Using Tai Chi to Manage Arthritis Pain

Osteoarthritis pain is a common but difficult problem for seniors to deal with. There are many medications and treatments that they can try, but few are likely to give them significant relief. So what options do seniors have? Fortunately there is one treatment that has been well-researched and that is Tai Chi. This article focuses on the pain management properties of Tai Chi and will discuss how it can help seniors with osteoarthritis.

When it comes to arthritis, researchers believe these weather changes can increase stiffness and swelling in joints. Both result in pain that can cause a senior to be sedentary. While there are medications that treat arthritis, many have side effects older adults find to be uncomfortable.

Physicians often suggest patients engage in low-impact exercises on a regular basis to minimize symptoms of osteoarthritis. One activity that many seniors find beneficial is the popular form of Chinese exercise, tai chi. It may be one of the best natural remedies for managing arthritis all year.

A New Way to Manage Pain Using an Old Form of Exercise

In a 2016 study that utilized 200 adults livingwith osteoarthritis, researchers compared the effectiveness of tai chi and physical therapy. Traditionally, physical therapy has been used to treat osteoarthritis. In this study, scientists hoped the 12-week trial would prove that seniors who practiced tai chi would find relief from the pain and symptoms associated with this chronic and often debilitating condition.

Participants were split into 2 groups. One used physical therapy and another practiced tai chi:

• Physical therapy: The regimen was broken into two 6-week periods. For the first 6 weeks, participants attended two 30-minute sessions of one-on-one physical therapy. The next 6 weeks, they practiced home-based physical therapy which was closely monitored by team members of the study.

• Tai Chi: The other group learned and practiced tai chi. These participants attended two 1-hour tai chi sessions every week for all 12 weeks. During this time, each learned how to perform the movements and motions that make up this joint-friendly form of exercise.

By the study’s conclusion, both groups reported their pain as improved, but the tai chi group experienced the greatest impact. The participants who practiced tai chi said not only was their pain reduced or gone, but they also felt better physically and mentally.

How can a form of exercise that looks easy and moves so slowly offer such an improvement in mental and physical well-being? The answer lies in greater muscle mass and increased flexibility.

How Tai Chi Improves Health

• Flexibility: Because even slight movements can make damaged joints more painful, seniors with arthritis may become inactive and sedentary. Inactivity then causes joints to become even stiffer, further limiting mobility. Tai Chi is comprised of gentle but steady stretching exercises. The slow, thoughtful practice results in greater flexibility helping to relieve pain and swelling.

• Muscle strength: Another way tai chi helps is by building strength in the muscles surrounding joints damaged by arthritis. This support helps take pressure off the joints, reducing swelling and pain.

• Overall fitness: To a casual observer, tai chi looks like an easy form of exercise. It isn’t. While it is low-impact, people who regularly practice tai chi have good overall strength and stamina. They also learn breathing techniques that help reduce stress and bring calm.

5 BEST BRAIN GAMES FOR SENIORS

Like a muscle, the brain gets stronger with regular use. Especially as we age. Frequent cognitive exercise can help maintain intellectual acuity and can keep dementia and even depression at bay. Most adults have spent their careers making decisions and solving problems, but, mental demands can dwindle over the years. We have to seek out the best brain games for seniors to stay mentally and intellectually sharp. The good news is, these games are all fun activities that you and your loved one can look forward to.

This blog will recommend 5 of the best brain games for seniors, to help you or your loved one exercise that all-important muscle.

MEMORY GAMES

Remember the game Concentration? Flip over two cards at a time, trying to find a match. This is a fun memory game to play with grandkids or great-grandkids. If a full deck of cards is overwhelming, reduce it to a more comfortable number of cards. Make it even more enjoyable by using a specialized deck.

CARD GAMES

Gin. Bridge. Poker. Go Fish. There are brainy demands in organizing patterns of numbers and suits. Plus, players evaluate their own hands while out-thinking opponents. It all requires critical thinking and memory and gets the synapses firing. Additionally, the social aspect of a card game — or any game — spurs conversation and camaraderie, two benefits for the brain and inner well-being.

ONLINE BRAIN TRAINING GAMES

We recommend Luminosity. This online app includes several brain games for seniors that the developers say will “improve memory, increase focus, and feel sharper,” and they provide evidence to support their claims. One of the advantages of Luminosity games is that they’re easy to learn and play, which makes daily brain exercise more fun.

