Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. It can impair an individual’s memory as well as his or her behavior and thinking. Life enrichment activities can help those living with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. People with the disease may not be able to communicate using words since the disease affects their thinking. Different activities, like art or music, can help the individual express him or herself.
At Valley VNA, we offer many programs specifically designed for those with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. Learn about some of our programs:
Lyrics & Laughter
Music is beneficial to those with memory loss. With singing and movement, the individual is able to express him or herself. The combination of singing and motion stimulates memories and cognition. This program is open to seniors in the community, their caregivers and family members.
Take a look at what one of our sessions is like:
Poetry at Play
This program uses classic poetry the senior may have learned when he or she was younger to spark memories. The poems are recited as a group, but the seniors also have a chance to create their own poems for emotional expression. Our seniors create one-of-a-kind poems during this once a month program.
Sensory and Touch
This program focuses on using the five senses to help an individual during difficult times. The activity helps to create peace and calm within the individual. Sensory and Touch activities include essential oils, watching the fish tank, garden visits and hand massages.
Music and Memory
Have you ever heard a song that brought back a specific memory or time in your life? That is what Music and Memory aims to do with individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. Each senior has his or her own personalized playlist of songs on an iPod. They listen to the music to reconnect with the world and experience music-triggered memories.
Time Slips
This program focuses on storytelling to encourage the imaginations of those with types of dementia. At each session, the seniors, with the help of a staff facilitator and storywriter, create a story from a single picture. This activity promotes self-expression.
Small Group Activities
We regularly have small group activities for seniors with memory loss. We play games like checkers, bingo and bean bag toss. We also incorporate sensory activities, like hand massages and essential oils. Regular exercise is also important. We have stationary cycles and hand weights available to help get the senior moving.
Memory Café
Each month we hold a Memory Café at the Neenah Public Library. This program is for individuals and their family or friends who are experiencing the early stages of types of dementia, mild memory loss or cognitive impairment. We have lively discussions, refreshments and activities for those with memory loss.
Are you looking for other activities you can incorporate into your loved one’s life? Check out the Alzheimer’s Association list of activities. If you have questions about our life enrichment activities or schedule, please contact us.
The number of Americans with Type 2 diabetes is increasing each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9.3 percent of people in the United States have diabetes.
Unfortunately, once someone has Type 2 Diabetes, it isn’t easily reversed. However, there are certain lifestyle changes that can help manage the disease. Take a look at the tips from some of our nurses:
1. Type 2 diabetes can be managed by sticking to a diabetic diet. The diet is rich in nutrients and low in fat and calories. Sticking to a healthy eating plan will help control blood sugar. The diet focuses on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. A dietician can educate the senior and his or her family on how to maintain a proper diabetic diet.
2. Regular exercise is also important for someone who has Type 2 diabetes. In an assisted living facility, there are formally organized exercise times for seniors. These sessions are a great way to get moving, maintain a healthy weight and manage the disease.
3. There are also medications available to help lower blood sugar levels. If a healthy diet and exercise alone aren’t enough to regulate the blood sugar, your loved one’s doctor may prescribe medication.
4. Your loved one should check his or her blood sugar levels regularly to be aware of times it’s too high or too low. Our in-home care employees can help remind your loved one to check his or her blood sugar levels. Our assisted living facility employees can help check at regular times for better control.
5. It’s important for those with diabetes to monitor wounds to make sure they heal properly. For individuals with diabetes, wounds heal slower and and get infected quickly. Foot care is especially important. We offer foot care clinics at various community locations throughout the month. The clinics include a foot exam by a nurse, foot soak, massage, callus reduction and toenail file and trim.
6. The most common symptoms of Type 2 diabetes are increased hunger without weight gain, constant thirst and frequent urination. It’s important to catch Type 2 diabetes early. Our staff is educated on the disease and can help identify common symptoms in the early stages.
