Recently, residents and staff from Porter Place Memory Care paid a visit to their local Tinley Park Fire Station #47. The outing was officially in celebration of National Firefighter’s Day. But, for Allen Williams, it was special for an even more important reason.
In addition to being a Porter Place resident, Allen Williams holds the distinction of being a retired lieutenant at the Chicago Fire Department. Allen was interested in visiting the local fire station, not only to have a look around, but to personally thank them for their service. For the firefighters at Station #47 it was also an opportunity to step back in time, as they listened with interest to Allen as he shared some memories about his experiences as a firefighter “back in the day”.
Fellow residents and staff members brought refreshments, including cupcakes from the local Creative Cakes bakery. Most importantly, they brought many words of thanks and appreciation for the hard work the local firefighters do every day to keep the community safe.
While everyone enjoyed the visit, it was especially important to Mr. Williams as it sparked some old memories that had been hidden throughout the years; memories which he was delighted to share, and others enjoyed hearing.
It is not unusual for individuals living with dementia to recall early memories of childhood and even former occupations. At our Anthem Memory Care communities, we understand the importance of connecting residents to their former work and the events of their earlier years. While short-term memory fades quickly, sometimes all they need is someone or something to spark an early memory. When that happens, we all rejoice!
The event was covered by the Chicago Tribune as well as the Tinley Park Patch. “This was a wonderful way for Allen to reminisce and connect with the new generation of firefighters and join his friends in recognizing their dedication to the citizens of Tinley Park,” Kelley Tighe, community relations director for Porter Place told a reporter from the Tinley Park Patch. “It brought our residents great joy to show their thanks in person to these first responders and learn more about their exciting work.”
(Our top image shows Allen Williams donning a Tinley Park firefighter’s helmet. His smile says it all!)
Related Articles:
May is Mental Health Awareness month. Now, more than ever, it’s important to focus on mental well-being and how we can all do our part to provide better access to care for those in need.
At our Anthem Memory Care communities, optimizing mental health has always held a central role within our guiding principles. We understand how important mental wellbeing is to all of us, but especially to those living with dementia and those who care for them.
Are you a family caregiver for a loved one with dementia? While many of the changes your loved one faces may be out of your control, it’s heartening to know that there are things you and your family can do to keep your loved one’s mental health and outlook positive.
Here are seven tips to help you better support their (and your own) mental health needs:
Finally, take care of your own health!
As a family caregiver you are under an enormous level of stress, 24/7. Your own needs must be taken into account. Make sure you are keeping up to date with your own check-ups and that you are taking advantage of relatives and friends who offer to help.
Remember, too, that at some point during your loved one’s journey it may make sense to consider a transition into an environment with professionals who are not only highly trained in dementia but are passionate about caring for those living with dementia.
Feel free to reach out to any of our communities for resources and information. We’re here to help!
(Our header image is of two residents of Chisholm Place Memory care in Wichita, Kansas taking a break to enjoy some sunshine after their morning walk!)
As the weather warms up, we all look forward to getting outdoors more often. It’s a great time of year and who doesn’t enjoy taking a short walk and feeling a cool breeze on your face?
What this time of year also brings are more open windows and unlatched screen doors. While it freshens up the room it can also make a home less secure. And, for individuals with dementia, these relaxed conditions also present an invitation to open the door, walk out and wander off the grounds. That’s when the danger begins.
We hear often from adult children of moms and dads with dementia about their concerns when a parent begins wandering. You may have even received mobile alerts when an elderly person has left their home and is wandering in your area.
There is good reason for concern. These vulnerable individuals are a walking target for theft and other dangers without the presence of a loved one to protect them and guide them back home.
Here are some tips to help safeguard your loved one against the dangers of wandering:
Now is also the time to begin looking into memory care communities. Ideally they should provide plenty of safe open spaces, both indoors and out. Our Anthem Memory Care communities, for example, have been specially built to optimize the experience for those living with dementia.
Providing your loved one with an environment that is calibrated to serve individuals with memory loss helps them live their best lives. A good memory care community helps your parent to continue to enjoy purposeful activities led by trained professionals who have a passion to serve and treat them with the respect they deserve.
Now is the time to begin the process of researching and evaluating memory care communities. The longer you wait, the more challenging the transition can become.
We encourage you to reach out to us. We’ll be glad to answer your questions and provide additional resources. We’re always here to help!
