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Being mindful of our dietary choices can result in improved cognitive health and emotional stability. The food we consume significantly contributes to these aspects, helping us to feel better, think clearer, and reduce stress levels. Senior Helpers Overland Park will explore the wonderful world of nutrition and its impact on our brain and emotional health. We've compiled a list of brain-healthy and stress-relieving foods that are beneficial for everyonefrom seniors looking to boost their cognitive abilities to caregivers needing a little help managing stress.Nutrition and Brain HealthCertain nutrients help to enhance memory and cognition and delay brain aging. This is particularly beneficial for seniors, who are often at risk of cognitive decline. Seniors can stimulate brain function and maintain their mental health by incorporating brain-friendly foods in their diet.Nutrition and Stress ManagementJust as foods can boost your brain health, they can also aid in managing stress levels. The body's response to stress can be intensified by inadequate nutrition. A well-balanced diet can promote resilience towards stress and foster feelings of well-being. Caregivers, who often face high stress levels due to their demanding roles, can greatly benefit from this aspect of nutrition.In the same vein, good nutrition can be pivotal in mood regulation. What we eat can impact our brain structure, brain chemistry, and, subsequently, our emotions. Foods rich in certain vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids can help regulate our emotions and reduce the risk of mood disorders. This is significant for everyone, seniors and caregivers alike.Fuel Your Mind and Mood With These FoodsHere are 6 brain-healthy and stress-relieving foods to add to your grocery list:BlueberriesDon't underestimate the power of these tiny fruits! Blueberries are bursting with antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber. These nutrients work together to delay brain aging, improve memory, and protect your brain cells from damage.Dark ChocolateCraving a sweet treat? Look no further than dark chocolate! This delicious indulgence contains flavonoids, caffeine, and antioxidants.  These components not only benefit your brain health but also possess mood-boosting properties, making it a great stress reliever in moderation.BroccoliThis versatile vegetable is a powerhouse of nutrients for your brain. Packed with antioxidants and vitamin K, broccoli is believed to support cognitive function and promote brain health.Pumpkin SeedsThese tiny nutritional powerhouses are a fantastic source of brain-friendly nutrients. Pumpkin seeds are rich in antioxidants, magnesium, iron, zinc, and copper. These minerals are essential for maintaining cognitive function and overall well-being.TurmericThis vibrant spice has gained popularity for its numerous health benefits.  The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, boasts impressive brain-protective properties.  Curcumin can cross the blood-brain barrier and enhance the brain's oxygen intake, keeping you alert and focused.OrangesAs a rich source of vitamin C, oranges are a champion for brain health.  Vitamin C  plays a vital role in protecting against mental decline and improving overall cognitive function.Adding these brain-boosting and stress-relieving foods to your diet is simple and enjoyable! Explore different ways to incorporate them into your meals and snacks.  For instance, sprinkle blueberries and oranges over your morning cereal or yogurt. Enjoy dark chocolate squares in moderation as a delightful treat. Turmeric can be added to soups, stews, or even teas for a subtle flavor boost. Roasted pumpkin seeds are a delicious and healthy snack, and broccoli can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, from salads to stir-fries. Remember, a balanced diet rich in these power foods nourishes your body, mind, and emotional well-being.Senior Helpers Offers Nutrition Assistance and SupportNutrition is crucial in maintaining our overall health, particularly brain health and emotional stability. By making conscious dietary choices, we can manage our stress levels, enhance cognitive health, and regulate our emotions. Whether you are a senior aiming to boost brain function or a caregiver looking for stress management strategies, incorporating these brain-healthy and stress-relieving foods into your diet can be a game-changer.For those in Overland Park, Olathe, Johnson County, and Prairie Village needing assistance with senior care, a healthy diet, or stress management, contact us at Senior Helpers Overland Park. We proudly provide premium senior care services!

