Posts Tagged ‘Stillwater Senior Living’
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.
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.
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.
4 Tips for Celebrating Fall in Assisted Living
Fall is a great time of year, filled with so many opportunities. It is an ideal time to get outside and enjoy the changing colors of the foliage, especially as the weather cools off, which means we do not have to worry about heat stroke. It is also a great time to enjoy all the delicious foods of the traditional harvest time.
If you think the older Americans in your life have to miss out on all the great aspects of fall just because they are aging, you have it all wrong. Here are just a few ways you can enjoy the autumn season with loved ones of any age.
1) Go for a Hike
Getting outside and walking around is always a great idea, but autumn is an especially good time of year for it. It is cool enough that we do not have to worry about heatstroke, and warm enough that we do not have to worry about frostbite. Plus, it is arguably the most beautiful time of the year. Just walking around your neighborhood or through your local parks gives you a chance to admire the changing leaves, as well as some of the beautiful late-blooming flowers.
You can make these walks with friends and family members into a game by seeing who can spot the most colors or take the picture that most perfectly exemplifies autumn.
We are fortunate to have beautiful sidewalks and gorgeous scenery here at our community if your loved one cannot walk that far or is in a scooter. Come by for a visit!
2) Get in the Kitchen
The cooler weather also makes autumn a great time to get in the kitchen for some seasonal cooking and baking. Since apples and squash are plentiful this time of year, you can make some delicious meals just by roasting them with some ground pork. Or you can puree them with some hot water to make some soup (autumn is a great time for soups and stews!)
If you want to get fancy, you can bake all kinds of things with pumpkin or apples (or both!) Pies are the obvious choice, but they can go in anything from muffins and pancakes to bread and cookies. Use some pumpkin pie spice in your kitchen creations and it will make your whole house smell like heaven.
Check out our Facebook page so you can see what our Dining Director, Kathy, cooks up for our residents to take part in!
3) Dress Up
Who does not love dressing up like someone (or something) else for a day? It is one of the reasons Halloween is one of the most popular holidays in the country, so pull out those old costumes and dust off those hats and masks to see what you can create. Again, stay tuned to our Facebook page so you can see what we are up to this Halloween!
4) Get Crafty
If you are looking for fall-related crafts to do with older Americans, you can have them make their own masks using colored paper, glue, and markers. Why limit yourself to what is in your closet or in stores when you can make a mask that is uniquely yours?
At Stillwater Senior Living, our mission is to help our residents enjoy every season to its fullest, whether that means enjoying the great outdoors, getting our craft on, spending time in the kitchen, or all of the above. If you have any questions about how we strive to keep our residents happy and healthy all year long, we are always happy to chat. Just reach out to get the conversation started.
5 Benefits of Exercise for Older Americans
The benefits of exercise in general are pretty well known, but exercise can be especially beneficial for older Americans as they age. If you are not familiar with the specific benefits exercise has to offer older Americans, here are some of the biggest reasons to stay active as long as possible.
1) Boosts Immune Function
Most people know that we all tend to be more vulnerable to disease as we get older. While staying active cannot guarantee that you will never get sick, it has been proven to improve immune function and help your body fight off disease. Those who exercise regularly are less likely to get sick compared to their less active counterparts, and when they do get sick, the severity of their symptoms is usually much less than what their less active counterparts experience.
2) Boosts Mood
When we feel better physically, we tend to feel better mentally. Not only does this improve our mood, but it also tends to be effective in combatting serious mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression, both of which tend to affect older Americans at increasing rates.
3) Boosts Balance
One of the things we worry about most with older Americans is that they will fall and suffer a serious injury. Regular exercise improves balance, making falls less likely.
4) Builds Bone and Joint Strength
Strength training helps keep bones and joints strong. Not only does this allow older Americans to continue doing all kinds of things as they age (including lifting and carrying grandchildren), it also reduces the chances they will suffer a serious injury if they lose their balance and fall.
Joint pain is also a common complaint among older Americans and strength training is a great way to build and maintain strong joints and tendons, as well as reduce inflammation, so joint pain becomes a thing of the past.
You do not need heavy weights for strength training. Squats and pushups will do the trick, even if you have to do your pushups on your knees.
5) Social Engagement
Working out alone is always an option, but most of us find we are more likely to exercise if we have a buddy. Not only can our workout buddy hold us accountable to our exercise goals, they can also make the process of working out more enjoyable. The only thing better than a walk in the woods or a bike ride along the water is a walk or bike ride with a friend to share the journey.
At Stillwater Senior Living, we are committed to providing our residents with plenty of opportunities for exercise, both inside and outside. Whether our residents want to exercise on their own or with a group of other residents, inside or outside, we can accommodate their needs. If you want to know more about our residents’ exercise options (or any other aspect of living here at Stillwater Senior Living) we are always happy to chat. Reach out now to schedule your free consultation.
