We all can agree that music is good for the soul. But how good is it for those with dementia? As seniors face the challenges of memory loss and cognitive decline, music has proven to be a therapeutic tool that can evoke memories, improve mood, and enhance overall well-being. If you are a caregiver to a senior with dementia, here are some indisputable reasons why music should be part of their daily routine. The impact of music on memory Dementia is a progressive condition that affects memory, cognition, and behavior. It can be isolating and frustrating for individuals as they struggle to maintain their sense of identity and connection with the world around them. However, music has a unique ability to reach beyond the barriers imposed by the disease, tapping into deep-rooted memories and emotions that may otherwise remain dormant. Studies have shown that music has a direct impact on the brain, stimulating neural pathways associated with memory and emotion. Even when other cognitive functions may be impaired, the ability to respond to music often remains intact. Listening to familiar songs from their youth or engaging in musical activities can transport seniors with dementia to earlier times, and facilitate a sense of familiarity and belonging. For instance, if your loved one was a teen in the 50s or 60s, a little Jailhouse Rock or Good Vibrations may unlock some fond memories that may just have them tapping their feet! Music can keep negative dementia behaviors at bay One of the key benefits of music therapy is its ability to regulate and improve mood. Seniors with dementia may experience anxiety, agitation, or depression, but music can help alleviate these symptoms. Calming melodies or songs with a positive association can reduce stress and promote relaxation. This is because the limbic system in the brain (which is responsible for controlling memories and processing emotions) ignites when we listen to music. Additionally, engaging in musical activities, such as a group sing-along or playing an instrument, can provide a sense of accomplishment, boost self-esteem and foster a more positive outlook for the rest of the day. Senior socialization can be improved through music If there’s anything we’ve learned in life, it’s this: The two things that almost always bring people together are food and music. Group music sessions create opportunities for seniors to connect with each other, fostering a sense of community and reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation. Singing together, sharing musical memories, or participating in drum circles can strengthen bonds and create a supportive environment where seniors with dementia feel understood and valued. How Lester Senior Living Uses Music to Help Memory Care Residents in NJ At Lester Senior Living, our professional memory care program in NJ incorporates music therapy as an essential component of care. We have trained professionals on site everyday who specialize in using music to address specific goals and needs of individuals with dementia. These caregivers work closely with memory care residents to create personalized playlists and arrange music memory games with the group that cater to their capabilities. We recognize how music can serve as a powerful cue, helping seniors remember routines or prompting them to engage in activities that they may otherwise struggle with. As we continue to explore the potential of music in dementia care, it is clear that it holds immense potential for transforming the lives of seniors and enriching their overall quality of life at Lester Senior Living. To learn more about our specialized memory care suite in Morris County NJ, please contact JCHC today and visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org The original blog is posted on - https://jchcorp.org/how-does-music-affect-seniors-with-dementia/
0 Comments
Memory loss is in the news again lately, with the announcement by Hollywood actor Chris Hemingsworth, otherwise known as “Thor” in the Marvel Universe, that he will take a break from acting to spend more time with his family. The announcement comes after Chris received results of genetic testing that revealed he has a particular hereditary gene combination that makes him 8 to 10 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Chris wasn’t entirely surprised as his father already suffers from the disease. Despite the news, Chris is determined to stay in shape and avail himself of all the knowledge medical science has to offer, with regard to preventing or postponing the disease. It’s a stark reminder that many things contribute to cognitive impairment and that aging is not always the cause of an impaired memory. It may be time to gain a better understanding of memory loss disorders, especially, if you have a senior loved one who is contemplating the move into a professional memory care facility. Our advanced memory care team in Morris County has put together some important things to understand about the causes, signs and ways to avoid memory loss. Memory disorder causes A general decline in cognitive and neural function as we get older is normal. This is because as the brain ages, it produces fewer neurotransmitters. Also, the hippocampus which aids in the memory process, also begins to deteriorate over time. These changes in the aging brain are very gradual, so we may not notice we’re having problems with memory or our ability to think until much later in life. However, aging is not always the cause of impaired memory. Memory disorders and memory loss can also be triggered by high blood pressure, sleep deprivation, nutritional deficiencies, thyroid problems, substance abuse, medication, head injury, stroke, depression and stress. The good news is that a memory disorder caused by these factors can be remediated and the symptoms managed until memory function is almost fully restored. Signs of Memory Loss It’s important to be aware of the most common signs of memory loss in your loved one, especially as they often cause complications to their daily routines. If your loved one is frequently experiencing a number of the signs listed below, please don’t hesitate to have them professionally evaluated and diagnosed.
