More than55 million people worldwide are living with dementia, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), making it the seventh leading cause of death and a major contributor to disability. It can be devastating for a loved one to receive a dementia diagnosis due to the psychological, physical, economic, and social impacts of this disease.How is your family managing the new lifestyle with a loved one who is experiencing cognitive decline? As the person loses their ability to process thought, this condition starts to affect orientation, thinking, memory, comprehension, language, learning capacity, and judgment. As a result, someone living with dementia often experiences problems with emotional control, mood, motivation, and behavior.Even though there is no cure for cognitive decline, the good news is that doctors are finding ways to slow the progression of this disease. Specific life enrichment activities for assisted living are helpful to stimulate cognition and help a person maintain the best quality of life despite their diagnosis.Life Enrichment Activities and Lifestyle Factors to Slow Cognitive DeclineA persons environment and daily routines play an essential role in minimizing the impact of cognitive decline. Those living with dementia need progressive care: minimal care is required in the beginning, but ongoing support is necessary as the disease progresses.Families can see why wellness programs are important through all stages of the disease: from diagnosis through transitions and changes in lifestyle and living conditions. However, it can be frightening for both those living with dementia and their family members and an emotionally charged situation as you navigate tough decisions relating to the persons care and wellbeing.The good news is that families dont need to come up with assisted living life enrichment activities on their own. Instead, a better idea is to explore local wellness programs for seniors with integrated cognitive programs. Life Enrichment Activities for those living with dementia can be engaging and uplifting. We strive to find the right activity for each individual in our care.Holistic Approach: Wellness Programs for SeniorsDementia care is available in the home, although many families eventually choose an assisted living community, so those living with dementia receive optimal support in their time of need. Caregivers find it challenging to balance wellness programs and work-life balance, which is why its crucial to find a provider to help with assisted living daily life enrichment programs for loved ones.A holistic approach utilizes multiple tools to help those living with dementia with early, mid-stage, or advanced dementia. For example, these tools are helpful when those living with dementia exhibits sundowning syndrome symptoms. Looking for a Sundowning Syndrome Definition? Sundowning in those living with dementia is known as late-day confusion that extends into the night. Look up the sundowning medical definition to see how those living with dementia experience increased frustration, confusion, and agitation during this time of day.When we seesundowning symptoms in dementia, or other worsening signs of cognitive decline, these are some of the tools and assisted living daily enrichment activities that can be used for support and cognitive stimulation:Music Therapy in ElderlyThere are many uses of music for cognitive support, including music therapy for concentration and cognitive stimulation. In fact, some holistic providers suggest music therapy for health and wellness and specific conditions including music therapy for hypertension. Music can improve the quality of life for people with dementia by reducing anxiety and aggression, especially when they participate by singing along with the music.What Aromatherapy Is Best for Cognitive DeclineWhen those living with dementia are experiencing intense moments with agitation, aggression, and other psychotic symptoms, aromatherapy can be a powerful tool for calming and soothing. Aromatherapy for cognitive decline is a complementary treatment to use with other lifestyle adjustments. Lavender, jasmine, chamomile, and bergamot are all calming and citrus scents like grapefruit, lemon and lime are invigorating and mentally stimulating.The Role Environmental Factors Play In Sundowning Syndrome SymptomsWhen someone living with dementia gets upset, their environment plays a vital role in minimizing symptoms of agitation and frustration. For example, if the person is prone to sundowning syndrome symptoms, then make sure to create a quiet, peaceful environment during the early evening hours: reading, a slow walk around the neighborhood, soothing music in the background, and the persons favorite activity or snack.Full-Service Support for Those Living with Dementia and Cognitive DeclineCadence Connections is a specialized program for those living with dementia, providing full-service solutions to support their physical, mental, and emotional health. Even mild cognitive impairment(MCI) can disrupt a persons lifestyle and take a toll on the family. As cognitive decline continues, its essential to have access to ongoing support from a dedicated memory care team.This personalized treatment program includes options for assisted living and independent living with a variety of assisted living daily enrichment activities designed specifically for memory care needs. Call usat your convenience to schedule a tour of our Cadence Living Communities.

