• Assisted Living Clark County, WA: Nutrition Needs Of Seniors

    Senior nutrition is a very important factor in the decision to move to assisted living Clark County, WA. As one ages it becomes harder to shop for groceries and to prepare healthy meals. It is often difficult for a single person living alone to cook full, healthy meals. Most assisted living facilities offer three meals daily, and many have a variety of mealtime and menu choices available. When planning meals for seniors, there are some special considerations that must be taken into account. Seniors often have a decreased ability to taste and smell foods, they may take medications that have certain side effects, and their appetites can be variable. Many seniors require special diets to help manage their chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. There are also seniors who need to lose or to gain weight. These are all examples of special dietary requirements that can be found in assisted living facilities, and which are addressed by […]

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  • News For Assisted Living Clark County, WA

    There is an interesting program being implemented in senior care facilities throughout the United States. It’s called Music and Memory, and it’s based in New York. It developed from the theory that music triggers memory, and that music has therapeutic qualities. Music and memories are linked in the brain. Some songs have stronger attachments to memories than others. For everyone, there are songs that remind us of emotional moments in our lives. Certain songs remind us of events or people or feelings. We can hear a particular tune and we are transported back to that time in our life. This has relevance for people in assisted living Clark County, WA. The Music and Memory program gets donated iPods into senior care facilities where they are given to residents and programmed with a customized playlist of that resident’s own favorite songs, songs from the past, songs that trigger the individual’s personal memories. Memories that are associated with important events from their […]

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  • Senior Advisors Vancouver, WA: Help With Downsizing

    Collections of all kinds can bring joy to the owner. They can also take on a life of their own, and grow to larger proportions than you ever imagined. When it comes time to move out of your beloved home, or to downsize your home and belongings, selling your collectibles may be one of your options. Â A Caring Heart senior advisers Vancouver, WA have some tips for getting the most for your treasures. The two big factors in selling collectibles are determining the right price and finding a buyer for your collection. Here are some suggested resources to use in deciding what you will sell your collectibles for. First, try the kovels.com website or get the “Kovels’ Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide” at the library. Check Ebay and other online dealers for current prices. You can also pay for an appraisal if you think your items are worth more than a little. Look for an appraiser who is an […]

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  • News For Senior Wellness From Senior Advisors Vancouver, WA

    Senior advisors Vancouver, WA know video games are not just for kids and teenagers any more! With the advent of new technology, video games now have a variety of uses for seniors and people with mobility problems. The invention of motion sensor and controller-free games has brought into being a new way of doing physical therapy and exercise. The user has only to stand and move in front of the sensor in order to play. This technology is a perfect fit for the senior population. The game also provides immediate feedback to the user about how well he or she is following the movements. A company called Log-Tek USA has taken this new technology and created a tool like an exercise video game that can be used by physical therapists and occupational therapists to teach patients how to perform their exercises effectively. It provides real time feedback to the senior about how she is performing the exercises and allows the […]

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  • Senior Advisors Vancouver, WA: Call Us

    Just like most of the rest of the country, much of the senior population uses cell phones in their daily lives. It is estimated that nearly 70% of Americans 65 and older now own a cell phone. That is just a little less than the 75.5% of the overall population that owns cell phones. This percentage will continue to increase as the baby boom generation ages. One of the main characteristics seniors appreciate in a cell phone is simplicity of use. A phone with more bells and whistles is not usually going to be the phone of choice for a senior. Because the seniors of today did not grow up with cell phones, they are not usually as comfortable with the technology as the seniors of tomorrow will be. The top cell phone features that seniors usually look for are the display and the buttons. Since many seniors have diminished vision the display needs to be easy to read, which […]

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  • A Facebook Study From Senior Advisors Vancouver, WA

    A recent study done at the University of Arizona was designed to test whether teaching older adults to use Facebook could a) help improve their cognitive functioning, and b) enable them to feel more socially connected. The participants ranged in age from 68 to 91. After eight weeks the study group that learned to use Facebook scored 25% higher than their pre-study scores for cognitive function and also on their social variables, which included loneliness levels and amount of social support. The improvement may be due to participating in the social nature of Facebook, or due to the mental activity of learning something new, or a combination of these two factors. There is a body of research that shows that older people who stay cognitively active, learning new skills and using their intellect, will score higher on cognitive tests than those who don’t keep their minds active. Another group of studies shows that those who stay socially engaged, are less […]

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  • Media Exposes Why Getting The Right Help In Making Assisted Living Decisions Is So Important

    Choosing the correct facility for your loved one is the first step in making sure they receive the care that they need. The media has presented some examples of cases where residents were in the wrong environment for their needs. My sympathy goes out to the families who have had to endure the heart break of knowing that the quality of life for their Mom or Dad was physically and emotionally painful. I talk with families all the time about finding the best place for people to live. The physical and mental needs of residents change and often families should consider a move to an environment where the level of care is higher. No matter where an elderly loved one is living, family needs to be their advocate. This is really difficult when residents and family are in a relationship with caregivers and managers. This is an emotional business (remember that it is a business). Just remember that there are […]

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  • New Computer Options For Senior Housing Vancouver, WA

    Senior citizens are using computers more than ever before. Many seniors in senior housing Vancouver, WA use computers on a regular basis. It makes sense that seniors would find computer technology not only useful, but also enjoyable. The most common reason seniors give for using computers is keeping in touch with family and friends: a full 93% of seniors gave this as their top reason for using their computer. The next two most popular reasons for internet use among seniors are making purchases online and accessing information. Because computer use by seniors is growing, there are some new options in computers. Some new computers have been designed especially to be easier for people in the senior age group to use. Here are some examples. For seniors with little or no previous experience with computers, Telikin has come out with a new touch-screen computer. It’s ready to use right out of the box and comes pre-loaded with simplified software for email, […]

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  • When It’s Time To Make The Move To Senior Housing Vancouver, WA

    Families often wonder when it is the right time to start the process of moving an aging parent or grandparent into some kind of senior housing Vancouver WA.  If you have a loved one who is living alone, these are some of the signs that it may be time to open the dialogue about moving to an assisted living facility. A parent is talking about the possibility of a future move. This may signal that he or she is recognizing that they have a limitation of some kind, or that they see a need for more help. They may be more open to the idea of moving than you thought. They have some difficulty walking or are becoming unsteady on their feet. Falls can lead to serious injuries. Falls that occur when an elder lives alone can become a life-threatening situation. A parent is having changes in appetite or showing signs of weight loss. If they are not eating […]

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  • Senior Housing Vancouver, WA: Opening the Conversation

    When you are feeling concerned about your parents continuing to live in their home, the best way to address your concerns is just to start talking. Just jump in. It may feel uncomfortable to you or to them, or both, to talk about senior housing. It may bring up scenarios you’d rather not think about. But getting these issues out into the open and getting your parents’ perspective will make your life less stressful later. Begin by explaining that you need to have an honest discussion and that your loved ones’ input is valuable to you.Here are some suggested questions that can get the conversation started. If the time comes that you are no longer feeling safe living alone in your house, what would you like me to do for you? If I noticed that you weren’t eating well and you were having trouble preparing meals for yourself, what would you like me to do to help? If your eyesight […]

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