Blog Posts

An Assisted Living Facility Checklist

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 15:08:21 +0000

What to Look for in a Senior Care Home

Finding the right assisted living facility can be difficult, but taking the time is extremely important. In your loved one’s new home, you want to make sure they’re getting the care they need. You also want them to be comfortable.

But how do you decide it’s the right facility?

Our Assisted Living Checklist

As you research and tour assisted living facilities, refer to our checklist. This checklist features things you should look for to know it’s the right facility.

Does the senior care home have the:

Right Location
Trained & Qualified Staff
Safety Features
Accessibility Features
Medication Management & Care Services
General Amenities
Costs

Why These Features?

What makes these features important and what do we mean by them? Each of these features are important to an assisted living facility, but since everyone’s different, there is some variance in where they fall on the list for you and what specifically they entail.

Right Location

Is the facility you’re looking at close to home, family and friends? It’s key to have visiting accessible to help assisted living residents feel comfortable.

Trained & Qualified Staff

This one is just like how it sounds. It’s important to choose a facility that has trained and qualified staff who are able to care for your loved one. Ask if they have certifications and find out if they care for the residents.

Safety Features

This encompasses security systems, fire safety equipment and accessibility. One of the important things to consider is if wandering precautions are place for the residents with memory issues.

Accessibility Features

Similar to the safety features, you want to consider the assisted living facility’s accessibility features. Can the facility accommodate people with disabilities? Are there ramps and wide doorways? Do the bathrooms have grab bars to help prevent falls?

Medication Management & Care Services

Another thing to consider is the type of care services they offer. It’s important to know if the assisted living facility you’re looking at offers help with medication management as well as daily grooming help, laundry services and other services to help residents with routine tasks.

General Amenities

An assisted living facility is a home. You want to look at what they offer, such as daily activities and trips outside the facility. You may want to include meals in this aspect.

Costs

Find out the costs of the facility and determine if they fit into the budget.

Find Out if Tennyson Court is the Right Assisted Living Facility

Take your assisted living facility checklist to Tennyson Court. See if we’re the right facility for your loved one. Contact us to learn more or schedule a tour.

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Senior Living Options for Your Aging Loved One in Western New York

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 13:54:01 +0000

Western New York is full of different senior living options for the elderly, offering different amenities and levels of care. The right type of facility will depend on your loved one and any conditions they may have.

As you're browsing through the different options, you'll see 5 main types of care to choose from.

1. Assisted Living Communities

Assisted living facilities are a type of residential care that provides seniors with personalized support while allowing them to maintain independence where possible. These facilities are designed for individuals needing help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, medication management, and meal preparation. preparation. Limited nursing services may be available, while other
medical agencies may need to visit on-site to provide additional services. If a senior needs
continuous medical services, a nursing home may be a better fit. but do not require intensive
medical care in a nursing home. Daily activity calendars often offer a variety of activities for a
senior to enjoy throughout the day.

Assisted Living facilities offer different types of rooms or apartments, but being in a community like these allows your loved one to feel the comforts of home while receiving the care they need to make safety a priority. Staff are available around the clock to respond to resident requests or emergencies.

2. Memory Care Communities

Memory care facilities are designed for people with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other memory-related conditions. These facilities create a safe and structured environment with staff trained to handle these memory impairments. Memory care facilities offer a variety of activities and specialized services that are geared towards this population, making the day more engaging and meaningful.

Many of these facilities offer secured doors to deter wandering and other security features to enhance the safety of their residents. Limited nursing services may be available and additional medical providers may visit to provide additional services. Often, rooms or apartments in memory care facilities are smaller, to feel less overwhelming for the resident and encourage more social interaction outside their room.

3. Independent Living Communities

Independent living communities are residential options for senior citizens who are still fairly active and can live independently. This type of housing offers access to amenities and some social activities. In these facilities, residents typically have their own private apartment or home in addition to shared facilities and services. If any care or assistance is needed, it would need to be scheduled independently with an outside provider and maintained by the resident or the resident’s representative.

These apartments often have kitchens where a senior may cook their own meals but the community would also offer a dining room where meal packages can be purchased and daily options are available.

4. Nursing Homes

A Nursing home, also known as a skilled nursing facility or long-term care facility, provides round-the-clock medical care and supervision for seniors who require a higher level of assistance than other care options due to chronic illness, injury, or significant health issues. These facilities offer activities throughout the day and meals for specific dietary needs.

Additionally, these facilities often have the highest amount of certified and licenses staff out of the facilities listed in this article, as they need to consistently provide more enhanced care and medical services to the residents.

5. In-Home Care Services

In-home care services aren’t facilities at all. These services allow seniors to stay in their homes while care employees come to you. Seniors and their representatives need to consider their obligations in scheduling and planning their own staff
to come into the home. Socialization, activities, safety measures and meals also need consideration for ongoing comfort and security for a senior to stay at home. This option allows for a senior to stay in the comfort of their own home but does have limitations on how much care and support they may receive.

Deciding the Right Facility

Now that you know your options, it’s important to consider your loved one to decide what’s best for them. Consider the different aspects of their health: their physical, cognitive, social and medical needs.

Additionally, you’ll want to consider their preferences and safety needs. Does the facility offer activities they would enjoy? Are the menus being updated with items your loved one would like? If your loved one needs more care in the future, what services are offered here?

When in doubt, contact a professional who can help you consider your loved one’s needs and explore the financial options.

Choosing a Facility

Once you’ve decided on the type of facility, you’ll be able to evaluate your options. In Western New York, you have many options that are close to home. They all offer their own features and amenities and have different standards of care.

To start narrowing down your options, right down a list of facilities you’re considering and note why. What features make it unique? Why are you interested in this facility?

Once you’ve narrowed down your options, start visiting the facilities. With a tour, you and your elderly loved one will be able to get a feel for the facility and determine if they would be comfortable there.

Touring Tennyson Court

As you’re considering communities, make sure Tennyson Court is on your list. We offer high-quality assisted living and memory care in Williamsville and Western New York. Schedule a tour with us today and learn more about what we have to offer our residents.

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What is a Memory Care Facility?: 7 Different Senior Care Options Explained

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 18:21:58 +0000

When it’s time to put your loved one in a specialized senior care facility, it typically comes quickly. It may feel like a time crunch to find the right fit. With so many options, it may feel overwhelming to see the different facilities and the different types of care.

That’s where we have decided to step in. While we can’t decide what facility is best for your aging loved one, we can help layout your options.

Your Options:

Memory Care Facilities
Independent Living Communities
Assisted Living Facilities
Skilled Nursing Homes
Adult Day Care Centers
Respite Care
Hospice Care

1. Memory Care Facilities

Memory care facilities offer specialized residential care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other types of memory problems. These facilities provide a secure environment designed to meet the specific needs of people with memory impairment. The goal is to enhance the quality of life for residents while managing symptoms.

Memory care facilities offer structured activities, personalized care plans, and therapies aimed at maintaining cognitive functions as much as possible. They also have trained staff available around the clock to assist with daily living activities and to provide support and supervision. The design of the physical environment in these facilities often includes safety features and cues to help residents navigate their surroundings more easily and reduce confusion.

2. Independent Living Communities

Designed for seniors who are able to live on their own bu prefer the convenience of having housekeeping, dining and scheduled social activities, these communities are a great way to enhance quality of life while seniors are able to maintain a high level of independence. These communities often offer amenities like fitness centers, group outings and communal dining rooms.

3. Assisted Living Facilities

Assisted living facilities are for seniors who need assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing and medication management. These facilities do not offer intensive medical or nursing care, but they do offer meals, housekeeping and planned activities. They also offer access to care as needed.

4. Skilled Nursing Homes

Nursing homes provide 24-hour supervised care with meals, activities and health management for residents who require a high level of care and assistance. These facilities are staffed with trained nurses and health professionals on-site.

5. Adult Daycare Centers

Adult daycare centers focus on providing care and companionship for seniors who need assistance or supervision during the day. Seniors are then released home during the night. These centers often offer social activities, meals and limited health services. They are perfect for families who can provide care during the evening but require more help during the day.