The fact is, for practically any brain game you enjoy playing alone or with friends, there’s an online version: chess and checkers, mahjong, poker, solitaire, and countless arcade-type games. Simply do an internet search of a favorite game and you’re sure to find a free or subscription-based online option.

BOARD GAMES

One of life’s pleasures is sitting down to a game with a friend or family. Chess can be one of the most cognitively focused brain games, as players immerse themselves in changing strategies. Or just play for fun. If you have young grandchildren, teach them the rules. It’s fun to watch their cognitive wheels turn too!

Monopoly is another great board game. This classic involves play-money management and turn-by-turn decision-making. Monopoly can take a long time from start to finish, which is great. Rather than playing the complete game in one sitting, keep a game going for days as players reconvene to pick up where they left off.

Trivial Pursuit. This popular board game compels players to dip into their memory banks to answer trivia questions in a variety of categories. Trivial Pursuit has released several editions since the original game. Some versions appeal specifically to older adults, focusing on the events of past decades. 

PROBLEM SOLVING AND PUZZLES

Puzzles come in infinite forms, and they’re all good for senior brain exercise. We all know the satisfaction of fitting the final piece into a jigsaw puzzle or conquering a thorny crossword or sudoku grid. The journey to the winning moment is brimming with concentration, evaluation and critical thinking — all of which provide small moments of success and delight along the way.

As mentioned above, this is a shortlist of brain games for seniors. Whatever you find enjoyable, pick up the game you like or find it online. Virtually any intellectual stimulation is beneficial for brain health, mood and overall well-being. Playing games simply feels good. 

5 Methods for Better Communication With A Loved One Living With Dementia

One of the biggest challenges of dementia is that it can affect a person’s ability to speak and communicate their needs. This must be so frustrating for the person and their loved ones. Often people withdraw from social circles as the effort to convey their needs and ways of getting their voice heard becomes too hard and takes time. Bearing in mind that their brain also may be slower in processing information and slower in gathering thoughts to communicate back, here are ways that can help you stay connected and communicate together:

Take time, give your loved one time to express themselves

Being stressed can make speaking and communicating harder when you have dementia. It is important not to rush your loved ones or finish their sentences for them. When we slow down, we can take more notice of non-verbal communication, this includes facial expressions, gestures, posture and movement. Be present with them, face them on the same level and maintain eye contact. Take a moment to be still and mindful, try and learn to respond without negative emotion. Also, be mindful that if your loved one’s mother tongue is different from the language they have spoken for most of their lives, they may revert to the old language or a mixture of both. The use of picture cards may be helpful here (if they can see them).

Be aware of possible hearing loss 

Don’t shout or over exaggerate and make sure background noise is at a minimum. You can speak a little slower but make sure that the natural rhythm of your speech is maintained. Also make sure that if your loved one wears a hearing aid, that it is in working order and try to arrange regular visits to your audiology clinic. Try and involve family and friends in helping you with hospital and ophthalmology visits.

Feelings are often communicated more easily than facts

Often where speech and language deteriorate, the language of emotions step in. It is important to recognize your loved one’s need to communicate and here you may need to find creative ways of doing so. If they appear stressed, they may not be able to express that they are hungry, in pain or need the toilet. People who have dementia may speak more in metaphor or skirt around those “lost” words using other well-used phrases. It is important to listen to what is being communicated, not solely by concentrating on the words being spoken, but more by the feelings being conveyed.

Clarify feelings

It is so important to show that you are listening. Sit together on the same level and use eye contact, you may say something like “I know it must be hard not being able to tell me what you want to say, but I am here for you.” This way can help you stay connected.

Avoid contradicting or correcting 

Be aware that whatever your loved one is saying; their reality is real to them. For instance, if your loved one insists on going out in the rain without a coat, their reality may be very different from yours. Try to say to them “I believe it is raining outside, shall we put our coats on?”  This way you are being honest but not challenging or contradicting them. We must try to imagine how we would feel. Also, be kind to yourself, it is tiring when one of you has difficulty with communicating, take some slow deep breaths to be in the moment.

Aerobic Exercise May Help Aging Brains From Dementia Symptoms

Physical activity can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Still, new research finds aerobic exercise may help slow shrinkage in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that deals with memory. 

Published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, this study compared cognitive function and brain size between 2 groups of sedentary older adults with memory issues.

