Best Stimulating Memory Care Activities For Alzheimer’s

Activities are great for both a healthy mind and body. But when it comes to people with Alzheimer’s and dementia, these become even more crucial. Various activities are designed to stimulate the memory of the patients, which eventually offers great benefits in the form of comfort, relaxation & self-confidence. Memory care activities are significant as they help in cognitive stimulation without adding unnecessary stress. These activities can be easily applied in a community living set-up & nursing homes, as they don’t involve complex implementation requirements.

Effective Activities to Stimulate Memory for Alzheimer’s

Here is a compiled list of all the simple and fun activities recommended by medical professionals that are capable of stimulating memory for Alzheimer's patients.

Develop A Constant Schedule

When a caregiver is trying to create engaging activities for the seniors, an established daily routine can be of great help. Make sure your loved one is comfortably involved in some of the daily chores and make a definite contribution. This will help them to memorize their daily responsibilities easily.

Board Games with Attractive Appearance

Games work well for people with Alzheimer’s on many levels. One board game with a colorful playing surface, as well as objects, will undoubtedly engage Alzheimer's seniors. A game with relatively simple rules & attractive colors will surely stimulate their senses. One small aspect that needs extra care is that the objects should not be very small that can be put in the mouth.

Surprises Also Work Well

When we speak of structured & planned activities, sometimes a few unplanned activities can also help. All the stimulatory activities don’t need to fit into the box of a calendar. Playing Bingo or watching a movie together without a schedule can help them de-stress and bring extra joy.

Short & Brief Activities

Simple & less complex activities in nature can help dementia patients to stimulate memory. The caregiver can also structure some brief group activities to make them more enjoyable & engaging. Even a simple task like listening to music in a group can be a very calming method to relax their minds.

Activities to Bring Back Old Skills

Caregivers can involve their loved ones in tasks which they may perform without much hassle. Simple routine tasks like buttering the bread, watering the plants & sweeping can also help them for memory stimulation. Give them adequate encouragement for their scope of work & make them feel useful.

Activities to Fight Back Anxiety

In case, the patient under the care is also suffering from anxiety, this situation needs a little extra care. Alzheimer's patients can focus more on relaxation. Some patients might have lost their capability to take part in several physical activities. Such a condition makes them very anxious at times. Many people also have lost their capacity to find relaxation & enjoyment. The caregivers & family members can help in increasing their confidence by using music, light, warmth, smell & touch as basic elements to structure physical activities.

While the caregiver is trying to help the loved one with these exercises, the patient may resist complying. In this situation, the caregiver needs to take a break and relax. Reframe & restructure the activity & try again. Probably a little variation in the method and manner of the activity will make it more enjoyable. The most important thing is that the caregiver needs to concentrate on the process of the activity & not the result. Also, the time spent with fun & delight will make it worth an attempt.

Food And Nutrition For Our Memory Care Residents

When Sarah found out that her mom has Alzheimer’s disease, her world fell apart.
She was scared at the thought of losing her mom and not knowing what the future will look like.
A million questions entered her mind.
Will her mom forget who she is?
What’s the prognosis?
Where can she find some help?
She had no idea how to process the diagnosis herself, let alone figure out how to help her mom understand what was happening to her.
The first thing Sarah did was to take to the internet and start researching all the things she could do to make things a little easier for her mom.
One of the things that came up was how certain foods can help to maintain brain health. Sarah wanted to find out more about this so she could plan her mom’s meals as best as she possibly can.

Best Food and Nutrition For Dementia Patients

Getting the right nutrition is important for all of us. It’s what helps to keep our bodies strong and healthy.
For a person living with dementia, the need is stronger as a poor diet can worsen the dementia symptoms and cause weight loss.

