One of the most common challenges in caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is ensuring adequate food consumption. Family members will often tell us their loved one does not finish meals, even when you sit with them and actively encourage them to eat. It was once thought that this
As verbal and cognitive functions decline, how do you know if a person living with dementia is in pain? It was once thought that people with dementia don’t feel pain the way we do; we now know this isn’t the case. People with dementia indeed experience pain, but often have
According to the Mayo Clinic, the recommended calcium intake for men over the age of 70 and women over the age of 51 is 1200-2000 mg per day. Strong bones help prevent fractures during falls, protect our organs, anchor our muscles, and store calcium. But the older we get, the
Staying hydrated is important for our residents year round, but as temperatures climb, it is especially critical. There are a number of ways a person with dementia can become dehydrated: Underlying medical condition: Vomiting and diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration. Side effects from medicine: Many medications may induce a
Earlier this month, several representatives from Autumn Leaves attended the Argentum Senior Living Executive Conference in San Diego including regional team members, home office staff, and management from many of our communities. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to spend time sharing ideas, insights, challenges, and successes with the
While tangible gifts like flowers, scented candles, jewelry, and cozy loungewear are all great ways to show your appreciation, the most important thing you can give to Mom on Mother’s Day is the gift of time. The two of you are making a journey together—one that started with the joining
In a recently aired segment on CBS’ 60 Minutes, Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook shared an update on Carol and Mike Daly, a couple he has followed for the last decade as Alzheimer’s slowly took Carol away, leaving her husband physically and emotionally shattered in its wake. Schekesia Meadough, BSN, RN,
As you walk with your loved one down this final path on their earthside journey, making sure you have a trust-worthy, compassionate, and qualified hospice care team to support you is critical. So what should you look for in a hospice care provider? Word of mouth or personal referral is a
In our previous installments, we’ve covered all the many ways hospice can help, but when is the right time to make that call? Challenges and Signs To Look For Like so many other aspects of this disease, there are some challenges and patterns we see in hospice care for persons
The amount of financial and legal decisions you are faced with as a loved one comes to the end of life can be overwhelming. In addition, families may also seek spiritual support to guide them through this transition. Hospice has a team of experts who can help. Treating body and
In our previous post, we discussed the history and background of hospice. But what does hospice care look like today? Hospice is covered by Medicare Part A, Medicaid, and most private insurance. You must qualify for hospice, which is done by a doctor’s evaluation. Medicare stipulates that you must have
Hospice. The word alone can incite panic. It signifies the end of one life and the beginning of another chapter for the ones left behind. And perhaps that’s the reason just the mere mention of hospice evokes such sadness and fear – in trying to avoid that final goodbye, we
A dementia diagnosis is life changing, both for the individual with the disease and their loved ones. If you sense that you or a family member may be showing signs of dementia, you likely have dozens of questions. But who should you call first when seeking a diagnosis? Dementia is
[in-vig-uh-reyt] to give vigor to; fill with life and energy; energize. At Autumn Leaves, we use essential oils in simple, yet impactful ways to help our residents with dementia change their mood or behavior. We call it Invigorate™: Lemon at lunch Diminished appetite is one of many challenges we face
We are very proud to announce that 14 of our Autumn Leaves communities have been selected as 2018 Best of Senior Living Award Winners on SeniorAdvisor.com! Awards were based on over 150,000 family-created reviews of nearly 45,000 communities currently listed on Senior Advisor’s site. Just over 1,600 were recognized with
Communicating with someone with Alzheimer’s and other dementias can present a special challenge. Here are some strategies and activities to help get the conversation started: • Remember When? Choose a memory from long ago to talk about, such as the vacations your family used to take together, or the day
Good nutrition and a well-balanced diet are important when your loved one has Alzheimer’s. As cognitive function declines, appetite may diminish, too. A person with dementia may become overwhelmed by food choices, forget to eat or drink, have difficulty using utensils, or may not recognize the food. Try these tips:
It can be overwhelming to take care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, but too much stress can be harmful to both of you. Here are ways to avoid burnout: • Understand available resources. Adult day programs, in-home assistance, visiting nurses, and meal delivery are
Meeting the specialized physical needs of individuals who are living with a form of memory impairment has long been a priority for caregivers, but it is all too easy to dismiss or diminish their complex emotional needs. Having grown up among seniors in the assisted living home where her parents
Boredom. It plagues us all from time to time, but for individuals living with dementia, it can be especially frustrating. Depending on the progress of their disease, they may not be physically able to do as much as they used to, or perhaps they miss their old daily routine. Wandering,
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