Avoiding memory disorders Being mindful of these particular triggers can help you avoid or restore memory loss that stems from these factors. For example:
Professional Memory Care in Morris County At Lester Senior Living, we put safety and individualized care at the forefront of everything we do. Our dedicated memory caregivers understand that memory disorders—like the seniors who suffer from them—are all unique. This is why our Memory Care Suite provides an individualized approach to each residents’ memory care, based on the Comfort Matters® philosophy of holistic dementia care. Our memory care providers focus on each resident’s particular needs at all times, to help them foster more meaningful connections with family and friends. With this care method in place, along with dementia-safe living spaces, each memory care resident can experience a better quality of life here at Lester Senior Living. To learn more about our professional memory care in Morris County, please visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org The original blog is posted on- https://jchcorp.org/understanding-causes-signs-and-ways-to-avoid-memory-loss/ Alzheimer’s disease is a diagnosis that not only your loved one, but the whole family as well. Life is going to change, and mom or dad will require more help and supervision on a day to day basis. The degree of this help will vary depending on what stage your loved one is at in the disease. In most cases, Alzheimer’s symptoms manifest slowly through three stages: mild, moderate, and severe. However, everyone who has this memory disorder experiences symptoms differently. If you are a caregiver to someone with Alzheimer’s, our professional memory care team at Lester Senior Living has compiled different ways to navigate each stage of this disease, so you can better help your loved one.
Caring for a loved one with mild Alzheimer’s disease People with mild Alzheimer’s often live independent lives, caring for themselves, driving, paying bills and meeting up with friends. However, they may experience memory lapses, lose things, forget what they just heard, or be unable to recall the right word for a common object. They may have trouble performing tasks or find it increasingly difficult to plan or organize. You may begin to notice these changes as well. A person diagnosed with mild Alzheimer’s is often likely to understand what that means and may react with fear, denial, anxiety, depression, and anger. The people close to them often experience these emotions too. While your loved one is in this early stage, it’s a good time to discuss future options for legal, financial, and long-term care arrangements. It’s also smart for you both to take advantage of the many support services and resources that are available to you. Learn as much as you can about Alzheimer’s together. One of the best resources out there for seniors and their caregivers is the official Alzheimer’s Association website. Aside from familiarizing yourselves more with Alzheimer’s and discussing legal matters, here are some other ways you can help care for them:
In middle-stage Alzheimer’s, there will be good days and bad days, but caregiver responsibilities will increase. The individual may find it more and more difficult to perform routine tasks like dressing, expressing themselves verbally, or following a conversation. Routines become more important at this stage and will have to be adapted according to how dementia advances. People with moderate Alzheimer’s may exhibit changes in behavior or personality. Angry outbursts, confusion, irritability, sleep disturbance, or wandering are all distressing signs of moderate Alzheimer’s disease. The person may not always recognize you, and you too may wonder who this stranger is. Remember that the disease, not the individual, is causing these changes. Caring for your loved one is going to be much more involved by this point and will include your help with the following:
Caring for a loved one with severe Alzheimer’s disease Seniors with severe Alzheimer’s need round-the-clock personal care. They usually have trouble eating and eventually become bedridden or chair-bound. They may experience incontinence and be prone to infection. Your focus is now on preserving their dignity and quality of life. You may also have to make difficult personal and medical decisions on their behalf. Never be afraid to tap into your network for emotional and professional support. Even if your loved one can’t communicate, you can still let them know you care. Here are different ways to connect with your loved one in the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease:
Be mindful of your own stress level throughout the journey of caring for your loved one with Alzheimer’s. It’s important to keep yourself healthy and don’t be afraid to ask for help if it becomes too overwhelming to handle by yourself. When memory loss starts affecting everyone’s daily life, it may be time to consider the holistic approach to memory care at the specialized Memory Care Suite in Lester Senior Living. Our memory care residents receive intensive and individualized support from our specially trained caregivers who are onsite at all times. Our program also ensures your loved one’s quality of life is enhanced through cognitive activities, socialization with other residents and meaningful connections with each of our caregivers. For more information about professional and compassionate memory care in New Jersey, please give us a call today or visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org The original blog is posted on: https://jchcorp.org/how-to-navigate-the-stages-of-alzheimers-disease/ Let us paint a familiar picture for you. You’re watching your favorite show on Netflix when suddenly you remember that you left your drink in the kitchen. Naturally, you pause the show and make your way there. However, once you get to the kitchen – you completely forget why you decided to go there in the first place. This has happened to everyone at least once and is usually not a cause of grave concern. Everyone experiences a “senior moment” once in a while. It’s normal to forget why you came into a room, where you left your keys, or someone’s name here and there. Especially if you’re having a bad week.
