Archive for category: Blog

Now that the temperatures are warming, it is time for residents in memory assisted living to get up and get going. What better way to celebrate the season of new beginnings than by doing fun activities fit for all senior residents.

Memory Assisted Living

Memory assisted care facilities are specifically designed for senior adults with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

These homes provide a safe environment for their residents. With support from trained staff, residents can comfortably navigate their daily routines.

Other than the personal care support expected in all assisted living facilities, staff in memory care ensures that residents are coming to activities, having their meals, and ongoing quality care including some grooming and some daily activities.

Moreover, the facilities provide ultimate security to their residents. People with Alzheimer’s or dementia are prone to wandering, so doors have alarms, and elevators require codes.

Besides, most memory assisted living communities offer bracelet trackers to their residents so they can freely move while allowing caregivers to track and find them quickly.

With the vulnerability of senior adults with dementia or Alzheimer’s, it is crucial to choose a facility that meets the needs of your loved ones.

Things to Look For:

Physical environment

• Is the facility clean and organized? Are the doors and rooms labeled or color-coded walls to avoid confusion? Does it have an outdoor garden to help residents from feeling trapped? Plus, facilities should have design elements that protect residents from falls.

Staff

• Should be equipped and well-trained to effectively manage challenging dementia behaviors like aggression and wandering.

Activities and therapies

• The best memory care homes should have personalized activities and programs for the residents’ physical and mental health. Look for a facility that provides music therapy for relaxation and to reduce agitation or art therapy to slow the signs of cognitive decline.

Continuing care

• Check if the facility cans provide continuing care including for complex medical issues.

Food

• Although dementia does not require a special diet, eating healthy and balanced meals is important for overall wellness.

Fun Activities for Spring

Outings

Residents in memory assisted living with early stages of dementia may still like to go for a walk at the park, swim, shop, or dine at their favorite restaurants.

Board Games

Board games are not only fun but excellent ways to boost memory. These also allow residents to improve their focus.

Singing and Dancing

Listening to music, singing, or dancing to their favorite tunes can be excellent ways to recall memories, helping residents to relive treasured moments while having fun.

Virtual Party

Online connectivity and mobile devices can greatly help residents in memory assisted living to stay connected with their families and the outside world. A virtual get-together or an online party can be facilitated through social media or Internet messaging apps.

Regardless of the season, make sure to spend time with your loved ones in the memory care homes to make them feel loved and valued.

 

Looking for excellent memory care in your area? Click here to get in contact with us today!

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Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

Valentine’s Day is just right around the corner and you can already smell romance in the air. Celebrated in honor of St. Valentine, this day usually means having romantic dinners, exchanging gifts, and giving flowers and chocolates to the people you love.

But what about those residents in memory care assisted living?

Here are some fun gift ideas that will surely make them feel loved this Valentine’s Day:

Flowers.

No other gift represents Valentine’s Day more than a bunch of beautiful flowers. These blooms are easy to find, and they don’t cost a lot, but they never fail to make anyone who receives them feel extra special on Valentine’s Day.

If you’re feeling a bit more generous, you can also include a box of chocolates or a teddy bear with the flowers.

 

Homemade treats.

Does your loved one have a sweet tooth? Or does he have a favorite dish when he was back home living with you? Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to treat him to a homemade favorite that you personally prepared.

The gesture alone is enough to make any elderly feel loved and special. You can even go the extra mile and prepare a spread for him and if the memory care assisted living facility permits, you can go on a lunch picnic to spend quality time with your loved one and give him a taste of home.

 

A handmade card.

A Valentine’s Day card is one of the easiest yet most profound ways to express your love for someone. Gather the whole family and spend a weekend making personalized cards to give to your elderly loved one on Valentine’s Day.

This simple activity isn’t only fun, especially for the kids, but having something handmade can really touch your loved ones and allow them to experience home even if they’re far away.

 

A visit to the facility.

Time is still the most precious gift that you can give to your loved one in memory care assisted living. They miss home and having you spend some time with them during Valentine’s Day will allow them to experience a part of their life even for a few hours.

You can even bring the whole family to surprise your loved one and they’ll surely remember this day for a long time despite their sickness.

Finally, there’s the gift that keeps on giving. If you really want to make Valentine’s Day extra special, you can plan activities that will benefit the entire facility and not just your loved one.

It could be a simple afternoon tea or an activity like painting or crocheting that everyone can enjoy, especially those who don’t have family members to treat them during this day.

You can also make a donation to a local facility, like OxBow Living, to share the love with other elderlies who may not have the privilege that your loved one has. This way, you can really make Valentine’s Day the most memorable time of the year for those in these facilities.

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Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

With the holiday season now in full swing, it’s also time to start shopping for the people who matter most in your life, especially those who live in facilities for Alzheimer’s.

Patients who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease need special care and attention, so it’s only fitting that you also take the extra time to look for the best gifts for them.

To make your shopping easier, we rounded up a few great ideas:

A dementia coloring book

• At $10.99, you can give your loved one the gift of art and entertainment while benefiting his condition. Coloring has been proven to help slow down the process of memory loss in people living in facilities for Alzheimer’s, which makes this “Dementia Coloring Book: Anti-Stress and Memory Loss Coloring Pad for the Elderly” the perfect gift for him.

 

Activity pillow

• Patients with Alzheimer’s need to keep their motor skills working by doing different activities while in the facility. This S&S Worldwide Activity Pillow makes for the perfect motor activity for the elderly because it allows them to do lacing, zipping, buckling, and other tasks that promote tactile stimulation. At $54.99, this one’s definitely a great investment for your loved one.

