A couple of weeks ago we talked about how Baby Boomers are changing the face of senior citizens. This falls in line with the Administration on Aging’s (AoA) (a part of the Administration on Community Living https://www.acl.gov/) choice for the 2017 theme for Older American’s Month.

The focus is giving voice to all aging Americans by dedicating May as a month to celebrate this expanding population.

This theme shines a light on many important trends. More than ever before, older Americans are working longer, trying new things, and engaging in their communities. They’re taking charge, striving for wellness, focusing on independence, and advocating for themselves and others. What it means to age has changed, and OAM 2017 is a perfect opportunity to recognize and celebrate what getting older looks like today. Source: https://www.acl.gov/news-and-events/events-and-observances/older-americans-month-2017

Dyer Rehab celebrates aging Americans all year long. Our residents, short or long term, remind us every day that having another birthday does not necessarily mean slowing down!

Whether here for short term physical rehabilitation after an elective surgery or an unexpected life event, such as a stroke or fall, or here because living alone is no longer an option, our residents show us every day that vitality does not end at 50 years old!

Opinions and desires are not restricted by physical challenges an aging body may present. Our residents often remind us of the old saying from Mark Twain: “Age is a matter of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter!”

Our staff strives to keep this perspective as we support the various needs of our diverse community. From assisted living activities over at Sheffield Manor to daily care needs in our long term care residences, our total focus is on what can make each day the best day for the residents that we care for.

In addition to our professional activities planners, we interact with the residents and their families to make sure we are doing everything possible to encourage each person to be the best they can be each day!

 

Any care giver, or friend of a care giver knows that taking responsibility for a loved one’s daily needs can be taxing. In our efforts to be the best friend, child, parent or spouse, we are more than willing to provide for those that we love “in sickness and in health”. The biggest challenge for care givers is remembering that proper self-care is what makes them capable of managing the daily needs of someone else.

Taking advantage of Respite Care is a smart solution. Respite care is a safe, enjoyable way for both the care giver and the one cared for to have a much needed “break”. 

Respite care can provide:

• A chance to spend time with other friends and family, or to just relax

• Time to take care of errands such as shopping, exercising, getting a haircut or going to the doctor

• Comfort and peace of mind knowing that the person with dementia is spending time with another caring individual

Respite care services can give the person with dementia an opportunity to:

• Interact with others having similar experiences
• Spend time in a safe, supportive environment
• Participate in activities designed to match personal abilities and needs

Respite care can be provided through in home care providers, Adult Day programs or overnight/multi-night stays at a care facility. If your loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s, it is suggested to use short stays more frequently, to allow them to adjust to this new environment, before asking them to stay for a vacation or other extended period.

Even if you don’t plan to use respite care, life has a way of surprising us with unexpected needs. We recommend you get to know your options before an emergency arises. Call your local in-home care agency and discuss how you should prepare for an unexpected need. You want to know that a company is ready to offer the proper care for your situation. Take time to schedule a tour at a local care facility that offers short term respite care and find out what your steps will be in the event you have an unexpected need to move your loved one to a residential facility for a few days. Make sure you have the information available to anyone that may need to help you out in an emergency.

Here at Dyer, our admissions team is always glad to answer your questions and help you prepare for future needs. Give us a call (219) 322-2273 or drop us a note any time!

For many of us that were born during the “baby boom” we grew up with a concept of what it means to be a “senior citizen” that included “Grandma and Grandpa” slowing down and settling quietly into the shadows of daily living. This perception does not match the reality for today’s aging boomers!

This generation of “seniors” is much different and it is imperative that health care providers at all levels pay attention. It is no longer acceptable to go to the doctor and be treated like you suddenly lost your mind when your gray hair started coming on!

While our bodies and minds are still subject to the affects of age, we are not content to let that be the deciding factor in our quality of life. If our knees start giving us trouble we don’t accept it as a final push to sit in the rocker on our front porch from this day forward. Instead, we consider all of our options from surgical intervention to physical therapy and even, in some cases, alternative medicine.

We are a generation that will not take aging lying down (in the literal or philosophical sense). Today, senior citizens demand options that will help them continue to pursue the same interests they have always had. If we need to deal with an issue we choose caregivers that will treat us with the same respect they gave us in our 40s.

To be competitive and meet the needs of today’s aging population it is critical that care facilities keep up with their demands and expectations.

Dyer Nursing and Rehab adopted these perspectives from inception. Everything we do, from the team we hire, services we offer and the way we design and decorate our facility is from a perspective that age or physical and mental challenges do not mean that a person no longer wants to live well and to their fullest potential.

If you have a friend or loved one residing in a care facility, you know that some days are just harder than others. What better way to encourage healing than to help them celebrate the freshness of spring? We all know that feeling of waking up one morning and looking out the window to see the first signs of spring bursting through the grey landscape of winter. While the reality is that nature has been quietly working her magic all winter long, it seems like one day we wake up and it’s all fresh and new again. The first blooms of spring remind us that each day brings opportunity for something yet unseen. Here are some ideas to bring that springtime inspiration to a friend or family member living in a skilled nursing facility.

1. Bring them a beautiful bouquet. This doesn’t have to be an expensive gift – a simple bundle of daffodils or tulips is all it takes to bring the excitement of spring into a room!
2. Take them for a stroll outside to look at the birds returning from their winter journey.
3. Remember the holidays that are special to your friend or loved one. Most facilities offer services for religious holidays.
4. Check with the facility for fun events that are planned. We plan holiday related events for the community and our residents. Check out our Easter Events on this month’s calendar View our April 2017 Activities Calendar.
5. Pick up a spring themed puzzle and spend time with your friend or loved one working on it.
6. Get out the color crayons! Due to the therapeutic benefits of coloring, adult coloring books have become much more available. Even Hallmark is offering them these days! Some craft stores offer beautifully packaged “packages” that include the color crayons/pencils along with the coloring book.
7. Take a joy ride! Most facilities encourage residents to leave the facility for a couple hours to spend time with friends. Why not schedule a short drive to look at the flowering trees or visit a tulip field?
8. If your loved one is experiencing limited mobility, bring the fun of spring indoors. Pick up a small flower box, some fresh soil and a couple of annuals and plant them bedside. (Don’t forget to bring a trowel and some garden gloves, or work with your activities director for guidelines.)

These are just a few of our ideas… we are sure you can think of more!