assistance so residents can continue living life to its fullest. We strive to make things easier for our residents, not harder, and of course that includes maintaining their privacy.
If you have any questions about how our staff at Stillwater Senior Living maintains our residents’ privacy, we are always happy to schedule some time with you so we can answer all your questions and put your mind at ease. You can schedule a meeting with us here.
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.
Getting Ready to Move into Assisted Living? Use These Tips to Sell Your House
Moving is always a challenge, but it can be especially difficult when you are getting ready to move into assisted living. You have to go through the usual process of deciding what to take with you and what to get rid of, but it can be harder to decide what you will and will not need when you are not just moving into a new home, but moving into a community with staff to help take care of you, and neighbors close to your age.
To help you with the process of getting ready to move into assisted living, we came up with a checklist you can use when selling your home.
Find an Experienced Real Estate Agent
Any time you are buying or selling real estate, you need an experienced real estate agent. A lot of real estate agents specialize in certain kinds of buyers, such as couples buying their first home or moving into a larger home as their family expands. Similarly, a lot of real estate agents specialize in helping older Americans downsize after the kids have moved out, so when you are interviewing real estate agents, make sure you have one who has experience with helping their clients downsize.
Start Downsizing
Of course, the next step is going to be to start downsizing – or “rightsizing” as some people like to call it. You will not have as much space in your assisted living apartment as you have in your home, so think carefully about the things you want to keep and the things you want to toss or donate. You should also consider getting a storage space where you can keep things you might need later, but don’t need to have on hand on a daily basis.
Talk to Your Financial Planner
Buying and selling real estate is always a big deal, financially speaking, so your financial planner should be involved. You might want to consider options such as using the funds from the sale of your home to pay for some or all of your assisted living expenses. A financial planner can help you make the most of your money, so you never have to worry about running out.
Stage Your Home for Buyers
Setting up a comfortable home you want to live in is different from setting up a home in such a way that other people want to live there. Staging your home to make it as attractive as possible to prospective buyers involves making the most of the space and light so it looks as big and airy as possible. You also want to make sure it looks lived in, but that it does not show any personality so prospective buyers can easily imagine themselves living there.
These are all things a good real estate agent should be able to help you with, so be sure to consult with them.
Enjoy Your Assisted Living Community
Once you have finally sold your home and moved into assisted living, you can just, sit back, relax, and enjoy your new assisted living community. At Stillwater Senior Living, we work hard to make sure all our residents are as comfortable as possible, while helping them remain as independent as possible.
If you are curious about all the ways we help our residents, we would love to hear from you. You can reach out now to start the conversation.
How Do I Know if Assisted Living Is Right for Me?
Moving from one home to another is always a big change, so it is no surprise that moving into assisted living makes an even bigger impact on your life. Not only are you changing your living quarters, but you are also moving into a new community and accepting care for certain health challenges. Before making the decision to move (or move your loved one) into assisted living, it is important to first make sure you qualify for assisted living.
While this article is no substitute for a medical exam, if you are experiencing any of the challenges below, it might be time to consider moving into assisted living.
Declining Health
Declining health is one of the main reasons people move into assisted living, specifically the health challenges that come with aging. While hospitals are there to help people with severe, short-term health challenges, assisted living is designed to help people live better and live longer with the long-term health challenges we all face as we get older. That could be anything from dementia to arthritis.
Difficulty Performing Daily Tasks
Assisted living is exactly what it sounds like: assistance with daily living. Any time an older American is having trouble completing daily tasks, whether it is cooking, cleaning, or even maintaining their own hygiene, it is time to consider assisted living. We can take care of all those tasks for them so they can continue living their best life for as long as possible.
Memory is Slipping
Assisted living is not the same as memory care, but many assisted living communities do offer memory care for residents who need it. If your loved one is in the early stages of dementia, but still able to do most things for themselves (or there is a history of dementia or Alzheimer’s in your family so you are worried about them developing symptoms later on), you might want to consider an assisted living community that offers memory care.
Your Doctor Has Conducted an Assessment
While assisted living does not include as much medical care as a nursing home, much less a hospital, it does offer some help with the challenges of aging. In most cases, you will need a healthcare professional to administer an assessment to determine if you are eligible for assisted living. The assessment should take into account things like mobility, memory, and fine motor skills. If you suspect your loved one might be in need of memory care, that would require a separate assessment to be conducted, either by their doctor or by a member of an assisted living community’s staff.
Deciding whether assisted living is right for you is just the first step. Choosing the right assisted living community is another matter entirely. If you have been thinking it might be time for assisted living, but you are not sure where to start, we would love to have a conversation with you to discuss your options.
What Kind of a Lifestyle Can I Expect in Senior Living?
There is a common misconception that moving into senior living means giving up all your freedom, when in fact the goal of senior living is the exact opposite. Senior living is designed to help people who struggle to perform the daily tasks necessary to take care of themselves continue to live their best life as they age. If you still find yourself wondering, “What, exactly, does that mean?” We are going to break down some of the aspects of senior living you can expect if you decide to move in.
Help with Daily Tasks
One of the most basic services senior living offers is help with daily tasks. Whether you need help doing laundry, washing dishes, or remembering to take your medication every day, the staff of senior living communities are there to help you with those tasks.
At the same time, we want our residents to maintain as much of their independence as possible, which means we help with the tasks you struggle with, but you continue performing the daily tasks that are still manageable for you. For example, if you need help preparing your meals, but have no problems washing dishes, we can help you cook, then leave you to enjoy your meal and clean up afterwards.
Transportation
Whether you need to run errands or just want to go visit friends and family, there is no reason that living in a senior living community should stop you from moving about as you please. Our residents at Stillwater Senior Living can drive themselves for as long as they are able to do so. For those who are no longer capable of driving, we provide transportation to get them anywhere they might need or want to go.
Social Activities
One of the biggest benefits of senior living communities is the chance to socialize with other people in your age group. Most senior living communities offer various classes and organized group activities that, not only keep you physically and mentally stimulated, but also make it easy for you to interact with your fellow senior living residents. Classes and group activities are a great way to break the ice and take the pressure off making new friends.
Exercise
Most senior living communities also offer opportunities for exercise, either on your own or as part of a group. Staying active only becomes more important as we get older, so residents of senior living communities are always encouraged to take advantage of their community’s gym and exercise classes as much as possible.
Pets
Your pets are members of your family, so every pet owner wants to know if they can take their pets with them when they move into senior living. The answer varies from one community to the next, so if taking your pet with you is important, that is something you will need to investigate before deciding which senior living community is right for you.
At Stillwater Senior Living, we love animals and encourage our residents to bring their pets along when they join our community. As far as we are concerned, once you join our community, so does your pet.
If you have any other questions about what it is like to live here, do not hesitate to reach out. We are always happy to chat.
What Kind of a Lifestyle Can I Expect in Senior Living?
There is a common misconception that moving into senior living means giving up all your freedom, when in fact the goal of senior living is the exact opposite. Senior living is designed to help people who struggle to perform the daily tasks necessary to take care of themselves continue to live their best life as they age. If you still find yourself wondering, “What, exactly, does that mean?” We are going to break down some of the aspects of senior living you can expect if you decide to move in.
Help with Daily Tasks
One of the most basic services senior living offers is help with daily tasks. Whether you need help doing laundry, washing dishes, or remembering to take your medication every day, the staff of senior living communities are there to help you with those tasks.
At the same time, we want our residents to maintain as much of their independence as possible, which means we help with the tasks you struggle with, but you continue performing the daily tasks that are still manageable for you. For example, if you need help preparing your meals, but have no problems washing dishes, we can help you cook, then leave you to enjoy your meal and clean up afterwards.
Transportation
Whether you need to run errands or just want to go visit friends and family, there is no reason that living in a senior living community should stop you from moving about as you please. Our residents at Stillwater Senior Living can drive themselves for as long as they are able to do so. For those who are no longer capable of driving, we provide transportation to get them anywhere they might need or want to go.
Social Activities
One of the biggest benefits of senior living communities is the chance to socialize with other people in your age group. Most senior living communities offer various classes and organized group activities that, not only keep you physically and mentally stimulated, but also make it easy for you to interact with your fellow senior living residents. Classes and group activities are a great way to break the ice and take the pressure off making new friends.
Exercise
Most senior living communities also offer opportunities for exercise, either on your own or as part of a group. Staying active only becomes more important as we get older, so residents of senior living communities are always encouraged to take advantage of their community’s gym and exercise classes as much as possible. We have classes every day!
Pets
Your pets are members of your family, so every pet owner wants to know if they can take their pets with them when they move into senior living. The answer varies from one community to the next, so if taking your pet with you is important, that is something you will need to investigate before deciding which senior living community is right for you.
At Stillwater Senior Living, we love animals and encourage our residents to bring their pets along when they join our community. As far as we are concerned, once you join our community, so does your pet.
If you have any other questions about what it is like to live here, do not hesitate to reach out. We are always happy to chat.
Helping Loved Ones with Dementia Through the Holidays
The holidays can be stressful at the best of times, and if you have a loved one who is struggling with dementia, it can make getting through the end of the year that much harder. At the same time, you still want to enjoy the time you have left with your loved one, especially if there is a likelihood that this will be the last holiday season you get to enjoy with them.
The good news is you can have your cake and eat it too when celebrating the holidays with someone suffering from dementia, you just need to be willing to compromise in some areas and have a strategy going in. Here are some of our tips for enjoying the holidays with a loved one with dementia.
Let Go of Perfection
There is often a temptation to try to make the holidays perfect, but the first thing you need to realize is that there is no such thing as a perfect holiday. That is true every year, no matter what you have going on in your family, but it is especially true if you have a loved one with dementia. They are going to say and do inappropriate things, or they will fail to respond the way you want them to, and you and your guests need to understand and be OK with that.
Be Proactive About Involving Your Loved One with Dementia
One of the hardest things about going through dementia is knowing something is off, but not knowing what it is or what to do about it. It is an extremely frightening and frustrating experience, and it often causes those struggling with dementia to withdraw, making them feel lonely in addition to scared and frustrated.
Since the whole point of the holidays is to spend time together, be proactive about including your loved one in your holiday activities this year. Include them in conversations by asking them questions and reminiscing with them. Ask them to help with simple tasks so they can feel like they are contributing.
Be Patient with Your Loved One (and Yourself)
Know that there will be struggles, but getting frustrated will only exacerbate your loved one’s feelings of fear and frustration. Rather than losing patience with them, take a deep breath. Your loved one will have a hard time communicating, but if you do your best to anticipate their needs and pay attention to their words and body language, you stand a good chance of making it through the holidays without a meltdown.
Whether you have a loved one struggling with dementia at home with you or in an assisted living community, it can help to talk to someone who has been there and done that. We know all the best strategies to help you get along with loved ones suffering from dementia at any time of year, and we are always happy to chat. Reach out now to get the conversation started so we can help you and your loved one have a successful holiday season!