Fourth and fifth grade students from Southwest Chicago Christian School paid tribute to the veterans living at Grace Point Place Memory Care in Oak Lawn, Illinois.
The students got busy with their chalk and created some amazing images to inspire and thank those who served. Residents, families, and staff were thrilled to witness the chalk drawings and see the faces of the veterans light up.
The event was covered by the Chicago Tribune and you can read the full story here.
(Photo credit: Chicago Tribune - Terrence Antonio James)
On Veterans Day ten residents of Highline Place representing each of their branches of the military were honored for their service.
The event was covered by local KDVR news station.
Several of the residents, despite their memory loss were able to recall their experiences. “We honored each one with what branch of service they were in and told their story to everyone,” Jodi Cornman, community relations director for Highline Place told the KDVR news reporter.
You can read the full KDVR story here.
(Photo credit: KDVR)
While Veterans Day has come and gone, there is no start and end date to our admiration and compassion for the veterans living and working inside our doors.
Being able to celebrate these very special individuals who have served our country in decades past is truly an honor. Everyone benefits. Their stories are compelling and strengthen their connection with those around them, especially young people who are eager to hear about their experiences.
Here are just a few images of the Veterans Day festivities at our Anthem Memory Care communities.
A proud veteran and resident of Porter Place Memory Care in Tinley Park, Illinois.
Fellow veterans give a salute of appreciation at Grace Point Place Memory Care in Oak Lawn, Illinois.
A table of honor with photos of resident veterans was on display at Morningside Place Memory Care in Overland Park, Kansas.
A flag waving veteran and resident of Harvester Place Memory Care in Burr Ridge, Illinois.
Honoring veterans and the branches of the military they represent at Vineyard Place Memory Care in Murrieta, California.
Honoring and celebrating the unique lives of our residents and staff has always been one of the guiding principles of our “Engage, Protect and Love” mission at Anthem Memory Care communities. Whether it’s a birthday, an anniversary, or a special achievement, we believe that marking special life events is a way of acknowledging the amazing personal journeys of these special individuals.
If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s, make it a point to honor their life stories regularly. Include them in your family celebrations as well. It is a great opportunity to bring them together and share their special and unique milestones with everyone in your family.
(Our header image is of a resident of Highline Place Memory Care in Littleton, Colorado receiving a certificate recognizing her service.)
We all know “dusk” or “twilight time”, as that time of day when the waning sunlight impairs our ability to see clearly without lighting.
Most of us simply turn the lights on and go about our evening. But, for individuals with dementia, the transition is not so easily shrugged off, especially if they are already tired or irritable. The increasing shadows and lack of natural light can cause confusion, triggering anxiety, fear and even aggression. And, when it continues into the evening it can impair their ability to get a good night’s sleep.
Our Anthem Memory Care caregivers are well aware of this phenomenon known as “sundowning”. They understand the disorientation that can arise, especially as we transition from daylight-saving time to standard time. They also understand the importance of treating individuals experiencing restlessness and symptoms of sundowning with dignity and respect.
For those of you who are family caregivers for loved ones with dementia, here are seven tips to make the transition easier, courtesy of our Anthem communities:
The anxiety your loved one experiences as late afternoon transitions into evening can seriously impair their quality of life. However, with some planning and patience, you can do much to minimize the conditions that serve as unwelcome triggers and create a more peaceful environment for everyone.
As we head deeper into fall, we begin to feel its effects --- chillier mornings, rain, cold winds, and a lot less sunlight. For most of us, these are simply the signs that winter is coming as we throw on a jacket and go about our daily lives.
For individuals challenged with dementia, however, these changes often cause a higher degree of anxiety. The time change, for instance, brings confusion along with its darker evenings. And, climates with snow and icy sidewalks create physical challenges that can turn a simple walk outside into a potential fall.
If you are a family caregiver of a loved one living with dementia, here are a few of the tips from the Alzheimer’s Association to safeguard them from the dangers of cold weather:
Remember, too, that as we head out of daylight saving time, sundown syndrome may create additional challenges for your loved one. The earlier evening darkness can create confusion, so be sure to turn on lights before the sun goes down. Make the most of daylight by keeping drapes open if possible and stick to your regular schedule to avoid unnecessary confusion.
While fall and winter bring shorter days and colder weather, it can bring much enjoyment as well. Taking special precautions and being extra patient with your loved one will help everyone better cope with these changes. For instance, if your loved one has always lived in a colder climate, try pulling out a photo album of earlier snow pictures. Or watch a movie together that is set in the winter.
Focusing your loved one on the positive things associated with colder weather such as the upcoming holidays, family visits and warm, home cooked meals, will make those cold, wintery days easier to navigate.
(Our header image shows a row of delightful snow people built by local school children outside the windows of Emerald Place Memory Care residents in Glenview, Illinois!)
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Ask one of our residents what their favorite animal visit was this year and you’ll probably get a different answer from each of them.
