Dementia is Hard Work for Both Sides
Recently, while attending an educational conference, I attended a class taught by Laura Wayman. She has written a book on “A Loving Approach to Dementia Care.” Dementia is not a specific disease; it is a term used for a group of brain disorders. Many diseases can have a dementia component. Alzheimer’s disease is probably the most prevalent. Recent studies show there are many more diseases that can result in dementia. What is dementia? How can I tell if my loved one is on this path or could the problem be rectified? According to the Alzheimer’s Association, here are some symptoms that should not be ignored. Symptoms from the list include…
Service Animal or Emotional Support Animal – What’s the Difference?
Service and emotional support animals are becoming more and more common. The last time I flew to Kansas, in the Dallas Fort worth airport I counted at least three dogs that the owners kept near and one service dog helping its handler to maneuver through the crowds safely. It seems more and more people are realizing the benefits of having an animal in their life. A bakery in Morro Bay has a whole display case full of doggie treats so people who are vacationing can purchase something yummy for their dog as they sip their coffee and have a sweet roll. When we opened the Terraces at Sierra View Homes…
Chaplain’s Corner: The True Source of Prosperity
“For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.” These closing words of the very first Psalm lay out the conventional wisdom that we find throughout the books of Psalms and Proverbs. Yet so often in life we are dismayed and frustrated at how often the wicked prosper and the righteous seem to come away empty handed. It offends our sense of what is right and what is fair. We turn the Bible upside down for the secret key of what we have to do to make sure we have guaranteed security from pain, suffering and injustice. This dilemma was…
- Assisted Living, Blog, Garden Apartments, Independent Living, Lifestyle, Marden's Place Memory Care, Nursing Care, Rehabilitation, Residential Care, Sierra View Terraces, Skilled Nursing
Defining Self-Care
The month of Valentine’s has arrived! Of course, soon after Christmas, the popular Cupids and red hearts were up to remind us to be in good cheer and spend some money on goodies for our loved ones. Let’s have a little different perspective this time. I would like to remind you to take care of yourself first. Taking care of yourself fuels the good you can do in the world. True self-care is more than a collection of sayings, self-indulgence or surface-level practices. It’s taking stock of your humanness and building yourself up. Each one of us has dignity as God’s Children. From the womb to death, each one is…
- Assisted Living, Blog, Garden Apartments, Independent Living, Lifestyle, Marden's Place Memory Care, Nursing Care, Rehabilitation, Residential Care, Sierra View Terraces, Skilled Nursing
Lessons from Half a Century at Sierra View Homes
A lot changes in 44 years, but some things never change. No one can attest to this better than Nancy Petinak. The 79-year-old Reedley resident recently retired from her role as Activities Director at Sierra View Homes Retirement Community, a career which spanned an impressive 44 years. Nancy played a pivotal role in the growth of Sierra View Homes from a small skilled nursing facility to a full-service continuing care retirement community. Nancy’s career is a source of great pride for Sierra View, as she exemplifies the unusual longevity of the organization’s staff, and more importantly, the service-oriented heart found beating beneath the everyday workings of the community. When Nancy…
- Assisted Living, Blog, Garden Apartments, Independent Living, Lifestyle, Marden's Place Memory Care, Nursing Care, Rehabilitation, Residential Care, Sierra View Terraces, Skilled Nursing
10 TIPS for Living a Dignified Life as You Age
“Aging with dignity is the ability to live life to its fullest in the place you call home, regardless of age, illness or disability. “ So starts an article by Victoria R Ballesteros and Athan G. Bezaetis. Both are communication professionals with the SCAN Foundation. The article they wrote covers 10 points on the topic of aging with dignity. These are good points to use to look to the future. Here is a summary of those points with some comments of my own. TIP #1: You Are Not Alone We have been hearing for a while now that the huge number of baby boomers are now reaching retirement age. There…
10 Tips for a Great Garage Sale in Reedley
10 Reedley Yard Sale Tips! Are you ready to move into a Reedley retirement community like Sierra View Homes, but you’re still drowning in STUFF? Let’s downsize! It’s time to hold a garage sale! Here are a few handy tips and tricks to make sure your Reedley garage sale draws a crowd: Don’t Forget Your Yard Sale Permit! Check out the City of Reedley’s rules for garage sales. The City of Reedley requires homeowners to purchase a $10 permit to hold a sale, and prohibits more than 2 yard sales each calendar year. Post Your Sale Online. Multiple websites are available to help you promote your yard sale, and most allow you…
Scott MacIntyre – Auxiliary Spring Benefit Dinner
You’re invited to Sierra View Homes’ 2018 Auxiliary Dinner, on Saturday, June 9th! This year’s event features a silent auction, and the return of American Idol Star, singer, songwriter, and author Scott MacIntyre! All proceeds will fund the anticipated Bistro/café renovation of Sierra View’s main banquet room. If you have items you wish to donate for the silent auction, please bring them to the Activity Room before the event. Time: Appetizers – 5:30 p.m. Dinner in the Kings Canyon Room – 6:30 p.m. Donation Amount: $60 per plate. Sierra View residents receive a discounted rate of $40. Reserve a table of eight to receive the discounted rate of $420 per…
Seniors and Social Media
When you think of social media, your first thought may be of teenagers on their phones. However, increasingly, you should think of a senior! Recent data provided by the Pew Research Center revealed that seniors are more wired and socially connected than ever. Electronic use among seniors is on the rise, with the number of seniors 65+ reporting owning a smart phone increasing from 18% to 42% over the last 5 years. Roughly one third of seniors now reports owning a tablet. Social media use is also increasing steadily, with 35% of all seniors reporting use of social media platforms. Of the seniors using social media platforms, the vast majority…
Avoiding Falls As We Age
Challenges seem to creep up on us, as we age. One change is losing your balance and suddenly finding yourself on the ground. Recently, I had an unexpected fall when I was at a camp in the mountains as I came down a short flight of steps, I think I must have missed a step because I suddenly found myself splat on the ground! I looked around and was pleased to see no one had witnessed this event. Next, I took stock of my extremities and found that nothing was hurt so I gathered myself and got up. I realized that I was stunned and shaky as I stood there…