Foods

• 1. Berries – Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for example are all linked to improved cognitive function
• 2. Green vegetables – Foods such as spinach and kale are known for their benefits to the brain. They contain lots of good vitamins which are thought to control homocysteine, an amino acid linked to dementia, memory loss, and stroke
• 3. Fish – fish is full of omega 3 fatty acids which are good for keeping your brain healthy
• 4. Eggs – eggs are not only good for you, but they’re also a great food for brain health
• 5. Plenty of liquids – people with dementia may forget that they haven’t had a drink for a while and become hydrated. It’s important, therefore, to make sure they have regular drinks such as water, juice, or tea.

Nutrition Tips

• 1. Maintain a balanced diet. A diet that is rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals is going to help boost the overall health of the person with dementia. This means eating lots of fruit, vegetables, grains, and protein.
• 2. Avoid too much-refined sugar. Processed foods often contain a lot of refined sugar. It is high in calories yet low in nutrients. These foods may be a welcome treat but should be eaten in moderation.
• 3. Limit foods that contain cholesterol, high levels of saturated fat, and salt. Too much fat can be bad for heart health and blood pressure. Limiting these foods or swapping them for low-fat options is a good alternative.

Other Dinnertime Tips To Help Moms and Dads With Dementia

Dinnertime may become difficult, especially during the mid to late stages of the disease.
When your mom or dad is living with dementia, too many distractions or too much choice can cause upset and confusion. Their tastes may also change which can affect appetite and make eating more difficult.
Here are a few tips to use in making dinner a calm experience:

• Limit the number of distractions, such as TV or radio.
• It can help to keep the plate one color and use a contrasting table cloth or mat. Avoid too many patterns as it makes it tough for a person with dementia to differentiate between the food and the plate or table.
• Make sure you check the temperature of the food before you serve it as a person with dementia may struggle to tell if something is too hot or too cold.
• Allow your mom or dad plenty of time to eat and don’t rush.
• Remember that your mom or dad may forget that they have already eaten a particular meal that day. Try to remain patient and calm when reminding them.

We Can Help

Here at Village Green Alzheimer’s Care Home, our highly trained team specializes in caring for people with dementia. We want to help people like Sarah to know that they don’t have to worry about their mom as we will take care of them. For moms and dads living in our assisted living facility, we provide healthy home-cooked meals and snacks every day that have the right level of nutrition. If you’re looking at choosing an assisted living facility for your loved one, you’re welcome to come and have a tour of our living facility. Please get in touch and we will be more than happy to arrange a time to suit you. For your convenience, we are located in The The Woodlands, Cypress, Champions, Conroe, Kingwood, Tomball, Rockwall, Mckinney, and Highland Village.

Benefits of Living in an Assisted Living Facility

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“You will not make me leave my home!”

Have you heard this phrase from your aging parent? Many elderly people cling stubbornly to independent living and refuse to enter an assisted home. However, they may not be fully aware of the many benefits of living in such a community.
The right assisted living facility in Houston can improve your loved one’s quality of life in more ways than one. Check out some of the benefits below.

A Safe Place to Live

Depending on your loved one’s mental and physical health, independent living may no longer be safe for them. What if they fall and hurt themselves? How long might they have to lie on the floor waiting for help to come?
What if their memory is failing and they become prone to wandering off? There’s nothing quite so scary as to suddenly realize you’re somewhere else. Not only do you not know how you got there but what’s worse is that you might not know the way back.
Assisted living facilities like Village Green Alzheimer’s Care in Houston have all this covered. Staff is always onsite to assist in case your loved one needs assistance or medical attention.
Furthermore, a secured courtyard gives your loved one a safe place to get outside and take a walk. The environment is also specially designed to accommodate folks with limited mobility.

No Worry About Meals

Is your loved one struggling to prepare their own meals? Or maybe you constantly feel stressed about making sure your loved one is eating properly?

A healthy, nutritious diet can help slow the mental deterioration that comes with Alzheimer’s Disease. You want to give your loved one every edge possible, but with all your other responsibilities, it’s hard to keep up with their diet.
Living in an assisted living facility takes all that away. Fresh, healthy meals are provided at Village Green. If your loved one needs their food cut up, this happens back in the kitchen so as not to embarrass them in front of everyone.