That’s because our Anthem communities partner with local organizations and farms which enables them to bring a variety of beautiful animals to visit residents and staff. Some residents prefer dogs, others love cats. We have bird lovers as well as those who are intrigued by fish and reptiles. And, not surprisingly, their preferences usually reflect their favorites from earlier years.
That means that, on any given day, you might see a goat, a cockatiel or, most frequently, a favorite therapy dog come through our doors. And our visits to stables and wildlife sanctuaries broaden the experience further to include horses, llamas, and other animals in their natural habitats.
While the animals we engage with may vary, what never seems to vary are the smiles and joy they bring to our residents and staff members.
Animals provide a very natural kind of therapy, the benefits of which can be hard to quantify. And yet those benefits are very real. Research studies have found that “animal-assisted” therapy, as it’s referred to by experts, can improve both our emotional and physical well-being. That includes several of the issues associated with dementia. Here are a few:
We welcome you to visit our Anthem Memory Care community websites as well as their Facebook pages. You’ll see lots of great photos and videos of some wonderful animal interactions. You’ll see lots of smiles and laughter as well.
If you are caring for a loved one who has always been an animal lover, make it a point to regularly engage them with family or neighborhood pets. Of course, make sure these animals are clean and well behaved. But making the effort to arrange these visits will be well worth your efforts. And they may spark a memory or two in the process.
(We have so many amazing photos of residents with animals it was hard to pick just one for our header image. This one shows a Chelsea Place resident giving some love to an adorable baby goat.)
One of the biggest concerns we hear from family caregivers of loved ones living at home with dementia is safety. Even in a home a parent has lived in for years, adult children will worry about the potential for a stove burner to be left on or a foot to catch the edge of a carpet.
Individuals with dementia are even more vulnerable to these kinds of safety hazards. In addition to the normal issues surrounding aging, they are dealing with significant cognitive and physical impairment, both of which will steadily become more pronounced.
If you are a family caregiver for a loved one who has been diagnosed with dementia, you will want to look into resources to help keep your loved one safe. As the disease progresses, that may involve reaching out to a memory care community which has been designed specifically to provide a safe and healthy environment for individuals with dementia.
In the meantime, however, you need to be vigilant in removing as many safety hazards as possible for your loved one. Here are five areas to focus on:
More safety tips and advice can be found on the Alzheimer’s Association website. You can download their safety checklist here.
Remember that, in addition to taking the above precautions, it is important to make sure your loved one is not left alone for long periods of time. As their cognitive abilities become more impaired, the potential for accidents will continue to increase.
We welcome you to reach out to an Anthem community near you. Consider us an added resource as your caregiver journey continues. Come visit us anytime. We understand how challenging this period of your life is and are always here to help.
While individuals with dementia do not typically require special diets (unless other conditions such as diabetes are present), healthy eating is important for everyone, especially as we age. However, there are challenges for individuals with dementia which can become an impediment to meeting healthy dietary goals.
The Cleveland Clinic has listed many of these challenges. Here are three that we hear often from family caregivers, along with some tips to help you tackle them:
First, allow them to take their time eating. Between possible vision issues and mobility/coordination issues, your loved one may be inclined to give up eating, even if they are still hungry. Ask what you can do to help, listen carefully, and make every effort to accommodate their needs. If they are angry, give them time to calm down before you encourage them to eat again.
This can be challenging as medications can alter the taste of food as well as impact appetite. Start by experimenting with a wider range of foods to home in on what is more palatable to your loved one. Don’t be afraid to try new spices and herbs to add more flavor to meals. Consider asking your doctor about diet supplements to augment regular meals.
Try providing “finger foods” such as sandwiches, spring rolls, breads and cheeses, and large slices of fruit. Today, more than ever, there are plenty of recipes for nutritious snack-style foods that can easily be eaten and provide a balanced diet. Other family members will enjoy them too.
These are just a few tips family caregivers can use encourage better eating habits. You can find more tips on the Cleveland Clinic site.
Our Anthem Memory Care community dieticians, chefs, and caregivers all work together to accommodate the unique food preferences and dietary needs of our residents. With a few adjustments, some patience and planning, you too can help ensure that you are meeting the dietary needs of your loved one, while making mealtime more pleasurable for everyone.
Family caregivers often feel overwhelmed by the dizzying assortment of doctors, nurses, and specialists with whom they must interact to optimize care for a loved one diagnosed with dementia.
If you are in this situation, we understand your confusion. Navigating the healthcare system, especially when dealing with your own stress levels, can be daunting.
However, the complex nature of dementias, such as Alzheimer’s, demands a high level of expertise in order to accurately diagnose and treat the disease. Optimizing care requires the collective expertise of people trained to address associated physical, cognitive, and emotional changes.
Here are some of the key professionals you may encounter as you navigate the healthcare journey ahead:
Below are some of the resources used in this blog, which you may find helpful for more in-depth descriptions and information about the many professionals who serve dementia patients and their families:
You can also visit our Anthem Memory Care resource page which contains links to organizations that can be helpful in providing information and additional resources.
Sophia or “Sunni” McGee, resident of Harvester Place Memory Care in Burr Ridge, Illinois, has packed a lot of living into her 100 years. Residents, staff and families celebrated her 100th birthday recently, an event covered by the local Patch.
When asked what her secret was to her longevity, she didn’t hesitate to answer: “Healthy eating, staying active, dancing, and not sweating the small stuff.” You can read the full article here.
As a provider of memory care, we can’t think of a more purposeful activity than one that raises money to help fund Alzheimer’s disease research!
Our communities are always looking for ways to do their part to help. That goes for residents, families, and our wonderful staff members.
Recently, residents of Grace Point Place Memory Care in Oak Lawn, Illinois joined staff and family members to host a car wash to raise funds for their local Alzheimer’s Association chapter. Many of these residents have volunteered all their lives. And, they aren’t about to stop now! The event was covered by the Chicago Tribune. (You can read the full article here.)
While charity events are important to help raise funds for causes, there is another benefit to organizing and participating in them. The act of working together for the greater good brings to everyone involved a powerful sense of purpose and meaning.
For individuals living with dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease, engaging in purposeful and meaningful activities creates a powerful connection to each other and the world around them. Every human being wants to feel worthy and that he or she is contributing to something that matters. Putting together programs and events, like the recent car wash, lifts the spirits and creates an atmosphere of camaraderie among the participants.
As Shannon Dahlman, community relations director for Grace Point Place, told the Chicago Tribune reporter, “Many of our residents have volunteered all of their lives. Just because they have dementia doesn’t mean they have to give up their commitment to community service. They jumped at the chance to feel productive and help others.”
If you are caring for a loved one living with dementia, make an effort to seek out opportunities to engage them in either a volunteer program or activities such as gardening, baking or crafting. All are enjoyable and purposeful. For both of you!
Residents of Grace Point Place are always up for doing their part to give back to the greater community. Recently, they joined staff and family members to host a car wash to raise funds for their local Alzheimer’s Association chapter. Many of these residents have volunteered all their lives. They aren’t about to stop now! The event was covered by the Chicago Tribune. Read the full article here.
When we think of Alzheimer’s disease it is often in an abstract way, focusing generally on the memory loss associated with the disease, but little else.
Of course, memory loss is a large part of Alzheimer’s disease. But it is not the only part. There are many other changes that occur as the disease progresses, both neurologically and physically. And, with those changes come challenges, not only for the individuals living through them, but for those who care for them.
Alzheimer’s is not an easy topic of discussion for most families, especially for those with growing suspicions that a family member may be entering the early stages of the disease. And yet, we have found that the more educated and informed a family is, the more able they are to regain their footing and move forward as they care for their loved one and plan for the road ahead.
Alzheimer’s is a complicated disease. It can be divided into three stages: early, middle, and late. Here are some of the behavioral and physical changes one can expect when a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Early Stage: Most individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease are still living on their own and able to function independently. However, they will begin to experience with increasing consistency some or all of the following:
Middle Stage: This can be the longest stage of the disease, often lasting for years. At this stage of the disease, families need to begin looking into professional care, either in-home or a memory care community. Here are some key behavioral and physical changes during this stage:
Late Stage: At this stage, an individual no longer has the ability to interact effectively with their surroundings and people around them. Here are some of the behavioral and physical changes associated with late stage Alzheimer’s disease:
As difficult as it is to cope with the anticipation of these changes, it is important for families to understand the disease and how it progresses. We always recommend that family members begin their journey with as much information as possible. That means consulting with your loved one’s physician and with mental health experts who specialize in Alzheimer’s disease. It is also important to reach out to clergy members and/or other support systems to help prepare for the emotional journey ahead.
Finally, we invite you to reach out to any of our communities for more information and attend a dementia support group. We have resources that can be beneficial moving forward. We welcome you to come visit and share your challenges with us. We’re always here to help!
Janet Morikawa, a resident of Chelsea Place Memory Care, recently celebrated her 99th birthday with a festive luau! A native of Hawaii, Janet thoroughly enjoyed the celebration, which was complete with lays, dancers and traditional Hawaiian foods. Her special day was covered by the local Patch in an article which you can read here.
One of the most challenging questions we get asked is how to know when it’s time to transition a parent from home care to a memory care community. In many ways, by asking the question, they’ve answered it. Because when you get to the point of questioning the value of keeping them in their home, you are already beginning to take the journey towards making a transition.
The desire to keep parents living in the family home for as long as possible is understandable. For many of us it is the home we grew up in, full of precious memories. For an aging parent it represents a safe harbor, a familiar place that is soothing and comforting.
As dementia progresses, however, this will change. What was once an easy to navigate environment will become more challenging, even bringing potential danger to your loved one.
Here are three signs that, despite your best efforts, a transition into an environment designed for individuals with cognitive disabilities may bring more benefits for your loved one than continuing to care for them at home.
We are often told by family caregivers after their loved ones have transitioned to one of our memory care communities that they feel greater peace of mind knowing that their mom or dad is in a safe, supportive memory care environment. They also tell us that they have only one regret: That they didn’t make the move sooner.