Whether we’re visiting a park, planting in our gardens, taking a walk or just sitting on the sunny patio, outdoor activities are back in season at our Anthem communities and residents are loving it.
Outdoor activities connect individuals living with dementia to the natural world around them, providing an abundance of physical and emotional benefits. Here are just a few:
There are many more benefits enjoyed by our residents as they some of the following outdoor activities:
Outdoor concerts. As the weather warms our concerts move outdoors! Residents, staff and families enjoy the sounds of the different bands and groups featuring local musicians. Many play old favorites which have been known to spark the occasional impromptu dance party.
Local musician plays favorite tunes on Family and Friends Day at Vineyard Place Memory Care in Murrieta, California.
Nature field trips. Our residents love visits to the local nature centers and parks. Learning about local wildlife and seeing flowers in bloom is a delight to the senses and helps connect them with nature.
Chelsea Place Memory Care residents and staff enjoy a day at local Cherry Creek Park in Aurora, Colorado.
Planting. This is more than simply pushing seeds into dirt. Our residents participate in trips to local nurseries where they help select flowers and vegetable plants to fill the many planters on the grounds of our communities. They water and weed the beds to keep the plants healthy.
Residents of Harvester Place Memory Care in Burr Ridge, Illinois enjoy filling up the planter with a variety of blooms.
Harvesting, cooking, and eating. Residents also help harvest their vegetable crops. Cooking classes introduce residents to new, delicious recipes. It all comes full circle with a fresh cooked meal for the ultimate “farm to table” dining experience!
Outdoor decorating. Residents take pride in helping to make the patios and other outdoor areas appealing in special ways. Whether it takes the form of building bird houses or crafting hand painted stones to scatter among the plants and flowers, residents enjoy the fruits of their labor every time they step outside.
Residents of Emerald Place Memory Care in Glenview, Illinois join family members to create an assortment of colorful hand painted stones for their garden.
If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, try to make an effort to get them outdoors more often. Whether you take a short walk, visit the local park, or simply sit out in the backyard or garden, the change in environment is therapeutic and can make a big difference in both physical and emotional well-being. That goes for your well-being too!
Remember too that we have resources available to you on our Anthem website. You will find seminars, books, articles, and links to more information on a wide range of topics. We are here to help!
(Our header image shows a resident of Vineyard Place Memory Care on a field trip to a local vineyard. Beautiful surroundings and lots of sunshine!)
Family caregivers often tell us that while all those around them are calling them “heroes” they feel like anything but heroes. They often express feelings of guilt that they are not able to cope with the pressures of caregiving. They may feel guilty about the anger they feel towards their loved one. They may also feel guilty about a decision to transition a loved one into a care environment. This leaves them feeling inadequate in their roles, no matter how much praise is heaped upon them.
First, it is important to know that caregiver guilt and the stress surrounding it is normal. Part of being human is to second guess our own actions, feelings, and motives for everything we do. And ironically, we are far more likely to let someone else off the hook than ourselves.
Just because caregiver guilt and stress is normal doesn’t mean you need to put up with it. Here are some things you can do to help manage caregiver guilt and the stress that comes along with it:
Caregivers play a very special role in the wellbeing of a family member with dementia. It is a difficult role, however, and a journey that is hard for anyone to understand who has not been a caregiver themself. If you are a family caregiver stressed out by feelings of guilt, now is the time to stop, take a deep breath, and begin to take care of yourself.
We invite you to reach out to any of our Anthem Memory Care communities for information, insights, resources, and reassurance. We are always here for you!
Residents of Vineyard Place Memory Care joined with local students from Cole Elementary School to craft special Mother's Day cards. They got creative, adding decorative elements that resulted in a beautiiful collection of cards! Both residents and students enjoy these inter-generational activities. Strong connections and friendships are formed, making these get togethers special and meaningful.
The card making event was covered by the local Murrieta Patch. You can read the full article here.
Morningside Place's "Senior Prom" was a huge success! Residents, families, and local friends in the community came together to dance the night away and reminisce about their own proms from years past.
The event was covered by KSHB News. You can watch the video here.
If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, first know that you are far from alone in your journey. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) every year over 16 million Americans spend more than 17 billion hours caring for a family member or friend with dementia.
The demands of caregiving can, however, cause an individual to neglect their own health. While putting others first is certainly an admirable trait, it opens the door to an increased risk of anxiety, depression, guilt, isolation, and other issues.