As baseball season heats up, residents of Vineyard Place and local youth T-Ball players gathered together to celebrate and play ball! The children are aged 10 and under and enjoyed hitting the bases with residents and families. (Photo credit: Valley News)
The event was covered by the Valley News. You can read the full article here.
Young people have a natural way of connecting with everyone, especially older individuals living with dementia. At our Anthem Memory Care communities, we understand the value that comes from bringing our residents together with young people, which is why we strive to do it as often as possible.
Chelsea Place Memory Care in Aurora, Colorado has been working with Regis Jesuit High School for several years now and the young students are always eager to visit and share projects together.
Recently they enjoyed one of these visits, bringing plenty of smiles and laughter to the students, residents and our wonderful staff.
Why is inter-generational engagement so important? Much has been written on the value of connecting aging adults with dementia to young people. VeryWellHealth has shared some insight into the ways inter-generational relationships promote better physical and emotional wellbeing. Here are just a few of the benefits they point out:
Engagement for those living with dementia is so important that it has become a major aspect in making the decision to transition a loved one to a senior living community.
In fact, a Harris Poll found in a survey that 86% of Americans who responded would prefer a care setting with inter-generational activities, as opposed to exposure to only a single age group.
We understand this at Anthem Memory Care communities and seek regular opportunities to bring local school children and high school students together with our residents.
For those of you with a parent or other aging loved one who lives alone and struggles with isolation, it is important to regularly seek opportunities to connect them with young people.
For those of you researching memory care communities, it is important to ask them what their inter-generational programs are and how frequently they schedule activities. Learn as much as possible in advance the kind of activities they plan. They should be purposeful and enjoyable and should be scheduled to optimize participation and engagement by all participants.
Young people bring so much energy, interest and fresh outlooks to everyone they interact with. For those challenged by dementia, this brings light into a world that has become more confusing and anxiety filled.
Coming together with a young person, for even one afternoon, brings with it a renewed sense of purpose and value. Do this often and you will be doing your loved one and those around them a huge service.
(Our top image shows one of the Regis Jesuit students giving a big thumbs-up with a Chelsea Place resident.)
If you’ve been tuning into the news lately you’ve probably heard about actor Bruce Willis’ recent diagnosis of aphasia. Compared to other conditions, aphasia is one that, while many people may have heard of it, few have a clear understanding of what it is, who gets it and how it impacts quality of life.
What exactly is aphasia?
The official definition, according to the Mayo Clinic is as follows:
Aphasia is a condition that affects your ability to communicate. It can affect your speech, as well as the way you write and understand both spoken and written language.
In the U.S. aphasia currently affects over two million people, with over 180,000 being diagnosed each year.
There are 3 kinds of aphasia:
The primary causes of aphasia, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine are:
What is the link between aphasia and dementia?
According to the National Aphasia Association, while most cases of aphasia are caused by stroke or other severe brain injury, one type of aphasia, called primary progressive aphasia, results from degeneration of brain tissue in the areas of the brain related to speech and language.
This is the kind of damage caused by Alzheimer’s disease or Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration. It can also be one of the earliest signs of the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, often preceding the memory loss and personality changes normally associated with dementias.
How is aphasia treated?
Much depends upon the cause of the problem. It is important that any associated risks and/or issues can be addressed first. In all cases, however, speech and language therapy will be needed.
This is a process to help the individual with aphasia re-learn language skills and identify other ways of communicating to compensate for language loss. This is where family members can be of help, working alongside a licensed therapist.
At our Anthem Memory Care communities our residents with speech and language challenges work with licensed speech therapists to help them retain as much of their verbal and comprehensive capabilities as possible and for as long as possible.
Of course, we all wish Bruce Willis and his family all the best as they grapple with his diagnosis and begin the arduous work of rehabilitation and ongoing therapy. And with better understanding of the condition and awareness of its symptoms and potential underlying causes, we can begin to make headway into more aggressive treatments and preventative strategies.
If you wear a smartwatch to keep track of your health, then you know that it doesn’t take much to get your heartbeat up and begin burning calories. Even the lightest movements, such as stretching your arms, lifting your shoulders and stretching out your legs increases breathing which, in turn, increases oxygen levels.