Social media platforms are a fun way for families to keep in touch, no matter where they live. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and others allow people to share information and updates quickly with their followers. Despite the idea that older adults arent tech savvy, seniors are finding social media sites, especially Facebook, to be user-friendly.   Pew Research Center says that 69 percent of adults aged 5064 and 40 percent of adults 65+ are on some form of social media regularly. If you are hoping to join them as a means of connecting with the younger generation of your family, we have a few tips for you to review first.  Interacting With the Younger Generation on Social Media         Dont embarrass them: This is something kids fear most when a parent or grandparent sends them a request to connect online. While you might have a favorite baby photo of them that you keep framed on the wall, they may not appreciate having you post it and tag them on Facebook. Think through what you post about them on social media.        Dont over-comment: Seeing the younger people in the family interacting with friends online can make you feel more connected to their daily lives. You might be tempted to frequently comment on their posts. Try to resist that temptation and not intrude in the conversations. A simple thumbs up or a Like on a post might be better.        Post your own stories and activities: Instead of trying to connect by commenting on the younger generations posts, share stories and activities you are engaged in. This gives them the opportunity to join your conversation and interact with you in their own way. For security reasons, though, remember not to post when you are on vacation or away from home.        Use privacy settings: This is important no matter who is looking to connect on social media. Its essential for both your safety and those you are friends with on various platforms. Adjust each platforms privacy settings to limit who can see and comment on your posts, tag you, and send you messages. You may want to check on these again every few months in case the platform makes any changes to how settings are controlled.        Use caution with personal information: If you do share photos of the younger generation on social media, be careful not to include identifiable information. Avoid using last names, schools, or addresses. That can put kids at risk if your account is hacked or otherwise shared.        Set strong passwords: Some social media accounts seemed to get hacked more than others, as do some people. Try to avoid being one of them by setting strong passwords. Experts say a combination of upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and characters is best. This guide to setting strong passwords from the National Council on Aging might be helpful. One last tip is not to forget to make real-life interactions a priority, too. Why Intergenerational Activities Matter has some great ideas for the older and younger generations to spend meaningful time together.Article By:Sunrise Senior Living

Strokes, often seen as a health concern primarily affecting older adults, can impact anyone at any stage of life. The fifth leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability, strokes are prevalent and dangerous. In fact, every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. has a stroke. Recognizing the signs of a stroke before it happens is crucial for timely intervention and better outcomes.The American Stroke Association explains that a stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so it and brain cells die.Knowing the signs of a stroke before it happens can save someones life and help prevent long-term disability. Its especially important to learn stroke symptoms if you are caring for a person who is in a high-risk group, such as someone who has diabetes or high blood pressure. A stroke is always a medical emergency, and it can come on suddenly, at any time and any place.FAST is an easy way to remember the signs of a stroke.When you see these signs, you will know that you need to call 911 fast. FAST stands for:F Face droopingOne side of the face is drooping or numb. When the person smiles, the smile is uneven.A Arm weaknessOne arm is weak or numb. When the person lifts both arms at the same time, one arm may drift downward.S Speech difficultyYou may hear slurred speech or notice the person is having difficulty speaking. The person cant repeat a simple sentence correctly when asked.T Time to call 911If someone shows any of these symptoms, call 911 right away. Call even if one or more symptoms go away. Make a note of the time the symptoms first appeared.Beyond FAST, other symptoms you should know include:Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the bodySudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speechSudden trouble seeing in one or both eyesSudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordinationSudden severe headache with no known causeIn the event that you or a loved one experience a stroke, recovery support is available. SYNERGY HomeCare offers highly personalized levels of quality care as early as pre-discharge from the hospital, and our Stroke Recovery program specializes in supporting a recovery plan at homethe best place to be.___________SYNERGY HomeCare offers no obligation home assessments. Find a location near you or contact us to learn how we can help you have a safe and comfortable recovery following a stay in the hospital.