5 Benefits of Art Therapy for Older Americans
Art therapy offers a lot of great opportunities for self-expression and working through your emotions. Besides, who does not like playing with colors and a blank canvas? There are few things more relaxing, but art therapy offers some distinct benefits for older Americans, so we will go over some of them now.
1) Stress Reduction
Playing with colors and a blank canvas is a very soothing activity. You do not need to be the next Picasso. You do not even need to know what your creation is going to end up being. You just need to move the paint brush (or pencil, or marker, or even crayon) back and forth using whatever colors speak to you. Even coloring books have proven to be effective at reducing stress and enhancing creativity.
When stress is reduced, general levels of happiness and well-being tend to go up. Sleep tends to improve, and that alone tends to improve mood, as well as immune function. We are not saying that art therapy is a cure-all for whatever ails you, but when used in conjunction with other types of therapy, you might be amazed at the results you can get.
2) Enhanced Self-Expression
Art is a form of self-expression, and it can be especially beneficial to older Americans who are losing their ability to speak or follow a conversation due to stroke and/or dementia. If they get frustrated trying to find the right word, they might find drawing or painting a much easier way to express themselves, which also helps to reduce stress.
3) Improved Cognitive Function
Using shapes and colors as a form of self-expression requires a unique set of neural pathways, which means art therapy is a great way to develop and strengthen new neural pathways. This can help improve overall cognitive function, including memory, so if you or a loved one has been considering art therapy, you have plenty of reasons to try it, especially if impaired cognitive function is a factor.
4) Enhanced Motor Skills
Drawing and painting both require fine motor skills, which means art therapy is a great way to develop and strengthen those motor skills.
5) Increased Social Interaction
Art therapy can help to promote social interaction in a variety of ways. The first is that art therapy is usually taught as a class, which gives participants the opportunity to compare their work and their experiences of the class.
Because art therapy also provides an avenue of self-expression, as well as improved cognitive function, participants are better able to communicate with their peers, which makes them more likely to engage in social interaction. Since loneliness is a major cause of depression among older Americans, something that can improve their social interaction should always be encouraged.
At Stillwater Senior Living, we are committed to providing our residents with the best possible care for their minds as well as their bodies. If you have any questions about any of the services we offer, we would love to chat with you. Reach out now to start a conversation.
6 Movies to Watch with Older Americans This Summer
Summer is a great time to stay inside and watch a movie, especially for older Americans who are both more susceptible to heat stroke and less likely to realize the heat is affecting them until it is too late. But choosing a movie to watch with someone of another generation can be easier said than done. How can you be sure to choose something you will both enjoy?
1) Downton Abbey
Whether you are watching one of the feature-length films, or having a marathon of the TV show, Downton Abbey is something almost everyone can enjoy. It offers the perfect escape with everything from gorgeous sets and costumes to biting dialogue to drama and intrigue.
2) Secondhand Lions
This movie provides the perfect example of how life does not have to be over once you reach a certain age. The two main characters had plenty of exciting adventures in their youth, giving the film a chance to cover everything from action and adventure to love and loss. But it also makes a point of demonstrating that, just because the characters have aged, does not mean they have finished living. We will not spoil the ending, in case you have yet to watch it, so just trust us when we say this is another fun film for the whole family.
3) Casablanca
You can never go wrong with the classics, so, when in doubt, know that you can always rely on Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.
4) West Side Story
If you have musical lovers in your family, you can never go wrong with West Side Story. Whether you are watching the original or Stephen Spielberg’s reboot, this is a classic tale of star-crossed lovers and both films are gorgeous, in addition to having great music.
5) What About Bob?
You can almost always count on Bill Murray to make the whole family laugh, especially in this heartfelt comedy in which Murray plays a disturbed, but lovable patient of a therapist. The movie takes place over the therapist’s vacation with his family, which is constantly interrupted by Bob’s stalking.
6) The Sandlot
This is a quintessential coming-of-age story that takes place over one summer as a group of young boys bond over their love of baseball. It is perfect for fans of baseball, but loving baseball is by no means a requirement for loving this movie.
At Stillwater Senior Living, we make sure to schedule activities throughout the summer that provide opportunities for our residents to go outside and enjoy the great outdoors before it gets cold again, but we also schedule indoor activities for when it is too hot to go outside. If you want to know more about our activities and how we keep our residents active and engaged all year long, we are always happy to chat.
The Importance of Managing Weight in Older Americans, Plus Tips
Maintaining a healthy weight is never easy, and the older we get, the more difficult it can get, but it is also more important to maintain a healthy weight as we age and our bodies have a harder time doing everything from standing up to fighting off infections. Whether you are unaware of the benefits of managing weight in older Americans, or you just need a refresher, below is a list of reasons why managing your weight in your golden years is so important.
