Caring for a person with a memory impairment requires patience and flexibility. As the person loses their ability to remember, reason and communicate, the caregiver must adapt to meet their needs and maintain their quality of life.

Caregivers at Elderwood, a leading provider of senior memory care services in New York, Rhode Island and Vermont use a variety of tools, from clinical and strategic to physical and technological, to achieve these goals.

Programs designed for every ability level

Seasons Memory Care provides specialized programming needs for people with cognitive impairments. While the needs of a dementia patient are as varied as the individual, all benefit from stimulation, relaxation, brain exercises, physical activity, purposeful activity and social interaction.

One of the primary tools that guides care for memory impaired patients is the clinical assessment performed upon admission, said Lisa Vesneske-Margage, LPN, memory care coordinator at Elderwood Village at Bassett Park, in Williamsville, New York, which offers Elderwood’s only assisted living memory care program. The assessment helps staff understand an individual’s background and gauge the level of assistance they will need – whether, for example, a resident can brush their teeth independently or will need someone to provide verbal cues to go through the steps.

Connecting through life story

Elderwood at Grand Island, a skilled nursing community with a secure memory care floor, uses an individual’s Life Story to provide touchpoints for their care. The Life Story includes information about the person’s background, occupations, hobbies, family and other important details. Contained within a binder that may also include photographs and notes from family, the Life Story provides a resource for staff to learn about the individual and increase the ways in which staff can approach and engage them.

Right Engagement Walking Program

Elderwood introduced the Right Engagement Walking Program to increase movement and prevent falls among memory impaired residents. Right Engagement encourages residents to take “virtual” walking tours of various destinations, depicted through photographs posted in the halls. Residents get passports that are checked off when they achieve a certain number of steps and they enjoy a snack after their walk.

The walking program gets residents moving; they become more alert and aware of their surroundings as they study the pictures. The increased activity helps decrease pain and improve balance and range of motion. It often triggers memories of their own travels and gives them something to discuss with their families on their next video call.

Using technology for memory care

Within the Seasons program, activities leaders use a variety of technology to provide programming for the residents. Especially during a time of pandemic, when it isn’t possible to bring a large number of residents together, activities leaders rely on iPads, Smart TVs and videos to engage and entertain.

“FaceTime has been a fantastic tool for people with dementia to continue family connections”, said Ashley Weiser, director of activities at Elderwood at Grand Island.

“As soon as they see their family members, they remember everything – the names of their grandkids, where they are, where they’re working,” she said. “We sometimes do as many as 15 FaceTime calls a day.”

While some tech tools are valuable resources for dementia caregivers, Laczi cautions that it’s important to consider whether the person is able to understand the device. Most seniors are not very tech-savvy, so use of iPads and other devices typically requires staff assistance. Also, as cognitive issues worsen, they may no longer be able to differentiate between what is “in person” and what is on the screen.

Tapping into the senses

Technology is only one tool for caregivers; there are many non-technical tools that can enrich the life of a person with memory impairment. From relaxing videos or music to soft-textured weighted blankets to aromatherapy, a variety of tactics help increase or decrease a resident’s activity level.

Christie Fitzgibbons, director of activities at Elderwood at Wheatfield, has seen how these items benefit residents who participate in the Sensory Balance Program. Recently, she’s been “playing with the music,” gradually reducing the intensity when a resident with high energy needs to wind down, or increasing the intensity – and perhaps adding in some peppy aromas like mint or citrus — to help bring up the energy.

Weighted objects, particularly electronic dogs and cats, along with weighted baby dolls, are very helpful tools on the memory care floors, said Laczi. Wandering is a common issue among residents with dementia. If a resident can’t settle down, it can be hard to get them to eat or take their medications.

“A weighted object gives them something to feel, it anchors them,” she said. “They start paying attention. They pick up their head or we can get them to sit down and participate in an activity.”

Laczi noted that while it takes time to learn about the person and discover the most effective approaches to their care, the goal is finding the right combination of tools to enhance their quality of life.

