senior assisted living blog

Grandchildren are one of the major benefits of growing older and it is important to stay as involved in their lives as possible. This can be difficult though when family members live in different parts of the country. Seniors may feel apprehensive to drive such long distances to visit their families. However, there are ways that grandparents can stay in contact with their grandchildren when distance becomes an issue.

The digital age has brought a vast amount of ways people can share information with each other. Online photo galleries such as Flickr (http://www.flickr.com) and Snapfish (http://www.snapfish.com) are great ways for parents to upload pictures of the kids for grandparents to view. You can post comment, download and print right from your home computer to keep updated photos around the house. This saves time and money by not sending photos through traditional mail services.

Another great way to interact with family is through video chat software, which enables you to see a live, streaming picture via webcam of the party you are calling. Sites such as Skype (http://www.skype.com) offer this service for free and are easy to use as dialing a number on a telephone. Grandparents can set aside a weekly time to video chat and see their grandchildren and families first hand. 

Please comment below on some creative ways that you have found to stay in touch with long distance family members.

Recently, Provision Living’s social media efforts were highlighted by senior living website ALFA Exchange. The article discussed how social media is an important tool in keeping people connected and informed. Provision Living was commended on its Facebook, Linked In and YouTube pages ability to keep all of the communities up to date on the latest news in senior living. Here is the excerpt from the article:

Provision Living. This senior living company website includes links to developing Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn pages, as well as a tab dedicated to their Senior Assisted Living Blog. The blog is updated often and keeps readers informed on current events and happenings in the each of the companies communities. Blog readers have the option to e-mail articles or share them on Twitter, Facebook, Digg and LinkedIn. The blog's most popular article to date is "Green Tree at Post Road Opens New Units and Adds Jobs."     

Provision Living urges all of its residents, families and associates to continue to help grow our online presence. Please click the link below for the entire ALFA article.

http://community.alfa.org/ALFA/ALFA/Directory/BlogViewer/Default.aspx?BlogKey=c84ff8fb-7120-4b28-bc88-0a5be4e72219

Many people are enjoying the outdoors as the temperature rises in the summer months, including senior citizens. Activities such as barbeques, ball games and family get-togethers will be sure to draw many outside. However, seniors need to take extra precautions due to the intense heat and sun. The elderly are more susceptible to dehydration and heat stroke than their younger counterparts. Staying safe this summer can be easily accomplished by following some basic rules.

At a picnic seniors may be tempted to run and play with their grandchildren, but this could lead to overheating. Seniors become overheated quicker and it takes their bodies longer to cool down so they should limit their physical activity. Dehydration can also occur on particularly hot summer days. Sports drinks are a great way to replace lost electrolytes, but seniors should avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages as they speed up dehydration.

Staying well ventilated and shaded are great ways to avoid heat stroke while outside. Light colored and breathable clothing should be worn whenever outside along with a hat and sunglasses to avoid harmful UV rays. Direct exposure to the sunlight can lead to skin damage in senior citizens so, if possible, always find a shaded area to sit under. By following these basic tips seniors can ensure a safe and enjoyable summer. Click the link below to find out other ways to beat the heat.

http://www.senior.com/2010/05/28/summer-safety-tips-for-seniors

St. Louis based Provision Living, LLC (www.provisionliving.com) announces Provision Living at Webster Groves, an 80,000 square foot assisted living and memory care community with 80 units. The community will be located in downtown Webster Groves, MO at 45 East Lockwood, directly across from City Hall, and will employ approximately 50 associates.

Provision Living at Webster Groves 

Preliminary building designs are completed and the ground breaking is projected for fall 2010, with resident occupancy in fall 2011. The $19,000,000 community will include 60 assisted living and 20 memory care units.  ARCO and Bauer & Associates Architects have been instrumental in the design build process.

"We are passionate about helping senior adults stay in their communities, while providing superior on-site services to give them the freedom to maintain an active lifestyle in a gracious residence." said Todd Spittal, Provision Living president and co-founder.  "Webster Groves will be the perfect place to accomplish this goal.  Individuals who live in the surrounding area want stay in the neighborhood they know and love."

 "We are very excited to further expand our St. Louis presence within a deep-rooted community like Webster Groves," said Dave Baylis, chief strategy officer for Provision Living and a principal in the project. "This community is part of our ongoing expansion in the St. Louis area. We recently opened a 79-unit assisted living facility in Godfrey, Illinois, and completed major reconstruction on a 108-unit community in St. Louis Hills."

Provision Living, LLC, is a premier regional operator and investor in senior housing properties, specifically focusing on independent living, assisted living and assisted-living-based memory care services. The company is based in St. Louis with operations in five states, representing 14 facilities, 900 units and 425 associates. For more information about Provision Living, LLC visit http://www.provisionliving.com/.

As a person ages they experience many changes both physical and mental. Senior citizens might feel that it takes them longer to process information and are generally not as “sharp” as they use to be. Decreased mental acuteness can occur as the mind gets older, and in some cases lead to serious conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia. However, there are ways to keep the mind active into your golden years.

By doing several exercises a day that challenge your mind, you can help prevent problems in the future. Activities such as crosswords, Sudoku and puzzles are fun ways to keep those neurons firing. Another great way is to learn a new skill or take up a new hobby. You might want to take a computer class or learn to play the piano. The mind will continue to learn regardless of age so keep it active.

There are several physical elements that go into keeping a healthy mind. Daily exercise delivers oxygen to the brain which promotes good mental health. A healthy diet can also result in a shaper mind. Many foods such as salmon, walnuts and fruits contain Omega-3 fatty acids which help with learning and memory. Please click the link the below to view other ideas for ways to improve mental health.