It doesn’t have to be that way. Because, as challenging as caregiving is, you should know that there are many resources available to help you navigate more successfully through the emotional twists and turns associated with caring for your loved one with dementia.
First, let’s look at some of the warning signs that your mental health might be in jeopardy.
Any one of the above factors can contribute to caregiver “burnout”, a form of depression. If it goes untreated, it can lead to serious health issues for you and compromise the quality of care you provide for your loved one.
The good news is that there is help available if you know how and where to find it.
Start by scheduling an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor can help you by providing referrals and recommendations to get you on the road to feeling better both physically and emotionally. This is an important first step to taking control of your own health. It is something you wouldn’t hesitate to do for a loved one.
Now it is time to make your own health a priority!
The Alzheimer’s Association has published a comprehensive list from the American Psychiatric Association of steps caregivers can take to get back control over their mental wellbeing. Here are five of their key tips:
While you are taking the above steps, we also recommend that you explore some of the many online resources. There is an abundance of blogs, articles, webinars, and other online resources available to help you increase your knowledge and self-awareness as a caregiver. Here are a few to check out:
https://www.alz.org/help-support/resources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-caregiving
https://www.caregiver.org/resource/caregivers-guide-understanding-dementia-behaviors
https://alzfdn.org/caregiving-resources/
The journey of a family caregiver is a challenging one. And it is not one to be taken alone. Reaching out to family and friends and establishing professional support is essential. It will help you to regain control over your daily life while improving your mental health and wellbeing.
You can feel joy again by making your own mental health a priority. Start today!
Residents and staff of Willowbrook Place Memory Care love to give back!
They recently hosted a special "Burritos for Heroes" lunch for local firefighters to show support for their dedication to serving the community.
The event was covered by local KUSA NBC 9 in Denver. You can watch the full coverage here: https://www.9news.com/video/features/good-news-memory-care-facility-hosts-get-together-to-thank-firefighters/73-dacc73b6-85e4-4cc8-baa8-1d1756627e61
Harvester Place resident, David Graham, reunited with his band, the Country Gentlemen, in Burr Ridge, Illinois to play some tunes for fellow residents and families.
What a great opportunity to share his passion for music! You can read the full story in this Argentum article: https://www.argentum.org/the-beat-goes-on-memory-care-resident-shares-music-passion-with-family-and-friends/
When an individual is diagnosed with dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, the journey ahead will involve much more than dealing with memory loss. There are both mental and physical changes that will occur. This is when it is so important to have access to medical professionals who are trained in dementia care.
Many of these professionals are nurses. These are special individuals who have combined their medical knowledge with their passion to serve and channeled it into lifelong careers. For many of our Anthem Memory Care community nurses it is a personal calling, having experienced dementia within their own families. They are giving back by dedicating their time and expertise to serving our wonderful residents.
Pictured above are (from left) Jaimie Slavik, RN, Wendy Thompson, RN, and Kirnesha Davis, LPN from Elk Ridge Memory Care in Maplewood, Minnesota.
Pictured above are (from left) Monica, clinical services director and head nurse, Patrick, and Sharon from Clear Creek Memory Care in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
To ensure the highest quality care, Anthem Memory Care provides specialized dementia care training for all our nurses. Being certified as a dementia care practitioner means they understand all aspects of the many different forms of dementia. Our training is ongoing to ensure that they continue to provide optimum care. Our nurses are also trained to be excellent communicators with the ability to empathize with residents and their families and work with them to help residents live their best lives.
Here are just some of the valuable services our nurses provide every day to our residents:
It is impossible to overstate the key role our dementia care nursing staff plays in optimizing the health and wellbeing of those who live inside our communities. Our nurses and caregiving staff are at the heart of our mission to “protect, engage and love” our residents. And we love them!
We invite you to visit any of our Anthem Memory Care communities and meet our nurses. They will be happy to answer your questions and you will find them eager to learn more about your family’s journey.
(Our header image shows the nursing team from Morningside Place Memory Care in Overland Park, Kansas. Shown (left to right) are: Michelle Soule, Keith Melick and Neosha Collier. Missing from the photo is Patrick Lacmago Fombasso.)
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For some residents, it may be a lifelong love of gardening or a passion for animals. And for others, it is the excitement of going to a baseball game and enjoying a bag of peanuts and a cool drink while they cheer on their favorite team.
