Florida - Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte Counties

Retirement may be a very emotional experience for most. However, it may seem particularly intense for a loved one with dementia. Here are 3 Fundamentals on what makes effective dementia care. Comfortable Apparel and Specialized ClothingIf your parent who moves into dementia care has a vast wardrobe, it might be hard to pick out clothes for packing. Begin by selecting clothes that they often wear at home and at night. They are likely to wear clothes they often wear and feel comfortable in. Also, if your parent struggles to dress up independently, try buying clothing for older adults with dementia to make dressing easier.Dcor That Creates Nostalgic Living SpacesMost contemporary dementia care communities use personalized designs to decorate living spaces. Such design factors how interior surroundings may positively help older adults with Alzheimers or other types of dementia. Also, close kin may help ground their aged parent by packing objects that personalize the memory care spaces. Ask your aged parent if certain belongings may familiarize spaces to orient your packing choices. For instance, furnish and decorate the living space before older adults move in to make it feel like home. Our retirement communities from Discovery Commons South Biscayne usually apply various therapies to assist older adults suffering from symptoms of dementia. These include aromatherapy, music therapy, painting therapy, or recall medicine. The close kin may assist their parent by packing objects that supplement memory care therapy. Planning a memory care packing list starts with picking things that help your parent feel at home. Creating a sense of home may mean packing belongings that invoke nostalgic sensations, like an old pillow. Alternatively, this may mean packing some belongings and evoking emotional comforts, like old photo albums. Bear old memories in mind as you load the belongings. You might locate many boxes of photos when packing. Get online services to digitize the images. Alternatively, if you opt to shift hard copies of pictures to a close kins home instead of digitizing, try to put old photos into a scrapbook for your parent to use for memory therapy.Pursuit of Personal HobbiesShifting into assisted living apartments does not imply that your parent with dementia must cease all activities they pursued from home. For instance, research recommends persisting with hobbies like arts and crafts to slow down the onset of memory issues, according to a study published in neurology. While memory care communities provide interactive opportunities for residents, families may pack belongings for their parents to keep occupied with over other times in the day. These may help parents develop better sleep habits by replacing naps with fun games. Things to Include in Personal Care Apartment PreparationsTo decide what to bring to dementia care, the challenges you are facing as the close kin of a parent with dementia demand a distinct kind of challenge. Memory care communities in Discovery Commons South Biscayne provide special events and therapies you do not find with independent living or assisted living.Hence, deciding what to bring to memory care by anticipating your parents personal needs when making your memory care packing list is necessary. You would have to talk with the communitys care manager about personal belongings that may complement memory-related games and therapy such might require music records or old photos. Beyond this, daily belongings like comfortable apparel and old images may help your parent to create a new, warm, homelike space. Every day belongings like old clothing and photos may allow your parent to make a generous, homelike space.

For more information on Harborchase of Sarasota, click here.Its common knowledge that living a healthy lifestyle can prevent health issues from developing further down the road. Everyone knows that eating well, sleeping well, and getting enough exercise are key elements in promoting longevity and preventing chronic illness.In addition to a poor diet and lack of exercise, there's also another factor that plays a role in chronic disease stress. Its long been known that stress can exacerbate a condition, but in some cases, it can increase your risk of developing one as well.HarborChase Senior Living, with retirement communities across the United States, celebrates senior living and encourages a healthy and informed lifestyle. Were sharing some information on the relationship between chronic stress and disease and tips and strategies for stress management.How Does Stress Cause Chronic Diseases?A chronic illness cannot necessarily be cured but can typically be prevented or managed. Common chronic diseases include diabetes, heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and lung disease. Most of these can potentially be prevented with a nutritious diet, proper exercise, tobacco avoidance, and stress management.You may think of stress as merely a psychological response that affects your mental state and not your physical state. However, studies have shown that chronic stress can negatively impact nearly every system in your body eventually making you more susceptible to chronic conditions.When our minds get stressed, our bodies react by releasing the stress hormone cortisol. The exposure to cortisol is usually nothing to worry about, but when your body is exposed to a constant flow (when you're experiencing chronic stress), it can have detrimental effects. Over time, chronic stress can cause the following:InsomniaDepressionHigh Blood PressureWeakened Immune SystemIncreased Risk of Heart AttackWeight