Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disease that mainly affects the skin, but can also involve other organs. It is characterized by excessive collagen production, leading to hardening and thickening of the connective tissues. While this condition can affect people of all ages, its impact on seniors is quite significant. In this article, our senior caregivers in Morris County will discuss the main types of scleroderma, highlight symptoms that should not be ignored and discuss the effect scleroderma has on older adults.
Understanding the Main Types of Scleroderma Scleroderma is a complex disease with various subtypes, including localized scleroderma and systemic sclerosis. Localized scleroderma primarily affects the skin, while systemic sclerosis can involve the skin, blood vessels and internal organs such as the lungs, heart, kidneys and digestive system. Scleroderma Symptoms that Shouldn’t be Ignored Skin Changes. Scleroderma often presents with skin-related symptoms, including thickening and hardening of the skin, particularly on the hands, face and fingers. This can lead to tightness, reduced flexibility and difficulty moving the affected areas. Raynaud’s Phenomenon. Many people with scleroderma experience Raynaud’s phenomenon, which causes the fingers and toes to become cold, numb and discolored in response to cold temperatures or emotional stress. In severe cases, blood flow to these areas can be compromised, leading to ulcerations or gangrene. Digestive Issues. Scleroderma can affect the digestive system, leading to more uncomfortable symptoms such as difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), acid reflux, diarrhea, bloating and constipation. Lung Involvement. Systemic sclerosis can cause scarring and inflammation in the lungs, which can easily cause breathing difficulties, coughing and reduced exercise tolerance. These symptoms in particular should not be ignored, as they may indicate the progression of the disease and require more serious medical care. How Scleroderma Impacts Seniors Older adults living with scleroderma face unique challenges due to the age-related changes in their bodies. Here are some specific ways they are affected: Reduced Mobility. The hardening and tightening of the skin can restrict joint movement, making it harder for seniors to perform daily activities. This can lead to an increased reliance on assistive devices like walkers or caregivers. Compromised Nutrition. Digestive issues can result in poor absorption of nutrients, leading to malnutrition. For older adults who are already at risk for nutritional deficiencies, scleroderma exacerbates this problem, further compromising the state of their overall health. Increased Risk of Complications. Seniors with scleroderma are more vulnerable to complications such as infections, respiratory issues and organ damage due to their weakened immune systems. Emotional Impact. Coping with a chronic illness can take a toll on anyone. However, seniors may experience more intense feelings of frustration, anxiety, and depression due to the limitations imposed by scleroderma. How Our Assisted Living Community In Nj Can Help Seniors With Scleroderma As we’ve discussed, the impact of this condition on seniors should not be underestimated. Recognizing the symptoms and seeking timely medical care is essential for managing the disease effectively. On top of that, it is crucial to provide older adults with proper support and resources for managing their psychological well-being. Caregivers at our assisted living community in NJ can tailor care based on each resident’s specific needs. Residents with more complex health conditions, like scleroderma, can benefit from around-the-clock assistance and emotional support provided by our team. Our caregivers are proud of the strong interpersonal relationships they have fostered over the years with every single person on campus. That being said, they can almost immediately sense when a resident is feeling down and out and will do everything in their power to “turn the beat around.” To learn more about how our senior living communities help seniors in New Jersey, please give us a call or visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org The original blog is posted - https://jchcorp.org/what-is-scleroderma-and-how-does-it-affect-seniors/
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As our parents grow older, it becomes our responsibility to ensure they receive the care and companionship they truly deserve. The challenges associated with aging can be overwhelming, but there are numerous ways we can enhance the quality of life for our loved ones. One solution is embracing life at a senior community where older adults can feel supported at all times by onsite caregivers, explore their interests and to put it simply – thrive. In this article, we will discuss different ways you can support your aging parents and delve into the benefits of community living.