Whenever you think of lifes big moments, its hard to find one without Mom and Dad. Theyve been an unwavering source of comfort, inspiration and strength. So when its time to talk to your parents about assisted living, you might find yourself overwhelmed with emotions.Youre not alone. Many adult children face the arduous task of finding a safe place for their parents to age. However, you can make the transition a lot less stressful for everyone by following these 4 steps in planning for assisted living with your parents.1. Hold a family meeting.The choice to transition into assisted living is life-changing, which is why its essential for your parents and supportive family members to be involved in the process as much as possible. The best way to get the conversation about assisted living started is by holding a family meeting.Here are some tips on how to hold a family meeting about transitioning your parents to assisted living:Include everyone who will be part of the caregiving team for your parents. This could include family members, close friends, neighbors, their minister, or a paid caregiver.Prepare an agenda to keep communication successful and the group focused on supporting your parents. Be sure to stick to a clear timetable, so you dont overwhelm those attending the meeting.Choose a comfortable setting to keep tension low and positivity high. Find a location that has adequate seating and few distractions.Make sure everyone is heard. Moving your parents into assisted living can stir up emotions for everyone involved. People are more willing to talk about the situation if they feel they have a safe place to speak.2. Evaluate their needs.An in-person visit with their primary care physician is the ideal way to accurately evaluate the needs of your aging parents. Not only will you get a comprehensive evaluation of their functional abilities, youll get an assessment of their physical health, too.In order to provide the right level of care, their doctor will evaluate how well your mom or dad perform Activities of Daily Living, or ADLs . These are activities in which your parents engage on a day-to-day basis, such as:BathingEatingDressingGroomingOral hygieneClimbing stairsWalkingUsing the toiletYou also need to evaluate how well your parents perform Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, or IADLS. Adults need to perform these activities in order to live a successful, independent life. Evaluating IADLS is also a way to measure what level of care your parents might need when they enter assisted living. Examples include:CookingDriving or using public transportationDoing houseworkKeeping track of financesDoing laundryUsing the phone and looking up numbersManaging medications3. Create a sound financial plan for assisted living.After youve determined the level of care your mom or dad might need, its time to take a deep look at what your family can afford on a monthly basis. Most families use private funds to pay for assisted living. Your parents may be able to pay for this by combining their  personal savings, Social Security payments, pension payments and retirement accounts; they may also be willing to sell their home. In some cases, adult children may contribute some of their own funds to supplement their parents resources.You may be surprised to find out the average cost of assisted living is about the same as the cost of at-home care, which is when you choose to spend retirement in your home. However, aging in place comes with a big caveat: major home renovations.To live safely at home, your parents will probably need rooms in their home, like the bathroom and kitchen, completely reworked. This could end up costing more money and stress than originally planned.Talk to your parents about their finances and discuss the difference between aging-in-place and choosing a community that offers assisted living. That way, you can be sure youre choosing the right path for your parents retirement.4. Delight in exploring the possibilities.Assisted living communities are not the dreary and sleepy halls you may remember at your grandparents nursing home. Upscale assisted living offers unsurpassed care, services, and amenities that help your mom and dad thrive through every stage of their retirement.Housekeeping and laundry services eliminate many daily concerns,  scheduled activities help your parents stay social, and state-of-the-art fitness facilities keep them active. Theyll also have convenient access to lifes little luxuries like a hair salon, restaurant-style dining, and scheduled transportation for fun-filled shopping trips.While your parents are spending their retirement in style at a luxury community offering assisted living, you can rest easy knowing their health is always in caring hands.LIVE LIFE THE SANTA MARTA WAY WITH LUXURY ASSISTED LIVING IN OLATHE, KSDiscover Tuscan-inspired views, top-of-the-line amenities, and world-class cuisine at Santa Marta. Not only will your parents  be able to enjoy the fabulous amenities and services we offer, but theyll be able to receive  uniquely tailored care as their health needs change.To schedule a tour or learn more about our assisted living neighborhood and other senior living options, contact us online, and a senior living counselor will get in touch with you as soon as possible.