Tips for Traveling with an Alzheimer’s SuffererPosted on | April 3, 2012  Traveling with an individual with Alzheimer’s disease can be both a pleasure and a challenge. Much depends on how far the disease has progressed, but regardless, it is still possible to travel safely and comfortably with someone suffering from Alzheimer’s. Let’s review some simple but helpful ways to make traveling with someone with Alzheimer’s a good experience for everyone.
Making a long and unfamiliar trip while accompanied by an individual with Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t have to be struggle. Follow the tips above for a calm, comfortable and enjoyable trip; soon you’ll be planning your next one. About the Author: Bridges® by EPOCH is the evolution of EPOCH Senior Living’s renowned memory care program BRIDGES®. Recognizing that a free-standing community devoted entirely to caring for those with memory challenges can provide more focused care, an enhanced lifestyle and a more fulfilling environment, Bridges® by EPOCH is the realization of EPOCH’s commitment to improving the lives of all those touched by Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss. EOEA Certification Application Pending. With nearly 20 years of experience in the senior living industry, Alicia Seaver is committed to making a difference in the lives of seniors. Prior to joining the Bridges® by EPOCH team, Alicia held various positions at senior living communities in Florida and Massachusetts, including Executive Director of Hearthstone Alzheimer Care and Memory Care Program Director at Emeritus Senior Living. Through her extensive experience, Alicia gained valuable knowledge and expertise that will allow her to truly make a difference in the lives of residents at Bridges® by EPOCH at Hingham. Additionally, Alicia is certified by the National Institute on Aging as a Memory Impairment Specialist and is certified in both Massachusetts and Florida as a State Certified Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia Trainer. Alicia is excited to be part of an organization that is as dedicated to providing high quality, individualized care to seniors as she is. Alicia currently lives in South Shore with her husband and two daughters. Category: Alzheimer's/Dementia Care, Assisted Living, Home Care
Tags: Alzheimer's Care > caregiver support for Dementia care > caring for an aging parent > Dementia Care Therapies for those with Alzheimer’s and dementiaPosted on | March 16, 2012 From pets to music to calming aromas, there are a plethora of therapies out there that can benefit an individual with Alzheimer’s disease. Let’s review these various therapies and how they can help an Alzheimer’s patient. Music therapy is one of my favorite kinds because it is a neutral space where different individuals can meet over something enjoyed by all. In my experience, I have not met an individual with dementia who has not enjoyed music on some level. Offering musical therapy, whether it’s listening to a recording, watching and listening to a live performer, or even creating some music of their own, is an activity I would recommend on a daily basis for an Alzheimer’s sufferer. Even those who did not enjoy music much before the onset of the disease often benefit from it, since Alzheimer’s can cause shifts in personality as it progresses. Pet therapy is another beneficial and soothing way to create a feeling of calm and contentment among Alzheimer’s patients. Service animals are nondiscriminatory and nonjudgmental – they don’t care if a patient is confused or worried, or if they have dementia – they are simply looking for a friendly pat on the head and a smile. I’d recommend this therapy on a regular basis as well. Finally, let’s examine aroma therapy, which is also one of my favorite types of therapy. This often calls to mind thoughts of lavender and other soothing smells, which are excellent in some cases, but for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, aroma therapy can be so much more. The smell of mustard may remind them of a 4th of July cookout – the smell of fresh cut grass reminds them of their husband mowing the lawn on a warm summer day. These scents aren’t “soothing” by definition but they do spur memories and happy reminiscing, and those with Alzheimer’s often retain an excellent sense of smell, making this therapy ideal. The memories that these aromas trigger can spur happy conversations that go on for hours. Incorporating the above therapies into the care of an Alzheimer’s or dementia patient will often yield some wonderful results, so don’t hesitate to try! About the Author: Bridges® by EPOCH is the evolution of EPOCH Senior Living’s renowned memory care program BRIDGES®. Recognizing that a free-standing community devoted entirely to caring for those with memory challenges can provide more focused care, an enhanced lifestyle and a more fulfilling environment, Bridges® by EPOCH is the realization of EPOCH’s commitment to improving the lives of all those touched by Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss. EOEA Certification Application Pending. With nearly 20 years of experience in the senior living industry, Alicia Seaver is committed to making a difference in the lives of seniors. Prior to joining the Bridges® by EPOCH team, Alicia held various positions at senior living communities in Florida and Massachusetts, including Executive Director of Hearthstone Alzheimer Care and Memory Care Program Director at Emeritus Senior Living. Through her extensive experience, Alicia gained valuable knowledge and expertise that will allow her to truly make a difference in the lives of residents at Bridges® by EPOCH at Hingham. Additionally, Alicia is certified by the National Institute on Aging as a Memory Impairment Specialist and is certified in both Massachusetts and Florida as a State Certified Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia Trainer. Alicia is excited to be part of an organization that is as dedicated to providing high quality, individualized care to seniors as she is. Alicia currently lives in South Shore with her husband and two daughters. Category: Alzheimer's/Dementia Care, Home Care
Tags: Alzheimer's disease > Bridges by Epoch > Dementia Care > living with Alzheimers > senior care > Senior Living Nutrition for those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementiaPosted on | March 14, 2012 For those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, obtaining proper nutrition and hydration can be a challenge. Myriad factors come into play, some of which are not obvious to caregivers. Let’s review some simple ways to help ensure your loved one’s nutritional needs are being met. For many with Alzheimer’s disease, eating six small meals a day as opposed to the customary schedule of three is much more manageable, for a variety of reasons. Some Alzheimer’s sufferers are children of the Great Depression, and can become very upset if they are unable to finish a large meal and see food being wasted. Also, six smaller meals give individuals continuous energy for activities, rather than a large meal, which may cause lethargy, or anxiety if they are unable to finish. Food preparation is also key. For sufferers with declining eyesight, it can be difficult to make out a white plate against a white table cloth with a white napkin. Most will push away their meal rather than ask for help. Solve this by adding contrast to the plate and table setting. Hydration is an incredibly important part of an Alzheimer’s sufferer’s health as well. Regular hydration is key, as is making water out and available at all times. Being well hydrated means fewer infections, thus fewer drugs and hospitalizations. Also, many medications can cause dehydration, which is an added concern. Encourage frequent hydration. For those sufferers living in senior care community, caregivers can encourage hydration by simply placing a sign that reads, “Free” next to all the hydration stations. This will remove the unfamiliarity and discomfort some sufferers may feel when they encounter a hydration station. Remember – this generation, for the most part, did not grow up carrying around a water bottle like many of us do. Also, it’s important to stay consistent, both regarding mealtimes and in other facets of an Alzheimer’s sufferer’s life. Stay true to mealtime routines to instill familiarity and comfort. Finally, whet their appetite by cooking foods with strong, comforting aromas – many sufferers retain their sense of smell much longer than other senses, and the smell of a tasty, familiar food can both comfort them and encourage them to eat more. About the Author: Bridges® by EPOCH is the evolution of EPOCH Senior Living’s renowned memory care program BRIDGES®. Recognizing that a free-standing community devoted entirely to caring for those with memory challenges can provide more focused care, an enhanced lifestyle and a more fulfilling environment, Bridges® by EPOCH is the realization of EPOCH’s commitment to improving the lives of all those touched by Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss. EOEA Certification Application Pending. With nearly 20 years of experience in the senior living industry, Alicia Seaver is committed to making a difference in the lives of seniors. Prior to joining the Bridges® by EPOCH team, Alicia held various positions at senior living communities in Florida and Massachusetts, including Executive Director of Hearthstone Alzheimer Care and Memory Care Program Director at Emeritus Senior Living. Through her extensive experience, Alicia gained valuable knowledge and expertise that will allow her to truly make a difference in the lives of residents at Bridges® by EPOCH at Hingham. Additionally, Alicia is certified by the National Institute on Aging as a Memory Impairment Specialist and is certified in both Massachusetts and Florida as a State Certified Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia Trainer. Alicia is excited to be part of an organization that is as dedicated to providing high quality, individualized care to seniors as she is. Alicia currently lives in South Shore with her husband and two daughters. Category: Alzheimer's/Dementia Care, Assisted Living
Tags: alzheimers assisted living > assisted living Hingham MA > memory care assisted living Hingham MA > X Massachusetts dementia care South Florida Home Care Agency Gives BackPosted on | March 12, 2012  Nightingale Private Care is extremely pleased to present the 11th Annual Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts!! This event is anticipated each year by so many for its’ recognition of our local artisans and their varied contributions to the art culture of our area. The Festival truly puts Hobe Sound on the map in February of each year, and this year’s Festival is expected to be a highlight of the season! Many business owners also look forward to the Festival, as guests from the surrounding area are introduced to all that Hobe Sound has to offer. The Hobe Sound Chamber does such an excellent job each year supporting business owners with their varied events , educational offerings, advertising opportunities and even occasional emotional support ! The Festival of the Arts is one of the Chambers’ great offerings to this community , bringing over 30,000 people to Hobe Sound. As a business owner, I can’t say thank you enough for the opportunity to be part of this great event. When I joined the Chamber in 2009 I was invited to the new member’s meeting, where I met a future colleague and friend who referred me to my first home health client. Since that time, Nightingale has continued to grow each week as we provide care for residents of our community who want to stay at home with dignity even though they may need help with their activities of daily life. Nightingale can provide companions for shopping and errands, home health aides for personal care, bathing, and household chores, and nurses for medication management and other skilled tasks. We even employ a personal chef that can make meals ahead and place them in your refrigerator as needed. We are currently launching our new NurseWatch system – a small digital monitor that is placed in the home so that a nurse can check in on your loved one daily via a webcam. This monitor will record vital signs, weight, and blood sugar readings – all of which are automatically recorded in the Nightingale office to assist in monitoring the health of your loved one daily. We’re very excited about the NurseWatch system and will be demonstrating it at the Art Festival. This new system is a great addition to Nightingale as we work to give families peace of mind. Thankfully, we continue to grow by word of mouth, and that means so much to us, as our clients have learned to trust our service as caring and professional. I will always thank the Chamber for my first client, and I am so happy to give back to our community with our contribution to the Festival of the Arts. We’ll see you there! About the Author: Nightingale Private Care staff provide quality in-home care services allowing seniors to age in place. Serving residents of Martin, Palm Beach, Indian River and Palm Beach Counties, Nightingale offers affordable in-home senior care. Call today to see how Nightgale Private Home Care can help you or a loved one 1-877-391-2548 . Category: Home Care, Non-Medical Home Care
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