“It’s a commitment,” she said. “Part of it is us figuring out who that person is, so we can figure out how to engage them and help them. It takes a team approach, but when we find something that works, it’s wonderful to see that person’s quality of life improve.”

For more information on memory care services to preserve your loved one’s quality of life, click here.

Thinking about end of life care, and the decisions you would like to have made if faced with a medical emergency are not necessarily on top of anyone’s to-do list. This is, of course, a difficult subject to consider and may be even harder to discuss with family, but it’s important for everyone.

Advance care planning can help ensure your personal values and intentions are carried through, and alleviate burden on family members, in a sudden or unexpected crisis. The best time to have these discussions is while you are healthy and mentally capable of making these decisions and your wishes known to those closest to you. Here are some of the reasons to review, document and communicate your wishes.

Express your personal values

A key topic in advance care planning is the use of life-sustaining treatments and comfort care. This is a very personal decision, and requires careful thought from the individual. Consider a few different scenarios, and how you would like your care managed on your behalf, if you are unable to do so yourself. For example, if a heart attack left you unable to breathe, would you desire to have CPR performed on you? If a medical emergency occurred leaving you unresponsive, what types of measures would you like taken to preserve your life? While some people seek a higher quality of life and less medical intervention, others may wish to have their life mechanically sustained through measures such as intubation and artificial nutrition for as long as possible. Essentially, you need to contemplate and communicate under what circumstances you would want life sustaining technology or interventions withheld.

If you’re not sure how to spark the conversation, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization provides a helpful guide with trigger points and strategies to begin this important discussion with family and friends.

Make sure key documents are in place

Advance directives are written, legal instructions regarding your preferences for medical treatment, in the event that you are unable to make decisions for yourself. While seniors may be more likely to have a formalized advance care directive, documentation should be considered for any age, in the event of an unexpected medical crisis. Key components of advance care plans include:

• Designating your power of attorney or health care proxy—everyone should designate a family member or trusted friend to be their spokesperson for managing emergency medical care, in the event they cannot. It’s important to discuss your wishes with your power of attorney. You may also include an alternative person, in case for some reason your power of attorney becomes unable to act on your behalf.
• Living will—a living will is a legal document that outlines your personal preferences for end-of-life medical treatments such as CPR, pain medication and organ donation. A living will is not the same as a will, which outlines how you would like your assets to be allocated after your death.
• DNR orders— In addition to your living will, some people will choose to include DNR (do-not-resuscitate) order which instructs the hospital not to perform CPR or other life saving measures in the event the heart stops beating. This form can also be specified for a non-hospital setting, such as a nursing home, if desired. 
• Advance directive forms— Much of the information above can also be documented in an advance care directive form, which varies by state. You can visit AARP’s website to download and print the forms needed in your state.

Having legal documents in place is an important step, but you’ll also want to make sure these documents are shared with others. Keep originals and copies in a secure, yet accessible place. It’s recommended to provide copies to your power of attorney (health care proxy), to family members, medical providers, and perhaps even clergy members if issues of religious practice factor into your decisions.

Remember, while it’s not a pleasant conversation, it’s an important one. For some, having a legal document can help to broach the subject with loved ones. It also provides written instructions for those who may face difficulties in discussing each and every detail.

Reduce burden and uncertainty

End-of-life situations are difficult and wrought with emotions. Advanced planning helps guide loved ones with well documented, dispassionate instructions to make difficult decisions for them and consistent with your wishes. We all want our family to have an easy time managing our care, and the many difficult aspects associated with end-of-life circumstances. The emotional sting of loss can make handling these tasks all the more challenging. Having meaningful conversations ahead of time, and ensuring legal documents are squared away, can help families get through the grieving process and focus on honoring their loved one.

For those caring for someone with dementia, chances are that you have become a problem solver, finding solutions to situations that arise as part of your loved one’s journey through the course of their disease. Many have discovered that technology can be a part of that solution.

Assistive technology has the potential to enhance day-to-day life for someone with a memory impairment. There are no one-size-fits-all answers and one must consider the individual, the situation, and be aware of what is required to effectively use the technology itself.

