Spring Arbor Living Blog

Have you ever walked into a room and then forgotten what you wanted once you got there? Have you ever put an item in a “safe place” and then forgot where it was when you needed it? Do you think sometimes that you are going “crazy” because you forget people’s names? Or maybe you forgot to do something you said you were going to do?

Sometimes we are having a “senior moment” as they say; but that’s just what it is–a moment. Usually the name is just on the tip of your tongue and you remember it when you can take the time to think. Or the reason for walking into the other room becomes clear when you slow down and let your thought catch up with you.  These are ”normal” occurrences usually due to stress, being too busy, not feeling well, or simply not paying attention.

However, when you misplace something and you have a problem retracing your steps to find it, this might be a warning sign.  If you are making a familiar recipe and forget how much salt to use, this could be normal.  But if you are confused about whether to use a measuring spoon or a measuring cup for the salt, this could be a warning sign.  If you drive to the mall and forget where you parked the car, this is typical of someone not paying attention or making a mental note of where they parked.  But, if you forget where you are and how you got there, this is a warning sign.

There are several warning signs to watch for in detecting early stage Alzheimer’s.  No one sign is an indication of having a problem in and of itself. Keeping track of abnormal behavior will give your physician details to help diagnose the problem, and only a qualified professional can make a diagnosis after appropriate testing. For more information on the warning signs, contact us today and we'll be happy to assist you in any way we can.

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This is actually not true. For today’s seniors, moving to an assisted living community is one way they can make the most of their retirement income now. There are many economic benefits of living in senior communities.  These range from free local transportation – which eliminates or minimizes costs for fuel, maintenance/repairs and auto insurance – to eliminating expenses associated with maintaining a single-family residence.

Assisted Living communities eliminate such expenses as routine maintenance, lawn care, pest control, snow removal and more. Homeowner’s insurance, always an expensive companion to home ownership, can also be removed from the monthly budget. This represents a huge savings in Virgina, for example, where property insurance has increased dramatically.

Our assisted living communities provide residents with fixed monthly costs, which cover local transportation; rental or purchase of an apartment, villa home, or cottage; and two or three meals prepared daily by professional chefs. Contact us today to learn more about our residencies or if you have any questions regarding assisted living.

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Alzheimer’s symptoms grow worse as time progresses, the disease may have unpredictable changes; making it an extremely difficult task to care of a person with Alzheimer’s disease. For both the person with Alzheimer’s and the caregiver, arranging basic activities of daily living can be difficult. Eating, talking, sleeping, and finding things to do: all these things become difficult as the disease becomes more severe.  There are many ways to help manage these difficulties.

Nighttime can seem like a blessing for some, but for those with Alzheimer’s it can be difficult. Most people with Alzheimer have become restless and irritable around this time. Putting the person to bed may require some advance planning.

Limit daytime napping and encourage exercise during the day, but still allow for a sufficient amount of rest during the day. Try to schedule more physical activities such as bathing earlier in the day. And in the evening set a peaceful, quiet tone to encourage sleep. Make certain that the lights are dim and the noise is down to a minimum. In some cases playing soothing music may help, but only if the person enjoys it. Try to keep the person’s bedtime routine. NO caffeine late in the day.  If the person gets frightened or disoriented use night lights around the halls and bathroom. Spring Arbor knows that caring for a person with Alzheimer's takes time and patience which is why if you know someone with Alzheimer's and have any questions or wish you explore our communities, please contact us today.

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In the field of elder care, music has been explored as a way to encourage social interaction, encourage self-expression, and enhance the overall well-being of assisted living residents who fight illnesses such as Alzheimer's, dementia, memory loss, and other cognitive impairments. So through music, Spring Arbor has found that residents with these health conditions are able to live more fully. They are not defined by their conditions or their need for medicines and skilled medical care. They become engaged members of a supportive community that encourages emotional growth, sharing, and self-worth. This can be vitally important to seniors who experience a number of difficult life events such as retirement, the death of a loved one or spouse, and the need for help with common tasks.

So far, experts know of no other single activity that stimulates the entire brain. In addition to this, music increases dopamine levels, and dopamine can cause a corresponding positive sense of well-being. So what does it mean to say that music promotes well-being? Well-being is characterized by a sense of affiliation. Seniors feel connected and have an increased sense of belonging. Music also brings about a feeling of self-competence and independence in seniors. They enjoy life day-to-day and gain a greater sense of fulfillment.

