Yearly Archives: 2017

Dementia Gardens | How Gardens Help People With Alzheimer’s & Dementia

Dementia gardens can have a big impact on health and the quality of life for an individual with Alzheimer’s and/or Dementia. Most of us have brought flowers to a hospital room at some point. We’ve done it for obvious reasons. Flowers are pretty, they’re colorful and they add a little warmth to an otherwise sterile atmosphere. They’re conveniently sold in most hospital gift shops or at a handy stand outside the door. Bringing flowers to a hospital room is an old tradition. It is also quite a lot more. Dementia gardens have helped thousands of Alzheimer’s patients feel, and function, better. But, before we get to the specifics of gardening and dementia, let’s talk about the history of horticulture as it relates to general health and healing. The use of gardens as a therapeutic modality is…

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Ways to Soothe Sundowners Syndrome Symptoms in Alzheimer’s Dementia Patients

Approximately 20% of Alzheimer’s Dementia patients have Sundowners Syndrome Symptoms. Depending on an individual’s dementia stage, living situation, physical surroundings and comorbid health issues, specific ‘sundowning’ times and bout lengths can differ. However, sundowning seems clearly related to changes in outdoor light, from day to dusk, and can last for several hours, sometimes into the night. The onset of Sundowner’s Syndrome symptoms tends to be during the later-middle stages of dementia. Sundowners Syndrome Symptoms Sundowners might exhibit any combination of its classic symptoms; they can surge to almost intolerable levels for a patient and his or her caretakers. Some symptoms can be hazardous to the Alzheimer’s patient and to those around them. All symptoms can be stressful, disruptive and upsetting. Symptoms might include: Confusion, disorientation Restlessness, pacing, rocking, agitation, impatience, anger, aggression Mood swings, obscenities, violent…

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GIANT FANTASY FLOWER ART PROJECT

A long-term project for the residents in the art class was making some giant fantasy flowers, inspired by the ones in the movie Oz the Great & Powerful. Ours were destined for the 9th birthday of the twin girls that spend a lot of time on the facility grounds. We made the flowers purple and pink because those are the girls’ favorite colors. The day we had the party to give the gifts, it was too hot for the residents to go outside. So instead we had a game that could involve the residents inside while the twins ran around outside. Rather than just give them the flowers, it was turned into a treasure hunt. The residents had half the clues. When the twins found an outside clue, it would say “X (resident)” has your next…

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10 Facts You Need To Know About Memory Care

Do you think your loved one may need memory care? San Diego memory care facilities vary widely in the scope of services they offer their residents. Here are ten facts you need to look at when you consider a southern California memory care facility.  1. A Collaborative, Advanced Approach to Memory Care First of all, a memory care center needs to provide services that are up-to-date with all of the latest advances in dementia care. A collaborative approach is a must, since coordinating care for your loved one involves a wide range of people: your loved one, the care team, and the family members involved.   2. A Well-Trained, Adequate Number of Staff Members  Not counting housekeeping or dietary personnel, a memory care facility should ensure that the ratio of caregivers—aides and nurses—to patients is at least…

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What Are the Best Resources for Elderly Parents with Dementia?

5.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2017. Quite a few more Americans are caring for them. Finding the best dementia resources is imperative for the physical and mental wellbeing of the dementia patient, and those who love them. When dementia strikes a family, the dynamics of that family change, particularly because dementia generally strikes our elders; the people we have revered and looked up to all of our lives. It’s important that we never turn our back on those feelings towards them, or on the feelings of the person inside. Alzheimer’s dementia isn’t a shortcoming, nor is it a character flaw. It’s an illness, and a heartbreaking one, for all who are involved. Dementia is complicated and ever-changing. The needs of a patient and his or her support system are constantly being reassessed…

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Annual Pinning Ceremony | Honoring Our Veterans

Lakeside Manor is full of heritage and deep rooted traditions. Every year we make sure to honor our veterans who proudly served our country by hosting the Annual Pinning Ceremony. This year we would like to send a special thanks to Apreva Hospice  who was gracious enough to sponsor the event. The Pinning Ceremony is an opportunity to express gratitude to resident veterans who served to keep our country safe. It's also a celebratory event where friends, family and loved ones gather to spend time together, enjoy the summer sun and some great food. This year we had the pleasure of Pinning Paul W, Paul K, Elwood H, Jack W and Barney. Proudly holding up the certificate! John Weber being appreciated for his services: Thank you for your service! An Annual Tradition at Lakeside Manor Recently Pinned…

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5 Tough Decisions You May Have to Make When Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s

Many couples make the promise to one another that they will never place the other in a nursing home if they become ill. When the time comes in which they may need the special care provided at an assisted living Alzheimer’s facility, they may feel they are not following through on their promise. The first thing a caregiver must come to terms with is the difference between a nursing home and a facility that addresses the needs of Alzheimer’s patients. There are a number of behavioral changes and medical concerns that many people have in common. The professionals at an Alzheimer’s facility understand the specific needs of their patients and they know what to look for when the person’s condition changes. The second factor you should realize is that putting a loved one into a care…

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How Do You Tell if a Parent Has Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most heartbreaking conditions that can occur to anyone. Long before the affected individual needs to be placed in an San Diego assisted living Alzheimer’s facility, the impact is often more pronounced on the person’s loved ones than it is on the individual with the disease. This is because the person who is affected often fails to realize that anything is happening to them. At the same time, the people around them experience the loss of the personality that makes the person who they are. Exactly What is Alzheimer's Disease? Alzheimer’s is a disease that causes progressive deterioration of the brain. It is one form of dementia and the most common type. Most cases occur in people over the age of sixty-five, but early onset Alzheimer’s can occur in adults as…

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When Is It Time for a San Diego Alzheimer’s Assisted Living Home?

One of the most difficult decisions an adult child ever has to make is having to place their parent with Alzheimer’s in someone else’s care. A San Diego Alzheimer’s assisted living facility can help to make that decision an easier one. The focus on caring for Alzheimer’s patients ensures your parent will get the right type and level of care for their needs. Sometimes a spouse may be faced with making a similar decision. Couples who grow old together feel obligated to take care of one another no matter what happens. The problem is that Alzheimer’s typically occurs in seniors. A spouse with diminished physical and mental abilities is unable to provide the quality of care their loved one needs. The first issue to deal with when it’s time to place a loved one into an assisted…

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How to Properly Care for Dementia and Alzheimer’s Patients

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia is challenging. It is typically a fine line between caring from them on our own or locating a San Diego Memory Care Facility.  It can be difficult to keep them calm and safe, and it can be exhausting to have to provide the level of help they need. It can also be upsetting to realize that they are not the same person you once knew – not the same the spouse or the parent you have shared your life with. However, this does not mean that you cannot enjoy your time together, or that their life need be unfulfilled. There are some strategies you can use to provide proper treatment to the dementia patient you love, with dignity and respect. Try Not to Parent Because…

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