Spring Arbor Salisbury Cottage

03/24/2021

The COVID-19 vaccine has been made available through pharmacy partnerships to all Spring Arbor communities. The overwhelming majority of our residents have participated in our vaccine clinics and are now fully vaccinated.

Continuing to protect our residents, team members and visitors from COVID-19 will remain a top priority. Spring Arbor’s high vaccination rate is now added to our enhanced infection control measures, visitor screening protocols, and specialized cleaning procedures. As a result, this will allow most communities to resume group activities and scheduled visits from loved ones.

To learn more about a specific community’s policies, please contact the Spring Arbor community directly.

11/11/2019

What do you know about the VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) pension benefit? Millions of veterans have earned this benefit and it can help them and their families pay for senior care— but many people don’t know about it.

When families do find out about the A&A benefit, they sometimes find the VA’s application process and eligibility requirements confusing and difficult. Some mistakenly believe the program is only for combat veterans. Others don’t realize their loved one served during a qualifying time of war, because the VA definition of wartimes extends beyond the dates of conflict. Recipients don’t need to be impoverished to qualify for A&A, either. The VA doesn’t include the value of your car, home or personal effects when it reviews assets and income for eligibility.

Are Aid and Attendance benefits worth the effort to apply?

In many cases, the answer is yes. As of December 2018, a single veteran who qualifies for A&A can receive up to $1,881 per month, a married vet can receive up to $2,230 per month and a surviving spouse can receive up to $1,209 per month to pay for needed care at home, in an assisted living community, memory care or in a nursing home.

For many families paying for senior care, this income can make the difference between comfort and hardship.

For more information, contact Spring Arbor.


veteranaid.org

What do you know about the VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) pension benefit? Millions of veterans have earned this benefit and it can help them and their families pay for senior care— but many people don’t know about it.

11/07/2019

"I'm doing fine." It's reassuring to hear when you call a parent who lives far away. But the fact is, seniors living alone in their 70s and beyond may keep serious problems to themselves because they don't want to worry you or feel like a burden. Sometimes it takes a crisis – like a call from the hospital – to realize how far from fine a family member really is. Visiting in person is the best way to see what's what, experts agree. And witnessing the gaps in a parent's well-being is the first step to getting the right help.

What to Look For

Holidays are prime times for concerned adult children to notice problems and reach out to assisted living communities.

Suddenly adult children have noticed as they're in the house: The mail is piling up; the garden hasn't been tended to; the laundry is all over the place; the house doesn't look good. Or the family member looks very pale; they may not be taking their medications as they're supposed to be.

Transportation is a huge issue for seniors and the top reason people ask about elder care . Scrapes on the car door can be clues indicating trouble, she says. Parents may limit driving at night or make excuses not to go to the doctor because it's raining. The issue becomes how to prevent accidents while keeping parents' worlds from shrinking.

In the kitchen, ominous signs include charred pots and pans or burn marks on the stove or countertops. Expired food in the refrigerator can signal problems with regular grocery shopping and good nutrition.

Unfilled prescriptions or chaotic medicine assortments suggest needed treatments are being missed or the potential for dangerous drug mix-ups. The other thing is bruises, when somebody is bumping into the furniture or falling. Taking a tour of the house can reveal fall-related hazards and suggest solutions.

Face-to-face conversations can give you a lot of insight. You could pick up on a parent's disorientation or confusion, Markwood says. Parents who don't want to do things they've always done, display changes in mood or personality or don't get out anymore could indicate early-onset depression.

Caregivers in a couple may be struggling, too. The stress of caregiving can often impact the quote-unquote 'well' spouse to the point that they become ill and they're both in a compromised health situation. If you've got an 85-year-old caring for an 89-year-old, they probably both need some support.

Isolation in Plain Sight

In a recent study of senior housing, nearly 35 percent of the older adults interviewed were classified as socially isolated but unrecognized as such by staff.

There was a strong connection between subjective isolation – when people perceived themselves as isolated – and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Seniors with friends and family living nearby did significantly better.

Aging in place works until it doesn't...

