Spring Arbor Living Blog

In the field of elder care, music has been explored as a way to encourage social interaction, encourage self-expression, and enhance the overall well-being of assisted living residents who fight illnesses such as Alzheimer's, dementia, memory loss, and other cognitive impairments. So through music, Spring Arbor has found that residents with these health conditions are able to live more fully. They are not defined by their conditions or their need for medicines and skilled medical care. They become engaged members of a supportive community that encourages emotional growth, sharing, and self-worth. This can be vitally important to seniors who experience a number of difficult life events such as retirement, the death of a loved one or spouse, and the need for help with common tasks.

So far, experts know of no other single activity that stimulates the entire brain. In addition to this, music increases dopamine levels, and dopamine can cause a corresponding positive sense of well-being. So what does it mean to say that music promotes well-being? Well-being is characterized by a sense of affiliation. Seniors feel connected and have an increased sense of belonging. Music also brings about a feeling of self-competence and independence in seniors. They enjoy life day-to-day and gain a greater sense of fulfillment.

Many research studies indicate that musical activities have several positive benefits. Patients are reported to have better moods, be more sociable, eat better, and react more calmly to stress. Experts say it’s the “cognitive workout” for the brain that brings on these positive traits. Feel free to contact us to learn more about assisted living and how life at Spring Arbor can be relaxing fulfillment.

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Spring Arbor has some exciting new locations opening up in the Virginia and North Carolina area. Be sure to contact us for more information regarding our new facilities. Below we will share which places are opening up and when they will be available!

Spring Arbor in Leesburg,VA will offer "Special Care Cottages," programs that are custom designed for residents with the unique challenges of Alzheimer's related disabilities. Our future facility opens the next chapter of Spring Arbor Living in February 2011! The location for this facility is 237 Fairview St., NW,
Leesburg, VA 20176

Spring Arbor of Hendersonville, NC independent and assisted living facility is located at the southern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains and was incorporated on January 7, 1847. Spring Arbor of Hendersonville has the ideal front porch for enjoying the spring and fall weather. Sit in our comfortable rocking chairs and visit with family and friends or just watch the view. OPENING SOON: The Cottage of Spring Arbor of Hendersonville Alzheimer's and dementia care center. Call now for the latest update! We are located on 1820 Pisgah Drive Hendersonville, NC 28791

Spring Arbor of Kinston is located in a city rich in history and in the geographic center of eastern North Carolina that makes it an ideal business, industry, and agriculture. This facility has the ideal front porch for enjoying the spring and fall weather. Sit in our comfortable rocking chairs and visit with family and friends or just watch the view. OPENING IN FEBRUARY 2011! The Cottage of Spring Arbor of Kinston Alzheimer's and dementia care center. You can find us at3207 Carey Road Kinston, NC 28504

Coming Soon--The Oaks of Thomasville Alzheimer's and Dementia Care "Cottage"! Call for the latest update. 915 West Cooksey Drive Thomasville, NC 27360

Finally we have our future Spring Arbor Facility Scheduled To Open in September 2011 in Greensboro, NC. We do not have a set location just yet, but please contact us for more information and we'll be glad to help.

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We all know that there are a couple different foods that affect our brain health as well as certain vitamins and activities. And being an assisted living facility we like to stay on top of what affects the brain and the health of our patients. But there are two food items that we recently found out were excellent for brain health and we thought we'd share them with you all.

First blueberries. Blueberries contain powerful anti-oxidants to help fuel the brain, remove toxins, and reduce inflammation. Chemical compounds in blueberries can also boost neuronal signals and facilitate greater communication within the various regions of the brain. Blueberries have been found to increase memory in aging adults and may help counter symptoms associated with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease.

Secondly are Brussels sprouts. Brussels sprouts are an excellent source of vitamin K and vitamin C.  Brussels sprouts are also a good source for tryptophan and essential omega fatty acids critical to healthy brain functioning. Brussels sprouts may boost DNA repair in cells and block the growth of cancer cells.

While researchers are constantly working on cures for Alzheimer's its good to know that even natural foods and vitamins in the world can help as well. It gives hope that even know this is a terrible affliction that is incurable at the present time, with so many things that help our body there has to be a way to prevent it. Keep hope alive and contact us today should you have any questions regarding Alzheimer's or know someone who is affected and needs help.

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The brain is composed of nearly 60% fat and it is thought that the lipid in the brain helps to insulate neural tracts and to propel information electrically in an efficient manner. The brain can slow down and function less optimally if the lipid is reduced or damaged. To this end, the study of omega 3 fatty acids, an essential fatty acid in the body, has been studied for Alzheimer's patients and continues to be a major area of interest in relationship to the brain.

Omega 3s including DHA and EPA are critical to optimal brain function. They can be found in fish such as salmon, herring, tuna, mackerel, and sardines. They are also found in unsalted nuts. Fish are good sources of DHA because they consume algae in their own diet. Smaller fish that do not swim at deeper levels of the ocean also reduce the risk of mercury levels that might be a risk for humans.

