Author: sageage

Technology is an ever-changing space, and people from all walks of life can benefit from the usefulness of technology in day-to-day life. This includes seniors and their carers. As technology advances, it opens up more and more ways to improve senior care. Technology not only helps carers look after seniors better, but it can also help seniors retain their independence for longer.

Here are some of the important ways technology plays an evolving role in senior care…

Location services for Alzheimer’s patients

One of the most dangerous habits of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients is their tendency to wander. Without any clear purpose or direction, they may leave their home and simply start walking. This can be a great risk as they may wander out into a busy street or get lost and disoriented somewhere. With a location device on that person, such as a smartphone or wearable tech, their carer can be alerted if they leave the building or a designated area. The carer can use their location to find the patient in case they get lost, greatly reducing the risk of an accident or injury.

Medical alert bracelets and systems

Medical alert systems are ideal for seniors who live alone or only have part-time carers. And this is great for seniors’ independence. Rather than having someone around to watch them at all times, a medical alert system can ensure that a senior gets the help and attention they need if they fall or face another emergency. The senior can trigger the alert themselves, or some systems may trigger automatically in response to certain events or behaviors. For example, a medical alert bracelet may be able to monitor heart rate and alert an emergency contact or the emergency services in response to irregularities in the person’s heart rate.

Medication management

Seniors may have to take various medications at different times of the day. This can be difficult to keep track of, especially if they have memory problems or Alzheimer’s. Technology can help seniors and their carers make sure that they’re taking the right medication at the right dose and at the right time. Pill boxes are available with alarms to alert seniors of when to take certain medications. Certain smart pill bottles can even record data and send it to carers or doctors to make sure the senior isn’t misusing their prescriptions.

Health tracking technology

Carers and other health professionals can use technology to track certain health measures of their patients without intrusive and regular testing. Smart devices can track things like heart rate, blood pressure, and activity levels, sending this data to doctors, nurses, and carers so they can monitor patients’ health and tailor their care to their needs.

Technology can help seniors maintain their independence, whether they’re living at home or in independent living. Find out about the independent and assisted living facilities at Bermuda Village by contacting us today.

Moving home typically involves a lot of stress and hassle. It can be physically demanding as well as taking an emotional toll as you move away from somewhere you built a life and memories. This is especially true if you’re moving in your senior years. You may need to move to a more accessible and manageable house, or you may be moving into a retirement community or independent living.

As well as enlisting the help of friends, family, and professional movers, a senior move manager could also help you through this process.

What does a senior move manager do?

Senior move managers are there to make the process of moving, downsizing, or aging in place easier for seniors. Depending on your situation and needs, they can provide a variety of services to achieve this. They may work directly with you to provide these services or operate in more of a project management role.

Some of the services they may offer include:

• Organizing your belongings
• Helping you pack things into boxes or supervising professional packers
• Arranging for unwanted items to be sold or donated
• Arranging storage for your belongings
• Unpacking and organizing in your new home
• Connecting you with other professional services, such as movers, cleaners, and realtors

Senior move managers are trained and properly vetted to ensure they operate safely and ethically while supporting you through your move. Many also move into this career from a background in nursing, social work, and other related roles. This gives them the experience and a good disposition to support you through a potentially difficult experience.

What are the benefits of hiring a senior move manager?

A senior move manager can offer lots of benefits. Their expertise, resources, and connections not only make your move a lot easier, but they can also help you save money. They can help you get the best deal when hiring movers and other services while also making sure that these services properly meet your needs.

Their service is tailored to you and your move, so they can take a lot of stress out of the process. Moving house is one of those experiences that can cause tension between family members, but having a senior move manager there to streamline the process can help to keep everyone happy and mediate any disagreements.

If you’re thinking of making the move into independent or assisted living, then contact Bermuda Village to find out about our community between Advance and Clemmons, NC.

When we’re young, birthdays are an exciting time. Not just because we get presents, cake, and parties, but also because we’re turning another year older. With that, we start to look and feel more grown-up. But in adulthood, many of us get to a point where we start to dread our birthdays and the idea of becoming one year older.

