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It’s true that January 1 is just another day on the calendar. But, the start of a new year does bring with it a sense of hope and optimism. That’s why we tend to make New Year’s resolutions. Many of the residents at our skilled nursing facility find that committing to completing certain tasks and making healthy lifestyle changes is a good challenge.

What Changes Will You Make in the Year Ahead?

From better health to greater peace of mind, there are many changes you can resolve to make in the year ahead. Here are some to consider:

• • Eat healthier. There are a whole host of benefits associated with making, and sticking to, a resolution to improve your diet, from more energy to a stronger immune system. Focus on getting the amount of vegetables, fruits, fish, whole grains, healthy fats and low-fat dairy recommended by your doctor.
  • Be comfortably active. You should never take on more activity than your body can handle. But regular, reasonable exercise is good both for your body and your mind. Walking, riding a stationary bike, swimming laps and lifting appropriate amounts of weight are just some of the ways to be active.
  • Regularly address fall risks in your environment. Falls are one of the biggest health risks for elders, and the risk grows each year as aging causes a natural decline in mobility. Commit to looking around your living environment on a regular basis and addressing any hazards that exist. It only takes a few minutes and may spare you a trip to the hospital.
  • Share your feelings. Too often elders keep their feelings bottled up inside, as they don’t want to “burden” anyone. This is especially true of things like depression and anxiety. The team members at our skilled nursing facility are happy to talk with you about your emotions and can help you get treatment if that becomes appropriate.
  • Make new friends. Our social connections are one of the things that support mental and emotional wellbeing. You can never have too many friends. And, the person you reach out to next year might just be in need of a new relationship, too, making it a true win-win.
  • See your doctor more often. If you visit your physician regularly, good for you! If not, consider increasing the frequency of your visits. The earlier you catch medical issues, the easier they are to resolve and the more enjoyable life is.

New Year, New You!

Each new year gives us an opportunity for a “new lease on life.” At Greenhouse Homes at Mirasol, a skilled nursing facility in Northern Colorado, our focus is on helping residents enjoy productive, meaningful lives where they are continually growing and developing. We encourage residents to turn the calendar page to January with renewed enthusiasm and excitement for the year ahead.

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.