Start seeking help when you first feel uneasy. You will realize after that you should have done it a while ago. Other advice to adult children living at a distance: Open your eyes. Try and really see what's going on and not what you want to be going on.

Pressure to Age in Place

Society sends a strong message that successful aging means living continuously in your own home for as long as possible.

It may take a crisis or major upheaval to make people rethink the matter, such as the death of a spouse, a serious fall, a bad car accident or repeated hospitalizations. The challenging gray area is when less-dramatic events begin to add up.

Hired caregivers can fill gaps. But it's hard to substitute for a family member during the vulnerable period after a hospital discharge, for instance, when someone needs to talk to health care providers and make sure the patient receives follow-up treatments and is taking medicine properly.

There can be a tipping point when it's clear that aging in place isn't working. For the older person, it's when the feeling of incompetence and being out of control trumps the familiar comfort and attachment to home – memories, friends and possessions.

It's when your uncertainty level reaches a point where you dread receiving a phone call at any time of the day or night.

As much as possible, recognize you're dealing with someone who has had a very rich and competent and wonderful life. And as much as possible, respect their integrity and desire to age in place. At the same time, recognize when living on their own puts parents' security and quality of life at risk.

For more information on assisted living for aging parents, contact Spring Arbor.


health.usnews.com

"I'm doing fine." It's reassuring to hear when you call a parent who lives far away. But the fact is, seniors living alone in their 70s and beyond may keep serious problems to themselves because they don't want to worry you or feel like a burden. Sometimes it takes a crisis – like a call from the ...

11/04/2019

Moving into an assisted living facility involves major changes in an aging parent's life. Once you and your parents have decided that moving to an assisted living facility is the best choice for them, it is important to fully understand the changes involved with helping your parent feel comfortable in their new home.

For the transition to be successful, the senior's family and/or caregiver, their doctor and the assisted living staff should work as a team. Below is some valuable information for creating a smooth and successful transition.

Tips for New Residents

When elders move into an assisted living facility, the lack of familiarity with both the environment and the other residents can be quite intimidating. Adjustment can take anywhere from 30 to 90 days. It is crucial during this time period that your aging parent takes all possible measures to adjust to their new home. Here are a few things seniors can do.

Keep an open mind.

This is absolutely imperative. Since the move into assisted living requires change and adjustment, seniors are more likely to adapt well if they understand and prepare for this.

Socialize.

There is nothing worse than for a new resident to be holed up in their apartment all day long. When moving into a new place, making acquaintances and friends can make all the difference in the world; it can help make a new house feel like a home.

Ask questions.

With all of the changes involved, new residents should ask the staff any questions that come to mind. If they are unsure about something, they should ask the staff – that's why they are there!

How Family Can Help a Loved One Adjust

What about the elder's family? What is their role when an elderly parent moves to Assisted Living? The caregiver needs to adjust to this change, too. It is important to keep the things below in mind.

Don't feel guilty.

Very often, family members can feel guilt about placing loved ones into assisted living. Guilt will do no good because the move was ultimately for the best. If a family member feels guilt, they should remember that the move to assisted living will benefit their elderly parents' health and well-being.

Keep in touch.

The caregiver also plays a vital role in their aging parent's successful transition to assisted living. When visiting is not possible, family members can keep in contact with both their parents and the assisted living staff. They should make sure that their parents are socializing and getting involved in the community. When visits are possible, caregivers can even attend activities with their parents to ensure that they are meeting new people.

Don't hold their hand.

Although it is important to visit and/or call to monitor the status of the transition, family members that visit too often can inhibit some of the senior's independence. Spending time with family is important, but if all of the senior's time during the transition period is spent with family, they will not be making new friends and getting involved in the community like they should. As a result, don't hold your parent's hand too much. Give them space to adjust to their new home on their own.

Bring personal items.

In order to make the elder's new residence feel like a home, bringing personal items is necessary. Bring items that have personal meaning, including pictures, knick-knacks, medals, etc.

How ALF Staff Can Help

The assisted living staff plays a very important role in the new resident's adjustment. In many facilities, staff members will have individual meetings with the new resident to explain their particular role in the facility and what that means to the resident. In some facilities, new resident orientations are held to help the resident get acquainted with their new home. They combine staff and long-time resident expertise and provide valuable information to the new resident.

