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May is mental health awareness month and is an opportunity to share awareness of how important mental health is. Some elderly patients in facilities for Alzheimer’s suffer from depression and family members and caregivers need to be on the lookout for signs of mental health issues. Recognizing the symptoms help mental issues from escalating keeping your loved ones from living a normal life.

Mental Health Awareness Month

The feeling of sadness, loneliness, or desolation at times is part of life when faced with struggles, challenges, and uncertainties. But when these feelings are experienced for a long time or become overwhelming, they can take a toll on your overall health.

In the United States alone, millions of Americans suffer mental health illnesses every year. During May, advocates join to educate people about these issues, share stories, and encourage engagement, provide support to people with mental health issues including residents in facilities for Alzheimer’s and their families.

For this year’s celebration, May 2022, your support aids in better mental health awareness.  If you have personal experience with mental health issues, openly discuss this with friends or family. Or you can share the story of how this has affected a family member.

Or you can support organizations or nonprofits that support and provide services relating to mental health. You can donate your time or money for these organizations to continue with their services.

Lastly, learning the signs and symptoms will not only help save lives. Understanding mental illness shows you care for your loved ones and the residents in facilities for Alzheimer’s at the same time being there for them during their challenging journey.

The Effects of Alzheimer’s on Mental Health

People with Alzheimer’s can immensely impact their thoughts and feelings. Adults diagnosed with dementia will experience a range of emotions like anger, irritability, loss of hope and worthiness, fatigue, and more.

Having Alzheimer’s can cause anxiety and depression. Senior adults may find it hard to deal with these emotions which may also affect their food appetite and interest to seek further medication.

Being afraid about the future and uncertainties can leave feelings of hopelessness and loss of interest in life in general. The effects of Alzheimer’s can lead to recurring thoughts of death and suicide.

Ways to Support an Alzheimer’s Patient’s Mental Health

Maintaining a sound mind, body, and spirit will aid in improving seniors in facilities for Alzheimer’s daily life.

By knowing the key symptoms and learning the coping strategies, you can create a secure foundation in which your loved ones can cope with the challenges of this disease.

Help your loved ones adopt a healthy lifestyle by getting regular checkups, setting up an exercise routine, hearty meals, and getting sufficient rest.

It is also important that your loved ones can freely express their feelings. The range of emotions like agitation, frustration, or confusion can be overwhelming. Patients will need a lot of care and understanding during this time.

Help your loved ones connect with others with Alzheimer’s. Build a solid support group. Continue doing activities you both enjoy. Let them know you understand what they are going through.

Looking for excellent care at a senior living facility in Nebraska? Check out our page to learn more by clicking here!

Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco

Many adults are looking forward to retirement because life at this stage seems to be worry-free. Senior adults have more time to do what they want once they retire. But the truth is, retired seniors also have their share of stress triggers.

Senior adults experience more stress because of health issues associated with age, limited social life, and feeling of loneliness. Learning how to cope with stress can go a long way for seniors who are in assisted living facilities.

Stress Awareness Month

April has been recognized as Stress Awareness Month since 1992. This annual event educates people about the risks of stress on health and teaches healthy ways to cope.

To celebrate Stress Awareness Month, you can practice meditation and see a doctor so that you can seek help in getting started on how to live a stress-free lifestyle and be physically active.

Searching for Assisted Living Near Me Can Be Stressful

The decision to move to an assisted living facility can be overwhelming. It could be one of the hardest decisions a family can make. Plus, searching for an “assisted living near me” entails time and effort to ensure you will be making the right choice.

There are many stressors during this phase not only the financial burden. Dealing with the paperwork involved, the waiting time if put on a waiting list, continued care, dealing with feelings of guilt, handling the loved one’s feelings, conflicting decisions, and so on.

Preparing for the transition is not only applicable to senior adults but also to the family. A conversation should be set to discuss the loved one’s care preferences, the kind of “assisted living near me” environment they want to live in, and the family’s continuing involvement.

This way, the family will not only make the loved ones feel valued but also reduce the feelings of uncertainty. Even when a family member will be moving to assisted living care, it is still important to protect their physical, emotional, and mental health.