It’s the first randomized and controlled trial to investigate the effect of exercise on brain structure, function, and amyloid plaque in older people with memory problems.

Aerobic Exercise is Key

The study was a small proof-of-concept trial of people ages 55 and older with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). One group performed aerobic exercise for about a half-hour, 4 to 5 times weekly, while another group only did flexibility training. Although both groups preserved their cognitive abilities for memory and problem solving, brain imaging showed people from the exercise group with amyloid buildup lost slightly less volume in the hippocampus — a brain region that deteriorates as dementia progresses.

“The finding that both aerobic and stretching exercise prevented cognitive decline is similar to previous studies in cognitively normal older adults,” said Zhang. “What’s surprising is that it was aerobic, not stretching exercise, that reduced hippocampus atrophy in those who already have a lot of amyloids in the brain.”

He speculated that aerobics might be unique to other forms of exercise because it increases vascular function or individual factors that encourage neuron growth and survival, reducing the harmful effects of amyloid plaques on neurons in the hippocampus. 

“We don’t yet fully understand how exercise lowers dementia risk, but we know that heart-healthy behaviors like exercise lead to better vascular health and therefore better brain health. Unfortunately, exercise can’t completely prevent or cure dementia,” said Jason Krellman, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, assistant professor of neuropsychology at Columbia University Medical Center.

The rrAD Study

Recent studies have shown how overall cardiovascular health can affect the risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementia. Zhang is leading a 5-year clinical trial digging deeper into these factors, exercise, and how they relate to this memory-destroying illness. The Risk Reduction for Alzheimer’s Disease (rrAD) trial is a study testing several strategies that could reduce Alzheimer’s risk in people at risk of this disease.

These strategies include the effects of aerobic exercise, intensive medical management of blood pressure and cholesterol, and a combination of these two approaches. While experts aren’t sure about the effectiveness of reducing cholesterol, Keith N. Fargo, Ph.D., director of scientific programs and outreach at the Alzheimer’s Association, emphasized the importance of controlling blood pressure. “There is mixed evidence on cholesterol. At this point, most people don’t consider cholesterol control to be of major importance for reducing risk for Alzheimer’s disease but controlling blood pressure is a whole different story,” Fargo said. “Blood pressure control is considered [a] very important modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer’s.”

Be Active for Better Memory

A recent study conducted at Rush University Medical Center found that active older adults may keep more of their cognitive abilities than those less active, even if they have brain lesions or biomarkers linked to dementia. The association between activity and scores on cognitive tests remained even when researchers adjusted for how severe a participant’s brain lesions were. The relationship was also consistent in people who had dementia and those who didn’t.

Researchers also found that participants who showed better movement and coordination had sharper memory and cognition. “People who moved more had better thinking and memory skills compared to those who were more sedentary and did not move much at all,” said Dr. Aron S. Buchman, of neurological sciences at Rush.

Dementia isn’t a Normal Part of Aging

Dementia isn’t a natural or inevitable part of aging, said Fargo, although age is the largest risk factor and the most significant predictor of whether someone will have Alzheimer’s. He said that although the risk increases with age, even in those 85 and older, only 1 in 3 have Alzheimer’s.

“It’s a specific brain disease that the risk for happens to increase as you age,” he said. But even those at higher genetic risk of the disease can take steps to lessen their risk. Fargo added that there’s strong evidence that making better lifestyle choices can reduce our risk of dementia. “Randomized controlled clinical trial evidence, such as this paper on exercise, show that if you change a risk factor, you’re reducing risk.”

He pointed out, “There are ten that we believe are supported by the evidence, and we list those on our website. However, the most important of those 10 is exercise, diet, and controlling blood pressure.”

The Bottom Line

A recent study finds exercise doesn’t just help Alzheimer’s symptoms but may also slow brain degeneration associated with the disease. Researchers found that aerobic exercise appeared to slow the shrinkage of a part of the brain involved in memory. Experts say dementia isn’t a normal part of aging, and by following recommendations like exercise, a healthy diet, and managing blood pressure, we can significantly reduce the risk.

Moving to a Senior Assisted Living Home Checklist

You’ve decided to move a loved one to an assisted senior living community. It’s not an easy transition, but it can be a more pleasant one with the proper planning in place. Check out our senior assisted living checklist below for everything you need to consider.

