Summer Safety Tips for Seniors with Dementia

With summer seemingly always right around the corner, you’ve likely already begun planning fun outdoor activities.

However, if you have a parent or another senior loved one with dementia, you must take careful consideration when including them in summertime activities. Too much heat and sun exposure can be bad for anyone, but it’s especially harmful to those with cognitive concerns.

With that in mind, here are some must-know summer safety tips for seniors with dementia in memory care.

Provide Adequate Hydration

One of the most important tips for enjoying summer weather with an older adult is staying hydrated. Seniors with cognitive concerns will often forget to drink throughout the day. It’s therefore essential for your loved one to take in enough fluids to avoid dehydration and heat exhaustion.

Encourage them to sip water regularly, including plain water and water enhanced with electrolytes. Just keep in mind that the latter shouldn’t be consumed excessively, as this can throw off the electrolyte balance in some seniors.

Protect Their Skin and Eyes

Sunburn is a serious concern in the summertime, especially for older adults who require memory care and aren’t as aware of their physical state.

With skin cancer being the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in America, protecting the skin from excess sun exposure is vital. Seniors are at an increased risk of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.

To lower their cancer risk and protect them from painful sunburn, regularly apply sunscreen of at least SPF 50 or higher. It’s also a good idea to have them wear light clothing that covers as much skin as possible, such as long-sleeved shirts and wide-brimmed hats.

Stay Inside When Necessary

Another tip for safeguarding seniors with dementia during the summer is simply to know their limitations. If it feels too hot for you, it’s definitely too hot for them.

Seniors with cognitive issues can’t assess these conditions on their own, so you need to be prepared to make informed decisions for them. When the weather gets too intense, opt for indoor activities to keep them safe and comfortable.

Keep a Watchful Eye

Drowning is an often-overlooked safety concern during the summertime. Many people enjoy spending time around lakes, pools, or beaches. While this can be a lot of fun, it can also be very dangerous for seniors with dementia.

When you’re enjoying time by the water with an older adult who has dementia, make it a point to keep a watchful eye. Someone should be supervising your loved one at all times to make sure they don’t accidentally fall into the water.

Enjoying the Summer in Memory Care

If you have a senior loved one with dementia, you may think there’s not much they can do to enjoy the summer season. However, as long as you take the necessary precautions and stay vigilant, the older adult in your life can have tons of fun while staying safe.

Managing Insomnia in Older Adults: Practical Tips and Strategies

Insomnia is a common condition that affects millions of people around the world. While it’s a nuisance at any age, it can be especially stressful for older adults who need quality sleep to remain healthy.

When a senior struggles with insomnia, it can put excess strain on their heart and exacerbate cognitive concerns. Learn some practical tips and strategies for managing insomnia in older adults.

Set a Schedule

One simple way to improve your loved one’s sleeping habits is by creating a sleeping schedule for them.

Over time, adhering to a schedule can make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. A sleep schedule for a senior living on their own or with minimal assistance may call for them to turn in at 9 p.m. every night and wake up at 7 a.m. every morning.

When someone sticks to a sleep schedule, it can gradually train their body to follow a more regular pattern of rest. If needed, you can always amend the schedule to be more flexible for seniors with unique needs or preferences.

Create a Comfortable Environment

A common factor behind many cases of insomnia is discomfort. Whether it be physical or mental discomfort, many older adults struggle with the ability to get comfortable at bedtime.

To help resolve this issue, try to create a more comfortable environment for your senior loved one. Choose soft, breathable bedding that won’t cause them to overheat. Being too hot can significantly hinder sleep quality, so it’s important to stay cool throughout the night.

If the older adult in your life can’t sleep because of emotional discomfort, they might need a little soothing in the form of solutions like white noise machines or aromatherapy. Light background noise and lavender essential oil can produce a calming effect that induces sleepiness in a senior living with insomnia.

Develop a Sleep-Friendly Diet

Sometimes, dietary habits are the culprit behind sleep troubles. Having caffeine too late in the day or consuming too much sugar can lead to insomnia for many. Having your senior loved one adhere to a sleep-friendly diet can help.

