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Tips for Healthy Aging

Posted on by lw@adm22

Aging is inevitable, but how you age is entirely up to you.

We live in a society that is obsessed with turning back the clock, but unfortunately, there is no real way to turn back the clock. Although age is inevitable, you can decide if you age in a healthy way or not. At LiveWell Assisted Living, we are dedicated to helping each and every one of our residents stay healthy and happy for as long as possible. That is why our experts have come up with this list of tips for healthy aging:

#1. Get up and start moving.

It is never too late to start exercising and living a healthier life. Regular exercise makes your body strong and reduces your risk for falling and injury. Not only does activity improve your physical health, but it can actually decrease your risk for dementia as well. You don’t have to start lifting weights or doing any other vigorous workouts to get results either, you can start with going on walks or gardening to get moving a bit more each day.

#2. Start eating a healthier diet.

Eating healthy is important for both your physical and mental health. It will help to keep the weight off, plus it will enhance your cognitive and emotional health. Avoid processed foods and junk foods, and start including lean proteins, healthy fats, whole grains and plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet.

Want to learn more tips for healthy aging? If so, please stay tuned for our assisted living’s next blog!

Why Home Care May be a Great Option Part 2

Posted on by lw@adm22

In our latest blog, we started giving you a few reasons why home care may be a great option for your loved one. So far, we’ve talked about how in home care in Durham can help to reduce stress and how your loved one will be provided with more individualized attention. Today, we will be going over a few more of the benefits of in home care:

#3. More Cost Effective

Many people think that in home care is an expensive option, because you are hiring someone that is dedicated to taking care of your loved one. However, the opposite is actually true. In home care requires no room and board expenses. You are also paying for just a single staff member, whereas a facility is filled with a plethora of different staff members from all different departments, including maintenance, housekeeping, culinary, etc.

#4. Faster Recovery Time

Studies have shown that patients who receive in home care tend to heal faster and more effectively. A big part of this is probably the reduced stress from being at home, as we mentioned in our last blog.

#5. Companionship

Aging can be a very lonely thing, especially since many people have such busy schedules that it is nearly impossible to make time to spend with their older loved ones. Companionship is one of the most important benefits of home care. Not only does this companionship improve your loved one’s physiological well-being, but it also gives the caregiver an opportunity to monitor them more closely. When you know someone well, it is much easier to notice small behavioral and physical changes that could be early signs of number of health issues.

Why Home Care May be a Great Option

Posted on by lw@adm22

Assisted livings and nursing homes are no longer your only option.

It used to be that when you wanted professional help to care for your loved one, you had to put them in either an assisted living facility or a nursing home. Today, you have more options, and your loved one may even be able to get the care that they need at home. Although the community and social aspects of a retirement community are wonderful, many people prefer to stay at home, and that’s okay. Leaving home isn’t easy, but luckily, with in home care in Chapel Hill, your loved one doesn’t have to! And you will be glad to know that in home care comes with many incredible benefits, and the following is a list of just a couple of them:

#1. Reduced Stress

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, it isn’t easy to leave your home, especially if it has been your home for years and you raised your family in it. Not only does moving your loved one to a community require them to say goodbye to their home, but it often also means downsizing their possessions, many of which are attached to memories that bring them joy. Making the move to a facility is very stressful, and when your loved one is able to receive the care that they need at home, that stress is virtually eliminated.

#2. Personalized Care

No matter how well staffed a facility is, they still have many residents that they have to care for, which cuts back on the time they can spend with your loved one. With in home care, your loved one is the one and only person who is being cared for, and therefore, they get more personalized care, attention and companionship.

Stay tuned for our next blog to learn about more reasons why home care might be a great option for your loved one.

Dementia and Communication Part 3

Posted on by lw@adm22

Have you had a chance to read our latest blog yet? If you have, then you already know that our memory care specialists in Durham have been giving you tips for communicating with a loved one who has dementia. So far, we’ve talked about not taking things personally, paying attention to emotion, setting a positive mood and showing respect. The following is a list of our last few communication tips:

#5. Limit surrounding noise and distractions.

Communication is difficult enough as it is, but when there are lots of distractions around, it can make it almost impossible. When you are communicating with your loved one, make sure that you limit all of the distractions and noise that surround you. It is also important to get their full attention before you start talking. You can do this by using their name, identifying yourself, gently touching their arm or hand and maintaining eye contact.

#6. Speak simply, slowly and clearly.

When you speak to your loved one, use plain words and short sentence to get your message across. Make sure that you also state your message clearly. Refrain from speaking too loudly, as this can be interpreted as yelling. Instead, use a lower pitch, and if your loved one still has a hard time understanding, repeat yourself slowly.

#7. Ask simple, easy-to-answer questions.

Asking questions is a great way to get other people to open up about their lives, but you should avoid asking too many open-ended questions. Make it easy for your loved one to answer you by asking them yes or no questions. You can encourage them to open up more, just watch out for signs that of anger or frustration.

Do you have questions or concerns about communicating with your loved one? If so, contact us!

 

Dementia and Communication Part 2

Posted on by lw@adm22

Communicating with a person who has dementia is challenging, but it’s also incredibly important.

Communication is challenging enough, but when you are attempting to communicate with someone who has dementia, the obstacles can seem insurmountable. That’s why, in our last blog, our memory care specialists in Chapel Hill started giving you helpful tips on how to communicate with a loved one who has dementia. If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, check it out! Keep reading to learn more communication tips:

#3. Set a positive mood with your body language.

As we said in our last blog, body language says a whole lot more than words ever could, and that isn’t just true for your loved one’s body language, it’s also true for yours. Regardless of whether your loved one understands what you are saying or not, you can use your tone of voice, facial expressions and physical touch to express yourself in a way that they will be able to understand.

#4. Always show your loved one respect.

Too many people make the mistake of using “baby talk” when communicating with people who have dementia. They are not your baby or your dog, and although they may not show it, they can understand that you are talking down to them. You should also never talk about them as if they aren’t in the room or assume that they don’t understand you.

These are just a few of the many things that you can do to communicate more effectively with a loved one who has dementia. Would you like to learn more? If so, please stay tuned for our next blog.

Dementia and Communication

Posted on by lw@adm22

Are you having trouble communicating with a loved one who has dementia?

This can be incredibly challenging and emotionally trying for all parties involved, however it essential that you keep trying to connect. Although you may not realize it, communication and interaction can greatly improve your loved one’s quality of life in ways you may never know. Although communication is difficult, there are certain things you can do to make it a bit easier. The following is a list from our memory care specialists of tips to help you communicate with your loved one:

#1. Don’t take things personally.

It is common for people who have dementia to have a difficult time understanding and communicating, which leads to frustration and aggression. As a result, you will probably hear many unfiltered thoughts that aren’t exactly politically correct or socially acceptable. In these situations, getting hurt or mad does no good, so prepare yourself to let things roll off your back.

#2. Pay close attention to their emotions.

Although the words that they say may not make sense or may not be the truth, you should try to look past the words and try to understand what they are really saying with their emotions and body language. If you are able to, mirror their body language. It will help to validate your loved one’s emotions and show empathy.

Would you like to learn about more tips for communicating with a loved one who has dementia? If so, please stay tuned for our next blog.

 

Welcome to LiveWell Assisted Living!

Posted on by lw@adm22

We are proud to be a different kind of assisted living in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, and Chapel Hill!

At LiveWell Assisted Living, we’ve worked hard to set ourselves apart from other assisted living facilities and communities in our area. When most people think of aging, they think of decline, idleness, and despair, but we don’t see it that way. We embrace aging, and we believe it is an opportunity that is both precious and unique. We have designed our entire philosophy on this belief, and we are dedicated to helping your loved one stay happy and healthy, so that they can continue to grow and discover all of the wonders of the world around them.

How can we help?

We have assisted living communities in Chapel Hill and Durham, each built on our innovative philosophy. When you trust your loved one’s care to us, they will get all of the grooming, housekeeping and transportation support that they need, plus we have put together a wide variety of activities designed to nurture their body, mind and spirit.

In addition to our assisted living facilities, we also offer in home care. Our in home care allows your loved to one receive all of the assistance that they need with their activities of daily living, including personal care, meal preparation and transportation, from the comfort of their own home. Many home care companies offer these kinds of services, but what truly sets us apart is the companionship and compassion that we provide.

Would you love to help your loved one receive the care that they need from a different kind of senior care company? If so, look no further than LiveWell Assisted Living. Contact us today to learn more!