Staff also makes a new building to feel like home to the new resident. Although information is important in the transition to assisted living, helping the new resident feel at home is really the only way to ensure a successful adjustment.

Even though the transition into assisted living can be tough, the outlook is positive.

For more information, contact Spring Arbor.


agingcare.com

Moving into an assisted living facility involves major changes in an aging parent's life. Once you and your parents have decided that moving to an assisted living facility is the best choice for them, it is important to fully understand the changes involved with helping your parent feel comfortable....

10/29/2019

Alzheimer’s Disease Symptoms

Part of Alzheimer’s disease awareness is knowing the symptoms so you can know whether a loved one may be developing it. The symptoms include:

* Memory Loss – People may forget things they’ve learned as well as dates and events. They may also ask for the same information over and over again.
* Trouble Planning or Solving Problems – You may notice a loved one taking longer to complete tasks they used to be able to do much quicker. You may also notice they have trouble following directions, even a simple recipe becomes complex.
* Confusion with Time or Place – People with Alzheimer’s often lose track of time. They also forget where they are and even how they got there.
* Misplacing Things & Unable to Retrace Steps – As people forget dates and events they may also start to misplace objects. Although they would be able to retrace their steps in the past and find what they were looking for, that is no longer the case. This may lead them to accuse others of stealing because they can no longer find what’s theirs.
* Mood & Personality Changes – Because of the changes that are going on in their mind, you may notice major shifts in mood and personality. They may become confused, suspicious and even depressed.

Helping People with Alzheimer’s Disease

* Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, there are things you can do to help a loved one, especially if the disease is still in its early stages.
* Keep a Daily Routine – This helps to avoid confusion and lets the person know what can be expected. Alzheimer’s patients like routines.
* Don’t Overstimulate – Keep things simple. Say one thing at a time. Present only one idea so that the person can understand it the best they can.
* Be Reassuring – Always try to make the person feel safe and comfortable. Sometimes even saying the words, “You are safe with me” is enough to make that person feel at ease.
* Don’t Yell or Argue – As frustrated as you may get, imagine how the patient feels. They can no longer grasp what is going on inside their own heads. Don’t yell or argue out of frustration. Be the calming voice they need.

While you may be able to care for an Alzheimer’s patient in the early stages of the disease, doing so as it progresses can become more challenging. Many times the patient can present a danger to himself by wandering off or forgetting to turn off the stove. If this is the case it may be time to consider a memory care facility that can monitor and manage the patient.

For more information on memory care, contact Spring Arbor.

Part of Alzheimer’s disease awareness is knowing the symptoms so you can know whether a loved one may be developing it. The symptoms include:

10/21/2019

As we grow older we suffer a decline in mental and physical fitness, which can be made worse by conditions like Alzheimer's disease. A new study shows that older people who routinely partake in physical exercise can reverse the signs of aging in the brain, and dancing has the most profound effect.

"Exercise has the beneficial effect of slowing down or even counteracting age-related decline in mental and physical capacity," says Dr Kathrin Rehfeld, lead author of the study. "In this study, we show that two different types of physical exercise (dancing and endurance training) both increase the area of the brain that declines with age. In comparison, it was only dancing that led to noticeable behavioral changes in terms of improved balance."

Elderly volunteers, with an average age of 68, were recruited to the study and assigned to a group learning dance routines, or endurance and flexibility training. Both groups showed an increase in the hippocampus region of the brain. This is important because this area can be prone to age-related decline and is affected by diseases like Alzheimer's. It also plays a key role in memory and learning, as well as keeping one's balance.

While previous research has shown that physical exercise can combat age-related brain decline, it is not known if one type of exercise can be better than another. To assess this, the exercise routines given to the volunteers differed. The traditional fitness training program conducted mainly repetitive exercises, such as cycling or Nordic walking, but the dance group were challenged with something new each week.

"We tried to provide our seniors in the dance group with constantly changing dance routines of different genres (Jazz, Square, Latin-American and Line Dance). Steps, arm-patterns, formations, speed and rhythms were changed every second week to keep them in a constant learning process. The most challenging aspect for them was to recall the routines under the pressure of time and without any cues from the instructor."

