Colorado - Denver South

Caring Communication: Keeping Families Connected During MovesMoving is often considered one of life's most stressful events, and this stress can be magnified for families, especially when seniors are involved. At A Call to Order Professional Organizers, we understand that a move isn't just about transporting belongings from one place to another; it's about ensuring that the emotional bonds within a family remain strong and intact. Our goal is to facilitate a smooth transition while prioritizing compassionate communication to keep families connected and supported throughout the process.The Importance of Communication During a MoveEffective communication is the foundation of any successful move. It helps manage expectations, reduces anxiety, and ensures that everyone involved feels heard and respected. Here are some key aspects of communication that can make a significant difference:1. Open and Honest ConversationsFrom the moment the decision to move is made, it's essential to have open and honest conversations with all family members. For seniors, the thought of leaving a home filled with memories can be overwhelming. Taking the time to listen to their concerns and feelings can provide much-needed reassurance and comfort.Tips for Open Communication:Schedule Family Meetings: Regular family meetings can create a safe space for everyone to express their thoughts and feelings. These meetings should be inclusive, ensuring that each family member, especially seniors, has a chance to voice their concerns and preferences.Active Listening: Practice active listening by acknowledging feelings and validating concerns. This can help build trust and understanding within the family.Transparency: Be transparent about the reasons for the move, the timeline, and what to expect. Clear information can help reduce uncertainty and stress.2. Including Seniors in Decision-MakingEmpowering seniors to be part of the decision-making process can significantly reduce their anxiety and resistance to change. When seniors feel included and valued, they are more likely to embrace the transition positively.Strategies for Inclusion:Respect Preferences: Take into account seniors' preferences regarding what items to keep, donate, or discard. Their input is invaluable in making the new space feel like home.Tour the New Home Together: If possible, visit the new home together before the move. Familiarizing seniors with the new environment can help ease their transition.Plan Together: Involve seniors in planning the layout and organization of their new space. This not only ensures that their needs are met but also gives them a sense of ownership and control.Supporting Emotional Well-Being During the MoveMoving is not just a physical process; it's an emotional journey. Supporting the emotional well-being of all family members, especially seniors, is crucial for a successful transition.1. Creating a Supportive EnvironmentCreating a supportive environment where emotions can be expressed freely helps in coping with the stress of moving. Providing emotional support can make the transition smoother and more positive.Ways to Provide Emotional Support:Acknowledge Emotions: Recognize that feelings of sadness, anxiety, and nostalgia are natural during a move. Encourage open discussions about these emotions.Seek Professional Help: If the emotional burden becomes too heavy, consider seeking the help of a therapist or counselor. Professional guidance can provide coping strategies and emotional relief.Celebrate Memories: Find ways to celebrate the memories associated with the old home. Creating a memory book or organizing a farewell gathering can help in honoring the past while looking forward to the future.2. Staying ConnectedMaintaining family connections during the move is essential for emotional support and continuity. Staying connected helps in reassuring seniors that they are not alone and that their family is with them every step of the way.Ways to Stay Connected:Regular Check-ins: Regular phone calls, video chats, or in-person visits can provide much-needed emotional support. Ensure that seniors know they are always just a call away.Involve the Whole Family: Encourage family members, including grandchildren, to participate in the moving process. This can create a sense of unity and shared purpose.Share Updates: Keep everyone informed about the progress of the move. Sharing updates can help in managing expectations and reducing anxiety.At A Call to Order Professional Organizers, we believe that the heart of a successful move lies in compassionate communication and emotional support. By fostering open conversations, including seniors in decision-making, and providing a supportive environment, we help families navigate the complexities of moving with grace and unity. Our commitment is to ensure that every move is not just a change of address but a journey towards a new, loving, and organized home. With care and compassion, we strive to keep families connected and supported throughout the moving process.

