Living with Dementia : Embracing Humor

Posted by Cedars on December 21, 2014

Living with Dementia :  Embracing Humor

Is laughter the “best medicine” for those with dementia?

Dementia patients are usually under considerable strain and their families are often placed under even more stress because of the burden of care giving. A positive emotion, together with laughter, may enable adults with dementia to cope with their illness better. Improve immune function, increase pain tolerance and decrease stress response.

Positive emotions that are shared by both residents and staff help to maintain social contact, which in turn reduces the “fight” or “flight” response.

 

Posted in : Memory Care

Jack’s Cooking Corner

Posted by Cedars on December 18, 2014

Chef Jack’s Cooking Corner is known for some of the most delicious recipe’s. This holiday we would like to share Chef Jack’s warm winter  pick.

Warm Winter Lemon Cake

  • 1 pkg yellow cake mix
  • 2 pkg Jell-o lemon flavor instant pudding (3.5 oz pkg)
  • 1/3 c. granulated sugar
  • 2 c. cold milk
  • 1 1/4 c. water
  • 2 Tbsp. powdered sugar

Heat oven to 350. Prepare cake batter as directed on the back of the package; pour into 13×9 inch baking pan, sprayed with cooking spray. Beat dry pudding mixes, granulated sugar, milk and water with whisk 2 minutes, pour over batter in dish. Place baking dish on baking sheet. Bake 55 minutes to 1 hour until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 20 minutes (sauce will thicken slightly as cools). Sprinkle with powder sugar and serve warm.

Happy Holidays and enjoy.

 

Posted in : About Us /Dining at The Cedars

Elderly Loneliness and The Holidays

Posted by Cedars on December 15, 2014

Reducing Loneliness in Elders around the Holidays

It’s very human to feel that holidays should be happy times, with generations of traditions coming to the forefront. After all, we say we celebrate holidays. Doesn’t that mean happiness? The reality, however, is that many people can feel isolated and lonely during this sometimes forced “season of good will.”

Elders can have an especially hard time with the holiday season. While aging and maturity can bring the wisdom of years for many people, there are inevitable losses that come to even the most healthy individuals. Many of these losses are emotional and social in nature. Spouses become ill or die. Relatives and friends become ill or die, neighborhoods change. Often leaving even those well enough to remain in their own homes feeling friendless and isolated. The holidays can bring this isolation and a feeling of loneliness to a head.

Tips to enhance your elders holidays

  • Listen and understand when they talk, even if the talk is negative. Try to put yourself into their place.
  • Remind them how important they are as a part of your own celebration and that of the entire family.
  • Help them see your trying to simplify the holidays in order to bring back the real meaning of our celebration.
  • If your elders are in a facility help the facility find programs featuring children.
  • Decorate their home or room in stages, presenting cherished ornaments.
  • Spend time with them. This is the most important thing you can do.

Posted in : Senior Living

Chef Jack’s Holiday Social

Posted by Cedars on December 3, 2014

CHEF JACKS HOLIDAY SOCIAL

Please join us for Chef Jack’s Holiday Social.

Date: December 19th

Time: 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

Location: Mower County Senior Center

Chef Jack’s Holiday appetizers (including his famous Wild Rice Soup) and Beverages

Enjoy some Holiday Cheer

Posted in : Senior Activities Leave a comment / No Comments »

Senior Safety Tips for the Holidays

Posted by Cedars on December 1, 2014

Enjoying a safe holiday with Seniors in their home or yours means considering certain safety issues.

DECORATING

  • Use simple, non-cluttered decorations. Make certain there is plenty of room to walk
  • Do not spread extension cords across the floor
  • Use colorful paper garlands strung high instead of breakable
  • Remove anything a frail elderly person may stumble over
  • Replace candles with bright centerpieces of fruit or flowers

LIGHTING

  • Make sure all locations are properly lit, including doorways inside and out. Dim Holiday lighting can cause a trip hazard
  • Add a night light between the guest bedroom and the bathroom

BE AWARE OF WHATS ON THE FLOOR

  • Keep floors clutter free
  • Keep electrical and telephone cords out of the way
  • Keep outdoor walk areas clear of rocks and tools

FOODS

  • Keep candy and sweets to a minimum to prevent sugar highs and lows
  • Keep alcohol to a minimum or avoid it altogether. Medications that a senior may be taking could create unwanted side effects with alcohol

Sometimes spending time with frail seniors over the holidays uncovers a need for extra care at home, whether the need is for a few hours a week or several hours a day.

Posted in : Senior Living