By Todd A. Shetter, Chief Operating Officer of ActivCare Living, Inc.
Many of us have moved away from comfortable homes or traveled away from our familiar home settings long enough or often enough to “miss home.” The word “home” stirs familiar and warm feelings. When dementia strikes, home is no longer that safe, comfortable and familiar place. If every morning brings a perceived unfamiliar location it can be very frightening and confusing. Fortunately there are successful and easy-to-implement ways to create comfort and security at home.
Environments for those with dementia become very important in the overall well-being and success of each day when providing support and care of those whose reality orientation re-sets frequently. Some of the keys to a successful physical surrounding may sound simple, but are many times overlooked both at home and in larger senior care communities. To create a secure and comfortable environment, follow these four straightforward rules.
Rule 1: Simple is always better. One central gathering area for meals, activities and exercise is much better than three separate rooms in various locations for each event. For someone with dementia, a small achievement such as getting somewhere on their own can lead to fulfillment.
Rule 2: Provide visual cues that are large, colorful and familiar. With dementia, it is easy to get disoriented. ActivCare Communities use large, colorful murals that relate to the framed art work down each corridor to help guide residents. A resident with dementia may not remember they live in the 300 Wing, but they are more likely to recognize the patriotic posters, US flags and colorful art work that was started in the Great Room and remained consistent all the way down the hall to the outside of their room. These visual cues are very effective and can be duplicated at home. Post large signs in colorful writing above bathrooms, sleeping rooms and closets.
Rule 3: Create a safe and secure environment with freedom of movement. We all need room to roam. Those affected by dementia are no different. Being in one room or one location for long periods of time makes us restless. Create a safe zone both indoors and outdoors for roaming. If the house has a fence surrounding the yard and has front and back gates make sure the gates are locked, but allow the doors to the yard to remain open or unlocked. Clear unnecessary clutter from regularly traveled walking paths to bathrooms, through hallways and leading to patios. Provide free and easy access to the inside and outside within that safe zone. Stopping the resident who needs to meander and walk will only cause confrontation and conflict. Prepare a protected environment for them to walk and meander safely.
Rule 4: Be consistent and predictable. Routine and consistency with meals, baths, and bed time breed familiarity. ActivCare programming is planned and carried out every day in 30 to 60 minute increments. From getting up in the morning to getting ready for bed at night, the day is planned and programmed. Exercise is led in the same location, meals at the same tables and sing-alongs always happen at the half circle of chairs in the same location in the Great Room. This is another visual trigger for the brain that has lost the short-term recall. Chairs in a half circle mean singing, tables set with plates and silverware mean meal time and that familiar music means time for exercise.
Simple cues and routines can make a world of difference in creating resident comfort and decreasing anxiety. We want those afflicted with dementia to always feel safe, comfortable and in control of their involvement. If we create an environment that is simple, warm and appealing then there is less to interpret or figure out. Smiling faces, familiar greeting and warm touch can then be a bridge to moving into the next routine or task.
About ActivCare
ActivCare Living develops and manages communities designed to enhance the lives of those with memory loss. Whether in the early or late stages of memory loss, ActivCare’s purpose-built communities, propriety programs, experienced staff and compassionate care offer a new life to affected individuals and hope to their families. For more information about ActivCare Living and its communities, please contact 888-MEM-LOSS.
USA Today reports the findings of a recent study about the negative cognitive affects of hospitalization on the elderly. The study showed that people 65 and older who were admitted to the hospital showed a rate of cognitive decline equivalent to aging 10 years or more.
The National Institute of Aging also suggests that hospitals for seniors should be avoided as much as possible. One way is to locate an appropriate environment for seniors, especially with early stages of memory loss, that provides a safe and secure setting along with specially trained caregivers who can assist residents and a licensed nurse on staff 24/7. ActivCare is just such a place.
The reward of providing Alzheimer's care for others is most enjoyed when the caregiver is fulfilled. Taking care of yourself is just as important as caring for a loved one.
From AARP, here are six steps to feeling happier. A positive attitude can really make a difference in your health.
People who share space with a pet experience less stress and have lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels than those who don't.
Music lessens anxiety before surgery, promotes healing and reduces the levels of the stress-related hormone cortisol. (Higher levels of cortisol can lead to a decreased immune response.) Music can also lower blood pressure, reduce arthritis pain and speed post-stroke recovery.
In addition to helping prevent heart disease, a good laugh increases the number and activity of disease-fighting cells, dulls pain, reduces levels of stress-related hormones and prompts the release of feel-good chemicals called endorphins.
Walking and cycling are types of low-intensity cardiovascular exercise that can reduce the risk of heart disease. Worried about your weight? Exercising outdoors often burns more calories than the same workout indoors.
About 100 hours a year (only two hours a week) is sufficient to reap health benefits such as lower stress levels, lower rates of depression, healthier weight, reduced insomnia and a strengthened immune system.
This mind-body practice can prevent or treat a number of health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure and sleep problems.
"Happiness is no magic bullet, but the evidence is clear and compelling that it changes your odds of getting disease or dying young."
For his ongoing leadership and advocacy of senior care issues, ActivCare Chief Operating Officer Todd A. Shetter was named Advocate of the Year by the California Assisted Living Association (CALA). Todd's continued commitment to working for seniors and senior health issues and ensuring quality dementia care has garnered recognition among his peers and the senior care industry.
