Monday, April 29, 2019
Our Weekly Availability..
Our vacancies change all the time. For the most up to date status, please check out our website, email us or call 623-295-9890.
Sunday, April 28, 2019
Sneaking in a Few More Easter Photos
Thursday, April 25, 2019
Naturopathic Nutrition Training for our Managers
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
A Special Assisted Living Easter
Easter is a wonderful holiday. It means so much to people around the world. It’s a time for gathering with families and friends. And it means Spring is here. Our ‘Assisted Living Easter’ was no exception.
The planning for our assisted living Easter at our four homes in Surprise and Goodyear started well before Easter. We reached out to our neighbors through the Next Door website. If you haven’t tried Next Door for your neighborhood, you might want to. It’s a great way for neighbors to help each other out. Here’s a quick video about it:
We have four different logins for our Next Door account. One for the neighborhood around each of our homes. We were hoping that some of our neighbors could help us. Here is what we asked:
We have some assisted living group homes around the Surprise and Goodyear area. We’re always looking for new activities for our residents. One idea we came up with is to have an Easter Egg hunt in the parks near the homes. Invite all the kids in the neighborhood to help our residents find some Easter Eggs that we would hide. My question is whether people would be willing to bring their kids to something like this. Would this be a good idea? Would you be interested if you have some kids? Thanks.
There were a lot of responses to our post. All of them were favorable. And some were volunteering to help out.
Assisted Living Easter Meals
Our 4 homes each had their own special Easter gathering. Many of our families and friends came to our homes in Surprise and Goodyear to celebrate the Holiday with their loved ones. It made us feel like we had a very large family all coming over for dinner.
The managers at all four homes are great cooks. A special shout out to each of them for putting on such great meals:
- Lydia at our home on N. 164thLane in Surprise
- Laura at our home on W. Banff Lane in Surprise
- Nora at our home on N. 135thDrive in Surprise
- Aurora at our home on W. Campbell Ave in Goodyear
I think our residents will be eating some leftovers for a while!
Time for the Easter Egg Hunt
After a great lunch, the real fun began. Some of our residents helped stuff the Easter Eggs earlier in the week. Our biggest challenge was making sure the candy didn’t melt in the Arizona sun. Even though it was only in the low 80’s (pretty cool for Arizona), those egg interiors can sure heat up!
So we went to the local parks (there’s a park near each of our homes) and put out the eggs about 15 minutes prior to our assisted living Easter egg hunts.
Then we let the dogs out! Our residents, caregivers, and some of our neighbors started looking. We had some great finders out there. The searchers were able to find the eggs very quickly. Some of our neighbors brought their kids who really helped.
Seeing all the generations help each other reminded all of us what Easter is all about. It made us really appreciate all the great people in neighborhoods around Surprise and Goodyear.
The day ended with many of our neighbors volunteering to come over to our homes in the future. They wanted to hang out with our residents and do some activities with them. What a sweet gesture.
Overall, we had a fantastic assisted living Easter. I’m sure I speak for all our residents and staff when I say that I hope you had a wonderful Easter with your family. And Welcome to Spring!
Monday, April 22, 2019
Our Easter Week Availability
Thursday, April 18, 2019
One of our Wonderful Families
We just saw this on Facebook. These twin sisters have their Mom in one of our assisted living homes. They are a wonderful family and we are very lucky to have them trust us with their Mom's care. If you would like to see what our homes are like, please reach out to us at our website, email or call us at 623-295-9890
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Our Smoothies are a big Hit!
Monday, April 15, 2019
Ball Playing at Our Assisted Living Homes
Sunday, April 14, 2019
Our New Smoothie Machines
Thursday, April 11, 2019
Lots of Activities at A Paradise for Parents
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
5 Ways to Provide Care for Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain neurodegenerative condition that is commonly known to affect a person’s memory. Initial symptoms can include
- Memory loss
- Difficulty in organizing tasks
- Dates
- Time and place
- Difficulty in planning tasks, and
- Loss of vision.
Alzheimer’s disease is due to progressive brain cell loss. It can affect the memory and other brain functions. According to Dr. Barry Reisberg of the International Psychogeriatric Association, there are seven stages of Alzheimer’s disease. They start with no symptoms (which is commonly the pre-diagnosis part) Then they gradually show as worsening symptoms of forgetfulness. Later symptoms include an inability to respond to the environment and decline of motor functions.
Having a senior in your family diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease can be life-altering. It not only affects the person diagnosed with it. The disease affects the entire family. It can affect the family physically, emotionally and financially. Arrangements should be made because care should be given to the person.
You may want to look into Dr. Dale Bredesen’s Protocol for slowing down or even reversing Alzheimer’s disease. Although it’s not easy to stick with it, it’s definitely worth the effort. Dr. Bredesen has seen a lot of results with this research. The sooner you start on this the better.
There are dementia care homes for seniors available to assist the family, but in some cases, families choose to do home care. We also provide memory care services at our assisted living homes if you’re in the Surprise and Goodyear, Arizona area. Here are 5 ways to provide care for seniors with Alzheimer’s.
Create a Soothing Living Space for People with Alzheimer’s Disease
The conditions and cases for every individual diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease can be different. Because of brain cell loss, the forgetfulness may be constant. However, their living requirements may differ. Seniors with this disease may easily get agitated, especially if they do not feel comfortable. In some cases, they may forget that they are in their own homes. Thus the feeling of confusion and agitation. Some individuals may be uncomfortable with clutter or furniture not arranged as they like. Others may not like music or loud sounds.
As the caregiver, you will need to ensure that the patient is comfortable. They should feel safe. You should create a soothing living space for them. True, taking care of a senior with Alzheimer’s may become challenging. You can work ahead of time and arrange the home to become a soothing and calming environment for them.
Familiar territory
Alzheimer’s disease can lead to forgetfulness of even the littlest of things. This includes where they live and their own room. In some cases, individuals with Alzheimer’s disease hold on to things and little memoirs they have had before they were diagnosed. Often they remember the old days. Let them keep these memoirs or arrange mementos in their rooms where they can see them often. It helps the room feel more familiar. You can also play music that they liked in their time, as long as it does not agitate them. Classical, relaxing and instrumental music can be good too.
In some cases, seniors may feel unsafe and overwhelmed when they are forced into a senior living facility. If the family can, they should try to take care of their loved one at home. When it becomes overwhelming, an assisted living home like ours may be the best option. That’s why we encourage family members to bring furniture, pictures and other familiar items when their loved one moves into our home. Being in a familiar environment can help keep the individual calm and relaxed.
Use the right words
Difficulty in planning, difficulty in organizing and difficulty in taking instructions are a few Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. This can cause communication rifts between the patient and the caregiver. As the caregiver, be sure to initiate the right communication and use the right words when speaking to them or giving them instructions. Be direct to the point and be patient when speaking with them.
To help your loved one with communication, try asking them questions where they only have to answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’. When giving them instructions, give them one by one. Oversee if they are able to perform the task properly. Be patient when communicating with them. Use simple and short words. Avoid long sentences or giving them several ideas at once. Be there to help them if they feel perplexed or challenged when performing a task.
Built-in socialization
Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease in the later stages can easily feel alone and isolated. Especially if they are starting to forget people, events and memories. The option of putting them in a senior facility with assistance and special care for Alzheimer’s can be a practical and good choice for them. However, family care is also a personal and effective approach where they will feel more like themselves. Socialization with other family members and regular conversations can help them feel welcomed and assured. Opting for a senior care facility can be an added socialization for them. They can socialize with other people of their age in a care home. That’s why we run assisted living residential homes instead of large facilities. Seniors in our homes have no choice but to interact with other residents. And of course with our caregivers.
You can use this opportunity to start a bonding time with other family members where they get to talk about anything. Or memories that they can still remember. This will allow them to take part in activities that the family is doing, such as family outings. Simple companionship will make them feel comfortable and secure.
Don’t argue with Alzheimer’s Disease
When caring for a senior with Alzheimer’s disease, always remember to be patient. Talk to them calmly and with respect. They may have an altered belief of their realities or even memories. Sometimes this can lead to miscommunications and conflicts that can affect you and other family members. Arguing with them or scolding them is not ideal. They may not understand what they have done.
It is best to talk to them calmly, understand why they did what they did and help them fix the situation. Arguing with them can only agitate them more and make them feel isolated, scared and unwelcome. Sit with them, talk to them and divert their attention to what caused the argument or problem.
A person diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease will need the family’s support. Support must be there from the moment they are diagnosed up to the severe forgetfulness part of the disease. The family and the people taking care of them should practice utmost patience and understanding. Everyone must know that the disease is out of anyone’s control. Make the patient feel safe, understood and cared for. They should not feel scared and alone. Be patient with them and listen to their stories. Family support is extremely important.
We have a lot of experience working with people afflicted by Alzheimer's disease. If we can help in any way, please reach out to us at our website, email, or call us at 623-295-9890.
Monday, April 8, 2019
Our Availability week of April 8th 2019
Sunday, April 7, 2019
Great Attendance at Bible Study!
We'd love to have you come out and join us in fellowship. We have a wonderful man come out every other Saturday to all of our homes. He plays a great guitar, and talks to our residents about how much God loves us all. He doesn't push any religion. He just tries to create fellowship among our residents.
Reach out to us. We'd love to have you join us for a session. Find us at our website, email or call us at 623-295-9890. Thank you.
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
A Journey of 1,000 Miles..
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
Football, Baseball, and Surprise and Goodyear Assisted Living
A week or so ago (March 24th, 2019), some residents from our Surprise and Goodyear assisted living homes participated in a wonderful field trip. They joined players from the Desert Edge High School Football Team in Goodyear AZ for the last Spring Training game of the season at Goodyear Ballpark.
It was a picture perfect day in Goodyear. After all, there’s a reason Major League teams love coming to Arizona. Warm temps, cloudless skies and a gentle breeze made the outing especially enjoyable.
Putting together a big group outing with over 20 people takes a little planning. This definitely was NOT spur of the moment. The idea began when some of the staff from our Surprise and Goodyear assisted living homes reached out to local high schools. We
wanted to see whether any kids wanted to perform their community service hours in an assisted living setting. One of the coaches, Jason Linn, reached out to us right away. He told us the head coach, Jose Lucero, is very interested in showing his boys how to lead by helping others. What a great idea!
wanted to see whether any kids wanted to perform their community service hours in an assisted living setting. One of the coaches, Jason Linn, reached out to us right away. He told us the head coach, Jose Lucero, is very interested in showing his boys how to lead by helping others. What a great idea!
We brainstormed a bunch of ideas and at the top of the list was a spring training game. We had to act a little quickly because the spring season ends in March. So we reached out to the Goodyear Ballpark. The people in ticket sales at the ballpark could not have been more helpful. They even gave us a wonderful discounted rate for the wheelchair section down the first base line.
Game Day
Our residents at both our Surprise and Goodyear assisted living homes had to eat an early lunch. The game started just a little after noon, and we knew it would be pretty crowded. Coach Lucero and the players of the Desert Edge Scorpions met with us early to make sure everything was set and help pick up the tickets.
At the stadium it was indeed crowded. Everyone wanted to get one last game in the Arizona sunshine with their team before heading back to colder parts of the country. We had quite the parade line of wheelchairs and walkers moving through the crowd. Our caregivers from both the Surprise and Goodyear assisted living homes did a wonderful job of keeping everyone together.
A special thank you to the Goodyear Ballpark for providing a couple extra wheelchairs and volunteers to push them. Some of our residents can walk well on their own, but it was a long way to the seats. Plus the wheelchairs helped keep everyone together.
“Play Ball”
We arrived at our seats to find the Scorpion players already in place and ready to meet us. The wonderful young men paired off with each of our residents to watch the game and learn about each other. The football players could not have been more perfect gentlemen as they talked about life, football and their families and school. They also listened attentively as the residents talked to kids about all the experiences the residents had in their own lives.
It was a wonderful opportunity to watch the Cincinnati Reds square off against the Colorado Rockies. One of our residents grew up just outside of Cincinnati. He was a big Reds fan in his younger days. And you could tell by the look of glee on his face that he was excited to see his old team again.
Another one of our residents used to be a baseball coach. He provided us some expert analysis of what both pitchers could improve. Here is a sample:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNb8iWscVNI&feature=youtu.be
In the middle of the 6thinning, the folks at the Goodyear Ballpark welcomed our A Paradise for Parents assisted living homes on the Jumbotron. How cool is that?
Staying Safe in a Crowded Environment
Families always worry when their elderly loved one is outside a safe place such as one of our Surprise and Goodyear assisted living homes. That’s why we took a bunch of extra precautions to make sure our residents could enjoy the game without worry.
It was essential to bring a couple of our highly-trained caregivers in case there were any medical problem. Not to mention they enjoyed the game as well. The caregivers all work in our homes on a daily basis, so they know the residents well.
We brought any medical supplies the residents might need, as well as a good amount of water to keep everyone hydrated. The residents also wore cool, loose-fitting clothes to make sure they would not overheat while still offering some sun protection. We still wanted them to have the sunshine give them a little Vitamin D!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCFFhOGTByE&feature=youtu.be
Luckily we brought some umbrellas for the residents as well. Although the temps were in the mid-70s, you could still feel that Arizona sun. Using brightly colored umbrellas also helped find our group in the seats after a caregiver took our residents for a bathroom break.
Post Game
Although it was a close game, we figured it might be a good idea to leave early to avoid the rush. The Rockies ended up beating the Reds 4-3 to the disappointment of our Cincinnati resident. But he was having a great time anyway. At least neither team scored any runs after we left.
Once again, the Desert Edge football players helped out tremendously moving some of the residents and wheelchairs to our transportation. It’s always good to have those handicap placards on our vehicles at times like these!
The players continued talking to our residents the whole way back and it seemed like nobody wanted the day to end. We all posed for pictures in the parking lot. Then it was time to say goodbye. The players headed back to their families and we drove our residents back to our Surprise and Goodyear assisted living homes.
When we arrived back at one of the Surprise assisted living homes, we asked our Reds fan if he was disappointed about the game. His reply warmed our hearts:
Disappointed? I just had the most fun I’ve had in a long time!
Thank You from Our Surprise and Goodyear Assisted Living Homes
What a wonderful day we had. We really appreciate and personally thank the staff and players from the Desert Edge High School Scorpion football team. These boys selflessly gave up their time to make it a very special day for our residents.
We would also like to thank all the volunteers and staff at the Goodyear Ballpark. They went out of their way to make sure all our residents really enjoyed themselves in a safe and fun environment.
We’re always looking for more ideas for activities. A couple of weeks ago, we went to a wonderful Chinese restaurant in Surprise. Any other ideas would be much appreciated. Just let us know in the comments below.
If you have an elderly family member that might need more care, please feel free to reach out and talk to us. We will try to answer all your questions. If we can’t answer them, we have an extensive network that probably can. Please reach out to us through our website, email, or call us at 623-295-9890. In the meantime – enjoy the regular baseball season!
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