The short answer is dementia causes an upset to your loved one’s internal body clock, causing a biological mix-up between day and night. This causes further confusion and agitation for your loved one with dementia, as they may not understand why it’s dark outside when they believe it is the middle of the afternoon. This phenomenon, known as sundowning, can be just as distressing and challenging for caregivers if they are not equipped to navigate this issue. In this article, our memory care team in Morris County takes a closer look at why dementia worsens at night and what caregivers can do to help.
While the exact causes of sundowning are not fully understood, researchers believe that a combination of factors contribute to it. One consideration is the disruption of the body’s circadian rhythm. Our bodies have a natural clock that regulates our sleep-wake cycle, and this rhythm can be disrupted in individuals with a memory loss condition. As a result, they may experience increased confusion and agitation during the evening and nighttime hours. Another element is a decrease in the levels of natural light. Exposure to natural light during the day is essential for synchronizing the body’s circadian rhythm and promoting a healthy sleep-wake cycle. However, seniors with dementia may typically spend more time indoors and have limited exposure to natural light. This lack of exposure can disrupt their body clock, leading to increased confusion and restlessness at night. Fatigue and exhaustion can also play a significant role in sundowning. Older adults with dementia may experience fatigue more during the day due to disrupted sleep patterns or the demands of daily activities. This daytime fatigue ultimately can lead to increased confusion and restlessness in the evening and at night. Fortunately, there are ways that memory caregivers can help seniors with dementia who experience sundowning. Here are some strategies that may be effective:
Memory care in our senior community in Morris County Lester Senior Living has a designated unit to care and treat those with Alzheimer’s and dementia diagnoses. Our professional staff on-site are available at all hours of the day to assist memory care residents and provide many opportunities to engage in memory-stimulating activities. Our facility also offers dementia-friendly floor plans, wander management systems and 24-hour supervision by professional caregivers in all the common areas. To find out more about our specialized memory care suite in Morris County, and how we can help minimize sundowning in your loved one with dementia, please visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org Original Source: https://jchcorp.org/why-does-dementia-worsen-at-night/
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Along with Passover and Sukkot, Shavuot is a harvest holiday – which means it’s all about the food! Particularly, the food with dairy in it. Why is dairy the focal point of Shavuot you might be asking? Well, there have been different explanations given throughout the years, but the one that seems the most plausible is how the Torah is referred to as “milk and honey” in chapter 4 of The Song of Songs. To honor this notion, it has become custom to eat sweet, dairy treats like blintzes. If you’re looking for a delicious blintz recipe to try, look no further! We’ve got you covered here at Lester Senior Living.
Serves: Up to 8 people. Total Cooking Time: Approx. 45 minutes Ingredients for Blintzes:
Senior Dining Experience at Lester Senior Living Come celebrate Shavuot with your loved one at our welcoming community in Whippany! Our beloved chefs at Lester Senior Living look forward to serving traditional and new recipes to commemorate this holiday with residents and their families. Our residents have the option to eat in our spacious dining room for breakfast, lunch and dinner every single day if they’d like! We think they’ll opt to eat there even more after our new cafe and dining room is built! For more information about our senior dining experience in Morris County, NJ, please give us a call today (we’d love to have you over for lunch) or visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org/ Original Source: https://jchcorp.org/blintzes-the-perfect-dairy-dish-for-shavuot/ It comes as no surprise that seniors would like to remain independent for as long as possible. However, this is only feasible when they have the right supports in place. At Lester Senior Living, our independent seniors have the opportunity each day to explore our community as they please. They wake when refreshed and eat when they are hungry, and the only schedule they follow is the one they created themselves. The best part is that support services are readily available if needed to ensure they stay active within our community. In this article, our senior caregivers in Morris County will demonstrate what independent living with support looks like in our community.