1. Find the right community: Be sure to include your loved one in the selection process and manage expectations. Research each community you’re considering, tour them and ask the staff lots of questions. Remind seniors that this is a positive new opportunity.

2. Planning: Don’t delay packing, especially if a parent has lived in their home for a long time. Schedule movers as far in advance as possible. Before moving day, make sure you’ve scheduled a change of address with the post office and that you’ve transferred any important financial or medical accounts to the new address.

3. Packing: Have a floor plan with measurements of the new space in hand, so you know which items will fit and which ones won’t. Sort boxes by room and clearly label them, so it’s easier to unpack. Digitize photos and videotapes when possible, so they take up less space.

4. Welcome party: Celebrate a new chapter ahead! Invite close friends and family over for an unpacking party or coordinate a celebration with the community to make your parent feel at home in their new digs and reinforce this positive change.

5. Personal touches: Plants, photos, books and other familiar décor will smooth a senior’s transition to their assisted living space. Ensure that all the items they need to function each day (walker, medication, glasses, hearing aids, etc.) are in reach and easy to access.

This checklist will help your loved one with a smooth transition to senior assisted living. After move-in, family and loved ones should be sure to make routine visits and calls. Soon enough, seniors will adjust, make friends and feel at home in their new community.

Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms + Conditions

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a type of dementia where brain cells die. The condition affects memory, thinking, and behavior. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, this disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. Alzheimer’s disease is more common in people over the age of 65, but some have early-onset AD and show symptoms as early as their 40s or 50s. 

AD is a progressive disease that worsens over time. It’s the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. After a diagnosis, people with the condition can live an average of four to 20 years.

Recognizing early symptoms of AD and intervening helps prolong and improve your quality of life. 

Early symptoms of AD

Early AD symptoms can be mild and subtle — so subtle that you may not notice a change in your thinking or behavior. In the early stage of the disease, you’ll likely have trouble remembering new information. This is because the disease often begins to impact areas of the brain responsible for learning new information. You may repeat questions over and over, forget conversations or important appointments, or misplace objects such as your car keys. 

Occasional memory loss can be a normal part of aging, so forgetfulness isn’t necessarily a sign of AD. However, you should speak to your doctor if the problem worsens. 

The top 10 warning signs include:

• misplacing objects and being unable to retrace steps

• memory loss that affects everyday life (unable to budget, drive to a location)

• difficulty planning or problem-solving

• taking longer to accomplish routine daily tasks

• losing track of time

• having trouble determining distance and distinguishing colors

• difficulty following a conversation

• poor judgment leading to bad decisions

• withdrawal from social activities

• mood and personality changes and increased anxiety

Moderate symptoms of AD

Eventually, AD spreads to more regions of the brain. Family and friends may recognize changes in your thinking and behavior before you do. Sometimes, it’s hard to identify memory problems in ourselves. But as the disease progresses, you may recognize telltale symptoms in yourself, such as confusion and a shorter attention span. As more of your brain cells die, you’ll begin to show signs of moderate AD, which include: 

• problems recognizing friends and family members

• difficulty with language and problems with reading, writing or working with numbers

• difficulty organizing thoughts and thinking logically

• inability to learn new tasks or to cope with new or unexpected situations

• inappropriate outbursts of anger

• perceptual-motor problems, such as trouble getting out of a chair or setting the table

• repetitive statements or movement, and occasional muscle twitches

• hallucinations, delusions, suspiciousness or paranoia, and irritability

• loss of impulse control, such as undressing at inappropriate times or places or using vulgar language

• exacerbation of behavioral symptoms, such as restlessness, agitation, anxiety, tearfulness, and wandering — especially in the late afternoon or evening — called “sundowning”

Severe AD symptoms

At this point in the disease, brain plaques (clusters of protein that destroy brain cells) and tangles (dying nerve cells that twist around one another) may appear on imaging tests of the brain. Both are hallmarks of AD. This is the final stage of AD. People at this stage lose control of physical functions and depend on others for care. They sleep more often and are unable to communicate or recognize loved ones. 

Other symptoms of severe AD include: 

• lack of bladder and bowel control

• weight loss

• seizures

• skin infections

• groaning, moaning, or grunting

• difficulty swallowing

Due to the loss of physical function, people with late-stage AD may deal with complications. Difficulty swallowing can result in inhaling liquids into the lungs, which increases the risk of pneumonia. They may also suffer from malnutrition and dehydration. Limited mobility also increases the risk of bedsores.

