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Train Your Brain

Train Your Brain

Photo by Hey Paul Studios - Creative Commons

Your brain is like a muscle – don’t use it, you lose it!
The following are online resources for training your brain, and some argue that they can increase your intelligence and functional ability in daily tasks:

  • Luminosity – The recognized leader in online brain training, with 40 million registered users.
  • Cognifit – An online brain training program that also offers a downloadable app for iPhone and iPod.
  • Jungle Memory – Brain training designed specifically for children.
  • Cogmed – This offline brain training program claims to help those with traumatic brain injury or ADHD, and has been implemented in hospitals and over 100 U.S. schools.
The health of your brain has also been linked to diet, exercise, and heart health. Marden’s Place, Sierra View Homes’ Alzheimer’s assisted living wing dedicate to residents with dementia and memory difficulties, makes use of games, diet, and exercise to keep our residents active and using their brains. We also encourage the residents in our independent senior apartments and assisted living to remain active, both physically and mentally.

For more resources and ideas about keeping your brain healthy and avoiding Alzheimer’s, check out the resources at the Alzheimer’s Research Center sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association.

Do You Own a Pet?

Looks like this kitty enjoyed her visit to Sierra View's nursing care center!

Pets can be good medicine.

Do you own a pet?  Pet lovers are quick to tell you about the immediate joys of pet ownership. At Sierra View, we pride ourselves in our lenient pet policy, which has allowed many independent and assisted living residents to bring their furry loved ones with them. As a result, our campus boasts many non-human residents – from small dogs, cats, birds, and fish to a friendly bunny who hops down the Sierra View hallways on a leash!

A common sight in the halls of The Terraces, Sierra View's independent senior apartment building.

One resident of Sierra View Terraces senior apartments told me she has always had a pet. “When you live on the ranch you must have dogs,” she said. Her small dog lives with her in her Sierra View Terraces apartment, and makes friends with passers-by on daily strolls around the neighborhood. “The companionship is special, and I am so thankful for my dog. He lets me know when someone is walking up to my door, and is a great conversation starter when we meet people on our walks.”

Researchers have been looking at the possibility of health benefits for pet owners.  Studies on the effects of owning and caring for a pet have revealed that pet ownership can bring remarkable results for your health. 

Studies show that pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression. Pet – especially dogs and cats – fulfill the basic human need for touch. They offer unconditional love, attention, and companionship. Caring for a pet can boost your morale and bring pleasure to your days. Pets require regular feeding and exercise so, no matter how depressed, anxious or stressed you are, your pet needs you to care for it. Being needed, and the job of taking care of an animal, can give your life purpose and provide a sense of self-worth. Veteran groups have seen amazing changes in depression with disabled soldiers. Some animals can even sense a person’s mood and purposely try to change it. 

Stroking, holding, cuddling, or otherwise touching a loving animal can have a powerful effect in lowering blood pressure. Touch and movement are two healthy ways to deal with stress. Pets encourage playfulness, laughter, and exercise. Studies show that playing with a pet can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax us. Laughing at the antics of a playful pet helps you enjoy life, and adds to your sense of well-being.   

Having a pet can also be heart-healthy. Research shows that heart attack patients who have pets recover more quickly and have longer life spans than non-pet owners. Going for walks with your dog, riding a horse, or chasing a kitten keeps you moving in heart healthy ways. “My dog has to say hello to everyone, and that makes my walks with him take a long time,” mentioned a Sierra View resident. “So I end up getting more exercise!” 

Pets also help us take better care of ourselves. When you have a pet, you have to be there to take care of it. In fact, pet owners over age 65 are less likely to need to visit the doctor with ailments. Pets encourage laughter, playfulness, and exercise. All three boost your immune system and increase your energy. 

A pet does not have to be a cat or a dog. There are many animals to consider. When you decide to get a pet, look at your home environment, your time commitments, how active you are now, and who else lives in your home. Some pets require more time than others, so think about what the pet requires and if that commitment works for you. 

Pets are not for everyone. It is important to weigh the pros and cons when considering a pet. Food, shots and equipment can represent a significant financial investment. Some animals, especially dogs, may need training and ongoing time for walks and outdoor play. The time commitment cannot be shortchanged, so it is necessary to look at the time you can devote to a pet. Additionally, a particular pet’s lifespan and adult size should be considered – for example, some tortoises sold in pet stores can live up to 100 years and grow to weigh hundreds of pounds. 