And yet, for family members of loved ones diagnosed with dementia it can be challenging to find ways to keep them involved in things they’ve always loved to do. In some cases, it is the concern over health issues, in others it’s simply figuring out how and where to start.
Your loved one’s lifelong passions don’t necessarily have to become faded memories.
We know this because we have witnessed the transformations of residents when they are able to experience, even in small doses, some of the activities and things that brought them so much pleasure years ago.
At our Anthem Memory Care communities our team members spend each day listening to residents and their families and learning about their passions in life. From those insights, they work together with residents and families to design outings and activities to keep residents connected to the things they most enjoy.
Here are just a few of the special moments we’ve had the privilege of sharing with them.
Lifelong baseball fans from Highline Place Memory Care in Littleton, Colorado, take in a Rockies game.
You can see the joy on the face of this dog loving resident of Emerald Place Memory Care in Glenview, Illinois.
A lifelong lover of “Soul Train” gets a special birthday celebration at Grace Point Place Memory Care in Oak Lawn, Illinois.
A retired police officer and resident of Porter Place Memory Care in Tinley Park, Illinois, visits the local police department to share memories and experiences.
The weather kept her indoors, but not away from planting her flowers for this resident of Highline Place Memory Care in Littleton, Colorado.
If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, consider sitting down with family members and working out a plan to re-engage them with that special activity or event that they used to love. Yes, it will require organizing and compensating for any health and mobility issues. However, by taking some time up front to plan ahead and get help from family members or trusted friends, you experience firsthand the joy it brings to both of you.
(The header image is one of our favorites! It shows Ray Ruggles, a former shortstop for the Kansas City Cardinals Farm team being filmed by the local KSN News channel as he shows off his jersey. Ray, along with his son and residents of Chisholm Place Memory Care enjoyed watching a Wichita Softball league game. What a fun day that was!)
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We all know that engaging in moderate daily exercise is important to healthy aging. It makes us feel better, look better, and function more efficiently. And yet many don’t realize the clear benefits that exercise brings to our brains and cognition.
Exercise is even more important for individuals with dementia.
Studies cited in the National Library of Medicine note an abundance of evidence showing that physical exercise is “a strong gene modulator that induces structural and functional changes in the brain, determining enormous benefit on both cognitive functioning and wellbeing.”
That means that for individuals living with dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, exercise takes on an even more important role. A program of regular exercise increases oxygen to the brain, which can slow neurodegeneration and help them retain higher levels of cognition longer.
Here are some additional benefits of regular exercise:
Family caregivers often ask our Anthem communities how they can encourage their loved ones with dementia to exercise more often to gain some of these benefits.
We have summarized eight tips from the National Institute on Aging that family caregivers can use to get their loved ones moving:
If your loved one has mobility issues, there are plenty of resources to help you create an exercise plan that accommodates their ability level. It is always important to consult your loved one’s physician before embarking on any exercise regimen. They can help you design a program that meets your loved one’s needs and considers all aspects of their health.
Regardless of our age and abilities, our bodies were designed to move. Moderate daily exercise that matches ability levels benefits everyone!
Navigating financial matters can be a sensitive topic for anyone, regardless of age. For individuals diagnosed with dementia, like Alzheimer’s disease, this can be especially complex. As the disease progresses and behavior shifts, managing finances can become increasingly challenging. Many individuals with dementia may resist or become reluctant to share or relinquish control over their financial affairs. This presents unique challenges for caregivers and family members seeking to ensure their loved one’s financial well-being while respecting their autonomy.
And yet financial control is important for trusted family members to have, especially as the disease progresses. Instead of engaging in a constant tug of war, there are approaches you can take which can minimize disruption and anxiety while you take the burden off the back of your loved one.
First, get everyone on board, including your loved one with dementia.
Sitting down and discussing financial issues with other family members should be done in advance of approaching your loved one with dementia. You will want to identify the family member who is in the best position to discuss financial matters, hopefully one who gets along well and can explain things in a positive way.
Here are the key areas you will need to address before gaining control:
If your loved one has a financial advisor and you have a POA in place, now is the time to get in touch with them. They can be an excellent source of information. They will be able to help you and your loved one understand their investments, assets, bank accounts, and their overall financial situation.
