The Windsor of Lakewood Ranch

Youve looked forward to retirement for your entire career, but once the time finally arrives to say goodbye to full time employment, you might find yourself wondering what to do with all of your spare time. It is common for seniors to search for new ways to contribute to their favorite organizations or greater residence by volunteering. In fact, Boomers especially are plunging into retirement volunteering their time in short- and long-term roles.This International Volunteer Day (December 5), lets talk more about the ins and outs of senior volunteerism. As you look forward to your retirement, or as you plan for new ways to get out and about, here is what you need to know about volunteering. Benefits of VolunteeringVolunteering at your favorite organization certainly brings them the benefit of your talents and time. However, the organization is not the only one who benefits. Volunteers also demonstrate significant health benefits when they choose to donate their time.The Innerbody Research notes that anyone who volunteers can see benefits ranging from lower rates of depression to less stress. However, seniors can especially gain benefits from their volunteering efforts, including increased physical activity, longer lifespan, and increased socialization with peers which is quite crucial to healthy aging.In short, any type of volunteer work can bring you new friends and new opportunities to share your talents with those who need it most.Where to VolunteerIf you are ready to volunteer your time, there are plenty of places in your residence that could use your life experience and passion:Pet sheltersYour towns libraryAny social service organization that serves those in your local area, such as homeless sheltersThe park district or forest preserveYour citys senior services officeMeals on Wheels local deliveriesLocal botanical gardensIf you prefer to help out a national or international organization instead, there are many that utilize volunteers. However, keep in mind that searching for a local chapter of the organization is the best way to form connections and makes getting started easier. Organizations to consider are:Big Brothers Big SistersNational Park ServiceInternational orphanagesVeterans AdministrationRed CrossAlzheimers AssociationGetting StartedThere are so many opportunities for volunteers, and that is great news for seniors looking to get involved! However, too many options can also make you feel overwhelmed, which might delay pursuing your volunteer efforts. Here are a few tips to make getting started less overwhelming and more exciting:Write down a list of things you are passionate about or are great at.Volunteering should benefit the organization as well as be fun and fulfilling for you. Begin your volunteerism journey by taking stock of what passions and talents you want to share. Great at gardening? Perhaps volunteering at your local parks department could be a good fit. Thrive off making someone else smile? Delivering meals to homebound seniors can make their day (and yours). Are you an organization master? Volunteering in the office of your favorite organization could be the best way to share your talents.Call or email multiple organizations you are interested in volunteering for.Many nonprofit organizations dont have a designated volunteer coordinator, which means that returning calls to interested volunteers can sometimes take longer. Also, when you contact multiple organizations, you increase the chance of finding one that fits your expectations.Determine your needs and if your needs are flexible.Take time to figure out how often you would like to volunteer and share that with the organizations you are in contact with. Sometimes, your timeframe or your preferred timing will simply not match with an organizations needs, and thats ok.Dont force it.Finally, you might find your dream organization to volunteer for, but you arent sure if you would like helping with the tasks they need help with right now. Resist the urge to force a partnership that you might dislike moving forward. Remember, volunteering should be fulfilling (not frustrating) for you!At Legend Senior Living residences, our Life Enrichment teams are dedicated to finding ways to connect residents with passion projects and volunteerism opportunities they love. We know that volunteering brings a sense of purpose and we also know our residents have so much experience, joy, and talents to share with the greater community.Heres to making volunteerism a priority well beyond International Volunteer Day and everyday.