April is “Move More Month” and it’s important because it puts the spotlight on the value of movement to health. Typically, we think of movement in the form of conducting a series of on-your-feet exercises. But for many individuals with limb impairment or other physical impairment, getting up and doing jumping jacks and toe touches is out of the question.
Unfortunately, however, many individuals continue to believe that if they’re not sweating, they’re not exercising. And all too often this misconception keeps them from doing anything at all! There are many things they could and should be doing that are not full out exercises but bring significant benefits.
The New York Times recently reported on a series of studies showing how movement stimulated parts of the brain responsible for identifying neural cells in decline and responding to help heal them.
The Cleveland Clinic has published a list of exercises recommended by the National Institute of Aging that individuals with limited mobility can do to improve overall health. Here are a few excerpts from the article:
At our Anthem Memory Care communities, we take joy in identifying ways for each of our residents to move regularly, carefully tailoring their activities to meet each individual’s abilities.
If you are caring for a loved one with mobility issues, look for simple exercises that can be done without putting undue stress on them. Conducting consistent, purposeful movements throughout the day can bring both physical and emotional benefits.
The more movement, the better so keep it up and, above all, don’t give up!
(Speaking of movement, our top image shows residents of Highline Place Memory Care in Littleton, Colorado engaging in a rousing game of balloon volleyball!)
Related Articles:
Residents of Porter Place got together to create unique tie-dye t-shirts and accessories to sell, the proceeds going to Direct Relief to help citizens of Ukraine.
The project was initiated by Gerri Szczecin, a resident of Ukrainian descent. The day's event was covered by national and local news publications. You can read the full article in the Chicago Tribune.
At Anthem Memory Care communities, it is our privilege to serve several residents of Ukrainian descent, some with family members still living in Ukraine and all of whom feel especially impacted as Ukraine continues to fight to protect its independence.
One resident of Porter Place Memory Care in Tinley Park, Illinois was especially affected by the crisis in the Ukraine. Seventy-four-year-old Gerri Szczecin’s parents were both from eastern Europe. Her father was a native Ukrainian and her mother was born in Poland.
As the crisis in Ukraine unfolded, Gerri wanted to do something to help, as did other residents and our staff as well.
So they got to work planning a project to help the Ukrainian refugees who have fled to neighboring countries. The residents’ talents were pressed into service as they worked together with staff members to create an array of beautiful, tie-dyed items including shirts, headbands, scrunchies and jewelry.
Recently, the Tinley Park Progress News covered Porter Place Memory Care’s tie-dye project. The proceeds from sales of the items will go to Direct Relief, an organization that works directly with Ukraine’s Ministry of Health as well as other aid agencies on the ground in Ukraine and neighboring countries. They are providing insulin, critical care medications, oxygen concentrators and other medical aid.
Residents and staff members of Porter Place are honored to work together to do their part in providing aid to those Ukrainian families in need. Our Anthem Memory Care communities are always seeking opportunities to reach out and give back to those who need our help. In addition to serving their broader communities, it provides them with a much-needed sense of purpose and meaning, something we all need in our lives!
“Many of our residents have seen conflicts around the world during their lifetime, and dementia doesn’t diminish their desire to help others,” Jennifer Boonstra, life engagement director for Porter Place, told the Tinley Park Progress reporter. “They are committed to helping people whether near or far.”
Our hearts and prayers continue to go out to the people of Ukraine. And we applaud the efforts of residents and staff at Porter Place.
(Our header images of Porter Place residents are courtesy of the Tinley Park Progress.)
Related Articles:
Did you know that, today, there are over 10 million women in the U.S. who live with or are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease?
When it comes to Alzheimer’s, the statistics are not in favor of women. For one thing, most of those who are living with Alzheimer’s disease are women.
The Alzheimer’s Association has a few more facts:
You may be wondering at this point, “What about men?” That’s a great question. Women outnumber men significantly when it comes to vulnerability to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Why is that?
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are a few reasons, both biological and social, why women are more susceptible to dementia than men are.
An unfortunate side effect of women’s caring dedication is the negative impact is has on their work lives. Almost 19% of women caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s had to quit their work due to the demands of their caregiving responsibilities. And, in part, due to this, women caregivers are more vulnerable to experiencing depression and poor health than their male counterparts.
So, what does all this mean for women?