How to Handle Stress

Positive Attitude

Having and maintaining the right mindset can help you manage difficult situations. Challenges may be encountered during your “assisted living near me” hunt, but a positive attitude can quickly look for ways to counter these issues.

Stay Active

Exercise is one of the cheapest yet most effective stress relievers that can help individuals become less reactive to stress. Incorporate an easy exercise routine into your schedule and enjoy its wonderful benefits.

Self-Care

After a long day at work plus the task of finding an assisted living facility for your senior loved one, it is time to focus on taking care of your needs. Self-care does not only reduce stress and anxiety, but it also improves your physical and mental health. It also boosts your energy and happiness.

And when looking for “assisted living near me”, always consider your first impression of how these facilities care for their residents; aggression, depression, medical, and their approach to providing those care.

Do residents look well-groomed? Do they look happy and content? After all, you are after their safety, care, and overall wellbeing.

Ready to check out a top-of-the-line assisted living facility in Nebraska? Click here to check out Richmont Senior Living!

Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco

Enduring the cold and darker days of winter is no easy feat, particularly for senior adults in senior housing facilities. Thankfully spring has finally arrived and what better way to celebrate the warmer weather than spending more time outdoors.

Get ready to celebrate as the temperature warms up with great activities to brighten up your mood and boost your energy.

Hello, Spring!

Say goodbye to long cold nights because spring is here. The snow has melted, the days are longer and warmer, and the perfect setting to bond with family with flowers in bloom as the background.

Welcoming spring through physical activities does not only benefit the body but also the mental health of senior adults. Spending time outdoors reduces stress levels, specifically for those who need to relax.

Walking, gardening and some spring cleaning provide multiple benefits for residents in senior housing. Without spending your pension money, these activities are shown to alleviate pain linked to arthritis and gout.

Besides, regular physical activities lower blood sugar and boost heart health.

Routine exercise and physical workouts do not necessarily mean getting in the gym. Spending at least 30 minutes walking, tending the garden, light cleaning, or doing regular chores is not only a low-cost activity but a great mood booster due to the endorphins released during these activities.

Take a few minutes of your time to go out. Spend time with your fellow residents or family during visits. Enjoy the spring season and feel rejuvenated.

Spring Preparation Ideas

Make a Spring-Cleaning List

Get your home ready for the new season by tidying and updating the indoor design or arrangement. Make a list of the things that you need to do indoors and outdoors.

Do not forget to pack away the winter clothes, heavy linens, dark-colored blankets, and pillows. Maybe you want to give your room a little pampering through fresh wall paint. Also, make your home warm-ready by preparing natural products for insects and bugs. Prepare your garden for planting.

Bring in the Floral Scents

Soothe up your senses and accentuate your senior housing rooms with spring candles. These will not only brighten up your room but also freshen up. Different scents are available to suit the different tastes of different people.

Nurture your mind with candles of mint, eucalyptus, ginger, or a combination of these scents. The scent of coconut and salted musk will bring sunshine and warmth into your home. Floral scents on the other hand will make your room smell like a garden while creating the perfect environment of calmness and well-being.

Clean Out Your Vases for New Flowers

Add flowers in bloom to welcome spring. Bring the beauty of the outdoors inside. Fresh flowers do not only accentuate the space but also boost healing and pain tolerance. Flowers are also known to reduce stress, anxiety, fatigue, and are beautiful mood boosters.

Bring Out the Spring Themed Linens

Warmer temperature requires light and cottony materials, so it is time to pack all your heavy blankets and flannel sheets. Swap all your winter linens with light and bright colored palettes like buttercup yellow, sky blue, blush pink, and fresh green to wake up your home from hibernation.

Make Plans with Friends

Now is the time to catch up with friends by visiting a local fair, going to the mall, having lunch or snacks at a nearby restaurant, or going on a picnic. Older adults in senior housing should still maintain a strong connection with their friends to reduce health risks like depression and high blood pressure.

So, what are you waiting for? Go on a date with friends to nurture the relationship and your overall health as much as your time permits!

Are you on the hunt for an assisted living facility in Nebraska? Click here to check us out at Richmont Senior Living!

Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco

Senior housing Ashland NE is a haven for senior adults because of the attention and care they receive. However, being in this place is also difficult both for the resident and the family for they lack the time and capacity to care for their loved ones.