For example, can and will your loved one be able to use a device that is wearable?, If the technology requires self-reporting, like an emergency alert pendant, will your loved one resist using it for fear they will lose their independence? Caregivers risk complicating things by employing technology that relies on the user relying – in this case someone with a memory deficit – to remember to charge their memory-assistive device.

Below are various technology aids that may prove helpful: 

1. Clocks

Your loved one may find comfort in a daily routine but maintaining one can be challenging if they keep losing track of the time, or the day of the week. Additionally, they may have difficulty deciphering a traditional clock face. Clocks are now available that present the time in large digital numbers, as well as the month, day of the week and whether it is morning or nighttime.

2. Appointment alerts and voice-activated assistants

Most smartphones and tablets can be programmed to set alarms and provide reminders about an appointment or when to take medication. In addition, voice-activated assistants can also operate lights and some appliances, or answer potentially repetitive questions like, “What day is it?” These can be setup directly on a smartphone using Siri (Apple) or Google Assist (Android).

If your loved one does not have a smartphone, you can also consider purchasing a device such as Amazon’s Echo or Alexa and setting it up with an Amazon account, which can provide a wealth of information and entertainment using voice-activation such as the weather forecast, daily news updates or streaming a favorite genre of music. 

3. Appliance use monitors

Forgetting to turn things off can be an issue as dementia advances, which poses a safety concern if you don’t live with your loved one. Consider an appliance use monitor to help keep track of things like the microwave, coffeemaker, TV, lamps, curling iron, garage door, or CPAP machine.

Appliance monitors, that plug into a power strip or wall outlet, let you remotely check the status of an appliance – and even turn something off if your loved one forgot. The monitors also let you adjust lights, fans, or the thermostat.

4. Personal locators

Not being able to recognize familiar locations, or becoming physically lost during a walk or drive, is a sign of early dementia that can complicate the lives of individuals who may otherwise continue to live relatively independently. In later stages, wandering could be an issue. In both cases, location management devices can provide peace of mind.

The Alzheimer’s Association outlines a variety of tracking systems caregivers can utilize. The devices may use GPS, radio frequency or online technology and may be designed into bracelets, pendants, watches, shoe inserts, car devices or adhesive patches, among other things.

Some tracking systems will alert a care provider when a loved one leaves a designated “safe zone.” Within the home, door monitors and pressure sensitive mats or bed covers can alert caregivers of a person’s movements.

If you do not live with your loved one, in-home video monitors let you view strategic areas in their home. Some contain speakers so you can talk to one another.

Other safety devices available for memory impairment

• Motion sensors can be used to automatically turn lights on and off when a person enters or exits a room.
• Medical alert devices/Personal Emergency Response Systems can provide peace of mind when seniors live alone, regardless of whether they have a memory impairment.
• Automated pill dispensers can be easily programmed to beep, flash or otherwise signal when it’s time for medication, then dispense the exact dosage. Multiple alarms can be set for each day. Some dispensers allow you to record voice reminders. Your loved one will hear your voice stating exactly what is being dispensed and why, easing anxiety that may come with taking medicine. More expensive pill dispensers are available that enable remote monitoring and can notify caregivers if a dose is missed. 

The best technology makes our lives easier by providing simple solutions to every-day problems. Assistive technology that solves some of the common stumbling blocks encountered by people with dementia enables them to navigate their environment safely and gives caregivers greater peace of mind.

To learn more about Elderwood’s memory care program and get support in caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, click here.   

If someone you care about lives in an assisted living or skilled nursing community, it may have been a while since you’ve visited with them face-to-face. Ongoing restrictions at health care facilities have created a new kind of caregiver – someone who lives locally but must remain apart from their loved one. How do you check up on them and reassure yourself that they are doing well?

Some assisted living and skilled nursing communities have begun offering limited visitation, but the pandemic is not over and the situation could change again as senior care communities take measures to protect residents. The reality is that your ability to participate in-person in your loved one’s care may remain limited for some time to come.

Here are some tips that may prove helpful as you continue in your role as a socially distanced caregiver.

