May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a good time to reflect on things family caregivers can do to maintain good mental health for themselves as well as their loved ones who are challenged with dementia, such as Alzheimer’s. You may be interested to know that there is a link between mental health and dementia. A […]
During National Nurses Week, staff of Porter Place Memory Care honored two former nurses, who are now residents, with special certificates thanking them for their service over the years. Sandra Schaaf, an OB/GYN nurse and Jean Lintner (pictured above), an elder care nurse, were presented with the certificates along with special nurse-themed charm bracelets. The […]
Did you know that individuals living with Alzheimer’s often find it easier to express themselves and even spark memories through art? Why is this? We know that with Alzheimer’s, cognitive ability such as verbal communication becomes increasingly impaired. However, the process of putting paint on a canvas can serve as a release in terms of […]
May is Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month. Most of you have probably heard of Huntington’s but, unless it has impacted your family directly, you may not really understand the disease. The official definition, according to the Mayo Clinic, is that Huntington’s is “a rare, inherited disease that causes the progressive breakdown (degeneration) of nerve cells in […]
Something many of us take for granted is our mobility. For most able-bodied Americans, getting up and walking to the fridge or getting out of the car and walking into a store is just a part of our daily activities. But maintaining mobility becomes precious to us as we age. Stiff joints, sore muscles and […]
April is Occupational Therapists Month and, as far as we’re concerned, it should be every month! Occupational therapists and occupational therapist assistants (OTs and OTAs) provide a valuable service to residents living in senior care. We know because our communities partner with some of the best in the country. Here are a few of the […]
Vineyard Place Memory Care residents spent time recently reading and engaging in fun activities with local Cole Canyon Elementary School pupils. Everyone enjoyed the session. These inter-generational activities are so beneficial for both the residents and the children! The activities were covered by the local Press-Enterprise. You can read the full story here.
Are you as glad as we are that we’ve turned the corner and spring seems to have finally arrived? After a cold, harsh winter, residents and staff at our Anthem communities are thrilled to dig into spring projects and activities. Warmer weather focuses us planting, field trips and crafting outdoor decorations as we happily mark […]
Grace Point Place residents and local school kids from Southwest Chicago Christian School recently got together to create some adorable Easter baskets. The baskets were gifted to staff to give to their children. Great activity, great fun and a great gift! The project was covered in the local Oak Lawn Patch. You can read the […]
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, an opportunity for all of us to gain a greater understanding of the disease that impacts over 200,000 Americans each year. Many are familiar with Parkinson’s disease through the experiences of public figures like actor and writer, Michael J. Fox, who has courageously shared his journey with the disease and […]
For so many families, planning for an aging parent’s inability to care for themselves is low on the list until an urgent need arises, such as a diagnosis of dementia. It’s understandable. Life gets in the way. There are children to raise, work issues, and all the challenges of daily living to tackle. And, yet, […]
For most of us, some of life’s most enjoyable moments occur outside our doors. Whether it’s going for a walk, shopping, going out to lunch, or just taking a drive, getting out and about keeps us from feeling isolated and connects us to each other and the world around us. This is especially important for […]
The Mayer School of Irish Dance brought a bit of Ireland into the Harvester Place Memory Care community, just in time for St. Patrick's Day. The talented dance troupe includes dancers from age 6 to 18 bringing an authentic Irish dance experience to the delight of residents and staff. For one of the residents, Graham […]
Brain Awareness Week is a great opportunity to learn more about brain health. This is especially important for those who are caring for a loved one with dementia. The more aware you are, the better care you can provide. First, a few brain facts you’ll find interesting: There is a wealth of information about brain […]
March is Women’s History month! Since we are 100% dedicated to memory care, we wanted to take a moment to focus on a few of the many amazing women who have made significant contributions in neurology. Without their hard work, our understanding of the brain would be nowhere near where it is today. An increased understanding […]