GainArthritisEventually, chronic stress can lead to countless health issues, which can cause more stress creating a dangerous cycle. The good news, though, is that like most other chronic disease preventatives, stress management is a simple and valuable technique that can reduce your risk for most chronic illnesses.Preventing Chronic Illness Through Stress ManagementUnfortunately, stress is a part of life and is not always avoidable or controllable. Fortunately, though, you can learn what events trigger stress and control how you react to them. By learning to manage your stress, you can take care of yourself both emotionally and physically in the face of stressful situations. Here are some stress management techniques:IDENTIFY WHAT IS CAUSING YOUR STRESS.Try to pinpoint the root of your stress and write it down. If possible, try to eliminate that factor from your life. If that's not possible, try to develop strategies on how to handle that situation the next time it occurs.PRACTICE MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION.If you find yourself overwhelmed with stress, take a few moments to yourself and practice some deep breathing techniques. Eliminate all distractions so that you are no longer thinking about what is causing your stress.GET OUTSIDE AND GET ACTIVE.Find an activity that you enjoy and aim to get active for at least 30 minutes a day. Whether swimming, cycling, or taking a stroll around a garden ,staying active will lift your mood and reduce stress levels.SOCIALIZE OFTEN (WITH ANIMALS TOO!)By maintaining a close circle of friends and family, you can ensure that you always have someone to talk to when you find yourself in a stressful situation. Pets are also a great way to reduce stress. Whether you have a pet of your own or participate in apet therapy program, stroking and cuddling with a dog or cat has been shown to bring about stress relief.Promoting a Healthy and Stress-Free LifeThe idea of a chronic illness can be intimidating and, in itself, stressful, but its important to remember that by taking care of yourself, you can greatly reduce your risk of these conditions. Eating well, staying active, and managing chronic stress are key components in preventing chronic diseases from developing. By following some of our stress management strategies, you can live a healthy and stress-free life!

A massive shift is happening in the senior care industry. Home care, once the go-to solution for many families, is seeing its prominence wane in favor of adult day services. There are many reasons, and they highlight the changing needs and preferences of our aging population. Here are the top four reasons why home care is dead and why adult day is the future of senior care:1. Lack of Socialization in Home CareOne of the most significant drawbacks of home care is the limited social interaction it offers. An aging individual might spend hours, if not days, without meaningful human interaction, save for the occasional visit from the caregiver. This isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness and even precipitate mental health issues like depression.On the contrary, adult day services prioritize group activities, interaction, and camaraderie. Seniors have the opportunity to participate in group exercises, games, and discussions, forging new friendships and relishing the joys of community living.2. The Rising Costs of Home CareHome care, especially when availed round the clock, can be a hefty financial burden for families. Personalized, one-on-one services at home demand a premium, and not every family can shoulder these costs over extended periods.Adult day services, with their group-centric model, often turn out to be more economical. These centers can distribute costs across several participants, making the service more affordable without compromising the quality of care.3. Chronic Staffing Shortages in Home CareThe home care industry has been grappling with staffing shortages for some time now. Given the rising demand for elder care services and the challenging nature of home-based caregiving, recruiting and retaining talent has been an uphill task. Families sometimes find themselves in a bind, unable to secure a reliable caregiver when they most need it.In contrast, adult day services often have a more stable staffing situation. The group setting, regular hours, and team-oriented approach make these centers more appealing for many professionals in the elder care sector.4. The Multifaceted Services of Adult Day CentersHome care, in its traditional sense, usually covers basic needs like meal preparation, bathing, and medication reminders. But what about the other aspects of well-being?Adult day centers often offer a slew of additional services that can greatly enhance the quality of life for seniors. This includes hair and nail services, so participants can feel pampered and well-groomed. More crucially, many centers provide physical and occupational therapy, ensuring that seniors maintain their mobility and dexterity. These services, bundled together, present a holistic approach to care that home-based solutions often miss.While home care has its merits and can be the right choice for some, the shifting needs of our aging population are paving the way for the rise of adult day services. With their emphasis on community, affordability, reliable staffing, and a broad range of services, its no wonder that more families are choosing adult day centers for their loved ones.Adult day is the future of senior care. ActivAge is coming to a city near you!Join the movement and together we can change the world! Interested in owning an ActivAge?Click Here to learn more about ActivAge Franchise Opportunities.

