Helping Seniors “Stay Fit for Life!”

Author

The Commons of Hilltop

Posted on

Dec 08, 2021

Book/Edition

Colorado - Western Slope

Hilltops Senior Living Communities offer their Stay Fit for Life! program to promote ongoing wellness for our residents and community members. This comprehensive program incorporates a wide variety of activities and services to meet your physical, social, intellectual, spiritual, and emotional needs. Choose from an extensive list of activities to create a customized wellness plan that's right for you. The Wellness room offers equipment and certified-instructors to provide a wide variety of strength and flexibility classes. Regularly scheduled events and activities promote fun and socialization. Plus nutrition and health programs give you the tools to remain active and healthy.

Hilltops Senior Living Communities are also Silver Sneakers certified sites. Those who are registered with eligible insurance plans are able to participate in classes and use our exercise equipment at no charge.
For more information on how you can Stay Fit for Life! Call (970) 243-3333

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In-Home Care Can Help Reduce Hospital Readmission

People over the age of 65 are more likely to be readmitted than younger patients, and readmission can be more serious for seniors.Readmission after an illness or injury is a serious health issue for seniors. However, it is important for seniors and their loved ones to remember that in many cases, readmission is avoidable and can be prevented with a thoughtful post-hospital care plan.Nearly one-fifth of all Medicare patients in the United States who are discharged from the hospital end up returning within 30 days.  There are many reasons seniors may need to be readmitted to the hospital, but healthcare agencies are focused on finding ways to reduce these numbers and educate patients about how to have a healthier recovery at home.For many seniors, this means having a quality caregiver that can help them overcome some of the main preventable causes for returning to the hospital. Consider the following:Medication is critical: Some seniors need assistance taking medication in the right amount on the correct schedule. When you consider that, on average, seniors with chronic conditions fill 50 different prescriptions annually, it is not difficult to imagine how someone could get confused when a new medication is added to their regimen. Caregivers can not only remind seniors to take medications as prescribed, but they can also help seniors keep a list of those medications and their dosages so the information is readily available for healthcare professionals. Managing medications is one of the best ways a caregiver can help seniors during their recovery.Follow up visits prevent readmission: A full two-thirds of patients readmitted to the hospital would have avoided that trip if they had seen their physicians within two weeks for follow up. The reasons for not following up vary but can include transportation difficulties and forgetting to make or keep appointments. Hospital staff can aid the senior by setting up appointments for the individual before discharge, but getting to the appointment can still be a challenge. In addition to a host of uplifting care services, caregivers can provide transportation to appointments and keep track of any post-care visits.Discharge plans only work when implemented properly: Having a discharge plan for the patient before he or she leaves the hospital can be crucial for recovery, but it can be difficult for seniors and their family members to focus on the plan during the stress of the illness and discharge. Caregivers can help the senior follow the instructions and will connect with family or other approved individuals when there are problems or change in condition during recovery. They can also help explain the information or ensure that the appropriate person is notified if the older individual has questions about his or her course of treatment. This takes the stress off the family and the patient so he or she can focus on recovery.Having a helping hand during recovery can ensure positive outcomes and a return to an active, engaged life. Family members, friends and neighbors are often willing to serve as a post-hospital recovery caregiver, but there is professional help available for those that dont have someone nearby to assist them. For long-term recovery, those who have the assistance of friends and family can benefit from a professional caregiver to provide respite care and support.Comfort Keepers Can HelpComfort Keepers caregivers can help with encouragement, support and assistance with daily living. And caregivers can encourage overall health through meal planning, grocery shopping, meal preparation and activities. Our custom care plans focus on physical and mental health and wellness activities. Our goal is to see that clients have the means to find the joy and happiness in each day, regardless of age or acuity.To learn more about our in-home care services, contact your local Comfort Keepers location today.ReferencesRelias. What you need to know about readmission among seniors. Web. 2016.American Hospital Association. Examining the drivers of readmissions and reducing unnecessary readmissions for better patient care 2011 AHA Policy Research. Web. 2011.Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Ten things you should know about care transitions. Web. 2013. 