1. Check that power of attorney, advance directives and living wills are in order, so that everyone who needs to be informed about your loved one’s care can receive information from healthcare providers.
2. Make sure you know how to reach your family member’s doctors and key staff at their senior care facility. You should also have a list of their medications, dosages and the reason they are taking it, as well as who prescribed it. Keep an up-to-date written daily care plan that explains schedules, routines and other details.
3. Regular phone calls are an easy way to keep in touch with a loved one. In addition, numerous families now enjoy regular video chats and video conference calls. Many senior communities have the technology necessary for such calls, that staff are happy to help schedule. Your loved one will enjoy both seeing and hearing you! Meanwhile, you gain a detailed account of their life and health and can visually assess their well-being.
4. Cards, letters and photos also can help families maintain their connections. If possible, set up an email account for your loved one. Elderwood offers an on-line portal for families and members of the community to send general greetings and personal messages. Along a more whimsical line, some facilities have created “bottle trees” on their grounds by hanging colorful water bottles on a designated tree. Residents and their friends and family members exchange written messages by tucking them in a bottle for pick-up and delivery.
5. Knowing that residents thrive on interaction with family and friends from outside the facility, senior communities have found creative ways to facilitate visits. If in-person visitation is not available, ask if there is a first-floor room where families can view and speak with each other through a window.

“Our families are on a schedule for window visits and video calls,” says Alexcia Harrod, director of social services at Elderwood at Wheatfield, a skilled nursing community in Wheatfield, NY. “This way, everyone has something to look forward to each week.”

6. Some facilities now have measures in place to welcome visitors back into their buildings. In most cases, visits must be scheduled and times may be limited, so check with the individual community for details.
7. If an in-person visit is not possible, make sure you know the names of appropriate staff to contact if you have a question or concern. Maintain regular communication with one or two staff members who are familiar with your family member’s care. A nurse or social worker, for instance, may be able to provide weekly updates.

“We have been using a variety of approaches in an attempt to update families these past few months,” said Anne Kiss, Director of Social Work and Admissions at Elderwood at Hamburg, a skilled nursing facility in Hamburg, NY. The facility utilizes robocalls and Facebook to offer families timely information. “We also are doing more conference calls for care plan meetings,” she said, “and the residents are thrilled to receive electronic messages from the Elderwood website.”

Health care organizations also are working together to safeguard seniors by limiting their visits to doctors’ offices, without sacrificing their care.

“Tele-med and virtual visits with doctors have been a big help in reducing the amount of times people have to leave the facility,” says Courtney Gfroerer Krueger, community relations coordinator at Elderwood Assisted Living at Tonawanda, in Tonawanda, NY. “There are times when it isn’t possible, but often we can arrange it with the doctor’s office.” 

While the pandemic presents many challenges, developing a support system and open communication with senior care communities will keep you informed and enable you to be a participant in the care of your loved one.

People who have experienced an accident, injury, surgery, or chronic condition often are referred to a physical therapist to aid in their recovery. If the condition affects a person’s ability to go about their normal day, occupational therapy (OT) also may be prescribed.

“A very common misconception is that we help people find jobs,” said Mary Claire Hart, assistant director of rehab services at Elderwood at Williamsville, “but an ‘occupation’ is really anything you do throughout your day.

“We help individuals regain the ability to complete those tasks, regardless of the cause of their deficit – be it surgery that temporarily alters their ability to be independent, or a new disability that requires a need to relearn skills or make adaptations,” she said.

Elderwood’s OT experts shed light on the benefits of therapy and how it’s used as a key component in subacute rehabilitation. 

What is the difference between physical therapy and occupational therapy?

While physical and occupational therapy frequently go hand-in-hand, the terms are not interchangeable. Physical therapy (PT) focuses on increasing the strength, mobility and range of motion of the muscles and joints surrounding an affected area, such as the shoulder or knee. Occupational therapy teaches mechanics and movements to reduce or avoid pain, strain or re-injury. Occupational therapy deals with the function of the entire body, as well as the physical environment.

