Florida - Southwest

Our memories make us who we are. Theyre the good moments, the bad ones, and everything in between. They can be our happiest hours and our most important lessons learned. Which is why Alzheimers deterioration of memory and other mental functions makes it one of the most profoundly challenging forms of dementia.Whether in the early stages or later stages, people with Alzheimers can struggle to remember recent events, conversations, and people in their lives, but with a few strategies and activities you can help support your loved one regain lost memories.6 Tips for Helping Alzheimers Patients RememberTip #1: Develop Regular Schedules and RoutinesWhether its making coffee and reading the news in the morning or walking the dog and watching a favorite game show in the evening, keeping a routine is one of the best ways for anyone to remember. A routine can help exercise the brain by assigning a regular physical task to each moment. Programs like Five Stars Bridge to Rediscovery, design a lifestyle with each memory care residents specific needs in mind. Activities and schedules are built around your loved ones abilities with an emphasis on building and maintaining skills.Tip #2: Using Sentimental Objects and MediaWe all keep photos of loved ones on our desk or put on our favorite song to match our mood. Using objects and media can help a person with Alzheimers use their senses like taste, touch, sound, and smell to trigger feelings and memories. Make sure your loved one has plenty of photographs of family members, has easy access to music, or gets to eat their favorite meal. These can all help Alzheimers patients remember special moments from their past. Tip #3: Encourage Physical ActivityResearch shows that physical exercise can slow memory decline and impairment to cognitive function. Body movement directly impacts the brain and influences the hippocampuswhere memories are stored. Many Five Star communities partner with Ageility to offer residents fitness instruction and physical therapy programs that also establish a schedule.Tip #4: Organize with Apps, Calendars, and JournalsSmartphone app stores offer a wide range of apps to set reminders, alarms, and save notes. But smartphones arent the only option! A sturdy wall calendar or journal are great physical alternatives to keep track of dates and times while exercising handwriting skills. Tip #5: Be PatientPeople with dementia may have difficulty remembering what theyre doing or where they are. This can be frustrating for them and challenging for you, but its important to be patient.If your loved one is trying to remember a name or a place, give them time to explain what they are trying to say. If they are still having difficulty, help them with context or give prompts. If the person feels under pressure it can make remembering things much more difficult. Tip #6: Reach out to Family and FriendsThere are many ways to help a person with Alzheimers remember, but one of the most important is to have support from family and friends. You may already have close family members visiting your loved one, but remember to reach out to friends. Youll find that most people will be eager to offer support. As important as those close relationships are, relying only on family and friends can be stressful for everyone. No matter what you and your loved ones are going through, know that you never have to go through it alone. Five Star meets Alzheimers with love, compassion, and the highest level of expertise. Get the Best Memory Care & Alzheimers Support at Five StarOur highly trained memory-care specialists support residents through an exclusive and innovative program called Bridge to Rediscovery. Its a Montessori-based approach in which your loved ones environment and activities are all designed around their specific abilities, preferences, and passions.Its not always easy to know when it might be time to consider memory care for a loved one. Check out our helpful guide to know the difference between normal signs of aging and signs of something more.Learn More About Five Stars Memory Care Communities TodayAt Five Star, we know that home is when comfort and community come together. Our memory care specialists enhance our residents daily experiences by promoting interaction, reducing agitation, and strengthening cognitive abilities.We take the time to get to know each and every one of our memory care residents. We learn about their lives, their careers, and their interests. We get to know their loved ones. All so we can create the right environment filled with joy and purpose.

Its no secret that the holidays can be an overwhelming time of year when it comes to food and overeating. Irresistible dishes, homemade desserts, and seasonal delicacies drive many of us to splurge because this wonderful time of the year only happens once.However, it is possible to eat healthy during the holidays, if you take a mindful approach. Mindful eating is a technique that incorporates awareness and knowledge about the foods you consume. This isnt necessarily a diet trick, but a lifestyle approach that allows your mind to follow your gut.Mindful eating can be challenging at times, but taking a mindful approach to holiday eating is important for your health.Ask yourself questions. A helpful question to ask yourself is whether you are really craving the food in front of you? Or do you just want it because its easily accessible? Asking questions before consuming food can increase your awareness and, in turn, help you make better choices.Increase your food IQ. Talking with a wellness professional or even doing research online to be knowledgeable about what youre eating can go a long way toward dissuading you from making a poor choice. For instance, holiday cookies might not seem as appetizing after researching the effects of artificial flavoring and sugar on your body.Overcome the cycles. Break negative cycles of behavior or faulty thought patterns, like those that many have in connection with making and breaking New Years resolutions. Ask yourself: How do I feel after heavy eating? How does this affect my digestion and energy levels? Whats a realistic step toward better change? Identifying practical steps before you take action will result in again making better choices more than a passing resolution.Avoid feeling pressured. Its okay to say no and turn down the plethora of dishes your host has prepared. Take the approach of Ive enjoyed every bite, but I dont think I can take another.Shell Point Retirement Community offers an array of resort-style dining options across its six onsite restaurants. Each dining venue brings varied options to the table, from gourmet to casual dining. All restaurants are open to the public.