The holiday season is spent around the table, with family and friends catching up over family favorite recipes. No matter how you will be spending Thanksgiving and other festive meals this year, you can find easy ways to make comfort foods healthy as well. Our Legend experts gathered together to give you the substitutions and inspiration that will make your holiday meals delicious and nutritious. Add Brain Boosting IngredientsEveryone can benefit from eating foods that can increase memory and concentration. When you add certain vitamins and minerals to your daily diet, you can improve brain health in the short and long term. For example, adding antioxidants can decrease brain inflammation and cellular stress, both of which are conditions that are linked to Alzheimers disease.Brain boosting foods are not just crucial for brain health, they are also delicious. Foods that can benefit your brain include fish rich in omega-3, such as salmon and tuna. You can also find antioxidants in ingredients like blueberries, currants, almonds, and dark chocolate.Add brain boosting foods to your holiday dessert table by making a sweet treat that is packed with antioxidants. Try a dark chocolate and blueberry bark; we recommend toasting your almonds before adding them to the recipe. Prefer a main dish idea? This orange and pomegranate salmon entree is just as beautiful as it is delicious. Leftovers go great shredded on a mixed green salad the next day. Heart Healthy AlternativesSeniors are at an increased risk for having chronic heart conditions, which means they are more likely to have to skip favorite treats in order to follow medical guidelines. Heart healthy diets are packed with fiber, vegetables, and whole grains. Luckily, you can find a healthy alternative to most traditional items on your holiday table.Add fiber and some autumn inspired color to your Thanksgiving feast by making pumpkin soup. Skip adding any heavy cream; you wont even miss it in this rich and tasty version. A starter salad is also an excellent way to start your meal with heart healthy decisions; we love any version that includes greens, goat cheese, figs, apples, and a light vinaigrette. Calcium Packed TreatsCalcium is especially important for senior health in general, and you can incorporate calcium packed ingredients in most of your holiday meal favorites. If you have an ice cream maker, you can make peppermint ice cream which is the perfect treat on its own, with a spoonful of hot fudge on top, or even on top of hot cocoa. Other Healthy Holiday TipsIf you want to make a holiday meal that is healthy and accessible for any challenge, here are a few more tips from our Legend Senior Living experts:Skip on fried turkey. Roasting is a better and healthier alternative.Roasted root veggies like potatoes, parsnips, and onions look beautiful and taste delicious. (Steamed vegetables are an excellent side dish option too!)Fill your plate with mostly veggies, but dont skip out on your favorite dishes either.Take a small portion of dessert, and only when you arent too stuffed to fully enjoy it.Seniors who have dental issues can find some foods difficult or painful to eat; try hearty soups and soft vegetables (roasted or boiled works well) as a healthy alternative.Package up leftovers in individual portions that are easy to prepare the next day. If there is an option for freezing certain dishes, like soup, freeze in individual portions that you can pull out to enjoy another time.Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Resist the urge to only drink coffee or If you take medications that need to be taken with food, plan your schedule accordingly so that you are not skipping or pushing back a dose.At Legend Senior Living, we view dining experiences as a crucial part of our residents days. Dining should be a full sensory experience, packed with delicious tastes, tantalizing aromas, and socialization with friends. We would love to share a meal with you; call the Legend residence nearest you to learn more about our dining program.

Knowledge Is the Best Defense Against Breast CancerBreast cancer is an unsettling topic for any woman. Besides the dread it induces, cancer also perplexes and frustrates with its unpredictability. Some general risk factors for any persons chance of having breast cancer have been established, but more is unknown than known about the specific causes and how or if they can be predicted in any given person. In fact, 60-70% of women with breast cancer have none of the risk factors in their backgrounds, while others with these specific risk factors never develop cancer. This puts the pressure on early detection and being always vigilant, that is, regular screening by your doctor, self-examination and being educated about early symptoms. In a word, knowing. October is an entire month dedicated to knowing more about breast cancer. Breast Cancer Awareness Month brings a special focus to a disease projected to affect 276,480 women and to cause 42,170 deaths this year. The topic of breast cancer among senior women gets less conversation than it should. This month would be an opportunity to change that. The Particular Problem of Age and CancerSo many of the dramatizations of breast cancer in the media and advertising feature women under 50 or 60 that you could get the impression that it is primarily a younger womans disease. But the Breast Cancer Research Foundation actually terms breast cancer a disease of aging. The Foundation reports that the median age for breast cancer is 62 and that around a quarter of women who develop the cancer are between 75-84. The population overall continues to age, and the result for breast cancer will be a doubling of cases by 2030, with most of the affected between the ages of 70 and 84. Understanding breast cancer in older women may require a radical change in perception, then. Why the seeming bias? Many circumstances contribute. For one thing, older adults are most often excluded from clinical trials. Inevitably, the research reports for a younger population. This also creates a knowledge gap in the medical professions. The lack of geriatric oncologists, those physicians who specialize in cancer among the aging, further limits the understanding and clear pathways to treatment.   