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For many elders, the most appreciated holiday present is the gift of time spent with loved ones. While that can mean simply sharing a meal and some “catch up” time at their elder care community, there are many festive holiday activities that families can enjoy together. That includes physical pursuits like walking and cooking as well as activities better suited to those with mobility challenges like storytelling and listening to music. However you choose to spend time with an elder, you can be sure it is appreciated.

Try These Fun Holiday Activities With Your Favorite Elder

Looking to share some holiday joy with a senior in your life? Here’s a list of great ways to connect:

• Help them decorate their living space. Whether they live in an elder care community or in some other setting, seniors love to “deck the halls.” Lending a hand makes it easier for them to get into the holiday spirit and gives them a chance to reflect on some of their favorite decorations.
• Sing their favorite holiday tunes. Many elders love to raise their voice in song. Make a list of the person’s favorite carols and get a copy you can play on your smartphone or tablet. They may enjoy the singalong even more if you are able to find the “classic” recordings of their favorite songs.
• Make holiday cookies. The feel of the dough, the smell of the baking treats and the sense of pride after decorating a batch can bring back very fond memories for an elder.
• Have a gift wrapping party. Whether you help them wrap gifts they have purchased or they help you with yours, there’s nothing like a shared task to bring people together.
• Walk the mall. Malls are very festive places around the holidays. Find a low-traffic time and enjoy a walk around one to admire the decorations.
• Help them prepare their holiday cards. Elders often want to send out cards but the process can be time-consuming and tiring. Crank up the holiday tunes and assist them in getting their cards organized, sealed and addressed so all they have to do is sign and jot a quick note.
• Enjoy a “movie night” together. Pick one of their favorite holiday classics, pop some popcorn, get out some blankets and pillows, and cuddle up in front of the TV.
• Take a holiday lights drive. Scout out some local areas where businesses or homeowners are putting on exceptional holiday light displays. Then, put some hot chocolate in a “to go” mug, get comfortable in the car and take a tour.

Happy Holidays from a Northern Colorado Leader in Elder Care!

At Greenhouse Homes at Mirasol, a unique elder care community in Northern Colorado, we know that the time elders get to spend with family and friends is a most precious gift. We wish you the happiest of holidays with your loved ones!

A decrease in vision is one of the most common issues for older adults. Often the loss of vision is so gradual that an elder might not even notice it and the deficit may reach a point that it becomes a safety issue. At our skilled nursing facility, we know that spotting the signs of vision loss can allow loved ones or our staff to help an elder get the assistance they need to correct their vision and/or make necessary changes to their lifestyle.

Vision Issues: What to Look for in the Ones You Love

While an elder may not notice the slow but steady decline in their vision, you should be looking for signs such as your loved one:

• Squinting or tilting their head to get a better look at things. It’s something we all do from time to time, but if you begin to see it more regularly, that can be a sign of vision problems.
• Asking you to read things for them. They may also find other ways to avoid reading such as always ordering the entree they know is on the menu at a restaurant they frequent. Avoiding reading can be especially problematic with things like medication instructions.
• Giving up on hobbies or favorite activity. Someone who has always enjoyed needlework but decides to give it up for no apparent reason may be doing so because their declining vision has taken the joy out of the activity.
• Moving their favorite chair closer to the TV. Both a decline in vision and in hearing can be the cause for this change.
• Having damage to their car. If the person is still driving, you may notice dents and scrapes from them misjudging distances or simply not seeing parking barriers, etc.
• Getting lost while driving. Other conditions like dementia may play a role here, but the inability to read street signs can lead to an elder losing their way.
• Stumbling or tripping more often. This issue can be caused by a number of factors, but one of them is an inability to see and successfully navigate uneven spots in a sidewalk, wrinkles in a rug, etc. Falls are one of the most serious risks that accompany unaddressed vision loss.
• Wearing mismatched clothing. This may initially occur with colors that are similar such as black and dark blue.

A Major Benefit of Living in a Skilled Nursing Facility

One of the many benefits of living in a skilled nursing facility is that an elder can both look out for fellow residents and receive that same kind of care in return. At Green House Homes at Mirasol, there is a very positive sense of shared responsibility among residents and staff for keeping each other safe, healthy and happy.

For elders, eating a balanced diet plays a key role in health and wellness. Some of the many benefits of eating right include that you are better able to maintain a healthy weight and have the energy you need to enjoy your day. Proper nutrition can also have a positive impact on brain health. Plus, eating well lowers your risk of common health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. As a leading provider of senior living homes, we ensure that all the meals we prepare are both delicious and nutritious. We also provide seniors and their families with strategies for healthy eating when they are having meals elsewhere.

Keep These Nutrition Tips in Mind

Here are nutrition tips that we follow at Green House Homes and that all elders should be aware of:

• Understand and meet your caloric needs. Consuming more calories than your body needs on a regular basis can lead to excessive weight gain and health problems. Not consuming enough calories can lead to weight loss and a different set of health problems. Talk with your doctor about what your ideal weight range is and how best to stay within it.
• Eat meals that include four key components. They are: lean protein from lean meats, beans, eggs and seafood; whole grains like whole wheat pasta and brown rice; fruits and vegetables, especially those that are brightly colored; and low-fat dairy like skim milk.
• Stay hydrated. While people don’t think of water as a nutrient, it is critical to the proper functioning of all the body’s systems.
• Eat appropriately for any health conditions you have. Your doctor may advise you to modify your diet based on your medical conditions, such as cutting down on sodium intake if you have high blood pressure. Be sure to follow that advice.
• Be aware that food sensitivity can change over time. It may be that you used to be able to eat all the garlic you wanted, but now it gives you heartburn. These kinds of changes are not uncommon as we age. Be open to the possibility that you may need to cut certain things out of your diet.
• Know what a healthy plate looks like. The USDA has a great image and accompanying information on what a proper serving of food should look like as part of its MyPlate program.
• Get information on food/medication interactions. Even healthy foods can have a negative impact on the effectiveness of certain medications. Talk with your doctor about your diet whenever you start a new medication or change your dosage.

Eating Right, Living Right

In our senior living homes, we provide tasty, well-balanced meals prepared with love that support elder health. It’s one of the many ways we are reimagining eldercare. Contact us to learn more.

Effectively managing your finances can be challenging at any age. From crunching numbers to remembering payment due dates or banking passwords, it only gets more difficult as you age. For many elders who have transitioned into a skilled nursing facility, there comes a time when it’s best to hand off financial management tasks to a trusted loved one. But what if you’re that person and the elder does not yet see the need for assistance? How do you approach that conversation?

Tips for Making the Money Management Transition

Ideally, your loved one will ask for help with their finances when it becomes too much of a burden. If they don’t, there are a number of things you can do to ease the transition, including:

• Talk with them before a crisis arises. Unfortunately, loved ones often have to take over an elder’s finances when the need becomes urgent for some reason and no preparation has been done. It’s much better to start having conversations months or years in advance of when the transition takes place.
• Get an expert’s opinion. Getting input from a financial planner who agrees that it would be helpful for you to get involved in your loved one’s financial matters and shares some insights on best practices can be reassuring to an elder.
• Talk with other family members if appropriate. A parent in a skilled nursing facility may find it easier to delegate their financial management to multiple children instead of just one, and there are many reasons why that can be a wise choice.
• Be open with siblings and other family members. If you are chosen as the financial manager, be sure to share information with other family members as appropriate. Being secretive about an elder’s finances when that is not necessary can lead to resentment and suspicion.
• Watch for changes in cognitive ability. If your loved one starts to make financial errors, it is important that you step in quickly. While you don’t want to offend them, the cost of delaying your intervention can be high.
• Establish a baseline. As soon as it is decided that you will get involved, do a thorough review of the person’s finances so you know where they stand today and how their money will be best used to support them going forward.
• Establish power of attorney. It’s important that you have the legal power to make financial decisions on behalf of your loved one.

Being There for them as a Financial Adviser

At Green House Homes, we understand that when a person in a skilled nursing facility begins to struggle with managing their money, it is hard on them and their loved ones. Fortunately, with a little advance planning and patience, financial transitions can take place smoothly. And, you can relieve the elder of that burden.

Being far away from an elder loved one can be difficult. However, as a leading provider of senior living homes, we know from experience that there are ways to make the most of the situation and maintain a strong relationship. Ultimately, planning and persistence are key.
 

Great Ways to Stay Connected to an Elder

Living an hour or more away from a loved one makes staying mentally and emotionally connected with them much more challenging. Use these strategies to bridge the divide:

• • Space your visits wisely. If you have a limited amount of time and/or funds for visiting your loved one, be sure to space out those visits. Exhausting your budget too quickly can cause long gaps without a visit, which neither you nor the elder will enjoy.
  • Make the most of your time together. While you will surely want to enjoy some unstructured time with your loved one, having a plan for many of the things you want to accomplish during a visit will help ensure that you meet both their needs and yours.
  • Leverage technology. Phone calls, text messages and video chat sessions can’t replace a hug and sharing a meal together. However, connecting through technology certainly beats not connecting at all. Be sure to take some time during an in-person visit to ensure that your loved one has the necessary technology. Also, be sure they know how to use it. You want them to be able to communicate with you easily and enjoyably.
  • Write letters. Most elders will tell you that they love receiving letters from family and friends. There’s just something about knowing that the words on the paper were carefully and lovingly chosen and that the person took the time to write and mail the note.
  • Find the right senior living community. Working with a senior living homes provider where caregivers are truly connected with residents is ideal. That way staff can help you stay informed about your loved one’s condition if the elder can’t or doesn’t want to engage in conversation on the phone or online. A quick call with the staff member can help put your mind at ease.
  • Stay informed. You may not talk with your loved one about all the activities at their community. But, simply knowing more about what goes on there can help you feel closer to the person. Remembering and mentioning that, “Today is grandma’s painting class,” can spark happy conversations and fond memories with your family.

   

  Supporting Strong Relationships is Our Top Priority

  At Green House Homes, our senior living homes are designed around the idea that caring relationships are essential to a happy life. That’s why we do all we can to enable and support strong connections among all stakeholders—elders, fellow residents, staff and family members. This approach and our real-home settings make our communities a very unique elder care option.