Conditions with similar symptoms

There are other causes of dementia with symptoms similar to AD. A doctor conducts physical and neurological examinations and uses brain imaging technology to diagnose or rule out AD. The following list of neurodegenerative diseases can mimic AD:

• Parkinson’s disease with dementia leads to shaking and difficulty with walking, movement, and coordination.

• Vascular dementia occurs from impaired blood flow to the brain and leads to problems with reasoning, planning, judgment, and memory.

• Frontotemporal lobar degeneration affects the brain's frontal and temporal lobes, which are associated with personality, behavior, and language.

• Frontotemporal dementia affects the temporal and frontal lobes that influence decision-making, behavioral control, emotion, and language.

• Pick’s disease is a rare and permanent form of dementia similar to AD, except it often affects only certain brain areas.

• Supranuclear palsy is a rare brain disorder that causes severe and progressive problems with control of gait and balance, complex eye movement, and thinking problems.

• Corticobasal degeneration occurs when areas of your brain shrink and nerve cells die over time. The result is growing difficulty moving on one or both sides of your body.

Other possible causes of dementia include:

• medication side effects

• depression

• vitamin B-12 deficiency

• chronic alcoholism

• certain tumors or infections of the brain

• blood clots in or on the brain

• metabolic imbalances, including thyroid, kidney, and liver disorders

Outlook

Talk to a doctor if you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of AD. Because symptoms worsen over time, it’s essential to recognize the possibility of AD. Your doctor can make a diagnosis and assess whether symptoms are mild, moderate, or severe.

Seniors With Alzheimer's and The Holidays

Just like gifts and fruitcake, parties and family gatherings are a perennial staple of the holiday season. When caregiving during the holidays for a loved one who has Alzheimer's, these get-togethers can be more chore than cheer.

As an experienced caregiver, you have probably adapted your communication style to fit your elderly loved one's capabilities and moods. But, other family members and friends are likely to be unequipped when interacting with someone who has Alzheimer's.

This doesn't mean that you have to shut your elderly loved one out of holiday festivities.

As a caregiver, you are in a position to help make fellow party-goers feel more comfortable interacting with a senior who has dementia—making a holiday shindig merrier for all involved:

1. Give a status update. Send an email, or write a letter with a short primer. Inform the family of the diagnosis and tell everyone attending a holiday gathering how the senior with Alzheimer's is doing. Let party-goers know what to expect in terms of behavior. Explain odd quirks and perhaps share a humorous anecdote involving the senior to help put people at ease. Let family and friends know how much you appreciate their efforts to include a senior with dementia into the holiday celebrations. Including a photo is an excellent way to remind people that they are not interacting with a disease—they are interacting with a beloved family member or friend.

2. Ease apprehension and encourage interaction. People are likely to feel apprehensive about conversing with a senior who has dementia. What do they say? What if the senior forgets who they're talking to or what the conversation is about? Reassure potential guests that positive interaction with the senior is possible and that engaging with their elderly loved one will help them.

3. Offer tips. As the senior's primary caregiver, you are in a unique position to offer guidance to friends and family members who are feeling apprehensive on how to navigate a conversation with a person who has Alzheimer's. Offer up a few tips based on your interactions with the senior. Potential tips may include: asking open-ended questions, speaking from the heart, and reacting with patience to a senior who repeats themselves or loses the thread of a conversation.

4. Tactfully handle damage control. If someone is talking to the senior, and the interaction goes awry, don't panic and do not immediately apologize. Tend to your elderly loved one first. Once you make sure they are alright, explain the situation to the other person or people involved in the conversation. But, avoid talking about the person with dementia if they are within hearing range.

5. Be on the lookout for agitation. People dealing with dementia can sometimes become overwhelmed in settings where there is a lot of activity or lots of other people. If you see your elderly loved one showing signs of anxiety, politely excuse yourself and take the senior to a room with no people to help them calm down.

Apps + Seniors

Why Design with Seniors in Mind?

Being inclusive is a nice thing to do. That should be reason enough for it to be necessary, but it turns out there are plenty of other reasons it makes sense to design with the senior population in mind. 

By the year 2030, 20.6% of the U.S. population will be 65 years of age or older. Worldwide, by 2050, nearly two billion people will be 60 or older—three times as many as in 2000. The elderly population is growing, will continue to grow, and is increasingly using the internet, smartphones, and mobile applications.

