Author: Westminster

Seniors are at a greater risk of developing the symptoms associated with the common cold and the flu. Their weaker immune systems make them more likely to fall ill at some point during cold and flu season. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help prevent illness during this time of year. 

Independent Living in Sarasota and Staying Healthy

If you’re a senior who is maintaining independent living in Sarasota, you will want to take charge of your health to prevent the development of colds and cases of the flu. 

Consider how you can be more cautious this season to prevent illness in yourself and those around you. By following some of these important tips, you can minimize the risk of spreading bacteria and germs through your community and home. 

1. Wash Your Hands Often

In light of the recent coronavirus outbreaks, most people have become more conscious of how often they wash their hands. 

Seniors and their caregivers should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water to rid their skin of the germs and bacteria known to cause illness. When full access to a handwashing facility isn’t readily available, use a generous helping of hand sanitizer. 

2. Keep Your Hands Away from Your Face

Even if you are washing your hands often, you should refrain from putting your hands too close to your face. 

If you reside in independent living in Sarasota, you should keep even the cleanest hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. These areas are highly susceptible to allowing the bacteria to enter the body, which can ultimately cause illness.

3. Sanitize Hot Spots

Think about the items that are touched most frequently in Sarasota assisted living facilities. For many seniors, this means smartphones and other technology devices. 

Make sure to wipe devices down with disinfectant regularly to prevent bacteria from breeding on their surfaces. You can choose to use sanitizing wipes specifically designed for this purpose, but a towel damp with rubbing alcohol is equally effective. 

4. Eat a Balanced Diet

You are what you eat – or so the saying goes. During the cold and flu season, it is more important than ever to watch what you consume. 

Whether you are on a dining plan or are preparing your meals, try to eat more foods with a healthy dose of protein and vitamin C, such as the following: 

• Citrus fruits
• Kiwi
• Broccoli
• Bell peppers
• Lean meats or poultry
• Eggs

If you are unable to augment your diet with some of these key foods, consider taking a vitamin C supplement or drinking a protein shake to balance out your meals. 

5. Drink More Fluids

Drinking plenty of water and other healthy fluids can boost your immune system. Good hydration is also a key part of restoring balance to your body. 

Water is responsible for regulating your body temperature and eliminating toxins from your body. Make sure to drink up during the cold and flu season! 

Moving to a Bradenton assisted living facility doesn’t have to mean giving up the family traditions that are important to you, especially holiday traditions.

Even though many things are changing in the world today and giving up a home that you lived in for many years is difficult, the holidays can still be a time filled with love, laughter, and new memories.

1. Send Holiday Cards

Everyone loves getting mail, and holiday cards and letters are a special seasonal highlight. Sending cards to friends and family is a meaningful gesture that will help break the ice and open conversations.

For some people in assisted living facilities in Bradenton, the holidays are a lonely time. Their family members and closest friends may live miles away. Receiving a holiday card from a “neighbor” can mean so much at this time of year.

When you’re planning your card list, don’t forget the staff, especially the individuals who have been extra helpful during your transition to a new home.

2. Maintain Spiritual Observances

Most assisted living facilities in Bradenton to make it easy for residents to attend religious services throughout the year, as holiday observances are considered especially important for many people. 

Ask your staff about transportation services to your place of worship for holiday services. Your assisted living facility may also arrange non-denominational services on-site to accommodate those with mobility issues.

Participating in the religious traditions that have sustained you year after year will help you adjust to your new surroundings during the holiday season.

3. Help Deck the Halls

Busy staff can always use some extra hands to help decorate and prepare for special holiday events. If you can, help decorate a tree or take charge of lighting the menorah at your assisted living in Bradenton, Florida.

4. Participate in Holiday Events

No doubt your new assisted living facility will host various holiday events, from craft-making and caroling to gift exchange and more. 

Take part in these events as much as possible — even those based on traditions that are different from yours. If you play the piano, volunteer to play at the holiday sing-along. If you are a talented crafter, help organize a holiday-themed project for everyone to participate in.

5. Make a Request

If there is a unique tradition you would like to carry on while in assisted living, talk to the activity’s director or other staff members about it. Staff members are always looking for fun new ideas to enhance the services and amenities at their facility. You may help start a new tradition that brings smiles for years.

Enjoy the Holidays in Bradenton Assisted Living

Adjusting to a new living situation is difficult at any time and even more challenging during the holidays. If you’re planning a move to one of the assisted living facilities in Bradenton, your holiday can still be filled with the traditions that make this time of year special. 

Don’t hesitate to jump in and take part in the fun your facility is already planning. Adding one or two of your own traditions into the mix will enhance the season for everyone, including yourself.

