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Understanding Equity Model Senior Living

Understanding Equity Model Senior Living: Why It’s a Smart Investment

Senior living communities have evolved significantly over the years, offering a range of options to cater to diverse lifestyle preferences and financial capabilities. One model that has gained recognition for its unique benefits is the equity model of senior living, an innovative approach embraced by Bermuda Village. But what exactly is an equity model, and why might it be a smart investment for seniors? Let’s delve into these questions.

Equity Model Explained

Traditionally, senior living communities have operated on a rental basis, where residents pay a monthly fee for access to housing and various amenities. In contrast, the equity model allows residents to purchase their home within the community. This model not only provides a sense of stability, but it can also offer financial advantages.

The Financial Benefits

  1. Real Estate Investment: When you buy a home in an equity model senior living community, you are investing in real estate. Like any homeowners, equity model residents can benefit from potential property appreciation over time.
  2. Potential for Return on Investment: If and when you decide to leave the community, you or your estate have the ability to sell the property. Depending on the terms of your agreement and the real estate market, you may recover your initial investment and potentially make a profit.
  3. Tax Advantages: Depending on your financial situation and local laws, owning a home in an equity-based senior community might provide tax benefits, like property tax deductions. Always consult with a tax advisor or professional to understand potential tax implications.

Beyond Financials: Quality of Life

While the financial aspects of the equity model are attractive, the perks of living in a community like Bermuda Village go beyond dollars and cents:

  1. Amenity-Rich Living: Bermuda Village offers a plethora of amenities to support an active, fulfilling lifestyle. From golf at Bermuda Run to our wellness programs and social activities, residents enjoy a high quality of life that caters to diverse interests.
  2. Sense of Community: Ownership in the equity model fosters a strong sense of community. Residents are neighbors and fellow homeowners with a common interest in maintaining and improving the community.
  3. Stability: Homeownership within the community provides a sense of permanence and security. Knowing that your place in the community is secure gives peace of mind to you and your family.
  4. Independence: Even while part of a vibrant community, residents maintain their independence. You own your home, allowing for greater privacy and the ability to personalize your living space.

Invest in Your Future Today

Understanding the equity model of senior living is the first step toward making an informed decision about your future. As you plan for your retirement years, consider the combined financial and lifestyle benefits that an equity model community like Bermuda Village can provide. It’s more than a home; it’s a smart investment in your future.

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Fairway to Fitness: The Health Benefits of Golf for Seniors

The Health Benefits of Golf for Seniors

At Bermuda Village, we understand the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle, particularly as we age. That’s why we focus on activities that not only keep our residents fit and healthy but also engaged and entertained. One such activity that perfectly fits this description is golf, a sport that’s as mentally stimulating as it is physically beneficial.

A Gentle Exercise

Golf may appear leisurely, but it’s an excellent form of low-impact exercise that is ideal for seniors. Even if you choose to ride in a golf cart, the walking involved between holes, swinging the club, and bending to pick up balls can contribute to your daily physical activity. In fact, during an average 18-hole round, a player will walk approximately 4-5 miles. That’s a lot of steps towards your daily exercise goals!

Cardiovascular Health

Regular physical activity, like golf, can significantly contribute to cardiovascular health. Walking the golf course, carrying the golf bag, and swinging the club all get your heart rate up, increasing blood flow and lowering the risk of heart diseases.

Strength and Balance

The golf swing is a complex movement that engages multiple muscle groups. Regularly playing golf can help improve muscle tone and strength, especially in the core and the back. Additionally, golf also helps improve balance and coordination as it requires a great deal of balance to execute a good swing.

Mental Well-being

Golf is not just a physical game; it’s a mental one too. Navigating a golf course, planning your shots, and adjusting to different conditions require strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. This cognitive stimulation helps keep the brain active and healthy. Additionally, spending time outdoors in a serene setting like a golf course can help reduce stress levels and improve mood.

Social Connections

Golf is a social sport. It provides ample opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals, fostering a sense of community and belonging. Regular social interactions can contribute to better mental health and a greater sense of well-being.

A Sport for Life

Golf is a sport that can be enjoyed well into the later stages of life. It’s a game that doesn’t require intense speed or strength, making it suitable for seniors. Here at Bermuda Village, with our access to the fantastic golf facilities at Bermuda Run, our residents can enjoy this wonderful sport while reaping its many health benefits.

Whether you are a seasoned golfer or a curious beginner, the lush fairways of Bermuda Run await. Take the first step on your fairway to fitness, and discover the enjoyable path to active aging with golf.

Join us at Bermuda Village where golf is more than just a game; it’s a lifestyle.

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Why Pickleball is the Perfect Sport for Active Seniors

Pickleball is the Perfect Sport for Active Seniors

Pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports in America, has become an increasingly popular activity for seniors. Combining elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, pickleball is not only easy to learn and gentle on the body, but it also offers numerous health benefits and promotes social interaction. Here’s why pickleball is a great fit for active seniors and why it’s a resident favorite here at Bermuda Village.

Accessibility and Ease of Play

One of the biggest advantages of pickleball is its accessibility. The rules are straightforward and easy to grasp, making it a perfect choice for beginners or those looking for a new activity. The court is smaller than a tennis court, making it less physically demanding, and the lighter paddles and slower-moving ball also make pickleball an easier and less strenuous sport to pick up, regardless of age or fitness level.

A Full-Body Workout

Despite being less intense than some other racquet sports, pickleball still provides a comprehensive workout. It enhances cardiovascular fitness, improves strength and flexibility, and helps improve balance and coordination. Whether you’re dashing to the net for a drop shot or twisting for a backhand, your body benefits from the varied movements.

Low Impact and Joint-Friendly

Pickleball is a low-impact sport, meaning it’s gentler on the joints compared to higher-impact activities like jogging or tennis. This makes it ideal for seniors who may be concerned about joint health or arthritis but still want to maintain an active lifestyle.

Cognitive Benefits

Pickleball isn’t just about physical health; it’s a boost for mental well-being too. The need for strategy and quick decision-making during play keeps your mind sharp, while the hand-eye coordination it requires can help maintain cognitive function.

A Social Sport

Pickleball is a game that thrives on doubles play, meaning it’s a wonderful way to socialize, meet new friends, and strengthen community bonds. It encourages communication, cooperation, and a little friendly competition, contributing to a positive and engaging social environment.

Inclusion and Fun

Above all else, pickleball is fun! It’s a game that keeps players coming back because of its exciting, fast-paced nature. It also promotes a sense of inclusion as it can be enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels.

At Bermuda Village, we’re proud to offer pickleball as one of our many active lifestyle activities. We believe in fostering a community that encourages physical health, mental well-being, and a vibrant social life. So, whether you’re a pickleball pro or a curious newbie, grab a paddle, and join us for a game!

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Winston-Salem Voted Among the Best Places to Retire

When older adults begin to evaluate where to retire, they often look to family and friends for advice. However, it can also be beneficial to search for the best cities to retire near; in fact, they may be just around the corner. 

One such city receiving positive national attention just so happens to be Winston-Salem, a city located less than 10 minutes away from our own Bermuda Village. What makes this city such a special retirement destination, and where does it rank? Read more about these rankings and find out in our breakdown below.

Winston-Salem: A Top Place to Retire

According to a recent article, Forbes magazine and SmartAsset have both named Winston-Salem among their top picks for retirees, with Forbes placing the city in their top 25 list and SmartAsset ranking it as number 14 on its 2022 list for best cities for an early retirement.

Why has Winston-Salem achieved these high rankings? The article states that it’s because of:

  • • The range of great healthcare facilities
  • • A low cost of living and a low median home price
  • • High quality of life 
  • • Proximity to higher education, like Salem College, Winston-Salem State University, Wake Forest University, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts 
  • • No state estate tax or income tax on Social Security 

Winston-Salem also received high marks on its air quality, moderate weather, livability and senior care.

This Isn’t Winston-Salem’s First Rodeo

It’s important to note this isn’t the first time Winston-Salem has received such great rankings. In the past, the article states that Winston-Salem has been voted:

  • • 7th Best Place to Retire by U.S. News & World Report in 2020
  • • 6th on CNNMoney.com’s 25 Best Places to Retire listing in 2012
  • • 11th Best U.S. Retirement Option in 2012 by CBS News

These rankings truly speak to how wonderful our local area is for older adults while inspiring us to ensure our area’s retirement lifestyles keep getting better.

Why Do Bermuda Village Residents Love Winston-Salem?

Bermuda Village residents cherish living in this area, and it’s easy to see why. Being near a metropolitan area with a small-town feel, residents can have the best of both worlds – all while enjoying life in our retirement community. 

Discover all the ways our location and community can enhance your retirement experience below.

Intergenerational Activities

According to the article, higher education, lower cost of living, lower taxes, housing costs, an active cultural scene, and more had a profound effect on the number of young professionals moving to the area. 

As the article states, many young professionals, as well as retirees, are looking for similar opportunities within their lifestyle, so it makes sense that Winston-Salem would be a good fit. 

This mix of generations in the area allows for more collaboration, interaction, and opportunities to learn from one another. For example, Bermuda Village residents may volunteer to share their knowledge and experiences with young professionals, allowing them to benefit from their advice and life lessons. 

At the same time, residents can benefit from young professionals by learning new skills and gaining new perspectives they may not have considered. 

Cultural Opportunities

There are a range of cultural events, programs and activities to enjoy in Winston-Salem, and our residents delight in taking advantage of these opportunities. Some of these include:

  • Winston-Salem Symphony
  • • Sporting events
  • • Festivals and fairs
  • • Art exhibits
  • • Theater performances and concerts
  • • Book clubs and trivia
  • • Outdoor art tours
  • Craft Draft Crawl
  • • Lifelong learning

Living at Bermuda Village not only puts you close to cultural opportunities in the Winston-Salem metro area; it also puts you right in the heart of all that goes on within our community, including:

  • • Social events like cocktail and coffee hours, live music, and parties
  • • Card groups and game clubs offering bridge, poker and more
  • • Fitness classes and sports
  • • Educational pursuits, like our Lifelong Learning Program affiliated with Wake Forest University and our Bermuda Village College series
  • • Trips to cultural performances and to experience the arts
  • • Groups that cater to a wide variety of hobbies and interests

If you’re looking for a living option that puts you near everything you enjoy while expanding your experiences, the Winston-Salem area and Bermuda Village might be a great place to start.

Delicious Dining

Throughout Winston-Salem, there are a plethora of dining options to meet different tastes, preferences and moods. Whether you want to travel the world without ever leaving Winston-Salem with regional and international dining, grab some pizza with friends, catch up over coffee or cocktails, or enjoy delectable desserts, you’ll find almost everything you’re looking for – just like in any world-class city.

At Bermuda Village, residents enjoy delicious dining right on campus as well. With lunch in the Atrium Pub or dinner in the Crystal Dining Room, our diverse menus and buffets please the palate. Those who are members of Bermuda Run Country Club can delight in spectacular meals there, or you can simply explore Winston-Salem’s options.

Outdoor Activities

There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy in Winston-Salem. In fact, according to the Road Runners Club of America, Winston-Salem is a “Runner Friendly Community.” However, that’s not all Winston-Salem has to offer outdoor adventurers. Try some of these activities that will please those of every interest.

  • • Relax with friends and family in local parks, or spend the day with grandchildren at our nearby playgrounds.
  • • Take a history or ghost tour.
  • • Become a member of Bermuda Run Country Club, right beside Bermuda Village, and play some golf.
  • • Take horseback riding lessons.
  • • Tour our local gardens.

Living at Bermuda Village puts you close to golf courses, gardens and parks, and our community also offers beautiful outdoor spaces. 

  • • Try shuffleboard or enjoy friendly competition with croquet.
  • • Take a book and read in our beautiful Japanese Garden. 
  • • Enjoy the beauty of nature and see the fruits of your labor in our community garden. 
  • • Talk a walk throughout our community.

With so many things to do, there is sure to be an outdoor activity you enjoy.

Healthcare

According to Forbes, the healthcare in Winston-Salem is high quality, with a high ratio of physicians per capita. This becomes increasingly important for older adults, as they may need access to these services and additional care.

Our area is well known for quality healthcare, and so is Bermuda Village. Offering care solutions for older adults, including Independent Living, Supportive Care, Skilled Care and Short-Term Rehabilitation, our team will work together to promote health and enhance happiness for our residents.

We also bring in experts from Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, giving residents access to geriatricians who can oversee care and provide home visits.

No matter what level of care you or a loved one requires, you will receive a personalized care plan, enjoy a range of activities to meet interests, and have the security of support from a dedicated care team.

A Prime Location Where People Retire; Lifestyles Don’t

To learn more about our location and lifestyle, contact the team at Bermuda Village. We would be happy to share additional information about what residents enjoy most about living near Winston-Salem, as well as why they chose Bermuda Village.

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The Power of a Strong, Loving Community

As we age and transition into the new lifestyle associated with retirement, there is always a level of worry on both sides. A change this big affects both the senior and immediate family directly. Whether it’s the worry of losing independence, fearing the unknown, or the anxiety associated with ensuring your parents are properly and lovingly cared for, we at Bermuda Village want to ensure all possible unknowns are communicated and taken care of.

As we transition into the new year, we want to take a moment to step back and reflect on all the wonderful moments and memories we have had with our residents. During this past year, we have been honored to be completely transparent with our residents and their families in regard to COVID-19, in order to restore each families’ tight knit connection. Additionally, we have continued to provide services and amenities that are second to none. We are proud to offer our residents a flexible and elegant community where comfort and an enhanced quality of life are our top priorities.

“The feeling of new beginnings associated with the new year is incredibly exciting for me and our residents,” says Kyle Jones, Executive Director of Bermuda Village. “I, personally, love taking advantage of new opportunities as well as reflecting on past accomplishments. My goal is to always give our residents the best version of myself and our team is constantly checking in to ensure they do the same. When looking back on 2020, I can’t help but think about celebrations, such as turning 100 years old.”

“I am so excited to share a letter we have recently received from their six children: Pat, Doug, Bruce, Donna, Dan and Craig,” says Kyle “Give yourself a few minutes to read the wonderful, loving words the Rogers children wrote for their mother Betty’s 100th birthday.”

Tribute to Bermuda Village Lifestyle and Care Retirement Community

December 4, 2020 – Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Rogers turned 100 years old.

Mom was born in Cynthiana, Kentucky and at the age of two, moved with her parents to Warren, Ohio. There she grew up, met and married Richard (Dick) Rogers and together they raised a family of six children, contributed to the community serving on boards, in the schools and were active members of First Presbyterian Church. They enjoyed a rich and active life with family and friends in Warren for over 70 years.

Twenty-five years or so ago, Betty and Dick decided to retire at Bermuda Village. They had enjoyed playing golf and vacationing at Tanglewood and decided the active lifestyle and progressive care options Bermuda Village offered would serve them well for the rest of their lives. And it has!

Our parents have enjoyed, used and needed every aspect of the lifestyle offered at Bermuda Village. They were in their mid-70s when they first arrived and enjoyed golf, bridge, volunteering in the community, sponsored excursions and nearly all of the amenities supported by caring staff. They also made countless friends, were active in the Clemmons Presbyterian Church and enjoyed the dining options available to them. They loved having tickets to the Crosby Golf Tournament and were thrilled when Arnold Palmer showed up to play.

As their kids, at times it felt like we almost had to make appointments to see our parents because they were so busy with social activities. But then as time passed, Dad’s health began to decline due to Parkinson’s disease. He still enjoyed playing bridge until he no longer could follow the cards. We saw how kindly the staff treated him when he could no longer remember names or walk to the dining room. 

For at least three years, he struggled, and Mom struggled along with him, not easily accepting that the man she had married was no longer able to care for himself. Finally, when caring for him became too much for her, they were able to move into Assisted Living. There, Mom received all the help she needed caring for dad and getting the daily interaction and emotional support from staff she needed until he died at the age of 90+ on February 14, 2010. Mind you, we, her children, were there to support them the whole time, but their daily needs were met by Bermuda Village qualified and caring staff.

We had a lovely funeral in the large living room that was filled to capacity. A wine and cheese reception followed that my father would have been pleased to attend. During this time, as their adult children, we realized that just as we and their friends mourned the loss of our father, so did the staff who had cared for and actively participated in the lives of our parents for 15 years.

Mom could have sunk into depression and given up, but that was not her style. Instead, she moved back into her condo, spent some time grieving and then got back into life volunteering at church, attending the symphony, playing bridge and mahjong, dining with the Blue Shirt Ladies, tending her garden and enjoying life with friends at Bermuda Village and spending holidays and special occasions with us. She also became very close to Allen Rethmier and Bev Cupsky, who had lost their spouses about the same time that she did. These friendships would grow and add zest to her life until Allen passed at the age of 98. Bev remains one of her lasting friends.

At age 95, Mom fell and broke her leg. After surgery, she spent three months in the health center recovering. We would come to visit her, wheel her up to her condo in a wheelchair to get a few things or to just let her sit in her home, which she loved. This gave her energy to get well so she could get back home and back into life. Because of the great care she received and her amazing will, she recovered fully and got back into her condo and living life among friends. Sometime after that, she quit going to the fitness classes and her energy waned. She began using a walker and became more comfortable staying in her condo. After a few falls, we realized that she needed more care, but she was not ready for full Assisted Living, so we opted for the Enhanced Living option. There were several times when a CNA or other staff helped her after she had fallen, ensured she got to the health center for appointments or helped her set up for bridge gatherings in her home. These, mostly ladies, cared for our mother day in and out. They encouraged her and treated her with respect, even when she repeated herself countless times, and became like members of her family to her. As her memory slipped more and more, we watched as they took it in stride and never scolded or treated her with anything other than unconditional love. What a blessing this option was for her and for us.

When COVID-19 came crashing into our lives in March, we were grateful to be able to slip in the back door of her condo for visits and to take her home with us for dinners or stay for a few days. We can only imagine the extra work and concern the staff has endured during this time. But Bermuda Village has had an outstanding record of keeping the virus at bay when other congregate living sites have seen widespread outbreaks. This is quite a testimony to the care and professionalism of all of the staff members.

So, until a few weeks ago, we were planning some sort of family gathering to celebrate mom turning 100. We had reserved rooms and cottages at Tanglewood Park for her kids and grandkids, and even reserved a dining room at Bermuda Run Country Club for a special dinner.  Those plans came crashing down when mom fell in late October and broke her knee badly. After surgery and several days in the hospital, she was able to move into a lovely room in the rehab center. But all of a sudden, COVID-19 restrictions applied to us and our ability to see her.  The staff has been most accommodating helping us set up window visits and ensuring she gets the special things we bring her. She is most complimentary of the care she is getting and understands how staff are working to keep her as comfortable as possible. Time will only tell if she will be able to move out of rehab into Assisted Living in 2021.

With the help of staff on December 4, 2020, five of her six children and their spouses gathered somewhere with her to laugh and joke and celebrate our wonderful mom and the gift she has been to us our whole lives. She is our mom, but we realize that many of the Bermuda Village staff have been an extended part of her family for years. You have loved her well and it is a great tribute to the care you have given her that we celebrated her 100th birthday. She has a special place in her heart for you, as we know you have for her.

On December 4, we celebrated 100 years of a life lived in faith, in truth, in hope and love. But the greatest of these is love! 

God Bless and thank you all,

Pat, Doug, Bruce, Donna, Dan and Craig Rogers

What We Can Offer at Bermuda Village

We hope these kind words by the Rogers family remind you of the power of a strong, committed relationship built both within your family and within the retirement community you choose. We are so grateful for the opportunity to work with both Betty and Dick and will be continuing to show Betty all the love she has given us these past 15 years. 

If you are looking for a senior living community that can provide you or your loved ones with the level of care and safety that the Rogers spoke of above, give us a call at (336) 899-0583. We would love to talk with you and help ease some of the anxiety of this worthwhile transition.

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Better Sleep Tips for Seniors

Sleep is an important part of maintaining good physical and mental health throughout our entire lives, but our needs and sleeping habits do change as we age. While a newborn baby needs between 14 and 17 hours of sleep each day, older adults only need around 7-8 hours per night. However, many seniors find it difficult to get this much sleep and often experience disrupted sleep.

What causes seniors’ sleep problems?

Changes to our bodies as we age can make it more difficult to get a solid night’s sleep. One of the main culprits is a weaker bladder. Seniors are more likely to wake up in the night needing to use the bathroom, perhaps even multiple times per night. This can be very disruptive to our sleep patterns, especially for those who find it difficult to get back to sleep after waking up.

Pain can also be an issue. Seniors with arthritis or a chronic pain disorder may find that the pain keeps them up at night. It could also be that certain medications they are taking can cause insomnia or a restless night’s sleep. Additionally, seniors can be more prone to conditions like sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome, which both lead to disrupted or poor-quality sleep.

Tips for a better night’s sleep for seniors

If you or a senior family member are having trouble sleeping, then it’s advisable to see a doctor about this problem. If there are any underlying health issues leading to your sleep problems, then they should be able to diagnose and, hopefully, treat these. You should also check any medication you are taking to see if sleep problems are listed as a side effect. If you mention your problems to a doctor, they may be able to recommend an alternative medication.

Beyond seeing a doctor, advice for getting a better night’s sleep in your senior years is much the same as it is at any point in your life:

  • Have a nighttime routine – It’s not just children who should have a bedtime. Setting yourself a nighttime routine and going to bed and waking up at the same times every day helps you get to sleep more easily.
  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol – If you drink coffee too late in the day, you’re likely to find it harder to fall asleep. Try to avoid caffeine after a certain time, e.g. 2pm. Alcohol can also make it more difficult to fall asleep and can disrupt to quality of your sleep.
  • Don’t nap too late – If you do need to nap during the day, then late morning or early afternoon is the best time. Later than this, and you may find it difficult to sleep at night.
  • Prepare your bedroom – Your sleep environment may also be causing problems. Make sure your bedroom isn’t too hot, too cold, too bright, or too noisy.

If you need support caring for a senior family member, then contact Bermuda Village to find out more about our assisted and independent living facilities.

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Disaster Preparedness for Seniors

Disasters like fires, floods, earthquakes, and other natural phenomena may be rare, but failing to prepare for them can be disastrous for both your safety and the condition of your home and belongings. These risks can be even greater for seniors, with serious injuries and death becoming more likely during disasters.

In this article, we’ll provide some tips to help you or your senior family members be better prepared for potential disasters.

Have a plan in place

If a disaster occurs, you should already know what you are going to do and where you should go. It can be difficult to make rational decisions in an emergency, so having a plan in place will eliminate this need. It helps to coordinate this with a neighbor or family member so that you can check on each other to make sure no one is injured.

Pack an emergency kit

When a disaster occurs, you may need to either stay in your home until the danger passes or evacuate your home. Either way, you need to make sure that you have everything you need to survive in an emergency, such as any medications you need, first aid kit, and emergency food and fresh water. Pack an emergency bag like this that you can grab if you need to evacuate, and consider keeping a stock of non-perishable food and fresh water in the house in case you have to stay inside for a few days.

Reinforce your home

Even small home improvements can help to prepare your home to be more resilient in the event of a disaster. Different types of disasters will require different preparations, of course, but some measures are good sense all around. If you live in an area where a certain kind of disaster is common, it’s also a good idea to take additional measures against this. Aging.com has advice for specific types of disasters.

Emergency contacts

You should have a list of local emergency contacts, either saved in your phone or another device, or written down as a list stuck to the fridge or kept in a safe place. As well as the local authorities and specific disaster helplines, this should include the numbers of friends or family members who can help you during a disaster. You may need a place to stay or shelter and, if you don’t drive or have your own car, you should be able to call someone for emergency transport in this situation.

In our independent and assisted living community, we make sure that the proper precautions and plans are in place in case of a disaster. If you need any support caring for a senior loved one, then contact Bermuda Village to find out how we can support or advise you.

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Explaining an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis to Your Children

Receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis for yourself or a loved one is always going to be difficult. But if the person receiving the diagnosis has young children or grandchildren, then explaining the situation to them and preparing them for what’s to come is an additional challenge to face.

If you’re in this situation, then read on for some tips on how to handle it.

When to tell children

It’s obviously at your own discretion when to tell your children that their parent or grandparent is sick. But preparing them early and being honest and open with them can help make things easier. Of course, if your child is only an infant, then you may decide to wait until they are a little older when they can better understand what you are telling them.

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, the condition and its symptoms may not be very noticeable. During this time, it may be easy to hide the condition without telling the children, waiting until it is more necessary to explain any changes in behavior and personality. Alternatively, telling your children while the symptoms aren’t apparent can help to prepare them so that they aren’t as shocked or upset when those symptoms do arise.

How to help them understand and cope

Alzheimer’s is a complex neurological condition that can vary greatly from one patient to the next. This makes it difficult to fully understand, especially for kids and teenagers. The important thing is to be honest with them while tailoring your explanation depending on their age and what they are likely to understand.

It’s important to let them know what kind of behaviors to expect from their loved one to prepare them. A sudden change in personality or an increase in irritability can be upsetting and even frightening, so you should help them to understand that these behaviors are only a result of the illness.

You should encourage children to ask any questions they may have and to answer these questions as best as you can while still remaining comforting. Being open and honest with them will help them feel more at ease and that they can trust you if they want to talk about it.

Encourage them to express their feelings about the situation. Some parents feel like they should hide their grief in order to avoid upsetting their child. However, being open about your own feelings can help to show your child that it’s normal to feel this way and they should feel comfortable expressing their feelings.

If you need any support with approaching an Alzheimer’s diagnosis or caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia, then contact Bermuda Village for personal care assistance around Winston Salem, Bermuda Run, Clemmons, and Lewisville. The Alzheimer’s Association website has useful resources for kids and teens to help them understand and cope with Alzheimer’s in the family.

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Learning New Things in Later Life

They say that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but we don’t think that’s true at all. In fact, learning new things in our senior years can be fun and fulfilling, as well as being highly beneficial in a number of ways. If you want to learn a new skill, a language, or everything there is to know about a certain subject, then read on for some tips and the benefits of doing so.

The benefits of lifelong learning

Most of us finish formal education in our late teens or early twenties. But the learning doesn’t have to stop there. Lifelong learning involves continuous learning and personal development outside of formal education, whether that’s enrolling yourself in classes, learning how to cook new recipes online, or simply reading a lot or watching documentaries in your free time.

Lifelong learning has so many benefits, such as:

  • Improve brain healthResearch suggests that continuous learning and education can help to reduce risks of dementia and other neurological conditions in later life. We naturally lose neurons as we age, but an increase in lifelong cognitive activity can slow this down.
  • Increase brain power – Keeping your brain active helps to form new neural pathways and strengthen existing ones, improving cognitive ability and memory. This is a good way to keep the mind sharp in later life.
  • Work toward goals – Our careers offer a sense of fulfillment for us throughout our lives. Even if you don’t love your job, it still provides somewhat of a purpose. After retirement, pursuing skills and learning is another way to work toward goals and get a sense of fulfillment in your day-to-day life.
  • Have fun – If you love cooking or reading, then pursuing these hobbies is a great way to have fun while learning new recipes or learning about a new topic. Learning doesn’t have to be a chore.

Tips for learning in later life

After retirement is a time where you can do what you want in your own time. So, the first tip about learning in your senior years is to learn about whatever you want. Find a subject that interests you, an instrument you’ve always wanted to play, or a language from a country that you love to visit. Make it about you and your own goals or interests, and learn at your own pace.

Learning in later life is also a good chance to socialize and meet new people. Look for local classes in your area or see what’s on offer in your community if you live in independent living or assisted living. Learning with others can make it easier to motivate yourself while enjoying the benefits of socializing. It can also make it easier to learn if you have a teacher, especially for skills like playing an instrument or learning a language.

At Bermuda Village, we run a Lifelong Learning Program affiliated with Wake Forest University, so there are plenty of opportunities for our residents to pursue their learning goals. Contact us to find out more.

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What is Skilled Nursing Care?

When we get older or suffer from an injury or illness that reduces our ability to live completely independently, there are, luckily, a lot of care options available to help us. However, this can sometimes be confusing as the differences between different care options aren’t always clear.

In this article, we’re going to explain what is meant by skilled nursing care and how this compares to other types of care provision.

What is skilled nursing?

Skilled nursing is provided on either a short-term or long-term basis to patients who require a high level of care, often around-the-clock. For example, short-term skilled nursing may be required when a patient is recovering from an injury or serious illness, while long-term skilled nursing care will be needed for patients with ongoing conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Skilled nurses provide a high level of care, which may also be specialized care, for example, speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. Skilled nursing care is typically ordered by a doctor and includes important tasks like checking the patient’s vital signs to monitor their condition.

Where does skilled nursing care take place?

Skilled nursing care refers to the type of service, described above, rather than a specific location or facility. So, skilled nursing care can be offered in various locations, usually either a hospital, a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or at home. Skilled nursing facilities can provide short or long-term care and must meet certain regulations and inspection requirements in order to qualify as such.

When skilled nursing care is administered in the patient’s home, it is more likely to be part-time rather than the around-the-clock care provided in hospitals and facilities. If in-home care is sufficient for the patient’s needs, some people prefer this as they get to stay in a familiar and comfortable environment.

Skilled nursing care coverage

The terms ‘nursing home’ and ‘skilled nursing facility’ are often used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same. One key difference is that skilled nursing care is usually covered by Medicare, making it easier for patients to get the help and care that they need. As a long-term accommodation option, nursing homes are not typically covered in this way. Click here to find out what services are covered by Medicare in a skilled nursing facility.

If you or a loved one requires care around Winston Salem, Bermuda Run, Clemmons, and Lewisville, then contact Bermuda Village to find out more about our independent and assisted living at Bermuda Run Country Club.

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