Supporting aging parents requires a multifaceted approach that addresses their physical, emotional, and social well-being. Looking into community living options, such as Lester Senior Living, can significantly enhance the quality of life for aging parents. At our community, residents can enjoy a range of amenities and services, including a state-of-the-art fitness center, delicious meals in our spacious dining room, planned social activities, live entertainment and more. Providing your loved one with a supportive and engaging environment is perhaps the best chance they have to enjoy their golden years to the fullest. If you’d like more information about community life at Lester Senior Living in NJ, please contact JCHC today and visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org The original blog is posted on - https://jchcorp.org/ways-to-support-your-aging-parents/ Life changes whether we want it to or not. It’s a tough fact to embrace, but it is the truth. This can be especially tough for seniors to grapple with. This is because as we grow older, we may not have the same capabilities we once did. As seniors struggle with new challenges like mobility limitations or memory loss, they need to find healthy outlets to relieve stress and to just simply find enjoyment. Fortunately, pet therapy has emerged as a valuable tool for improving the quality of life for older adults. At Lester Senior Living, we have fully embraced pet therapy and have regularly scheduled visits onsite with therapy dog, Harmony. This is a beloved activity by our residents and staff, because really, who doesn’t love petting a sweet pup? In this article, our independent living team in Morris County will take a more detailed look at the key benefits of pet therapy for seniors. Reduce stress and anxiety. Pet therapy, also known as animal-assisted therapy, has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels in older adults. The simple act of petting a dog or cat can lower blood pressure and reduce stress hormones like cortisol. This can lead to improved overall health and a greater sense of well-being. Combat loneliness and depression. Many older adults experience feelings of isolation and social disconnection, especially if they have lost a spouse or close friends. Animals provide a source of companionship and affection that can fill this void and help seniors feel less alone. Improve physical health. Many seniors struggle with mobility and may have difficulty getting enough exercise. Walking a dog or playing with a cat can provide a low-impact form of exercise that can improve their fitness level. Strengthen cognitive abilities. Interacting with animals can improve memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. It can also provide a sense of purpose and structure that can be beneficial for seniors who may feel adrift or without direction. Pet Therapy Services in Senior Living Communities Many senior living communities recognize the benefits of pet therapy and offer programs to help their residents connect with animals. These programs can take a variety of forms, from on-site pet visits to resident-owned pets that are allowed to live in the community. One popular program is the use of therapy dogs. Dogs like Harmony are specially trained to provide emotional support and companionship to older adults. They may visit individual residents in their rooms or make regular appearances in common areas like the dining room or activity center. Communities that offer pet therapy programs like Lester Senior Living can provide a valuable service to their residents and help them stay connected to the world around them. By providing emotional support, physical exercise, and cognitive stimulation, animals can help seniors improve their overall quality of life. For more information about pet therapy and our other life enrichment activities for seniors in Morris County NJ, please give us a call or visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org/ The original blog is posted on - https://jchcorp.org/the-benefits-of-pet-therapy-for-seniors/ Valentine’s day can be difficult for anyone who has lost a loved one, but that doesnt mean the day has to be filled with sorrow. Spending Valentine’s Day with a senior who has lost a loved one is often a more special and meaningful experience. It’s a chance to remember that this holiday is more than a Hallmark card and chocolates, it’s about showing and spreading love. If you’re not sure where to start, we have a few ways to make Valentine’s Day more memorable with your senior loved one.
We understand that some health, memory and mobility concerns may prevent some seniors from leaving their assisted living community to celebrate Valentine’s Day. So, we encourage you to celebrate with your loved one at Lester Senior Living instead! Last year we celebrated by making beautiful flower arrangements and learning about the history of Hershey’s chocolate while snacking on some Hershey kisses. We also encourage you to join your loved one in our spacious dining room for breakfast, lunch or dinner – not just on Valentine’s Day but all year round. For more information on how our senior living community will be celebrating Valentine’s Day this year, please contact us today or visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org/ The original blog is posted on https://jchcorp.org/your-senior-and-valentines-day/ Many seniors may argue that moving into a senior living community relinquishes independence, but we’re here to tell you why the opposite is true. Living in a senior community marks the beginning of independence by letting go of household chores and other mundane daily tasks and making more room for the things you actually enjoy! If you’re debating whether or not community living is a good choice for you, here are some signs that you’re ready for this new chapter in your life.
Sign #1. You’re ready to throw in the dish towel. We’re sure at this point in your life, you are no longer cooking for an army of children. It may be just you, or you and your spouse you have to worry about. After years and years of preparing meals, we think you’ve paid your dues! When someone else cooks for you it eliminates the pent-up stress of going to the store, finding the right ingredients, and following an intricate recipe. Not to mention, you’re also eliminating the nightly debate of who is going to wash the dishes. At a senior living community like JCHC’s Lester, staff can cook each meal for you and clean up afterwards on a daily basis. We also offer community dining in an elegant and spacious dining room where other residents and your family and friends can easily accompany you for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Our culinary-trained chefs love to mix it up in the kitchen and are fully prepared to modify any meals to adhere to any dietary restrictions or kosher needs. Sign #2. Owning a home has become too stressful. With your children now living in their own homes with their respective families, you’ve probably come to realize that your home is way too big now. Your kids also aren’t around as often to take on household chores, which means you have a lot less help to maintain your big house. Owning a home requires a lot of recurring maintenance which becomes even tougher if it’s all on you to take care of. Things like dusting counters and shelves, doing dishes, cleaning the bathrooms all need to be done on a close to daily basis. On top of that, there are always unexpected issues that pop up from time to time like shoveling snow off the driveway, unclogging a toilet, and repairing a faulty appliance. Home ownership stress is just another big sign to consider senior community living. You probably can’t wait to leave household chores and monthly bills behind. All senior living apartments at Lester are maintained daily, and if something unexpected pops up – one of our staff members will handle it immediately. Sign #3. You need more excitement in your life! A lot of older adults are under the impression