While at home for the holiday season, are you facing concerns that your parent or loved one may be struggling with memory loss? Getting general memory care Bradenton can trust or work with assisted living facilities in Bradenton, Florida, can help you understand this situation and become familiar with the signs and symptoms of the early stages of dementia. Let’s take a deep dive into some of the most common symptoms and concerns associated with memory loss to make them easier to understand.

Ways Memory Care Bradenton Centers Diagnose Dementia 

Whether at home or living in assisted living facilities in Bradenton, Florida, your parent or loved one may begin to show signs and symptoms of dementia. How do you know for sure if your loved one is experiencing these struggles? Go through this checklist to learn more about what to expect in this situation with your parents or other loved ones:

Daily Struggles – Is your loved one struggling to handle daily tasks? Do they keep forgetting to pay bills or even wear the same clothes every day?

Repeating Actions – When your loved one repeatedly asks the same questions or does the same action over and over again, they may be experiencing early symptoms of dementia.

Struggles With Emotions – Do your parents suddenly seem to have a hard time controlling their emotions? Do they struggle to communicate?

Repeated Struggles with Getting Home – Do your parents find it hard to get home when they travel or get lost going to the store? They may be experiencing some dementia symptoms. 

Changes in Behavior – Sudden changes in behavior (such as increased quietness, paranoia, or anger) could all indicate a potential risk for dementia, particularly when combined with other symptoms.

If you find your loved one experiences one or more of these symptoms, you may need memory care Bradenton can trust to help them. Often, at-home care is available for many, though there can come a time when memory care services from assisted living facilities in Bradenton, Florida, may be necessary for your loved one’s health.

Get Help from Memory Care Bradenton Can Trust 

Do you fear that your loved one is showing signs of memory loss – and may be able to benefit from high-quality memory care services? You may need to reach out to assisted living facilities in Bradenton, Florida, that can help. These professionals will take the time to understand your unique situation and provide the long-term care necessary to assist the lifestyle needs of your loved one.

Talking to your parents about senior living options is something that perhaps has been frequently crossing your mind lately – but you are hesitant to bring it up. It’s not too hard to understand why. A topic such as this could trigger various emotions, such as fears of mortality and loss of independence. However, your parents’ current health situation or lack of family and support around might be pushing you more and more towards wanting to talk about this.

Here are three ways that can help you talk about senior living options with parents:

Start the conversation early and keep it light

Talking to your parents while they are physically healthy and financially stable is the best thing you can do for yourself, and for them too. Since this is a topic that can get a bit overwhelming, you want to tread lightly and make your parents understand that you only want what’s best for them. Make sure to explain to them that whatever their future plans are, they have your full support.

Ask questions such as:

• Is it getting tiring for you to maintain and care for your home lately?
• Do you get lonely often and would you enjoy the company of other people your age?
• Do you feel you could require more help with your current health condition?

Bringing up such questions is a soft opening for a discussion to take place where you can hear your parents share their concerns and hopes for their life ahead.

Don’t be pushy and know when to hit pause:

It’s always helpful to have the support of other siblings when having this conversation. However, you also don’t want to make your parents feel as if you are all trying to push them towards a certain direction. The focus should be on making this a topic that comes up often enough for it to start getting considered, yet not feel like it’s a decision they must make ASAP. Use their current health concerns, financial plans, or home chores as an excuse to start a conversation about the various senior living options that are thriving today.

Gather your information beforehand:

It’s always a smart idea to educate yourself by learning about all the assisted living options available and what arrangement would suit your parents best. Many living communities come with a lot of amenities and services, as well as multiple living options to suit different lifestyles and budgets. Learn about them further by arranging visits to those you feel match the criteria of what your parents may like.

If you feel during conversation that they feel positive about considering senior living options, arrange for a tour with them so that you can discuss more in person together.

If you are looking for assisted living options in Bradenton, Florida, where your parents can enjoy a lifestyle full of various services, healthcare and leisure, contact us at Westminster Manor. Our various living options are constructed and maintained keeping the comfort, trust and happiness of seniors in mind, and we would love for you to learn more about us by scheduling a tour.

Living in assisted living facilities in Bradenton can be enjoyable when your loved ones have the privilege of financial comfort. With hard work and communication, your family members in Bradenton assisted living can budget wisely today for financial freedom later. 

Get Out of Debt Quickly

Paying bills on time is an important part of making sure money goes where it needs to go. Remember that your family members in assisted living may be prone to forgetfulness, confusion, and anxiety. Help your family member budget by informing them that now is the right time to get out of debt. Once the debts are resolved, they can focus on living peacefully in Bradenton, Florida assisted living facilities.

Budget By Learning to Save Money

A lot of budgeting has to do with saving. Since budgeting is about knowing where your money goes, saving money with coupons, rewards points, and discounted gift cards can help you enjoy your retirement better. Start budgeting better by identifying where the money is going, when, and how often. Families should check on savings accounts, spend money on what they need first, and get organized with smartphone apps.

Budget Together to Prolong Retirement

Take the weekends or choose a day once or twice a month to go over budgeting. If the timing doesn’t seem right, family members can emphasize that budgeting should be done now and routinely. We recommend making the budgeting experience enjoyable by tying it in with another social activity.

For family members of those in assisted living facilities, budgeting is essential to healthy living. There is no time like the present to take care of budgeting. By prioritizing budgeting now, families of those in Bradenton assisted living can enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle going forward.

One of the hardest discussions you will ever have to have with your parents or other elderly family members is discussing the transition into an assisted living center, skilled nursing facility, or memory care home. Many people would love to live out their senior years in their own home, but for a number of reasons, that simply may not be possible. Here are a few tips that can help you to start the discussion about potentially moving a loved one. 

Find the Right Time and the Right Person

Having the right person approach your loved one at the right time can be key to having a positive discussion with your loved one about assisted living. Talking to your loved one when they are scared in the hospital or having an aggressive family member start the conversation may make the conversation tougher than it needs to be. Always carefully discuss with your siblings or family who should talk to your loved ones and find a good time to approach them. 

Talk With Your Loved One About Their Health 

Another tip for starting the conversation regarding assisted living in Bradenton, Florida is to talk to your loved one about their health, their future, and what their future wishes or wants are. Many people are resistant to change if they feel like it is being forced upon them. Taking the time to listen to what your loved one wants and why they want it can be a good way to transition into a conversation about not only what their wants are, but what their needs are, too. Your loved ones may feel more at ease to have this conversation if they feel like you are listening to what they want and helping them make a decision that is right for them. 

Research Assisted Living Facilities in Bradenton 

Finally, if you are considering assisted living facilities in Bradenton for a loved one, take the time to research some facilities before you approach your loved one. Your loved one may have questions about facilities or even misconceptions about care facilities. Completing research ahead of time can help you to address your loved one’s questions, fears, and concerns, while also being able to provide them with the perks and amenities that assisted living facilities have to offer. 

Moving your loved one to a Bradenton assisted living facility can make a lot of sense for many families. If you are looking to transition your loved one into a care facility, Westminster Manor is here for you. Contact us today for more information. 

If you have begun considering the move into independent living, there are ways to make the transition easier. Identify what you want to bring with you into your new home, as well as what you’re looking for in Bradenton independent living facilities, and what lifestyle you want inside and outside your new retirement community.

Downsize First

Before choosing the community that best serves you, start downsizing your current home. Whether you have accumulated things over a few years or a few decades, it helps to get rid of many of those things that aren’t likely to have a place in your new home. As you downsize, think of those things that will make you most comfortable in your new home and the limited space you will have as you move into a smaller living area.

Choose the Right Community

There are many choices to consider in retirement communities, including independent living, assisted living, and more specialized services like memory care in Bradenton. Determine what’s important for you. Are you looking for lots of activities? Do you want a larger living area? Do you expect great food? Identify the communities that offer the features you desire and visit them to see if they meet your expectations.

Create a Home Inside Your New Community

It’s easy to feel at home when your new place feels familiar. There are ways to do that, including arranging your new space similarly to your prior home. Arrange the furniture and decorations you moved from your prior place as you arranged it there. Keep special items displayed prominently. Create the most comfortable and functional space you can in your new home with the surroundings that made your previous home special.

Stay Active Inside and Outside Your Community

Create a sense of community by connecting with others inside and outside your new home. Inside your assisted living community, become involved in activities and join groups that share your interests. Participate in activities and groups outside your retirement community that attracted your interest before you made the move. These social and community activities will help keep you connected and give you a sense of a broader lifestyle outside your new home.

Often, the search for effective senior living can leave older adults and their families questioning what type of community best suits their needs. Independent living facilities typically offer a wide variety of life enrichment programs and freedom from typical household maintenance while assisted living provides extra support and care for seniors needing more medical supervision.

At Westminster Manor, we are proud to offer both kinds of communities to older adults in Bradenton, Florida. Before deciding which one is the right pick for you or a loved one, dive in with us to better understand the similarities and differences between them.