Throughout our retirement campus, Sierra View Homes Retirement Community has several birds and aquariums for residents to enjoy. Sierra, one of our most popular birds, can often be found on a resident’s shoulder happily taking a break from sitting in her cage.  Recently, three-week-old kittens brought smiles and cuddles to many people in both our Nursing Care Center and Assisted Living. We also have visiting animals, such as a therapy dog that stops by frequently to cheer up anyone who wants a bit of love. 

Owning a pet has many positive attributes. If you (or your parents) are feeling down, stressed out, lonely, or have health issues, consider purchasing a pet. Researchers have found the pet owner feels remarkably better in just a few short months. As we age and our families and friendships change, caring for a pet can give you the lift you need to stay healthy and happy well into the future.

What is Assisted Living?

Question:  I see advertisements in the newspaper for assisted living facilities, and it is difficult to understand what is offered there in comparison to other care services, such as skilled nursing. Can you explain the differences? –  K.A. Reedley CA.

 Answer: Great question! The term “assisted living” became popular in the 1980’s. At that time, it was a new level of care that allowed retirement communities to provide personal care programs. Before retirement communities provided assisted living, personal care was mostly handled by small board and care facilities or nursing homes.

Assisted living facilities provide help for seniors who struggle with daily chores but do not need 24-hour medical care. One room apartments with a bathroom, meals and snacks, activities of various interests, medication observation, and some assistance with personal care are provided. The goal of assisted living is to help seniors remain as independent as they can be for as long as possible — delaying the need to live in a skilled nursing facility.

Skilled nursing care is generally utilized for people with severe disability and/or a resident who needs rehabilitation therapy. Skilled nursing is ‘total care,’ offering 24-hour staffing with licensed nursing and registered therapists to allow patients to recover or at least maintain the functions they have.

The decision to move into an assisted living facility can be a difficult one. It often means moving out of a house full of memories and downsizing, leaving precious belongings. It means allowing someone to assist you with your medications and possibly having some hands-on personal care.

When is it time to consider Assisted Living? Some simple questions will help you decide.

Fortunately, there are two very reputable retirement communities right here in Reedley that offer assisted living, as well as several small board and care facilities in the greater Reedley area. Not all facilities are alike. Just as there are different levels of care, the costs can also vary widely. Some facilities charge a basic fee and then charge separately for additional services while others have an all-inclusive rate. Assisted living can run between $2,000 to $5,000 per month, while the cost of a skilled nursing facility can be $6000 to $7000 per month.  

The best way to make a decision is to visit the facility, talk to staff and residents, and ask questions regarding care and services. As with all planning decisions, it is best done well in advance, with time to make comparisons and have all your questions answered before making such an important decision.

Not all Assisted Living communities are alike. Here are some factors to consider as you help your loved one choose.

Are All Assisted Living Communities Alike? How to Choose.

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I am thinking it is time to move my mother into an Assisted Living Residence. How do I go about choosing one? Are all assisted living facilities alike? How do I deal with helping her adjust to the changes in her life?

This is a very good question because not all assisted living residences are alike. There is no standard blueprint for what an assisted living facility should look like.

Assisted living facilities go by many different names, like “personal care home,” “board and care home,” and “congregate living facility.” Some are multi-story buildings, some are private homes that have been converted into a group living environment, and others are more like hotels, with hallways and rooms on either side of the hallway. Some are part of a retirement community, and others have no attachment to any other type of facility. Depending upon what they call themselves and whether they are connected to other facilities, there are different rules and regulations according to their license with the State of California.

What is Assisted Living?

When is it time to consider Assisted Living?

Some factors to consider as you are choosing an assisted living facility for your loved one:

  • Location.
    A major factor in assisted living choice is the facility’s location. If possible, choose a location that is near to family members that will be able to visit frequently. Use the internet to find assisted living residences in your area. Also, the Valley Care Giver Resource has lists of places to choose from. I highly suggest you go and visit places you are interested in.
  • Staff.
    The first thing to look at when you enter a new facility is the staff. Are they friendly and welcoming? Ask them how long they‘ve been working there – longer is better! Watch how they are treating the current residents. In assisted living the staff is around to help with those tasks that have become difficult. Lurk around a bit to see if you can hear staff interacting with residents. How do you feel when you walk through the halls? Is your impression of the place a positive one?
  • Meals.
    If you can, have a meal at the facility. Watch how the meal is delivered to the residents and how tasty is it.  Talk to residents and find out about their experience in the facility. If residents are happy they will be eager to share how wonderful it is to live there.
  • Activities.
    Check the activities calendar. Is there an activity program that offers something for a variety of interests and physical ability levels? Are there activities your mother would enjoy doing?
  • Building Size and Layout.
    It is important that you choose a place that will best meet the needs of your loved one.  For some, a smaller and more intimate setting suits them better than a larger facility. Others enjoy having several social groups. Watch as you go through the facility for friendly common areas. Does the building seem well cared for? Is there a recreation room, library, social area, dining room, out door area that is welcoming?
  • Cost Structure.
    Rent for assisted living can vary greatly by the size of the room and services included in the rent. Some places include almost everything in the price, so the cost could be $2,000 to $3,500 per month. Others charge you for only the services your loved one uses, so the basic rent price is much lower, but the services cost can add up. Unfortunately, there is no government assistance to help with payment. The VA does have a program for Veterans and their wives to help defray costs of assisted living. The rent for assisted living is usually very reasonable when you consider what the rent covers.
  • Services Provided.
    Typically, assisted living facilities provide a long list of services. For example, most residential care facilities like Sierra View Homes’ assisted living provide:

      • 3 meals a day
      • 24 hour supervision
      • some personal care assistance
      • housekeeping and laundry services
      • minor medical supervision (with a medication technician who brings medicine to your loved one and documents that it was taken)
      • social, cultural, educational and physical activities to keep your loved one’s mind and body functioning as well as possible
      • snacks for those who need a little something to tide them over from meal to meal
      • a room with a full bathroom.

    Sierra View Homes Retirement Community offers even more than these basic services above in our assisted living/residential care.

  • What to Bring.
    Transitioning into a new living environment is difficult no matter what age. When getting ready to move to an assisted living setting, talk to the staff about what to bring. Most facilities will have a handbook or at least a list of what you will need. Plan what pieces of furniture you want to bring with you. Most facilities have the resident bring their own things to make the room feel more like home. If you are moving a relative in, it may be good to set up the room without them and then adjust things to their liking later.

Tip: Become acquainted with the facility so you know your way around and can help your loved one find places like the dining room and social areas easily. Don’t expect your mother to move in and be comfortable at once. I tell families that it takes at least a month before a new resident feels confident and comfortable. Families are encouraged to support the new resident by frequent visits and even dining with them at times.

 

11 Benefits of Living in a Retirement Community

Wondering if retirement community living is really better than living in a house? It is!

Below is a list of reasons that retirement community living beats living alone in a home every time.

Benefits of Living in a Retirement Community:

  • FriendshipsFriends

    As we age, we often lose roles, spouses, and friends. As a result, living at home can become lonely. Living with peers offers friendship, companionship and a sense of community. Neighbors become traveling companions, friends who share a cup of coffee, and often a fellowship and support group in times of need.

    On the day I arrived and moved into my apartment, I was welcomed by many of my neighbors,” said Mary Lou Martens. “One of my neighbors even brought over some cupcakes to enjoy with my coffee! My doorbell rang quite often during that first week. Though I didn’t know them at the time, they’ve since become good friends. It’s so nice to know that I’ll always have someone to talk to, someone who notices when I’m away, and always someone who will help when it is needed. We look out for each other! One of the best decisions in my life was coming to live at Sierra View Homes Retirement Community.”

  • Safety and Peace of Mind.

    Living in a retirement community can combine the best of both worlds, offering both freedom and safety. Sierra View’s gated community, security cameras, key-card locked building, indoor mail slots, and vigilant neighbors mean that you have more security than you would in a house. Friends check in on each other, noticing when someone is missing from the dinner table. Additionally, in case of some sort of medical event, nursing staff are right across the parking lot. All of this combines to increase the feeling of safety and provide peace of mind.

  • Less Home Maintenance.

    As we age, home maintenance becomes increasingly difficult. Gutters, lawns, and leaky hot water heaters are no respecters of age! This is one of the biggest benefits to life in a retirement coCCRC_Buffetmmunity – the chores of keeping up a house are gone. You do not have to worry about who will water the lawn while you travel, or deal with the financial burdens of home ownership. 

  • Less Cooking.

    Many retirement communities (like Sierra View Homes Retirement Community in Reedley, CA) offer meal plans, where a certain number of meals are provided each day. These meals are tasty, and provide the opportunity to socialize with neighbors.

    We never miss the evening meal,” said one resident. “Not only is it nice not to worry about cooking, it’s also an important time for us to connect with our friends. My husband and I are always busy and out and about, but we plan around meal time with our neighbors and try to make it a priority.”

  • Interesting Activities.

    Retirement communities make social activity a priority, making it easier to keep active as you age. There’s something for everyone! Bingo, movies, exercise classes, swimming, cooking, musical events, shuffle board, pool-playing competitions, bus trips and featured programs  – the busy activities calendar increases the level of social activity and provides entertaining ways to socialize. Living in a retirement community makes it easier to find peers who have similar interests and enjoy similar activities.
    Sierra View Guitar

  • Transportation.