While the odds may not be in your favor, that doesn’t mean there aren’t things you can do to be better prepared in the event you develop Alzheimer’s yourself or need to care for a loved one with the disease. Here are few of them:
Researchers continue to gather data on dementia and seek better understanding of the disease itself and why certain people are more prone to developing dementia.
At our Anthem Memory Care communities, we are diligent about staying up to date on the latest findings and making sure we are using these insights to provide top quality care for our residents.
Feel free to contact us. We’re always here to help.
Wellness is a term we often hear these days, especially as it relates to aging and retaining good health. Few realize, however, just how important a regular program of wellness is, and the central role wellness plays in the lives of individuals with dementia.
At our Anthem Memory Care communities, wellness is much more than a “concept”. It is a commitment. That’s because we have learned just how much difference a solid wellness program can make in the daily lives of our residents and how it serves their overall health and fitness.
Wellness, of course, is an umbrella term that encompasses several areas, including physical, emotional, social and spiritual.
The Alzheimer’s Association has outlined some key areas of wellness to focus on for better health. While their list is geared towards individuals in the early stages of dementia, it is helpful for family caregivers of loved ones recently diagnosed with dementia as well.
Following are some excerpts from the article. You can go to the link for details.
Physical:
Emotional:
Social:
Spiritual:
Whether you, yourself, are in the early stages of dementia or you are caring for someone who is, these time-tested tips can and should be put into action. Caring for all aspects of wellness not only optimizes overall health, but it helps those living with dementia to respond better to treatments and therapy.
Finally, we encourage you to reach out to your local Anthem Memory Care community. We regularly conduct seminars and support groups. We welcome you to join us!
(Our header image shows residents of Willowbrook Place Memory Care in Littleton, Colorado on an outing!)
Related Articles:
We speak regularly with concerned adult children of parents experiencing memory loss who feel that it is no longer safe or advantageous for them to continue living at home.
One of the biggest questions they have is whether mom or dad should transition to an assisted living community or memory care. It’s a great question. Of course, the first order of business we recommend is to get a medical assessment to determine the cause of your loved one’s memory loss.
When you receive a diagnosis of dementia, it’s time to make some decisions about ongoing care. That is because, as the disease progresses, your loved one will need an increasing level of care from people with deep knowledge of the phases of dementia as well as how to help your loved one live his or her best life going forward.
Following are three key benefits associated with communities, such as Anthem Memory Care, which are 100% dedicated to providing memory care.
We realize that the decision to transition your mom or dad into a care community is not an easy one. It is important to educate yourself and to share your thoughts and feelings with family and close friends. It is also important to research the many care environments available to you.
It is also important to note that we all rely upon specialists to help us meet specific health challenges. Likewise, an individual with dementia deserves to live in an environment created especially for them, with specialists who can meet their unique needs and provide a life experience that is worthwhile, purposeful and compassionate.
At Anthem Memory Care, we welcome you to visit one of our communities in your area and share your own experience with us. Our communities regularly hold dementia support groups, to which everyone is invited. We are here to help!
(Our top photo shows a few of the amazing residents of Willowbrook Place, an Anthem Memory Care community located in Littleton, Colorado.)
Have you played Wordle yet? Even if you haven’t, you’ve probably heard of this latest game frenzy as players proudly post their scores all over social media. It’s a fun little puzzle that challenges the player to put different letters together to eventually arrive at the “correct” five letter word. And the desire in all of us to test our abilities has led to Wordle becoming very popular indeed.
Many believe that playing games helps stimulate our brains and, therefore, is a good way to improve cognition and sharpen memory. Research has found that, in many ways, this is correct. And yet research also cautions us not to look to brain games as a replacement for human interaction and camaraderie.
The value of playing games is not so much the game, itself but the socialization around it.
Much of the value of playing games, like Wordle, is the social experience of sharing results and engaging in friendly competition with friends. An article in VeryWellMind.com recently cited insights from Assistant Professor of Psychology, Matthew Baldwin, who noted, “When we experience something together, the feelings get amplified so when we have fun with Wordle, that feeling is amplified when we remember that we are playing with millions of people at the same time.” This sense of having a common goal, creates what Dr. Baldwin refers to as “group cohesion”.
That doesn’t mean games don’t benefit our brains as well.
