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As we age, we experience many physical, mental and emotional changes. It is common for a senior adult to experience some limited forgetfulness or notice an ache that has recently developed, but in some cases these symptoms may indicate the onset of dementia. There is a growing body of evidence that cognitive issues like dementia exhibit an extended preclinical stage that could begin years or even decades before an official diagnosis. One of the preclinical symptoms of dementia is the onset of issues with motor skills. Regarding balance and coordination, it can be difficult to differentiate between normal age-related changes and the decline of motor skill that may place older adults at an elevated risk for dementia.Once a dementia diagnosis is confirmed, family members will probably become gradually more aware of the changes in the patients cognitive and organizational capabilities. They may also notice their family member is struggling with everyday tasks like dressing themselves or walking without assistance. Loss of stamina and coordination may also point to more extensive brain damage.Exercise Can Help with Dementia and Motor SkillsResearch has shown that regular physical exercise is integral to the health and wellbeing of patients who are living with preclinical or clinical symptoms of dementia. As with any new exercise regimen, any physical exercise must be deemed safe and enjoyable for the patient and inspire feelings of accomplishment. While individuals of any age should ask their doctor for approval before beginning a new exercise routine, it is especially critical for a senior looking to improve motor skills through movement.A physical therapist is an excellent starting point when developing a new exercise routine for those with motor skill impairment. These professionals can help to create an exercise regimen that will boost stamina, flexibility and balance and recommend exercises that will prevent issues associated with falling. If the patient does not have access to a physical therapist, the American Physical Therapy website can provide information regarding any local professionals and resources. Your family members doctor, nurse, or social worker may also be able to provide recommendations as to the right contact.Exercise that is most appropriate for senior citizens may include walking, swimming, dancing, gardening or even light housework. All of these suggestions are affordable and require little to no equipment, but they will go a long way to cultivating feelings of accomplishment and self-worth. These types of activities provide social and cognitive stimulation. Any activity that involves music can intensify and elevate the positive results. (Read more about how music can benefit a wide variety of individuals facing cognitive difficulties.)Any activity that works to improve fine motor skills will benefit the patient. The ability to navigate food packaging, successfully open and close buttons or zippers, or use a spoon and fork gives dementia or early-stage Alzheimers patients the opportunity to maintain their independence for as long as possible. An occupational therapist (OT) can recommend exercises and adaptive gear that will further assist with their home life.Other Ideas to Improve Motor SkillsSome senior adults dont like the thought of exercising, regardless of the potential benefits. However, if you are interested in working with your family member to retain cognitive capability and motor skills as long as possible, here are some additional recommendations to encourage that goal.arts and crafts projectsscrapbooking or working with photoscooking or baking (if safe)painting or drawingcontainer gardeningFind a Residence That Enhances Quality of LifeMy Care Finders is a team of senior care professionals working in the Florida community. We help families to locate the best assisted living, memory care or senior residence solution for their loved ones, by matching desires and budgets with the most highly rated facilities. Call us today to learn more about how our FREE services can benefit your family.

The new year is about new beginnings, and for many of us that means New Years resolutions. If youre contemplating what yours should be this year, consider the following suggestions to stay healthy and active as you age.Learn Something NewStudies show that learning something new when you get older keeps your mind sharp and can even ward off dementia. Maybe you pick up a new hobby such as knitting or you enroll in a class at your local community college. Its never too late to learn something new. Not only will it help keep your mind sharp, but also, depending on the activity, it is an opportunity to meet new people.Staying social as you age is key to warding off loneliness and isolation. Joining a new club or program stimulates your mind and introduces you to new people at the same time. Check with your local senior center or parks and recreation department to see what options are out there. Libraries and churches also offer opportunities for learning and/or gathering.Get ActiveExercise is important at any age, and it offers many benefits as you get older. Make a commitment to add exercise into your daily routine, even if its just light exercise. The CDC recommends those 65 and older get at least 150 minutes of exercise per week, or about 30 minutes five days a week. The benefits of exercise for senior adults are endless, including:Improving bone density and preventing bone lossHelping decrease arthritis painAiding in the management of chronic health conditionsBoosting your moodImproving cognitive functionDont know where to start? Here are a few moderate exercise suggestions to help you stay active as you age.Drink More WaterAs you age, the importance of staying hydrated is even greater. In fact, studies show that seniors are more vulnerable to dehydration, which is a leading cause of hospitalizations in older adults. The average person needs six to eight cups of water each day, but as you age, you may need even more. While that may sound like a lot, you dont have to get all your daily intake from water alone. Incorporate foods with high water content, such as cucumbers and watermelon. Also, mix it up. Add fruit to your water or try a low sugar sports drink. Just be aware that not all liquid beverages count toward your water intake and beverages like alcohol, coffee and tea could even negate it. These are diuretics and could dehydrate you, especially if you consume too much of them.Get a Good Nights SleepIf you wake up each morning feeling tired and irritable, youre likely not getting enough sleep. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) recommends seniors over the age of 65 get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. However, for many older adults thats not as easy as it sounds. If that is the case for you, make a resolution to develop a healthy sleeping routine, and follow it every nighteven on weekends and when traveling.The NIA offers the following strategies to develop a healthy sleeping routine:Go to bed and get up at the same time each dayDont nap late in the afternoonExercise regularly, but not within three hours of bedtimeAvoid caffeine late in the dayUse your bedroom for sleeping only and keep it at a comfortable temperatureLimit screen time in the hours before bedEat More AntioxidantsTheres no cure for aging, but if you want to slow the process, a good start is adding antioxidants to your diet. Aging is the result of the accumulation of oxygen radicals over time. One way to delay or slow aging: include plenty of antioxidants in your diet. Antioxidants protect your cells from the damage caused by oxygen radicals.Some examples of antioxidants include vitamins A, C and E, as well as copper, selenium and zinc. Foods high in these antioxidants include sweet potatoes, fish, poultry, mushrooms, oysters, legumes and more.While you may not need as many calories as you once did when you were younger, your body still needs nutrients. The best way to do that is with fresh, whole foods, not pre-packaged ones. While supplements can provide needed nutrients, they are not meant to replace food and beverages. In fact, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans states that your nutritional needs should come primarily from food and beverages.

At Savannah Grand of Sarasota, we are proud to offer Adult Day Care services for seniors in the Sarasota area. Our Day Programming is designed to provide seniors with a chance to enjoy socialization, structured activities, and personalized care, all in a warm and welcoming environment. Whether you're a family caregiver in need of respite or a senior looking for an engaging day program, our Adult Day Care is the perfect solution.What is Adult Day Care?Adult Day Care services are ideal for seniors who may not require full-time care but benefit from daytime support, companionship, and a structured schedule. The program is available 7 days a week and offers a fantastic alternative to staying at home alone during the day. It's also a worry-free way for prospective residents to experience life at Savannah Grand of Sarasota while still maintaining their independence.The Grand Day Program: A Glimpse into Life at Savannah GrandThe Grand Day Program at Savannah Grand of Sarasota is designed for more independent seniors who would enjoy a variety of activities, entertainment, and social interaction throughout the day. The program lasts for 4-6 hours, during which participants enjoy two meals and a series of carefully planned activities.This service supports not only the seniors participating but also their families and caregivers, who may have other responsibilities during the day such as work, family, or educational obligations. Adult Day Care allows caregivers peace of mind, knowing their loved one is in a safe and supportive environment.What Does the Day Service Include?Our Day Service is comprehensive and designed to create a fulfilling day for seniors. Each day includes:Engaging Activities: Whether it's arts and crafts, games, or music, our activities are designed to stimulate the mind and encourage interaction.Entertainment: We offer enjoyable entertainment to keep participants engaged and entertained throughout their day.Meals and Snacks: Two meals and snacks are provided to ensure the seniors are well-nourished.Companionship: Our staff offers personalized care and companionship, ensuring each senior feels valued and cared for.Resting Spaces: Comfortable areas are available for Day Service residents to relax and recharge whenever needed.This well-rounded program is designed to provide a day filled with socialization, care, and fun while giving families a break and ensuring peace of mind.Why Choose Savannah Grand's Day Services?Our Adult Day Care services are not just about providing a safe place for seniorsthey are about enriching lives. By offering a range of activities and individualized attention, we ensure that each senior has a fulfilling day while their families can take a well-deserved respite. The Day Service program also provides an opportunity for seniors to experience life at Savannah Grand of Sarasota, helping families make informed decisions about future care.TestimonialsHeres what one of our recent visitors had to say:"I toured this community. The staff was very nice and friendly. The meals seem to be a good variety. They had good activities that would have been good for my mom. This community comes highly recommended for the care and the value." Linda Soto, via GoogleLearn More About Our Respite Program and Day ServicesWe invite you to discover how our Day Services can benefit you or your loved one. Whether you're looking for daytime support for a more independent senior or a chance to try out the Savannah Grand lifestyle, our Adult Day Care services offer a wonderful solution. Contact us today to schedule a tour or learn more about our services.At Savannah Grand of Sarasota, we're here to provide the care, attention, and support that seniors need to live life to the fullest.

