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The short answer: yes. An assisted living community can provide significant advantages to older adults who are feeling isolated and would benefit from extra support with activities of daily living or families who are struggling with caregiver burnout.
An Assisted Living Community Surrounds Your Loved One with Experts. You are definitely an expert when it comes to knowing your loved one. However, you may not be trained and educated on taking care of them. The staff and administrators at assisted living communities have extensive backgrounds in the type of work needed to make sure your loved one feels at home while also receiving the best possible care. Additionally, staff in assisted living communities have had months of training and experience in creating a safe environment during the pandemic. There is no doubt you are trying as hard as you can to do the same, but you do not have the same resources.
At Cappella of Grand Junction, our clinical teams receive daily briefings from government and health professionals and are able to keep residents informed with accurate, up-to-date information. These teams can adapt that information into evolving protocols and procedures, and provide immediate training to team members. You can rest assured knowing your loved one is receiving the best care available.
Caretakers Have Less Chance of Being Exposed
If you or other family members have been taking care of your loved one, it is safe to say that is not your only responsibility. You may be working from home, but you still have to leave and risk exposure occasionally. While the virus may not affect you terribly, you could still pass it along to your loved one even if you are trying to be careful. At Cappella of Grand Junction, we continue to implement rigorous virus sanitizing protocols daily. The county health department continues to direct our actions. Residents temperatures are taken twice daily and the team is vigilantly monitoring all signs and symptoms for everyone who lives and works in our community. You can read more about how we are keeping residents and team members safe here.
Your Loved One Will Have More Resources to Weather the Pandemic
Social distancing has been difficult for everyone, introverts and extroverts alike. Older adults were already at a higher risk of experiencing loneliness and isolation pre-pandemic, and that risk has only risen in the last few months. You want your loved one to get what they need, especially socially. It can be difficult to do that safely right now if they live alone.
Some older adults rely on restaurants and do not cook for themselves. While restrictions have eased in many areas of the country, some elders may not feel comfortable going out to eat. In an assisted living community, residents have access three chef-planned meals every day. Housekeeping and linen service, medication management, transportation to medical appointments are all part of the services and amenities your loved one will receive at Cappella of Grand Junction.
Vital Social Connection
A neighborhood of potential friends is part of an assisted living community. At Cappella of Grand Junction, our goal is to strike balances between the crucial need to maintain physical health with mental health leading to happiness. Our philosophy in serving older adults is designed to encourage growth, passion, and enthusiasm for all of lifes promises and possibilities, regardless of age or individual ability.
During this unprecedented time, our Life Enrichment team is finding creative ways to keep residents active while keeping them safe, as well as keeping residents connected with their families in ways that feel fulfilling, but without the fear that you might expose them to the virus.
How the Virus Affects Your Decision
Ultimately, the pandemic should not affect your decision to move or not move. However, it should affect how you move. In other words, if you would consider moving your loved one to an assisted living community before the pandemic, or would be considering it, then odds are you should still be considering this now. You just need to consider if the older adult in your life would feel safer and more supported in an assisted living community. We are here to help you navigate this important decision. Learn more about what our unique community has to offer and check out our Assisted Living Floor Plans. Contact us with your questions or to schedule a virtual tour.
Our eyes are incredibly precious, yet its easy to take our vision for granted until problems arise. Lets focus on proactive steps to maintain and improve our eye health. Here are some tips to keep your vision in top shape:Schedule Regular Eye Exams:One of the best ways to safeguard your vision is by scheduling regular eye exams. Comprehensive eye exams can detect vision problems early on, allowing for prompt treatment and prevention of further complications. Make it a priority to see your eye doctor at least once a year, even if you dont currently wear glasses or contact lenses.Protect Your Eyes from UV Rays: Just like your skin, your eyes can be damaged by the suns harmful UV rays. Whenever youre outdoors, especially on bright, sunny days, wear sunglasses that offer UV protection. Look for sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays to shield your eyes from potential damage. Give Your Eyes a Break from Screens: In todays digital age, many of us spend a significant amount of time staring at screens, whether its for work, leisure, or staying connected. Prolonged screen time can lead to digital eye strain, characterized by symptoms like dry eyes, blurred vision, and headaches. To reduce eye strain, follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away.Eat a Balanced Diet:Nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining eye health. Incorporate foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants, such as leafy greens, colorful fruits and vegetables, fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, and nuts and seeds. These nutrients can help protect against age-related vision problems like macular degeneration and cataracts.Practice Good Eye Hygiene:Proper eye hygiene is essential for preventing eye infections and irritation. Wash your hands frequently, especially before touching your eyes or handling contact lenses. Follow your eye doctors recommendations for contact lens care, including proper cleaning, disinfecting, and storage.Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can contribute to dry eyes, so be sure to drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day. Aim for at least eight glasses of water daily to keep your eyes and body hydrated.Get Plenty of Sleep:Adequate sleep is crucial for overall health, including eye health. During sleep, your eyes receive much-needed rest and replenishment. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to help reduce eye fatigue and maintain optimal visual function.By incorporating these simple yet effective tips into your daily routine, you can help protect and preserve your precious eyesight for years to come.Your eyesight is irreplaceable, so take care of your eyes today for a brighter tomorrow!