 

Digital clock

• Patients with Alzheimer’s need to be constantly oriented with the time and date. So, a digital clock with 16 alarms and remote control would make for the perfect gift for them. This isn’t just your ordinary digital clock. It has additional features like multiple text colors, a bigger clock, and can even show photos of loved ones to make them feel less lonely. Priced at $50.00, your loved one will surely love this amazing gift.

 

Therapy doll

• Who would’ve even thought that a doll could help someone suffering from Alzheimer’s? Kayla the Comfort Doll is designed for memory care with its weighted body and head, hand-rooted hair, and life-like vinyl skin. This doll helps Alzheimer’s patients remember how it feels to care for a baby and trigger different emotions. At $119.95, this doll will be an investment, but it sure will be one that’s worthwhile.

 

Word search

• Patients in facilities for Alzheimer’s need activities that help keep their brain working and memory sharp. Now if you’re on the hunt for a pocket-friendly gift, this word search will definitely fit the bill. At just $15.00, you already have a word search puzzle that’s designed specifically for seniors with dementia, so it has easy-to-read words and eight reusable puzzles that they can enjoy.

Are you ready to start shopping for your loved ones and friends in facilities for Alzheimer’s?

These ideas will surely make for the perfect gifts no matter what your budget is. Don’t forget to wrap these gifts with a lot of love so your loved ones can really enjoy them!

Looking for excellent care for you or a loved one? Get in contact with us here at OxBow Living!

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Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

When it comes to caring for an older adult, you commonly hear two terms: assisted living and memory assisted living.

These facilities provide adult care, while still giving them the freedom to live their best life in a safe environment. But what exactly are the differences between assisted living and memory assisted living?

Assisted living

Assisted living facilities offer a secure community to seniors who want to be independent while benefiting from convenience and safety.

Here, you get services like assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), safety measures, and high-quality staff.

Assisted living facilities offer different amenities to residents. Most of them have outdoor living areas, gyms, transportation services, spas, arts and crafts, and even salons and barbershops.

You also get daily home-cooked meals, housekeeping services, and different activities to keep your days busy.

Assisted living is a great option for residents who are well enough to live as independently as they can requiring only minimal assistance.

The primary goal of assisted living is to promote independence among its residents. But, there’s also the convenience of having people do your daily chores so you can focus on relaxation and having fun.

Memory assisted living

Memory assisted living is almost similar to assisted living. These facilities also offer services that allow residents to live safely and conveniently. But from the term itself, these types of communities specialize in helping patients suffering from memory-related illnesses.

With the primary goal being safety, memory care facilities offer emergency systems helping residents get through daily living without worry.

They also offer person-centered services. These not only help with daily activities. but also assist residents to improve their cognitive skills.

While memory care facilities may have the same amenities as a regular assisted living facility, this specialized space promotes the safety and convenience of its residents.

For instance, you’ll see that common areas are easy to recognize so it’s easier for residents to find their way throughout the community. You also get directions on how to get around without feeling claustrophobic, so you can still enjoy that independent living while maintaining safety.

Wrapping up

Both care facilties are important for promoting the welfare and quality of life of senior residents. Knowing their differences will allow you to make the right choice of living space for your elderly loved one.

So, what are you waiting for? Learn more about assisted living and memory assisted living communities by contacting us today!

 

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Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead

Moving into senior housing can be of great help to residents and families. Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths out there that keep some people from making the move. At Oxbow Living, we strive to provide the best care for each resident, and that includes debunking some of the most common myths in the senior care industry.

Here, we debunk some of the common myths about senior housing and why you should take that move:

The myths

Senior housing is a lonely place.

Some people believe that senior housing is a lonely place. A misleading rumor is that residents are isolated and cooped up inside all day. But, assisted living is far from isolating. Assisted living facilities have one goal in mind: to provide the best quality of life to their residents.

Moving to senior housing allows you to enjoy the comforts of home with the convenience of round-the-clock care. These facilities also have activities planned to make each day productive for residents.

Senior housing makes you age faster.

Aging is natural and being in senior housing will not speed up the process. Senior care facilities do their best to provide activities that promote a healthy and comfortable lifestyle. So, with social activities, fitness options, and a balanced diet, senior housing facilities encourage a full life for all residents.

The benefits

Residents live in a supportive community.

It’s easy to be misunderstood when you’re older. In senior living, you’ll get to enjoy the company of like-minded seniors that benefit your emotional and mental well-being. For example, you get to have conversations with them, do activities together and build friendships with people your age.

You can maintain a good lifestyle.

Cooking, buying groceries, and doing other chores can become a burden when you’re older. In senior housing, you don’t have to focus on new stressors. Anything you enjoy or rely on can remain accessible to you.

With assisted living, there are a number of programs that help with daily activities to ensure residents are able to keep a healthy lifestyle.

You get to enjoy social freedom.

Social isolation among seniors isn’t uncommon, especially for those who live far from friends and family. In senior housing, social engagements can become a daily routine.

In senior living, residents are encouraged to take part in daily activities and social events. There are always people around to interact with, and plenty of activities to choose from.

You get to choose what you want to do and accomplish them at your own pace.

This makes every day productive and fulfilling. With the help of senior housing, residents can take up new hobbies and activities as they please. Caretakers encourage fun and relaxing activities and residents have the freedom to take them up at their own pace.

At the end of the day, moving into assisted living is a smart decision, especially if you’re looking for good quality of life during your senior years.

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Oxbow Living offers Assisted Living & Memory Care out of Nebraska and to the Surrounding Cities: Ashland, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Elmwood, Ithaca, Mead