Explanation of Senior Housing

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Those thinking of looking for senior care in San Diego may feel overwhelmed with the many options and terms that they’re probably unfamiliar with. In order to avoid getting confused, it’s a good idea to obtain a basic understanding of the different types of housing available. This will make it much more likely that one’s final choice will be a proper one.

Independent Living

Independent living communities come with lots of other names, like congregate care, retirement communities or villages, senior apartments, or 55+ communities. They usually work well for seniors who are independent and have few medical problems, and they offer fully equipped private apartments. There are typically several different types of apartments provided, going from studios to two-bedroom layouts. There may be social events one may be able to attend.

Assisted Living

These communities offer senior care in San Diego for those individuals who can no longer care for themselves in a safe manner, while not being in need of constant attention. As such, these communities offer assistance with things like housekeeping, meals and medications. Usually, residents live in private apartments, and have a range of social activities to choose from. They are also known as personal care homes or assisted care communities.

Nursing Homes

Nursing homes provide senior care in San Diego for elderly who are in need of a high level of assistance and medical care. As such, there are skilled nurses available twenty-four hours every day. In addition, there are short-term rehabilitation services available for those seniors recovering from an injury or surgery. Usually, residents share a room, and receive meals in a central dining area, excepting those who are too ill to take part in them. These services are known also as a long-term care facility, nursing center, skilled nursing or convalescent care.

Memory Care

Memory care is offered especially for patients suffering from dementia. As such, all programs and care are specialized for these individuals, taking special care that residents won’t wander off grounds, which is something very typically seen in those suffering from this illness. Typically, residents live in semi-private apartments and are provided with structured activities to keep them active. This type of housing is also known as Alzheimer’s or dementia care.

 

These are the main types of communities offered for seniors, though there are other services one may be able to use, depending on each specific case. Having a good understanding of the types of housing offered is crucial in choosing the right one for yourself or your loved one.

 

What to Look for When Choosing Memory Care

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Choosing a residential care facility is usually a hard task, but picking a unit for memory care in San Diego can prove to be even harder, simply because there are more things to consider. As such, it is important not only to do research, but to also visit the facility at least once, in order to get a good sense of how things are run

Basics

One of the first things one should ask about memory care in San Diego is whether the facility can accommodate individuals with all levels of dementia or only some. This is important even if the patient is at a level the unit is able to receive, as it is likely that they will reach a more advanced level at some point in the future, and if the unit is no longer able to meet his or her needs, then another unit will have to be located. In addition, it’s a good idea to get a sense of the rules in place, and what sort of factors may lead to a resident being removed from the facility. Not only this, but one should try to be aware of who is responsible for assessing the health and cognitive functioning of the residents, and how often the assessment is repeated.

Safety

When visiting a unit providing memory care in San Diego, one should ask about things like whether the floor surface is non-slip in all rooms, as this is an important factor in preventing slips and falls that could be serious. In addition, the interior and exterior of the facility should be secure, and there should be methods in place to keep tabs on all residents, in order to make sure that they do not wander off grounds.

 Staff

It is important for staff members to be trained in giving specific care, so one should ask what kind of training the staff received. Another important point is the staff-to-resident ratio, as too many residents and too few staff members may indicate a low level of care. A factor indicating the level of care given to residents is whether the staff know each resident by name, background and personality.

There are many things one should consider when picking a memory care unit, and as such, one should be prepared with a checklist of questions to ask the managers. As previously mentioned, one should also make sure to visit the facility more than one time, in order to get a better grasp of how it operates, and a better understanding of the state and well-being of its residents.

Things to Know about Memory Care

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Memory care in National City is a great tool for caring for those with Alzheimer’s, as it provides intensive specialized care that is long term. The demand for quality memory care is on the rise, since the number of individuals with dementia will double, but the good news is that the senior care industry is getting ready to meet this demand, creating new communities.

More Comprehensive

While memory care in National City can be more expensive than other types of care, such facilities go much further than others to provide care for those with dementia, offering 24-hour supervision for all stages of the disease.

Specialized

Memory care communities are built with the specific purpose in mind to care for those with dementia. As such, they provide a secure environment that reduces the risks of wandering. The hallways are typically color-coded to help residents navigate them, which also reduces their anxiety. Living in a safe environment is crucial, because it also helps residents remain independent for longer periods of time.

Because of this specialized care, communities with memory care programs report higher quality of life for their residents in a number of areas. Indeed, they tend to have fewer falls, hospital visits, and injuries. This, together with increased independence, social interaction, and better nutrition and wellness, ensures that residents are happier for longer.

Programs

Not only do memory care units offer specialized leisure programs, but they also provide therapeutic ones, which are designed to address memory impairment and any common dementia behaviors. As such, they help improve the quality of life of their residents.

Helps Families as Well as Patients

Families of dementia patients are at ease knowing that their loved ones are cared for 24 hours a day. In addition, these communities often offer outreach to families of individuals who have dementia, so that they stay informed.

Residents Are Not Isolated

Even though residents typically live in a separate unit, there typically are plenty of social and therapeutic programs that keep them engaged with others. Indeed, not being isolated is a crucial part of any individual’s well-being, but more so for those suffering from dementia.

While these facts are typically descriptive of most units offering memory care in National City, it is crucial to try one’s best to properly research the available options. Indeed, not all units are equivalent, and one must be very careful about the details that may make a huge difference in the well-being of the future resident.

 

Choosing a Senior Care Provider

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Choosing a provider for senior care services in National City may prove to be difficult and overwhelming, regardless of whether it is for oneself or for a family member. Indeed, there are many options available, and understanding which ones fit one’s needs and which don’t can be a challenge. Luckily, things will become clearer after doing some research.

The Starting Point

When going to senior living communities, the most important thing to ask as far as the offered senior care services in National City has to do with the level of care they provide. The options are as follows:

Skilled nursing — which is crucial for those who can’t take care of themselves any longer, and need to get constant help from a nurse. In these cases, residents either live in separate rooms, or may have a roommate.

Assisted living — which is for those who need some help with certain activities, like cooking, remembering to take meds, or bathing. In this case, residents usually live in private apartments or rooms, and are provided with daily meals. Nursing assistants are available to check on them every day.

Independent living — which is for those who can care for themselves, but may need help with some daily activities like cleaning and cooking. Residents live in private apartments, without having someone check on them.

Safety

Another important thing to ask about is safety, as it is another one of the most important aspects as far as senior care services in National City go. Retirement facilities must follow many regulations and rules. Asking the facility one is considering about what safety features they offer is a good idea.

Other Concerns

Knowing as much as possible about a facility is extremely important, as it will help one understand what they should expect. First off, one should ask whether the facility is operating legally and is licensed. In the same train of thought, one should also ask whether the license has ever been removed, and if so, why? In addition, if there are any recent inspection reports available, as well as financial records, it’s a good idea to have a look over them.

It’s also important to ask about the staff-to-resident ratio, as well as what type of training the staff members receive. A good way to see what life is like in that facility is to talk to current residents, as they will know best.

Finding a senior care service provider may be difficult, but as long as one knows what to ask of a facility, the choice should be made much easier.

 

5 Easy Steps to Find Love After 50

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No matter how old or young, nobody likes to be lonely. This is just a simple fact of the human condition.

Since people are living longer and staying healthier than ever, dating is not just the young person’s game it was once thought to be.  This combined with the fact that it is now much more socially acceptable not to have to stay in a relationship that isn’t working, means that many more people over 50 are looking for new romance.

Contrary to outdated stereotypes, having the hindsight of experience often makes for a smoother and more pleasant dating experience.  This means more and more people are finding the love of their lives in the prime of their life.

Here are some easy ways to get out there and join the dating game:

  1. Define those dating goals:

    It is important to know what one wants and expects from a relationship, and one of the advantages to being in the golden years is having experience and maturity.  It is a great idea to put everything is writing to make it all more clear.

  1. Stop procrastinating:

    It is common at any age to make excuses for not dating, and older Americans are no exception in this department.  Whether people like to admit it or not, the primary reason for avoiding new relationships is fear.  And this can be perfectly understandable, particularly for those who already have a few significant long-term relationships under their belts. However, as the adage goes, the best way to stop fear in its tracks is to jump right back on the horse, and the dating game is no exception.

  1. Get online:

    Online dating sites are one of the best resources out there for people who are in the prime of their life. Finding the ideal social environment to meet people can be more difficult around retirement because many couples tend to meet at work or though coworkers. Online dating provides the ideal forum to meet other singles of any age who are also looking for love.  And because these sites often use scientifically proven statistical tools to find the best compatibility matches out there, they automatically sort through the riff-raff so no time is wasted on somebody who just doesn’t jibe.

  1. Get out there:

    One of the easiest ways to meet people and have a ton of fun doing it is to get involved in community events and happenings. Joining a ballroom dance class, a reading group, or a bingo club is a great way to get involved in a solid social group. San Diego senior care services facilities usually offer lots of social events geared toward helping people make new friends and establish new contacts, potential lovers not excluded.

 

How to Keep Fit in The Golden Years

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There are countless benefits to exercise and physical activity at any age.  However, what many don’t know is that the more we age, the more important it is to maintain a regular exercise program.

Why? Because regular physical activity is a vital factor in preventing heart disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, depression, and a host of other illnesses that people tend to become more susceptible to as they get older.

San Diego senior care facilities often offer specialized exercise programs tailored to those who want to keep fit well into their golden years, and can serve as a great place to find out more information. As a general rule, it is best to look for gentle, low impact activities, particularly when just getting started. This will help reduce the risk of injury and ensure that the workout is safe and accessible.

It is a good idea to make a weekly exercise calendar and shoot for at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day. It is also recommended to try practicing different activities on different days of the week to ensure that all four elements listed below are always being covered.

An ideal exercise program will balance the following four elements:

  1. Balance:

    Balance is crucial at any age, but becomes increasingly important with age as people tend to become more susceptible to falls.

    A regular yoga practice is great way to maintain balance and keep the spine healthy and strong.

  1. Flexibility:

    Muscles naturally tighten and shorten with age, and that is why it is all the more important to maintain flexibility.

    While it is easy to practice simple stretching exercises in the comfort of one’s home, a yoga class is fantastic way to get out of the house and get social.

  1. Cardio:

    Cardio is essential for building up aerobic endurance and thus is an important component of any well-balanced exercise routine.  Any kind of activity is cardio if it raises the heart rate, so don’t be afraid to sweat.

    Walking on a treadmill or joining a gentle aqua aerobics, tai chi, or even a ballroom dancing class are great ways to sneak in some cardio every week, but even walking to the store to get the groceries counts. It is easy to get frustrated when beginning to practice cardio, but it is important to remember that improvements happen quickly and a person will begin to feel more fit and healthy in just weeks.

  1. Strength:

    Muscular strength is one of the most difficult things to maintain as people get older. The good news is that many gyms and senior care facilities offer gentle programs to keep the iron pumping well into the golden years

Learn How to Detect the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

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There are many benefits to diagnosing dementia early, including better access to care and support. In addition, the drugs available to treat and slow the progress of the disease tend to be much more effective when the disease is detected early.  For these reasons, anybody who feels they might be experiencing some of the following symptoms should not hesitate to get in touch with a professional San Diego area memory care expert as soon as possible.

Even if the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s, many who detect the symptoms early are pleased to find out that their condition is treatable and manageable well into the foreseeable future.

It is often difficult to tell the difference between the more serious symptoms of dementia and the basic forgetfulness that is a normal part of the process of aging.

As such, here are 4 early symptoms of dementia that everyone should be aware of:

  1. Everyday activities take longer to accomplish:

    Whether paying bills or taking out the garbage, it is common for those experiencing the early stages of dementia to notice that things that once seemed easy now take more time and effort to accomplish. However, it is common for everyday tasks to take longer as a person ages. It is important to be aware if one is feeling distracted frequently or unable to focus. Difficulty counting or doing basic math can be an indicator that it might be time for an assessment.

  1. Memory loss occurs frequently:

    Occasional memory loss is a normal part of getting older. But, when things become difficult to remember on a regular basis, this might be cause for concern. It is important to be particularly aware of short term memory loss.  Those who can routinely remember things that happened in the past, but have a hard time remembering what happened the day before, might want to be seen by a health care professional.

  1. Mood or personality changes:

    This can be something that can be difficult to monitor in oneself, so it is a good idea to pay attention to input from others. Things like feeling less spontaneous or frequently depressed can be subtle indicators of changes in mood.   Also be aware of losing interest in activities that were once considered enjoyable.

  1. Confusion about locations:

    Spacial relationships frequently become difficult to recognize when one is suffering from dementia. This can include difficulty telling direction or reading a clock. For anyone who finds themself sometimes becoming disoriented or even dizzy, this could be another warning sign.

Remember that experiencing any of these early signs does not mean that dementia is present, and to the contrary, often serve as indications of other easily treatable conditions. However, it is always better to be safe than sorry and see a health care professional if someone starts noticing one or more of the above symptoms.

5 Great Ways to Prevent and Slow the Development of Dementia

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Dementia and Alzheimer’s are complex diseases with complex causes.

The good news is that studies have suggested that lifestyle changes that promote cognitive health, exercise, and low blood pressure might help forestall dementia and Alzheimer’s symptoms from progressing or even developing in the first place.

Here is a list of 5 healthy lifestyle changes that can help keep dementia and Alzheimer’s at bay:

  1. Eat Healthy:

    The consumption of unhealthy foods loaded with sugars and saturated fats can cause swelling and inflammation in the brain and reduce the effectiveness of communication between brain cells, which is one of the root causes of dementia. This means that now is a better time than ever to finally ditch those bad eating habits for good.

  • As a general rule, it is a good idea to try to get lots of whole grains, fruits, and dark green leafy vegetables. It is best to ditch that hydrogenated oil and butter for brain healthy oils like olive and coconut oil.
  • It is a good idea to try to consume lots of foods high in brain boosting omega-3 fatty acids like cold water fish and sardines.

  1. Exercise:

    Regular exercise is not only one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia, but also one of the most fun.

  • The ideal is at least 30 minutes of light physical exercise per day.

  1. Cognitive Stimulation:

    One of the greatest ways to keep those neurons firing is to make that brain work. Those who continue to learn new things and challenge their mind in the golden years have less risk of developing dementia symptoms.

  • Whether playing logic games, reading, watching detective movies, it is a great idea to try to do something to challenge the mind at least once a day.

  1. Sleep Well:

    It has been suggested that getting a good night’s sleep might not only help prevent the development of Alzheimer’s, but also potentially slow the progression of any existing dementia symptoms.

  • It is best to shoot for at least 8 hours a night.

  1. Manage stress:

    One of the best ways to prevent dementia is to prevent stress and the high blood pressure levels that go with it.

  • First and foremost, it is important to learn to be conscious of personal stress triggers. If a person learns to detect common symptoms like sweating, heart thumping or rapid breathing, they can take a moment to step away from the stressful situation.
  • Those who suffer from chronic stress should always practice relaxation techniques at least a few times a day.

For more information on what sorts of lifestyle changes will help slow your susceptibility to dementia, contact a National City memory care service provider today.

7 Best Foods to Eat for Strong Bones

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Most people know that getting enough calcium is essential to maintaining strong bones and teeth, not to mention preventing the development of osteoporosis.

However, a lesser known fact is that without enough vitamin D the body cannot properly absorb calcium.  In addition, nutrients like vitamin K, magnesium, and phosphorus are also important both to help the body to properly absorb calcium and in and of themselves.

So what exactly are the best foods to eat to make sure that all of the above nutrients are a regular part of a healthy and balanced diet?

Here is a list of some of the best foods to eat to keep bones and teeth healthy and strong:

  1. Dark green leafy vegetables:

    Vegans and those who are lactose intolerant take note.  Dark green leafy vegetables are a great non-dairy source of calcium. In addition, they tend be loaded with valuable vitamins and nutrients including vitamin K and phosphorus.  Kale, arugula, watercress, and collard greens are all bone health powerhouses.

  1. Yogurt, cheese, and other milk products:

    Milk is hands down one of the highest sources of calcium that can be consumed. Period. This means that anything made from milk, like yogurt and cheese, is also a fantastic source of calcium.  For extra health benefits, stick to fermented milk products like kefir and yogurt. Not only will the bones get a huge hit of calcium, but they help to promote the formation of healthy intestinal bacteria at the same time.

  1. Eggs:

    Eggs are not only delicious and nutritious, but are one of the best sources of vitamin D around. And the fact is calcium can’t be properly absorbed without vitamin D.  This means that a simple breakfast of eggs and yogurt is a powerful combination when it comes to osteoporosis prevention.

  1. Fish:

    Salmon, tuna, and catfish are all fantastic sources of vitamin D, not to mention omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential to rebuilding and maintaining strong bones and teeth.

  1. Almond butter:

    Almonds contain the highest levels of calcium of all the nuts out there, which is all the more reason to spread this tasty nut butter over a hearty piece of whole wheat toast for lunch.

  1. Fortified cereals:

    Fortified cereals are a great source of vitamin D and calcium. To maximize health benefits, it is a good idea to stay away from sugar-loaded options and opt for whole grain varieties instead.

  1. Broccoli:

    This powerhouse vegetable is loaded with calcium and is also a source of many other super healthy vitamins and minerals. It can be prepared steamed to ensure that no nutrients are lost in the cooking process.

Remember that healthy eating is a great way to way to decrease your susceptibility to osteoporosis, and a local city senior care services provider is always a great place to find more information.

 

How to Keep Active as You Age

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From our youth we are taught about the benefits of physical activity. It improves circulation and breathing, alleviates stress and sometimes pain, improves mood, promotes brain health and so much more. For some reason, as we mature, we forget about all these important benefits, yet exercise is infinitely more important for aging bodies. For older adults who still have a wide range of motion and adequate energy, exercise is the perfect pastime and solution to daily stress or boredom. It is especially helpful with keeping illnesses away, maintaining or losing weight and promoting a healthy lifestyle overall. Oftentimes the lack of activity is due to general misconceptions or mental limitations placed on oneself. Here are a few common fears amongst seniors when it comes to exercise:

  1. It increases your chance of injury

Exercise, especially when done properly, improves balance, builds strength and stamina, prevents muscle mass loss or bone loss, and improves heart rate. The key to physical improvements is choosing which exercises to do and how to do them. The best way to answer this is by consulting a doctor, health practitioner, or senior care services for advice on what exercises are best. Also remember: everything in moderation. The key to good health isn’t necessarily how much you do, but how often – consistency with a good exercise regimen drastically improves health.

  1. You can’t exercise if you have joint pain

Joint pain, arthritis, or other complications to movement can make it seem hard to stick to an exercise routine, but that is not the case at all. Aquatic exercises are perfect for those with limited mobility because the buoyancy of the water reduces the friction between joints and its impact on the body. Warmer water temperatures can also reduce pain and soothe problem spots as you work out. More importantly, water has more resistance than air which means burning more calories.

  1. It’s too late to start

Health is an important priority in anyone’s life no matter the age. It is an aspect of wellbeing that can always be improved on and allows for modifications for various circumstances. If anything, physical activity is more important in your later years than your younger because it keeps the natural changes that come with old age at bay. It is never to late or too early, to improve your health.

  1. Your body can’t withstand it

Exercise slowly improves strength, cardio, flexibility, and balance depending on the activity of choice, and as long as you go at a steady pace, your body will be more than capable of keeping up. Consulting your doctor is also very important so you know your limits ahead of time; this can help you optimize and maximize the output of every physical activity.

There are a wide variety of senior care services in the San Diego area that cater to a healthy and active lifestyle for seniors. These options cater to the individual needs and personal safety of each person, promoting a healthy and welcoming environment.