Boost Your Health with 500 Steps

As we age, staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle becomes increasingly important. One way to do this is by walking more. In fact, research suggests that taking just 500 extra steps per day can have a significant impact on senior health.Health Benefits of WalkingWalking is a low-impact form of exercise that can have numerous health benefits, especially for older adults. It can help improve cardiovascular health, strengthen bones and muscles, and reduce the risk of chronic conditions like osteoporosis, diabetes, and heart disease. In addition, walking can improve balance and reduce the risk of falls.The Benefits of 500 Extra StepsTaking just 500 extra steps per day may not seem like much, but it can have a significant impact on senior health. Research suggests that taking an extra 500 steps per day can lead to a decrease in the risk of developing chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes. In addition, it can lead to improved mental health, better sleep, and increased energy levels.A study conducted by the American Heart Association found that for people ages 70 and older who walked an additional 500 steps per day, or an additional quarter mile of walking, experienced a 14% lower risk of heart disease, stroke or heart failure. Also, compared to adults who took less than 2,000 steps per day, adults who took about 4,500 steps per day had a 77% lower observed risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event.Strategies for Walking MoreTaking an extra 500 steps per day may sound like a daunting task, but there are many strategies that can help seniors achieve this goal. Here are a few tips:Take multiple short walks throughout the day: This can help add up to 500 extra steps without requiring a lot of time commitment.Use a pedometer or fitness tracker: Tracking steps can help seniors stay motivated and monitor their progress.Find a walking partner: Walking with a friend or family member can make it more enjoyable and provide social interaction.Set achievable goals: Start small and gradually increase the number of steps taken each day.Choose scenic routes: Walking in a park or nature trail can make it more enjoyable and provide additional health benefits.In conclusion, taking 500 extra steps per day can have a significant impact on senior health, and its an achievable goal for most people. Walking can help improve cardiovascular health, reduce the risk of chronic conditions, and improve mental health and overall well-being. By incorporating walking into their daily routine, seniors can help maintain their independence and enjoy a higher quality of life.Senior LIFE can help you with your goalsAt Senior LIFE, our goals align with the goals of many seniors to stay in the comfort of their homes, and out of a nursing home. We work with seniors and their caregivers to help seniors maintain independence by providing medical and supportive services including physician and nursing services, medication management, in-home care, and so more more! For a full list of services, please visit us online at: Senior LIFE ServicesSenior LIFE (Living Independence for the Elderly) is state and federally funded Medicare and Medicaid Program that provides long-term care for seniors, 55 years of age or older, so that they can remain living at home and out of a nursing facility.Senior LIFE Services are provided at NO COST to those on Medicaid who live in the community.To speak with a Senior LIFE representative about the program, and to learn if you or a family member may be eligible, please contact us via our website or email us at info@SeniorLIFEPA.

6 Morning Exercises for Seniors

We all know that exercise is important for our bodies to stay healthy and happy, especially as we age. However, finding a good exercise routine that is gentle enough for seniors, but keeps your body healthy and moving, can be a real challenge. Below are six morning exercises for seniors that are easy to mix into your morning routine. Regular exercise and stretching can improve range of motion, stability, and all around mental health.Why Exercise For Older Adults is ImportantExercising helps to slow the progression of many diseases and can even slow the aging process. Studies have shown that older adults, those age 55+, who have been active for most of their lives actually have the similar aerobic fitness of people 30 years younger than them.For older adults who have not been able to stay active their whole life, its not too late to start.  Starting now will help not just in the long-term, but there are also plenty of short-term benefits to exercises for seniors.Exercise is essential in managing many long-term health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, or back or joint pain. For example, exercise can help improve high blood pressure and can lower your risk of heart disease progression.Daily Exercises for SeniorsThis exercise routine is meant to be versatile and flexible. Do the exercises that feel the best for you and your unique needs. As you make the routine your own, be sure to start slowly and stop if there is any bad pain.Make sure you have a clear space with plenty of room to move your arms and legs. A chair, water bottle, and towel may also be helpful to have close to you.Also, always start with some nice stretches to get you going.Sit to StandThe sit-to-stand exercise is among one of the best exercises for seniors. It strengthens your lower body and can improve general mobility, and helps make standing up from a chair easier. Eventually, as your strength improves, the goal is to do the sit-to-stand exercise without using your hands.It is normal to feel mild stretching, pulling, tightness, or discomfort as you do this exercise, but you should stop right away if you feel pain.How to do the exercise:Sit on a sturdy chair. Your knees should be bent and your feet should be flat on the floor and shoulder-width apart.Place your hands lightly on each side of the seat. Keep your back and neck as straight as possible, with your chest slightly forward.Breathe in slowly. Lean forward and slightly shift your weight to the front of your feet.Breathe out as you slowly stand up. Try to use as little support from your hands as possible.Stand and pause for a full breath in and out.Breathe in as you sit down slowly. Tighten your core and abdominal muscles to control your lowering as much as possible.Breathe out slowly.Rest for 1 minute, then do another set of 5-8 repetitions. Repeat for a total of 3 sets if comfortable.Knee ExtensionsKnee extension exercises are used to strengthen thigh muscles. These are big muscles in our body and improving thigh muscle strength can improve mobility, reduce knee injury risk, and rehabilitate knee injuries.How to do the exercise:Sitting up tall with your shoulders back and down.Lifting one leg up, extending at the knee.Hold briefly at the top of the movement, squeezing the muscles at the front of the thigh before lowering your leg back down.Ensure the movement is slow and controlled.Alternate legs, ensuring full knee extension (leg completely straight).Rest for 1 minute, then do another set of 5-8 repetitions. Repeat for a total of 3 sets if comfortable.Core twistsCores twists are a fantastic exercise that not only improve the strength of your trunk muscles, including back and ad muscle, but they also help with twisting mobility.How to do the exercise:Grab a medicine ball (or similar object).Sit comfortably in the chair toward the edge of the seat for extra room. Keep the core (abs and lumbar) tight. Stick the chest out. Both hands should be in front of the body gripping the sides of the medicine ball, with elbows bent.Lift the ball a couple inches off the lap then rotate the upper body to the right, keeping the ball in front of the body.Rotate to the middle of the body then rotate to the left, finish by rotating back to the middle.Each rep is one full rotation.Rest for 1 minute, then do another set of 5-8 repetitions. Repeat for a total of 3 sets if comfortable.Seated Shoulder PressThis exercise will help to increase strength and mobility of the shoulders. Please be cautious with this exercise if you have any shoulder contraindications, and/or consult with your