We think it’s time to shift this perspective and go back to celebrating the idea of getting older. Rather than hiding from our age and constantly trying to look younger than we are, it’s time to embrace aging and focus on the positives of getting older. Here are some interesting positives you could focus on…

A stronger sense of self

For most people, adolescence and young adulthood is a time marked by awkwardness and feeling self-conscious. When we’re growing up, we’re still shaping who we are in a number of different ways, and it can be difficult to truly be yourself and be comfortable with that. As we age, our sense of self and identity gets stronger. We become more confident and care less about what other people think about us. This can be very freeing and make you happier with your life.

Experience

One of the best things we gain as we age is experience. We’ve been through a lot of different situations and experiences that we have learned from and grown from. And what’s great is that you can pass this wisdom and experience onto younger generations, such as children and grandchildren.

A growing family

As you age, so do the younger generations of your family. With this, people might find partners, have children, and bring new friends into the family circle. You get to witness the growth of your family with each big get together, giving you more people to get to know and watch grow up.

Your time is your own

Of course, with age also eventually comes retirement. You suddenly have all this free time to focus on things you want to do. You have more time to relax, spend with friends and family, and pursue your hobbies. Retirement is a great time to take up new hobbies and chase new goals and dreams. You could get active at a local sports club or create something through writing, painting, or other arts and crafts pursuits.

What do you think is the best part of getting older? If you’re looking for a social and comfortable environment to spend your senior years in, then contact Bermuda Village to find out more about our independent living community in Bermuda Run Country Club.

Loneliness is a common struggle for seniors. As we get older, we often lose close friends and family as they move town or pass away. This often means that seniors have fewer visitors to socialize with. Some seniors may also find it difficult to leave the house due to physical limitations, making it more of a challenge to find social groups or activities.

If you or a senior family member are stuck at home, then we’ve got some tips to help you stay connected with your family and friends.

Make frequent calls

A simple phone call is a great way to stay in touch and make your loved one feel cared about. Calling each other on a regular basis will help them feel connected to others and allow you both to learn about how the other is doing. If you establish a call schedule with them, then this will give them something to look forward to if they know when to expect your calls.

Video calls

If your senior family member has a PC, laptop, or smartphone, then you may also be able to make video calls. You could first call them over the phone to guide them through setting up what they need for the calls. Actually seeing each other’s faces and talking screen to screen can be an even greater way to stay connected. Seeing a familiar face can be comforting and you get to read each other’s reactions as you talk. Seeing your loved one regularly on video calls can also allow you to monitor their health based on their appearance.

Some great tools for video calling include Zoom and Skype. If you both have iPhones, then you can also use the Facetime app. If one or more of you have an Android device, then you can use the video call functions in WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.

Send a letter

Staying connected doesn’t all have to be about tech. Sending a letter in the mail is a nice gesture that shows that you’ve taken the time and effort to reach out to someone. It’s a more personal form of communication that can really make the recipient feel special. You could write about what you’ve been doing recently and ask them questions about themselves, encouraging them to write back. If you have young children, then you could have them draw a picture to send with the letter. I’m sure they would love to hang up pictures drawn by their grandchildren or nieces and nephews.

When we’re feeling isolated, just remember that there are ways to stay connected with those you love. If you’d like to learn more about staying social in assisted or independent living communities, then contact Bermuda Village.

Did you know that Bermuda Village is located within the Bermuda Run Country Club? We are extremely proud of our grounds and the club and community that surrounds them. If you’re looking for a senior living community in the Piedmont Triad area, then we happily invite you to come and see us at Bermuda Village.

Where is Bermuda Run Country Club?

Bermuda Run Country Club is a gated community in North Carolina located just 10 minutes outside of Winston Salem, and you’ll find our assisted and independent living facilities within these grounds.

About the Country Club

The Bermuda Run Country Club is a welcoming community with impressive facilities. One of the favorites of the residents is the 36-hole championship golf course. Staying active certainly won’t be a problem here. There are also swimming facilities to enjoy, with an Olympic-sized pool and a lazy river. Plus, tennis courts where they offer lessons for people of all abilities. On top of that, we run a variety of classes, games, and activities in Bermuda Village, so there’s something for everyone when it comes to keeping fit and active.

The club is also home to two clubhouses with various drinks and dining options; the perfect place to host your visiting friends and family members or enjoy a bite with your neighbors. You’ll enjoy the quality and varied food menus offered here. The west dining room also has plenty of entertainment, including darts, shuffleboard, and large TV screens.