However, if you are noticing more serious memory loss or perhaps the early signs of dementia in your loved one, it can be concerning for everyone involved. If you are starting to wonder whether your mom or dad are in need of memory care, our experts at JCHC put together a list of tell-tale signs to look for. Major changes in daily behavior. Like we mentioned above, this is more than the occasional brain freeze. The changes in your loved one’s behavior should be very dramatic and indicative that they are not themselves. For example, your mom starts declining invitations to go out and becomes very withdrawn, when she is usually a social butterfly. Other common behavioral changes that are linked to memory disorders are feeling very anxious and becoming easily irritated. Unhealthy living conditions. Upkeep is a normal part of life, and a part that requires a sound memory. If you start to notice your loved one is letting trash pile up, forgetting to pay the bills, not remembering to shower or brush their teeth – these are signs that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Forgetting regular hygiene and home maintenance is unhealthy and is indicative that your loved one needs assistance on a daily basis. Unsafe home environment. A tell-tale sign of dementia that you’ve probably heard of is wandering. This can become especially dangerous if your loved one lives home alone. If your loved one has wandered away from their home and has gotten lost, this is a sign that they are no longer safe living alone. Incontinence. This can become a very unsanitary problem for your loved one, even if they have a sole caregiver. Incontinence is a huge task to take on alone. If your loved one is at the point where they are not remembering to go to the bathroom, they require the help of trained staff in a memory care unit. The main caregiver is overwhelmed. As mentioned above, there are behavioral and other health changes that develop when a loved one is battling a memory disorder. Often, these issues can become too overwhelming for one caregiver to take on. Especially if the caregiver has a family and career of their own to worry about. If your senior parent’s needs are becoming too much to handle, it’s time to consider the professional support of a memory care facility. Advanced Memory Care in Morris County, NJ At Lester Senior Living, seniors in the memory care unit keep both their minds and bodies active with our specialized care. They listen to music, do arts and crafts, and engage in cognitive exercises with other memory care residents, like Scrabble and Bridge. Our caregivers understand the challenges that come with memory disorders and treat each resident in a comforting environment where their care needs are addressed at all times. For more information about professional memory care in Morris County, New Jersey, contact us today for visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org/ The original blog is posted on: https://jchcorp.org/5-signs-your-senior-parent-needs-memory-care/ Like exercising our bodies, exercising our minds is just as important as we age. Seniors who engage in memory-stimulating activities regularly have a greater chance of strengthening their cognitive abilities and keeping memory disorders at bay. What’s great is It’s not hard to incorporate these activities into anyone’s daily schedule. And the best part is: they’re fun to do! With that being said, our memory care advisors in Morris County, NJ have put together a list of some memory stimulating activities to keep senior minds sharp.
Trivia: With a variety of topics to choose from, trivia never loses its novelty. Playing different topics like music, history, movies and current events can do two important things for seniors. For one, it can help them tap into different parts of the brain to recall the answers. And the second, it can strengthen short-term memory by giving them something new to learn (we’ll expand more on this later). Not to mention, trivia is also a great way to gather with friends and socialize – which we do a lot of at JCHC’s Lester Senior Living. At Lester, we hold group trivia sessions every week that all of our residents are welcome to participate in. Sudoku: If you haven’t heard of Sudoku and are good with numbers, you’re really missing out! This game works by filling in a 9 by 9 grid using the numbers 1 to 9, never using them more than once vertically, horizontally or within the 3 by 3 subgrids. Sudoku is a great way to practice patience and strengthen pattern recognition. If you or a loved one is looking to play, you can find Sudoku puzzles in your local newspaper, online, or you could purchase a Sudoku book filled with puzzles ranging from easy to difficult. Crossword puzzles: There’s nothing like a good ol’ crossword puzzle with your morning coffee. These puzzles help a ton with memory recollection and your problem solving skills. Just like trivia, there are many different themes to choose from like sports, science, entertainment and art – to name a few. Alongside Sudoku, crossword puzzles can also be found in your local newspaper or you can download the Crossword app to your smartphone or tablet for free. Arts and crafts: One of the best memory-stimulating activities that seniors can take part in are arts and crafts. Keeping their hands busy helps to maintain dexterity, and being able to explore their creativity supports the imaginative parts of the brain. This activity is a win-win because seniors could also use it as an opportunity to make unique, handmade gifts for their friends and family. Learn a New Skill: As we’ve mentioned earlier, learning a new skill is key to keeping your memory sharp. At Lester Senior Living, we encourage memory care residents to attend guest lectures, enroll in different classes and clubs, and read new books in our community library. All of these activities support the brain in creating new neurological connections. Memory support 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 specialized facility also offers dementia-friendly apartments with 24-hour supervision in a beautiful, suburban setting in local Morris County. To find out more about memory care in Morris County, please visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org Original blog is available on: https://jchcorp.org/memory-stimulating-activities-for-seniors/ |
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
May 2023
Categories
All
|