Betty White. Leslie Jordan. Oprah Winfrey. Arnold Schwarzenegger. George Takei. Baddiewinkle. What do all these wonderful people have in common? They are all seniors and they have millions of followers of all generations on social media. A good percentage of their followers are under the age of 40.There is a misconception that seniors are averse to technology. Nothing could be further from the truth! Many seniors are embracing the internet, smartphones, and other devices with ferocity. Their kids and grandkids are all over social media. More and more businesses that everyone uses, including many services that are intended for seniors, are only available online. They want to feel relevant; they dont want to get left behind. But technology can feel overwhelming for some. Helping seniors learn to understand technology can be a great bonding opportunity. We have some tips for how to teach seniors technology and get them connected.Tip #1: Teach seniors the language of technologyIt is so important to be patient in our approach for how to teach seniors technology. There are words that we throw around when were talking about our wifi being down, or a new app that makes our faces look like cartoons, or a critical software update that our iPhones need to protect them against a very dangerous spyware flaw. We know the difference between hardware, software, and an app. What a hotspot is, or a firewall, or how to navigate our devices to change our system preferences.This can all seem completely overwhelming to a senior, whos memory or cognitive abilities may not be quite what they used to be. Use the words sparingly at first, while youre walking them through their smartphone, and encourage them to ask questions. Make it fun and connect the words to the actions. If teaching the senior in your life about technology is proving frustrating for you, there are a number ofclasses for seniors onlinethat can take the anxiety out of it for both of you. Remember, when they are curious, they are engaged. Dont do too much at once, either! You want them to remember it!Tip #2: Research devices for seniors and show them they workThere are a number of great resources available to find seniors technology trends. They may need a smartphone with a bigger screen, or simply to be shown how to select a font and size that makes the words and numbers big enough for them to read easily. Maybe they received a health check-up and their doctor is recommending physical or memory exercises. Introduce them to wearable tech for seniors, to track their exercise and heart rate. From helping them learn how to set up a phone or tablet screen with the colors they like, to software features that they will value, like how to create a Word Doc to write a letter. Remember, taking it slow will help seniors to feel supported, inspire their curiosity, and encourage them to explore their phones, tablets, or computers.Tip #3: Demystify the internetOnce youve gotten the senior in your life to a point of reasonable comfort with some of the language we use when were talking about technology, and introduced them to their gadgets, now its time to take a drive on the World Wide Web! This is where you and your kids can have a lot of fun showing them the content that is out there just for them. Whether its memory games for seniors online, chair yoga for seniors online, orseniors online dating sites, you get to help them widen their world and ease the isolation they feel as they age. Help them learn how to use a search engine by picking their brains. Do they enjoy cooking? Help expand your seniors recipes list with dishes they always wanted to try. Is your mom or dad showing signs of struggle with memory? Enlist your kids to help them find and playmemory games for seniors onlinewith them, or make videos together to post on YouTube or TikTok. Leslie Jordan shouldnt get to have all the fun!Tip #4: Teach seniors the dangers of the internetSadly, there are too many scams and viruses out on the internet, that any one of us might fall prey to. For a senior whos thought skills have slowed down, they might not be savvy enough to pick up on the cues we are familiar with, that an email, text, online offer or phone call can sometimes have ulterior motives. Take some time to teach your senior loved ones about thetelltale signs of a scam, and what to do when they encounter one.Dont click on a link sent to you by email.Dont ever give anyone your private security information.Dont ever send someone you dont know money.Dont give anyone your passwords/use secure passwords.Use secure or verified websites.If you meet someone online and want to meet them in person, choose a neutral, public location.Tip #5: Show seniors the benefits of being connectedMom and dad are going to get frustrated with all the new words and bad people to look out for when theyre on the internet. So, you and the grandkids have to keep reminding them of how easy it is to stay connected. Point out the benefits, such as sharing pictures from family gatherings or old pictures from when you were a kid, talking on video chats and even watching a movie together, or playing an online game together. Researchers are studying the benefits for our beloved seniors to staying connected with their favorite people and the evidence is overwhelming that it helps them stay present and engaged. Technology is just one more tool to accomplish that.Technology Programs In Place TodayIn the Cadence Connections program we offer nationally, we have a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) continued learning Signature Program in which the area of study changes every month. Among other things, residents talk about the types of technology in this program that can help to improve their daily lives. Our current months program is focusing on Augmented and Virtual Reality and residents will go to an arcade with virtual reality games to fully immerse them in this new technology.Another popular program in several of our communities is a Tech Class called Wireless Wednesdays. In a recent class, residents brought their tablets, laptops and smartphones and we helped them navigate with step-by-step directions to make these tools easier for them to use. Our communities are always engaging with our residents on a one-to-one basis too when they have questions about their smart devices or in-room technology. Our location in Woodbridge has recently partnered with the Chinn Park Regional Library through the Prince William Public Library System to talk about technology with our residents. We are excited to welcome a librarian and a technology trainer to come in and work with our residents on a wide variety of technology topics.It is a good time to come and visit one of the Cadence Living communities, to see what we have to offer that can support the care of aging parents for you and for them. We have accommodations for independent living, assisted living and memory care. We also offer activities that meet your physical and social wellness needs, as well as spaces and programs designed specifically for memory care needs. Give us a call to schedule a tour today!