A lot of renovations have taken place recently and improvements continue to be made to make this the best possible community to live in. The Bermuda Run Country Club is a vibrant place where you’ll see people of all ages, as events are regularly held here, too. It’s a great change of scenery from your independent living apartment and provides great surroundings to live within.

With so much on your doorstep, you’ll find lots for your whole family to do when they visit you in your retirement community. Bermuda Village and the Country Club provide for all your needs as you age, with a variety of care services available when you need them. Our residents appreciate this as it means you don’t have to move to a new facility every time your needs change.

If you want to find out more about the Bermuda Run Country Club and life in Bermuda Village’s independent living, assisted living, or memory care facilities then contact us with any questions you have.

http://www.wfmynews2.com/video/news/local/bermuda-run-bermuda-village-triad-nursing-home-during-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic/83-75b11537-da14-424b-88f2-321d170cbe51?jwsource=em

‘WE ARE JUST BEING SO WELL TAKEN CARE OF HERE’ | TRIAD SENIORS FEEL SAFE, SECURE IN THEIR RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Bermuda Village, a retirement community in Davie County, has enacted several changes because of COVID-19 – even before the Governor’s latest executive order.

Author: Alma McCarty

Published: 04/10/20

BERMUDA RUN, N.C. — Thursday, Governor Cooper’s latest Executive Order detailed several different changes for essential retailer operations, unemployment claims, and nursing homes.

Some of those new measures for skilled nursing facilities include banning group dining and activities in commons areas, mandating employees to wear masks and other protective equipment, and screening people every time they enter the facility.

Many assisted living facilities across the Triad already have similar rules in place – like Bermuda Village, a retirement community serving seniors with varying needs.

The community does not have any coronavirus cases, and those living there say they are ever so grateful to the staff for helping them stay safe and positive. 

“The biggest thing is communication,” said Executive Director Kyle Jones, “Just stay communicating with the folks and telling them that we are here for them and we certainly miss them.”

Jones says, they already made safety and social distancing changes before Governor Cooper’s latest executive order. 

“This Monday we made the initiative to all staff will wear surgical masks,” he said, “I have mine right here. When I’m in the community we always wear those masks and then once we got the Governor’s order, we were already ahead of the game.”

Jones says communal meeting and dining have been suspended for some time, and staff also pick up groceries and prescriptions for residents – so they do not have to venture out of the community.

Residents like 80-year-old Carol Quinn say they couldn’t be in better care. 

“We are just being so well taken care of here,” she said. 

Although she and her husband are isolated from the rest of the community right now, Quinn says they’re not alone with staff keeping them busy with activities – over Zoom. 

“Five days a week, she is doing classes for us from her home and we do them in our home and we can see each other and speak to each other and have a wonderful time exercising,” she explained.

Other residents wished to give statements about how things are going. Here are a few:

“Residents, management and staff make up the Bermuda Village family. During the coronavirus crisis our family is looking after each other, especially the management and staff who are organized to meet our various needs as they arise and entertain us from time to time,” wrote Marv Dickerson.

“Kay and I moved to BV about two years ago and these past few weeks have proved we make the right decision. The staff has kept us informed and gone out of their way to ensure that we are safe. Meals and mail are delivered to our door and frequent contacts are made to make sure our needs are met. What a wonderful gilt to our three sons knowing we are cared for and looked after by loving staff,” wrote Tom and Kay Grant.

“Every time I see a Public Service Announcement on TV about the coronavirus, I am struck by the fact that, when they talk about “the most vulnerable,” they are talking about my neighbors and me. Knowing that should I get it, I probably would not stand a chance against this silent killer, I am extremely vigilant. Hourly, I appreciate the fact that I live in a community where the staff are diligent in seeing that all of us “most Vulnerable” are protected from this invisible bug. Helps me to sleep at night,” wrote Tom Irwin.

