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Whether you’ve already broached the conversation or know you need to sooner than later, discussing the possibility of a family member entering an assisted living facility can be emotional and complex. This is especially true when the decision involves multiple people, each with their own perspectives and concerns.  /more We’ve witnessed these interactions and understand how fraught it can feel when you’re trying to figure out what makes sense for your loved one. In our experience, you can make the process smoother if you approach the topic with empathy, preparation, and a trained focus on the well-being of your loved one, above all.  As professional caregivers, we’re committed to empowering family members with the tools and strategies needed to navigate difficult conversations like finding the right assisted living solution for your loved one. We have found the following steps to be particularly helpful…  #1: Start with Open Communication Initiating the conversation about assisted living can feel daunting, but transparency is key. Begin by expressing your concerns with your loved one in a compassionate and non-confrontational way.  For example, you might say, “I’ve noticed some changes lately, and I want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to keep you safe and happy.” Avoid using language that could make your loved one feel judged, pressured or in any way ashamed of a diminished capability. If possible, involve your relative in the conversation early. Allow them to share their feelings, fears, and preferences. This not only shows respect for their autonomy…

With the holiday season unfolding, the residents at Beaver Lake Lodge are already in the spirit after dressing their apartment doors for the occasion. As part of a make your own Christmas swag activity, these residents got creative and added some festive flair to their homes. 

While it would be nice to think that the holidays are a festive time embraced by everyone, the fact is they can inspire a mixed bag of conflicting emotions. We find this especially true for caregivers. The typical whirlwind of celebrations and family gatherings, comes with added responsibilities and stress for caregivers. It’s not surprising then that finding joy can feel out of reach for them, but it doesn’t have to. Perhaps more than anyone, caregivers deserve and need to feel uplifted during the holiday season. 

You know the saying, you are what you eat. Well, as a caregiver, you’re likely not eating much, despite the enormous effort served up to those in your care. There’s another expression we embrace, which is that you cannot pour from an empty cup. Our point? Staying healthy is crucial for caregivers. You need energy, first and foremost; proper nutrition is actually an easy path to reduce the inevitable stress you experience and support your efforts to provide quality care. 

As someone who cares for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, you know firsthand that this level of caregiving requires a considerable store of patience, empathy, and creativity.  We know that meaningful activities and conversations can improve quality of life, by offering comfort and connection. The challenge comes from knowing which activities to try.

While caregiving can be profoundly rewarding, it is, first and foremost, a responsibility — one that often exacts a significant emotional and physical toll. If you’ve been caregiving for any length of time, you likely have already experienced stress, fatigue, and possibly even burnout.

As a caregiver you know firsthand that caregiving can be both rewarding and challenging, not to mention utterly exhausting and stressful. After all, not everyone actually chooses to be a caregiver; as the saying goes, life is full of surprises.

Acclaimed producer and director Scott Kirschenbaum understands memory loss: “Though those with Alzheimer’s might forget us, we as a society must remember them.”  One of the ways we can do that is by making this merciless thief somewhat familiar to ourselves and each other.  In other words, we must cast this villain into the spotlight so that we all might recognize it, as much as we struggle to understand or accept it. Our team is committed to supporting your loved one and also your family as you move forward into this strange land where unpredictability is the norm. This blog post will hopefully provide an opportunity to host an at-home movie night or a solo screening, whichever is called for, in the hopes that you will recognize that your loved one is in good company when it comes to an Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis.  1. Still Alice  Directed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland, this film follows Dr. Alice Howland, a renowned linguistics professor who is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The story captures her struggle with the diagnosis and its impact on her professional and personal life, including her relationship with her family. Julianne Moore’s performance as Alice garnered critical acclaim and earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress. 2. The Father (2020) Florian Zeller’s powerful drama stars Anthony Hopkins as Anthony (yes, really), an aging man dealing with dementia. The film is notable for its unique narrative structure, which reflects the disorienting experience of dementia. Olivia Colman…

Despite the fact that dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are so common, there is still some education needed to understand the cause and challenges of the two. Often used interchangeably, these terms can lead to confusion about each diagnosis’ differences and implications for elder care.  While we know that both conditions affect cognitive function, understanding their distinctions is crucial for providing appropriate care and support for impacted individuals and their families.  That’s why we’re dedicating this blog post to understanding the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s in consideration of the types of elder care ideal for each. Dementia vs Alzheimer’s: is there a difference? Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily functioning. Alzheimer’s disease, on the other hand, is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases. It is a progressive brain disorder characterized by abnormal protein deposits in the brain that disrupt communication between brain cells. And it is very common. In fact, more than 6 million Americans have Alzheimer’s, with an estimated 6.7 million aged 65 or older, while 73% are 75 and older.  Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s: Implications for Elder Care In light of the similarities between dementia and Alzheimer’s, it’s reasonable to expect that elder care looks the same for either diagnosis. And for the most part, it does. At the end of the day, exceptional elder care for anyone, regardless of diagnosis, depends on a personalized and…

Dementia is a difficult disease to navigate because it is fraught with so much uncertainty, both for the patient and their caregivers. The novelist Laurie Graham, who lost her husband to dementia, has said, “None of us wants to be reminded that dementia is random, relentless, and frighteningly common.”  She’s right. It is very common — more than 55 million people have dementia worldwide; however, that doesn’t mean the answers about how to approach dementia care are clear or in any way obvious.  That’s why we’re offering our guide, based on our experience and expertise, to help you evaluate when 24-hour dementia care might be needed for your loved one.  When dementia requires round-the-clock care Even when it’s evident that round-the-clock care is required for a person diagnosed with dementia, the fact is the decision to secure that care is emotional and can be complicated by financial concerns or restraints.  Setting those aside for the moment, here are the tangible boxes that, if checked, would evidence that 24-hour care is not only appropriate, but ideal.  Safety concerns  As dementia progresses, individuals may face challenges in maintaining their safety. Frequent falls, wandering, and confusion about their surroundings can put them at risk. If safety becomes a consistent concern, it may be an indicator that 24-hour care is needed. Inability to perform daily activities Dementia can impact an individual’s ability to carry out daily activities independently. If tasks like dressing, bathing, and preparing meals become increasingly challenging or impossible, it may be…