Walk into any senior center, retirement community or assisted living facility and you will undoubtedly find a full offering of activities for seniors. Typical options include musical performers, arts and crafts, a slide show of Alaska's wilderness, movies, birthday celebrations, and, of course, Bingo. I once played twelve Bingo cards simultaneously and had a wonderful (if not relaxing) time. I adore the beauty of Alaska's wilderness and a good movie is always a special treat. I enjoy live music and I think birthday parties are great fun (as long as they're not mine). Each one of these activities, however, has one thing in common: they are past times enjoyable ways to pass the time. They are an essential part of life and living well, but and here's the catch they are not enough! What's often missing in this menu is meaningful engagement of the mind! Its like dining on a meal of cake and ice cream. It tastes good, but it doesn't really nourish you. The key to rounding out this menu is lifelong learning and other mentally challenging activities. Fortunately, senior activities providers are responding to this need. More and more, communities are providing programming designed to challenge, stretch and excite the mind. Bingo is being supplemented with classes ranging from the History of the Lewis & Clark Expedition to Bio-Engineered Food and The Future of the Middle East. Seniors are studying poetry, art, music, literature and more and they are loving it!Why is this happening? One reason is simply demand. Seniors want to continue learning for the joy that it provides. A second reason is a growing realization that lifelong learning is a central part of aging well. Stretching your mind and learning new things keeps you engaged in the world and adds meaning and purpose to your life. And doing this as part of a class or seminar adds a social component that is a proven antidote for depression. Scientists have also shown that those who participate in mentally challenging activities at least once a week have a lower likelihood of developing Alzheimer's and other brain related diseases.What this all adds up to is a compelling national trend. In the words of one expert, this phenomenon is exploding and is only going to accelerate as the baby boomers begin retiring in staggering numbers. Most retirement communities have already responded by adding educational programming and many have expanded their mission to include providing for the mental needs of residents. So, lets play Bingo and lets learn about the beliefs of the Islamic faith, or how the Supreme Court works, or ponder Cuba after Castro, or The world is your oyster. Enjoy!Zane Robertson is the President of Active Minds, a Denver based provider of educational programs for seniors. He is a frequent speaker on lifelong learning and senior education and serves on the Denver Commission on Aging and the board of the Denver Coalition for Seniors. Active Minds programs are available in many of Denver's finest senior residential communities as well as a variety of public venues. For more information, contact Mr. Robertson at 303-320-7652 or visit www.ActiveMindsForLife.com. Copyright 2007-2008 Active Minds. All rights reserved.

What is a Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation Facility? It is a short-term rehabilitation facility where stable patients go after a hospital stay. The stay is intended to help people get stronger, practice independence and prepare for returning home.What do I need to bring to a Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation Facility?Patients should bring enough comfortable clothing for one week. Please bring shoes that are comfortable and allow for walking if appropriate. Patients should also bring anything that could make their stay here more comfortable: examples: robe, favorite blanket, pajamas, pictures of family, books, puzzles, etc (please do not bring valuables)How often will I see a doctor?This depends on the medical need of the patient and the physician group. Unlike the hospital, you will most likely not see a doctor every day. You will see a Doctor, Physician's Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner within 72 hours of admitting, and as needed after that initial visit. Doctors are not in the building 24/7. Physician groups have a triage line that nursing can call 24/7 if necessary. The doctors typically do not work for the rehabilitation center. They belong to independent physician groups and manage the medical care of the patients.How much therapy will I receive during my stay?This is different for each patient. The therapy department creates an individualized treatment plan for every patient. Therapy is hard work for patients, and proper rest is equally important. If you would like additional therapy, please discuss this with your therapist. Rehabilitation centers typically offer therapy 7 days per week. Who pays for the stay at a skilled nursing facility?Each patient is ultimately responsible for their stay. Typically, insurance pays for all or most of your stay. Every person has different insurance, so it is up to you to provide your insurance information so the center can determine what they will and won't pay.What happens when my insurance stops paying for my stay? At some point your insurance company will stop paying for your stay. Regular updates are sent to your insurance company, and they use that information to determine when they stop paying. When your insurance stops paying for your stay, you will receive as much notice as possible, at a minimum you will receive written notice three days prior to this happening. This will allow for you to finalize other arrangements. Patients either discharge from the rehabilitation facility or they pay privately to continue their short stay.When can I go home?There are four main factors that go into setting an appropriate discharge date. 1. The physician is monitoring your medical condition to make sure you are stable enough to go home. 2. The therapy team is working with you to meet your desired goals and to prepare you for a safe return home. 3. The nursing staff is monitoring and assessing your health and ability to perform daily tasks. 4. Your case manager is working with outside service providers to ensure you have everything you need in place at home for a successful discharge. But ultimately, your stay at a Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation facility is a voluntary stay. As such, you are free to go home when you choose.Editor's Note: This article was submitted by the Executive Director at The Center at Northridge and may be reached at 303-280-4444

By now, everyone has probably already been told they should try yoga and meditation. These two ancient practices are often touted for their incredibly long list of proven health benefits and are constantly gaining new devoted practitioners.However, some groups of people may still be reluctant. Older adults, for instance, may wonder whether yoga and meditation are not just passing fads or if it is for them. The answer is that yoga and meditation are for everyone, but seniors could actually be especially suited for them. To start, as a result of its many benefits-- from increasing blood flow to boosting balance to lowering blood sugar -- it has been shown to increase health span.Read on to learn more from Assured Assisted Living about how yoga can benefit seniors:Yoga Can Help You Live Better for LongerYoga is a full-body workout that can go a long way in helping seniors maintain mobility later in life. It does this by improving balance, which reduces the chance of falls and serious injuries. Flexibility, which helps maintain a fuller range of movement, and strength, which helps fight age-related muscle mass, are also key components of yoga.It also has a host of other health benefits. It relieves stress, which helps fight anxiety and many diseases. It helps you breathe better. As a form of exercise, it could even boost your gut health, which can definitely affect your moods if it gets out of balance. More proof that yoga can boost your health span to meet your lifespan!Meditation Is an Incredible Mind BoosterMeditation is an invaluable tool when it comes to preventing senior cognitive decline. According to the Conversation, a regular meditation practice as little as10 minutes a day can have a significant impact on focus and memory.Meditation is also extremely effective as a tool for positive mental health. AUK study showed that senior patients being treated for depression recovered much faster when also provided with mindfulness meditation. This is just one of many exciting studies pointing to the potential power of meditation to cure senior depression and anxiety.Yoga Is the Ideal Senior WorkoutAs well as being an extremely healthy and well-rounded form of exercise, yoga is perfect for seniors in many other ways. For one, it is easy to do at home with very little equipment, making it an extremely cost-effective workout for seniors on a tight budget. It is also extremely adaptable. There are hundreds of poses and movements, each with variations you can use to make them easier for you. Contrary to popular belief, there is not a correct way to do yoga you just focus, breathe, and work with what your body can do.There are also many gentle forms of yoga that are closer to meditation than to a workout, which can be incredibly beneficial for seniors. Restorative yoga, which focuses on slow movement and holding easy poses for longer periods of time, is a great example.It's Easy (and Safe) to Get StartedIf you want the structure of a yoga classroom, you can easily find yoga classes designed for seniors. If you prefer to do at-home yoga, there are plenty of free lessons online that are senior-friendly try this yoga for all ages by popular YouTube channel Yoga with Adriene. You should also keep in mind that you don't have to try to become a master yogi overnight. As Zen Business explains, incorporating a healthy change into your life requires a continuous commitment, meaning you can start with a 10-minute daily yoga practice, if that's what you're comfortable with, and work your way up from there. When a change is gradual, it's more likely to be sustainable.As for meditation, there are loads of free apps available to guide you through it, and even more videos on YouTube and other sites. Just search guided meditation and try a few out, or refine your search to something specific, like a morning meditation or a meditation to help you sleep.Both yoga and meditation will be easier to practice if you are relaxed. Try to create a soothing environment for your practices or invest in a calming supplement like CBD oil to help you get in the right headspace. Do consult with your doctor before taking CBD, but if they approve, look up online guides to find the best CBD oil for you.There is a reason why the world won't shut up about yoga and meditation. Like any hobby or exercise, they may not be for everyone, but there are so many varieties of yoga and meditation that chances are you can find one that works for you. Once you do, you may be amazed at how much they can make your golden years happier, healthier, and more enjoyable.

There are a number of conditions that become more likely and common as we get older, and one of these is vision loss. Vision issues tend to become more common and significant with age, but there are also ways to prepare for and even prevent certain forms of vision loss with the right approachAt Avamere at Mountain Ridge, were proud to offer care for a variety of medical conditions as part of our assisted living community, and weve assisted many of our guests who have vision issues in the past. If youre a senior or caregiver looking to manage or even prevent certain vision loss issues, heres a brief primer on the signs to watch out for, the risks of vision changes, and some basic ways to protect the eyes.Signs and Symptoms of Senior Vision LossHere are some of the common signs or symptoms of vision loss that may be present in some seniors:Cloudy or tunnel visionStraining to read small printed wordsExcessive tearing in the eyesSudden changes in eyeglass prescriptionsProblems with night visionBlurred visionAny sudden change in vision, whether temporary or permanent, warrants a visit to the eye doctor. This is for several reasons, including the fact that vision loss among older adults may speak to certain related conditions that are taking place. More on this below.Connection to Other IssuesIn some cases, vision changes or losses can be warning signs that strokes or other neurological issues are possible. Here are a few examples:If vision is lost in one or both eyes extremely abruptly, this could be a negative signIf double or blurry vision comes on suddenlyRapid or uncontrolled eye movementSudden sharp pain in or behind one or both eyesIf any of these events takes place for you or a senior loved one, call 911 right away.Eye Protection MethodsWhile certain elements of vision loss are simply natural and cant be entirely prevented, there are also some steps you can take to protect your eyes as you get older and in many cases, these will limit or ward off the risks of vision loss for at least a few years, if not longer. Some basic tips:Wear sunglasses regularly: This is for a number of reasons, but one of the most significant is that it keeps harmful UV light from the sun from damaging the eye tissue directly. In fact, some recent studies have suggested that sunglasses can be as protective as sunscreen for the eyes.Eat properly: Diet plays a major role in overall eye health, so make sure to include plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and other nutrients that support the eyes.Routine eye examinations: Especially if the senior in question has any personal or family history of vision loss, its important to get regular checkups from an eye doctor. This will help to detect any potential problems early on.For more on identifying and managing vision loss issues in seniors, or to learn about any of our assisted living or memory care community programs, speak to the caring staff with Avamere at Mountain Ridge today.