The over-65 population also boasts the highest level of household wealth. This isn’t just a growing population—it’s a growing population with money to spend. Most are retired, and their children are done with school and out of the house. If anybody can pay for mobile apps, they can.

So, with money to spare, a growing population seems like something software or mobile app developers would jump on, but for the most part, they haven’t. Seniors are an underserved population. Some health applications have been developed specifically for older people. Still, there are plenty of other software apps out there that seniors want to use but find too intimidating. The solutions needed to include seniors aren’t such a heavy lift. Making some simple adjustments would benefit seniors and developers. 

Design Thinking From A Senior Citizen’s Perspective

As we age, our bodies and minds age along with us; things that used to be easy to do, take more time and concentration. People who never wore glasses suddenly need them. And it’s not as if 65 is some magic number, and when you get there, things suddenly change. Nielsen Norman Group research found that between the ages of 25 and 60, people’s ability to use websites declines by 0.8% per year. Here we will cover some of the most impactful changes we face as we age and how designing apps for seniors can help them overcome these hurdles.

Visual and Auditory Degeneration

As we age, our vision degrades. This usually starts to happen around age 40. It usually begins with presbyopia (farsightedness caused by the eye lens losing elasticity). Other age-related vision problems include cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and eye floaters. Some of these can affect the ability to see colors properly as well. Here are some design solutions to make your web or mobile app design visually readable:

• Provide large enough fonts (16 pixels on a computer, 18-20 pixels on a mobile device).

• Make text dynamically adjustable.

• Don’t overlay text on images.

• Use sans-serif, easy-to-read fonts.

• Use a single font.

• Provide high contrast.

• Icons should be at least 48px/9mm wide.

• Effectively use whitespace between icons and text.

• Don’t use audio that plays automatically.

• Provide subtitles for all videos.

Motor Skill Changes

Our movements become slower and less smooth as we age. Fine motor control decreases, as does the sensitivity of our fingers. To solve this, make sure that your design elements are clickable and decipherable by following the tips below:

• Don’t make elaborate gestures necessary.

• Most seniors prefer touchscreens and tablets, so be sure your app is tablet-friendly.

• Space icons far enough apart to prevent accidental clicking (44px).

• Clicking and horizontal swiping are acceptable.

• Keep in mind that elderly people generally type with one hand.

• Give feedback to let the user know they have successfully clicked something.

• Scrollbars can be a challenge, giving as many scroll options as possible—clicking on scrollbar arrows, clicking within draggable page portion, dragging the slider, scroll wheel on a mouse, and keyboard arrow keys.

• Clicking is more comfortable than swiping. Swiping is easier than pinching.

Short-Term Memory Loss

Older populations suffer from short-term memory loss. While this presents challenges, it also has an upside—longer attention spans. Seniors citizens will take the time to read all of the information you provide. Therefore, to be able to leverage this fact, you may want to consider the following:

• Always make it easy to go back and go home.

• Give clear feedback on user progress.

• Make updates wisely by not changing everything all at once.

• Put the essential navigation elements upfront.

• It takes seniors longer to read, so don’t have a screen timeout too early.

• Introduce product features gradually.

• Avoid multiple actions on a single screen.

• Give reminders and alerts as cues for common actions.

• Complex skills will be more challenging to learn, so provide easily-accessed help sections.

• Use a simple navigation pattern with a horizontal menu bar.

• Provide one thing at a time—no multitasking.

• Provide a breadcrumb trail as a navigational aid.

Generational Differences in Technology Experience

It’s important to remember that seniors have not been using technology like smartphones their entire lives. This does not mean they can’t, but it does mean some aspects might be more evident to a younger user but not a senior. That’s why you may want to:

• Provide clear instructions for users who need them.

• Make sure all icons also have text labels.

• Don’t use acronyms or technological jargon.

• Provide reminders or prompt boxes for the next steps.

• Strike a balance—don’t assume your user has tech experience, but don’t be patronizing, either.

• Temporary notices are often missed by seniors, especially if they are at the edge of the screen.

• Make it very clear which links have already been clicked.

• Implement descriptive links.

• Make sure privacy and security sections are easy to manage.

• Don’t design interfaces that are inflexible or unforgiving.

• Make apps usable right “out of the box” and don’t require extra set-up by the user.

Thanksgiving Tips for Seniors With Dementia

Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to gather, give thanks, catch up and share a special meal.