Help With Everyday Activities

Assisted living facilities provide your loved ones with the level of help they need. Some elderly folks can handle their own daily tasks like dressing themselves and bathing — others need help.
This help is provided in a matter-of-fact, compassionate way. There’s no reason to make people feel inadequate for needing help or make them sit around waiting for hours on end for someone to arrive. The staff at Village Green arrive promptly and offer a unique level of care depending on the specific resident’s needs.

Social Activities

Social activities are a big part of living in an assisted living facility. Staying socially active is a powerful tool in the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease. Being socially active supports brain health and helps ward off depression and loneliness — both mental states that can speed the progression of Alzheimer’s.
One of the reasons that make Village Green Alzheimer’s Care one of the best places for memory care living in Houston and it’s surrounding is its abundance of social activities. Every day there is a full calendar of activities in which the residents can participate. These include:

• Exercise classes
• Crafts
• Arts
• Religious programs
• Games
• Parties
• Movies
• Small group activities
• Individual activities

If your loved one can’t find something to do at Village Green Alzheimer’s Care, it’s because they are actively avoiding social time!

The Best Memory Care Living in Houston

When it comes to your loved ones, you want only the best. Independent living may no longer be a viable option for them, but that doesn’t mean they can’t still live an enjoyable, fulfilling life.
The atmosphere at Village Green Alzheimer’s Care feels more like a private home, rather than an assisted living facility. Plus, the buildings have been specially designed and decorated to make memory care patients feel calmer and more at ease. Avoiding stressful or overstimulating situations is immensely helpful for Alzheimer’s patients.
Families can stop by and visit anytime. If your loved one has a pet, they are welcome to bring it with them!
Make life easier on yourself and your loved one with the professionals at Village Green Alzheimer’s Care. Contact us for a tour today!

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Your 10 Concerns about Retirement Living Home Answered Here| Village Green Alzheimer’s Care

The decision to move a loved one to a retirement living facility is like choosing a college for your child. Many questions and concerns go through your minds and finding the right college is of utmost importance. We tend to look for colleges that best suit our child similarly, we must look for a retirement living community that best suits our loved ones.

Retirement living communities and care for your loved ones’ needs can inspire your loved ones with a new sense of purpose and a plan for their lives. We have many good choices, but the key lies in choosing the right community for our mom or dad. Read our blog on how to choose an ideal retirement facility here.

Deciding what facility to choose is a big decision and they deserve the best care possible. The right facility opens new doors to their growth. It will also allow them to connect with other people while providing a safe community to live out their retirement years. Your questions and queries deserve as much importance as you need to make a decision. There is no small or big question. You can ask better questions to get the information you need to make the best possible decision.

1. What are the Accommodations Like?

Most facilities offer options of living arrangements in various sizes, layouts, and locations. From apartments located in the center of a community that offers quieter homes on upper floors or ends of hallways. Consider where your loved ones will be happiest and in what kind of floor plan. Do they offer the smoothest transition from their current residence to the one that offers assistance with the activities of daily living?

One important thing as well, ask which utilities are included in the rent. Cable, Internet, Emergency call systems, etc.?

2. What Activities are Available?

Most often we choose senior living communities for our loved ones is because they feel increasingly isolated in their own homes or when they are unable to take care of themselves or are in need of assistance in day-to-day life. Do they allow their residents to bring personal belongings that are familiar to them to help with the transition? Do they provide familiar surroundings that reassure the resident’s sense of safety and promote purposeful meaning to each day? It is important to know if there will be compassionate interaction with residents that reinforces socialization and may help reduce depression which can result from fear of isolation and loneliness.