Of the many types, the predominant breast cancer is generally in the category of invasive or infiltrating breast cancer, accounting for 70-80% of all cases. This type invades the milk ducts of the surrounding breast tissue and spreads. The treatment depends on the protein structure of the cancer cells, and will probably require a biopsy to determine the cell makeup. Far too many variables to describe here apply. The point is that only your doctor and specialist can make diagnoses and should be consulted early and regularly for examinations. Self-diagnosing, as with all disease, is particularly untrustworthy, but self-examination is recommended and useful. Lifestyle and Environment Risk FactorsLegend Senior Living puts the health care of seniors first. While the term health care may conjure all things clinical, the practice of health and wellness at every Legend residence is part of the purposeful design of the residence itself. This includes the physical environment, the activities comprising our Life Enrichment programming, the concentration on proper nutrition and options for exercise, no matter the residents mobility limitations. All of these factors are extremely important to reducing risks of disease and physical injury generally, and cancer in particular. The National Breast Cancer Foundation lists a few of the major factors that you can modify to influence your own health. At Legend communities, our Legend Experts in Senior Living, our staff of associates, are well-trained in assisting residents with lifestyle modification that can reduce your risk of breast cancer. Exercise and ActivityA lack of physical activity directly relates to your risk for breast cancer. Increasing activity reduces your risk. This activity can take many forms, and well-designed senior living residences offer dozens of combinations. A few minutes a day in a fully equipped exercise room, especially with the coaching of an Associate, can be fun, rewarding, and not too physically demanding. Group exercise, aerobics, water aerobics, games and sports also abound. Eating WellDiet is especially important in reducing breast cancer risk. Older adults tend to have diets higher in saturated fat, because eating habits were long established before we knew as much as we do now about the effect of fat intake on health. Too, if a senior is unable to grocery shop as frequently as theyd like, their diet may lack fruits and vegetables essential to prevent diet-related health issues, cancer in particular. Residents at a well-staffed senior living residence should have the option for three chef-prepared meals every day, all designed under the supervision of a licensed nutritionist. Eating and Drinking HabitsBeing overweight or obese can increase your risk for breast cancer, especially post-menopause. So does overconsumption of alcohol. Both of these factors can be greatly influenced by lifestyle. The more active you are, with better control of your diet, the easier it is to control your weight and lessen the need for medication (alcohol being a common type of self-medication for depression and loneliness). Other FactorsOlder women should also be aware of the effects of having had radiation therapy to the chest before the age of 30, as well as having taken hormone replacement therapy for menopause. Both factors can increase the risks of breast cancer. Consulting your physician is the best practice in these cases. What Doesnt Cause Breast CancerBeing well-informed and knowledgeable about breast cancer can keep a lot of stress out of your life. It will also keep you from pursuing procedures and remedies that are ineffective, unnecessary or radical. The following are all cited as Myths About Breast Cancer by the National Breast Cancer Foundation: Finding a lump in your breast does not mean automatically mean you have breast cancerA mammogram will not cause breast cancer to spreadHaving a family history of breast cancer does not mean you are likely to develop breast cancer, tooBreast cancer is not contagiousShowing the gene mutation BRCA1 or BRCA2 in your DNA does not mean you will definitely develop breast cancerAntiperspirants and deodorants do not cause breast cancer Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October is the perfect occasion to learn, but let it be just a start to year-round awareness and vigilance, especially for older adults. Regular visits to your physician cant be replaced by any amount of education, so dont skip your checkups! 

Medication Management Solutions for SeniorsWhen it comes to challenges related to age, medication management might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, as more and more medications are prescribed, taking the correct medication at the right dose at the proper time might be difficult. Here's what you need to know about medication management among older adults, including solutions that meet common challenges. Medication Management DangersRecent research tells us that medication errors are more common than previously thought. A report published in Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology found that between 75% and 96% of older adults acknowledge they frequently make mistakes with medication. Further, older adults are the most common demographic to call poison control centers after medication mistakes.Why are seniors more likely to experience medication errors? A variety of reasons include the increased likelihood of polypharmacy or taking more than one prescribed medication per day and cognitive decline, making managing a medication schedule more difficult. Seniors are also more likely to take medications prescribed by different physicians and specialists, not all of whom have spoken to the other about current treatment plans. No matter the reason for the medication mismanagement, one thing is sure: the results can be catastrophic.A wrong dose, a missed dose, or a doubled dose of medication can cause unplanned visits to the hospital, falls at home, or even death. Fortunately, some solutions can support your aging loved one as they manage medications independently or with your help.Medication Management SolutionsPerforming medical management tasks on behalf of your loved one can be time-consuming, but even a few hours spent each month setting up safe medication strategies can be worth it. If you aren't sure where to start, here are a few ideas that might inspire you to change your medication management support routine.Designate a particular day of the week when you have dinner together and then fill up your loved one's pillbox for the week. If your loved one doesn't have cognitive decline and can manage to take their medications from the pillbox at the correct time, this is the easiest and safest solution. It's also important to note that caregivers can make mistakes filling pillboxes, creating unintentional medication errors.Set alarms via a voice assistant like Google Home or Amazon Alexa or on your loved one's smartphone or smartwatch. Again, this option is best for a senior who does not show signs of poor judgment or cognitive decline and is tech-savvy enough to listen to the alarm, take the medication, and shut the reminder off until the next dose.Automatic pill dispenser systems, like Hero Health, can hold a month's worth of medications at a time and will release the correct medicines in a cup at the proper time each day. You can even download a corresponding app to let caregivers or family members know if someone missed a dose. This option is pricey, as most systems require an initial purchase fee and a monthly service fee that does not include the wifi services it needs to run successfully.Request that your loved one's physician or pharmacist review their list of medication and supplements at least quarterly. This small