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MEMORY CARE
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June 2016 | Read this issue and more at www.healthandwellnessmagazine.net | –COLUMN PROVIDED BY–
highgrove at TATES CREEK
4251 Saron Drive, Lexington, KY 859.245.0100 | HighgroveAtTatesCreek.com
A Social Senior is a Healthier Senior How senior living communities contribute to overall wellness by Lauren Ashley German, Highgrove at Tates Creek Selecting a senior living community for yourself or a loved one can be a stressful and overwhelming process beginning with the initial decision to make a move. Perhaps you want the peace of mind that Mom is getting the nutrition and medication reminders she needs. Maybe lack of transportation is keeping Dad isolated and he is becoming withdrawn. Or, it could be that you just aren’t up to the yard work and maintenance that owning a home typically requires. Regardless of the primary reason for moving, it’s important for families and individuals to understand all the benefits that come from being in a community of like-minded individuals with programs, activities and environments specifically designed for older adults. The National Wellness Institute identifies six dimensions of wellness that everyone needs to achieve a happier, heathier self: Emotional – In order to thrive emotionally, individuals need a support network and engaging activities that seniors often lack when they are isolated from friends and family. Senior living communities provide an opportunity for residents to interact on a daily basis, allowing personal rela-
tionships to form which creates a support system outside of the family unit. And don’t underestimate the value of peer-to-peer bonding. Building interpersonal connections with others who share your challenges can help reduce symptoms of depression. Physical – Regular physical activity can lead to significant health benefits in seniors, such as reduced risk of falling, stroke and heart disease. Wellness programs found in senior living communities may offer activities like yoga to help with balance, tai chi to improve coordination or gardening to provide strength training. Studies show that exercise does not have to be intensive in order to be beneficial, but indicate that moderate, daily activity is key to receiving maximum results. Spiritual – Community life and worship is an important wellness component to many lives. Lack of transportation or mobility can keep seniors from attending their place of worship. Senior communities often have a chapel onsite with a chaplain to provide spiritual enrichment or may provide transportation to the resident’s own church, temple or synagogue. Intellectual –Studies suggest that engaging in brain boosting activities do more than just keep your mind sharp. Keeping your brain active every day by exploring new hobbies, playing
games or working puzzles may help you live longer and possibly reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Senior living communities offer a wide-variety of on-campus and offcampus activities to help keep cognitive skills intact by creating an environment centered on lifelong learning. Social – Socialization can improve both quality and length of life and staying socially connected grows increasingly difficult with age. Isolation due to living alone, having a small social network or lack of participation in social activities can have a direct impact on one’s health, increasing the likelihood of chronic health problems. Community dining like those found in senior living communities not only create opportunities for socialization, but also give seniors access to wellbalanced meals. A poor diet can lead to a weakened immune system, but communities provide the convenience of on-site dining with chef-prepared meals so it’s easier to eat well. Occupational – The opportunity to stay engaged in the community while utilizing your unique set of skills is a crucial step to achieving overall wellness. Many senior living communities offer volunteer opportunities for their residents based on their interests and abilities. Seniors can get involved with local charities, host support groups or mentor children. Volunteerism is beneficial for seniors in a number of ways – not only does it have mental and physical benefits, but it also helps improve the perception of seniors in society. The ability to achieve whole-person wellness is even more important for seniors experiencing memory loss. Many senior living communities offer memory care programs which provide specialized care for those living with Alzheimer’s or other forms
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of dementia. These are often secured units staffed by caregivers who have training and experience working with residents living with memory impairment. In addition to all the benefits that come with living in a senior living community, memory care programs offer unique activities that are specifically designed to engage their residents which increases self-esteem. And not only is the nutrition that comes along with mealtime even more important to people with dementia, but studies show that the environment in which they eat is crucial as well. When residents have the opportunity to eat with their caregivers in a family-style setting, their eating and drinking habits improve. The advantages of belonging to a senior living community are too important to ignore. Seniors who choose to live in communities designed with their interests and abilities in mind will be healthier, happier and will live longer. Combine that with the maintenancefree living, care and safety that senior residences offer and the decision to move into a community just became a whole lot easier. Sources and Resources
• The Six Dimensions of Wellness http://www.nationalwellness. org/?page=Six_Dimensions • Community Living: It’s Healthier http://www.whereyoulivematters.org/ community-living-its-healthier/ • Benefits of an Active Lifestyle on Health and Well-Being Later in Life http://aging.wisc.edu/outreach/2011_ colloquium/Edwards2011.pdf • Social Disconnectedness, Perceived Isolation, and Health among Older Adults http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ articles/PMC2756979/ • Efficacy of Peer Support Interventions for Depression http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pubmed/21353125 • 2016 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures http://www.alz.org/documents_ custom/2016-facts-and-figures.pdf • Why Pleasant Mealtimes Could Be Key to Alzheimer's Care https://consumer.healthday.com/ senior-citizen-information-31/dementia-news-738/happy-meals-can-becritical-in-dementia-care-710689.html
About the Author Lauren Ashley German is the Community Relations Director at Highgrove at Tates Creek, a premier senior living community opening fall of 2016. Formally with the Alzheimer’s Association, Lauren Ashley has had the privilege of working with families across Kentucky dealing with all levels of dementia as well as the senior living communities that serve them. Lauren Ashley can be reached at 859-245-0100 or lagerman@traditionsmgmt.net.