3. What Do You Do to Keep Residents Safe?

We all know that safety issues figure prominently. Ask what the facility does to ensure your safety. Think about questions like:

• Do they have access to alert buttons for emergency assistance?
• Does the facility have pull cords?
• What about bathing safety? Are there grab bars and non-slip surfaces installed?
• How do they handle medical emergencies?
• Are the staff available 24/7?
• Do they perform fire or safety drills?
• Is there backup power?
• Do they do background checks with their staff?

Remember, Their primary purpose isn’t reduced to one role. They are responsible for overall care, regardless of the function.

4. What Training and Qualifications Do Staff Have?

Excellent staff is the heart of an excellent facility. Ask about the specific training and qualifications of the staff at every level. What experience and training do they have? What medical providers are available for them? Who will be interacting and caring for your loved ones on a daily basis? How many hours of training do staff receive, and what sort of continuing training and education must they complete?

5. What Are the Food Options Like?

Seniors require delicious and healthy food. The more meal options that are available, the more likely it is they’ll find something delicious and healthy that they will enjoy. Good nutrition is important in the recipe for good health, and that means healthy food options should be available for them. Also, ask how the community accommodates special dietary needs such as vegetarian or low sodium.

6. How Does This Facility Collaborate and Communicate with Families and Residents?

Ask what the facility does to ensure you and your family know about upcoming changes in the facility. A weekly or monthly newsletter? An email list? A facility message or discussion board? It’s a big red flag if communication runs only one way.

7. Can We Talk to References?

Any good facility has a long list of positive reviews. Ask if you can talk to some existing residents or their families to get a feel or feedback for what life at the facility is really like.

8. How Much Will it Cost?

Prices and costs are a major factor in your decision. After you’ve taken a look and decided that a facility is on your list of choices, get a clear cost breakdown and what’s included.

What is the base price per month or year?
How are costs paid, and will they change over time?
What is the cost for the amenities and living arrangements I saw on my tour?
What specific amenities are included in the base price? Regular visits with staff? Laundry? Meals? What add-ons do I have to pay for and at what cost?

9. When can I come for a visit?

A reputable assisted living community should never object to allowing you to spend time there evaluating whether it is a good fit for your loved ones. Whether it is stopping in for a meal or attending a class or activity time at the facility, you should expect welcome and transparency at every stage.

10. What happens when I need additional service?

It is important to know what your long-term plan is in case you find your loved ones with memory issues or increasing physical problems in the future. Find out whether the facility offers memory care services or is connected to a skilled nursing facility, and how that can benefit you if need be.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Tough Questions
People who ask lots of questions get better information. The same principle extends to the search for senior living communities and facilities for your loved ones. By asserting their needs and asking whether a community is equipped to meet them, you can steadily narrow down the list of options for them. There’s no perfect senior living community; however, there is a perfect senior living community for them that can provide more personalized and unique care for their unique needs. We at Village Green offer home environment care in a loving family atmosphere for your loved ones. Village Green allows residents to continue living with dignity, respect, freedom, and choice. Our home enables seniors with Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and other memory impairments to maintain the highest quality of life while providing peace of mind to their family and friends.
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What to Know about Aducanumab / Aduhelm - the New FDA Approved Drug to Treat Alzheimer’s Disease

At Village Green Alzheimer’s Care Home, we are thrilled to learn about the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drug Aducanumab as it’s the first drug to target an underlying cause of Alzheimer’s disease. Biogen accomplished a milestone as it unveiled the first drug to treat Alzheimer’s in 20 years and the first of its kind to treat brain damage observed in patients diagnosed with the mind-robbing disease.

Currently, there are over six million Americans diagnosed with Alzheimer’s so there are millions of families interested in learning more about Aducanumab - marketed as Aduhelm - to see if their mother, father, or loved one is a candidate for the new drug.

Who is a Candidate?

Families all over the U.S are trying to determine if their loved one is a candidate for this highly anticipated new medicine.

Unfortunately, the FDA decision to approve Aduhelm for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease did not specify the patient population who could benefit from this new drug. Aduhelm was tested on patients in the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s before the disease had a chance to rob most of the memories from this test group. The drug was not tested on those diagnosed with moderate dementia, a stage in the disease where patients begin losing the ability to provide self-care and feed themselves.

One top US health insurer, Cigna Corp., stated it is likely that payers, including the federal government’s Medicare program for seniors, will cover the use of the drug only in the patient population it was tested on. This means patients with a moderate or advanced diagnosis of the disease are not candidates only those with the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s. Biogen has estimated that around 1.5 million affected Americans are eligible for treatment with Aduhelm.

Alzheimer’s is estimated to account for at least 60% of those with dementia, which involves a decline in memory, reasoning or thinking skills, and a basic ability to function, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Patients who take Aduhelm will likely need both cognitive testing and confirmation that their dementia is due to Alzheimer’s. This is confirmed via a lumbar puncture to examine spinal fluid or through a special brain, scan to verify the presence of amyloid in the brain. Aduhelm targets amyloid-beta, which is a type of plaque that forms in the brain and causes brain functioning decline and memory loss in patients diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimers.

How Does it Work?

Aduhelm is designed to reduce amyloid-beta, a protein that forms sticky deposits or plaques in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. It binds to the beta-amyloid plaques – and slows down the process that would eventually lead to widespread destruction of brain cells. Amyloid is thought to begin forming years before any signs of memory loss appear, making treatment to those diagnosed early as the most likely benefit from the breakthrough drug. The drug is designed to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, allowing patients to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible. It is not a cure for the disease, it’s a medical drug treatment.

Is Aduhlem a Pill?

No. Aduhelm is given as a monthly intravenous infusion. Most patients will likely need to travel to specialty infusion centers to receive the treatment. Biogen reported in April of 2021 that it was working with 600 US centers to prepare for the pending launch of the drug. Check with your loved one’s Alzheimer’s doctor to see if your relative qualifies to receive Aduhelm treatments.

How Long is the Treatment?

Aduhelm is different from other drugs on the market as it’s the only one that treats symptoms. In clinical trials, this drug delayed the progression of the disease by about 20 to 40 percent depending on the outcome measure in patients who had success with the treatment. Aduhelm is administered intravenously through a monthly infusion, starting with a low dose that increases over the first six months of treatment. It is extremely important that a patient continues these infusions through the highest dose to confirm the potential benefits, which are generally not seen during the first year of treatment. As it stands, this is a long-term treatment with no recommended end.

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Our mission at Village Green Alzheimer’s Care Home is to enrich the lives of our residents and bring dignity and respect to their golden years. We will nurture the unique needs of our seniors and promote purposeful meaning to each day in a warm and loving home.

Unlike many memory care operations, we offer convenient facilities in and around Houston, Texas, Village Green offers assisted living and memory care communities in The Woodlands, Cypress, Champions, Conroe, Kingwood, Tomball, Rockwall, Mckinney, and Highland Village. All our locations are state-of-art, purpose-built with our residents’ needs in mind. We invite you to visit, tour, and see for yourself how our assisted living and memory care campuses exceed your relative’s needs.

Contact one of our specialists today to make an appointment to discuss your relative’s unique memory care needs at one of our convenient campuses.

Retirement Home vs. Nursing Home: What's the Difference?

 

Many searching for a forever home for one or both of their parents wonder what’s the difference between a retirement home and a nursing home? Well, the goal of retirement homes is to provide aging adults with independence, recreational activities, safe areas for socialization, and close proximity to medical facilities. Nursing homes, on the other hand, provide medical and personal care in a clinical setting and are often for seniors that are either ill or dealing with mental issues or memory lapses like with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Both nursing homes and retirement homes should foster dignity and self respect in their residents.