These extra challenges are thought to account for the noticeable difference in balance displayed by those participants in dancing group. Dr Rehfeld and her colleagues are building on this research to trial new fitness programs that have the potential of maximizing anti-aging effects on the brain.

Dr Rehfeld concludes with advice that could get us up out of our seats and dancing to our favorite beat.

"I believe that everybody would like to live an independent and healthy life, for as long as possible. Physical activity is one of the lifestyle factors that can contribute to this, counteracting several risk factors and slowing down age-related decline. I think dancing is a powerful tool to set new challenges for body and mind, especially in older age."

For information on memory care, contact Spring Arbor.


medicalxpress.com

As we grow older we suffer a decline in mental and physical fitness, which can be made worse by conditions like Alzheimer's disease. A new study shows that older people who routinely partake in physical exercise can reverse the signs of aging in the brain, and dancing has the most profound effect.

10/12/2019

Moving a parent, even a willing one, into assisted living, or senior living facility, is fraught with emotion. Your parents may mourn the loss of their younger years, their independence, the home they built. They could be scared about aging, making new friends, finding their way in a new place.

You may be mourning all of those things too. You may second-guess your decision. And you will feel guilt. Guilt is inevitable. Know that all of these feelings are normal and keep these 12 strategies in mind as you make the transition:

* Give it time. Senior living experts say it typically takes between three and six months for someone to adjust to assisted living. That’s an average. It might be quicker; it may take longer. Stay focused on the reasons you made the decision (safety, health, security, sanity). Keeping the big picture in mind will help you through the rough patches.
* Visit often, or not for two weeks. Only you know your parent, so only you can decide how best to assist them through the early weeks of the move. Many experts will tell you to visit as often as possible. Frequent visits can ease any stress your parent may have that they will be abandoned or lonely. It might be easier for them to meet people at activities or in the dining room if they have a companion with them. But if your parent is calling you several times a day, staying in their room, and waiting for you to show up and keep them company, you may need to give them some space in order to encourage them to branch out.
* It takes a village. Mobilize yours. Call relatives and ask them to visit. Just as parenting takes a village, so does being an adult child.
* Expect setbacks. Just when you think you are over the hump and your parent is settling in, things will change. They will tell you they are lonely. They will decide they don’t like their new dining hall friends. They will ask to go home. These moments are heart wrenching but knowing that they are normal and that they will pass, can help get you through them.
* Allow yourself to feel discomfort. Speaking of home, know that when your parent says they want to go home, they may not necessarily mean their last address. It’s incredibly difficult to hear your parent say they want to go home. But know this: they may not be referring to their last address – especially if they have dementia; they may be referring to a childhood home. Home is both a place and a feeling. Sit with them in the discomfort of that statement and talk to them about what they miss. You can’t promise to change their situation, but you can hear them as they express their feelings. And that will help.
* Acknowledge the difficult parts. Yes you want to paint the new move in a positive light, but don’t talk at your parents about all the wonderful new activities and people and opportunities. Listen to their fears and concerns and acknowledge them. Then help them get through it. They will be more likely to listen to what you have to say if they feel like you’ve listened to what they had to say.
* Surround your parent with their personal belongings. Moving to assisted living usually means downsizing. The dining room furniture may not fit in the new apartment. But what does fit are photographs of family and friends, photo albums, favorite books, a familiar piece of artwork. If you need to downsize the bedroom set, you can still bring a familiar blanket and pillows. Leaving a home shouldn’t mean leaving behind the comforts of that home.
* Limit new things. Moving into an assisted living facility is a major adjustment where everything is new – the people, the food, the routines. Don’t overwhelm your parents with a new phone or remote control for the television, or a fancy new coffee maker. Limit the amount of new things they need to learn.
* Be your parent’s advocate. No place is perfect. You and your parents may see opportunities to improve something at their new home but your parent may hesitate to speak up when they move to a new place. Do it for them.
* Build a team. The staff at assisted living can and should be a part of your team. Talk to them about your concerns and your parent’s concerns and actively enroll them in helping with the transition. Don’t assume they will notice what needs to happen – they are very busy. If your parent tells you they are too shy to go to the dining hall for dinner, or they forget when activities are happening, ask if a staff member can knock on their door and invite them. If the staff members know what you need, they should be willing to help out.
* Set your boundaries. Yes, you want to ease your parent’s transition. But you have needs too. Try to free up as much times as you can in the first few months after the move to help, but know that it is okay if you are not always available. You need to take care of yourself. Determine what you are able and willing to do and then stick to your boundaries. Other people will tell you what you should do. Ignore them. You are the judge – no one else.
* Kids know best. The experts may tell you to stay away or visit often. They may tell you to dismiss complaints as normal. But you know your parent best. Trust your instincts.