“Occupational therapy helps people of all ages, birth to senior, gain the skills they need for their everyday life,” Jennifer Kozemko, OT, assistant director of outpatient rehab at Elderwood at Waverly.

Who needs OT?

There are many instances in which OT can help improve a person’s quality of life, such as following a stroke, brain injury, or the loss of use or amputation of a limb. People who suffer from debilitating conditions such as COPD, arthritis and even urinary incontinence also benefit from OT. For people with pain resulting from an injury or overuse, such as tennis elbow, OT can get them back in the game.

Elderwood therapy departments treat a range of conditions. Occupational therapists may help a patient with fine motor skills so they can continue to brush their own hair or teeth. Short-term subacute patients work toward independence with their daily living skills so they can take care of themselves when they go home.

“Occupational therapy is not just for people with a physical condition; residents with memory care issues also benefit from OT,” said Marcia Diagostino, an OT and director of rehab at Elderwood at Hamburg. “Our OT and PT staff work in concert to help identify and address issues that affect independence and work to integrate with the facility’s Memory Care programming.”

Outpatient vs. inpatient occupational therapy

Physical and occupational therapy sometimes can be accommodated privately at home but more frequently is offered through an outpatient therapy center. Therapy also can be provided in the hospital and at health care facilities where you stay briefly while receiving care.

Short-term residential rehab programs involve a multi-disciplinary team of physical, occupational and speech therapists, along with nurses, social workers and other caregivers to create an individualized therapy regimen. Each patient’s progress is carefully tracked and monitored to ensure therapy goals are achieved and function is improved or restored.

When deciding between outpatient or residential rehab, it’s best to consider your physician’s recommendation based on your condition. It’s also wise to check your insurance coverage. Many health insurance plans will cover a short-term residential rehab stay if your situation meets certain requirements.

Taking a personalized approach to occupational therapy

When there is a temporary or permanent barrier to a patient’s mobility, occupational therapists devise ways to remove or work around the obstacle. They might introduce adaptive utensils to help people feed themselves, or reachers and other devices to aid in dressing.

Diagostino said occupational therapists often must find creative solutions to help improve a person’s comfort or independence. For instance, different devices or cushions might help improve the positioning of someone who leans in their wheelchair. In addition, the OT may recommend a strengthening therapy regimen, so the person is better able to reposition themselves.

Sometimes, the environment, not the skills, limits a person’s independence. A person may not be able to dress themselves because they have difficulty reaching a dresser drawer. Rearranging the contents of the drawers or moving the dresser itself can improve accessibility and independence.

“There is no “one-size fits all” plan when it comes to occupational therapy,” Diagostino adds. “Developing a customized approach for each patient is important to help them regain dignity and quality of life.”

With more than five million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, families across the country are faced with the difficult challenge of explaining the illness and how it impacts those we love to their children. Navigating a conversation that informs children about memory loss and behavioral changes can help create a supportive atmosphere for the child and a loved one living with memory impairment.

Here are some tips to help children understand a loved one’s memory loss:

Have honest and open conversations

Even though grandpa and grandma don’t appear different, having an honest age-appropriate conversation is important to help your child understand what memory loss is and prepare for changes that will happen. The easiest way to describe how Alzheimer’s works to a child may be to explain that the brain is sick, and that’s what causes memory loss, and in some cases, changes in behavior or personality.

“Children are intuitive and are aware that something is different with grandma or grandpa,” said Elizabeth Laczi, regional director of memory care at Elderwood, a leading provider of senior care in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic that offers memory care services. “Children may respond differently when learning about the disease, so it’s important to keep communication open, answer questions and let them know that you’re a safe place to confide in.”

Children can feel a wide range of emotions when they encounter someone they know who is suffering from memory loss. They can feel sad because of what’s happening to someone they love. They can become fearful and frustrated with the behaviors and actions they’re witnessing. Some young children may even be afraid that memory loss is contagious. Explain to them that you can’t catch Alzheimer’s or dementia and encourage your child to interact with your loved one. 

“It’s important to reassure them that their feelings are normal, regardless of how your child is feeling and that they don’t need to be afraid. You may be feeling those same things too and those are feelings that you can share,” said Laczi.