What to Look for in a Nursing Home

A nursing home is a safe place for older adults who don't need to be in a hospital but can't be cared for at home. You’ll also want to find a nursing home that employs friendly staff, and offers your relative a warm and welcoming environment. Most nursing homes have nursing aides and skilled nurses on hand 24 hours a day. Some nursing homes are set up like a hospital. The staff provides medical care, as well as physical care and occupational therapy.
Nursing homes are also known as skilled nursing facilities or long-term care facilities that offer a wide range of health and personal care services. Their services focus on medical care more than retirement homes or assisted living facilities. These services typically include nursing care, 24-hour supervision, three meals a day, and assistance with everyday activities. Rehabilitation services, such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy, are also available.
Some older adults stay at nursing homes for a short time following a hospitalization. After they recover, they go home or to a retirement home. Many nursing home residents live there permanently because they either have ongoing physical or mental conditions that require constant care and supervision.

What to Look For in a Retirement Home

When searching for a retirement home for an aging relative, you’ll want to find a warm, welcoming facility that offers your loved one a similar style of living. Here are some amenities you’ll want to ask about:

• Recreation: A recreation schedule that has activities your loved one is fond of is essential for any resident to feel at home and enjoy the retirement community.
• Medical Care: When it comes to choosing a retirement community, you'll want to have a good understanding of the medical staff and care that is available to your older relative.
• Lifestyle: It’s essential that your relative feels like they have a similar lifestyle in the retirement home that either mirrors or is close to their lifestyle before seeking a retirement home.
• Maintenance: Understand whether the retirement community your relative is interested in handles maintenance issues or if you have to hire someone to do maintenance. While some retirement communities provide maintenance as part of their monthly fee, others charge for work that needs to be done in your apartment.
• Weather: Plenty of seniors from cold climates vow to retire in warmer climates that offer reasonably priced housing and facilities like Texas, Arizona and Florida. While the winters are milder, the summers can be hot. Make sure your relative understands the temperatures year-round and they are comfortable with their decision.
• Budget: A factor in choosing a retirement community is cost. When it comes to finding the right retirement community, your relative’s budget is often a deciding factor. Take a close look at your relative’s finances, including his or her life savings. Consider all the monthly bills to realize if your relative can afford it. While you may pay more for a retirement community, you may discover that your monthly bills are about the same. If the community requires additional fees along with the monthly fee then your relative needs to consider if he or she can afford it.
• Hassle-free lifestyle: Anyone considering moving into a retirement community wants to enjoy the best parts of retirement without any of the drawbacks. You’ll want to see your relative in a dynamic, fun-loving, maintenance-free lifestyle in a neighborhood setting that offers a great de3al of activities and amenities.

Village Green’s kind and dedicated team believes in growing relationships and enriching the lives of every resident. We are passionately committed to making a difference in our resident’s lives by providing supportive care, loving reassurance, and quality attention. We encourage independence and choice, while maintaining the balance of autonomy and well-being for each resident. At Village Green, we promote social-interaction along with physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. We aim to meet all of your loved one’s memory care needs.

Why Choose Village Green?

Village Green is an award-winning assisted living and memory care community that offers many housing options tailored to meet your relative's needs. Both independent and assisted living communities offer seniors the opportunity to form social relationships, pursue hobbies and interests, and remain active. View our campus floor plans including studio, one and two-bedroom apartments along with our cottages here.

You’ll quickly see we have impressive private suites, each featuring peaceful surroundings in a calm home setting designed to recreate what your relative has enjoyed his or her entire life. Interior spaces are decorated similar to tasteful private homes. Enclosed walking areas provide residents the opportunity to safely enjoy and explore their campus surroundings.

For the convenience of families living in and around Houston, Texas, Village Green offers assisted living and memory care communities in The Woodlands, Cypress, Champions, Conroe, Kingwood, Tomball, Rockwall, Mckinney, and Highland Village. All our locations are state-of-art, purpose-built with our residents’ needs in mind. We invite you to visit and tour our many assisted living and memory care campuses to see what each one looks and feels like so you can gauge our vibe, personality, and fit for your loved one. Touring our communities and getting your questions answered will go a long way to help you sleep easier once you have added reassurance and peace of mind that your aging loved one is in good hands.

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