Archive for year: 2024

Anxiety awareness celebration in facilities for Alzheimer’s emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing anxiety symptoms in residents with dementia. This initiative enables staff to receive specialized training to identify anxiety triggers and implement calming strategies, such as creating sensory-friendly environments and personalized care plans. Activities and engagement programs in Anxiety Awareness Month are also tailored to divert attention from anxious thoughts, and families are provided with support and education to enhance understanding and communication.

Thus, collaboration with mental health professionals ensures access to specialized care and interventions while establishing consistent routines, which helps minimize uncertainty and promote a sense of security for residents. This event highlights the significance of proactive approaches to managing anxiety in Alzheimer’s care settings, ultimately enhancing residents’ well-being and quality of life.

Anxiety Awareness Month

May is Anxiety Awareness Month, which raises awareness about the significance of this issue and provides guidance on how to manage it best. Among the activities included within this month is to inform and enlighten the public about the different aspects of mental health of which anxiety stands out.

Anxiety is a common mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of worry, fear, or apprehension that can significantly impact daily life. It includes a range of disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and certain phobias. This often arises from genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.

Symptoms can manifest as excessive worrying, restlessness, irritability, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbances. While mild anxiety is a normal response to stress, chronic and severe anxiety can impair functioning and lead to other health problems if left untreated. Treatment options include therapy (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy), medications (like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), lifestyle modifications, and stress-reduction techniques.

Increasing awareness and understanding of anxiety is crucial to reducing stigma, promoting early intervention, and improving overall mental health outcomes.

Coping with Anxiety in Facilities for Alzheimer’s

There are several things that caregivers can do to aid people with dementia in coping with anxiety and the fear of being left alone in facilities for Alzheimer’s.

• Try to be comforting and provide reassurance that they are safe.
• Make eye contact and listen to their fears without arguing with them.
• Try to take them for a walk or do something they might enjoy as a distraction.

Take note that a person with Alzheimer’s might feel agitation or anxiety. Thus, he or she will become restless, pacing or moving around, or becoming upset in certain places. You can prevent this by following the following options.

• Create a calm environment.
• Avoid environmental triggers
• Monitor personal comfort
• Simplify tasks and routines
• Provide a way to exercise or do physical activities

If you are a caregiver for a person with Alzheimer’s disease, you must understand the behavior of that person to help you lessen the difficulties as you provide care in facilities for Alzheimer’s.

• Set realistic and attainable goals.
• Anticipate misinterpretation
• Reminisce about the past
• Enjoy the good times
• Become flexible   

Remember that your priority is your patient’s safety, so you must do the following to help ensure you can effectively manage this overwhelming responsibility. 

• Provide supervision by evaluating the risks and consequences of your patient’s current and potential behavior.
• You can also modify the environment to limit your patient’s exposure to potentially dangerous situations.

Learn more about Fallbrook Assisted Living by clicking here!

Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper

Celebrating Mother’s Day in assisted living facilities holds special significance as it honors the vital role of mothers and caregivers within these communities. This occasion is a heartfelt opportunity to recognize and appreciate the love, sacrifice, and nurturing provided by mothers, grandmothers, and maternal figures residing in assisted living.

Activities are organized to create meaningful experiences, such as family gatherings, special meals, and personalized tributes. Residents are often adorned with flowers, cards, and thoughtful gifts during this event, evoking cherished memories and fostering emotional connections with loved ones.

Staff may facilitate virtual visits or organize community-wide festivities for those separated from family members to uplift spirits and promote a sense of belonging. Assisted living can also celebrate Mother’s Day, which is a tradition and an emotional reminder of the enduring bonds of family and the enduring spirit of maternal care within these supportive environments.

Mother’s Day in Assisted Living

It is important to note that this occasion has a special meaning in senior assisted living communities. It is a time for mothers to reflect on their own experiences and celebrate the bond shared with children and grandchildren.

At some point, Mother’s Day can also be a time to reflect and thank them for the love and support they have received from their mothers throughout their lives. There are various events and activities that senior living communities do to honor and recognize the mothers in the community. Among these activities are some unique ways to spend Mother’s Day, such as the following.

• Take your mom to a picnic.
• Participate in the hobby she loves the most
• Offer gifts handcrafted by her grandchildren
• Join her in attending a certain play or performance she always wanted to see
• Get her to a girl’s day out and treat her to a salon session
• Gift her with a bag of goodies
• Take professional family photographs
• Write a thank you letter to mom

Gift Ideas for Mom

If you might find it challenging to show how special your senior mother is, you can consider providing some gifts during Mother’s Day. Here are some gift options for your senior mom on this special occasion.

• Create a digital picture frame for mom with images to make her feel at home.
• Take her on a nice day out where you can plan a day filled with activities she loves.
• You can also gift her a tablet, which is the easiest gadget.
• Provide an activity tracker that she can wear, particularly when trying to form healthy habits.
• Offer a monthly subscription service that will continually give gifts to her throughout the year.

Remember that whether your mom lives in her own home or has moved into an assisted living community, many Mother’s Day gift options are available. Regardless of your chosen heartwarming gifts, even something as simple as your time or something personal like a sentimental gift, you can always make this day special for Mom.

Looking for excellent senior living in Nebraska? Click here to learn all about Fallbrook Assisted Living!

Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper

Spring is the season of new beginnings when the warmth of sunshine touches your skin after months of cold and darkness. It is also when the flowers bloom, and their scent fills the air. In Fallbrook Assisted Living, spring is an opportunity to lift the residents’ feelings, reawaken their creativity, foster social connections, appreciate nature’s beauty, and use their energy in fun activities and making wonderful memories. Above all, springtime enriches residents’ lives and lightens the facility’s mood.

Spring & Mental Health in Fallbrook Assisted Living

As spring blooms repaint the world, the season also promises rebirth, allowing residents to rejuvenate and take good care of their mental health. Spring is not just about the beautiful outside world; it also brings fresh air and renewal for everyone.

The warmth of sunshine and longer daylight hours are proven to impact mood positively. The warmer temperatures allow residents to soak up the sun and enjoy outdoor activities. Sun exposure is a natural source of Vitamin D, responsible for regulating mood because of the release of the feel-good hormone.

In Fallbrook Assisted Living, residents can take a leisurely walk outside and picnic with family or friends, fostering a sense of connection with nature and the people dear to them.

The longer daylight hours are also perfect for rediscovering their love for arts and creations. A simple coloring or shading activity lets one forget the world and let time fly. Or do gardening activities to reduce stress and anxiety. Gardening also develops the focus and being in the moment. Additionally, seeing the plants grow gives seniors a sense of accomplishment.

Spring is also an opportunity to organize social activities and programs for residents to create meaningful connections. With newfound and for keeping friends, residents can now share stories and experiences that are good for cognitive function, memory retention, emotional support, and a sense of purpose.

Let us embrace and celebrate the joy of Spring through creativity, camaraderie, and connections to uplift spirits and mental health.

Spring Activities for Fallbrook Assisted Living Residents

Take advantage of the warmth of new beginnings through spring activities beneficial for physical and mental health. Here are a few activities you can try at Fallbrook Assisted Living:

Bird-Watching

Assisted living communities can organize bird-watching activities for fun and education. One study revealed that birth-watching can lower signs of anxiety and depression.

Farmers Market

Get some sunshine, find fresh produce, and watch people.

Flower Arranging Lessons

Organize a flower-arranging workshop for residents to learn the art, express themselves artistically, or express difficult-to-convey emotions.

Gardening and Garden Tours

Organize gardening activities where residents can plant flowers, herbs, or vegetables and feel accomplished as they watch them grow. This physical activity is also a good way to keep them active.

Go on botanical tours to nearby gardens with residents and their families to learn about different plant species and appreciate spring blooms.

Picnics and Walks in  Fallbrook Assisted Living

Go on guided walks with family or friends to enjoy the sun and the scent of spring. Enjoy the fresh air, the sunshine, and the dear company of people you love.

These are just suggestions. Feel free to improvise according to your residents’ preferences.

Looking for excellent care and community in Nebraska? Click here to learn more about Fallbrook Assisted Living!

Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. This is an entire month dedicated to supporting and enhancing the lives of those living with the condition. According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, an estimated one million individuals in the United States live with the disease, and this is likely to increase to 1.2 million by 2030. Worldwide, more than 10 million people are living with Parkinson’s disease. Since there is no way to stop or revert Parkinson’s, the best way to deal with it is to raise awareness and funds for researchers to find a cure. Through the initiatives, education campaigns, collaborative programs, and support, these will serve the entire Parkinson’s community including those in assisted living facilities.

