Resources for Caretakers
Inside Memory Care at Elder Care Alliance Communities
Memory care – it sounds simple enough, but what exactly is it? Well, it is a senior living community built to care for older adults who have Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. When at-home care is no longer sufficient or potentially un-safe for your loved one a memory care community is an option. Memory…
Read MoreMasking the Problem: A Non-Pharmacological Approach to Senior Care
A baby cries, and we soothe it. But, when our older adult parent suffering from dementia has an outburst, how do we handle that? Sometimes these non-memory-related symptoms such as aggressiveness, agitation, or even delusions, the first treatment plan is to go to antipsychotic medications. But, more often than not, these drugs mask real issues…
Read MoreHow to Find Purpose in Your Later Years
It may seem strange to talk about ways in which to find purpose in your later years. After all, you’ve undoubtedly always lived a purposeful life, at least throughout your adult life. Whether that purpose was growing your business, “growing” your children, contributing to society, your life was a busy and purposeful one. But what…
Read MoreWhy Nonpharmacologic Approaches to Alzheimer’s Are Successful
The words “dementia” or “Alzheimer’s” can often elicit fear for us. We instantly think about what a loved one will lose if we hear that diagnosis. Dementia doesn’t have to mean you are losing out on your life. Cognitive skills may diminish, but every person can grow. That is the fundamental philosophy behind I’m Still…
Read MoreTips for Enjoying the Holidays This Year
There’s no question that the past two years have, at best, been highly stressful. For most of us, masks and social distancing have become necessary ways of life. Nevertheless, although the pandemic may change how you celebrate the upcoming holidays, it need not ruin them. Some advance planning and creativity can still result in you,…
Read MoreTips for Caring for Yourself as a Caregiver
When you assume the role of primary caregiver for a disabled, terminally ill, or elderly loved one, you enter into a new phase of your life. It can be pretty rewarding but also quite challenging. Perhaps the biggest challenge you face is not forgetting about yourself in your zeal to provide the best possible care…
Read MoreFun Holiday Activities That People of All Ages Will Enjoy
As crooner Andy Williams sang, the holiday season is “the most wonderful time of the year.” This year’s holiday season is fast approaching. Time to dust off ye olde thinking cap – not to mention all those holiday decorations – and set about making this season the best ever for yourself and your family and…
Read MoreIndoor Activities to Enjoy This Winter
As the days get shorter and the weather turns colder, don’t let the changing season get you down. There’s no need to hibernate and close yourself off from fun activities. Since you live in one of our California communities, there are many indoor activities and San Francisco attractions you can enjoy year-round. Here are just…
Read MoreFive Activities for Brain Health
We all want a healthy and active brain. After all, that’s what keeps our cognitive functions, such as the following, sharp: Thinking Speaking Learning Remembering So how do you go about stimulating your brain? If you’ve never thought about it before, here are five excellent ways to stimulate your brain and keep it active and…
Read MoreTips for Holiday Gatherings with Your Older Adult Loved Ones
With the holidays quickly approaching, it’s time to begin thinking about how you want to celebrate them this year and how you want to include your aging loved ones in your celebrations. Since the holidays can be stressful for people of any age, the idea is to make your celebrations as stress-free as possible for…
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