6. Respite Care

This mode of care offers temporary relief to caregivers both during the day and night. Providing short-term stays for elderly individuals, you’re given the chance to take a break while needed, knowing your loved one is well-cared for in a specialized facility.

7. Hospice Care

Hospice care is end-of-life care focused on providing comfort and pain relief for individuals with terminal illnesses. Hospice care can be provided at home, in hospice centers, hospitals, and sometimes within nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

Finding the right facility

Once you have a better understanding of the different types of senior care available to you and your loved one, you should have an easier time making the right choice. For help finding the right assisted living community or memory care facility, try Tennyson Court. Contact us to learn more about the services we offer, and how we can help your loved one feel at home while being properly cared for.

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15 Best Memory Care Activities for Seniors with Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 22:13:37 +0000

It’s difficult to watch when someone you love has Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. There memory often deteriorates over time, making remembering important details and life events harder. But routinely doing memory care activities can be a huge benefit to individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Benefits from a Memory Care Activity

Memory care activities can help improve memories and cognitive thought for people with these conditions. They’re more than that though. Memory care activities can improve the overall quality of life of those doing the activities, providing emotional support and maintaining independence where possible.

There are nine key benefits to memory care activities:

Cognitive Stimulation: These activities are designed to engage and stimulate the brain, which can help slow the progression of memory loss. Routine mental stimulation is believed to strengthen brain cells and their connections, potentially delaying symptoms from worsening.
Routine and Structure: Memory care activities provide a sense of routine and structure, something people with memory issues often find comfort in. Familiar routines can often reduce anxiety and confusion, things commonly found in dementia.
Emotional and Social Engagement: Many memory care activities encourage social interaction, crucial to emotional well-being. This can reduce feelings of isolation and depression, another trait commonly seen in those with memory impairments.
Sensory Stimulation: Activities that stimulate the senses can trigger memories and emotions, providing a connection to past experiences. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who may struggle with short-term memory but have intact long-term memories.
Physical Activity: Activities that involve physical movements, like walking or simple exercises, can improve overall health. Physical health is closely linked to mental health, and maintaining physical fitness can help in managing dementia symptoms.
Stress Reduction: Engaging in enjoyable activities can reduce stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety can exacerbate memory issues, so activities that promote relaxation can have a positive impact on overall cognitive function.
Sense of Purpose and Achievement: Completing tasks and engaging in meaningful activities can provide a sense of purpose and achievement, which is important for self-esteem and quality of life.
Behavior Management: For some people with dementia, certain activities can help in managing behavioral issues. For example, music therapy can have a calming effect on those who are agitated.
Memory Recall: Activities like reminiscence therapy can help in recalling past memories, which can be a comforting and affirming experience for those with memory loss.

Memory Care Activities to Try

There is no shortage of memory care activities to incorporate into your loved one’s daily routine. This allows your loved one to engage in the activities that they enjoy. With so many options, tailoring the activities to meet their interests is easy.

It’s amazing how many memory care options are similar to those your loved one already enjoys!

While hundreds of activities can help engage your loved one and their memory, we’ve highlighted 15 activities you can try with your loved one.

1. Music Therapy

Music therapy primarily involves listening to music or singing songs. This can trigger both memories and emotions. Music from your loved ones youth or from significant times in their life can be particularly effective.

2. Art Therapy

Engaging in simple art projects like painting or coloring can stimulate creativity and provide a sense of accomplishment.

3. Puzzle Games

Working on things like jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles or simple brain teasers can help in maintaining cognitive function.

4. Reminiscence Therapy

This memory care activity revolves around sharing old photos, telling stories or watching classic movies. This can help in recalling past memories and experiences and is a great way to connect with family members.

5. Gardening

Simple gardening activities can be soothing and provide a sense of purpose. It can also offer an opportunity to be creative and engage in some physical activity. This can include plating flowers and herbs.

6. Cooking and Baking

Preparing simple recipes can be a fun activity that stimulates the senses and evokes memories. This can also offer an opportunity to build and maintain friendships or relationships with family members.

7. Pet Therapy

Interaction with animals can be calming and comforting. Even watching fish in an aquarium can be beneficial.

8. Walking and Light Exercise

Regular, gentle physical activity like walking or stretching can improve mood and overall well-being.

9. Sensory Stimulation

Activities like using scented lotions, touching different textures, or tasting various flavors can stimulate the senses. It can also engage in memories due to the strong link between the senses and that part of the brain.

10 Simple Board Games or Card Games

Games that are familiar and not too complex can be enjoyable and stimulating. It’s also a great opportunity to practice memory and be social.

11. Crafts and Handiwork

Simple crafts like knitting, sewing, or assembling model kits can be both engaging and rewarding.

12. Reading and Storytelling

Reading out loud or listening to audiobooks can be both relaxing and stimulating.

13. Memory Boxes

Creating a box filled with personal items and mementos can spark conversations and memories.

14. Interactive Technology

Using tablets with simple apps designed for dementia patients can provide cognitive stimulation.

15. Group Activities

Participating in group activities in a community setting can provide social interaction and a sense of belonging.

It’s important to note that these are just ideas for memory care activities. These activities should be tailored to your loved ones’ interests, needs and abilities. Engaging in these activities routinely can help maintain cognitive abilities and improve the quality of life of your loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Start Engaging with Your Elderly Loved One

Take these ideas to start engaging with your aging loved one in a new way. It’s essential to practice memory activities to improve their quality of life.

If helping them becomes too much, it may be time to consider finding a skilled memory care facility. Contact us today to learn more.

How to Plan for Assisted Living: 4 Key Steps to Help You Get Started

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 14:54:26 +0000

Moving a loved one to an assisted living facility is a big step. It doesn’t just affect your aging loved one but your whole family, and there is a myriad of things to consider from physical and emotional well-being to financial capabilities.

While picking the facility is a difficult task, it isn’t the only one present. Are you or your loved one prepared financially for the added costs of an assisted living facility?

Planning financially for assisted living is crucial for ensuring a smooth transition and continued quality of life. There are several things to consider when planning and steps to be the most prepared.

1. Start by Understanding the Costs of Assisted Living

Before embarking on a financial plan, it's crucial to comprehend the full spectrum of costs associated with assisted living. This may include:

Monthly rent
Service fees (for meals, housekeeping, utilities)
Health and personal care costs
Miscellaneous expenses like activities or transportation

Once you've outlined these expenses, you can strategize and budget. This will allow you to find the appropriate assisted living facility for your loved one, meeting your loved one’s needs and budget.

2. Explore Funding Options

If your current budget doesn’t cover the likely costs you’ll be seeing, you can explore other funding options to help pay for assisted living. This could include looking at private funds like pensions and personal savings, investigating long-term care insurance, reversing your mortgage, utilizing veteran benefits or tapping into Medicaid coverage.

3. Plan Ahead

Preparing a plan ahead of time can also alleviate the burden when the time for transition comes. This can involve consulting with a financial planner, downsizing large homes and establishing a trust.

4. Finding the Right Time for Assisted Living

While financial planning is paramount, recognizing when it's the right time for assisted living is equally crucial. No one wants to see their loved one go to a facility, but sometimes it’s the best one for your loved one as well as for the relatives caring for them.

To make this difficult decision easier, here are some signs to look out for:

Your loved one has increasing care needs
You have concerns for their safety while they’re on their own
They are feeling lonely
Caring for them is becoming stressful or difficult

We also have a blog dedicated to helping you make this decision. Check it out here.

Other Things to Consider

Once you’ve chosen to move your loved one into a dedicated assisted living facility, there are a few other things you need to consider during the process.

You may want to meet with a financial advisor or planner to help you understand the finances required as well as what’s available to you.

You’ll also want to plan for future medical needs. You don’t know what the future holds and don’t want to be caught unprepared. You never know what may happen in the future medically, so it’s good to have some money put aside for any unexpected costs.

It’s also essential to look at the contract before committing to an assisted living facility. Like with any contract, you want to know what you’re agreeing to before you sign on the dotted line.