How to Balance Aging Parents, Work & ChildrenIf youve got aging parents who need more care and children youre raising in your life at the same time, welcome to the Sandwich Generation! Its really hard navigating how to manage aging parents, and even harder when youve also got kids and a spouse who need your time. There are so many layers of stress and responsibility to caring for aging parents that you can prepare for, but when the time comes, no one feels ready.Health issues (yours and your parents) become bigger, more serious, and have longer recovery times, requiring more care that may be beyond your abilities. Our parents may be experiencing memory or dementia issues, which can impact their cognitive abilities. They move slower, think slower. Every action requires more of your time and effortand patienceand you already have a full plate of responsibilities, between work, kids, and spouses. And then both you and your parent(s) have to realize and accept that this is happening. Your parent is getting older and isnt mentally or physically capable of doing the things youre both used to them being able to do on their own. How do you do it?How do you balance out the feeling that youre being pulled in a million directions at once?How do you take care of yourself and everyone else? How do you decide when its time for your aging parent to move into assisted living, and how do you have that conversation with them? Should you choose assisted living or independent living? Are the options for independent living enough for your parent, or do you need more specialized care like memory care?Caring for aging parents can be really hard. Lets talk about how to get through this new chapter in both of your lives.How and When to Start Talking about Big Decisions for the Care of Aging ParentsFor many families,the roles of child and parent will reverse. It doesnt often happen quickly. And when the reversal comes, one of the hardest pills to swallow is when we come to the realization that parents are becoming less capable of making big or small (or sometimes both) decisions for themselves.Ideally, you want to start having conversations about the big decisions with your parents wishes early, before a health problem or other crisis arises that forces everyone to make decisions out of fear and urgency, that might not be the best for them or you. When you start seeing the signs, including the big logistical topics, you want to make sure you are on the same page about: a living will, a last will and testament (to distribute assets); and a funeral plan.There are also a myriad of less well-defined, more emotional topics that you need to address when taking care of aging parents, that you and your parents also need to talk about. Here are just a few we recommend addressing.The Most Important Thing to an Aging Parent: IndependenceThe most difficult part about your parents getting older, for you and for them, is the loss of independence. Think about how it feels when you get sick or injure yourself and you are forced to rely on others to do the simplest tasks. Often, the thing that keeps you going is knowing that youll recover and be able to return to your normal activities. When age forces a longer recovery, or brings with it an injury or degenerative disease in which there is no recovery, routines and habits have to change to adapt and sometimes also comes the need for assistance. This loss of independence can be devastating for your parents and add a whole new set of responsibilities for you and your entire family.When its time for them to stop driving, or when it becomes clear to you that they cant live without assistance anymore, for you, its a matter of concern for their safety. For them, its the loss of control and freedom to do their own thing, go where they want, when they want to. There is a loss of individuality and can cause a sense of isolation from the people and activities they once enjoyed as fully capable adults. It is important to be patient and understanding when addressing your parents loss of independence. Caring for aging parents isnt just about attending to their physical needs; you have to be sensitive to and have compassion for how hard these changes are for them, catering to emotional needs and their social wellness, too.The loss of independence is felt most strongly by the parent who recognizes your roles have reversed. You are now having to care for them the way they used to care for you. Framing care decisions in a way that looks less like youre telling them what to do and more like making decisions together can make the path forward easier and leaves the parent feeling as if theyre maintaining independence and have a voice in their choice of care.In an assisted living setting, your parents can still feel a sense of independence, with the added benefit of a full professional staff who can help when needed. Our staff can keep an eye on how they are managing daily living tasks like eating meals and hygiene without being intrusive or forcing them to admit problems that they might be embarrassed to discuss with their children.The Second Most Important Thing to An Aging Parent: RelevanceWith the loss of independence, frequently comes the loss of feeling needed or relevant. Without the ability to do things for themselves and the freedom to participate in activities freely, they may feel like they haveno sense of purpose anymore. It is important to your ability to care for aging parents to attend to their social wellness by helping them find ways to engage. Whether its finding groups that do activities together, volunteering at hospitals or animal shelters, or getting them involved with your familys activities, their social wellness can be just as important as their physical wellness.Simply talking with them and consulting them and keeping them involved in family life as much as you can or talking about their