However, when someone in the family is diagnosed with dementia, the dynamic changes drastically. Nowhere is this more evident than at holiday gatherings. The hustle and bustle of a typical family Thanksgiving can cause extreme levels of anxiety for someone with dementia, turning a wonderful day into a confusing and agonizing ordeal. Consequently, it can become a day full of tension for the family caregiver as they watch over their loved one with anxious eyes.

It doesn’t have to be that way. With some planning and preparation, everyone can still enjoy Thanksgiving, including the family member(s) with dementia. However, to be successful, you need to plan ahead and structure the day for the best possible outcome.

Here are some tips we’ve gathered:

• Prepare family and friends. Share your loved one’s diagnosis with those who will be attending your Thanksgiving dinner. Explain the limitations the disease has created. Educate them on the proper way to approach and communicate with your loved one and how to include them in the conversation as much as possible.

• Prepare your loved one. Make sure that they have had enough rest. Keep to their routine as much as possible during the days leading up to Thanksgiving.

• Ask for help. Ask family members for help with shopping and cooking in advance. Many families enjoy a potluck Thanksgiving to which everyone brings a dish. This can be a lifesaver in a household with a loved one challenged by dementia. You might also consider asking a relative who is close to your loved one to help by keeping an eye on his or her anxiety levels as the day progresses. They can be a big help when you are busy with other guests and duties.

• Schedule dinner early in the day. Individuals with dementia are particularly sensitive to the hours between daylight and evening. This is called “Sundown Syndrome,” and, fortunately, there are ways to reduce its impact. One way is to schedule your dinner well before sunset.

• Encourage reminiscing. If your loved one still has longer-term memory intact, consider bringing out some old photo albums and putting them in convenient places to inspire conversation. This can be an excellent way for younger family members to engage with your loved one, as well as with other older family members.

• Provide a quiet place for “down-time.” A short nap or some quiet time off in a separate area provides a nice break for someone with dementia. Ideally, this would be a quiet room away from the main hangout spots, where they can relax. Often, for those in earlier stages of dementia, a short refreshing nap is all that is needed to enable them to rejoin the festivities.

• Plan your own post-Thanksgiving “downtime.” This is so important for caregivers. It would be best if you had time for yourself to unwind and relax. If you are the primary caregiver, consider scheduling some short term “respite” care at a local memory care community for your loved one. That will give you time to tend to your own physical and emotional health and enjoy some time on your own with friends and family members.

If your loved one is living in a memory care community, consider bringing some of your Thanksgiving cheer to them, rather than disrupting their routine by transporting them to your gathering.

SENIOR CITIZEN CHECKLIST FOR COVID-19

Hello, Rose Valley friends and followers; please take a moment to read these safety tips to help you and your family stay safe from COVID-19 during the upcoming fall and winter months.

Protect Yourself

Follow these everyday actions before, during, and after any event to protect yourself and others:

• Stay home when sick.

• Avoid crowds and people who are sick.

• Delay all travel, including plane trips, and especially avoid going on any cruise.

• Cover your mouth for coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow. Then wash your hands.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Clean your hands often. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. If you don’t have soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces and things you often touch, such as tables, chairs, doorknobs, light switches, elevator buttons, handrails, countertops, remote controls, shared electronic equipment, shared exercise equipment, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks.

 Make a plan in case you get sick

• Call your doctor about checking for symptoms that might be COVID-19.

• Stay in touch with others by phone or e-mail. You might need to ask for help from friends, family, neighbors, community health workers, etc. if you become sick.

• Have an emergency contact list.

• Have a list of your daily medication and time of day you take them, so a caregiver can help you if you get sick.

• Determine who can provide you with care if your caregiver gets sick.

Make sure you have enough supplies

• Contact your doctor to ask about getting extra medications (at least a 30 day supply) to have on hand if there is an outbreak of COVID-19 in your community, and you need to stay home for a few weeks.

• If you cannot pick up extra medications, consider using mail-order.

• Be sure you have over-the-counter medicines and medical supplies (e.g., tissues) to treat fever and other symptoms. Many older adults will be able to recover from COVID-19 at home.

• Have enough household items and groceries so that you will be comfortable staying home for a few weeks.

If there is a COVID-19 outbreak in your community

• Pay attention to your local news and follow the steps from your local health officials.