Parkinson’s Awareness Month

April is for awareness of the challenges those affected with Parkinson’s disease face and the recent developments in managing the condition. Throughout the month, various activities address the unique needs of those with Parkinson’s and their families.

Educational programs, updates on research efforts, treatment, support services, and social media campaigns aim to increase understanding and awareness of the disease. By providing information and first-hand experiences, the community can have better support.

Through these programs, assisted living facilities, families, and the Parkinson’s community will benefit from better access to healthcare, continued research, and improving the lives of individuals with Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s Awareness Month is observed in the United States and globally. This month helps the public understand and support researchers in continuing to change the lives of Parkinson’s patients and cure the disease.

Managing Parkinson’s in Assisted Living Facilities

Regarding your loved one’s condition, a special approach is necessary. From anxiety, trouble sleeping, and depression to swallowing difficulties, cognitive changes, and slowness of movement, symptoms can severely impact daily life.

Though quite challenging, these difficulties can be managed. Assisted living facilities must create a personalized care plan for each resident based on their symptoms, challenges, and medication.

Assisted living must provide medication management so residents receive their medications on time and in the correct dosage.

Other than mobility support, residents are also encouraged to be physically active. Physical exercise is one of the best ways to manage the condition. Strength training and aerobics for at least 30 minutes every 2-3 days per week can help balance and agility.

Meal plans must also be available for residents with Parkinson’s to ensure they receive adequate nutrients. These meals should also be easy to swallow, as Parkinson’s can affect swallowing function.

Speech support must also be available for individuals who experience speech changes. Visual aids and speech therapy can also help with communication.

Depression and anxiety are two common Parkinson’s symptoms. Counseling, social activities, and support groups are important for emotional support.

Carers and staff must also be trained and receive continued education in Parkinson’s management. This allows assisted living staff to provide the needed care and compassionate support to residents.

With education, support, and proper management, assisted living communities can provide a safe and supportive environment to enhance the lives of residents with Parkinson’s.

Looking for excellent care and community in Nebraska? Click here to learn more about Fallbrook Assisted Living!

Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper

Assisted living facilities may organize different activities and events to educate residents, caregivers, and staff about essential tremors, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and how they can affect daily life.

One objective of National Essential Tremor Awareness Month is to increase understanding and empathy for individuals living with essential tremors, promote early detection and diagnosis, and provide support and resources to those affected by this condition as they dwell in assisted living facilities.

What is Essential Tremor Awareness Month?

It is important to note that shaky hands are not a sign of aging. On the other hand, a shaky head is not a definite sign of Parkinson’s disease. However, involuntary shaking of the head, hands, voice, trunk, or legs are possible signs of essential tremor.

March is National Essential Tremor Awareness Month, which aims to educate the public about the common condition and rally support for those affected by it. It is also an important month for those affected by essential tremors. This occasion provides organizations with the aim of educating people about this condition and raising funds to find a cure and better treatments.

What to Know about Essential Tremor

Essential tremor is a movement disorder that will cause the body to shake uncontrollably. It is hard to keep yourself from doing it as it usually affects your hands and arms, as well as your head, voice, and other body parts.

It is essential to know that it can severely disrupt some of life’s most basic tasks, including drinking, eating, and dressing yourself. Moreover, advanced stages will cause many people to struggle with feelings of embarrassment or anxiety about its symptoms.

Anyone can experience essential tremor, but it is more common in older people. Likewise, it can run in families and is sometimes referred to as familial tremor. It happens to people between the ages of 10 and 19 or between 50 and 59.

There is no cure for essential tremors, but treatment options are available to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

• Medications – anticonvulsants, benzodiazepines, beta-blockers
• Deep brain stimulation
• Focused ultrasound thalamotomy
• Lifestyle modifications

Essential Tremor in Assisted Living Facilities

As people age, the prevalence of essential tremor increases, but hereditary tremor is becoming less common. On the other hand, late-manifesting tremors may be associated with dementia or earlier mortality.

Recent research shows that elderly tremors are common but have never received adequate attention. Moreover, this condition is associated with mild cerebellar functional deficit. However, no formal studies are being published, and almost all available epidemiological studies classify action tremors in the elderly as essential tremors.

Overall, people living in assisted living facilities may experience essential tremors, as studies show that the prevalence of this condition in the elderly increases with age. Thus, patients must work closely with healthcare professionals to develop a personalized treatment plan for their specific needs and preferences.

If you want excellent care in Nebraska, click here to learn more about Fallbrook Assisted Living!

Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper