- Assisted Living, Blog, Garden Apartments, Independent Living, Lifestyle, Marden's Place Memory Care, Nursing Care, Rehabilitation, Residential Care, Sierra View Terraces, Skilled Nursing
Never Take Your Feet for Granted
Feet. They carry you from here to there every day. Typically, we don’t give much thought to our feet until we experience pain. Foot problems tend to be common in older people for several reasons: As we age the bottom of the foot loses its cushioning making the foot more susceptible to bruising Older skin can become dry and brittle, causing open areas, especially around the toes Joints can become inflamed by poor circulation Diabetes and can keep a foot wound from healing properly. One way to avoid foot pain is to wear comfortable shoes that fit. Avoid tight or high-heeled shoes that put undue pressure on certain areas of the foot.…
- Assisted Living, Marden's Place Memory Care, Nursing Care, Rehabilitation, Residential Care, Skilled Nursing
Update on our Music Project!
Music! Sounds, beats and familiar songs have a profound impact on each of us. We are utilizing music at Sierra View Homes in a new and meaningful way. As I write this article today I am loading an iPod for a person at Sierra View Homes Marden’s Place memory care who has dementia. That makes 23 iPods in use in our Nursing Care and in Marden’s Place! The music project is going well. In fact, it is going much better than expected. I am amazed when I walk the halls of the Nursing Care Center and watch the residents listening to the music that brings back good memories from long ago.…
Bathing in Music, It’s Good for the Mind and Soul
Have you listened to music lately? Do you have songs that touch you in a certain way? Is there music that takes you back to your childhood or your youth? I recently attended a California Association of Nursing Facilities Conference in Southern California that brought home the importance of music. The conference offered a number of educational sessions on person- centered care. For me, the most intriguing discussion was about music. Sierra View Homes has always recognized the value of live music entertainment, but the newer studies focused on the individual listening to a personal play list of songs. Oliver Wendell Holmes once said “take a music bath once or twice…
A Walk Through Sierra View’s Gardens
Planning for the Senior Years
Recently, Vito Genna, Executive Director of Sierra View Homes, and I were talking about our parents. Both of us had the experience of parents who had their documents in order and were easily accessible when each of us needed to deal with our respective parent’s business and health issues. Keeping important papers in a designated location is important especially if a family member needs to take responsibility for your financial or health well-being while you are alive and as in my case, after death. As we grow older it is important to do some estate planning. Many seniors may think a Last Will and Testament is all they need to…
Spring Has Sprung at Sierra View!
The Art of Aging Gracefully
Ever wonder why some people seem forever youthful, and others seem older than their years? As it turns out, genetics are not the only factor – there are actions you can take and attitudes you can adopt which will help you age gracefully for years to come. As we age it is important to laugh. Laughing aids circulation, it increases respiration, lowers blood pressure, stimulates digestion, and decreases stress. Statistics show that people who have stress have a shorter life span. It is important to find ways to release the stress we feel as we age. Do not get worked up about things you can’t control. Look at what causes your…
- Blog, Garden Apartments, Independent Living, Nursing Care, Rehabilitation, Sierra View Terraces, Skilled Nursing
Stroke: Know the Warning Signs!
“I have met a number of people that have had a stroke. Each one has had different consequences- some severe and some with hardly any visible effects. Are there warning signs and can you discuss the different effects strokes have on individuals?” – G.L. of Reedley The medical terminology for a stroke is a cerebral vascular accident (CVA). A CVA is caused by the blockage of blood flow by a clot or a rupture of an artery in the brain. This can result in sudden death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen. Strokes can create all sorts of disabilities. Depending on where in the brain the stroke happened you…
It’s Official! Sierra View is a CCRC!
It’s official! Sierra View Homes Retirement Community has been licensed by the Department of Social Services as a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). What does that change, you ask? Very little, actually. But now Sierra View is getting recognized by the state for the good work we were already doing. A Continuing Care Retirement Community guarantees to its residents that if they require the services of a higher level of care, such as Skilled Nursing or Assisted Living, they have a guaranteed spot in that higher level of care. That guarantee provides peace of mind to residents and their loved ones that the resident will not have to bounce from…
- Assisted Living, Blog, Garden Apartments, Independent Living, Lifestyle, Marden's Place Memory Care, Nursing Care, Rehabilitation, Residential Care, Sierra View Terraces, Skilled Nursing
Understanding the Durable Power of Attorney
Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare and Finances What happens if you should suddenly have a life-threatening emergency? You are unable to talk and unable to tell the medical professionals what your wishes are. The medical personnel have taken an oath to do everything possible to save you. They may give you medical attention you do not want. As you look to the future it is important to put safeguards in place to make sure your wishes are carried out through the rest of your life. There are things you can do at any age to put your wishes in writing and designate someone to follow your decisions in case…