that living in a senior community means letting go of your independence. However, it is just the opposite! Letting go of home ownership issues will actually give you more independence and time to do what you want. Not to mention, senior community living offers so much in terms of socialization and activities. If you’re looking for more excitement in your life, consider taking up a new hobby you’ve always dreamed of doing. Have you ever wanted to take Zumba classes? Or learn mahjong with a group? Or even learn about a new culture? With daily tasks taken care of by our reliable staff members, you can now do all of the fun activities above! Better yet, you can take part in all these activities with other residents, who you can one day call your friends. Independent Living and Assisted Living for Seniors in NJ At JCHC’s Lester Senior Living, we offer a wide range of tailored support services for older adults in an environment that prioritizes quality care, independence and socialization. Designed to enhance resident connection, our lively activities program is updated monthly with a variety of classes to suit each resident’s individual interests. Some of our most popular on-site activities include Sit & Be Fit, Movie Matinees, Bingo, Trivia Nights, and JCHC University Classes. For more information about assisted living and independent living options for seniors in NJ, call us today or visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org The original blog is posted at: https://jchcorp.org/signs-youre-ready-for-senior-community-living/ Selecting an assisted living community for your loved one is a challenging process. After all, it’s an important decision which places the care of mom or dad in the hands of people you do not know. Understandably, this is a major concern for a lot of children of senior parents. How do you know if you can trust an assisted living facility with your loved one? And more importantly, how do you know if you’re making the right choice for everyone involved? In this article, our care team at Lester Senior Living discusses four common mistakes that can easily be made while searching for an assisted living community, and how to avoid them:
Assisted living communities that prioritize independence At JCHC’s Lester Senior Living, we’re all about keeping seniors as independent as possible, while supporting them with personal care services to make their lives easier. Additionally, we are able to scale these services at any point if they require a higher level of care, including professional memory support for Alzheimer’s and dementia residents in our specialized memory care suites. We also offer social programs to encourage residents to get more involved with community life and make new friends along the way. The top priority at all JCHC communities is to ensure each resident gets the help and support they require to live a full and happy life with us. For more information about our senior living communities across New Jersey, please give us a call today or visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org Original content posted on https://jchcorp.org/mistakes-to-avoid-when-looking-for-assisted-living/ Core strength exercises improve the fitness of the stomach, back, hips and pelvis. These muscles are important for improving balance and stability, as well as posture. For seniors, these exercises are a good way to help reduce risk of falls and make walking and other daily tasks much easier. Which, might we add, is key to retaining independence in your golden years. With that said, here are some easy core exercises for seniors from our independent living coordinators at JCHC.
Safety note: If you are unsure of how to do the exercises or require assistance in performing them correctly and safely, please speak to your doctor or physical therapist before attempting any new movements.
Fitness programs for independent seniors in New Jersey If your loved one in independent living would like to improve their quality of health and wellbeing through fitness, our dedicated team at Lester Senior Living is here to assist them. 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. In addition to our fitness programs, our communities also offer more advanced senior care services like assisted living and memory support for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. 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 content posted on https://jchcorp.org/core-strength-exercises-for-seniors/ When your parents first start showing signs that they need support managing their day-to-day lives, family members sometimes choose to help out – becoming knowledgeable and competent caregivers. However, there often comes a point at which you can no longer keep up with the duties of a full-time caregiver, especially when managing your own family, career and other extracurricular activities.
One of the best ways to ensure uncompromised quality of care for your loved one, is to make the move to an assisted living community. While this is a difficult choice for everyone involved, it can be made easier by finding an assisted living community which offers the following:
Visit Our Beautiful Assisted Living Community in New Jersey Lester Senior Living is a JCHC senior community dedicated to helping older adults live full, happy lives as they age. With an active community spirit, great amenities, spacious residential apartments, and personal care services designed for assisted living, we’re a welcoming space for seniors to really feel at home. All our support services are available on an “as-needed” basis, allowing your loved one to continue living as independently as possible even as his or her needs change. We are also able to provide care for Alzheimer’s and dementia residents through our designated memory care suites. For more information about our assisted living facility in Morris County, please contact us today to schedule a tour or visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org Original blog posted on https://jchcorp.org/when-caregiving-becomes-too-much/ Quality of life is one of the leading concerns for all of us as we age. While Desiderata may tell us to “Surrender gracefully, the things of youth…” frankly, we’d really rather not!
Still, when mom or dad’s health needs are changing, medical issues become more complicated, and day-to-day tasks are becoming more challenging, you’ll likely start to look into an assisted living community as an option for them. But is that really a better option for their quality of life than taking care of your loved one in their own home? What about your quality of life if you are an adult child doing the caregiving? Even hiring, managing and checking in on a part time or live-in caregiver can be stressful. In this article, our assisted living caregivers will discuss the ways in which assisted living actually enhances the quality of life for your loved one and their entire family.
Enjoy life to the fullest in assisted living There is a good argument to be made that moving your loved one to an assisted living community is an elevation of quality of life for the entire family. But it has to be a community that everyone can trust and believe in. We encourage you to consider visiting Lester Senior Living in Whippany, New Jersey to see for yourself what a modern, active assisted living community can be. We’re confident that you’ll find Lester is dedicated to maintaining the independence and dignity of your family members for as long as possible. Our assisted living care philosophy and social programs ensure residents receive the support and stimulation they need and they can be involved with the community at any level they are comfortable with. For more information about JCHC’s senior living options in New Jersey, please contact us today or visit our website at: https://jchcorp.og Original blog posted on https://jchcorp.org/assisted-living-quality-of-life |
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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