Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Check out Patch’s interactive map to see some senior living options in Sarasota.
Caregivers and seniors can choose from a variety of senior living options around the Sarasota area. Independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing are the main choices outside of home care. Some communities offer a continuum of care with a variety of choices on one campus, said Dee Isguzar, Case Manager at Senior Helpers. Independent living communities provide a place to live, activities and food but no personal care, said Larry Prescott of Grand Villa. Assisted living also offers personal care such as help bathing or reminders to take medicine. The hands-on care is in addition to housing, activities and food, Isguzar said. Memory care communities offer “a secure assisted living or nursing home setting, usually in a …
Monday, February 18, 2013
Sixty percent of Alzheimer's patients will wander, but there are tools that can help to keep them from getting lost.
Alzheimer's can be a stressful disease for everyone involved, including caregivers and their loved ones. One thing that can heighten the stress is the wandering that can occur. Sixty percent of Alzheimer and dementia patients wander, which is the afflicted individual walking off for a reason and getting lost in the confusion. In order to keep Alzheimer's and dementia patients safer, there are services that can be used to help keep track and return wanderers home safely, which Bernadette Homan, Business Development Specialist at Arden Courts shared with Patch. Comfort Zone and Safe Return are offered by the Alzheimer's Association and Project Lifesaver is offered by the City of Sarasota Police Department
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Need a grab bar installed? Want a ramp built? Here are some resources to make a Sarasota home more accessible for yourself or a loved one.
Here is a list of companies that serve people with limitations or disabilities who need help retrofitting or modifying homes. 1. Abilities, Inc. of Florida 2. Dr. Grab Bar 3. Get A Grip Grab Bars 4. Home Safe LLC 5. Lifestyle Remodeling 6. Suncoast Center for Independent Living 7. Wrightway Consulting, Inc. Check the area agency on aging database for more resources in the Sarasota area for seniors and caregivers.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
'We are still very vital. The interest is still there. Instead of vegetating in an old folks home, you are able to fulfill something within yourself.' – 86-year-old Artist Mary Wilder Paul.
Creating studio art, conversing in French, penning memoirs, and trying paddleboarding are among the 70 lifelong learning and enrichment opportunities at The Fountains at Lake Pointe Woods, said Community Life Director Kathy Hallock. No, The Fountains is not community college for seniors. It is just one of the more innovative examples of independent living residences for seniors in southwest Florida. As seniors and caregivers consider selling the family home or pondering next steps, independent living residences often are the answer. 'We are still very vital. The interest is still there. Instead of vegetating in an old folks home, you are able to fulfill something within yourself,' said Artist Mary Wilder Paul, 86, on the art studio and …
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Tigers Way, a local martial arts school, teaches people to use a traditional walking cane for self-defense and self-protection.
Using a cane isn't a disability, according to the Tigers Way Martial Arts School of St. Petersburg. It's an advantage. Tigers Way specializes in teaching self-defense for use in real-world situations, including a cane, if attacked. Locally, Wabujitsu provides cane defense classes in Sarasota. The cane can offer the victim a two-foot extension to his or her reach, said Tony Bilotta, lead instructor at Tigers Way. The cane may be especially handy for a senior. A caregiver may realize a loved one is afraid to go out alone. Grand Master Mark Shuey developed the Cane Master system, after he observed seniors and their use of canes, according to an ABC News report on 20/20. Shuey's dad would not use a cane due to the stigma associated with using…
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Gardening, chair-exercises, and balloon volleyball are a few of the exercise options available for seniors.
The New Year is a time when many people start thinking about getting fit and exercising and it’s no different for seniors. As seniors age, remaining active becomes increasingly important. Senior living communities and caregivers should consider looking beyond traditional physical therapy options to keep seniors engaged and active. Seniors are most receptive to physical therapy when caregivers and their therapists develop individualized plans that fit both their lifestyle and interests. Research shows that it is difficult to motivate seniors to begin to exercise if it hasn’t previously been a priority. Integrating modified, low-impact activities, like yoga, into seniors’ exercise plans increases the likelihood that they will …
Monday, October 22, 2012
An analysis of the latest U.S. Census Data indicates there has been a huge increase in the number of people 50-plus getting a divorce.
On any given day you can walk into the law office of William D. Slicker, P.A., 4554 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg, and see one or more seniors, from young Baby Boomers in their early 50s, to those in their 60s or 70s, waiting for professional law help by this local attorney. Given the fact that Slicker is an elder law attorney this makes a lot of sense. Many come for his legal advice on wills and trusts, estate planning, probate, powers of attorney and other issues commonly facing seniors. But not all of these individuals are there for these services. They are there because they need Slicker’s help in getting a divorce. According to a recent research study done by Bowling Green State University in Ohio, the divorce rate among Baby …
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Here's a list of factors to consider when selecting a senior care community.
Naturally, adult children and caregivers want to find an assisted living facility that is best suited for their parents and their individual needs. Choosing a community can be a difficult and time-consuming process, but there are ways to make an informed choice. I recommend that all caregivers and family members take a proactive approach, visiting out a number of communities and asking important questions of the professionals at each facility. This makes the evaluation process easier and ensures an informed decision that is right for your loved one. Begin your search process by identifying the communities you will be considering and developing your list of questions and then visiting the communities in person. Following is a list of …
Saturday, July 7, 2012
In Florida, there are more than 450,000 people battling some form of dementia and that number is expected to grow by another 140,000 in the next 12 years. It is one of the world’s fastest growing diseases.
First signs One of the first signs of dementia is mental changes. Forgetfulness is the best examples of this. It can start with not being able to remember the right word to describe something or forgetting a name or how to use a household appliance. As it progresses, the person will have increased difficulty making choices or decisions. If a person exhibits personality changes, it may be a sign of dementia. This can include someone who has become overly friendly and flirtatious or can be at the other end of the spectrum and appear apathetic and introverted. Someone with dementia may also have mood swings or anger easily. Behavioral and personality changes tend to go hand-in-hand. A person with dementia may be restless, is easily …
Monday, May 28, 2012
Dogs may be more than just man’s best friend. The animals may also help the sick heal more quickly.
A study of heart failure patients at the University of California Los Angeles showed those who were visited by a therapy dog while in recovery saw their heart pressure drop by 10 percent, epinephrine (a hormone the body makes when under stress) levels drop 17 percent and anxiety levels were lowered by 24 percent. Project PUP, a local therapy dog organization, has been bringing dogs to hospitals, hospice facilities and senior living communities for more than 25 years. The animals provide companionship and perform tricks to lift the spirits of the residents. Pets have long been recognized for their unique ability to offer comfort and companionship in times of stress, but many studies have shown that the benefits of interacting with a loving …
Ward Pallotta
2:05 pm on Wednesday, February 13, 2013
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