Finally, review and adjust regularly. As circumstances change and things develop over time, it’s good to be able to adjust your plan accordingly, allowing you to provide the best care possible for your loved one while meeting your financial needs.

Start Preparing for an assisted living facility today

In essence, planning for assisted living is about combining an understanding of your current and future financial situation with an awareness of potential costs. It's always a good idea to start early, discuss openly with family members, and seek expert advice when needed.

And to speak to an assisted living facility that helps offer the best care for your loved one, contact Tennyson Court today.

The 9 Things to Expect From a Memory Care Facility

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 19:52:44 +0000

Moving your loved one to a memory care facility is a difficult decision. There are many things to consider, especially as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease can provide further challenges in the care they require. It’s important that you find somewhere that meets their unique needs and cares for them like they would care for a member of their own family.

But when looking for a memory care facility, what’s realistic to expect?

What to Expect?

When looking for a memory care facility for your loved one to call home, there are nine main things you can expect and look for.

Safe and Secure Environment
Specialized Staff
Structured Daily Activities
Personalized Care Plans
Therapeutic Design Elements
Family Support and Involvement
Medical Monitoring and Care
Nutritional Meals
A Sense of Community

When all of these things come together, you have a welcoming memory care facility sure to help residents live comfortably, maintaining dignity and quality of life.

1. Safe and Secure Environment

Safety is paramount. Due to Alzheimer’s and dementia, all memory care facilities should be equipped with various safety features to ensure that residents are well looked after. This comes in the form of secure doors, emergency call systems and other alarms, protecting residents from wandering too far.

2. Specialized Staff

In addition to enhanced safety features, highly trained staff is essential. The staff should be prepared for the different needs and challenges of memory care residents and be full of kindness and compassion while working with them.

The team looking after your loved one should understand the unique needs and behaviors of residents with cognitive impairments. This will manifest in patience and knowledge. To be prepared for this, the team at Tennyson Court are all highly trained.

3. Structured Daily Activities

While there is no cure for these cognitive impairments, routine is something known to help them. Several activities can help improve people’s memories. It’s important that you find a facility providing these to your loved one.

At Tennyson Court, we apply both of these to help our memory care residents. We also have regularly scheduled activities throughout the month that our memory care residents can participate in with our assisted living residents, building a sense of community.

4. Personalized Care Plans

Personalized care plans are important to ensure your loved one is treated like a unique individual with needs different from others. In these plans, they address daily routines, dietary requirements and medical needs.

At Tennyson Court, every resident has a care plan developed shortly after arrival. It’s also regularly evaluated to ensure it’s up to date.

5. Therapeutic Design Elements

The design of the facility itself plays a crucial role in the well-being of its residents. Memory care facilities often feature calming colors, clear signage and secure outdoor spaces. These design elements promote comfort as well as safety.

6. Family Support and Involvement

Memory care facilities understand the emotional toll memory diseases can take on families. Because of this, many facilities encourage family visits, and some even offer special events or programs where families can actively participate.

At Tennyson Court, we encourage visits to help your loved one feel their best.

7. Medical Monitoring and Care

One of the biggest advantages of choosing a facility for your loved one is their ability to monitor your loved one in a way you’re unable to at home. Most memory care facilities are equipped to manage health issues different from the cognitive challenges these residents experience. This includes medication management, routine health check-ups and easy access to medical professionals.

All of these are things that you can count on at Tennyson Court.

8. Nutritional Meals

An important part of healthcare is diet. Residents at memory care facilities need to receive regular, balanced meals. Whether it’s picky eating or forgetting altogether to eat memory care staff is able to handle it, ensuring dietary needs are met.

At Tennyson Court, we do all of this. We also have tea, coffee and nutritious snacks available at all times of the day so no one goes hungry.

9. A Sense of Community

One of the most important parts of a memory care facility is the sense of community. Serving as home to your loved one, it’s important that they feel welcomed as they continue onto the next stage of their life. With group activities, shared dining and communal lounges,

Tennyson Court proudly provides all of these things and places an emphasis on creating an inviting community.

Find a Memory Care Facility for Your Loved One

As you look for finding the right place for your loved one to spend the next years of their life, keep in mind these nine things. Common in many facilities, they may not be found in all of them.

If you’re in the Western New York area, you can consider Tennyson Court. Focusing on meeting all nine of these things, you can count on our team to make your loved one feel at home while meeting their needs.

When Should Someone with Alzheimer's Go into a Memory Care Facility

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 02:49:15 +0000

Few things are more difficult and provide more challenges than a loved one aging. There is a lot to consider as their memories may be starting to fail as well as their ability to care for themself.

And if your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease or another memory condition, there may be an added challenge. You may be wondering if it’s time to find a specialized memory care facility for your loved one.

5 Signs it’s Time to Find a Memory Care Facility

When considering if it’s time for your loved one with Alzheimer’s to go to a memory care facility, take into account their current daily routine and home, and how their disease is progressing.

1. It’s No Longer Safe at Home

It’s important to consider if the place your loved one calls home is still safe for them. People with Alzheimer’s disease often put themself at risk. There is potential for them to wander out of the house, leave pans on the stove or even slip and fall.

Under these circumstances, it’s easy for your loved one to experience an accident. Many safety features are required as well as a large amount of supervision at all hours of the day.

2. A Caretaker isn’t Available to Stay at Home

It’s a lot of work to be a caretaker to someone with Alzheimer’s. Whether the caretaker is a hired professional or a loved one, it’s ideal to have someone with them throughout the day.

This can be quite a strain on family finances, time and emotional labor as it can be quite draining. If a caretaker is no longer available, it’s a good idea to look outside of the home for support.

3. The Caretaker is No Longer Equipped to Provide the Required Care

Providing care is more than just physical labor. It can be a large emotional burden – especially when it’s a family member. If it’s become too much, it’s better than to find another caretaker source.

4. Your Loved One with Alzheimer’s Feels Alone

Alzheimer’s can be an isolating experience for your loved one. When cared for at home, it may be difficult for your loved one to feel connection or interact with the community. This can deplete their quality of life.

Moving your loved one to a memory care facility can provide a community for your loved one as well as social interaction and activities to keep them engaged and entertained throughout the day.

5. Your Loved One is Refusing Care

As Alzheimer’s progresses in a patient, they may forget and begin to protest and refuse the care provided to them. This provides a challenge to caretakers as they are unable to offer the care needed. This is only amplified when paranoia is present.

To avoid these challenges, it may be best to find a place more qualified in treating your loved one.

Finding a Facility

Once you decide it’s best for your loved one to move to a memory care facility, it’s time to find the right facility for them. As the decided facility will become their new home, it’s important to take the time to find the right one.

You’ll need to take the time to make sure that your loved one will provide the care they need while being comfortable and at home.

About Memory Care Facilities

A memory care facility is an assisted living community that offers specialized memory programs for those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Prioritizing safety, comfort and care designed to focus on the challenges and needs of those with Alzheimer’s, memory care facilities aim to improve the quality of life for every resident.

There are several key features you’ll want to look for to make sure it’s the best fit for your loved one.

Features to Look For:

Safety features in case of wandering
Medication support and management
On-site nursing
A caring community to help feel at home
Care and supervision available 24/7
Meal assistance
Help with hygiene, grooming and bathing

In addition to these basic features, you should also consider their comfort on a personal level. There’s things like activities scheduled, visits from family and trips outside of the facility that may be important for your loved one to have access to.

These are all things available at Tennyson Court Assisted Living and Memory Care.

Contact Tennyson Court to Learn More

Located in Williamsville, NY, Tennyson Court Assisted Living and Memory Care is an exceptional memory care facility. To learn more about the care we provide or to schedule a guided tour to see our facility yourself, contact us today.

7 Things to Look for in an Alzheimer’s Care Facility

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 13:42:22 +0000

7 Things to Look for in an Alzheimer’s Care Facility

Helping a family member with progressing Alzheimer’s disease can be quite a challenge in both providing care and handling your own emotions, as it’s often a challenging time for everyone in the family. As the disease progresses, and your loved one requires more care, you’re likely looking for the right assisted living or memory care facility for them.