A recent study published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia revealed algal DHA (algal-900) improved memory in healthy older adults. The memory benefit was nearly equal to skills of those one three years younger. Similar cognitive benefits of DHA have been published elsewhere in healthy populations, but some question remains regarding the benefit of such nutrition in those already diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. DHA may have a preventative effect more than a treatment effect.

While most research being done is only preventive for Alzheimer's we at Spring Arbor are glad that something is being done for Alzheimer's patients. We know that it is a terrible disease and hopefully a cure or more preventive medicine can be formed. So if you know a loved one who is suffered contact us today and we'll be happy to help you through the process and do what we can to help.

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A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition looked at the effects of drinking green tea on 1,058 elderly people with depression symptoms. To their surprise they found a forty-four percent reduction in major depressive symptoms in older people who drank more than four cups of green tea each day compared to those who drank less than one. They saw this effect even after adjusting for variables that could alter the results such as lifestyle and diet.

So why would drinking green tea reduce symptoms of depression? It's tempting to think that the caffeine in green tea could be the reason elderly people feel better after drinking green tea. Caffeine is a stimulant that can temporarily elevate mood. Researchers have another theory. They believe another component in green tea - L-theanine - helps to combat symptoms of depression. One of our amenities include a relaxed environment and we offer tea and relaxation methods to help reduce stress and pick up the moods of our individuals.

What exactly is L-theanine? Well L-Theanine is an amino acid found in green tea that has a soothing, calming effect on people who drink it. Drinking green tea containing theanine has been shown to stimulate production of brain waves known as alpha waves, these are seen when a person is in a relaxed state. It also alters levels of neurotransmitters in the brain such as serotonin and dopamine that can affect moods.

Unfortunately, theanine isn't found in large quantities in most American green teas - only in higher quality Japanese green teas. It's also believed that the theanines in green tea may help to reduce symptoms of anxiety. Despite the caffeine content, many people feel mellow after drinking a cup of green tea. This may be due to the theanine counteracting the effects of the caffeine. While theanine isn’t in high doses in American green teas there are still smaller traces of it, so drinking the tea will still alleviate your mood and make you feel better. Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions about assisted living or amenities that we offer at our facilities.

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Many of life's most treasured moments come from sitting down with a good friend and sharing a hobby. The memories that blossom from there are peaceful, always welcomed, and will never fade. You can nurture these connections with others through the many events, activities, and opportunities available in our senior living communities.

Passions like knitting, playing cards, or scrap-booking can be the common thread that holds a friendship together. You can knit and purl yourself into the kind of relationships that can never be unraveled. Search our senior housing communities and find the one that best suits your needs, including independent living, assisted living, retirement living, continuing care, Alzheimer's care, and home health care.

Weave a lifestyle for yourself that allows you to maintain the friendships you have always had and create new relationships with others.

Begin your search now - and get ready to rest and relax with some of your favorite people.

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This Spring Arbor Living blog offers new tips on battling forgetfulness.  We'd like to introduce to you another another great book we've discovered, Harry Lorayne's "Ageless Memory: Simple Secrets for Keeping Your Brain Young".  This book is yet more validation that we need to exercise our minds like we do our bodies.  This work is very insightful and offers new tricks to train your brain to focus. Here are some things from his list of ideas for helping to strengthen your mind.

- Pay attention: Create links to something else when you’re trying to remember something.

- Visualize the name: Link an image to a name with similar characteristics based on sound.

- Create memorable associations: Even if the association is out of character of the object or person you are trying to remember, the image will stay in your mind.

- Give a play-by-play: Living in the moment and being conscious of what you’re doing helps to remember what you’ve done.

- Make it a habit: For things that are done on a regular basis, be sure to do them in the same way every time.

- Sing it: Putting lists or things to remember to a tune helps it stick in your memory.

- Try mnemonic devices: Using the first word of each item in a list can help.

- Use your body: Create connections to what you’re trying to remember with body parts to create a stronger, closer connection.

- Go Roman: Use well-known areas as a map, where you can place items to remember along the map.

- Use color: Adding color to notes helps create a stronger linkage.

As you can see, most of these ideas are very visually and linkage-related. We feel it is a service responsibility to share our educational findings with you as often as we can.  Our minds like organization and by giving these things that we need to remember a place to be in our minds, even if it’s a weird place, it sticks with us better.

So don't forget to exercise today.....mind, body, and soul. Picking up Lorayne's book might just be great exercise.

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Do you know that there are wide ranging personal finance and tax saving opportunities that only a professional adviser is likely to be aware of. The staff at Spring Arbor Living would like to point out a few of the not so commonly known proactive measures that you can  take to ease the cost burden of assisted living serves.  If you are either the benefactor of assisted living services OR financially contributing to the same, you owe it to yourself to speak with a professional tax attorney about the implications on your Federal and State tax burden.   Under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (the "HIPAA"), seniors may be eligible to deduct portions or all of assisted living costs as a medical expense on their Federal tax returns.   ALL costs related to senior care may be deductible if the resident is unable to perform (without substantial assistance) at least two activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing, dressing, etc. It can also apply to seniors who require substantial supervision to protect the individual from himself or herself because of severe cognitive impairment. Again, we encourage you to discuss the subject of assisted  living expense with an certified tax law professional.

For those of you financing a loved one’s assisted living, that is not reimbursed please realize that elder care medical expenses above 7.5 percent of adult children's adjusted gross income may be tax-deductible. You can and should contact your tax attorney or directly contact the e Internal Revenue Service.

For those who have or are about to enter resident assisted living, very often there is an emotional attachment to the family home that they are vacating.  Children can consider buying it from their senior parents and even  carry back the mortgage of the parent to increase the parents fixed income. If the family wants a formal loan structure, consider looking online or if you have a family financial adviser they can handle the paperwork and collection of payments, etc.

Of course financial matters are very private in most families. Don't be insulted if your parents refuse to share the details of their money while they retain full control. Do guide them to seek reputable guidance. If there is no family financial adviser you can find a very skilled and reputable financial planner through the National Association of Personal Financial Advisers (www.napfa.org) who can provide a second opinion and peace of mind for lifelong do-it yourself investors.

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Location - Williamsburg, VA: One of the Veterans Administration's best kept secrets is a non service connected pension to help pay for assisted living, home health care and even nursing home care. Most Veterans think VA pensions are only for service-connected disabilities. However, there is a service connected pension available to pay for disabling conditions such as Alzheimer's, Dementia, MS, Parkinson's and blindness. This can be a great benefit for Veterans, their spouses, widows, and widowers.

For Veterans 65 years of age or older: If you are housebound or in assisted living and over age 65, the VA presumes you to be in need of "Aid & Attendance". NOTE: you do not need to be helpless, only in need of the help of others.

For Veterans under the age of 65: You must be totally and permanently disabled if you are under age 65 to receive this pension. "Aid & Attendance" is a part of this pension that is very important. Simply put, if you need the aid & attendance of another person in order to live in a safe and healthy environment (for example you need someone else to help you bathe, dress, ambulate or prepare meals you could be entitled to this benefit.

The maximum benefit amounts for 2010 are: Veteran with spouse $2,047.00 per month, Veteran only $1,794.00 per month and a surviving spouse $1,100.00 per month TAX FREE. This is not a Medicaid program. Medicaid benefits are part of the welfare system with strict income and asset limits. VA non-service connected pensions are an entitlement because you served your country. They have been around since 1951. You do not have to be broke to qualify for this pension. There are limitations that can be very confusing. Your income must be less than the maximum allowable pension. Income can be reduced by recurring, non-reimbursable monthly medical expenses. This includes the cost of assisted living or home health care. Therefore income is not typically a problem for qualification.

A Veteran over age 65 with $1,500.00 per month of income and $2,500.00 per month cost of care would be entitled to a pension of $1,646.00 per month due to income being reduced to zero. This is only one example. Each client has a different set of circumstances requiring a different approach to qualification and the calculation of benefit amount. There is no established asset limit for benefit entitlement. Again the VA has various calculations that apply depending on individual circumstances. Note: the value of your home is not included as an asset.

To apply for this pension, it is advisable to seek the help of an experienced VA advisor. A VA advisor can provide pre-application consultations to determine the steps that must be taken in order to determine if you should apply for this benefit.

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Location - TN: Keeping a family member with dementia focused and engaged in activities can be a challenge, but he or she may light up if offered the opportunity to give advice or teach, according to a pair of studies reported in The Gerontologist.

In one study, researchers tried to engage individuals with early to advanced dementia at an adult day care center in a purely social way, asking them to talk about their marriage, children, and church activity. Later, the investigators approached them for guidance: "I'm thinking about having children. What kind of advice can you give me on that?" The researchers reported that the participants took their advice-giving role seriously and were more coherent, informative, and focused than when asked strictly for information about their personal life.

A second study examined the effects of offering people with dementia the opportunity to instruct. The elderly participants -- some with dementia and others who were cognitively intact -- received a booklet of pictures to help them teach someone how to prepare food from a recipe. Participants in both groups successfully taught their "students" how to prepare the food. The individuals with dementia needed some prompting to keep the process going, but they still accomplished the teaching task.

The researchers speculated that the advice-giving and teaching roles enabled the people with dementia to access knowledge gained when they were younger that was essential in their parenting or mentoring. The fact that other people needed the information empowered them to assume an established social role and probably motivated them to complete the tasks.

Finding ways to include a family member with dementia helps relatives remember the person who has difficulty participating but is still there. Plus it imparts a sense of belonging and competence that may improve his or her mood. People with dementia are often able to take part in various family-oriented pastimes. Reading aloud, for example, is a skill that can persist even in later stages of cognitive decline. With simple, large-print books, individuals may be able to read to grandchildren or other family members. As with leading or mentoring, reading to others gives the person a social role in the family.

These and similar activities help family members connect. They encourage communication and may help take the edge off what can be an exhausting and frustrating care giving situation.

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