Category: Uncategorized

Understanding the Difference: Dementia vs Alzheimer’s

Posted by on March 18th, 2024

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…

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Planning for Holidays with Memory Loss

Posted by on November 25th, 2022

Holidays with loved ones can be a joy, but memory loss can create a lot of stress for everyone involved. You might be worried about an aging family member; children might be confused as to why a grandparent doesn’t seem as engaged as they expect; an elderly guest or host may be confused by all the unfamiliar activities. With a little planning, you can make decisions that create a holiday season that is safe and happy for everyone. Check out these tips to make your holiday visit a success:

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Celebrating Halloween at Beaver Lake Lodge

Posted by on November 4th, 2022

Our residents had a great weekend celebrating Halloween at Beaver Lake Lodge! We wanted to share with you pumpkins carved by one of our creative residents. We can’t get enough of it!

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Preparing for Difficult Conversations with an Aging Parent

Posted by on January 20th, 2022

In our previous blog post, we talked about approaching finances and financial changes with aging parents. But there are lots of difficult conversations that we need to have with our parents as they age—how do you actually sit down and have those discussions without anger, misunderstanding, or hurt feelings? Our next three blog posts will be a series that explores the process of preparing for and engaging in difficult conversations, whether they are about money, health, housing, or anything else. In this post, we will discuss things you can do to prepare for a difficult conversation. In the posts that follow, we will turn to the conversation itself, including responding to your parent and resolving conflict when it arises.

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Our Assisted Living Facility Model

Posted by on July 6th, 2021

Could smaller be better for assisted living facilities? In New Hampshire and Massachusetts there is currently a shortage of assisted living facilities and nursing homes. This shortage leaves much of the elderly community displaced and at risk for health complications. The homes that do have availability are usually overpriced and have a high turnover rate in staff because of low wages. Those that work in the elder care community know that there must be a simpler solution to this shortage and we have found one; Our Model.

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How Music Can Help Seniors Feel Good

Posted by on May 14th, 2021

We all know the feeling when a song from your childhood comes on the radio and brings a smile to your face or a tear to your eye. It is a feeling that only music can evoke and it is powerful. Music offers us many benefits and for seniors in the elderly community, music can change a bad day to a good one. Here are some reasons why seniors should start introducing more music into their lives to feel good.

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A Place for Mom Honors Beaver Lake Lodge & Pine Hill Assisted Living with 2021 Best of Senior Living Award

Posted by on January 15th, 2021

Celebrating a year of triumph over adversity Top Reviews from Residents and Families Showcase Outstanding Care Provided by Karen4Elders to Keep Seniors Feeling Safe, Healthy and Happy  Derry, NH, 1/15/21 – Beaver Lake Lodge, along with sister facility Pine Hill Assisted Living, senior living communities based in Derry, NH and Windham, NH, are proud to announce that they have been honored as a SeniorAdvisor.com Best of Senior Living 2021 award winners by A Place for Mom, Inc. (APFM), the largest senior living referral service in North America. The best of senior living honor represents the best of the best of in-home care, assisted living, and other senior living providers, determined by the reviews of seniors and their families on SeniorAdvisor.com, the nation’s largest ratings and reviews site for senior care and services. This exclusive designation honors only the top three percent of senior care providers across the United States and Canada. This year has been tough for so many and Karen4Elders has shown its resilience in the face of this challenge. Many of the top reviews shared what kept residents feeling safe, less isolated, and stimulated both mentally and physically. From easily-accessible video calls with family, to having staff just be there to engage with residents and caregivers when they are needed most, Karen4Elders provided the utmost care. “During a year that challenged all of us, and particularly frontline healthcare workers, senior living communities demonstrated resilience going above and beyond to keep residents safe, healthy, and happy. Of the nearly…

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