Some Keys to Helping Your Loved One with Dementia Enjoy the Holidays

Celebrating the Holidays with someone who has dementia can be challenging and unpredictable. Many holidays are bound by tradition and, at times, our first inclination is to keep family traditions intact. However, in dealing with someone with dementia, this may need to be rethought. Your loved one is understandably confused and even slight changes in their regular routine can cause increased difficulties which may lead to behavioral changes such as: agitation, anger, or even apathy. Many times, they don’t understand what all the “fuss and excitement” of the holidays is about.

Below are some suggestions to help to ease the burden of caregiving and keep the holidays happy and memorable, for you and your family. Always keep in mind your loved one’s current level of functioning and adjust accordingly. An important part of caregiving for someone with dementia is learning how to let go of past expectations, living in the moment and simply celebrating those moments of joy you still share.

Keep the cheer in the holidays with these following suggestions:

· Avoid large crowds, or areas filled with lots of noise and confusion. Your loved one may have a hard time in these kinds of situations as they tend to provide too much stimulation for someone with dementia. Some signs of overstimulation are: frustration, anxiousness, aggressiveness, anger or withdrawal.

· Evaluate whether travel is really necessary, and never allow someone with dementia to travel alone. However, if do you choose to travel it is best to keep the following guidelines in mind.

Airport Transportation:
o Remain calm and don’t rush the person when in security areas.
o Use “family friendly” lanes where available.
o Stay together in airports at all times.
o Schedule flights for early in the day. Fly nonstop if possible.
o Don’t place medication in checked bags, in case your luggage is lost. Also pack a change of clothes, toiletry items, medical contact information and any legal documents such as Power of Attorney and Insurance information.
o Pack snacks and water for the trip and have your loved one use the restroom just prior to the flight if possible.
o Bring any items such as a puzzle book, photo album, knitting kit and playing cards to help keep them occupied.

Car Trips:
o Avoid long journeys by car.
o Stop often, but always remain with the person at gas stations and restaurants.
o Play the person’s favorite music or holiday classics in the car.
o In hotels, stay in one room with two beds instead of separate or adjoining rooms.


If your loved one lives in a long-term community, consider visiting them instead of bringing them to your home for the holidays. People with dementia like having a sense of security and routine. It may not always be in their best interest to take them out of their familiar and comfortable environment.

Here are some guidelines for visiting your loved one:
o Plan for a short visit.
o Participate in the facility’s holiday programs and events.
o Label all gifts with your loved ones’ name.
o Prepare out of town guests for changes in your loved one’s behavior and appearance.
o Limit the number of daily visitors to a few at a time and try not to have everyone visit on the same day.
o Inquire if the facility has a private dining room you can use and bring in your own food to enjoy.
o Never ask a person with dementia “Do you remember …?” or “Remember when….?”

If you are planning to bring your loved one home, consider the following guidelines:
o Try to preserve as much as possible the person’s daily routine regarding times for meals, exercise and activities.
o Try not to become too focused on what once was, but instead emphasize a few favorite traditions and let go of the rest.
o Adapt any longstanding traditions to the person’s current abilities. For example, if Mom always decorated the tree, help her attach ornaments to the tree, or if Dad always carved the turkey, let him sit in his customary seat and bring the turkey to the table already sliced and let him help fill everyone’s plate.
o Keep your loved one’s hands busy by decorating sugar cookies, kneading dough, sorting unbreakable ornaments, stringing popcorn or looking at holiday cards.
o Utilize sensory memories by filling the home with holiday music or familiar holiday smells.
o If there are many visitors at one time, designate someone to stay at your loved one’s side to provide calmness and to prevent wandering and confusion.
o Introduce those who approach the person with dementia, no matter how close a friend or relative may be. For example “…. And here is your grandson, Peter.”
o Safety-proof your home. Avoid candles (a fire hazard), artificial fruit (which may look real and become a choking hazard), blinking lights (which are disorienting) and garlands that obscure stairs (which may be a fall or trip hazard).
o Avoid shopping malls and stores that are crowded and noisy. Taking a quiet drive to observe holiday lights may be a better alternative.
o Monitor the person’s intake of alcohol.

It is normal for the family caregiver to feel guilty, frustrated or trapped, especially at this time of year. Hopefully these guidelines and suggestions will help to ease the burden of caregiving, and your holidays will be less stressful and filled with togetherness, laughter and shared memories.