Involve your child in the process

As you figure out effective ways to communicate with your loved one, include your children in the conversation. Share communication techniques that work to ensure your child continues a close relationship with their loved one.

One of the most challenging experiences is when a grandparent forgets their grandchild’s name. Prepare your child for the possibilities they may face with their loved ones. Encourage your them to have empathy because the chances are their grandparent is just as upset with not being able to remember their grandchild’s name but able to recognize them. Offer your child tips to help them during this moment by remaining calm and patient and sharing their name and that they may have to repeat themselves multiple times. 

Here are some ways to set your children up for success in different interactions:

• Make sure they say a greeting and their name, for example, “Hi Papa, it’s me- Ben!”
• Have them wait for their loved one to respond.
• Have your child show them something that they made for them or did for the week. For example, show a picture with a brief explanation or show a project that they completed.
• Limit the questions from your child to your loved one. Keep the conversation focused on the “now” and focus on “context” that everyone can participate. For example, use your loved one’s amazing long-term memory and talk about something in parallel that your grandchild is showing or talking about.
• Minimize distractions and noise that can interfere with the individual with dementia’s understanding.
• Keep the visit time with the grandparent to the individual’s tolerance. It is about positive interactions and engagement – not duration.  

Encourage your child to find ways to express how they’re feeling by keeping a journal or going for walks together to talk about their emotions. This is an excellent coping tool that will offer comfort. Finding resources and educating your child about memory loss will help prepare for any changes that will happen over time. The Alzheimer’s Association provides various support groups to help inform families about memory loss and techniques that can help with communication.

Continue making memories together

No matter the stage of memory loss, remember there are still ways that your family can bond together. Since communication can be difficult for someone suffering from Alzheimer’s, participating in non-verbal activities that don’t depend on memory can bring great joy. Children also enjoy doing various activities and it can be a fun opportunity to continue to bond with your loved one and create memories together.

The Alzheimer’s Association suggests the following activities that families can participate in together:

• Bake or prepare a meal
• Go for a walk around the neighborhood
• Work on a puzzle
• Work in the garden
• Look through photographs
• Create a memory box or scrapbook
• Draw or color
• Listen to and sing some favorite songs

For more information on memory care services to preserve your loved one’s quality of life, click here.

There is a lot of concern in the world right now regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19), particularly for a senior population that is at a higher health risk from the virus. Many older adults have underlying medical conditions that increase their risk of serious illness related to the virus and other infectious diseases. With the intense and constant news coverage of the pandemic, seniors are repeatedly exposed to media messages that can spark fear and anxiety.

If you are taking care of an elderly parent or loved one, or are a senior yourself, it’s important to use healthy techniques to manage stress and calm anxiety. Keeping mentally, spiritually and physically healthy is important in dealing with these uncertain times.

Here are some ways to help calm anxiety:

Stay connected

While the world practices social distancing, it is important to keep in touch with your loved one. It is vital for their well-being, sense of community, love, reassurance and support.

Technology provides many tools to help keep us engaged with one another in times where we cannot be together physically. Families can keep in touch through phone calls and video calls through Skype or FaceTime. If your loved one is in a senior living or skilled nursing community, ask about the options they offer for video chatting.

“While daily calls may be helpful for some, others who are anxious might respond to morning and evening calls, while some may find daily calls overwhelming,” says Deborah Greatrix-Tyler, Chaplain for Elderwood Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living Communities. “For those with memory issues or dementia who may not fully comprehend or realize the ramifications of the current pandemic situation, more frequent calls may create anxiety. Each caregiver needs to ascertain the individual needs and comfort level of their loved one.”

For those living at home, visits should be kept minimal except for the primary caregiver. However, that doesn’t mean family can’t visit from a far. Have a sidewalk chat or bring signs with friendly messages for your loved one. Many senior living communities also welcome family to stand outside a window to maintain that personal face to face connection.

Take time to decompress

It’s important to take time to decompress from the stress that the pandemic is causing. Encourage your loved one to meditate, play soothing music or utilize aromatherapy such as lavender which is shown to have a calming effect.