Getting to know independent living communities

Independent living communities are a great option for 55+ seniors seeking freedom from the menial chores of homeownership. Our staff handle lawn care, appliance repair, trash removal, and more so that each resident is free to enjoy their most beloved hobbies and activities. We nurture all interests through a plethora of life-enrichment activities, including painting, swimming, and playing. In addition to this, here are some other reasons to choose independent living!

• We believe that in order to be well, you must consider your body, mind, and spirit. We take this approach to heart and it manifests as our My W Life well-being program! By offering a plethora of activities focused on eight dimensions – physical, lifelong learning, nutritional, social, emotional, spiritual, vocational, and community – our residents can maximize their well-being.
• Older adults often expand on their circle of friends at independent living communities thanks to abundant opportunities to meet new people and embark on group outings to local attractions with their new friends.
• We offer scheduled transportation and coordinate with residents to help them get wherever they need to go in a timely and safe manner.

Understanding assisted living facilities

In addition to all the benefits available in independent living, assisted living facilities are equipped to lend a hand with activities of daily living, such as grooming and bathing, to ensure the health and safety of each resident. Though these communities help with personal care and daily tasks, they are still different from nursing homes where residents usually have more complex medical needs. Here are some of the services generally found in assisted living facilities:

• Support for personal care, including getting dressed.
• Housekeeping, waste disposal, laundry, and maintenance.
• Accommodating special diets with nutritious meals and healthy snacks.

In addition to these benefits, our assisted living communities also include extensive outpatient therapy services for physical, occupational, and speech needs. Residents of our assisted living facilities enjoy convenient treatments so that they can get back to their favorite household activities or outdoor recreation in no time. When combined with our My W Life program, premier care is never far away.

No matter which community you choose, Westminster Manor in Bradenton, Florida is the ideal location for older adults to thrive! A full array of services and healthcare options lay a strong foundation for your future here, where we offer something to support you through all of life’s many transitions – from active, independent living to assisted living, therapy, and more. Find out how life at Westminster Manor can benefit you by contacting us today!

Now that spring has sprung, there is no time like the present to do a little spring cleaning and healthier eating! Though it can be challenging, small dietary changes make a big difference in health. Maintaining a diet of healthy foods throughout all phases of life is crucial to maintain weight, manage and prevent diabetes, and even encourage brain health. With warmer weather and fresh food coming into season, spring is the ideal time to swap our processed foods for fruits and veggies! Read on to learn how to best enjoy some fresh foods this spring!

Visit a Local Farmer’s Market

Farmer’s markets are more than just a place to find the freshest produce, they are also a hub of people who are the most knowledgeable and care the most about foods. Produce that grows on trees or vines, like apples, pears, and grapes, may be too involved or too inaccessible for those who grow some of their own fruits and veggies at home, but they can be found ripe and ready at a farmer’s market. While you’re there shopping, you can also pick the farmers’ minds for valuable information about their produce.

Pick Your Own Adventure

What can be even more fun than stopping by your local farmer’s market is going straight to the source! Plan a day trip to learn more about the process behind cultivating these plants, plus you may get some oranges or apples fresh off the tree to bring home with you. With all these options for fresh ingredients available, here are some incredible springtime recipes to try out!

• Spring Green Frittata: Frittatas are a versatile dish that can be enjoyed at breakfast, lunch, or dinner but we recommend starting your spring day with this fulfilling dish! Fresh tomatoes and parmesan cheese accent green spring vegetables in an easy dish that can be on your plate in just 25 minutes.
• Creamy Chicken Apple Salad: Fresh spring apples find their way right from the tree to your plate in this dreamy salad. Easy to prepare but packed full of good nutrition, this dish has plenty of protein from chicken, fiber from apple, and healthy fat from walnuts. Consider whipping this together if you have extra chicken!
• Lemon Grilled Fish on Grilled Asparagus: Looking for a perfect weeknight spring dish? A few healthy and fresh ingredients come together in this bright, fulfilling dinner! There is nothing quite like flaky fish and a quick sear with some simple seasoning and lemon juice is sure to pack a punch of flavor.
• Classic Tangy Lemon Bars: This seasonal favorite is the perfect sweet note to end a springtime meal on. The zesty, smooth lemon filling pairs excellently with a crumbly crust that will leave you wanting more! This puckery perfection is a great way to put some fresh spring ingredients to use for an unforgettable dessert.

At Westminster Manor, we recognize the importance of gourmet dining and healthy eating which is why our residents enjoy delightful dining among friends! Indulge in restaurant-style table services offered for all three meals of the day. You are sure to love our delectable, fresh, and healthy selections guided by the philosophy of our exclusive My W Life wellness program. Enjoy life with a strong foundation for your future at Westminster Manor – simply contact us to learn more!