Be Your Own Memory Keeper

Collecting memories and photos to create beautiful memory books has become a favorite hobby to many. But for some, holding on to your memories can be a challenge. The actual remembering is the problem. Statistics show that between the ages of 65 and 95 the increased risk of Alzheimer’s doubles every 5 years. That’s why the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America recommends all senior citizens take part in memory screenings and be your own Memory Keeper, to accurately track and diagnose any memory-related disease.

Participating in a memory screening is very different than having a physical or biopsy done. There are no stethoscopes or paper robes involved. Screenings test for the participant’s memory, language skills, thinking ability, and other intellectual functions. The screening is a series of memory tests and questions that will test the participant’s mental acuity, and for some accurately diagnose stages of dementia.

Early diagnosis of dementia and Alzheimer’s can help individuals obtain the medical treatment needed before the disease progresses. Along with treatment, getting an accurate diagnosis can help the patient’s family come up with a long-term plan and give the family ample time to obtain social services support and finances needed for future care.

Some signs that could indicate you or a relative may need to be screened:

Constantly forgetting things like events , time, people
Trouble concentrating and focusing
Difficulty performing daily tasks
Trouble remembering words and names in conversations
Becoming lost while driving or out walking
Misplacing things more frequently
Changes in mood and behavior

Participants in the memory screening are advised to bring their results to their annual checkup or next doctor’s appointment. Join Woodland Terrace on Tuesday, November 16th for National Memory Screening Day in cooperation with the Alzheimer’s Federation of America. Along with free, confidential screenings we will be handing out information and materials so RSVP today by calling (919) 465-0356.

The Importance of Community

When choosing a senior living community many factors come into play: environment, dining, and activities just to name a few. But most importantly, it’s the quality of the associates who work there. The bond between associates and residents is one of the most important things to look for when looking for the right senior community for you or a loved one.

We encourage you to tour a community and pay special attention to how the associates interact with the residents and how the residents interact with the associates. The associates and residents being on a first name basis with each other is a very important thing to look for in any community. Also look for associates having intimate knowledge of the resident’s health and dietary needs. This shows that the residents are not simply looked upon as a number but rather a friend or in some cases like a family member.

Great relationships are what generates a true sense of community. Take a look at what some of our Woodland Terrace residents have to say about an associate that has touched their life!

Ms. Sylvia Hart writes about how Associate Tom Gioeni made her feel at home when first moving to Woodland Terrace:

"Why do I appreciate Tom? Five months ago as a new resident, I was feeling strange and uncomfortable going to the dining room. It was scary, all these strange people staring at the new lady. Where to sit and with whom? Along comes Tom, my new dining room delight. He made me comfortable and sat me where I would enjoy myself. His smile made me feel that everything would not be so bad. Since then I have found him to be the most willing, going out of his way to make sure my wants are addressed. Tom is someone who will go out of his way to please everyone when there is a shortage of help. Tom is also the first to pitch in himself to do the work of whoever is not available at the time.Since we spend 4 hours a day in the dining room, it is wonderful to have someone care about my feelings and wants. In this day and age it is most unusual to find a person to who will go out of his way for the comfort and pleasure of those he is in charge of. Too often people like my friend are taken for granted and not taken notice of in direct fashion. Tom deserves more than accolades and thanks!"

Ms. Sylvia Hart

Ms. Nancy Serozi is the daughter of resident Ms. Jeanne Miller. She wrote to us to share her experience with Trudy, our Wellness Director.

"Trudy’s qualities:

Approachable

Gives me her full attention

Responds to my requests with action and follow-up

Professional yet compassionate

Strives for excellence

Works long hours

Creative

Thorough

Reasonable

Listens well

Welcomes feedback from me

Valuable asset for Woodland Terrace

Understands the needs of residents with Alzheimer’s disease

Extra help story: As I was leaving Woodland Terrace one afternoon, Trudy spoke to me and asked how things were going. I shared with her that getting my mom to do necessary daily hygiene was becoming an uncomfortable battle. Her response was simple. “Nancy, talk to ComforCare and hire some help.” She said it with such conviction that I immediately did. Unfortunately, getting my mom to accept help was not simple. I called upon Trudy again and told her that I had followed her advice but now needed more advice. Trudy had a group of associates in her office for a weekly meeting when I phoned, however she gave me her full attention and asked for some time to come up with a plan. She started by speaking with the ComforCare staff to find out exactly how mom was reacting to a new person coming to her room. Then Trudy asked Hokey Wiley, the Assisted Living Director, to evaluate my mom. She asked that Hokey call me to share her findings. In addition, she made a phone call to Nancy Broadwell with the Alzheimer’s Association and suggested I use her as a resource.It has taken several weeks for my mom to allow a ComforCare employee to make sure she is remembering to take care of herself. However, having this extra help has let me stay in the daughter role. This has reduced strife in our relationship. I honestly don’t think without prompting from Trudy that I would have hired more help, feeling that I should be able to handle it. Now I am handling it with the help of a trained health care worker."

Ms. Nancy Serozi

Woodland Terrace's associates will be sharing some love from their kitchen at our Chili Cook-Off this Friday, November 5th from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Several of our staff memebers will be preparing their own award-winning chili recipes to be judged by the crowd! Feel free to invite a friend a RSVP by calling (919) 465-0356.

Keeping the Road in Your View – Driving Tips for Seniors

There’s nothing like a beautiful sunshine day, the wind in your hair and miles of highway ahead. As Willie Nelson sings it, “On the road again…I just can’t wait to get on the road again.” The fun and thrill of driving is something most of us take pleasure in for a large part of our lives. As we age, driving to the grocery store, mall, or a relative’s house continues to give us a sense of independence and mobility. However, our vision, judgment, and mobility needed to drive may diminish over time. While utilizing public transportation and ride services help seniors get around, having the ability to drive alone is something most would like to enjoy for as long as possible. Here is some advice on how to maintain your driver’s license while staying safe on the road:

1) Have your annual eye exam. One of the primary reasons of senior license suspension is the inability to see clearly when driving. Making sure you can pass the DMV driving tests is one of the ways to maintain a license. If your bifocals or contacts are not good enough to read the eye chart clearly, it is important you see your optometrist to find better correction. Memorizing the eye chart is not going to help with maintaining your license. Getting correction for you visual problems will.

2) Take a driving course. Many driving schools offer courses on refresher topics like - how to deal with pedestrian traffic and right-of-way protocol. You shouldn’t be embarrassed to take one of these courses because knowing traffic rules can only work to your advantage. You can also take a few online courses that will help. Because we take a comprehensive driving test only a few times, refreshing our memory helps us to stay cognitive and alert on the road.

3) Drive smart. Being smart about your driving decisions means avoiding accident-prone situations. For example, if you have difficulty focusing at night, try to avoid driving at night. If you have trouble with reading your dashboard, try and adjust your dashboard so that you can see everything clearly. Avoiding crowded highways and parking away from high traffic areas of a parking lot can help avoid accidents.

Making these smart decisions can help you retain your license and keep you driving longer. Keep in mind community shuttle services can take the stress and hassle out of driving. You may want to consider driving yourself on short distance trips and take alternate forms of transportation for longer distances.

In an effort to help keep you on the road, Woodland Terrace will be hosting a “Drive Safe” program starting November. To RSVP, call (919) 465-0356.

Growing Your Body and Soul – the Way Mother Nature Intended

Spending time with nature can bring peace to the body and the soul. From hiking to gardening, interacting with nature can release stress, improve concentration, and combat depression. There are copious opportunities to actively enjoy mother nature.

Just being outdoors can benefit your health! Taking a 30 minute walk not only lowers the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure but also provides your daily dose of vitamin D. As we age, we need higher amounts of vitamin D which helps prevent osteoporosis and various cancers. If mobility is an issue taking a walk can be substituted for sitting in the garden to enjoy the sun and observe nature.

Gardening gives the grower a hands-on opportunity to work with nature.
It is also a good form of low impact exercise and can be enjoyable for people of different mobility levels and living situations. A balcony or patio garden can become a peaceful retreat with a few window boxes and hanging planters.

Another great way to enjoy nature is to go on a short hike or walk on a local trail. Hiking is a great activity that appeals to people of all fitness levels. It’s easy to get started, just choose a scenic beginner’s trail near you and gather a group of friends. You can research easy beginner’s trails on http://www.trails.com. Other outdoor activities like bird watching and fishing give the feeling of being a part of the natural environment. The key is to choose an activity best suited for you and incorporate nature.