Start by identifying the dietary factors that lead to their trouble sleeping, and limit or completely eliminate these items. Avoiding these foods can help your senior loved one fall asleep faster and stay asleep throughout the night.

Addressing Insomnia in Senior Living

Do you know an older adult who’s struggling with insomnia? Tossing and turning during the night can burden anyone, but it can have serious effects on seniors. Lack of quality sleep can contribute to everything from heart disease to increased cancer risk.

To help the senior in your life get a better night’s sleep, try implementing strategies like setting a sleep schedule or following a sleep-friendly diet. You might be surprised what a difference it makes to your loved one’s overall well-being.

Exploring the Link Between Physical Activity, Exercise, and the Aging Process

There’s no avoiding aging, but there are certain things you can do to stave it off and feel like a younger version of yourself at any age. One of the most important is getting regular physical activity.

Frequent exercise has been linked to both mental and physical longevity, helping people feel better at any stage of life. Learn more about the link between physical activity and the aging process.
The Benefits of Physical ActivityPhysical activity has been known to offer an array of physical and mental benefits. The advantages of leading an active lifestyle include the following:

• Healthy weight maintenance 

• Improved cardiovascular health

• Increased muscle mass

• Better overall body strength

• More positive mood​

While leading an active lifestyle is beneficial at any age, it becomes increasingly important as you get older.

Physical activity can help older adults avoid many common health concerns and feel more youthful. In fact, a regular exercise routine can help slow the aging process and keep you healthier for longer.

Exercise and Aging

Aging can’t be stopped, but it can be impeded.

Physical activity is one way to counteract the effects of aging and feel years younger. People who lead active lifestyles have been shown to remain healthy and capable well into their golden years.
Exercise helps maintain functional strength and increase muscle mass, two crucial attributes that tend to decrease with age. It also improves coordination, stamina, and balance, which are things many people can struggle with as they get older.

However, the main benefit of exercising later in life is the decreased risk of health concerns. As the body ages, it becomes more susceptible to health conditions like heart disease, high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes. Regular strenuous activity significantly lowers the risk of all these conditions.

Another often-overlooked benefit of exercise is that it positively impacts mood. This is important for senior adults, particularly those in assisted living. Seniors who struggle with depression or feelings of isolation can experience a boost in dopamine after exercising that makes them feel good for the rest of the day.

Better Health and Happiness Are Possible in Assisted Living

To feel more youthful and ward off common health concerns, it’s essential for people of all ages to stay active. This is no less true for seniors.

Unfortunately, many older adults believe physical activity is impossible due to limited mobility or living circumstances. The reality is that it’s always possible to get exercise in some form, regardless of physical limitations or living arrangements. 

For instance, residents in assisted living might participate in organized exercise programs, such as weekly fitness courses. Similarly, seniors who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids can perform seated exercises like arm lifts and light stretching.

The bottom line is that any physical activity is better than none. Exercise improves strength and body composition, elevates mood, and showcases long-term health benefits for seniors.

4 Tips for Moving an Elderly Family Member with Memory Loss

Transitioning a senior loved one into a new home can be stressful. It’s particularly tricky when your family member has cognitive issues like dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Moving can be confusing and upsetting for someone with memory loss, so extra care must be taken. Here are four tips for moving an elderly family member with memory loss.

1. Discuss Everything Beforehand

When you have a family member who requires memory care, discussing things openly with them is important. While cognitive concerns can impact their ability to communicate, it’s still vital that you include them in the planning and details of their move.

Speak directly with them about where they’ll be moving to and how the move will go. Include them in the process by asking them about their concerns and giving them the opportunity to ask questions if they have any.

2. Seek Outside Resources

Moving an elderly family member can be difficult for anyone, which is why you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for outside help.

There are many resources dedicated to helping seniors transition into new living situations, including assisted living facilities and part-time caretakers trained in memory care. These groups and professionals can make the moving process much smoother for people with dementia.

3. Go at a Comfortable Pace

For older adults with cognitive concerns, change can feel more intimidating than ever before. When moving into a new home, make sure to go at a pace that’s comfortable for them. Making such a drastic transition too fast can majorly impact their emotional and physical well-being.