Independent Living with Support at Lester Senior Living in NJ The independent living apartments and assisted living apartments are located in two different buildings separated by the main lobby. While residents from both of these distinctions can come together for meals, fitness classes, movie nights and other activities, seniors in the independent living wing can come and go as they please. Their privacy is respected throughout the day as they are living with peers who also require less assistance. However, if they do require immediate help – our caregivers just have to make a quick trip across the lobby. Aside from distinct living quarters, here are some more benefits of supported independent living at Lester: Many activities and exercise programs. We are a very active senior community through and through! When you visit Lester this time of year, you’ll be sure to see residents and staff as soon as you pull up to the campus. On a normal day, you can see residents congregating on the outdoor patio, tending to our community garden, or sharing a meal in the dining room together. On top of this, we have a group activities calendar that is updated monthly with fitness classes, interest clubs, sermons and special events. Some crowd-favorites include the Lester book club, gardening, chair dancing, arts and crafts, Torah readings, bingo and even sing-alongs. Professional support is available when needed. Because assisted living and independent living residents are located on the same campus, assistance from our caregivers is readily available to all of our residents. Each apartment is equipped with phones and emergency call buttons to ensure no one misses a call. Whether an independent living resident is having an issue sorting their medications or needs help getting dressed in the morning, a caregiver will be onsite to provide support almost immediately. Safety, security and daily check-ins. Independent living is more than just moving into your new apartment. At Lester Senior Living, everyone takes the time to get to know new residents. Most of our staff members have been with us for over 10 years! During that time, they have shown their passion for senior care and cultivated strong relationships with residents new and old. In other words, whether you live in independent living or assisted living – there will always be someone who can’t wait to check in on you! On top of daily check-ins, there are security personnel on site 24/7, as well as enhanced safety measures in place to ensure each resident can live more securely. From easy-to-navigate apartments with grab bars, to conveniently located smoke detectors and medical alert systems, seniors can really feel safe and sound in their new space. Senior Living Options in Morris County At Lester Senior Living, our goal is for each of the seniors in our care to maintain their quality of life and independence. Our monthly calendar of activities encourage residents to stay active, pursue their interests and form new friendships with peers. Along with a fun and active lifestyle, we offer care services that can be scaled to each senior’s needs. For example, an independent living resident may not prefer or require the same level of care as a resident in our specialized memory care suite. At our community, we really take the time to get to know each person – quirks and all – to ensure they choose a senior living option that will enhance all aspects of their life. For more information about independent living with support in Morris County, please give us a call or visit our website: https://jchcorp.org/ Original Source: https://jchcorp.org/supported-independent-living-for-seniors/ Summer is in the air! With everyone spending significantly more time outdoors, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t incorporate a daily workout outside while the weather is warm. Not to mention, seniors who stay active preserve their mobility for longer, have less dementia-related sleep problems and are just happier overall! If you’re looking for an easy way to incorporate an outdoor workout, we have some recommendations from our senior living coordinators in Morris County.
Daily Walks Walking outside is a low-impact exercise that is perfect for seniors. It is easy to do, requires no equipment, and can be done absolutely anywhere. Walking can help seniors improve their cardiovascular health, strengthen their muscles, and improve their balance and coordination. To start, older adults can take short daily walks around their neighborhood or local park, gradually increasing their distance and pace over time. At Lester Senior Living in Morris County, we have beautiful grounds and walking trails for our residents to enjoy each day. Outdoor Yoga Classes Yoga is another great option for seniors looking to be more active outdoors. It can help improve flexibility, balance, and strength, while also reducing stress. Many assisted living communities like Lester Senior Living offer exercise classes that are held outside (weather permitting). Our chair yoga class is a crowd favorite and can be modified to suit residents of all mobility levels. Maintaining an Outdoor Garden Gardening is a fun and rewarding way for seniors to work on their fitness outdoors. It can help improve strength and balance, while also nurturing a sense of accomplishment and connection with nature. Lester Senior Living has an avid gardening club that provides residents access to gardening tools, raised garden beds, and other resources to help get started! Perform Tai Chi Outdoors Tai Chi is a gentle form of exercise that can help improve balance, flexibility, and strength, while also reducing stress. Seniors who are interested can ask their local community center or gym about whether or not they offer Tai Chi classes outdoors. If all else fails, there are many beginner Tai Chi videos to follow on YouTube. Caregivers in a senior community can easily help residents stream a video to their smartphone or tablet and set up a space outdoors to perform this ancient art. Exercise for Independent Seniors in New Jersey Independent living communities like Lester Senior Living in NJ can play a crucial role in helping seniors get more exercise outside. We can organize outdoor exercise classes, offer a space to garden outside and offer transportation to nearby parks. Our compassionate staff members also provide residents with support and encouragement, helping them overcome any barriers or challenges they may face when trying a new fitness routine. We have a community calendar filled each month with different fitness classes to satisfy every resident’s mobility, such as “Stretch & Flex,” “Sit and Be Fit” and “Cha Cha Chair Dancing” – just to name a few. Our trained instructors are ready to assist or modify each exercise for your loved one to ensure their safety is the top priority at all times. To learn more about our senior health and wellness programs in New Jersey, contact JCHC today or visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org Original Source: https://jchcorp.org/easy-exercises-seniors-can-do-outdoors/ |
AuthorWe offer seniors a range of options in terms of housing, services, amenities, location and cost, all within the Jewish tradition: independent living, assisted living, memory care, respite, affordable housing, enriching programs, and on-site services for our residents, many of whom have special needs. Archives
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