View article here:   https://www.wfmynews2.com/amp/article/news/local/triad-nursing-homes-assistant-living-facilities-safeguarding-residents-executive-order-staff-masks/83-fec32f3f-3fcf-46fa-9948-597d7a267eb0

Alzheimer’s disease comes with a range of symptoms that can be difficult to come to terms with, both for the patient and the people in his or her life. As it is a degenerative disease, these symptoms will change and worsen over time. To improve quality of life, for both patients and carers, it helps to know some strategies for managing the symptoms better and slowing down the progression of the disease.

Finding the right medications

While there is no way to cure Alzheimer’s disease, some medications have been found effective at relieving the symptoms and slowing down their progression. If you haven’t already been prescribed medication for your condition, then talk to your doctor for their recommendations.

If you are on a course of medication, make sure you always take the recommended dose at the right times. Taking too much or too little can be harmful. Carers should support Alzheimer’s patients with medication management if needed, as the progression of its symptoms can make sticking to this schedule difficult.

Helping them manage their symptoms

There are lots of ways you can support an Alzheimer’s patient outside of medication. Here are some ways you can support them when managing their symptoms:

• Maintain a routine – Even simple, day-to-day activity can be overwhelming for Alzheimer’s patients, so it helps to make it as familiar as possible to them by maintaining a consistent routine. Reducing novel experiences can help to manage memory problems, for example, by knowing that they have breakfast at 8am every day and then take their medication and go for a walk.
• Keep the environment familiar – This familiarity should apply to their surroundings as well. Symptoms are more likely to flare up in environments that they are unfamiliar with and, therefore, uncomfortable in. Avoid making changes to their living space so that they can come back to something familiar. Sounds and sensations can also trigger confusion and agitation. Make sure their surroundings aren’t too loud, too hot, or too cold.
• Encourage social activity – Socialization helps to keep the brain active and also prevents symptoms of loneliness and depression. Encouraging them to socialize with peers or family members can help to keep them in good health. If this is difficult for them, then sitting to talk to them or play a game with them can help, too.
• Distracting them – When someone with Alzheimer’s does start to get confused or agitated, it helps to know how to distract them from this confusion. Don’t try to argue with them or correct them when they are confused or misremembering things. Instead, change the subject to something they are interested in or distract them with an engaging activity.

If you need help caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, then contact Bermuda Village for more information about our assisted living community and other care options in the Bermuda Run Country Club. We have residents from all around Winston Salem, Bermuda Run, Clemmons, and Lewisville.

In our senior years, trips and falls are all the more common because we tend to lose core strength and balance. At the same time, falls among seniors are also more dangerous since our bones also get weaker as we age. So, trips and falls are more likely to lead to broken bones. For these reasons, it is so important to know how to prevent trips and falls among seniors, and to know how to respond in the event of an accident.

Check your eyesight and hearing

Our senses tend to deteriorate as we get older, leading to more problems with eyesight and hearing. Obviously, you’re more likely to trip over something if you can’t properly see where you’re going. Plus, poor hearing can affect your balance, making falls more likely. Make sure to regularly get your eyesight and hearing tested and treated as needed.

Reduce clutter

Trips are also more likely if there are things lying around the floor to trip over, or furniture sticking out awkwardly. Make sure to keep your home tidy and free of clutter to help prevent trips and falls. If mobility problems make it difficult to keep up with household chores, then consider asking a friend or family member to help out, or hire in-home care or cleaning services.

Install grab rails

Grab rails installed around the home will help you steady yourself and regain your balance, making slips and falls less likely. Grab rails are especially useful in the bathroom where there may be slippery surfaces. These rails can help you get into and out of the bath/shower safely and make sitting down and getting up off the toilet easier.

Make floors non-slip

Another way to reduce the risk of slippery surfaces is to install flooring that is non-slip, or adding grippy finishes to existing flooring. Floors in the kitchen and especially the bathroom can get wet, making it more difficult to grip on them. Here are some tips for making tiled floors non-slippery.

Keep fit

A big reason behind slips, trips, and falls among seniors is the loss of muscle and bone strength. By staying active and keeping fit as you age, the risk of falling becomes much less. Core strength is especially important for balance. Yoga is a good example of an exercise that is low-impact but really good for your core strength. Even walking a small amount every day can help to maintain your muscle mass and bone density.

If you are worried about the safety and wellbeing of a senior relative who’s living alone, then contact Bermuda Village to find out more about the different care services available, including our independent living and assisted living communities in Bermuda Run Country Club.