Many times after a serious injury or illness, the need for additional 24-hour medical assistance is needed to help a person heal, properly rehabilitate and ensure that he or she is in stable condition before returning home.What most people don't know is that there are different options when choosing a continued care provider after your primary acute hospital stay. Each organization can vary by the length of stay, therapy intensity and type of medical personnel.Your medical provider can help you choose, but it is also important for you to be informed of your options in order to determine what care is best for you.Long-Term Acute Care Hospital (LTAC)If a person is in need of intensive medical care for a longer period of time (an average of 25 days or more), they should consider a long-term acute care hospital. This facility is best for patients who have just been released from an intensive care unit, who need to be monitored closely and more frequently by nurses and doctors.Long-term acute care hospitals focus on stabilizing a patients medical condition rather than providing comprehensive rehabilitation.In-Patient Rehabilitation HospitalIn-patient rehabilitation hospitals focus on short intensive medical rehabilitation, with the goal of getting the patient home as soon as possible. Patients who choose an in-patient rehabilitation hospital have daily doctor visits, receive specialized rehab nursing care and undergo more significant rehabilitation.These facilities specialize in intensive rehabilitation teams to include physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, psychologists and more. Each patient receives at least three hours of rehab therapy per day, five days per week.The average length of stay at an in-patient rehabilitation hospital is 12-16 days.Skilled Nursing FacilityA skilled nursing facility offers long-term care for patients who are medically stable, but still need professional medical care and supervision. Although nurses are available 24 hours a day, doctors are only required to visit patients once each month.The skilled nursing facility requires that the patient stays at their primary acute hospital for three days to qualify for admission.Whatever your medical needs are, there is a 24-hour medical facility that is right for you. Always consult your family and medical provider to help you make the best possible choice for you.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital. Please direct all questions to 303-363-5146.

Whether 18 or 98, lets meet for coffee is a common way individuals invite each other to gather. It has become a key part of American culture, since the time frame can be loose (no waiters or mealtimes to observe), the environment casual and the cost low. Plus the actual drinking of coffee is optional. Most meeting places serve tea, hot chocolate and other non-coffee alternatives.Unfortunately, for older adults challenged with transportation or severe mobility issues, meeting for coffee isnt always so easy. If its too hard to drive, arrange a ride or access public options, some people especially older adults may choose isolation over connecting with others.With so many studies showing the potential negative health effects of social isolation, it is important for individuals, especially those over 50, to find ways to get out, if possible. One such study published in the Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences found that older adults who interact with people beyond their usual social circle of family and close friends were more likely to have higher levels of physical activity, greater positive moods and fewer negative feelings. The researchers suggest that leaving the house or apartment to engage with people leads to being more active.Kavod Senior Life has created a wonderful solution to this issue is by creating a Bistro in its main building. The Bistro is open Monday through Friday, 9:30 11:30am. Residents can simply take the elevator down from their apartment and gather with a neighbor, family member or friend without leaving the campus.The Bistro menu includes a variety of beverages (hot and cold), as well as pastries, fresh fruit and other snacks. Lunch items are forthcoming, and everything on the menu is affordable ($1.00 $2.50). Non-residents are also welcome to stop by and enjoy the space on their own.With this wonderful amenity on campus, residents have a safe, friendly and accessible place to meet for coffee, stay socially active and enjoy their best life living at Kavod.For more information on the Bistro, visit https://www.kavodseniorlife.org/amenities/  (hyperlink).For more information about living at Kavod for either a Senior Living or Assisted Living apartment, contact Melanie Kaye, Leasing Coordinator at 720-382-7833 or MKaye@KavodSeniorLife.org (hyperlink)Reference: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/broader-social-interaction-keeps-older-adults-more-active

Almost anyone, at any age, can do some type of physical activity. You can still exercise even if you have a health condition like heart disease, arthritis, chronic pain, high blood pressure, or diabetes. In fact, physical activity may help. For most older adults, physical activities like brisk walking, riding a bike, swimming, weightlifting, and gardening are safe, especially if you build up slowly. You may want to talk with your doctor about how your health condition might affect your ability to be active.Staying physically active: Alzheimers disease and related dementiasResearchers are assessing the benefit of exercise to delay mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults and to improve brain function in older adults who may be at risk for developing Alzheimers disease. Older adults with MCI may be able to safely do more vigorous forms of exercise, similar to older adults without MCI, provided there are no other underlying health concerns.Being active and getting exercise may help people with Alzheimers or another dementia feel better and can help them maintain a healthy weight and have regular toilet and sleep habits. If you are a caregiver, you can exercise together to make it more fun.To learn about exercising with other conditions, such as arthritis, COPD, diabetes, heart health, osteoporosis and chronic pain, from the National Institute on Aging, CLICK HERE.