Providing an opportunity to appreciate nature, Woodland Terrace invites you to join our trip to Sylan Heights Waterfowl Park on Friday, October 29th. Did you know Sylan Heights has the world’s largest collection of waterfowl? RSVP to bird watch with us and see for yourself!

Understanding the Wonders and Worries of Alzheimer's

While Alzheimer’s greatly impacts the physical and mental wellbeing of those affected, it’s also important to recognize it’s impact on the family and friends supporting them. Support groups, forums, and care giving guides can help in understanding how to cope with seeing their loved one change with the disease.

The primary responsibility of care giving for someone with Alzheimer’s will often times fall upon a sole family member. Remember - the responsibility does not have to fall on you alone. If you find yourself in this situation, write down a list of your responsibilities and see which ones you can hire someone else to do. Consider hiring a part-time caregiver to help with some of the cleaning, shopping, and maintenance. Reducing your task list can keep you from burning out quickly and will reduce the mental stress and clutter that comes with care giving responsibilities.
When you do have time for yourself, take that time to sleep, exercise, meditate, or write in a journal. Processing your experiences is extremely important to preserve mental health. Also be realistic with the capabilities of home care. Assisted living facilities are able to provide the 24-hour attention and care needed for those who are in Alzheimer’s early to mid stages.

Making sure family and friends understand the effects of Alzheimer’s is crucial to creating a supportive environment. Joining a support group can help affected families manage the stress from care giving and coping with the changes in their loved one.

Woodland Terrace in conjunction with Horizons Grief Center will be conducting “Wonders and Worries” - a six-week support group for children and teens who have a family member with Alzheimer’s or dementia related diagnosis. All Wonders & Worries services are provided by Certified Child Life Specialists and other counseling professionals who are specially trained to help children and their families.

The support group helps to:
• Giving an age-appropriate understanding of the illness, its treatments and side effects
• Facilitating expressions of feelings related to the changes in the family
• Identifying individual coping skills to help ease feelings of sadness, anger, and fear

“Wonder and Worries” first meeting is 6:30 – 7:30 PM on Tuesday, October 26th. To join us and learn more call (919) 465-0356.

The Portrait of Wellness is Ageless

Releasing your inner artist is not only invigorating, but good for your well-being. Engaging in the arts has shown to increase mental and physical health. Painting pictures, making crafts, and taking a trip to a museum keeps the mind active and stimulates the senses.

Art brings emotional benefits to the individual artist. Creating and viewing art has been known to lower stress and blood pressure levels. The sense of accomplishment that accompanies a finished art project is a definite mood-booster. Working on art projects with friends and family provides a creative space for bonding and sharing with one another.

Our upcoming “Art is Ageless” Art Show features paintings created in our popular art class taught by Courtney Ramsey-Coleman. Courtney brought in pictures of flowers for our residents to work from. Each resident created a personal rendition of the flower they liked with acrylics on a piece of canvas.
Estelle Sabath has been with us since July 2001. The pink flower she painted is gorgeous!

Grace’s beautiful white flower. Grace Thompson has been with us since March 2009.

Jacques Moryoussef has been exercising his creative juices with us since May 2000. Great color and brilliance!

Lamar Earp shows her detailed portrait of a gardenia. Lamar has been with us since November 2009.

Regina Schubel, with us since December 2008, shows us her masterpiece.

These painted squares will eventually become a wall hanging to be displayed in our Arboretum – a memory care community on our Woodland Terrace campus. The artists painted additional pieces that will be made into another Arboretum wall exhibit. Our amazing residents further demonstrated their talents by creating miniature pieces with chalks and paints to be made into note cards and sold as part of a fundraiser for Alzheimers-North Carolina.

Show your support by attending our “Art is Ageless” Art Show on Thursday, October 14th at 6:30 pm. Art pieces shown will be transformed into note cards, mouse pads, mugs and other products which can be purchased. Money from these products will be donated to Alzheimers-North Carolina. Alzheimers-North Carolina provides family support for those afflicted by the disease as well as community education, public awareness, and research support for finding a cure. RSVP today! Call us at (919) 465-0356.