Mobility
It is no secret that getting around gets harder as we age, and getting around can also be difficult for those who are overweight, which means older Americans who are overweight have an especially hard time staying mobile. For older Americans who want to retain as much of their independence and mobility as possible for as long as possible, maintaining a healthy weight is key.
Heart Attack and Stroke Risks
Along with reduced mobility, the risk of heart attacks and strokes goes up along with our weight, and it also tends to go up with our age. Again, this means older Americans who are overweight are doubly at risk for heart attacks and strokes, which makes maintaining a healthy weight of the utmost importance.
Diabetes
People with diabetes are also at a higher risk for heart attack and stroke, and since we know diets high in sugar tend to lead to both an increase in weight and an increase in risk for Type II Diabetes, limiting sugar can go a long way towards maintaining a healthy weight and staying healthy.
Inflammation
High inflammation has been linked to being overweight and a variety of chronic illnesses, including diabetes and various forms of dementia. Maintaining a healthy weight does not guarantee low levels of inflammation, but it does reduce the likelihood of suffering from high inflammation and all the health risks that come along with it, including health risks to which older Americans are especially vulnerable, such as dementia.
Cost of Living
One of the primary concerns older Americans have is whether they will have enough money to retire, and the biggest expense people face in retirement is medical expenses. As we age and our bodies do not work like they used to, we tend to need a variety of medications, and often surgical procedures, to keep everything working. By maintaining a healthy weight, we can significantly reduce, if not eliminate, the need for a fair amount of medical expenses, especially the more costly expenses that require surgery and/or hospital stays.
Now that we know why maintaining a healthy weight in older Americans is so important, let us take a look at some measures older Americans can take to keep their weight down and their energy up.
Regular Exercise
Simply moving our bodies is one of the best ways to take care of it. Ideally, older Americans should be sure to get both cardio and strength training if possible, but if all they can do is go for a walk, then they should do so on a daily basis. Walking is excellent exercise that almost everyone can do. Whether you head outside for a long hike or just do a few laps around the room, make sure to get your 10,000 steps in every day.
Portion Control
Overeating is big problem in this country and it is one of the leading causes of obesity, which leads to a higher risk of contracting all the other health problems discussed above. One of the most impactful ways older Americans can maintain a healthy weight is through portion control.
Diet
Portion control on its own is not enough to maintain a healthy weight. You also need to make sure you are consuming nutritious foods, namely fruits and vegetables and plenty of protein, to make sure your body has access to all the nutrients it needs to stay strong and healthy. It is also harder to overeat fruits and vegetables, which means eating nutritiously can also help you avoid overeating.
At Stillwater Senior Living, we pride ourselves on making nutritious foods available to all our residents, as well as plenty of opportunities for safe and healthy exercise. If you have any questions about our amenities, we are always happy to talk, so do not hesitate to reach out.
5 Benefits of Spending Time Outside with Older Americans This Summer
Spring is in the air and, depending on where you are located, it might already feel a lot like summer. For most Americans, summer means spending time outdoors, which not only feels good, it is also an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. If you have been hesitant to get outside this summer with your parent, we have a few reasons why you should stop worrying and go for a walk.
Vitamin D
Humans are one of the only animals that do not make our own vitamin D, which means we need to spend time in the sun to get our daily dose, and it does need to be daily. Our bodies have no way of storing extra vitamin D, which means we need to get outside every day to get vitamin D, even if it is just 15 minutes a day. And, yes, you can still absorb vitamin D while wearing sunscreen, although you might not absorb as much as you would without sunscreen.
Mental Health
Older Americans tend to be at an increased risk of depression and anxiety as the world around them changes and their friends and family members start dying or moving away, leaving them feeling disconnected from their community. Studies have linked increased time outside with improved mental health, including reduced stress, anxiety, and depression, especially if that time outside is spent in green spaces. This could mean going for a walk in the woods or just around town if you live in an area with a lot of grass and trees. If you live near a park, try to spend some time there every day just being in nature.
Promotes Exercise
Just being outside can improve the chances you will exercise, especially when the weather is nice. Whether you are going for a walk, a swim, or a bike ride, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the great outdoors while getting some exercise, especially in summer.
Improved Immune System
Spending time outside has also been linked to improved immune health, and since older Americans tend to suffer from reduced immune function, they can use all the help they can get, so make sure they spend some time outside this summer.
Improves Recovery Time
If you or a loved one has recently been ill or had surgery, spending time outside can shorten your recovery time. Even if you cannot go for long walks, just being outside in the fresh air can give your body the boost it needs to fight off infection or heal itself, especially if you can spend time in green spaces when you are outside.
As an assisted living community devoted to promoting the health and well-being of our residents at all times, we make it easy for our residents to get outside for fresh air and exercise whenever possible and even join our garden club! If you have any questions about our amenities or our services, we are always happy to chat. Reach out now to start a conversation with us.