Many research studies indicate that musical activities have several positive benefits. Patients are reported to have better moods, be more sociable, eat better, and react more calmly to stress. Experts say it’s the “cognitive workout” for the brain that brings on these positive traits. Feel free to contact us to learn more about assisted living and how life at Spring Arbor can be relaxing fulfillment.

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Spring Arbor has some exciting new locations opening up in the Virginia and North Carolina area. Be sure to contact us for more information regarding our new facilities. Below we will share which places are opening up and when they will be available!

Spring Arbor in Leesburg,VA will offer "Special Care Cottages," programs that are custom designed for residents with the unique challenges of Alzheimer's related disabilities. Our future facility opens the next chapter of Spring Arbor Living in February 2011! The location for this facility is 237 Fairview St., NW,
Leesburg, VA 20176

Spring Arbor of Hendersonville, NC independent and assisted living facility is located at the southern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains and was incorporated on January 7, 1847. Spring Arbor of Hendersonville has the ideal front porch for enjoying the spring and fall weather. Sit in our comfortable rocking chairs and visit with family and friends or just watch the view. OPENING SOON: The Cottage of Spring Arbor of Hendersonville Alzheimer's and dementia care center. Call now for the latest update! We are located on 1820 Pisgah Drive Hendersonville, NC 28791

Spring Arbor of Kinston is located in a city rich in history and in the geographic center of eastern North Carolina that makes it an ideal business, industry, and agriculture. This facility has the ideal front porch for enjoying the spring and fall weather. Sit in our comfortable rocking chairs and visit with family and friends or just watch the view. OPENING IN FEBRUARY 2011! The Cottage of Spring Arbor of Kinston Alzheimer's and dementia care center. You can find us at3207 Carey Road Kinston, NC 28504

Coming Soon--The Oaks of Thomasville Alzheimer's and Dementia Care "Cottage"! Call for the latest update. 915 West Cooksey Drive Thomasville, NC 27360

Finally we have our future Spring Arbor Facility Scheduled To Open in September 2011 in Greensboro, NC. We do not have a set location just yet, but please contact us for more information and we'll be glad to help.

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When is it time to admit the need for assisted living services? There are a couple of questions and signs that you can tell if mom or dad is needing more help. Dealing with Alzheimer's or dementia is a serious task and takes a lot of time for just one person. Which is why Spring Arbor is here to help out these individuals and be there for these people. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself and some signs to tell whether or not it's time for a caregiver's help.

• Frequent calls during the day to the same person can indicate a sense of memory loss. Does Mom or Dad discuss a hesitation to get out of bed? Are there mobility issues that impede maintaining an active lifestyle?
• Frequent falls. Has Mom or Dad expresses their fear of leaving the house often due to a fear of falling?
• Indication of depression. Is your parent or loved one lying about eating? Or are they unwilling to seek medical help or assistance? Remembering to take medication as prescribed by a doctor are always a help, if they forget or refuse then there might be an issue.

There are many questions that can be asked and it’s definitely hard to determine the right time. But it is always better to know that Mom and Dad are safe and sound when you are not around. Spring Arbor can assist you in these matters and we can be there for the elderly when they need the help they deserve. Just by simply taking a little time to talk to them about assisted living homes or elderly care can make all the difference. Be sure to check out our locations for a home near you and contact us today should you have any questions regarding senior care.

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The brain is composed of nearly 60% fat and it is thought that the lipid in the brain helps to insulate neural tracts and to propel information electrically in an efficient manner. The brain can slow down and function less optimally if the lipid is reduced or damaged. To this end, the study of omega 3 fatty acids, an essential fatty acid in the body, has been studied for Alzheimer's patients and continues to be a major area of interest in relationship to the brain.

Omega 3s including DHA and EPA are critical to optimal brain function. They can be found in fish such as salmon, herring, tuna, mackerel, and sardines. They are also found in unsalted nuts. Fish are good sources of DHA because they consume algae in their own diet. Smaller fish that do not swim at deeper levels of the ocean also reduce the risk of mercury levels that might be a risk for humans.

A recent study published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia revealed algal DHA (algal-900) improved memory in healthy older adults. The memory benefit was nearly equal to skills of those one three years younger. Similar cognitive benefits of DHA have been published elsewhere in healthy populations, but some question remains regarding the benefit of such nutrition in those already diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. DHA may have a preventative effect more than a treatment effect.

While most research being done is only preventive for Alzheimer's we at Spring Arbor are glad that something is being done for Alzheimer's patients. We know that it is a terrible disease and hopefully a cure or more preventive medicine can be formed. So if you know a loved one who is suffered contact us today and we'll be happy to help you through the process and do what we can to help.

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Being in an assisted living facility can have many benfits. We cater to all of our residents needs and special needs requested by their families. In addition to being there and helping out as much as we can, we also offer fun activities and amenities that our residents can enjoy.

Some of the activities that you can expect from spring arbor would surprise you. Our staff is dedicated to enabling a high quality of life for residents at Spring Arbor and The Oaks, including a range of activities to exercise both the mind and the body. From cooking lessons with the house Chef to gardening classes to discussions of current events, residents are encouraged to rekindle old interests or develop new ones.

Maintaining contact with the community is an important component of life at Spring Arbor and The Oaks. To that end, we arrange outings to churches, synagogues, parks, theaters, shopping trips, local restaurants, and numerous other social venues. We understand that our residents have diverse backgrounds, different hobbies and varying levels of physical ability and fitness. The professionals here have incorporated a broad range of activities into the social calendar, striving to include residents in our vibrant social calendar.

Typical activities in a day might start with morning exercises and then some card playing. Other days they might go out to the local stores to get a shake or go out to a movie with a small group. Usually once a week there is transportation provided to go shopping to WalMart or Target (depending on residents’ choice). In the afternoon there is typically entertainment from someone playing the piano, singing, or playing some other instrument. Cooking demonstrations get out a very good portion of the residents where they can try great recipes and mingle with their friends of the community. Please don't hesitate to contact us as we would be happy to answer any questions and help you in any way possible.

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Our assisted living facilities have a wide range of staffing philosophies. The staff is determined by the makeup and size of the facility. Some of our assisted living community are connected to, or shares a campus with, a skilled nursing facility, and then those staff resources may be integrated and shared between both types of housing options. While other facilities are very small and may employ only a few people who perform a multitude of tasks. Smaller doesn’t necessarily mean of poorer quality, as a smaller facility may contract the necessary health care services if they do not provide them directly.

Each resident has different needs and will require different levels of care. For those seniors in good health that do not require much, if any, medical assistance, there might not be a need to have a skilled nurse available at the facility. For others, having accessible physical therapy might be a requirement. Since assisted living homes come in all shapes and sizes, the patient’s level of care should help determine the staffing that is required at the assisted living facility they choose.

As mentioned, listing the specific types of staff is almost impossible due to the wide range of sizes of licensed assisted living facilities. However, some general titles of staff that you might find at our assited living communities.

•   Administrator – the director of the facility
•   Medical Director – in charge of the overall healthcare strategy
•   Director of Nursing – responsible for overseeing all nursing activities
•   Admissions Coordinator – responsible for resident admissions
•   Housekeeping Coordinator – responsible for all housekeeping activities
•   Dining Coordinator – responsible for all dining activities
•   Nursing Staff – may include registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, clinical nursing assistants and personal care technicians
•   Housekeeping Staff
•   Custodial Staff
•   Dining Staff
•   Administrative Staff
•   Volunteers

Our assisted living facilities in all of our locations hire a professional and courteous staff and we make sure that we take special care in each of our patient’s needs. Contact us today for more information should you have any questions about our amenities or community.

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A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition looked at the effects of drinking green tea on 1,058 elderly people with depression symptoms. To their surprise they found a forty-four percent reduction in major depressive symptoms in older people who drank more than four cups of green tea each day compared to those who drank less than one. They saw this effect even after adjusting for variables that could alter the results such as lifestyle and diet.

So why would drinking green tea reduce symptoms of depression? It's tempting to think that the caffeine in green tea could be the reason elderly people feel better after drinking green tea. Caffeine is a stimulant that can temporarily elevate mood. Researchers have another theory. They believe another component in green tea - L-theanine - helps to combat symptoms of depression. One of our amenities include a relaxed environment and we offer tea and relaxation methods to help reduce stress and pick up the moods of our individuals.

What exactly is L-theanine? Well L-Theanine is an amino acid found in green tea that has a soothing, calming effect on people who drink it. Drinking green tea containing theanine has been shown to stimulate production of brain waves known as alpha waves, these are seen when a person is in a relaxed state. It also alters levels of neurotransmitters in the brain such as serotonin and dopamine that can affect moods.

Unfortunately, theanine isn't found in large quantities in most American green teas - only in higher quality Japanese green teas. It's also believed that the theanines in green tea may help to reduce symptoms of anxiety. Despite the caffeine content, many people feel mellow after drinking a cup of green tea. This may be due to the theanine counteracting the effects of the caffeine. While theanine isn’t in high doses in American green teas there are still smaller traces of it, so drinking the tea will still alleviate your mood and make you feel better. Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions about assisted living or amenities that we offer at our facilities.

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