practice can ensure your loved one is not taking medications that might counteract one another.Take note of any side effects from medications and report those to your loved one's care team as soon as possible. Often, their physician can switch to another prescription that might not have the same unpleasant effects.If pharmacy visits are difficult for your loved one, you can set up monthly pharmacy deliveries and even request that pills be in bubble packs instead of hard-to-open bottles. If you are worried about your loved one receiving the medications at home on their own, have the shipment arrive at your house instead. You can drop off the medications or fill the pill dispensing system the next time you visit.Legend Senior Living and Medication ManagementAt Legend Senior Living residences, we aim to make all aspects of daily life a bit easier for those who live here. We are happy to offer medication management services to residents, giving them peace of mind that they are taking the correct dose of the proper medication at the right time.Typically a part of the day's routine for our assisted living and memory care residents, medication management services are performed by our trained caregivers. Residents receive personalized attention and the appropriate prompts or cues to take their medications correctly. If there is ever a question, our team will happily answer or even coordinate with the physician to get the correct answer.Medication management services also help to ensure residents are not experiencing any unnecessary side effects. Our caregivers get to know residents and can often spot when residents are not acting like themselves long before additional medical management is required. We work together with the resident, their family, and their physician to ensure an effective treatment plan.Even better, our medication management services give peace of mind to the family members of our residents. You can breathe a sigh of relief knowing your loved one will not make a medication error when supervised by our team.Medication errors and mistakes can be dangerous for anyone, especially older adults. Find a Legend Senior Living residence near you to learn more about our medication management solutions.

Having a conversation about dementia can be difficult for all involved. These conversations are challenging, but they have a meaningful, deeply personal impact on the lives of your loved one and family.At Legend Senior Living, our goal is to help those in need find the care they deserve while maintaining respect, independence, and dignity. Over the years, weve learned some tried and true tips from residents and their families that can help you have a difficult conversation about dementia. Signs of DementiaThere are at least 12 well-known types of dementia, and the symptoms are so diverse and can come on so fast, which makes it even more difficult for caregivers. Being aware of the warning signs can help you know what to look for.Some early signs of dementia include:Difficulty doing chores or other tasksConfusion with everyday tasksRepetition, especially in conversationEmotional flatnessLost interest in hobbiesPoor short-term memoryDifficulty finding words when talkingGetting lost in familiar environmentsAggressivenessRestlessnessDifferent types of dementia and memory disordersOver a period of time, dementia and other memory disorders cause progressive impairment in stages that lead to an eventual need for complete, full-time caregivers due to inability to function independently. People with dementia can even forget how to walk or sit up straight. The first step is identifying which type of dementia they might have. Alzheimers DiseaseOne of the most common types of dementia, scientists arent quite sure what causes Alzheimers Disease. Its due to an accumulation of abnormal brain proteins. Most cases of Alzheimers disease begin between the ages of 40-65, and it typically progresses rapidly. Frontotemporal DementiaFrontotemporal dementia is caused by atrophy of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. It causes forgetfulness and word-finding problems, impulsivity, personality changes, and poor judgement. Vascular DementiaThe second most common type of dementia, vascular dementia is caused by strokes occurring within the brain. Patients often go without noticing symptoms (like weakness, visual loss, or numbness) because its caused by untreated high blood pressure or heart disease. Mixed DementiaMixed dementia occurs when people develop more than one type of dementia simultaneously. It is also called multifactorial because many types of memory disorders cause similar brain changes. Creutzfeldt-Jakob DiseaseAssociated with abnormal muscle movements and destruction of brain cells, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease typically progresses rapidly over a few years. Lewy Body DementiaRobin Williams was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia before his death, prompting scientists to research more about it. Its characterized by forgetfulness and hallucination, which can seem very real. Those with this disorder often suffer the symptoms of Parkinsons disease, like tremors and slowness. Traumatic Brain InjuriesRecent studies suggest that concussions and other brain injuries often lead to memory issues and dementia, especially the changes identified in Alzheimers disease. Alcoholic DementiaAlso known as Korsakoff syndrome, alcoholic dementia is caused by a deficiency in B vitamins due to excessive drinking, but can also be caused by malnourishment. Huntingtons DiseaseHuntingtons disease causes abnormal movements (chorea), which is the hallmark of the diagnosis. Normal Pressure HydrocephalusUsually attributed to abnormal enlargement of the fluid-filled spaces in the brain, this type of memory disease leads to problems with walking, memory, and incontinence. Caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimers DiseaseThe most important part of any dementia or memory disorder diagnosis is to have the support and resources necessary to care for aging loved ones (and provide caregiver relief), as well as a great deal of patience and time to help.During the early stages of the disease, family members function as caregivers, cooking meals or monitoring medications. Later however, they find themselves providing basic care, such as bathing, dressing, going to the bathroom, etc. This can also include transportation, attending doctors appointments, installing safety railing, stairs and locks, and developing procedures to make sure loved ones dont wander off.While theres no way to completely stop the development of dementia, there are ways one can help prevent the disease through heart-healthy diets and regular exercise. If, however, you and your family are dealing with it, Legend Senior Living can help. We understand these kinds of lifestyle changes can be difficult and have developed award-winning therapies, unique activities and purposefully designed environments to help those with dementia.

