Guidance for Visitors – 9/16/2021 Check out our new Visiting page for a new Visiting FAQ and to download our current Plan for Visitation. COVID Update – 9/16/2021 Dear Friends, I am pleased to update you that our skilled nursing and assisted living have both been COVID-free since January 2021!   As concerns about the Delta variant begin to rise, I wanted to reiterate our commitment to open and ongoing communication about COVID-19 and its impacts on our staff and residents.  Thankfully, the vast majority of our staff and residents have received the Pfizer vaccine at our several vaccination clinics. Our ratio of staff and residents who have received the vaccine…

There is a link between the activities you do during the day, the food you eat and the calming techniques you have, to the amount of sound sleep. Sierra View Homes‘ new “Get Moving Program” teaches the important aspect of good sleep. Sleep helps repair damage, clears the debris in the brain, and enhances healthy aging. Actions in the brain while we sleep is a process of taking out the trash and repairing damage that can lead to serious illness. Nearly all brain repair occurs during sleep. Unfortunately, many older adults often get less sleep than they need. Falling asleep is a frequent complaint. Studies show that we all should…

As the pandemic marches into its sixth month, with no end in sight, the forced isolation it brings has started to take its toll. While shelter-in-place orders result in some of us sheltering with family or roommates, others of us end up sheltering alone.  The psychological difficulty posed by isolation and loneliness is well-documented. Thus, while safeguarding our physical health and fighting the spread of COVID-19 in our community is critical, it is equally important to take active steps to safeguard our psychological health while isolating. Here are a few ideas for behaviors that can help you thrive during this time: Learn (or share) a skill.Learn a new language (try…

This article was written before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Check out our new article for 11 more tips on how to survive – and thrive – during periods of isolation! Loneliness and social isolation are a huge concern for older adults. As we age, it becomes harder to stay connected with family and friends, especially if you are living alone. Older adults face loss, loss of a good friend or spouse to illness or death. They have to face issues such as hearing and or vision loss, mobility challenges both physically or in loss of driving privileges. All these issues cause challenges in staying connected. The National Poll on Healthy…

The holidays have come and gone and now we may be facing the added pounds from all those Christmas goodies. There can be a feeling of disappointment or even disillusionment as we pack away the Christmas decorations. Those New Year’s resolutions are already a challenge to keep. Maybe we can look to food to improve our mood and avoid further negative thought. . We have all heard that eating a healthy diet can help cut the risks of illnesses especially as we age. Now studies are showing what we eat can affect our mood. I am part of a task Force at Sierra View Homes Retirement Community to study and…

The seven wonders of the world are not places, but…

Laughter is contagious. It is a way to create friendships and give everyone the opportunity to be part of something. Recently, I visited the Sierra View Homes Kings Canyon Dining Room during the evening meal. As I encountered the people at each table, I asked for a “good Joke.” I said I was writing an article about humor and its effects on people and I needed some jokes to add to the mix. There were smiles all around and then the person who always has a joke ready responded “You know I have had several good years in my life.” but they were all tires.” It took a moment for…