For more information, contact Spring Arbor.


workingdaughter.com

Moving a parent, even a willing one, into assisted living, or senior living is fraught with emotion. Your parents may mourn the loss of their younger years, their independence, the home they built. They could be scared about aging, making new friends, finding their way in a new place.

10/09/2019

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting more than five million Americans. In the next several blogs, you can find out more about Alzheimer’s and how you can manage care for yourself or a loved one. This post will address Caring for Someone Else.

Caring for Someone Else

In most cases, the primary caregiver of someone with Alzheimer's disease will be a loved one, a spouse, adult child, or close companion. Even in the early stages of the disease, caregiving is an extremely demanding, 24-hour-a-day task. Caregivers need to be flexible and understanding in dealing with changes in their loved one's behavior and personality. They must also be able to communicate with family, friends and professionals about his or her condition.

Spouses who are caregivers are likely to be strongly affected by a diagnosis of Alzheimer's, as they process the profound changes their future holds:

* Spouses often have their own health problems.
* Husbands and wives often must reverse roles and take on unfamiliar tasks.
* Depending on a couple's relationship, Alzheimer's can bring them closer together or it can alienate them.
* Spouses must accept that the person they have known and loved may change dramatically in personality and behavior, and there will almost without a doubt come a time when their loved one does not recognize them.

Adult children who are caregivers also need to adjust to the role reversal in caring for their parent. They may feel overwhelmed by the other responsibilities in their lives such as working within or outside the home and caring for their children.

As distressing as an Alzheimer's diagnosis can be, this is the time to begin to accept the future, build a support network, gather information to help alleviate fears and plan for the road ahead. Family members who do not live nearby should support the main caregiver and try to help with tasks that they can do where they are.

For more information, contact Spring Arbor.



brightfocus.org

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting more than five million Americans. In the next several blogs, you can find out more about Alzheimer’s and how you can manage care for yourself or a loved one. This post will address Caring for Someone Else.

10/07/2019

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting more than five million Americans. In the next several blogs, you can find out more about Alzheimer’s and how you can manage care for yourself or a loved one. This post will address Living With Your Disease.

Living with Your Disease, Life after Diagnosis

If you or a loved one has received a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, you may be feeling overwhelmed. You and your family will need time for the diagnosis to sink in and to prepare emotionally, financially, and practically for this progressive and terminal disease.

This is a difficult time, but it’s helpful to know about the condition once a formal diagnosis has been made. Many people with Alzheimer’s feel a sense of relief when the news or understanding of their condition is finally out in the open.

You and your family may be better able to prepare yourselves and live much more fully after accepting the terminal nature of the disease. There will be time ahead to continue enjoying life and pleasurable activities, even if it’s in a different way, and to make important plans and decisions with loved ones.

Gathering more information can help relieve your anxiety and stress. Learning, knowing what to expect, and sharing thoughts and information with loved ones, others who have the disease, and professionals can help you feel more in control and better able to take advantage of current treatments and assistance.

After adjusting to the new diagnosis and preparing for the future, you can focus on living and coping with the disease.

In the next post, find out more about caring for someone else. For more information, contact Spring Arbor.


brightfocus.org

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting more than five million Americans. In the next several blogs, you can find out more about Alzheimer’s and how you can manage care for yourself or a loved one. This post will address Living With Your Disease.