Todd has been devoted to increasing awareness and providing valuable resources for caregivers and their families for more than 24 years. For eight years, he has hosted free Town Hall Forums for family caregivers inviting industry and medical experts to provide tips and information about Alzheimer's and related dementia. He also created an online resource, Alzheimer's Care Solutions, to disseminate information and promote discussion topics for caregivers.
Todd also produced a video series about specialized assisted living care inviting caregivers to share their stories. As a longtime board member of CALA, he has chaired the Public Policy Committee and worked with political leaders to ensure that senior care has a voice in governmental policy.
Read more here:Shetter Named Advocate of the Year.
Congratulations to Todd for receiving this distinguished honor.
Research shows the importance of exercise on brain health. There has also been lots of research examining the effect of diet on cognitive function. Diet is obviously an important factor in our physical and mental health, but can a certain diet help prevent dementia or Alzheimer's?
It's hard to know with total certainty if there are any “magic” foods out there, but there is some evidence that a Mediterranean style diet can be beneficial in terms of brain health. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), there have been studies showing an association between a Mediterranean diet and decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease or dementia. It should be noted that this doesn't necessarily mean a direct causation, but there seems to be evidence nonetheless.
A Mediterranean diet usually consists of lots of plant foods, some fish, low levels of dairy, and moderate amounts of meat and poultry. Plant foods may include vegetables, leafy greens, legumes, and fruits. Olive oil is the main source of monounsaturated fat. Mediterranean diets generally only allow for minimal intake of saturated fat.
According to one study found in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Mediterranean foods and nutrients such as monounsaturated fatty acids, vitamins B12 and folate, vitamin E, and fish might have protective properties that work against cognitive decline in older people. These foods could potentially protect against dementia.
So if you're like most of the population and you're worried about Alzheimer's, you might want to start putting a Mediterranean spin on things in the kitchen. Here's a quick list of some other brain healthy foods:
1. Spices - cinnamon, rosemary, turmeric, and oregano. These spices increase blood flow and reduce inflammation
2. Whole Grains - substitute whole wheat for white bread, pasta and rice
3. Omega 3 Fatty Acids - These are naturally found in your brain but the levels drop as you age. Fish, veggies, nuts, and flax seed will help replenish omega 3 fatty acids and help brain function
4. Fresh fruits - blueberries, oranges, and raspberries to name a few
The proper environment is crucial for someone in need of Alzheimer’s care. It is just as important as administering the right treatment. There are steps people can take at home to improve the situation, but often times the appropriate environment can only be achieved by professional healthcare facilities that specialize in caring for those with memory loss.
The proper environment should be designed specifically for cognitive impairment. If structured right, the environment can help patients feel less confused, depressed, and isolated.
One example of a facility that has taken a comprehensive approach to create the right environment for Alzheimer’s care in Carlsbad is ActivCare Bressi Ranch.
With Alzheimer’s or dementia simple tasks such as orientation can be difficult. One major issue is way-finding. It is important for people living with memory loss to stay active, but this can often lead to folks losing their way. At Bressi Ranch, the facilities are designed with this problem in mind. For instance, there is a vertical garden that brings the outdoors inside. This enables residents to enjoy a sense of the outdoors without the added risk of venturing off the property. This garden also serves as a familiar landmark to assist in direction.
There are also themed walls and corridors in each wing of the building. Each theme is different and runs from the great room down the entire corridor. The themes assist with keeping residents oriented as they navigate to their destination. Furthermore, all halls lead to the great room, which serves as the activity area, dining room, and central meeting place. These features are all good examples of how the layout of a memory care facility can have a powerful impact on the day-to-day life of individuals with Alzheimer’s.
Bressi Ranch has also developed a specialized dining system designed to benefit residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Red plates are used for meals as research indicates they encourage more consumption. A specially trained team guided by a certified dietitian prepares fresh meals daily. The dining area is large and open to encourage socialization among residents. Furthermore, modified meals are available to encourage specialized diets.
Other features of Bressi Ranch that enhance the daily living of those in need of care include a medical examination room, exercise stations, sports greens for activities, and gardens with stand-up planter boxes. These are just a few of the benefits that make Bressi Ranch in Carlsbad a perfect example of the optimal environment for someone living with memory loss.
ActivCare salutes the 25th Anniversary of Southern Caregiver Resource Center. As proud supporters of this valuable community resource, ActivCare senior executives W. Major Chance and Todd Shetter joined in the festivities at the anniversary gala.
Caregiver Center Marks 25th Year
10 Must Know Tips for Communicating with Someone Who Has Alzheimer’s
Communicating with someone who is experiencing a loss of cognitive function can often be a challenging task. Without instruction from a trained professional, it’s nearly impossible to know how to handle a loved who is in need of Alzheimer's care.
Communicating with them can easily become confusing and frustrating. Here is a list of communication tips that we hope will help improve your interactions with those living with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
In addition to these tips, it is important to point out that people with Alzheimer’s live in their own world. Contradicting them can be fruitless and the agitation is not worth it. If they believe they need to pick up a youngster from school, acknowledge the need and try to redirect behavior. Remember being right is not what is important. Keeping those with Alzheimer’s calm, comfortable and happy is the goal.
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