care and health can go a long way to help them feel like they still matter. Even engaging them in your kids school work or projects can give them the opportunity to share their wisdom and knowledge and gives your kids the chance to learn about who they are and why. Finding ways to make them feel relevant can go a long way to improving social wellness in seniors.When they are residents of Cadence Living, their voice counts in every aspect of their care for as long as theyre able to make sound, reasonable decisions if not, well turn to designated decision makers, like children from their family of origin or family of choice, for help. Theyll be included in activities with their peers, and will be kept engaged. Well even explore therapies such as music therapy to make sure their social wellness is included in their overall care.How to Manage Aging Parents Who Refuse HelpParents who refuse help may be one of the hardest challenges when it comes to how to manage aging parents. The conversation about your parents needing help isnt an easy one to have. They may fight the idea and push back, even if it really is for the best for all involved.So, how to manage aging parents who refuse help? Its a really tricky thing to navigate! It takes patience, empathy, and sometimes difficult decisions on the part of the caretaker especially if the signs are clear that it is time to either get help in the home or for them to move into assisted living, but the parent is not seeing the signs or is not ready to acknowledge the time has come. It can be a huge step for them to accept that they need more care than they have. And how you approach the topic can make all the difference when its time to get help.Make sure your parents know thatyou are on their side, that you want whats best for them, and that moving into assisted living is not a punishment.Consider offering options, allowing them to be the final decision-maker.Focus on the positive aspects of assisted living for them, from having trained professionals nearby 24 hours a day to assist with medical and crisis care to having someone else there to make their meals, to having an entire community of peers to participate in activities with.Dont dismiss their feelings; really listen to their concerns. Be compassionate to their fears and be patient with them.Especially if there are cognitive issues, remember that they are not the same parents they used to be, and they may need time to adjust to the idea of moving into assisted living.Highlight the benefits of having entertainment options like craft days, group exercise classes or music therapy options that cater to them and their social wellness especially if their level of activity has changed radically because of physical limitations.The Most Important Thing for You: Setting Boundaries and Self-CareWith all thats going on with taking care of aging parents, how do you have anything left for your kids and spouse? What about your job or any other responsibilities that already had your life full before it became clear your parents needed more care? As part of the Sandwich Generation, you are not alone in this constantpush and pull of your time and energy. If there was ever a time in your life when you needed to set boundaries and make sure you are taking care of yourself, now is it!Do not try to do this alone. Get the whole family involvednot just the ones who live with you. Sit everyone, parents and kids, down and talk about how everyone can play a role in keeping the family together and caring for each other. Even little ones have an opportunity to learn how to be kind and patient with their grandparentsand you!Take time for yourself, away from everyone else. Even if its just an hour to go for a walk or to sit in your car and cry, there are few emergencies that warrant interruptions when you need to take a break.Do your best to eat a healthy diet and get some exercise every day.Sleep can be hard when theres so much stress, but lack of sleep can have a tremendous impact on your ability to be patient and think clearly; the two tools you need most right now.Be open with your spouse, parents and children about the finances so that everyone understands the situation and how it will affect them.Include your needs in the conversation about moving into assisted living. Boundaries and self-care should be part of the conversation, especially if youre still working on how to help aging parents who refuse help. Most aging parents will tell you that they do not want to be a burden; its a huge part of why they are fighting so hard for their independence. Surely they want you to be able to take care of your children and yourself, and assisted living can offer the support both of you need.The Final Most Important Thing for You: Coping Mechanisms and HumorYoure going to need to find outlets to process your care for aging parents. Sometimes youll need a way to navigate an uncomfortable conversation, sometimes it will help you both to stop dwelling on the hardships.Have a sense of humor about the reversal of roles; the situations that could otherwise be embarrassing for both of you; help you and them find ways to laugh through the hard moments.Focus on activities you enjoy doing together. Going on nature walks? Cooking? Shopping? Museums? Whatever it is, as long as you can still do things together, you have the opportunity to create great memories that will become important to you as time passes and their aging progresses. And asking for advice on things important to the parent (like a favorite recipe or cleaning tip) can give joy to your parent and useful information to you.Keep your coping mechanisms for handling stress handy; youll need them. Whether its meditation or yoga, taking a walk, reading a book or a 20-minute nap, there will be times when you need to disconnect and take care of yourself, so that you can better care for those around you.