Now you are ready to move on to the basics of getting more control over finances.
The National Institute on Aging has published some useful tips to help family members gain the needed control over finances for a loved one diagnosed with dementia while respecting their independence.
We’ve summarized them below:
There are several on-line resources available to help. The Alzheimer’s Association has published a list of legal documents, including POAs, which you can access here.
Many of us at Anthem Memory Care have experienced firsthand the experience of transitioning into the role of caregiver for a parent or other loved one. We know how complex the surrounding issues are, especially as they relate to gaining financial control. Feel free to contact any of our communities for information, additional resources, or just a sympathetic ear.
We’re here to help!
Monday's eclipse brought local students from Highlands Ranch STEM School together with residents of Highline Place Memory Care. Everyone enjoyed donning the special glasses and watching the moon crest over the sun.
The fun sun watching event was covered by local Fox News Channel 31 in Denver.
You can watch the video here.
Thanks to increased awareness and the hard work of organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association, Americans are more attuned to the need to better understand dementia and to educate themselves, their families, and others as we work together to fight to find a cure for Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
That said, myths and incorrect information continues to proliferate the internet and other media streams which can make it challenging to get accurate answers to the many questions that come to mind when faced with a family member or friend who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Below is a list of some of the most common questions asked about dementia with answers to help augment your own research efforts. We have compiled them from several sources, including The Alzheimer’s Association, The National Institute on Aging, and Yale Medicine, as well as our own Anthem Memory Care professionals.
No. There are many forms of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is, however, the most common, accounting for 60-80% of all diagnoses. To help families and caregivers understand the different types of dementia, Dr. Tam Cummings, gerontologist and dementia expert, has an excellent presentation which you can access here.
One of the most common risk factors is age. After age 65 an individual’s risk for Alzheimer’s disease doubles every five years. Women are also more likely to get Alzheimer’s disease than men, although the reason for his is not yet clear. Other potential factors include experiencing a severe head injury or chronic heart issues which may restrict blood flow to the brain.
This will change depending on the type of dementia that a person has but the most frequently you will notice issues with memory, especially short-term recall. You may also notice lapses in judgement and temperament and other behavior changes. Because these symptoms are often attributed to “getting older” they may be ignored which is why Stage One of Alzheimer’s disease often goes undiagnosed.
Not necessarily. Dementia is not known to be commonly linked through genetics except in the case of “familial Alzheimer’s”, where there is a genetic link. This, however, only accounts for about 5% of all diagnoses.
Diagnosis of dementia and the specific type of dementia that a person has requires a battery of tests and observations. Only a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional can make a definitive diagnosis. It is important to note that Medicare will cover testing and there are many benefits to being tested early.
This depends, in most cases, on the type of dementia. For instance, Alzheimer’s disease begins when amyloid proteins form in the brain. These deposits begin to create what is referred to as tau tangles. These tangles inhibit the brain synapses from connecting and transmitting vital information that connects an individual to memory or, in later stages, to motor and other bodily functions. More details on how the brain works are available from The Alzheimer’s Association.
Unfortunately, yes it is. But we have great hope for tomorrow. Research continues to drive innovation and there is much reason to hope that the day will come when dementia can be controlled and even reversed. You can read more about dementia research on The Alzheimer’s Association website.
While there is no definitive way to avoid developing dementia, there are things you can do to keep your brain stimulated and your body as healthy as possible for as long as possible. A healthy diet, exercise, and regular social engagement are all known to boost wellbeing and maintain stronger cognitive levels.
Have more questions?
Of course you do. And, fortunately, there is an abundance of resources available to dig deeper and to answer additional questions you have and help guide you on your information journey.
Start by visiting our “Resources” page for links to educational webinars and educational articles.
And feel free to reach out to any of our Anthem Memory Care communities for additional information and resources. We’re here to help!
Liberty Place residents are making Easter brighter for local children of Reach Out Lakota. They worked together to create big baskets filled with toys, candy, games and other goodies.
“Our seniors felt a great sense of purpose and joy while filling these baskets for those in need,” said Amy Snow, life engagement director told the local Warren County Post.
You can read the full story at the Warren County Post.
Three residents of Vineyard Place Memory Care in Murrieta, California and their spouses recently renewed their vows in a beautiful group ceremony. Families and friends were invited to witness the special celebration.
The event was covered in the local Patch which you can read here.