“Take deep breaths every day…breathe out the worry and anxiety. Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat. Be mindful of your breathing and relax.  Studies show that this reduces anxiety and slows heart rate,” said Greatrix-Tyler.

This is a great opportunity to go outside and enjoy nature, while practicing social distancing. If your loved one is at home, encourage them to go outside and sit in their backyard or perhaps take a socially distanced walk in their neighborhood.

If your loved one resides in a senior care community encourage them to take advantage of time outside to breathe in some fresh air. Many communities have patio areas, gardens, or offer supervised walks to ensure residents remain distanced. 

Embrace faith

If your loved one is spiritual or religious, encourage them to tap into their faith to help them through this unsettling time. “Faith is important to remind us that although we may be physically isolated from one other, we are not isolated from God. We are connected to one another in faith – both in the present community, as well as to the generations that came before us who practiced the same traditions,” said Greatrix-Tyler.

While many religious denominations have canceled regular worship celebrations there are still ways to stay connected with faith. Many local churches are now offering live-streaming or YouTube videos of their services, which you can help your loved one to access through a smartphone, tablet or laptop. 

Engage in life review

Another coping technique involves asking your elderly loved one how they have coped and managed during other troubling times. “During this time of separation and feelings of loneliness and anxiety, talk therapy and life review are important aspects of mental health and a source of peace and calm,” said Greatrix-Tyler.

“Our seniors have been a source of inspiration. They maintain positive attitudes throughout this pandemic. They are the greatest generation. Some may have survived the Great Depression, World War II, and the Holocaust. They have incredible well-developed inner strength, resilience, fortitude, faith, courage, wisdom and deep sources of coping.”

Help your loved one to verbalize and then draw from their inner strength, faith and fortitude that sustained them through past crisis. Sometimes bringing out old photos, even if through digital means, can help seniors to connect with their past and inner strength.

Limit media exposure

Although it is important to stay informed - constant news may increase anxiety as seniors may keep hearing news about the elderly being most at risk.

A good rule of thumb is to avoid watching the news at least two hours before bedtime. Seniors can read a book or watch their favorite show or movie to keep their mindset calm.

Develop a plan

If your senior loved one’s thoughts are constantly filled with anxious “what if” scenarios, help them normalize and take control of the situation. Often, the simple act of “talking it out” helps people minimize fears by purging or releasing them. Talk through all the possibilities and formulate a plan. A sense of control will reduce anxiety and having a plan will help reduce fear and worry. 

If you or your elderly loved one feels overcome with anxiety and stress that does not seem to be improving, contact your primary physician via phone call. For spiritual support and counseling, contact your pastor, priest, rabbi or your loved one’s senior care community for options. You can also check with your insurance provider to see what types of Telehealth options are available.

At the holidays, what do you give that special someone who has given so much to you? Finding that special gift for an aging parent, grandparent or even a cherished friend or neighbor can be challenging enough, but it can become even more complicated when they live in a senior care community such as an assisted living facility or even a skilled nursing facility. We’ve consulted the experts and have some simple suggestions on different types of gifts to bring joy to your loved one, and to help ease the stress of holiday shopping.

Make it personal

Just because someone lives in an assisted living or skilled nursing community doesn’t mean they have to forgo their favorite things. A personalized gift can remind them of people they love, favorite pastimes, or cherished memories.

“Residents love family pictures and things that remind them of home,” said Christie Fitzgibbons, activities director at Elderwood at Wheatfield, a skilled living community in Western New York that’s home to 123 residents. “When my grandma was in a nursing home, we had a blanket made of soft fleece material printed with family photos that she used as a lap blanket.”

Food gifts are popular, too, especially little indulgences they may no longer be able to obtain for themselves. Candy from a fine chocolate shop, homemade cookies, favorite holiday treats or old-fashioned sweets that bring back fond memories all are good choices. Before bringing an edible gift, it’s a good idea to check with the facility to see if they have any food restrictions or policies about storage. In general, avoid bringing items that require freezing, refrigeration, cooking or baking.