• Continue to take these simple steps to stay healthy: wash your hands often, do not touch your face, avoid sick people and crowds, and disinfect surfaces.

• Stay home as much as possible.

If you must leave your house

• Avoid crowds as much as possible.

• When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and often wash your hands.

• Consider steps you can take to stay away from other people. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

• Pay attention to your health: If you develop COVID-19 symptoms including fever, cough, and trouble breathing, call your doctor.

If you get sick and think you have COVID-19

Watch for symptoms and emergency warning signs

• Symptoms include fever, cough and trouble breathing.

• If you feel like you are developing symptoms, call your doctor first. Tell them that you think you might have COVID-19. This will help them take care of you and protect others.

• If you are not sick enough to be hospitalized, you can recover at home. Follow your doctor’s orders and CDC tips for how to take care of yourself at home.

• Keep your friends and family up to date on your health. Let them know if you need anything. You should not leave your house when you are sick.

Know when to get emergency help

• If you get worsening symptoms, call 911 right away:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

  • New confusion or inability to arouse

• Bluish lips or face

  • *This list does not include everything. Please call your doctor or 911 for any other symptom that is severe or concerning.

Stay Safe!

Benefits of Residential Care For Dementia

Sometimes illness, dementia or mobility problems can make the home seem like a scary place for your loved one. Residential dementia care homes, like Rose Valley, may be the best choice for maintaining their safety and wellbeing. However, you need to weigh many factors when it comes to assessing the benefits for dementia patients in care homes. Many things play a part in helping you secure the best possible care for your relative. And there are plenty of reasons why you have to ensure you make the right care home decision. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of residential care homes is essential for getting the best level of care for your relative. Here are some things consider when trying to narrow down your care home choices.

Social stimulation and companionship: In a dementia care home, companionship is nearby. There will typically be someone nearby to interact with, which can help prevent loneliness and social isolation. Even if your loved one has memory impairment, this is proven to be of benefit. What’s more, they may well encounter people with similar personalities, worries and doubts, making it a suitable environment for elderly and vulnerable people.

Activities: There are often talks, entertainment and exercise classes to keep your loved one occupied, active and interested. Being able to socialize and interact with other elderly people and enjoy organized activities as a group or as an individual.

Peace of mind: With many carers and support staff available in our care homes, there will be people to attend to your loved one’s needs around the clock. You need peace of mind for you and your loved ones. Peace of mind is a big part of the process of choosing the right care options for your loved one and is one of the most important factors cited in the pros and cons of putting elderly parents in care homes.

No responsibility for house bills and maintenance: With your loved one living away from home, you may discuss selling or renting the family home. However, keeping up with bills and repairs could be demanding and expensive if the house remains empty.  

Only you, your family and your loved one can make the decision that is best for everyone. You will need to make the best choice to help your loved one get the best possible care they can. This is a hugely important decision and will play a significant role in influencing both of your lives. But whatever you choose, remember to let go of guilt. You are not abandoning the individual; you are ensuring that they are safe and well cared for. This can leave you free to enjoy your time together, whether it’s in Rose Valley residential care or at home.

WELCOME TO ROSE VALLEY

With advances in medicine and technology, our elders are living longer than ever.  With this longer life expectancy comes incredible joy in passing down legacies, traditions and memories of a time past.  More seniors are leading active, vibrant lifestyles today – long into their golden years – than ever before.

Baby boomers, for instance, who are now entering their retirement years, are now looking forward to decades of active retirement living.  Active older adults will find plenty of blogs that celebrate the joys of aging, provide tips for maintaining an active lifestyle, overcoming some of the common issues that arise throughout the golden years, such as navigating the complex healthcare system and coping with financial challenges and more.

Simultaneously, as older adults live longer, the number of older adults diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease continues to rise, and other conditions associated with aging are also increasing.  As a result, more family members – adult children, spouses, etc. – are taking on the role of the family caregiver as their loved ones experience physical or cognitive decline and require assistance with daily living activities.  Family caregivers frequently turn to blogs and other online resources for the supportive community that exists in the online world.  These blogs offer firsthand accounts of family caregivers' experiences, tips for helping loved ones overcome common challenges such as swallowing difficulties, and advice for coping with family caregiving's emotional ups and downs.

We, at Rose Valley, look forward to providing you and your loved ones with the resources to help out during the process.  Please follow our blog for more information and tips and stop by one of our many locations to tour one of our amazing homes.