physician.How to do this exercise:Choose a pair of low weight dumbbells or do without weights.Sit comfortably in the chair with the hips as far back as possible. Ensure that the back is firm to the backrest of the chair.Keep your core tight.Start with both elbows spread to the sides of the body and align them under the shoulders. Stick the chest out.Face the body straight, palms forward, gripping the dumbbells.Extend the arms up, reaching above the head until theyre fully extended (or get to a range that feels most comfortable). Dont touch the hands together and keep both arms parallel to each other.Once the arms extension limit has been reached, slowly bring the hands down to the starting position, keeping the elbows spread. Dont tuck the elbows toward the middle of the body, extend them out till the top of the back feels a pinching sensation (not hurting) at the shoulder blades.Seated Knee LiftsKnee lifts exercise and strengthen the hip flexors, and quads. Each is an important muscle for sitting and standing.How to do the exercise:Sit on a sturdy chair, keeping the back straight and holding the sides for support if needed. Avoid leaning back.Slowly lift the right knee slowly towards your chest, then back to the beginning position with control.Repeat the motion using the left leg.Alternate the legs. Remember to keep your back straight and avoid leaning back to gain new heights.Seated Chest PressThe seated chest press will exercise your chest muscles, shoulders, and triceps.How to do the exercise:This exercise can be done with a resistance band, dumbells or with no weight all. Choose the option that best meets your fitness level.Place the resistance band/weights/or empty fists at a point on the chair where its directly behind the back just under where the shoulder blades would be. Ensure that the resistance band isnt able to move on the back of the chair; moving it during the exercise can result in injury or target the wrong muscle groups.Sit comfortably in the chair with the hips as far back as possible. Ensure that the back is firm to the backrest of the chair.Keep the core muscles tight. Stick your chest out.Keep both palms down, elbows bent and parallel to the shoulders. Both hands should be positioned just outside of shoulder width.Push the resistance band forward until the arms are fully extended in front of the body (dont touch hands together).Slowly reverse the movement back to starting position.Some General TipsRemember, starting a new exercise routine will take some practice and getting used to. Dont get discouraged if you cant do an exercise or can only do a few repetitions.Here are few things that are normal when starting a new exercise regimen. Its normal to:feel tired when starting an exercise routine.have muscle soreness that lasts a few days. As you get stronger, you may not feel muscle soreness.Here are some tips that can help make your new exercise journey easier:Use smooth, steady movements.Do not hold your breath during strength exercises. This can cause unsafe changes in your blood pressure.Breathe in slowly through your nose, and breathe out slowly through your mouth.Most importantly, Always consult with a physician before beginning any exercise program.Keeping Seniors in Their Homes, Its What We Do.At Senior LIFE, we focus on taking care of the whole person so that they can maintain their independence for as long as possible.  We offer various types of therapy for members. Depending on members individual care plans, they may receive any or all of the therapies we offer.Occupational TherapyPhysical TherapySpeech/Language TherapyRecreational TherapyWe are committed to keeping members independent as long as possible. There are no limits on rehabilitation or the amount of therapy services a member can receive.Our care offerings dont stop at therapies.  We also offer all the medical and supportive services our members need. These services can include physicians and specialists, nursing care, physical, occupational and speech therapies, personal and home care, medications, meals and nutritional counseling, eye, dental and foot care, durable medical equipment and other medically necessary services.The LIFE Program is a Medicare and Medicaid approved long-term care program that provides complete medical care and supportive services for persons 55 years and older so that they can remain living in their home. The LIFE Program is an alternative to nursing and personal care homes. https://seniorlifepa.com/aboutTo learn more about the LIFE Program, or to see if its the right fit for you and your loved ones, contact us today! 