    Most retirement communities offer transportation to surrounding shops and resources, which can be a vital service once driving is no longer an option. Sierra View’s shuttle goes to supermarkets every week, and other locations in the nearby city for special events. Even those who can drive often choose to tag along with their friends on the facility shuttle – why not turn the weekly shopping trip into a chance to chat?

  • Freedom.

    After devoting years to work and family, many seniors have a desire to experience traveling, deepening relationships or simply enjoy doing the things that interest them. There is a sense of freedom when you leave on a trip and know the staff and friends of the retirement community are watching your place. For many people, becoming a resident of a retirement community is a wonderful thing because many of the worries and burdens of life are gone, and in their place come new friendships, traveling companions, and rich experiences.

  • Access to Additional Services/Care Without Relocating.

    Recovering from a fall and need rehabilitation? Need some extra in-home services? Recovering from an illness that needs temporary skilled nursing care? These are situations that would require a complete relocation while still living in a house alone. In a retirement community, stepping up to a higher level of care does not necessitate losing your home, or even leaving it. Retirement communities offer the ability to smoothly move from one level of service to another, and back again, and typically preferred access to higher levels of care is given to those already living in the community.

  • Lower Financial Burden.

    There are often choices for housing in retirement communities, meaning that residents can choose their housing based on their budget. Knowing what your rent will be, and what your extra payments are, can help with budgeting for the future. A move to a retirement community can often lock in rates, or lock them to planned-for increases, which works better for a senior’s fixed income.

  • Respectful Neighbors.

    piano2
    Retirement communities have an age requirement of 55 and older, and as a result they enjoy a level of peace and quiet that cannot be found out in the general community. No loud rap music and frat parties here! 

  • Volunteer Opportunities.

    Retirement communities offer a wealth of opportunities for residents to make a difference, through service projects like gardening to make the community more beautiful, reading to those whose eyesight no longer allows them to, leading support groups, and going out together to make a difference in the Reedley community.

    I thought, what do I have to give? I realized that I can share my music. I have been playing the piano in the lobby for awhile now and I can’t begin to tell you how blessed I feel. There are so many opportunities here for those of us who enjoy volunteering. Sierra View Homes Retirement Community in Reedley, CA is the best place to live as a retiree.”

Make the transition to a retirement community today! The sooner you do, the sooner you’ll be enjoying the benefits that only retirement community living can provide.

Retirement Communities and Eating Habits

Could moving to a retirement community improve my eating habits and help me eat a healthier diet?   
– D. Mc. of Reedley, California

Yes! Living in a retirement community does encourage better eating habits. Very often, socialization during meals results in an increase in appetite.

Having a healthy diet with proper nutrition has benefits, such as increased mental ability, better mood stability, a strong immune system, more energy and faster recuperation times.

As we age there are factors that cause our eating habits to change, such as the loss of a spouse, a limited budget, metabolism starts to slow down around age 40. Activity levels change due to medical or physical problems. Our sense of taste and smell diminish and various factors can cause appetite changes, such as medication, depression, or an acute or chronic medical condition.

In the aging process we need to continue to exercise.  Statistics show weight more than age determines how much energy we have.  Eating food with fiber keeps the digestive system working well. Taking calcium walking and getting 15 minutes of sunlight daily, helps keep bones strong. Drinking plenty of water promotes regularity, helps our joints, keeps us feeling energetic and much more.  Avoiding foods with high sugar content is important; sugar can suppress the immune system, weaken eye sight, and contribute to obesity, diabetes and other chronic health issues.

Retirement living facilities offer help with maintaining good eating habits. Some independent living facilities have meal plans that can be purchased by the people who live there. There are facilities that offer one meal a day; others offer 2 or more. Some have the meal plan built right into the rental price. There are also assisted living and skilled facilities that serve 3 meals a day.

It should be noted that retirement communities create menu cycles based on the direction of a registered dietitian. For example, SVH has John Varin, RD who verifies diets for proper nutrient content and gives direction to the kitchen supervisor in coordinating food preparation and modified diets. . Retirement communities offer nourishing meals and the socialization encourages better nutrition by continuing to wet the resident’s appetite.

If living in a retirement facility is not an option then try having a potluck frequently with friends. Go to the community center either in Dinuba or Reedley for a noon meal M-F.

Both programs are serving meals very reasonably priced and offer other activities with possibilities to meet new friends and have things to do.

The life span for the average American is increasing. A healthy diet and regular exercise can help us live those extra years with energy, and enjoyment.

This article was co-written with John Varin, R.D. He is the consultant dietician for Sierra Kings Hospital and a number of long term care facilities in the Reedley area.