health

Keeping Our Seniors Engaged

New Haven understands how important it is to not only keep our residents safe during this time of uncertainty, but as well as keeping our seniors engaged. We are staying socially engaged with each of our residents daily. Our Life Enrichment teams are working around the clock to ensure our residents do not feel socially isolated and have implemented one on one activity sessions with the residents in order to prevent loneliness and boredom. The lack of visitors and the need for social distancing has changed, but New Haven continues to keep our residents engaged daily. Here are some ways we are keeping our seniors engaged and staying connected and active throughout this time.

Staying Virtually Connected

Each of our New Haven communities have received new iPads to help our residents to continually stay connected with their families and friends. Our Life Enrichment Coordinator goes around individually and spends time with each resident to assist them in connecting with their family and friends.

Staying Distantly Social

New Haven has started a new program to be able to connect with other communities and younger generations in the surrounding

areas by creating a Pen Pal Program. Seniors can often experience a new enthusiasm by living through a younger generation’s perspective. In addition, the children and seniors can both continue to develop their writing and communication skills sharpened. In these letters, everyone is able to share old memories and create new friendships!

We are also offering many social activities within the community that allows our residents connect but continue to keep their safe distance:

Ice Cream Socials
Hallway Bowling
Coffee and Conversations
Walking Club
Rhythm Circle
Spiritual Reading

Hot Towel Service

In addition to washing hands in the sink, we provide hand massages with a hot towel with essential oils before each meal. Not only does this help with calming but it also helps with an additional precaution. Aromatherapy has been known as a complimentary therapy that uses essential oils to improve a person’s well-being. The aromas help the residents to feel rejuvenated and energized.

Helping Hands

Our residents love getting to help out and staying busy throughout the day, and New Haven’s goal is to continually keep our residents as independent as possible. With Spring right around the corner, we have our gardening club going and are actively planting fresh flowers. There are many positive aspects of gardening for our seniors:

Physical Engagement
Mental Engagement
Sense of Accomplishment

Although the COVID-19 might have slowed many people down socially and actively, New Haven committed to keeping our residents active and their health and well-being a priority. We will continue to go out of our way to ensure our residents are experiencing a normal day to day activities and as safe as possible.

Visit our Facebook to see more fun or schedule a tour to see how you can join the fun! Please let us know if you have any questions by emailing us at hello@newhaventexas.com.

How Eating Healthy Can Help You Live Your Best Life in Your Golden Years

As you get older, you may become less concerned with having six-pack abs or toned legs. But eating healthy is still important nonetheless in this phase of life. This is because what you eat can impact the health of your body from the inside out. Not to mention, managing your weight and consuming enough nutrients like calcium can impact mobility.

If your bones or muscles are weak, then it may be harder for you to complete daily tasks. You may then have to depend on others for help and not be able to enjoy life as much as you would like. Therefore, read below for tips on how to improve the health of your diet so you can enjoy your best life during your golden years.

What is eating healthy?

Depending on who you talk to, eating healthy can mean something a bit different for everyone. In general, though, eating healthy is when you consume enough nutrients daily for your body to function at its best. This type of diet would be balanced with the three macronutrients: fat, carbohydrate, and protein. It would also include plenty of gut-healthy fiber and antioxidants from fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods.

What does a balanced diet look like?

A balanced diet contains plenty of fruits and vegetables as well as protein-rich foods like beef, chicken, seafood, or beans. It also has some healthy fats like avocado, nuts, seeds, fatty fish like salmon, or plant-based oils. Depending on your health status, you may need different amounts of each nutrient than your neighbor.

What nutrients are most important for seniors?

Seniors require special nutrient needs than other adults. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, such vital nutrients for seniors include (1,2,3,4):

Calcium: Older adults need more calcium to maintain healthy bones. Calcium is found in milk and milk products, fortified plant-based milks and cereals, as well as dark, green leafy vegetables. Such leafy greens include spinach, kale, and broccoli.
Vitamin D: Calcium needs vitamin D to fully aid bone health. This is because vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. You can get vitamin D from exposing your skin to the sunlight each day, taking a supplement of about 600 IU daily, or eating vitamin D rich foods. Such foods include egg yolks, saltwater fish like tuna, liver, and fortified milk. You may need to take more vitamin D if you have low levels in your blood. Be sure to have your doctor check your vitamin D levels each year.
Vitamin B12: Older adults are at higher risk than other adults of being low in vitamin B12 since their body has more trouble absorbing it. Low levels of vitamin B12 can lead to red blood cell health, which can lead to a condition known as megaloblastic anemia. This condition can make a person very tired and can also cause shortness of breath, muscle weakness, nausea, and loss of appetite. You can consume B12 in animal products like beef, poultry, seafood, pork, eggs, and dairy products as well as fortified cereals.
Fiber: Older adults need fiber, just like all adults do, to maintain gut health and heart health. You can find fiber in fruits, vegetables, whole grains like rice, breads, and pasta, as well as beans and lentils. Most adults need about 25 to 30 grams of fiber each day for their best health.
Potassium: Eating plenty of potassium in the diet, about 3500 milligrams daily, can help lower one’s risk of high blood pressure. You can find potassium in foods like fruits, vegetables, and beans.

Can I take a dietary supplement instead of eating food with these nutrients?

You can certainly take a dietary supplement instead of eating nutrient-rich foods. However, you would miss out on the diverse array of health benefits in whole foods. Therefore, it’s important to just take those nutrients in supplement form that you feel you cannot eat enough of in your daily diet. A multivitamin made just for seniors could be the right fit for you.

But make sure to eat plenty of the foods listed above to reap the benefits of whole food intake. Rich protein sources like milk, yogurt, and plant-based milks can provide not only calcium, but also protein. And eating a rainbow of brightly colored vegetables and fruits each day

How do I start eating healthier today?

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to eating healthier, meeting with a registered dietitian can help. This type of healthcare professional is trained to help you look at your current eating plan and health needs and figure out where you can improve.

They can help you plan easy to prepare meals that contain all the nutrients you need to be your healthiest. You can call your insurance provider to see if dietitian services are covered under your medical plan.

References:

Wolfram, MS, RDN, LDN (May 23, 2018) “Special Nutrient Needs of Older Adults.” Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, https://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/healthy-aging/special-nutrient-needs-of-older-adults
NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center (last reviewed October 2018) “Calcium and Vitamin D: Important at Every Age.” https://www.bones.nih.gov/health-info/bone/bone-health/nutrition/calcium-and-vitamin-d-important-every-age
Stover, P.J. (January, 2010) “Vitamin B12 and older adults.” Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care, 13(1):24-7.
Diane Fager, RD (October, 2018) “Menus for Assisted Living Facilities”
https://www.grovemenus.com/menus-for-assisted-living-facilities
UCSF Health (accessed March 9, 2020) “Increasing Fiber Intake.” https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/increasing-fiber-intake

6 Facts About Senior Living That May Surprise You

Senior Living Means Not Having to Compromise Fun for Freedom

New Haven Assisted Living and Memory Care is all about personalizing your families stay as much as possible. Our caring staff wants you and your loved one to feel all the comforts of home during their stay. Each community offers a robust Life Enrichment program providing an active environment each day. Residents have the luxury of planning their own day. They can be as active as they want or as private as they choose. For some, moving into a senior living community can be very intimidating. New Haven wants your loved ones move to be as easy and comforting as possible.

Here are 6 facts about Senior Living that may surprise you.

Misconception: Senior living is arranged for a one-size-fits-all.

Fact 1: New Haven offers tailored personalized care and services to fit each resident’s unique needs. Due to our size, we are flexible to meet your loved ones needs.

Misconception: Once you move into a community you cannot leave with family or friends.

Fact 2: New Haven encourages residents to enjoy time with family and friends, whether it be within our community or outside of our community.

We encourage family and friends to visit at any time. Your family is our family.

We even allow our residents to go on vacations with families, everyone needs a vacation!

Misconception: You won’t be able to make friends.

Fact 3: Transitioning into senior living can be difficult. The team at New Haven makes every effort to ensure your loved one is engaged and part of our daily social and recreational activities.

Our residents enjoy companionship over delicious meals, friendship and caring are optimized. Limiting the number of units keeps our group small. This allows our residents to connect with others quickly and the feeling of insecurity or depression is minimized.

Misconception: There is no reason to move while you are still healthy.

Fact 4: Seniors who transition early into assisted living have a better life. They stay more physically, emotionally and mentally connected as they age, compared to those Seniors who choose to stay at home.

Staying active, eating healthy, sleeping well and taking care of oneself can slow the risk of mortality for seniors as they age. Seniors that live on their own succumb to bad habits when no one is around to encourage an active lifestyle.

Misconception: It won’t feel like home.

Fact 5: New Haven designed each of our residences to feel like a single-family home. Our small cozy size helps each new resident transition comfortably from their previous home.

New Haven provides very individualized care, robust activity programs and specially designed communities that help seniors continue to thrive with all the comforts of home.

We offer all private bedrooms and private bathrooms, residents can personalize their private apartment space to their liking. Our goal is for our residents to feel at home the moment they step in the door.

Misconception: It is far too expensive.

Fact 6: Many seniors first concern when looking for a senior living community is cost. However, it is important to examine overall cost of daily living for our seniors.

Consider your budget. Determine what sort of monthly budget you are able to afford. Consider financial resources such as VA Aid & Attendance for Veterans, Long Term Care insurance, home equity, personal income and savings or financial support from family.

Heart Health Month at New Haven

5 Heart Healthy Habits For Seniors

No matter what age you are, you can keep your heart healthy. It does take some effort and possibly some changes in your every day routine. For example: eating a heart healthy diet and increasing your activity level. Here are some suggestions to keep your, your parent’s or Senior loved one’s heart in great shape!

Eat Healthy

As we age our bodies change, less muscle mass, our bodies burn fewer calories so it is important to maintain a healthy weight.

Eating a heart healthy diet is essential in ones overall health and well-being. You can start eating healthier that by eating less red meat and incorporating more foods rich in Omega-3 acids such as salmon or trout. Eggs are also a delicious food that offers high protein along with vitamins and minerals. Try to get at least five servings of vegetables and fruits per day. Fruit and vegetables are low in calories and high in vitamins, minerals and fiber. Dairy or milk products provide Vitamin D and calcium, so do soy, rice, and almonds. Fiber rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, whole-grains and nuts will also help lower blood cholesterol.

Get Updated Information on Medication Management

In order to avoid possible complications with medications, schedule frequent Physician visits to review your regimen. Make sure you’re taking your medications as prescribed by your Physician. Pre-sort pills in daily reminder boxes if you take multiple medications. Know which medications you can take together, and which medications you can’t. Also pay attention to which medications need to be taken with foods or liquids. Watch for side effects and make sure to talk about them. Dispose of old drugs that are expired or medications that are discontinued by your Physician.

Get Plenty of Sleep

Sleep can have many effects on seniors that most might ignore. Poor quality sleep may cause memory loss or forgetfulness. Feeling groggy or less alert might lead to increased falls. Consuming too much caffeine throughout the day can affect sleep quality. Maintaining a regular bed and wake time schedule will help your body get used to a pattern. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Proper sleep helps keep your mind alert, preserves energy levels, and helps you live life to the fullest.

Stay Mentally Healthy

Many Seniors deal with mental stress, depression and anxiety. These can worsen their overall quality of life. Connecting with others as often as possible helps with isolation and loneliness. Staying in touch with family and friends which can also help create opportunities for Seniors to interact with others in their neighborhood or Assisted Living communities. Exercise can also improve mental health and might be just as affective as medications. Relieving stress, can also benefit psychological health. Getting fresh air, and a change of scenery can help boost ones mood and can be as simple as taking a walk outside. Mental exercises such as puzzles, reading and brain exercises are also important to stay mentally healthy.

Watch for Vision Changes

An annual eye checkup is a simple, low-stress way to keep tabs on your eyes and overall health. What many folks do not realize is that an eye exam can also uncover symptoms of significant health problems.