As we age and our needs change, there are various levels of care for us to choose between. You could move into assisted living or independent living, you might require memory care or rehabilitative care, and you could opt for domiciliary care. Read on to find out more about domiciliary care and whether or not it is right for you.

What is domiciliary care?

Domiciliary care refers to care that takes place in your own home. At-home care plans can be tailored to the needs of the individual. It can range from a short visit once a week to help with chores to around-the-clock care provided by regular visits and even overnight stays.

Domiciliary care can include help around the house with cleaning, cooking, buying groceries, etc. It can also include personal care such as help with medication management and bathing, among other things.

The benefits of in-home care

One of the biggest benefits of in-home care is that you get to continue living in your own home, which is a priority for some seniors. Seniors often have to move into a retirement community or independent living because their house becomes too much to manage on their own or they’re no longer able to care for themselves. Visits from a domiciliary carer help seniors overcome this problem.

Another advantage for seniors who live at home is that their care worker provides them with some companionship whenever they visit. As well as their other duties, an in-home carer can sit with the senior and talk, listen to music, or play games with them, for example.

Domiciliary care can also be a good option for seniors who still live with their partner or have moved back in with their adult children. Whoever they’re living with may not be able to provide them with all the care they need, so visits from a professional care worker can help everyone manage their lives and needs better.

But domiciliary care isn’t suited to everyone. If a senior needs around-the-clock care and regular medical attention, then being in a specialized assisted living community may be a better option. This also goes for anyone with specialist needs like memory care for conditions like Alzheimer’s.

The cost of in-home care vs senior living should also be taken into consideration. Costs of domiciliary care will vary depending on the frequency and the nature of your home visits, so talk to potential providers to find out how much it could be for you.

If you’re interested in independent living or assisted living around Clemmons, Winston Salem, and Bermuda Run, then contact Bermuda Village to find out more about our services.

Maintaining a balanced diet of healthy foods and the foods you love should be a lifelong resolution. But, as we age, our body’s needs start to change. Your metabolism slows down, your appetite may be reduced, and the levels of stomach acid can also reduce, inhibiting digestion and the absorption of nutrients.

But, still, seniors need just as many vitamins and minerals from the food they eat as anyone else. To help you or your loved one eat right through their senior years, here are some essential nutrition tips to follow.

Eat and drink regularly

This one might sound obvious but, as we get older, the signals of thirst and hunger that we usually feel become weaker. This is why it’s important to drink water regularly throughout the day even if you don’t feel thirsty, and to ensure you’re eating enough, too. Planning your meals for the day or week ahead will ensure you stick to a balanced eating regime and get all the energy and nutrients you need.

Eat lots of fresh fruit and veg

Since your metabolism slows down as you age and you may also be less physically active, you need fewer calories to maintain a healthy weight. This means you need to eat less. But, at the same time, you still need to pack lots of essential vitamins and minerals into your diet. Fresh fruit and vegetables are an important part of this. They provide you with lots of important nutrients while remaining low in calories.

Look after your bones

We naturally lose bone density as we age, which can lead to problems like osteoporosis. Calcium is essential to maintaining bone strength, and vitamin D helps your body absorb the calcium in your diet. So, these are two nutrients that you can’t ignore. Include plenty of dairy products in your diet or other non-dairy sources of calcium. As well as the sun being a source of vitamin D, there are lots of healthy foods with vitamin D to include in your diet.

Increase fiber intake

Our bodies become less effective at digesting food as we age. Eating lots of dietary fiber helps with your digestion and lowers the risks for a number of health conditions, including stroke and heart disease.

Healthy sources of nutrients

We don’t recommend cutting out a food group (like carbs) entirely. Instead look for healthy sources of fats, carbohydrates, and protein. Avoid processed foods, choose whole grains for a good source of carbohydrates and fiber, include more non-meat sources of protein, and healthy fats from nuts, fatty fish, eggs, and other sources.

If you continue to eat right in your senior years and adapt your diet to your changing needs, you’ll benefit from a boosted immune system, higher energy levels, better mental acuity, greater bone strength, and much more.

For more senior health advice or support with caring for a senior loved one, contact Bermuda Village, providers of independent living and assisted living in Advance, NC.