7. Family history is the biggest risk factor for developing diabetes. Diet, weight and activity levels are also risk factors.
If you would like to speak to one of our nurses about managing Type 2 diabetes for a loved one, please contact us.
November is National Hospice Care Month. Hospice can be an emotional decision for families. In 2014, an estimated 1.7 million patients received hospice care services. Learn what hospice care is and how it may benefit your family.
At the center of hospice care is the belief that each person has the right to pass pain-free with dignity, and that our families will receive the necessary support to allow us to do so.
Once a doctor estimates the patient has less than six months to live, the patient and his or her family may choose to utilize hospice care services. Hospice care is covered under Medicare, Medicaid, most private insurance plans, HMOs and other managed care organizations.
Hospice focuses on caring, not curing. The number one goal of hospice care is to provide end of life comfort care. Once on hospice, the goal is no longer to prevent or stop a disease, like cancer, it’s to make sure the patient is comfortable. The hospice team works together to provide the best pain management care.
Hospice Benefits
Hospice covers medications and equipment, such as oxygen and a bed for your loved one to help make them more comfortable.
Most hospice providers also offer massages and pet and music therapies to help with comfort and joy along with volunteers to read, talk or just be there for the patient.
Hospice providers offer 13 months of bereavement, grief counseling and support groups to families and friends to help them deal with their loss.
Hospice Care Team
The hospice care team is made up of a nurse, home health aids, a social worker, a chaplain and volunteers. The nurse is available 24 hours a day to make any emergency adjustments..
The chaplain is available for spiritual needs for the patient and his or her family. The social worker is available for family members and even the assisted living facility’s staff members to help them deal with the grieving process. Many times the grieving process starts before the loved one has passed.
Often the patient needs more care than what hospice can provide. Family members may have to help with day-to-day caregiving tasks. An in-home care worker is another caregiving resource.
Hospice Misconceptions
When you hear the word hospice, you may think it is a place your loved one will go to receive additional care, but it is a service that comes to the patient. Whether your loved one is receiving care at an assisted living facility or in-home care services at home, a hospice team will come to them.
Another common hospice care misconception is families think hospice care workers will be with their loved one all the time. In reality, the nurse will come to the home about once a week for a short period of time. Hospice nurses will increase the number of visits as the patient’s condition deteriorates. Hospice nursing assistants will visit the patient several times a week to assist with personal cares and bathing.
Hospice Planning
Hospice is about living! Talk as a family about the wishes for the patient for his or her end of life care. Families should plan on using hospice care in the earlier stages of a loved one’s disease process to take full advantage of the services hospice offers.
Many people have a stigma about hospice care. They think it is a last resort and their loved one is going to pass within days. However, there have been cases where people were on hospice for years. Some patients got better after hospice and no longer needed the services. Hospice does not always mean the worst, and the benefits it offers far outweigh the fear of using it.
If you have questions about hospice care services, please contact us. We will be happy to discuss the options and walk you through the process.
November is National Family Caregivers month. Did you know there are more than 34 million unpaid caregivers in the United States providing care to those age 18 years and older? The majority of those unpaid caregivers are family caregivers. It’s important caregivers recognize they can’t do it all. In-home care services are a great way to help caregivers. Take a look at the benefits of in-home care.
1. Gives the caregiver a break
Just like everyone else, caregivers need a break, too. Caregivers give so much to others each day, but they need time for themselves, too. In-home care services provide respite to family caregivers, so they have time to take a break from their caregiving duties and re-energize.
2. Allows the caregiver to spend time with friends
Many caregivers don’t have time to socialize with their friends because they are focused on caring for their loved one. It’s important for caregivers to keep up with their personal relationships. Taking a few hours a week off from caregiving allows for more time to socialize with friends and family. In-home care services can help the caregiver have time to spend with friends and family.
3. Lowers health issues
Caregivers often experience chronic stress, which can lead to health issues including heart disease, headaches and depression. In-home care services help alleviate some of the stress caregivers may be experiencing.