Article submitted by, Arden Courts of Sarasota, for more information, CLICK HERE!Can We Think Ourselves Young?My parents were born in the same month of the same year, 1928, and married each other at the age of 33. Afterward, my mother gave birth to five children. Discreet in revealing her age, she often hid her drivers license from us. I was astonished to discover her real age when I was fourteen. She and my father were ten years older than my friends parents. It was then my fathers consistent refrain, I wish I were ten years younger, made sense. Its something we all wish for.But research says we don't need to occupy ourselves with our physical age to feel a sense of youthfulness. There are other ways to think ourselves back in time.A Throwback to the 1950sIn 1979, Harvard University psychologist Ellen Langer, asked a group of 70 and 80-year-old men to take several cognitive tests prior to and after a weeklong monastic retreat. The dcor and surroundings had been calibrated to match the late 1950s era, including magazines on coffee tables and television shows available for viewing. Participants were told to live as if it were 1959 and write a biography of themselves using the present tense. Cultural or political events could only be discussed from that perspective too. A week later, a second round of participants undertook the same journey, only they were told to reminisce, to write in the past tense about their life in 1959. After the retreat, in the first group, 63% made a significant gain on the cognitive tests, compared to just 44% in the control condition. Their vision became sharper, their joints more flexible and their hands more dexterous, as some of the inflammation from their arthritis receded. Those who were told to exist for a time as their younger selves felt younger in their bodies too.According to Ellen, she wanted to refute how old age is taken to be a one-way street to incapacitation. Many of those studies, appearing later in her books, Mindfulness and The Science of Positivity also showed when participants were offered a reason or motivation to engage in everyday activities, such a taking care of a house plant or creating personal relationships with researchers, they suffered less memory loss.There were others who also set out to demonstrate how positivity influences our physical well-being as we age.No defeatist attitudesIn 1975, researchers initiated the Ohio Longitudinal Study of Aging and Retirement by examining over 1000 participants. Becca Levy, at the Yale School of Public Health, has been mining that data for clues to our aging mindsets.When a participant entered the study at age 63, they were asked their views to rate their impressions of the statement as you get older, you are less useful. In the study, Levy found the average person with a more positive attitude lived on for 22.6 years after the study commenced, while the average person with poorer interpretations of aging survived for just 15 years.Too many times, we give in to our bodies or society's perception, and decide our aging prevents us from learning a new language, moving to a different locale, or even learning to surf. Levy found those kinds of views, held by people as young as 30 can predict whether they are at risk for cardiovascular disease decades later. Those with negative impressions of aging tended to also have higher systolic blood pressure, which increases inflammation and raises the risk of health issues later.How Can We Recalibrate?James Cromwell, an American actor, age 82, still protests for animal rights and maintains empathy for our most vulnerable. To me, I'm 19. I still make the same 19-year-old mistakes. Hopefully, not as many. Those same dreams and desires still inform everything that I do. In his new film, Never Too Late, James plays a Vietnam veteran housed in a retirement home. Recruiting his old unit, he plans to escape and reunite with his lost love. Interviewed by the Independent, he states the film reminds us you have everything taken away. Unless you give something back to yourself. You're still alive, you're still learning. You can still contribute. You can still make a difference. You can still inspire. What else is there?My youngest sister was born when my mother turned 42. After giving birth, she was told by my grandmother, Your child will be a blessing in your old age. We had many nicknames for our baby sister that invoked her zaniness. But her antics kept my parents feeling young. She lived closest to my parents, was first to give birth to a grandchild for whom my father doted on like his own son, and she always included them in her life.How do we recalibrate our mindset? Writing in the present tense about an age wed like to revert to. Maintaining our engagements and responsibilities to loved ones and to society. Making mistakes while we continually reimagine our lives. Or, in the words of the famed poet, Dylan Thomas, Rage, rage against the dying of the light.Annette Januzzi Wick is a writer, speaker, and author of I'll Have Some of Yours, a journey of cookies and caregiving(Three Arch Press)and is a recipient of a 2020 NSNC award. A frequent contributor toCincinnati.com, her work has appeared in Grief Becomes You, Before the Diagnosis, Cincinnati Magazine, nextavenue.com, Shanti Arts, 3rd Act Magazine, and others. Visit annettejwick.com to learn more.