Try to slow down the moving process by planning everything in advance and coming up with a detailed timetable, allotting extra time to various tasks as needed. From there, you can do everything at a pace that suits your loved one’s needs.

4. Keep Familiar Items Around

Seniors with memory loss often struggle to relax and find comfort in new environments. This unease can be significantly worse right after their environment has changed. To ease your loved one’s mind, try to keep as many of their favorite personal belongings around as possible.

This can be tricky if they’re moving into a much smaller place, such as an assisted living facility. Try to narrow it down to a handful of their most important possessions or things that hold a special place in their heart. These items can be a source of fond memories of their old home.

Ensuring That Your Elderly Loved One Feels at Home

If you’re moving an elderly family member with dementia, it’s important to make the transition as stress-free for them as possible. From talking things over beforehand to going at a comfortable pace, there are numerous ways to make the moving process easier for a senior adult in memory care.

6 Enjoyable Summer Activities for Seniors in Assisted Living

With summer quickly approaching, it’s time to start thinking up fun ways to spend your days.

If you’re caring for seniors in assisted living, you’ll need to consider their unique health concerns when planning summer activities. Fortunately, it’s possible for older adults to enjoy the summer season without too much exposure to sweltering heat or intense sun.

Here are half a dozen enjoyable summer activities for seniors in assisted living.

1. Arts and Crafts

One of the best ways for seniors to pass the time in assisted living is by doing arts and crafts. This is a great summer pastime for older adults because they can participate outdoors or indoors.

If the weather is comfortable, they can sketch, paint, sculpt, or sew outside. If it’s too hot, they can simply stay inside where it’s cooler.

2. Ice Cream Parties

Ice cream is practically synonymous with summer. Luckily, there’s no age limit on ice cream parties. Whether outside in the sun or indoors in the air conditioning, seniors can have a lot of fun with an ice cream party.

Make sure to stock up on a variety of flavors and toppings to give everyone plenty of options. This activity is guaranteed to be a hit!

3. Movie Nights

When the weather gets too hot to handle, take the fun indoors by hosting a movie night. Curate a selection of films and have residents vote on which one they want to watch. Don’t forget to provide theater-themed snacks, like popcorn, candy, and soda pop.

4. Dance Parties

Without a doubt, dancing is one of the most enjoyable summer pastimes for seniors who are still physically active.

You can gather residents outside for a summer dance party that lasts late into the evening. Create a spirited playlist of old-fashioned hits that will bring back fond summertime memories and watch the attendees dance the night away.

5. Karaoke Nights

Dancing may not be an option for seniors with limited mobility or other health concerns. This doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy some good tunes, though! A summertime karaoke night can give seniors the opportunity to show off their musical talents to their friends and loved ones.

6. Outdoor Picnics

An outdoor picnic is a timeless option for taking advantage of the summer sun, weather permitting. The thought of posting up outside and enjoying some delicious food is guaranteed to appeal to just about everyone, especially assisted living residents who often desire more time outdoors.

Summer Fun in Assisted Living

You may think the summer weather is too extreme for older adults to have fun, but that isn’t always the case.

There are plenty of ways for seniors in assisted living to enjoy the summer, from arts and crafts sessions to movie parties to picnics. The only question is, which one are you going to plan first?

The Importance of a Safe and Supportive Environment for Memory Care Residents

You may have a loved one who will soon be moving into memory care. If you are still weighing the decision, it’s important to have all of the information you need.

Memory careis designed to keep aging adults with memory disorders safe, secure, and stimulated each day. This takes a weight off of family members and friends who have been caring for their loved one at home.

Here’s why your loved one needs the security and support that memory care offers.

What Is Memory Care?

Memory care is long-term senior care that helps aging adults with all of the tasks of daily living.

In memory care, seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other cognitive disorders receive appropriate therapies to strengthen their mental abilities.

Memory care is different from assisted living. Residents in memory care programs are closely supervised at all times to ensure their safety and mental well-being.