4. Gives the caregiver time to complete their own tasks
Family caregivers are devoted to caring for their loved ones, so many times they don’t have time to complete their daily tasks. In-home care services can give the caregiver time to put his or her needs first and complete simple tasks like grocery shopping or cleaning.
5. Allows the caregiver to rest
Caregivers need rest, too. The chronic stress and irregular hours caregivers experience can lead to sleep issues. In-home care services can give caregivers the time they need to get back on a regular sleep schedule.
In many cases, in-home care services aren’t just a luxury, they are a necessity. Caring for a family member is an admirable task, but caregivers should remember it’s OK to ask for help. If you are interested in learning about our in-home care services, please contact us.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 29 million people in the United States have diabetes. About 86 million adults have prediabetes, and 15-30 percent of them will develop Type 2 diabetes within five years. These numbers are continuing to grow each year. Learn how you can lower your risk of developing diabetes or help a loved one lower their risk:
1. One of the most important things to do to lower the risk of diabetes is to eat healthy foods.
2. When you go to the grocery store, choose lean meats, low-fat dairy products and whole grain foods. Avoid prepackaged snack foods, like chips and soda.
3. An easy way to stay on track with healthy eating is to keep unhealthy foods out of your home. Plan what you’re going to eat each week, and base your grocery list off your planned meals. Don’t stray from your list when shopping.
4. Smokers have higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Smoking also increases your risk of heart attacks and strokes. If you do smoke, try to quit. Check out these tips for quitting if you aren’t sure where to start.
5. Get your cholesterol checked every five years to ensure your levels are healthy. Get it checked more often if your doctor recommends it.
6. Include exercise in your daily routine. Try to get moving for at least 30 minutes a day. Even if you don’t have time for 30 minutes of exercise, a short walk is better than nothing.
7. Set attainable goals for eating healthy and exercising. Take a look at these tips for setting attainable, measurable goals. Take small steps to better your health.
8. It’s said that eating too much sugar causes diabetes, but that is a myth. However, it’s recommended to limit your sugar intake for overall health reasons.
9. Choose healthy fats like canola, avocado or olive oils instead of unhealthy saturated fats.
10. Lower your salt intake. Opt for flavorful spices and herbs to season foods.
There are many other ways to lower your risk of Type 2 diabetes. We recommend working with a health care provider to find the best treatment plan for you. If you have questions about our services or how we help people who have Type 2 diabetes, please contact us.
Did you know November is Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness month? More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and it is estimated by 2050 up to 16 million will have the disease. Learn more about Alzheimer’s disease:
1. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. It is a degenerative brain disease that affects memory, speech and problem-solving skills. In later stages of the disease, it can even impact normal bodily functions, such as chewing, swallowing and walking. Alzheimer’s ultimately impacts a person’s ability to lead a normal life.
2. Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Unlike other diseases, it cannot be prevented, cured or slowed down. The Alzheimer’s Association works to advance research for new treatments and ways to prevent the disease. Ultimately, through its research it hopes to find a cure for Alzheimer’s.
3. One of the first symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is a gradual decrease of memory. Other common symptoms include difficulty completing regular tasks, confusion, problems with speaking and issues solving problems. If you notice a loved one experiencing any of these symptoms, encourage them to see a doctor.
4. Although there is not one specific known cause of Alzheimer’s disease, age is considered the greatest risk factor for getting the disease. Most people who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s are over the age of 65. Even though age is the greatest risk factor for getting the disease, Alzheimer’s is not considered a normal part of aging.
5. There is not a known cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but there are ways to treat it. There are some prescription drugs available that increase the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain. There are also medicine-free ways to treat the disease, such as music therapy or memory therapy. We provide many different therapy programs at Valley VNA, such as Lyrics and Laughter, Poetry at Play, and Music and Memory.
To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, visit alz.org. If you have questions about how we help individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, please contact us.