At the root of Integrative Wellness (IW) are personal and cultural beliefs on whole body wellness (this includes the brain) and the use of mainstream medicine in combination with alternatives. These beliefs can dictate how we use healthcare, long term care, home remedies and complementary and alternative methods (CAM) such as acupuncture, acupressure, aromatherapy, massage, meditation, prayer, yoga, and many more techniques. These techniques can positively influence our well being.Integrative Wellness influences the mind, body and spirit. It can dictate how you navigate or prioritize your finances, treat the environment or further your intellect. Really IW is about how you balance and navigate the internal environments of your body and external components in your life through mainstream healthcare and CAM.Since it starts with you, think about what you eat, how you eat, how you sleep, what your daily movement activities look like. How do these things impact you and the world around you? What techniques are you using to support you in improving these areas of your life?Once these basic needs take place then we can move into how the external environment impacts our over all being, like noise, light, relationships? Healthy or unhealthy? And if unhealthy IW directs us to find tools to support us with meaning and balance in everything we do. Moving us towards healthier ways of living.So how do you do this?You start with yourself, listen to the chatter in your head, and body. Is what you are doing / experiencing serving you in becoming your best self?Identify ways to help feel calm. Maybe meditate, take a walk on a nice day, make sure to hydrate and care for yourself first.When we become more mindful about our own bodies and wellbeing, we can make wiser decisions in our daily life practices and needs.Why is this important as we age? Well we make some major decisions as we age, and if we are in a more relaxed balanced state of mind and body we can make wiser ones.There is actual science for this rationale. Starting with your autonomic nervous system which when in crisis or perceived crisis guides a systematic state including fight, flight or freeze which shuts down critical thinking. We often find ourselves in this unnecessary state due to the way we respond to stress.And lets face it life is stressful. It all depends on how we respond to stress. By practicing healthy ways to be in a parasympathetic state, a relaxed state of mind and body, we can clear our minds and open our hearts.Integrative Wellness can lead you into the place you need to be in any decision making process.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Hope Carwile LCSW, 200YTT, CCTP, with Vivage Senior Living and Wellage Senior Communities and can be reached at 303-815-9097 or hcarwile@vivage.com

By the time the actual day comes for your loved one to move, there is a mixed bag of emotions for everyone involved. The process is challenging, but if you stay positive and ask for help, you can overcome the temporary stress. There is plenty of work to go around so conduct a family meeting to prepare, plan and delegate:1) Paperwork and FinancesThere is a seemingly endless flow of paperwork during the transition process. Whoever gets to deal with the paperwork and finances might need Power of Attorney, so getting a lawyer involved early in the process is important. Forms range from detailed health records that require a doctor to sign off on while others might just require a signature.Sometimes the paperwork consists of a large binder that needs to be completed prior to move-in. While the binder approach is common, some facilities handle paperwork digitally which can be easier if the person who is handling the paperwork is computer savvy.There are two digital approaches, one allows people to sign off within their browser using a hyperlink that the facility emails to you which is really convenient. The other approach is when facilities simply scan paperwork and email the PDF to you which is a little less convenient. Normally, people will print and scan the signed documents and email or fax them back. But, there is an easier way to sign documents that How to Geek has outlined here that doesnt require printing and scanning.2.) The RoomPreparing the room can be a really fun, albeit bittersweet, process. The goal is to create a familiar setting, like home. Pick out your loved ones favorites. Put up pictures, hang art on the walls and put up window treatments. While space for furniture might be limited, you still have pillows, blankets, photos and books that can help turn a room into a new home.3.) Clothes and ToiletriesIdentifying your loved ones favorites really helps out almost every part of the process. Almost everyone has clothes that we love to wear or toiletries that we have to have. Moving with the right clothes and toiletries can be underappreciated. Pay attention to the details and the transition will be much easier on your loved one.4.) The MoveWhile the move often looms large over peoples heads, it really shouldnt. The move can wait until after your loved one is comfortable in their new setting. Then, when the time comes for the move, these jobs can easily be handled by experts. Organizers, packers, real estate sale agents, movers, cleaners and storage facilities are all prepared to help during this stage of life. Almost everyone in the senior care industry has connections, but you have to ask.5.) Your Loved OneThe most important part in every step of this process is to listen to your loved one. This is a big change. Hear their concerns and address them when possible. Reassure them they arent going to be left alone. You can help them get familiar with care givers and introduce them to other residents prior to moving if necessary. Plan visits and communication so that they know when to expect you. If you stay positive and flexible throughout this process, your loved one probably will too.If you would feel more comfortable talking to a Senior Transition expert to get answers to your questions, for looking for Assisted Living in Denver Colorado, call our team at Stacys Helping Hand, Inc at 720-248-7758. Families we help tell us how the process has felt less daunting once they reached out for help and that they wished they had known about our service sooner.

