Updates

For every last one of us, some days we just don’t feel like being sociable… or eating healthy… or exercising… or any number of good choices that help us to create a meaningful existence. Sometimes just a little incentive is all we really need.

Super Shopping Spree

Our Super Shopping Spree contest is an incentive program we’ve just launched intended to bring more residents out of their rooms and to engage in activities and relationships. Each month, residents will receive tickets they earned by participating in activities. They’ll use these tickets to buy items they enjoy from our “Shop”. Bonnie, our fun-loving Activities Director, has been collecting item ideas from each resident – and we think they’re pretty excited about it.

So with music lilting over the speaker and special guests joining in the competition with residents (thanks, Elizabeth and Kristen, from Americans Home Health and Hospice Care), our Uno game activity today was an improved success!

10 Tips for Family Caregivers

Download the infographic

1. Seek support from other caregivers. You are not alone!
2. Take care of your own health so that you can be strong enough to take care of your loved one.
3. Accept offers of help and suggest specific things people can do to help you.
4. Learn how to communicate effectively with doctors.
5. Caregiving is hard work so take respite breaks often.
6. Watch out for signs of depression and don’t delay getting professional help when you need it.
7. Be open to new technologies that can help you care for your loved one.
8. Organize medical information so it’s up to date and easy to find.
9. Make sure legal documents are in order.
10. Give yourself credit for doing the best you can in one of the toughest jobs there is!

Source: Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is the nation’s leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for the more than 90 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age.

Research indicates that jigsaw puzzling has a calming affect on seniors. Better yet, some research shows it can keep the brain active and possibly ward off Alzheimers disease. Problem-solving skills are incorporated and, especially with the more difficult puzzles, logical and spatial thinking is required. This mental focus naturally decreases anxiety. Puzzling is to the brain what a gym workout is to the body: exertion that makes you feel good!

Benefits of Jigsaw Puzzles for Seniors with Alzheimer’s

Source: Clarity Pointe

1. Slower decline of cognitive functioning
2. Powerful brain workout
3. Increased visual perception and memory
4. Improved interactions with others
5. Therapeutic meditation
6. Better physical health
7. Feel-good chemicals
8. Purposeful activities

If you’re ever cleaning out and getting rid of jigsaw puzzles, we’d be glad to take them off your hands. Residents enjoy all levels of difficulty! And if you love puzzling yourself, plan a visit with us – we’d love to have you!

We had Garden Club yesterday and now we’ve got the itch for Spring! Rain and warmer temps are making us feel like it might not be that far off. Of course, Michigan is always good for a surprise or two, though!