Whether you adhere to it or not, its likely that you've heard the term keep kosher before. While a kosher diet is typically followed by those of Jewish faith,maintaining a kosher dietis done for other reasons, too by people of different backgrounds.But what does kosher mean? How do you adhere to a kosher diet? What are its benefits? How easy is it to keep kosher at a senior living community? Read on as we answer these questions and discuss how keeping kosher is easy and delicious at Aviva Senior Living.What Does Kosher Mean?By definition, kosher means fit for consumption. Rather than kosher indicating a style of food, kosher foods simply adhere to a set of rules (known as kashrut). These rules come from traditional Jewish law, which specify how foods should be prepared and consumed. Keeping kosher can be done differently depending on the person. Some choose to follow kosher guidelines strictly, while others may only follow certain rules.Three Main Kosher Food Categories:Meat. This includes broth and bones. Meat is considered kosher when its from a mammal with split hooves that chews their cud, such as goats, sheep, and cows. Pork is not kosher.Dairy. Dairy products that are sourced from a kosher mammal are approved for consumption, such as cheese, milk, yogurt, and butter.Pareve foods. This category includes foods that are'nt meat or dairy, such as fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains, bread, pasta, coffee, tea, and more. If these foods have been prepared with the same tools used on meat or dairy products, they would be considered non-kosher or reclassified as dairy or meat. Shellfish is not kosher, and fish must have fins and scales to be considered kosher.Keeping Kosher Food Requirements:Meats cannot be consumed or served at the same time as a dairy product.Cross-contamination between meat and dairy products isn't allowed. The utensils and equipment used to clean and prepare meat and dairy must be kept separate at all times.You must wait a certain amount of time between consuming meat before you consume dairy (and vice versa) typically until the next meal.In some cases, pareve foods such as eggs and plant-based foods may be consumed at the same time as dairy or meat.Pareve foods also have their own set of rules regarding their preparation and processing. For example, bread is only kosher if its certified. This guarantees that during the preparation process, no animal products were used, such as animal oils or fats which could be used to grease baking equipment. Additional dietary rules may be enforced during Jewish religious holidays, such as Passover.The Benefits of Adhering to a Kosher DietMany who follow a kosher diet do so out of obedience to religious laws. There are a few benefits and reasons why people keep kosher. For example, in order for a meat or pareve food to be certified kosher, it must maintain strict preparation practices to avoid cross-contamination with meat or dairy proving beneficial for those who don't consume dairy due to allergies, food-sensitivities, or a vegan diet.Jewish law is against animal suffering, which can ensure more ethical slaughter practices. In addition, because kosher food production must adhere to strict regulations and standards, restaurants, facilities, and manufacturers will typically have higher levels of production supervision, which can make for a more regulated food preparation process.How Keeping Kosher Is Made Easy at Aviva Senior LivingThose who do follow the kosher diet may be wondering how they can keep kosher at their new senior living community, especially since the menu and food preparation processes vary between communities.At Aviva, we believe that food is more than fuel. Its an experience that brings people together. When our founders opened our community doors in 1993, they instilled the values and traditions of the Jewish faith throughout the campus values which help us provide a community that's nurturing, compassionate, comfortable, respectful, and honoring to our residents. Were proud to say were committed to kosher style dining throughout our campus at Aviva. Our team of culinary experts and head chef work to create a gourmet kosher menu with locally-sourced, high-quality ingredients.In addition, we offer a range of dining options. From fine to casual dining and room service, we have an experience for every occasion. We also offer a wide range of culinary options, including vegetarian, gluten free, and low-calorie menu items for our residents to ensure they are receiving proper nutrition.