Moving to a new home can be scary and stressful, especially for older people. But don't worry! Here are some easy ways to make moving day less scary and more fun.1. Pick the Right HomeFirst, choose a new home that feels good. Think about what you like. Do you want a garden view? Do you need help with cooking? Make sure your new home has what you need to be happy.2. Make ListsWrite down everything you need to do. This helps you remember important things. Start early and take your time. Don't rush!3. Choose Special ThingsWhen you move to a smaller home, you can't take everything. Pick the things that mean the most to you. It's okay to feel sad about leaving some things behind.4. Get Help from MoversHiring people to help you move can make things much easier. They know how to pack and move your stuff safely.5. Use Good BoxesUse boxes that stack well. Plastic boxes with lids are great because they're easy to pack and unpack.6. Say Goodbye to Your Old HomeHave a party to say goodbye to your old home. Take lots of pictures to remember it. This can help you feel better about moving.7. Think Happy ThoughtsMoving can be exciting! Think about all the fun new things you'll do in your new home. You might make new friends or try new activities.8. Pack a Special BagPack a bag with things you'll need right away in your new home. Put in things like:MedicineToothbrush and toothpastePajamasSnacks and waterThis way, you won't have to search through all your boxes on the first night.9. Make a Moving Day PlanPlan out your moving day. Know when you'll leave and when you should arrive at your new home. Don't forget to plan for breaks along the way.Remember, moving can be a big change, but it can also be the start of a great new adventure in your life!
When moving to a senior living community, it's important to know what to bring and what to leave behind. This guide will help you pack smart for your new home.Before You Start PackingVisit Your New Home: Take a look at how big your new space is.Talk to Residents: Ask people who already live there about what they brought and what they wish they had.Check with Staff: Find out what furniture and items the community provides and which items are not allowed.Involve Family: Let your family pick items they might want to keep, especially heirlooms.What to BringClothes and Personal ItemsEveryday clothesToiletries like toothbrush and shampooMedicationsMobility aids, like walkers or canesSpecial ItemsPhotos and artwork that you loveSmall mementos that make you feel at homeFurniture (if there's room)A comfortable chairA small table or nightstandA bed (if not provided)Lamps for lightingOther Important ThingsBedding and blanketsKitchen items if you have a small kitchen areaTV or radio (if allowed)Pet supplies if pets are permittedWhat Not to BringExpensive jewelry or valuable items that could be lost or damagedClothes you no longer wearLarge furniture pieces that won't fitBig appliances that the community providesHeaters or air conditioners that may not be allowedLarge rugs that could be a tripping hazardRemember, your new home will be smaller, so you'll need to choose carefully what to bring. It's perfectly okay to ask for help from family or friends if packing feels overwhelming.
At Cappella of Grand Junction, we carefully designed our Memory Support neighborhood to assist those living with Alzheimer's and dementia in a way that fosters individuality, dignity, a sense of value, and personal growth. Honoring the person as an individual is our mission and focus. We provide an environment where residents thrive, and families have peace of mind.
At Cappella of Grand Junction our assisted living community offers the support to enable each person to live their life to the fullest. With just the right amount of assistance, residents can enjoy their day independently and in harmony with others, free from the chores and cares of household maintenance. Our lovely and lively community boasts 40 spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartment homes, plus a wealth of inviting common spaces, including a full-service salon, Grab and Go Bistro, Luxurious Spa and a wellness and therapy center. Honoring Each Individual, Enriching Each Day at Cappella