Aside from senior housing facilities, families and concern groups contribute to the activities and programs that make the lives of residents more meaningful.

Donations and reach-out programs will always bring a smile to the residents’ faces more particularly those who don’t have visitors, phone calls, or cards during special occasions.

Why Give Back

Dedicating your time or resources no matter how small or big offers a multitude of benefits not only to the senior residents but to you as well. Giving back gives a long-lasting impact on the community and it is inspiring to see that impact that you have made

• Volunteering is a great opportunity to expand your network and build relationships with other people you meet outside of your everyday living
• Studies have shown that volunteering improves physical health, lowers stress levels, and aids in managing chronic health conditions
• Volunteer also works as a venue to find opportunities for future endeavors, change of career, or references.
• Cleaning drives or book donations enhance the lives of residents and improve the community. A strong and safe community makes for a better standard of healthier and secure living for everyone.
• Lastly, giving back teaches gratitude and kindness. Both giver and receiver find new appreciation thanks to donating.

How Can I Give Back To Senior Housing In Ashland NE?

Foremost, it is best to phone your nearest housing home to inquire about their volunteer and donation rules. Speak to the facility director or social worker to know what the senior residents might need.

Once you learn the donation process, you can start collecting items that seniors can use and appreciate.

• Homemade stationery makes the most affordable yet special items the elderly will appreciate. The colorful set of stationery makes memorable writing sheets when sending letters to family and friends.
• Throw blankets are great for portable comfort. Many residents feel cold this time of year and throws are the perfect size for bringing around the facility.
• Pair the throw blankets with soft socks to keep their feet warm. Always go for socks with sole grips to reduce the risk of resident falls.
• Personal care supplies like shampoo, soap, lotion, and pill dispensers are essential items.
• Books or card games will give senior residents simple entertainment that they can share with other residents.

All senior housing facilities, like Richmont Senior Living, appreciates your time and any donations provided.

Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco

The last 2 years have taught us to be more patient and appreciate what we have in assisted living. What we generally take for granted are the most important treasures in life: family and health.

As we enter 2022, apart from gratitude, it is normal for people to set new aspirations, goals, and resolutions like self-improvement to spark positive change.

Residents in assisted living are not exempt from setting goals and resolutions.

While resolutions vary and some are attainable, it is a fact that most are only good at setting goals without actually fulfilling them. But since we are just halfway through January 2022, it is best to focus your energy on sticking to your New Year’s resolutions.

Choose the Right Resolution

Always choose a resolution that is doable and realistic. Do not mind peer or societal pressure. Your goal should be specific and relevant.

For instance, you can say “I want to regularly exercise” when you can specifically say “I will do routine exercise at least 30 minutes a day”. Are you doing it for the right reasons? Or just because this is what others want you to do.

Create a Plan

A decline in health is normal as people age and those who are in senior housing, so regular exercise can help delay heart problems and osteoporosis.

If you want to improve your mood, energy, and strength, choose a specific time of day when to do your exercise for example. You cannot just execute your plans when you feel like doing it.

Be Mentally Prepared

It is not going to be every day that you are inspired or motivated to stick to your resolutions. This can be challenging, but preparing for this kind of scenario will give you the power to keep moving forward.

When you encounter setbacks, avoid the temptation to break your resolutions. Instead, reassess how you can achieve your goals.

Be Patient

Understand that seeing significant results do not happen overnight. You need to make a conscious effort and dedication to see the changes.

Apart from physical strength, regardless of your age, it takes mental power to understand that goals take time. A patient attitude will help you stay on track despite the long process.

Be Positive

Positive thinking is not only important to overcome bad habits but also lowers depression levels, improves physical and psychological well-being, and increases life span.

In sticking to your resolutions, thinking positive will aid in beating challenges and the temptation to revert to old habits.

Keeping your resolutions can be difficult. Most of the time, people tend to stick to these goals only for a month or two.

However, it is important to understand that changing your behavior or achieving a goal is only possible if you will let it happen. With baby steps, a concrete plan, a positive attitude, and perseverance, you will successfully reach it.

Are you in search of a positive environment to set your new life in order? Click here to check out Richmont Senior Living!

Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco