Spring Arbor Living Blog

The decision to move your loved one into an assisted living facility is not an easy one. As your loved one ages, they may need more help with daily activities like bathing or remembering medication. Moving to a facility that provides some assistance, without sacrificing independence, may be an option. This type of assisted living environment such as Spring Arbor, is a great option for long-term care.

What should you consider when looking for an assisted living community? First, think about what activities you or your loved one need help with. Here are some considerations to help guide you in your search.

What is most valuable in your loved one's life? What gives them purpose and meaning? Think about where their doctors, church, and family are. The assisted living facility should be near the things and people they hold dear. Seniors need to remain connected.

Think about current and future needs. If a progressive illness is involved look for a facility that can accommodate as mobility changes. Ask questions like: What are the levels of care offered? Are there ramps located throughout? Is the room or apartment fully accessible if a wheelchair is required in the future?

Also, if dementia is involved, there is a risk of wandering; is there an Alzheimer’s area that is safe and secure? When a loved one has Alzheimer's or a related dementia it can seem as though few options are available. As needs progress, the constant care and attention required can seem overwhelming. To meet this need, Spring Arbor offers  "Special Care Cottages" programs that are custom designed for residents with these unique challenges.

Get referrals. You will be surprised at how many people you know or how many people you can be connected with who have done this research. Also, contact your local agency on aging to find out if they can provide a list of facilities they'd recommend in your area.

Visit a few times beforehand. Stop by the community at least twice and take at least one guided tour. Show up unannounced for some other visits in order to see what happenings on a regular day. A nighttime visit is important because most of the staff has likely gone home.

Talk to current residents. If is it possible, talk to residents you meet during your on-site visits.

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An older person who cares for a spouse with dementia is also at an increased risk of developing problems with attention and memory, according to a new review of studies.

This is because the spousal caregiver likely shared lifestyle risk factors with the person with dementia, and undergoes ongoing stress from caring for the person.

Researchers from the University Of Washington School Of Medicine reviewed more than 100 studies that examined the cognitive health of older adults who cared for a family member with dementia, with the majority of the subjects being spouses. They found that these caregivers have more trouble with attention and memory, also known as cognition, than people who don't have to care for a family member with dementia.

The review of the studies showed that those caregivers had a higher risk of cognitive decline or dementia than people who do not have to care for someone with dementia. This could be due to a number of factors, including depression, loneliness, sleep problems, social isolation, exercise, diet and even obesity.

People who are caring for a spouse with dementia may themselves be at risk for cognitive problems which, in turn, will not only negatively influence their quality of life, but may reduce their ability to provide the necessary care for their spouse.

Most care-recipients prefer to be cared for in their homes, and, by remaining in their homes, health care costs are reduced greatly, therefore, often spouses of end up providing care.

The study was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

People with dementia are not the only ones who have health problems – a spouse who cares for them are also at risk for attention and memory problems.

Original article on MSN.com

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The terms Assisted Living Community and Nursing Home are often used interchangeably, however this is a mistake. They are actually very different, and a candidate for one is not necessarily a candidate for the other. However, that being said, Spring Arbor and The Oaks are assisted living residences. However, we recognize that just as every resident is unique and different, so too are his or her care needs. The fact is some residents require more time and attention than others. We address those needs individually rather than increase service fees for everyone.

The following are some differences between the Assisted Living and Nursing Homes.

Assisted Living Communities:

• Individuals in assisted living are more independent and can usually get through most of their day on their own. Generally, they only need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and preparing food.
• They still enjoy social activities and make autonomous decisions.
• Assisted Living Communities require limited to no medical care or specialized medical care.
• In Assisted Living Communities, residents are able to maintain their independence in a more secure atmosphere and they focus more on personal privacy and self-sufficiency than a nursing home.
• They offer their clients a comfortable apartment that is luxurious and comfortable.

• Those in nursing homes need a great deal more care. They usually require 24-hour nursing supervision and are generally not in good health.
• Nursing home patients require help with much more than three or more daily tasks:walking or being pushed in wheel chairs, eating, and regular medical tests.
• A nursing home is a place for someone who is unable to be cared for at home, but is not a candidate for hospital care.
• Nursing homes also provide rehabilitation to help people gain back their independence after a serious health problem.
• Similar to hospitals, nursing home patients have little to no privacy and quite often share rooms.
• Those in Nursing homes are viewed as patients, not clients. They are there to get well. If you or your parent is well, a nursing home is not ideal.

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Assisted living is for those who need some help in their daily lives, but don’t require the medical care provided by a nursing home or other institutional setting. It provides housing and services when it is no longer safe or practical for an older adult to live alone in his or her home. Spring Arbor's assisted living communities offer individualized care on a need basis and have a nurse on call 24 hours a day. Services vary, and usually include bathing, dressing or medication management; nutritious meals, a variety of planned activities, transportation and a comfortable apartment.

With the help of our assisted living communities, older adults are getting the traditional care they need, while maintaining much of their independence and dignity in a place they can call home. Assisted living communities alleviate the challenge of care from the families, and in turn are making a commitment to enhance the quality of life for today’s older adults .Life at Spring Arbor and The Oaks reflects the growth, excitement and beauty of the seasons. We have created a community that is really more an extension of your family, where caring professionals are here with a helping hand while you enjoy new friends, new experiences and new days. Contact us today to learn more information about assisted living.

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Exercising and reducing stress are both very important to keep your brain functioning at its peak. A healthy brain not only helps improve memory, mental clarity and countless other cognitive tasks essential for better health and well-being, it may also reduce the risk of diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Since the nerve cells in our brains degrade as we age, there’s no better time than now to keep your brain active, so that it functions well for years to come. One of the most important things you can do to improve your brain health is learning something new.

Learn something new that you’re not familiar with is a very important task to keep up with throughout your life. Brain games, which are generally good for “exercising” your brain are important to learn and play as well, such as crosswords. But, there are many other things that can increase brain activity, such as learning how to play a new instrument or sport, picking up a new hobby, or learning a new language. The important thing is that it needs to be something unfamiliar. If you already play hearts try playing solitaire, or learn an entirely new game to master. Instrument learning is one of the best ways to train your brain, as it works your brain as lot more. By performing diverse tasks, you’re working out different parts of your brain. Contact us today to learn more about activities our assisted living communities have to offer or learn about Alzheimer's.

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