November is a month full of family traditions, kicking off the holiday season with comforting foods and good company. If your table this year is a bit different now that a senior loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease, you arent alone. The Alzheimers Association reports that approximately 5 million adults are living with the disease today, meaning chances are high that someone in your neighborhood or circle of friends find themselves in a caregiving role for their senior loved one too.As we embark on November here at Legend Senior Living, we are planning on observing National Alzheimers Awareness Month with our colleagues throughout senior care. No matter if you have been caring for a family member with Alzheimers disease for years, if you are just getting acclimated to a new diagnosis, if you are living with it yourself, or if you are just looking for a way to be a better neighbor, here are a few things you can do this month and beyond. Check In On CaregiversNovember is also National Family Caregivers Month, which makes it the perfect time to check in on those who are juggling their own personal and professional lives with the tasks that come with coordinating care for their senior loved one. Most family members of seniors living with Alzheimers disease take on caregiving tasks ranging from care coordination to meal preparation to safety checks. Its exhausting, and most family caregivers are at a higher risk of experiencing health complications of their own.You can check in on caregivers you know by sending them a quick text or leaving them a voicemail. If possible, offer your help to drop off a meal for them to enjoy or to shuttle their kids to their next basketball practice so they can have a break.If you are the caregiver, use this month as a time to practice asking for help. Call a sibling to see if they can take over meal preparations for a few weeks or investigate respite care services near you so you can finally schedule a weekend out of town. Educate YourselfIf you are coping with a new Alzheimers diagnosis in your family or if your loved one has progressed to a new stage of the disease, learning more about dementia is an excellent first step. Even the most experienced professionals who have worked with people living with Alzheimers disease for decades can learn something new. In fact, the Memory Care teams at Legend Senior Livings residences across the country are deeply committed to ongoing education so that we can always be at the forefront of new interventions or approaches.Start your research by learning the top ten warning signs of Alzheimers and other types of dementia in seniors. Then, talk to your geriatrician for more specific information about your situation as well as look for educational lectures and caregiver support groups. The teams at Legend Senior Living residences are happy to help as well, putting our decades of dementia care experience to work for you. Find Quality TimeIf your senior loved one is living with Alzheimers disease, it is easy to immediately switch your relationship to patient and caregiver. However, if you are always in caregiver mode, you miss out on the chance to just be a daughter, son, grandchild, or friend. Carve time out for quality time with your loved one, remembering that it is not about the activity you are doing; its about the time you spend and the memories you create for yourself. Try taking a drive through your old neighborhood together, listening to music and chatting about anything and everything. Bake a favorite cookie recipe or enjoy a cup of coffee out on the porch. Look through old photo albums or stroll along in a favorite park. Turn to the ExpertsWalking through Alzheimers disease with your senior loved one is difficult, certainly. You can find yourself being worried and overwhelmed. However, you can also find the moments of joy and peace that can sneak into your day as well. You are more likely to have a better relationship with your loved one, as well as stay healthier yourself, when you turn to the experts at Legend Senior Living. Our Memory Care residences are designed to support people living with Alzheimers disease and other types of dementia from the ground up. In our loving residences, you will find trained staff members providing personalized care for each individual resident. Its not uncommon to smell lavender scents in the evenings so that residents can enjoy the relaxing benefits of aromatherapy. Youll find residents interacting with one another, with staff members, and with vignettes especially for them. We specialize in providing opportunities for sensory stimulation and reminiscing, each leaving residents feeling empowered, cared for, and happy. We would love to hear more about your experiences with Alzheimers disease. Share your favorite story or breakthrough moment via video here. We all have so much to learn from one another.Lets honor the Alzheimers disease journey - and family caregivers everywhere - this month and beyond.