Practical holiday gifts

For some, the holidays are a good time to stock up on essentials or more practical items. Clothing can be a useful gift for some, while others may enjoy blank occasion cards, pens, notebooks and stamps. Many older folks continue to enjoy sending holiday and special occasion cards to stay in touch with family and friends near and far.

“A few of the practical gifts that tend to go over really well include extension grabbers, cup holders that attach to walkers, and birdfeeders with suction cups to attach to a resident’s window,” said Jillian Cook, program director with Elderwood Village at Fairport, an adult home outside of Rochester, New York.

Or consider making up little “care packages” filled with essentials like lip balm, pocket packets of tissues, mints, small bottles of hand sanitizer, lotion, deodorant or aftershave. Package it up prettily and wait for the compliments!

Many older adults enjoy reading. With an e-reader such as a Kindle or Nook, books are readily accessible – and the type size can be adjusted to their liking. You can pre-load the device with books by their favorite author or add a gift card for online purchases. If your loved one already owns a tablet, you can download apps like Audible or Apple Books and purchase digital books to read on their tablet. If music is more their thing, they may appreciate an iPod touch filled with their favorite music or accompanied by a gift card for a streaming music service.

There are other ways to indulge someone and remain practical. If the senior community has a gift shop or hair salon, see if you can purchase gift certificates toward the purchase of future items or services.

Handmade gifts from the heart

The holidays are about love, so gifts from the heart are always appreciated. Are there grandchildren? Grandparents love to receive handmade cards, ornaments and craft projects from youngsters.

Although their living environment may have changed, your loved one still looks forward to sharing holiday traditions with family, now more than ever. Regardless of the type of item you give, setting aside time to visit in person is the most meaningful gift of all.

For more gift ideas for family and friends who reside in an assisted living or skilled nursing community, download our holiday gift guide.

It’s often said that reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. It’s a favorite pastime for many and has several cognitive benefits, including perhaps a favorable impact on Alzheimer’s disease. According to a recent study, reading may lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, an illness affecting that more than five and a half million Americans over the age of 55. The onset of Alzheimer’s disease can sometimes take up to 10 years, with the brain beginning to gradually decline long before symptoms are present. 

Although lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise have been known to play a role in preventing or limiting the impact of the disease, a recent study showed that reading, writing and participating in other mentally stimulating activities, can benefit people by helping them retain memory and thinking skills. The more one exercises the brain, the lower the risk of cognitive degeneration and decline.

How reading slows mental decline

A major component of the brain that is correlated with both learning and Alzheimer’s disease is cognitive reserve, which refers to the mind’s resistance to damage and the storage of information. Having a strong cognitive reserve allows your brain to function, and cope with changes. The most commonly used parts of the cognitive reserve are education and cognitively complex occupations. According to the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, lifetime exposures to educational and occupational achievement can increase the cognitive reserve and reduce the risk of dementia.

Reading is a task that we learn during our childhood developmental years and the frequency of it may slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. If we think back to childhood, we are given tests in school based on material we read. It is our ability to recall information that shows our understanding of the subject. In the Rush University study, 300 aging adults were tested over the course of six years, answering questions about their reading abilities and writing habits starting from childhood. After the death of each adult in the study, at the average age of 89, autopsies showed that those who were avid readers experienced 30% less memory loss and had the least physical signs of dementia. Reading essentially lowered the risk and onset of dementia in those who participated in the study.

It’s never too late to start reading

Reading may be difficult for those already suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, because it requires the use of short-term memory. It will be a challenge to retain and interpret information, character development and plot advances. However, reading aloud with a group or caregiver can have healing qualities. Descriptive text in a book can help someone to visualize things in more detail, whereas a fiction novel may help bring back memories of another time in that person’s life. Reading can provide caregivers a shared activity and new way to connect with their loved one.

While reading isn’t a cure for Alzheimer’s, nor is it a treatment, taking it up at even an older age may help prevent or delay the onset of the disease. It doesn’t matter what type of content you read, whether it’s a magazine or novel, it’s simply important to incorporate reading into your lifestyle.