With a sea of different Alzheimer’s care facilities, it can be difficult to assess what will be the best fit for your loved one. With each memory care facility being so different, it’s important to know what to look for.

1.) Consider the Staff

The staff working at an Alzheimer’s care facility is going to directly and greatly affect the day-to-day life of your loved one. Everything from their attitude and the care they provide to the sheer number of staff to patients should be considered.

2.) Determine the Medical Care Given

Not all medical care is the same. It’s important to know that the staff is trained to care for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. In addition, you want to make sure their needs are met regarding doctor’s visits. Is there anything on site? Is transportation provided? It’s important to know things like that before you make a decision, as medical care is extremely important.

3.) Find Out the Regular Activities Offered

The right facility will become home for your loved one. It’s important to find a memory care facility that offers activities to help their mind and their quality of life. It’s important to consider the regular activities offered. Additionally, you also want to consider if there’s any field trips or outings into the community. If these are present, is this something your loved one would be interested in?

4.) Look at the Food

Eating is an essential part of life, and it’s provided by various Alzheimer’s care facilities three times a day. It’s important to have an understanding of the options available at a specific facility. In addition, how does the dining take place and is it something that your loved one would respond well to?

5.) The Room Situation

What kind of room/housing would your loved one have? As their home and where they’ll be spending a lot there. You want to ensure that it isn’t just safe, but it will be comfortable for them. It’s also important to find out if your loved one will have a room to themself or if they’ll be sharing a room.

6.) Look at the Building and Environment Itself

Look at more than just your loved one’s bedroom; expand your examination to the whole building and the outdoor space. Is it a place you can see your loved one being comfortable in?

7.) Will Your Loved One be Safe?

Due to the nature of Alzheimer’s disease, loved ones require more care and attention. With that, it’s important to find a facility that knows how to handle this care and places an emphasis on safety. From closing doors to attentive staff, find out about the safety procedures in place at the facility before selecting one to become the new home for your loved one.

In Conclusion

There is a lot to consider when looking for an Alzheimer’s care facility for a loved one. You want to make sure that the facility you select will keep them happy and healthy. There’s more to look at than just the cost – though that’s important too. You’re looking for their home.

Find the place that will be the best fit for your loved one. Look at Tennyson Court; our facility focuses on safety while providing a high quality of life to all of our residents. Contact us today or book a tour of our facility to see if Tennyson Court is the right fit.

Is Dementia and Alzheimer’s the Same Thing?

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 13:44:17 +0000

Is Dementia and Alzheimer’s the Same Thing?

As loved ones age, there tends to be a decline in memory. Symptoms surrounding memory impairment and a decline in cognitive function can easily fall into several different diseases. As you’re navigating these similar symptoms and the various progressive diseases of the brain, it’s easy to get lost in the various diagnoses.

You’ve probably heard of dementia and Alzheimer’s as some of the most common in this category. It’s easy to get the two confused. You may even be wondering if there is a difference, and if there is, what is that difference.

To keep it simple: Dementia and Alzheimer’s are not the same thing.

What is the Difference Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease?

Dementia is the overarching and general term referring to a decline in cognitive function that affects daily life. This includes memory issues, reasoning difficulties and overall thinking struggles. There are several different types of dementia and is not a specific diagnosis.

Common Symptoms:

Memory impairment, especially short-term memory
A decline in thinking
A harder time communicating

There is no cure to dementia and is managed through different medications and providing care to improve or maintain quality of life.

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

In contrast, the most common cause of dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, is categorized by the specific and progressive decline in cognitive function, especially in memory.

Common Symptoms:

Memory impairment and difficult time remembering things
Confusion and disorientation
Difficulty communicating and speaking
Depression and apathy
A hard time walking in advanced stages

The exact cause is unknown and no cure exists. Primary treatment is carried out through various medications meant to slow further decline, and maintain and improve quality of life.

Providing Care to a Loved One with Alzheimer’s Disease

As a progressive disease, Alzheimer’s (and even dementia) worsens over time. Providing treatment and care will likely become more difficult as more attention is required. It may become best for you and a loved one to find a specialized assisted living facility to provide high quality, personalized care.

It’s important to provide a patient with Alzheimer’s with activities to help with their memory. At Tennyson Court, our specialized assisted living facility is experts in memory care. Learn more about our memory care facility here and see if it’s the right fit for your loved one.

Is Enhanced Assisted Living The Right Choice?

Fri, 04 Jun 2021 15:35:23 +0000

For different health needs, there are different levels of care. Choosing the proper level of care for your loved ones is an important decision to make. Tennyson Court is a certified Enhanced Assisted Living Residence by New York State. Federal and State regulations protect families and individuals to receive care from reputable facilities. By offering Enhanced Assisted Living care, our residents can receive more support than found in ordinary assisted living services. We are proud to offer more services that can adequately cover the needs of our entire community.

Should You Choose Enhanced Assisted Living Care?

Enhanced Assisted Living Residences provide an increased level of care for your loved ones, while still offering space for independence. This level of care is suitable for residents who need more help than regular assisted living care but less than specialized nursing treatment. We also assist with walking and medical equipment use. We have 24/7 nursing staff to provide medical assistance.

Enhanced assisted living may be the right choice for you and your loved ones if they need additional support, but are still seeing the benefits of independence found in assisted living. Another consideration is also the price of different levels of care. Enhanced living services come at a much lower cost than what nursing services entail.

Flexibility to Customize Your Care

Although we have introduced enhanced assisted living as a broad level of care, we understand that every resident faces different preferences and needs. All of our staff work to meet the needs of a dynamic community, covering differences with flexibility. Throughout your stay in Tennyson Court, there are always opportunities to revisit anything that could be addressed or improved. You can learn more about the additional services we offer or ways we can adjust the plan to fit specific requests by speaking with a member of our team. We are happy to provide the level of care that will benefit you the most! If you would like to learn more about our enhanced assisted living services, please contact us today!

How To Cope With Caregiver Stress

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 21:36:22 +0000

HOW TO COPE WITH CAREGIVER STRESS

When a loved one gets a diagnosis of Alzheimer's, obviously the focus is going to be on that person—their health, their routine, their care, their future. It’s easy to forget that this diagnosis will affect the whole family, especially if someone is taking on the role of caregiver. As Alzheimer’s progresses, the disease can become extremely difficult to manage. Caregivers can eventually develop their own health concerns, concerns that often go ignored in the face of the actual Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

CAREGIVER STRESS
While caregiving can be very rewarding, it can also quickly become overwhelming. When it does, caregiver stress can become an issue. Caregiver stress is the result of the emotional and physical stress caused by caring for a family member or friend. Due to typical family structures, women are more likely to end up developing caregiver stress. Members of the “sandwich generation”—those who still have children at home, but are now also responsible for a parent or other elderly relative—are especially at risk.

SYMPTOMS OF CAREGIVER STRESS
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are 10 common symptoms of caregiver stress that people need to be aware of:

Denial: Denial about the disease and its effects on the person who has been diagnosed.
Anger: Anger at the situation or even with the person who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s for no longer being able to do the things that were once easy.
Withdrawal: Withdrawing from friends and social activities either due to lack of interest or inability to find time.
Anxiety: Worrying about the health and safety of your loved one, along with stressing about daily routines and commitments.
Depression: Sadness over the decline of your loved one, the loss of relationship, and general discouragement about the future..
Exhaustion: Physical and mental exhaustion from caring for your loved one’s needs as well as your own and the rest of your family’s.
Insomnia: Sleeplessness caused by stress and an overwhelming list of responsibilities.
Irritability: Moodiness and a short temper causing you to snap at the people around you.
Inattention: A lack of concentration that makes it difficult to perform even routine tasks.
Health problems: Physical manifestations of the increased level of stress such as headaches, indigestion, nausea, weight loss/ gain, stomach troubles and high blood pressure.