Aging adults with memory problems are some of the most vulnerable members of the population. That is why memory care exists — to provide them with the support and assistance that they need.

The Drawbacks of Unsupportive Senior Care

For many different reasons, a family member may choose to care for an aging loved one on their own.

This is usually unpaid work and can involve making many personal sacrifices. With these sacrifices often comes burnout, which can cause stress for both you and the loved one you are caring for.

A family member may have the best of intentions, but memory care is not meant to be taken on by one person. In memory care programs, seniors receive support and therapy from trained medical staff with years of experience.

Unsupportive senior care can lead to serious health consequences for your loved one. They may become stressed and agitated in response to their caregiver’s frustrations.

For anyone of any age, mental health is just as important as physical health when it comes to living a happy, fulfilling life. In memory care, your loved one has everything they need to thrive.

Memory Care Prioritizes Safety and Therapy

Special memory-focused therapies are available in most memory care programs. Along with cognitive therapy, your loved one receives 24/7 supervision and can safely reside in their environment.

At home, it is much more difficult to secure every doorway, hot surface, and window at all times. Memory care is a great option for seniors who face more and more difficulty staying safe due to memory problems.

The doors, windows, and potentially unsafe surfaces in memory care programs are all secured and supervised at all times. This means you never have to worry about your loved one wandering off, getting lost, or harming themselves.

Move Your Loved One to Memory Care for Additional Support

Moving your aging parents or other loved ones into memory care is a wonderful step toward getting them the support that they deserve. Memory care is also a relief for many family caregivers without medical training.

Don’t be afraid to place your loved one in a safe, supportive environment so they can thrive!

Building Community in Assisted Living: 4 Activities that Foster Connection

It can feel overwhelming to navigate assisted living when you first move in. You may feel lonely, especially if your loved ones cannot visit often.

Luckily, many assisted living communities offer social events and group activities to foster healthy connections between retired adults. Here are some of the ways you can build your social circle when youmove into assisted living.

1. Group Fitness Classes

Physical fitness is an important part of your overall well-being after retirement. Assisted living communities offer a variety of group fitness activities to keep you in good shape.

Consider joining the next group hike, biking session, or Zumba class to meet new friends and connect with like-minded people. You will reap the benefits of healthy movement while maintaining your post-retirement social life.

You can also gather your own group of people and participate in group fitness activities like long walks or swimming sessions. There are no limits when it comes to senior fitness in assisted living communities.

2. Live Entertainment

Some assisted living communities feature guest musicians, poets, and more to keep seniors engaged and lively. Enjoying live entertainment together is a great way to build positive connections with other residents.

You may see concerts, speeches, and drop-in classes on your assisted living community’s bulletin board. Take note of the dates and times these events will occur, and mark them on your calendar. You never know what a new live entertainment experience might bring.

3. Game Nights

Game nights are a family tradition in many households, and assisted living is no different. Most assisted living communities host weekly or monthly game nights to bring residents together for lighthearted, competitive fun.

Your community might host bingo nights, board game events, or trivia activities. All of these activities are wonderful for bringing you closer to other residents.

During game nights, you work together with your peers to come up with strategies and solutions during the game. This strengthens your cognitive abilities as well as your social health.

4. Cooking Competitions

Do you love cooking and baking? Are you known for making a really tasty signature dish among your family and friends? Host a cook-off (or bake-off) to invite other residents into your culinary world!

Cooking competitions are the perfect blend of delicious and social, so don’t hesitate to spread the word around your community. Making meals has long been associated with social connection.

Let Your Social Life Thrive in Assisted Living

By partaking in fun, enriching activities, you can make your assisted living experience memorable and fulfilling. There are plenty of amenities and activities to keep you connected with other folks in your community. Try these fun activities with other residents and watch your social health improve.

Caring for Aging Parents: When Is Memory Care the Right Choice?

Your parents are an important part of your life, and it is understandable to want to care for them for as long as possible. However, memory care might be necessary if their symptoms are putting their safety at risk or becoming too much for you to handle. 

Memory care offers a memory-specific approach to senior health problems. You never have to worry that your loved one is hurt, lost, or neglecting their health when they’re in memory care. 
Here are some signs that it’s time to consider memory care for your aging parents. 

You Feel Caregiver Burnout Creeping In 

If you have chosen to care for your senior parents, you likely want to see them thrive and stay healthy. However, the average family caregiver doesn’t have the knowledge and resources to avoid burnout while always ensuring their loved one’s needs are met. 
Some signs of caregiver burnout include:

• Depression

• Irritability

• Mood swings

• Trouble sleeping

• Low or no appetite

• Stress-eating

• Random physical pain 

• Constant fatigue

• Resentment toward your aging parents​

If you notice any of these signs in yourself or another family caregiver, it’s time to consider memory care. 
The professionals that work in memory care have extensive training and experience that allows them to handle complex senior health problems. You don’t have to do this by yourself. 

Your Parents Are Increasingly Unsafe at Home

The average home has hundreds of potential safety hazards that can be dangerous or even fatal for your aging parents. Hot stoves, electrical wiring, unlocked doors, and high windows can all threaten the safety of your parents as their memory issues progress. 

Memory care communities are much better equipped to avoid unnecessary health risks for your parents. These facilities are supervised and secured 24/7 so that there is a much lower risk of accidental harm. 

They Can’t Take Care of Themselves Anymore

If your parents now struggle to complete basic tasks, like brushing their teeth or showering, it might be time for memory care. 

You might be tempted to take over their care once your aging parents can’t do it for themselves, but this involves risks. Caregiver burnout and lack of medical training are both serious risks to your loved one’s well-being (and your own). 

In memory care communities, staff members are always available to assist with feeding, clothing, showering, and grooming your loved one. They don’t have to take on housekeeping and personal care by themselves.

Find a High-Quality Memory Care Community for Your Parents

You aren’t abandoning your parents by placing them in memory care. That is where they receive the highest quality of caregiving and personal assistance. 
Start researching memory care communities if these signs ring true for your family.

How to Determine and Prioritize Your Needs and Wants in Assisted Living

Assisted living is a tool that many aging adults can use to grow and thrive after retirement. If you are considering moving into assisted living, you might be wondering how you can make the most of it. 

Follow these tips to make sure your needs and wants are taken care of before, during, and after your move!

Evaluate Your Current Living Situation

It’s important to reflect and recognize what works best for you when it comes to your living situation. What works well for you now? What didn’t work in the past? 

When you tour any assisted living community, you should compare their amenities and services to your current living situation. Do they have the food options you have at home? Do they offer more access to socialization and fitness than you have now? 

Once you determine the positives of your current living arrangements, you can decide which assisted living facility best matches them. 

Look Over the Amenities Before Moving

Each assisted living community has unique benefits, so make sure you look over each community’s amenities. 

Amenities can include things like fitness centers, for example. Recreation can help you stay in great physical and emotional shape — which ultimately improves your quality of life. Other amenities may include things like theaters or music rooms for entertainment or mental engagement.

So as you tour each community, ask your tour guide about the amenities that they offer. You might learn new information that isn’t available on their website!

Consider Your Medical Needs

Assisted living is designed to make life easier for seniors who have various health problems. That’s why you should make sure your community has the appropriate medical and rehabilitation services to keep you comfortable and safe. 

Most assisted living communities have medical staff available at all times. However, there are some other considerations when it comes to your physical health. For example, if you struggle with joint pain, you should look for a community with swimming pools. Aquatic exercise is one of the best ways to combat joint pain because it takes the pressure off of your entire body.

When in Doubt, Ask!

If you don’t see something you need or want when touring or researching an assisted living facility, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for it! The staff members in assisted living communities are there to help you and can help you figure out ways to make your assisted living space comfortable and enjoyable.

Get the Help You Need In Assisted Living

You should never feel guilty for having specific wants and needs. You are human, and assisted living is there to make your life easier.
Follow these tips to make sure your needs and wants are the top priority of your assisted living community! 

4 Things to Look Out for While Touring Senior Living Communities

Senior living communities are full of helpful amenities and supportive people that help you thrive in your later years. But when you’re touring prospective communities, you must know what to look for so that you choose the right one. 
Here are some things to keep an eye out for as you go on tours. 

1. Fitness Options
Physical fitness is one of the most important aspects of graceful aging — when it comes to protecting your health long-term, exercise is extremely valuable. 

So check out the different health and wellness options that each community offers. Most places have indoor fitness equipment and swimming pools, and many offer group fitness classes, which are a wonderful addition to any senior living community. These sessions allow you to socialize with other residents while moving your body in ways that feel good to you.
If benefits like these aren’t offered, it may not be a good fit for you. Staying active and fit — even if you just take a walk each day — is incredibly important for your physical and mental health. 

2. Cleanliness and Maintenance

As you tour the buildings in a prospective senior living community, pay attention to how clean and orderly things are. A community that doesn’t have good maintenance and cleaning services can be hazardous to your health. Beyond that, it simply isn’t enjoyable to live in dirty conditions. 
If you have any questions about the frequency and availability of maintenance, don’t be afraid to ask your tour guide. If something breaks and needs to be repaired, you will have to rely on their maintenance team. 

3. Staff Attitudes 
​
When you go on a tour, do you notice an overwhelmingly negative atmosphere? Do the staff members look displeased or hostile? These are common red flags that you must keep an eye out for. To be clear, staff members are human and shouldn’t be expected to always maintain perfect attitudes. However, a positive atmosphere is essential for your mental health. 

You can also determine the general mood of the staff by the way your tour guide interacts with you. Are they receptive to questions? Do they act annoyed, or do they seem happy to give you their time? Don't hesitate to cut the tour short if you have a gut feeling that the staff isn’t very pleasant. You will save your time (and theirs), and you can then move on to visit a better community. 

4. Dining Options

The value of high-quality, healthy, delicious dining options cannot be overstated. Therefore, make sure you ask about the community’s dining options. 
Do they operate based on meal plans? Are there cafeteria-style buffets where you can choose your favorite foods each day? These are important questions to ask when you tour a senior living community. 

Find the Best Senior Living Community for You 

If you hold each community to high standards, you will eventually find the best community for you. Follow these tips to find the perfect senior living facility!

SoHo, NYC

SoHo is home to the world’s greatest collection of cast-iron architecture. But more than that, SoHo is unique among New York’s neighborhoods for its classical French and Italian architectural designs. It simply doesn’t look like anywhere else, not even the neighboring West Village or Lower East Side. 

For one thing, the colors are much more distinct in SoHo. They’re brighter. Perhaps that’s a reflection on the people living here. But for many of the cast-iron buiildings that give SoHo it’s unmistakable character, the reason for their bright coloring is actually pretty obvious: whenever you construct anything from wrought iron, it’s going to look like, well, wrought iron.

So the colors of SoHo as they’re known, or at least as they ought to be known, the colors that are just a street photographers dream come true (where else can you find so many amazing backdrops?), are actually the result of many, many coats of bright paints. And they light up a photo in ways even a flash cannot.

For me, it’s all about New York streets. They’ve been immortalized in who knows how many songs and poems, movies and books, but even though I’ve spent years documenting them with my photography, I don’t think I’m any closer to understanding them than I was when I started. They are their own kind of art, and for a photographer, all you need to do is setup the shot and take it. I have lived in New York for only five years, but I have been a working, professional photographers for fifteen years now.

Street Scenes

You never know what you’ll find on the streets. And if you happen to be a photographer working in New York, that’s doubly true. I’ve had the good fortune to shoot all over the world, and when I come back to New York, I’m always reminded of why I started my career here.

The New York street scene is, for better or for worse, the street scene. It’s the one that is the most iconoclastic, and because of the backdrop of New York, it’s the one that I think people from just about anywhere imagine when they think of the idea of a street scene—whatever a “street scene” happens to be.

I created this album to showcase some of my favorite street scenes that I’ve captured in New York. This is nothing that I’ve done on contract or in my studio, just real life moments captured by me with my Mark III when I had some time to kick it around the city. I hope you like what you see. I did.