Retirement ushers in a new chapter of life, one filled with endless possibilities, exploration, and the opportunity to savor every moment. But how do you know if youre ready for an independent living community or if you require an assisted living community? Luckily, weve put together this handy guide to answer just that.Read on as we take a closer look at independent living and assisted living, how the two differ from each other, and how to decide which one is the right fit for you.Celebrating AutonomyIndependent living community residents enjoy the privilege of maintaining their independence in private apartments, cottages, or homes. The emphasis here is on personal freedom, with a range of modern amenities that cater to an active and engaged lifestyle. Think of it as an apartment complex specifically catering to those who might like some daily tasks, such as cleaning and preparing food, done for them.Assisted living environments are where residents receive support with daily tasks as needed, ensuring their well-being and comfort. This includes things such as medication-taking assistance, personalized care plans, nutritious meals, and a range of social activities.Services and SupportWhile independent living communities provide services like housekeeping, transportation, and maintenance, the focus remains on fostering a lively social scene and encouraging residents to live life at their own pace.Assisted living communities often offer the same services and support that independent living communities do, merely with added assistance for additional activities. If you need help with dressing, bathing, and medication management, then assisted living is best.Health and Well-BeingWhen living in an independent living community such as Riverpointe, there is a strong emphasis placed on wellness, and resources are offered that promote a healthy lifestyle. However, medical care is not directly provided within the community. Assisted living is the opposite, with access to medical personnel on hand who oversee residents health and medication requirements.Transitioning with EaseThe idea behind independent living communities is to act as a steppingstone to assisted living communities. Think of independent living communities like a comfy retirement spot: once you want to really relax and kick back in your retirement, you would look for a place in such a community. This makes the transition, if it needs to take place, to an assisted living community a little easier, as youre already used to someone else helping with certain tasks, such as cleaning and preparing meals.The Ultimate in IndependenceIndependent living communities are called such for a reason: they are a haven for individuals seeking an independent lifestyle where they can flourish while enjoying the convenience of a close-knit community. The essence of independent living communities lies in empowering residents to savor life to the fullest, all within a nurturing environment.How to ChooseThe easiest way to tell which one is the best fit for you and your lifestyle is to contact one for more information. This could mean a conversation over the phone, or even a visit to the community to see what they have to offer in person. Once you get a feel for both the facilities and the people that live there to see if you might enjoy having them as your new neighbors, you can decide more easily.Do you live in Littleton, CO, and want to learn more about independent living? At Riverpointe, were happy to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to get started 303-797-0600.

Dehydration is a common cause of hospitalizations for people over the age of 65. As we age the sense of thirst diminishes, so by the time the body needs hydration a senior may not realize they are dehydrated. Although the standard recommended amount of water per day is 64 ounces (Cleveland Clinic, 2018), this is a base minimum, everyone should aim to drink half of their body weight in the number of ounces consumed per day. With seniors there are outlying reasons why they may become dehydrated such as certain medications, including diuretics, antihistamines, laxatives, anti-psychotics, and corticosteroids that cause frequent urination and depletion of fluid balance and electrolytes. Certain medical conditions can also affect fluid intake such as dementia patients forgetting to eat or drink water or difficulty swallowing. Seniors with incontinence may also refuse or limit drinks to avoid accidents. Signs of Severe Dehydration include: Little or no urination Dark or amber colored urine Dry skin Irritability, dizziness, and confusion Low blood pressure Rapid breathing and heart rate Weak pulse Cold hands and feet (Leeflang, nd) Muscle cramps fatigueRecommendations to help Senior's hydrateAlthough water is best, drinking plain water all day can be boring for most of us and sometimes ways to prevent dehydration in seniors can sometimes be challenging, so try to include a variation in hydration throughout the day and even purchase a special cup, water bottle, or glass that a aenior can keep next to them throughout the day. Water can be flavored with fruits or cucumber slices, and even premade sugar free flavored drink mixes. There are also foods that can be hydrating, but it is important to check with a seniors Doctor if you have any questions especially if they have pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure (Daily Caring Team, nd).Foods with High Water Content Ingredient Percent Water Serving SizeCucumber 96% 1 cup peeled and slicedTomato 94% 1 mediumWatermelon 92% 1 cup diced, or 10 ballsBell pepper 92% 3/4 cup slicedGrapes 92% 1 cupCantaloupe 90% 1 small wedgeOrange 97% 1 mediumBlueberries 85% 1 cupApple 84% 1 mediumAlthough it may be difficult to serve raw fruits and vegetables to a senior, mixing these foods into recipes, soups, sandwiches, yogurt, or cereal may be a viable option. Just be sure to stay in communication with the Senior as to their fluid intake, activity levels and fluid out puts, as well as, contacting their doctor if needed. About Heather PetrieHeather is the Clinical Coordinator and Clinical Liaison for Vibrant Living Services; she is also a Holistic Nutritionist and is currently working on a Bachelors (BSN) in nursing.