RELIEVING CAREGIVER STRESS
There are some ways you can relieve or at least manage caregiver stress. Realizing you can’t effectively caregive if you’re doing it alone is key to managing caregiver stress. Take advantage of resources you have available, such as other family, friends and community centers.

Hospitals and community agencies often offer classes to help you learn how to care for your loved one. Many also offer caregiver support groups, which can be invaluable. If your community offers these sorts of resources, try to find time to take advantage of them.

You may want to consider looking into adult day programs. These programs function as out-of-home care services, with your loved one returning home each afternoon. Most programs run five days a week, and some even offer weekend options. Another, more short-term option is respite care, which gives families a small block of time to have a break from caregiving responsibilities.

Caregiving by yourself is a daunting, often impossible, task. Enlist the help of friends and other family members to lighten your load. Maybe someone can watch your loved one for a few hours a week so you can run errands. Perhaps someone would be willing to occasionally make your family a meal. Identify your specific needs and see who can help you.

Try to stay organized by sticking to a daily routine and making lists. Caregiving is complicated; there are so many moving parts, and so much to stay on top of: prescriptions, paperwork, finances. It’s easy to get overwhelmed. A routine will help both you and your loved one, so figure out what works best for your household and try to stick to the schedule you’ve set up.

Remember to take care of yourself. This means taking time to do the things you enjoy, as well as keeping an eye on your health. Remember to exercise, eat well, get sleep and make sure you visit your doctor too!

ALZHEIMER’S CARE AT TENNYSON COURT
When caring for a loved one becomes overwhelming, you can turn to Tennyson Court. Our three Memory Care houses are staffed with attentive resident care aides and nurses who have comprehensive training for treating Alzheimer’s or dementia at every level. Starting with a personalized care plan for your loved one, we’ll develop a routine that will provide as much independence as possible. Our secure building will keep your loved one safe, and our staff will keep them cared for and engaged.

To learn more about how Tennyson Court can relieve the burden of caregiver stress, and allow you to spend more quality time with your family member, please call us at 716-632-9496 or request more information here:

https://www.tennysoncourt.com/contact-us

Dementia and Communication

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 14:24:37 +0000

If you’re a caregiver for someone who suffers from dementia, you’ve probably noticed that it isn’t always easy to communicate with them effectively. Individuals with dementia and other degenerative brain diseases often lose some of their ability to understand and participate in the conversation as part of their condition, and as caregivers, the best thing you can do is to understand how and why this happens and do your best to work through it.

Understanding Dementia

Dementia is a term used to denote loss of memory and other mental abilities that severely disrupts daily life. There are multiple types of Dementia, all of which are degenerative diseases. This means t slowly degrade the mind and its ability to function properly. Over time, you may see your loved ones lose motor ability, memory, communication skills and a range of other important bodily functions.

If dementia starts degrading the communication centers of your loved one’s brain, you may notice that they will suffer from a condition called aphasia. Aphasia is a general loss of communication skills that causes people to misunderstand and misinterpret words and speech. Your loved one may struggle to comprehend what you’re saying to them in a conversation, not because of a loss of hearing, but because their brain simply prevents them from processing your speech. They may also fail to properly express themselves, either through the use of incorrect words or through incorrect pronunciations. This is all caused by dementia’s slow wearing away of brain cells and mental function.

Careful Communication

The presence of aphasia with your loved one may significantly affect your ability to communicate smoothly with him or her, but approaching the situation carefully can make a world of difference. If your loved one is struggling to understand you, try speaking more slowly and clearly, but don’t get frustrated with the situation. Try to minimize background noises like TVs or radios, and take your time when talking. It’s easy to just ignore the person in group conversations because of their inability to understand, but that can just make the problem worse. By having the right attitude about the way you communicate, you can keep their attention focused more easily and keep them engaged in conversations.

Our Approach

At our Tennyson Court memory care facility, we take careful steps to understand how dementia can affect the lives of our residents, and we enjoy working with them to get through the challenges. It’s not always easy, and dementia can be a very frustrating condition for residents and caregivers alike, but through positive attitudes and attentive care, our staff helps residents converse and communicate as smoothly and effectively as possible.

Understanding Dementia: How It Works

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 14:41:55 +0000

For families and friends of our memory care residents, we’ve found that a very important part of properly caring for and maintaining a relationship with people who suffer from dementia is to actually understand what they’re going through and how dementia affects them. Being a caregiver for someone with dementia can be frustrating and difficult no matter how much you love the person. Having a better understanding of dementia itself can ease the tensions of being a caregiver, so we’re creating a blog series to help provide more information on the subject.

In this first post of our series, we’re covering what dementia is, the different types, and how it can affect brain function and everyday life.

Dementia: More Than Just Old Age

Let’s start with what dementia is. Many of us have heard of dementia before and understand that it’s a condition affecting the brain, but some think it’s just an age-related problem that causes people to slowly forget things over time. However, dementia is not a part of normal aging. Dementia isn’t quite a disease itself; it’s more of a broad category of conditions that significantly impair daily functioning in at least 2 of the following categories:

Speech/Communication
Memory
Focus/Attention
Reasoning/Judgment
Visual Perception

These impairments aren’t just a sign of normal aging; they’re serious symptoms that occur as a result of brain degradation caused by dementia-related diseases. These mental limitations disrupt daily life, causing those with dementia to have changes in mood, personality and eventually be unable to take care of themselves.

Types of Dementia

As we mentioned above, dementia is more of a category of conditions rather than a specific disease itself. There are, however, several different diseases that are all considered to be sub-categories of dementia. These include:

Alzheimer’s (accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases)
Vascular Dementia
Lewy Body Dementia
Frontotemporal Dementia

Other conditions are considered to be related to dementia as well, but the ones listed above are the four that comprise most dementia cases. We’ll cover some of these and their effects in future posts, but for now, it’s important to make the distinction that Alzheimer’s and these other conditions are part of dementia but affect different parts of the brain and do not all result in the same symptoms.

What Causes Dementia?

Dementia is caused by the abnormal degradation of brain function due to damaged brain cells that can no longer work properly. Different diseases affect different parts of the brain, and thus cause different symptoms, but all forms of dementia result in brain cell malfunction or degradation.

Since the different parts of the brain all control different things, symptoms can vary significantly based on what part of the brain is affected. Speaking ability, personality, motor skills, memory and even vital functions can all be affected significantly by dementia. This means that people who suffer from this condition can experience major changes in demeanor or behavior as a result of changes in their brain.

Caregiving

It’s important for caregivers to understand that this condition is not just “normal aging.” And your loved one may become frustrated or depressed because of the way their brain changes. Knowing that this is caused by a condition and is not a voluntary behavior is a key first step to a caregiving plan that focuses on patience and tolerance.

Caring for someone with dementia is difficult, but that’s why we’re here to help. And that’s why we’re writing this blog series. Stay tuned for more educational posts to help you better understand the complexities of dementia in all of its forms.

Understanding Dementia: Alzheimer’s Disease

Wed, 31 Jul 2019 16:13:59 +0000

In the second part of our Understanding Dementia series, we’re going to focus on Alzheimer’s, what it is and how it affects lives all around the world. For part 1 of this series, check out our first post: Understanding Dementia: How It Works.

Is Alzheimer's the Same as Dementia?

The first thing you should know about Alzheimer’s disease is that people often interchange “Alzheimer’s” with “dementia” and confuse them as two words for the same thing, but that’s actually not accurate. Alzheimer’s disease is a subcategory of dementia with specific symptoms and characteristics that separate it from other types of dementia. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia though, accounting for 60-80% of all dementia cases, which makes it easy to confuse the two.

What Is Alzheimer's Disease?

So what are the specific characteristics that identify Alzheimer’s? Here are some of the main facts to know:

Alzheimer's is a progressive, irreversible brain disorder that degrades memory and thinking skills
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but researchers make new discoveries and bring us closer to better treatments all the time
Alzheimer’s progresses over time and takes the form of 7 stages that become increasingly severe
Early-onset Alzheimer's affects those aged 30-60 and is much less common than late-onset Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's is caused by changes in the brain that affect how well your neurons work
Alzheimer's is more than just memory loss

That last one is important because a lot of people think Alzheimer’s just causes forgetfulness and memory loss, however, the symptoms run much deeper than normal signs of aging.