Managing Finances during a Senior Relocation: Tips and StrategiesAs we grow older, our lifestyle and living preferences may change, which can lead to the need for relocation. While this can be an exciting and positive experience, it also requires careful planning and management of finances. Senior relocation often involves downsizing, which could mean selling a home and moving to a smaller one or an assisted living community. Managing finances during a senior relocation can be challenging, but it can be a smooth and stress-free process with the right strategies.  Read on to learn valuable tips and strategies to help you manage your finances during a relocation. Create a Budget The first step in managing your finances during a senior relocation is to create a budget. A budget is a plan that outlines your income and expenses. Creating a budget before you start the relocation process gives you a clear understanding of how much money you must spend. It will help you avoid overspending and ensure you can afford all the expenses associated with the move. Determine the Cost of Living in Your New City Before you move, you should research the cost of living in your new city. It will give you an idea about spending on housing, groceries, transportation, and other expenses. You can avoid unpleasant surprises and adjust your budget by being aware of the cost of living in advance. Sell Unnecessary Items Relocation is the perfect time to declutter your home and sell unnecessary items. You can hold a garage sale, sell things online, or donate them to charity. Selling unwanted items can help you make some bucks that you can put towards your relocation expenses. Compare Moving Quotes It is advisable to shop around and compare quotes from different moving companies. This will help you find the right deal and avoid overspending. Ask for references and check the company's credentials before hiring them. Consider Downsizing If you're moving to a smaller home, consider downsizing your possessions. It helps you save money on moving expenses and reduce your cost of living in your new city. Downsizing can also be emotionally challenging, so be sure to take your time and only keep items that are truly meaningful to you. Plan For Unexpected Expenses Even with the best planning, unexpected expenses can still arise during a senior relocation. You should have some extra money set aside to cover any unforeseen costs. This helps avoid dipping into your retirement savings or relying on credit cards. Consider Professional Movers A successful, stress-free, and cost-efficient move is guaranteed when you work with a reputable and experienced moving company. Are you planning a relocation? Get ready to embrace all the new experiences and opportunities that await you. At WeCareSenior Relocation Services, we help you have a stress-free moving process from start to finish. We offer a free consultation to review your needs and arrange a smooth relocation. Contact us for more details!  

Many senior citizens have decades of memories and collectibles in their homes. As seniors age, however, the need to organize the home becomes a priority. Certainly, there cannot be a lot of clutter in the home because it causes possible tripping and falling hazards. Learn all about senior-friendly storage solutions and how they can help seniors stay self-sufficient.Understanding Why Storage Solutions Are Beneficial for SeniorsAs people age, their mobility may be limited. For example, it's harder to reach upward for an item off a tall shelf, or bending down is painful. At times, seniors who haven't organized their homes in years will find it difficult to grab everyday things. For this reason, it's beneficial for seniors to have storage solutions.Additionally, storage solutions also declutter homes. Items hanging from doors or strewn across the floor can be hazardous for seniors. Inevitably, the clutter might trip seniors, which creates serious health issues.Furthermore, storage solutions also act as decorating opportunities. Baskets, bins, and boxes might have attractive colors, accents, and other features. Seniors can put together containers of their favorite things, for example. Because they're actively creating these memory boxes to return to later on, seniors' brains are stimulated and moods improve.Certainly, a family might make a weekend out of organizing the senior's home, too. As the senior creates the boxes, the family can organize the perfect area for them. Working together is another benefit of storage solutions for seniors.Ideally, store items inside the home where seniors have regular access to them. Otherwise, consider storage areas outside the main living space for other items only needed on occasion.Exploring Portable Storage Container OptionsA clever way to store items today is through portable storage containers. Storage companies, such as Smartbox Moving and Storage, deliver a wood container to your property, for example. Store almost any nonperishable belonging in these containers, such as furniture, trunks, boxes, musical instruments, and much more.Before ordering a container, consider what items you need to store. Typically, these containers come in several sizes, such as 8-, 12- or 16-foot boxes. Choose a size that's slightly larger than what's needed at the moment. For a senior living alone, the small container may be a perfect size.Be sure to pack the box like a moving truck. Essentially, place heavy items on the bottom and light materials on top. Indeed, consider how accessible the items must be if they're placed in the container's rear end. If you need to access the item in the next few weeks, then try to arrange the container with those items near the door.Ideally, avoid storing anything that might rot or leak. For example, store a lawnmower only if it's perfectly clean of any cut grass. Don't store fluids, either. In most cases, the containers aren't climate-controlled so they will heat up and cool down with the prevailing weather.Benefiting From Portable StoragePortable storage offers several benefits to seniors. Because the containers remain at your property, seniors can always access their belongings. They'll know the items are close and safe with just a glance out the window. Other storage options, in contrast, require a rental at a physical facility. Here, seniors may be wary about losing their belongings to theft or natural disasters. The portable option suggests there's more control over the stored items.Additionally, families have the option of moving the container in the future. For example, the senior moves to another location where the container cannot be stored. As a solution, the family can transport the container to a secure facility where it remains untouched. It's never necessary to open the container, which provides a level of security in the senior's mind.Furthermore, portable containers are beneficial because they protect the belongings over a long period. Most companies claim the containers are water resistant, which makes them safe for areas with regular rainstorms. Although they aren't waterproof, they're strong enough to keep most items free from any damage.By decluttering their home, seniors can freely move about without falling concerned. Discuss storage options with your loved ones. Organizing the space empowers seniors and reveals those lost items they may have misplaced over the years.