Willow River Senior Living Blog
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At Willow River Senior Living, we promote the highest quality of care for people with Alzheimer's and dementia by providing every incentive to celebrate life and find purpose in each day. Willow River Senior Living helps people living with Alzheimer's and dementia thrive, through small, close-knit communities where every team member is a caregiver.
Willow River Senior Living Blog
1y ago
Daylight savings time can affect even the healthiest of individuals, but those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia have a particularly hard time adjusting to disruptions in their routines. Less daylight and even the slightest changes in one’s daily schedule can bring on sudden emotional and behavioral challenges, often referred to as sundowning.
What is Sundowning?
Sundowning is a behavioral and cognitive reaction elderly individuals can experience as the sun goes down at the end of the day. You may also hear it referred to as late-day confusion, sunset dementia, or sundow ..read more
Willow River Senior Living Blog
1y ago
It’s officially the fall season–the leaves are changing, the holidays are approaching, and the weather is cooling down. For many people, the quick switch from comfortable to chilly weather isn’t that big of a deal, but for our elderly loved ones, maintaining a healthy body temperature is paramount to their wellbeing.
As we age, we experience the loss of body heat faster than in our younger years. Elderly people are at risk for hypothermia, heart attack, kidney problems, liver damage, or worse when their body temperature dips below 95°F.
Here are three major tips to share with our elderly ..read more
Willow River Senior Living Blog
1y ago
While our elderly loved ones may spend less time on the internet than the rest of the general public, they are still targets for cybercrimes and other scams. Identity theft, Medicare fraud, or financial scams by strangers or close acquaintances can go unnoticed by seniors with little to no online experience.
According to a report by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Office of Financial Protection for Older Americans found that between 2013 and 2019, “financial institutions have reported to the federal government over 180,000 suspicious activities targeting older adults, involving a ..read more
Willow River Senior Living Blog
2y ago
Part 1: Listening to Your Body’s Needs During the Warmer Seasons Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
With Spring in full swing and Summer right around the corner, the sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and the pollen count is off the charts. If you are allergic to pollen, your immune system may identify it as a foreign substance, causing symptoms such as:
Sneezing
Congestion
Runny nose
Watery eyes
Itching in the nose, eyes, or throat
Seasonal allergies can also cause “brain fog” due to the strain that allergies can place on the brain. For individuals experiencing memory issues such as Alzheimer ..read more
Willow River Senior Living Blog
2y ago
Memory care often involves quite a bit of planning and thinking ahead. It is not uncommon for caretakers and family members to feel overwhelmed by all of the moving parts, but taking the time to appreciate the present can make all of the difference – for you, for your loved one, and for your entire family.
Ground Yourself In the Moment
The uncertainty of the future can feel overwhelming when caring for a family member with memory issues. The reality of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is that time can be limited to ask questions and share stories. Take advantage of the time you have together b ..read more
Willow River Senior Living Blog
2y ago
There are a few risk factors involving family history and lifestyle habits that may make you more predisposed to developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Memory issues are frequently a natural side effect of aging, but severe memory issues and mental decline that disrupt daily life could be signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Take the time to review family medical records and consider your lifestyle habits to prepare for the future.
Family History
Diagnosed Dementia: Family members with confirmed cases of dementia increase your risk of developing memory problems.
Genetics: Scie ..read more