Local Services By This Author

The Commons of Hilltop

Memory Care 625 27 1/2 Road, Grand Junction, Colorado, 81506

Combining every convenience of assisted living with the utmost quality, comfort, independence, and style, The Commons award winning premier senior living community in Grand Junction is a well-established community. We have a Secure and Non-Secure Memory wing for residents, providing a safe environment for loved ones needing memory care. Our memory care wings have their own dining room for easy access and comfort, their own activity area, and a common area living room with comfortable recliners to enjoy their favorite movies and tv shows while engaging in socialization with their neighbors. Our memory wing staff has a high level of memory care training and provides reminders, 24/7 care and support for your loved one.

The Commons of Hilltop

Independent Living 625 27 1/2 Road, Grand Junction, Colorado, 81506

The Commons of Hilltop is your premier destination for exceptional senior living in Grand Junction, Colorado. Nestled in a picturesque setting, The Commons of Hilltop offers a vibrant and supportive community designed to meet the diverse needs of seniors. Whether you are seeking independent living, assisted living, or memory care, our dedicated team is here to provide compassionate, personalized care and an enriching lifestyle for you or your loved ones Experience the freedom and joy of independent living at The Commons of Hilltop. Our independent living community is perfect for active seniors who desire a maintenance-free lifestyle while enjoying a variety of social, cultural, and recreational activities At The Commons of Hilltop you will find spacious apartment homes with great views. Each residence includes a private kitchenette, beautiful views from your own windows, spacious private bathroom and plenty of storage space. Choose from 5 models ranging from studios to one and two bedrooms all waiting for your personal decorating touches. We have various included amenities and services to ensure socialization and community such as our beauty salon, Commons' Caf, and billiard room! The Commons of Hilltop is nestled in a tranquil neighborhood all your own. Inviting outdoor seating areas and a large covered portico create opportunities for neighbors to become friends. The lush landscaping and walking paths are perfect for a stroll through our unique grounds.Our common spaces were carefully designed and professionally decorated to create a warm and home-like setting. The lobby includes comfortable furniture and is a favorite meeting place for residents. The elegant dining room serves delicious restaurant-style meals and snacks presented by our talented staff. Savor gourmet meals prepared by our culinary team in our elegant dining room or enjoy casual fare in our bistro. We cater to a variety of dietary preferences and needs.Socialization is encouraged in our Garden Room, game room and movie room, while the library and computer nook provide a quiet respite.Participate in a wide array of activities and events, from fitness classes and arts and crafts to educational seminars and social gatherings. Our vibrant community calendar ensures there is always something exciting to do. Enjoy access to a variety of on-site amenities, including a fitness center, library, beauty salon, and landscaped gardens. Housekeeping and maintenance services are also provided for your convenience.Transportation Services: Take advantage of scheduled transportation for shopping, medical appointments, and outings, ensuring you stay connected and active in the Grand Junction community.Choose your level of care depending on your needs or elect us as independent living, here for your needs whether it is independent or assisted serving a variety of both!Hilltop also has senior cottages that are equipped with your own patio, garage, 2 bed 2 bath private homes. Enjoy your private residence and join us for the fun in the Commons for the delicious meals, transportation and activities! Take advantage of housekeeping and yard and home maintenance from our team while still having your own home. We also provide our 24/7 emergency response pendent. Live in ease without the upkeep of home ownership in a beautiful community. 

The Commons of Hilltop

Memory Care 625 27 1/2 Road, Grand Junction, Colorado, 81506

The Commons of Hilltop offers specialized memory care for seniors living with Alzheimers disease, dementia, and other memory-related conditions. Our secure and nurturing environment is designed to provide safety, comfort, and a sense of belonging. Combining every convenience of assisted living with the utmost quality, comfort, independence, and style, The Commons award winning premier senior living community in Grand Junction is a well-established community. We have a Secure and Non-Secure Memory wing for residents, providing a safe environment for loved ones needing memory care. Our memory care wings have their own dining room for easy access and comfort, their own activity area, and a common area living room with comfortable recliners to enjoy their favorite movies and tv shows while engaging in socialization with their neighbors.  Our memory care community is designed with safety in mind, featuring secure access, monitored entrances and exits, and an easy-to-navigate layout.We have highly trained caregivers provide personalized care and support tailored to the unique needs of individuals with memory loss. We focus on enhancing residents abilities and promoting their dignity and independence.We offer engaging therapeutic activities and programs that stimulate cognitive function, encourage social interaction, and promote emotional well-being. Our activities are designed to be meaningful and enjoyable for residents with memory impairments.Through understanding the challenges families face when a loved one is living with memory loss, we offer support groups, educational resources, and regular communication to help families navigate this journey. Our memory wing staff has a high level of memory care training and provides reminders, 24/7 care and support for your loved one.Our memory care community features comfortable and homelike living spaces with familiar furnishings, personalized dcor, and private or semi-private accommodations.If you are looking for premier independent living, assisted living, or memory care in Grand Junction, Colorado, look no further than The Commons of Hilltop. Contact us today to learn more about our services, schedule a tour, and discover how we can support you or your loved ones in living a fulfilling and enriched life.