What Are Signs Of Alzheimer's?

Other signs of Alzheimer’s include:

Inability to remember newly learned information
Confusion and disorientation
Mood and personality changes
Random suspicions and delusional thoughts
Difficulty speaking
Loss of motor skills

The symptoms get more severe as the disease progresses to the later stages, but as you can see, Alzheimer’s is a lot more than just a normal part of aging. The Alzheimer’s Association put together a document outlining 10 signs of Alzheimer’s to look for, which is a great resource to check out for more information. You may also wish to learn more about our memory care options if you’re a caregiver of someone who is struggling with Alzheimer’s disease.

How Do You Treat Alzheimer's?

While there currently is no cure for Alzheimer's Disease, there have been significant developments in research of treatment options. As more cases have been studied, treatment has become available for addressing different areas of Alzheimer's. Your doctor can guide you through a variety of prescription drugs that can be effective in treating behavioral symptoms and balancing chemicals to help maintain independent living and daily functions. Having a caretaker is also essential, to provide support through challenges a person may face throughout the day. Along with treating symptoms, preventing further progression of the disease has been heavily linked to a healthy diet, regular exercise, and active social interactions.

For many families, providing the highest level of care for a loved one with Alzheimer's can be difficult every day. You can explore our memory care options to see how we offer excellent care 24/7 for Alzheimer's patients.

April Activity Recap

Fri, 03 May 2019 21:12:36 +0000

“April showers bring May flowers” has held true with several rainy days in this early month of Spring. However, rain or shine, we’ve kept our community busy with a variety of activities hosted by our staff. We’ve put together a recap of some of our special events from the month that you can look through!

Ceramic Bunny Crafts:

Arts and crafts can be a calming activity for people of all ages. It also channels concentration and dexterity which helps keep minds sharp and active as a result. Several of our residents enjoyed making beautiful ceramic bunnies, having fun painting and decorating them together!

Easter Celebration:
Our staff, residents and family members came together for an Easter Celebration that had gorgeous decorations, delightful food, and several special guests. From enjoying pictures with the Easter Bunny to petting cute goats, there were numerous activities to enjoy during our celebration.

Macaroni and Cheese Cook-Off:

An age-old dish that is comfort food to many, we had a mac and cheese cookoff with plenty of portions to taste. From classic dishes to mac and cheese with a twist, the cookoff featured creativity and culinary expertise. The winner was Team Nursing with 10 Cheese Mac and Cheese.

Ladies Day Out with Salon Manicures:

It’s nice to get pampered a little and have beautiful nails. We took some of our ladies out to get manicures and unwind from their normal schedules. Everyone had a great time choosing different colors and giving their nails some tender loving care!

Bridal Shower:

Our residents threw a bridal shower for one of our staff members, Jenny. With cupcakes, games, and props for pictures, everyone had a wonderful time celebrating an exciting time for our bride-to-be!

Build-A-Bunny:

Stuffed animals are timeless companions that are cherished and hugged through many stages of life. We were happy to host a Build-A-Bunny session to decorate and stuff some adorable bunnies for our residents to keep.

At Tennyson Court, we do our best to include and encourage our residents to be engaged and involved in a number of activities each month. We carefully choose ways to bring our community together and provide interesting things for everyone to be a part of. Though it’s been a busy April, we’re excited about more activities and memories to come in May. If you are interested in learning about our activities, please contact us today to find out more!

Beating the Winter Blues: How To Improve Your Mood

Fri, 26 Apr 2019 15:16:18 +0000

Winters can feel extremely long. Getting stuck inside drains our motivation to do the things we enjoy and it is also tough to face the onset of a new year. In fact, by the end of February, over 80% of people fail to keep their New Year’s resolutions. While everyone may experience some level of the winter blues, the elderly are particularly vulnerable. They may feel more alone and discouraged if winter becomes an extended stay-cation for months on end. What can we do to rally back and not let winter get in the way of a fruitful year?

The Foundation: Healthy Measures

The foundation of our action plan begins with the basics. While they may not give us immediate happiness, maintaining strong health creates compound effects that are proven to uplift spirits over time. We can benefit from exercise and eating healthy diets by producing energy to spark creativity, stimulate social desires and remove negativity. If it is challenging to come up with ideas for meals or exercise, you can join classes near you or see how your senior care community offers support.

There are also external factors that can be adjusted. First, you can improve the lighting in your living space. This can help with waking up in the morning and balance longer evenings in the winter. You can also organize your favorite music and explore new songs. Playing bright and happy music has been extensively researched as a way to raise spirits. Lastly, social activities are highly beneficial. Making the effort to have conversations with other people at communal gatherings or on the phone with friends or family makes a huge difference to your day.

Set Goals, Get Excited About Them

Going through days, weeks and months without much to look forward to can take a toll on your overall health. To help, set goals of different levels, some that are personal, short-term, or long-term. They don’t need to be lofty New Year’s resolutions! Here are some examples of short-term goals:

New hobbies: knitting, puzzles, origami, drawing, instruments
Learn new things: Reading daily news, researching a topic, trying a new language

You can also plan for bigger things to get excited about too! One way could be helping to plan for events. Collaborating on the details of a family trip or visiting a new place helps you have fun getting creative. You could also rally together your community to participate in a volunteering event. Our residents donated to the homeless in the past and that brought everyone together in a great way. Once you have events down, mark your calendar and you can post it around your home to keep it fresh in your mind!

Find A Supportive Community

It is usually an uphill battle going against the winter blues. Many of our residents face similar challenges during the cold season, so we always try different approaches to help everyone out. Most importantly, we do things together as a community with our caretakers involved so that no one is alone. If you are looking for a supportive senior care community for your loved one this winter, contact us and we’d be happy to tell you more about all Tennyson Court has to offer.

Dementia Care Tips

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 14:03:42 +0000

Dementia Care Tips

Caring for someone with dementia doesn’t come naturally. There’s a lot to learn, but you don’t have to figure everything out the hard way. The disease requires a lot of patience and love from family members. Here are some tips that can help!

Ignoring symptoms won’t make them go away

When you notice an elderly loved one struggling with memory, thought, or judgment, it’s scary to think that they might have dementia. Because it can be so hard to accept, many people hope that the symptoms will go away on their own or that they’re simply just wrong.

The best thing to do is to schedule a thorough exam with a doctor. This will allow the doctor to provide you with the correct diagnosis. Many treatable health conditions can seem like dementia, such as thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies, and even depression. It’s important to rule these conditions out first.

Having an early diagnosis after symptoms are first observed is a major advantage in dementia treatment. Getting in early to see your loved one’s doctor allows treatments to be more effective, which delays progression, reduces symptoms, and improves quality of life.

Seek Help of a Memory Care Facility

As much as it might feel like you're the only one who can take care of your loved one, there are others who can help! At Tennyson Court, we recognize that individuals with dementia require a specialized memory care program. Our memory care facilities are built for the specific purpose of serving those with dementia. The environment is secure, specially-designed by dementia experts to reduce the risk of danger from wandering.

Don't feel ashamed

Moving your loved one to a memory care facility may lead to some resistance from friends or other family members. Their criticism may force you to question if you have made the right decision. Most people have no idea what it’s like to take care of someone suffering from dementia. The most important thing is that your loved one is getting the care they need to truly enhance their quality of life in a warm environment created just for them.

Work with counselors and managers to ease the transition

At Tennyson Court, we have professionally-trained staff members who will be able to work with you and your loved one to ease the transition. We find that family members who follow along with the memory care program can benefit in many ways. Everyone is going through this transitional time together, so having that understanding will help.

Reassure your loved one

The way you communicate to your loved one about the move to a memory care facility can help establish a successful transition. The decision for how to address the move is solely dependent on the situation you feel your loved one would respond to best. We find the most important point is for families to reassure their loved ones that they will be nearby and can continue to see them regularly. Knowing this, we provide a family-friendly activity calendar for events that take place every single week!

Quality of life is still possible

It isn’t easy to cope with dementia, both for you and your loved one. But finding ways to enjoy life with dignity is still very possible. We aim to boost the quality of life for those with dementia. Our goal is to have your loved ones enjoy the rest of their lives and have daily activities to boost their cognitive abilities. We want your family to focus on the positives, no matter how hard it may seem at times. We have built a welcoming, nurturing community at Tennyson Court that your loved one will enjoy living in and your family will enjoy visiting!

If you’re interested in learning more about our memory care facility, call us at (716) 632-9499 for more information or book a tour of our facility.

Communication is KEY

Wed, 10 Oct 2018 13:33:34 +0000

If you’re a caregiver for someone who suffers from dementia, you’ve probably noticed that it isn’t always easy to communicate with them effectively. Individuals with dementia and other brain diseases often lose some of their ability to understand and participate in conversation. As caregivers, the best thing you can do is to understand how and why this happens and do your best to work through it.

Understanding Dementia

Dementia is a degenerative disease, which means it slowly degrades the mind and its ability to function properly. Over time, you may see your loved ones lose motor ability, memory, communication skills and a range of other important bodily functions.

Your loved one may struggle to comprehend what you’re saying to them in a conversation, not because of a loss of hearing, but because their brain simply prevents them from processing your speech. They may also fail to properly express themselves, either through the use of incorrect words or through incorrect pronunciations. This is all caused by dementia’s slow wearing away of brain cells and mental function.

Careful Communication

The presence of dementia with your loved one may significantly affect your ability to communicate smoothly with him or her, but approaching the situation carefully can make a world of difference. If your loved one is struggling to understand you, try speaking more slowly and clearly, but don’t get frustrated with the situation. Try to minimize background noises like TVs or radios, and take your time when talking. It’s easy to just ignore the person in group conversations because of their inability to understand, but that can just make the problem worse. By having the right attitude about the way you communicate, you can keep their attention focused more easily and keep them engaged in conversations.

Our Approach

At Tennyson Court memory care facility, we take careful steps to understand how dementia can affect the lives of our residents, and we enjoy working with them to get through the challenges. It’s not always easy, and dementia can be a very frustrating condition for residents and caregivers alike, but through positive attitudes and attentive care, our staff helps residents converse and communicate as smoothly and effectively as possible.

The Holiday Blues

Tue, 21 Mar 2017 21:13:34 +0000

While the holiday can be the most joyous time of the year, it is not necessarily so for everyone. Holidays can be very difficult on some, especially our elderly loved ones.

Depression severely affects people’s wellbeing, but the risks involved for the elderly can be far greater. It’s very important to look for warning signs of depression early on so that your loved one can get the necessary help as soon as possible. Since you know your loved one better than anyone, the changes that you see can really help to implement the most helpful course of action.

Be sure to look out for these signs of depression:

Reclusiveness

Does your loved one avoid social interaction more than usual? Does he or she seem to want to visit less with you or other family and friends? Keep an eye out for this, because those with depression tend to keep to themselves.

Poor Appearance

Has your loved one recently begun to neglect looking his or her best? Maybe your father started to leave his hair a mess or your mother doesn’t give the same amount of attention to her makeup. When people don’t care about their appearance, this is a clear warning that their sense of self-worth could be plummeting.

Pain, Discomfort and other Physical Signs

While it is true that depression deals with psychological issues, these burdens on the mind can stem out into physical manifestations. If your loved one complains more about pain, or seems to experience pain to a greater extent, this could come from depression.

Distinct Change in Mood

Though you might think that it’s obvious for depression to cause mood changes, you might not expect certain emotions to occur. While sadness might come to mind, depression often causes frustration on the surface. So, try to compare your loved one’s irritability. The more easily frustrated, the more likely it is that the issues run deeper than whatever the current problem might be.

This holiday season we hope you can eat, drink, and be merry! Just make sure to keep an eye out for your loved ones! Spotting depression early can help save them a lot of unease and pain!

Happy Holidays from our Tennyson Family to yours!!

Tennyson Court Residents Donate to Hearts for the Homeless

Tue, 21 Mar 2017 21:14:12 +0000

In the fall, the members of Tennyson Court’s Bible study group came up with the idea to make care packages for the homeless. They organized a bake sale in order to raise money so they could purchase the items needed for the packages. Once they raised the money, the group went out and purchased the products. They all got together and assembled the packages themselves.

After months of organizing and planning, they were finally ready to be handed off. On Tuesday, December 27, a representative from Hearts for the Homeless came to accept the packages. Tennyson resident, Aloise Neubeck, one of the members of the Bible study, had the honor of handing off the packages. The group gathered around to watch their hard work being paid off. Tennyson residents and staff also watched, very proud of what their residents were able to accomplish.

Established in 2001, Tennyson Court is a premier Assisted Living and Memory Care Community in the WNY region, featuring the household model which enables residents to more easily adjust to their new home, and makes ambulation challenges easier. For more information about Tennyson Court Assisted Living and Memory Care, please contact the admissions department at 716-389-1010 or visit www.tennysoncourt.com.

Caring for your Aging Loved Ones this Holiday Season...

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 19:38:28 +0000

The holidays are a time when families reconnect to enjoy festive traditions. But for those whose family has a member suffering from dementia, the holidays can be more frustrating than fun. Don't let those frustrations get in the way of spending quality time with your family!

All you need is some proper planning and adjustment among expectations to make the holidays more memorable for you and for them!

Be Inclusive!

Even though your family member is diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s, keep them a part of the normal traditions. Keep old photo books around to show them and hum or sing the classical holiday songs. Some people will find comfort in building on the traditional activities.

While keeping in mind their capabilities, involve them as much as possible with the preparation of the holiday. Simple activities such as gift wrapping, cooking, table setup or decorations will help to make them feel useful. You don’t have to make them do too much; they can help measure food or place simple decorations on the table. Make sure you aren’t using bright or distracting lights throughout your home as these may confuse and startle those with dementia.

Even though the holidays are very active and different, try to stick to their normal routine as much as possible. Do not overwhelm them with too much work and give them time to rest.

Adjust Expectations

Unfortunately the holidays won’t be exactly like they used to be, but that doesn’t mean they can no longer be exciting or fun. Call others who you will be spending the holidays with and make sure you are all on the same page with the schedule and requirements that come with your job of being the caregiver. This will allow others to see your limitations and not overwhelm you with difficult tasks.

Allow yourself to breathe. You shouldn’t not enjoy the holidays because you want to make sure that everyone is happy and healthy. If you are always the host for your family and invite 15 or more guests, you may want to cut that number down. Make sure you can manage what you are taking on. It is okay to ask others to help, and even ask if they can host this year instead of yourself.

Keep Others Updated

It’s best to give the other guests a heads-up with what they are going to be expecting upon arrival.

The holidays are constantly filled with emotions, so make sure you aren’t surprising anyone. Your guests may not be able to notice when a person is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. However those diagnosed with dementia will have a tendency to repeat themselves or not be able to follow a conversation. Be patient, don’t interrupt or correct them, and allow them to finish their stories and thoughts.

If the Alzheimer is in the middle to later stages, their condition may be more obvious to those around, especially if the guests live out of town and rarely visit. Inform those that the changes among their memory and behavior are from the disease and not themselves.

Find Appropriate Gifts

Find something useful, safe and easy to use. Buying a CD, comfortable clothing, framed photographs of old photos or anything along those lines will be more beneficial than something extravagant.

When people ask what you’d like for the holidays, ask for something that will allow you sometime to relax. A cleaning service, or even an offer to give you a break from being the caregiver can all help you tremendously with staying sane.

If your family member is in an assisted living facility, consider being with them during the holidays. Take a part in their community’s holiday extravaganzas, sing along to holiday music and ask if others could join, bring a favorite holiday treat to share or even read a holiday story or poem for them to enjoy.

If all of that seems too stressful, and you find yourself thinking you can't be a caregiver for much longer, DON'T FEEL GUILTY!! Call Tennyson Court to find out more about our Memory Care community, and how even a respite stay might relieve some of those feelings of guilt.

Call us today at 716-389-1010 or Check out our Try Tennyson Program!!

Overwhelmed? Here are Some Tips for Caring for your Loved One who has Alzheimer's!

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 19:36:30 +0000

There’s a good chance that you haven’t undergone the difficulties of Alzheimer’s before, so you might have difficulty knowing how to help your loved one with their day-to-day living. With a disorder that affects your life in almost every way imaginable, you can expect to make a lot of changes in order to help you loved one to function as best as possible.

Here are some things to keep in mind as you make adjustments for your loved one’s memory care:

Stick to a Schedule

The more your loved one can predict how a day will go, the less confused they will get. Try to gauge the times of day when your parent or spouse tends to be in a good mood, and schedule out-of-ordinary tasks for the times they are in a better moood (doctor visits and non-daily events).

Limit Choices to Help Quicken Decisions

Decision-making can be severely hindered by Alzheimer’s, so make the decisions easier. Don’t ask: “What do you want to do right now?” as this open-ended question could overwhelm your loved one. Instead, ask: “Do you want to go for a walk or watch a film?” with fewer, specific choices, they still get a say in the matter, but they won’t have to spend too much time riffling through possibilities in their head.

Take Things Slowly

Decisions, conversations, simple tasks and more will become more difficult for your loved one. So, expect things to take longer and for simple tasks to require explanation. It can get frustrating, but you will get used to it. Try not to show your frustration!

Employ Extra Safety Measures

Water temperature, medications trip/fall hazards, etc. can increase the risk of injury for an individual with Alzheimer’s. So, reduce the boiler temperature, lock the medicine cabinet and take measures to limit the risk of tripping.

Avoid Overstimulation

With Alzheimer’s it’s difficult enough to focus on one thing. Adding additional distractions only makes it worse. Television, radio and other background noises can severely hinder your loved one’s ability to have a conversation, eat dinner or play games. This will only add to their frustration, as well as your own.

Know Your Alternatives

If you are trying all these tricks, and still are overwhelmed, know that there are alternatives out there. A great resource is the Alzheimer's Association. They can help guide you through some difficult decisions. Also, Tennyson Court offers years of experience. Whether you need a short respite for your loved one, or are looking for a more permanent home for their care, we offer over 15 years of expereince in Memory Care-which makes us one of the leaders in this area. Give us a call today for more information: 716-389-1010 or simply, TryTennyson.com.

Know Your Rights: Family Resources

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 19:34:43 +0000

Just beginning the process of looking for a higher level of care for your loved one can be overwhelming and daunting. You listen to the advice of friends and family and those who have gone through this process. You do your research online, Google different places, look at reviews, etc. You tour facilities to see for yourself, scrutinize every detail, and ask as many questions that you can think of. Even after all of this, you still having feelings of unclarity and confusion.

This is potentially one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever have to make. You feel as though you are disrupting your loved one’s life, ripping them away from the family, and placing them in a “home”. While we can tell you not to feel this way, that you are doing right by your loved ones, that this decision can improve their quality of life, it’s much easier said than done.

So, what can we do to convince you that your are making the right decision? We can give you the facts. We can send you home with all the information you need to make an informed decision. There is so much to know, and usually such a short time frame to get all the information you need.

Make sure to look at every community’s Department of Health survey. This will tell you the results of their most recent survey, any complaints that have been made against the facility, and the findings. You should be able to locate this in the front foyer of any community. If you can’t find it, make sure to ask for it! The Department of Health puts strict regulations on every community to ensure the safety and fair treatment of seniors. This is in your best interest to look! Don’t want to go to every community to look at their DOH survey? Don’t worry! You can check it out here: https://www.health.ny.gov/facilities/adult_care/reports.htm.

Beware of online scams. There are companies that mask themselves as a resource, but they truly aren’t! You may think you are inquiring about information from a facility, or an accredited group. They will sound like they are a part of the community you are inquiring about-- but they are sharks and are looking to make money off of you. They tend to call you multiple times a day/a week, and will send your information to many different people. For example, if you are inquiring about Alzheimer’s information-make sure you are contacting the Alzheimer’s Association. They will give you helpful tips on how to help your loved ones, and provide you with the correct questions to ask communities when you are touring. They will recommend that you do your own research on communities, and they WILL NOT recommend any. This way it is unbiased. When you are researching a facility, make sure you are going directly to their website. Contact the community through their local number (NOT a toll free number)-or right through their own webpage.

Finally, do the leg work. It might be tiresome, but actually visiting facilities will give you the best feel for which place is right for your loved one and you. If time allows, visit multiple facilities. Seeing with your own eyes how the staff interacts with the residents, and making sure the community smells and looks nice will give you more sense of ease than just looking at pictures online. We recommend touring on your own, and then bringing your loved one in for an activity. You and your loved one can get a first hand view of what goes on!

We understand that this is a stressful time-and you are in sensory overload! But by taking these steps, and using the available *creditable* resources that are out there-you CAN find the right community out there. Here at Tennyson Court, we pride ourselves in being the best-we have over 15 years of experience! Do your research on us! We are confident you will like what you find!! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 716-632-9496.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/tennyson-court-assisted-living-and-memory-care-williamsville

Employee of the Month - September

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 19:27:19 +0000

Tennyson Court would like to put the spotlight on our September Employee of the Month, Shanay. Shanay is our daytime LPN supervisor and has been with our company for just over a year. Shanay is very dedicated to assuring our residents are given the proper care and all nursing needs are met. With Shanay in our nursing office, our residents and staff have grown to appreciate her attention to detail and customer service.

Thank you Shanay for all the hard work!

Family Awareness: The Importance of Exercise

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 19:25:56 +0000

As you think about the best ways to care for your aging loved ones, one of the things you can do that will provide the most benefit in all areas of life is encouraging exercise. Being active can help them in a wide range of ways, from strengthening social relationships to improving memory and even preventing depression.

Social Activity

For many seniors, exercise is a social activity. Walking in groups provides the chance to catch up on exercise and the latest social news. Encouraging your senior to stay active means encouraging a healthy social life, in many cases. Here at Tennyson Court, we have many residents who are constantly walking!

Improves Mood

One of the benefits of exercise is its ability to affect mood and disposition. Just ask those crazy runners who say that jogging gives them a “runners high”. :)

Exercising releases mood-boosting endorphins, which can help lessen feelings of depression! If your aging loved one is suffering from mood swings or depression, exercise could help re-direct their negative thoughts and provide a great deal of support.

Improves Strength and Mobility

Keeping the body strong is one of the most important tasks for seniors, and exercise is the best way to improve both strength and mobility.

Seniors who do not move around much can suffer from atrophied muscles, difficulty breathing and walking, unsteady balance, poor blood flow, and other common physical problems. Getting off the couch and moving can help with these issues. Even a short walk a few times a day has its benefits! At Tennyson Court, we have a dedicated Activities team who designs activities to get your loved ones moving! This helps in the prevention of falls, which we all know can be devastating to senior’s health.

Increases Mental Capacity

Physical activity has been directly linked to slowing the process of mental decline. When you get your body moving, every part of you, including the brain, receives more blood flow. By encouraging your loved one to stay active, you are actually encouraging better mental health and improving their cognitive functioning.

Improves Healing

The healing process takes longer as we age. Active adults have wounds that heal as much as 25 percent faster than those who do not exercise. Beginning an exercise program now, before an incident occurs, may allow your aging loved one to benefit from improved healing and a faster recovery after an injury or surgical procedure.

We all know that healthy eating and exercise is essential to improving our lifespan. That is no different for our aging loved ones! We understand that it can be difficult for you to monitor your loved one’s activity level. Take the stress away from yourself! Find a facility, like Tennyson Court, that will provide activities to help your loved ones thrive and remain active! We encourage all of our residents to participate in our daily activities. To find out more about our activities team, check out our website, or give us a call 716-632-9496.