Research has indicated that games and word puzzles, like Soduku, crossword puzzles (and Wordle) force us to concentrate and use our problem-solving skills. This stimulates areas of our brains that studies have shown can help slow the progression of cognitive decline. Video games have also become popular in stimulating cognitive skills and are also known to improve response times and hand eye coordination, both of which are important to being able to perform the activities of daily living.
And yet, most research indicates that the greatest value derived from playing games comes through interaction with other players.
What does all this mean to those of you caring for loved ones living with dementia?
It means that you should encourage your loved one to play games with you and other family members. Games like checkers, cards and other games that are played together not only challenge the brain but inspire conversation and a sense of camaraderie that is so important to helping those with dementia connect with those around them.
At Anthem Memory Care communities, we love games. Whether it’s cornhole, Jenga, bingo or working a jigsaw puzzle together, we understand the value of personal interaction and socialization that games bring out in our residents and staff.
So, go ahead and break out a deck of cards or other favorite family game and “let the games begin”. And, a little Wordle here and there won’t hurt either!
(Our header image shows a resident of Emerald Place Memory Care in Glenview, Illinois participating in a rousing game of Jenga as fellow residents and staff cheer her on!)
Back in the early days of the pandemic, when everyone was quarantining behind closed doors, something amazing was in the works outside the windows of our Anthem Memory Care communities – window decorating!
While we certainly had enjoyed window decoration before the pandemic, the desire to bolster the spirits of our residents poured out into the greater community and we were privileged to host scores of family members and youth groups who put their creativity and energy to work, decorating our windows and bringing so many smiles to our residents.
Well, the good news is that the “fine art” of window painting and decorating continues! And we’re glad it does for so many reasons, including:
It’s also a great way to celebrate seasonal holidays.
Recently a window-art project at Cascade Creek Memory Care in Rochester, Minnesota was covered by local TV channel, KTTC. The reporter interviewed members of the local youth group from Church of the Resurrection. Their mission was to create some special artwork to celebrate Valentine’s Day. “We went outside and just started decorating the windows,” youth group member, Claudia Pelowski, told the KTTC reporter. “All the older people would come and watch us, and they would clap, and they thought our drawings were really nice,” she said.
Below, a Cascade Creek resident and family member enjoy lunch in front of a festive Valentine’s window!
The window decorating brought a lot of smiles (and applause) from everyone, from residents to staff to family members.
Tiffany Bell, life engagement director at Cascade Creek, talked about the project and the impact it had on residents and staff. “This opportunity just seemed to present itself as a wonderful way to brighten the days of our residents and spread a little bit of cheer right here as we head into Valentine’s Day,” she said.
(Our top image shows a loving message artfully drawn on an outside window at Cascade Creek. Image is courtesy of KTTC TV.)
Related Articles:
Having a sense of purpose is important to all of us, perhaps even more so to individuals living with dementia. Numerous studies over the years have identified a clear link between engaging in purposeful activities and exhibiting sharper cognitive function. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, participating in activities that are meaningful enhances both physical and mental well-being, each of which plays a key role in brain health.
You may have heard of the Rush University Medical Center study, conducted over a fifteen-year period, involving a group of 1,400 seniors. The results were striking. The study found a 30% lower rate of cognitive decline among those who scored high on a “purpose-of-life” scale. In other words, those who felt they were contributing to the greater wellbeing of those around them were able to sustain higher cognition than those who did not.
That’s a powerful testament to the importance of finding purpose in things we do each day. It is one of the reasons that the staff at our Anthem Memory Care communities encourage our residents and staff to use their talents and skills in purposeful activities.
Below are just a few images of Anthem Memory Care residents doing just that…
Chelsea Place residents embark on a break-room renovation project. They start by refinishing the old chairs.
After adding some fresh paint, here’s the final product! Well worth their efforts. Doesn’t it look great?
At Vineyard Place the cooks and bakers can regularly be found in the kitchen. This resident makes up a batch of her special chicken pasta salad.
Porter Place residents take a break from building some amazing wooden flower beds.
Finding daily meaning in the things we do is essential to our well-being. If you are a family caregiver for a loved one living with dementia, take every opportunity you can to encourage them to continue to do things that have brought them joy and purpose throughout their lives. You may be surprised at how well they are still able to do these things. And it will bring much needed moments of joy into everyone’s day.
(Our top image is of an Emerald Place resident checking out gardening tools at Home Depot in preparation for spring planting projects.)