You may be a spouse, a neighbor, or a sibling.If you are reading this, you may also be a Caregiver.As someone faced with the challenges of caregiving, you might one day also be faced with tough conversations with those you are caring for.You may be noticing that a loved one is not eating well, failing to take medications or a change in how the home is kept. You may also see cognitive changes such as dementia causing concern.If there comes a time that an individuals care will grow beyond what you yourself are capable of doing, this is the time to reach out and educate yourself on options available; from help at home with household chores, additional medical care or possibly assisted living options.Change can be a scary proposition and having a compassionate ear will go a long way towards ensuring your senior has the time and information to make safe and appropriate decisions about their future.Starting the conversation can be as easy as Dad I am concerned about (fill in the blank). Start those conversations before a crisis strikes, you will be glad you did.Editors Note: This article was written by Laura Cooley, CSA. Laura is the local owner and Certified Senior Advisor for Care Patrol and may be reached at 719-257-3001 or by email at laurac@carepatrol.com.

According to the Alzheimers Association, dementia is actually not a specific disease. Rather, its an overall term to describe a decline in memory capabilities. Alzheimers disease accounts for about 60-80% of dementia cases.There are some 50 million people worldwide who have dementia, and there are nearly 10 million new cases every year. Its one of the biggest, if not the biggest, causes of disability and dependency among older adults worldwide. The diseases associated with dementia have numerous physical, social, psychological, and emotional impacts, not only for the people with memory loss, but also their friends, family, and society as a whole.This raises two questions:For those unaffected by dementia, how can you lower your risk of developing a condition like Alzheimers? For those already affected by dementia, what treatment options are available?We at Chefs For Seniors are certainly not qualified to discuss the current treatment options available to those affected by dementia, for more information on that visit https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia.Instead, what were going to address in this article is a list of brain-healthy foods that some studies have shown can reduce the risk of memory loss associated with aging, and may even help people with dementia manage their symptoms.BerriesBerries are known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Eating a high amount of antioxidants has been shown to help protect against cell damage in the brain. Some early research has even shown that blueberries can help activate a part of the brain associated with memory. According to the principles laid out in the MIND diet, a new diet that promotes eating brain-healthy foods, you should eat at least 2 servings of berries each week.Leafy Green VegetablesLike berries, leafy green vegetables like kale, spinach, and swiss chard are high in antioxidants. These foods are also loaded with vitamin K and vitamin A. Research has found that 5 or 6 servings of leafy green vegetables each week yield the greatest benefits to brain health.Orange VegetablesIn addition to being a colorful addition to your plate, orange vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes are high in an antioxidant called beta-carotene, which some scientists believe can boost memory.Whole GrainsWhole grains like barley, oats, whole wheat, and brown rice are rich in many of the B vitamins that work to reduce inflammation in the brain potentially preserving your memory. The MIND diet recommends 3 servings of whole grains each day.Olive OilResearchers have found that people who use olive oil as their primary oil at home showed greater protection against memory loss. Extra virgin olive oil is higher than most other oils in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids.PoultryLean meats like chicken and turkey are a key component of the Mediterranean diet, which is very similar to the MIND diet. Like whole grains, poultry is a great source of B vitamins that can play a role in healthy cognition. Try eating 2 or more servings of lean poultry each week.FishEating fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines is great for brain health because theyre high in omega-3 fatty acids. Try eating fish at least once a week, although 3x per week is even better!Written and Submitted By: Chefs For Seniors- click for more information**

For more information on The Palms of Fort Myers, Click Here.Because we care: Five Star Senior Living nears 100% vaccinationThere are many ways to tell someone you love them. You can say it with flowers, a hug, an act of kindness or a heartfelt letter. You can listen or laugh or cry with them. You can simply say, I love you. But prior to last December when the first COVID-19 vaccine was approved, you probably wouldn't have included I got vaccinated among your choices.Yet, for those eligible, getting vaccinated is a powerful way to show you care for others, be they family, friends, neighbors, coworkers or other members of the human family. That is why were pleased to announce that virtually 100% of our Five Star Senior Living team members are now vaccinated against COVID-19.We were one of the first national public companies to mandate vaccination, and we are among the first to be almost fully vaccinated. Its an important achievement and one we take pride in. (Maybe you've seen our social media campaign, HIGH FIVE!)Most of all, though, were excited to tell our residents and families that together with our high resident vaccination rate of nearly 90%, Five Star communities and clinics are among the safest places to live and work.A commitment to safety and each otherWe often say the health and well-being of our residents, clients and team members is our highest priority at Five Star. And we mean it. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we proved it time and time again by meeting and exceeding shelter-in-place guidelines, even when that was difficult to do or not the popular choice. Thanks to our team members and with the cooperation of our residents, clients and their families, all of our communities reopened to visitors and new residents in early May 2021 and remain open!On June 1, 2021, for the continued safety of everyone and as part of our commitment to industry well-being best practices, we made the decision to require a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment for all team members working in Five Star communities effective Sept. 1. We are pleased and proud of the overwhelming number who received the vaccine.It was not easy, but we did it together.Supporting our communitiesWhen we announced our vaccination mandate on June 1, Five Star had already demonstrated a commitment to the health and well-being of its communities through multiple vaccination efforts supporting residents and team members:Every Five Star community completed a series of three vaccine clinics open to all Five Star residents and team members.Five Star hosted vaccine education town halls for its team members led by its Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Priti Jindal, and also instituted peer-to-peer networks to provide information and support.Following opening back up, residents and team members continued to have access to the vaccine at Five Star communities as well as through local community resources.Through Five Stars relationship with Omnicare/CVS, team members were given access to a concierge service designed to help navigate and schedule vaccinations.The safest places to work and playAll of these efforts have helped make Five Star communities and clinics among the safest places in senior living to live and work. For those considering a move to senior living for themselves or a loved one, it also means greater assurance of safety, health and well-being, and a lot less worry.Wouldn't you or your loved one prefer to live where everyone's safety matters? Check out Five Star Senior Living communities in your area. You'll find living that's easy and people who care, 100% of the time.