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/personal_development/39567

GreenTree at West Lafayette recently celebrated a 100^th birthday.

Dorothy Garrison was born in Young America, IN.,
on May 18^th, 1910. 

At an early age, she and her mother were inflicted with spinal meningitis. Her mother passed away. Dorothy survived, but was not able to walk until she was 3 years of age and was sickly for the first 14 years of her life.

She had four older sisters; but, said that she was her "father's boy", since he had no sons. All of her sisters helped care for Dorothy.  Lucille and Helen attended "teaching school" to help out with the family finances.  One taught school between Young America and Logansport and Dorothy was in her 4^th grade class. When Helen went to school she told Dorothy to pick out a book and she would read it to her that evening. Her favorite poems were "Song of Hiawatha" and "Snowbound". Her sister would read "Snowbound" to her whenever they were snowed in. She remembers lying on the floor listening to her sister read and tried to imagine what her sister was reading. Her father would stop reading the newspaper to listen, too. 

Dorothy was first married to "Cac" Hagenbuch. They were married in 1949 and lived in Fowler. He died in 1954 and left her a life estate in 160 acres of farmland in Benton County. Dorothy managed the farm for many years.   She met Kent Garrison at the Benton County Country Club while playing golf.  She was an accomplished golfer and an avid bowler. Kent and Dorothy were married in 1956. Kent was the owner and manager of the family grain elevator business in Earl Park, IN. Dorothy was employed as a legal stenographer for several years.  She is a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Fowler and was Past Matron of the Order of Eastern Star, receiving her 75-year award in 2003. Kent and Dorothy enjoyed to travel and did so often.  On one such trip to Boston, MA, while on a walking tour of the city, they viewed the original manuscript of the poem "Snowbound". 

It meant so much to Dorothy and brought back so many happy memories of her childhood and all the staff at GreenTree loved the opportunity to share her 100^th birthday celebration.

Following in GreenTree Assisted Living's tradition of excellence, we are pleased to appoint Dr. Robert J. Parks as the Medical Director of GreenTree's new 30 unit Memory Care neighborhood. GreenTree Memory Care provides exceptional services for seniors suffering from Dementia and Alzheimer's related diseases. 

 
Dr. Robert J. Parks
Medical Director, GreenTree Memory Care

Through our partnership with Dr. Parks and our specialized staff, GreenTree Memory Care will provide the compassion, respect and dignity to all its residents.  Dr. Parks has been caring for seniors in the area for over 37 years and his associate Michelle Burwell, a Certified Physicians Assistant, has been working with him for over 20 years.

GreenTree Memory Care is currently providing free complimentary memory loss consultations for those suffering from Dementia and Alzheimer's related diseases.  Please call 618.244.5580 to schedule an appointment.

Green Tree at Mt. Vernon is an 86-unit assisted living community, located at 208 Zachery Street in Mt. Vernon, IL. The new 30-unit memory care neighborhood is located in an adjacent building. The facilities are operated by Provision Living, a premier regional operator and investor in senior housing properties, focused on independent living, assisted living and assisted living based dementia services. The company is based in St. Louis with operations in five states, representing nearly 900 senior living units and 450 employees. www.provisionliving.com

Spring is upon us and many elderly are out enjoying the warm, sunny days. As the days get longer it makes for more time spent outside with family and friends. There are many activities senior citizens can enjoy outdoors that are fulfilling while not being too physically demanding.   

Gardening is a great activity for seniors that enjoy reaping the “fruits” of their labor. Light work in the garden is an excellent way to exercise while also keeping the mind active. This can be enjoyed all spring and summer long because there are always jobs to be done like watering, pruning, and pulling stubborn weeds.  

Family get-togethers at the park or barbeques with friends are great ways to interact with others while being outside this spring. Senior citizens enjoy spending time with their adult children and grandchildren at these events. Simple pleasures like watching the kids play and enjoying a fresh hotdog of the grill can make for the perfect spring afternoon.

For some, the ideal spring activity might just be being outdoors. Walks and bird watching are a great way to enjoy the splendors of nature while also exercising. Not only are these activities enjoyable but are also in many cases free.

For some more spring activity ideas visit the link below, or post your own in the comment section:

http://www.ehow.com/list_6324691_spring-activities-elderly.html

The Browders will be performing at GreenTree (4895 Pine Ridge Drive, Columbus, Indiana) on Saturday May 22^nd from 2:30 - 3:00, compliments of WYGS Radio. 

From their beginning traveling together as a family in a Dodge Omni car, to a successful music ministry with national hits, The Browders of Hiltons, Virginia are one of the most exciting groups to step on stage in many years.  This family group consists of Tommy Browder, his sons, Matthew and David, and Matthew's wife, Sonya.  They travel year round, keeping a full concert schedule as well as holding revivals across the country.  One of their most captivating qualities is that The Browders play much of their music live with Tommy on acoustic lead, David on bass, Matthew on rhythm guitar and Sonya on piano.  They also write most of their own music. 

Another success story from Provision Living at St. Louis Hills. This recent article (STLTODAY.com) features the Carrillo brothers. Alex, the middle brother, is currently working for Provision Living as a server in the dining area.  He will be going to Syracuse University in the fall.

His older brother, Alfredo, worked for us previously and is a freshman at the University of Missouri at St. Louis. We hope that Jesse, the younger brother, who is a junior at Vianney will be working for us in the near future. This is another way we carry out our vision and mission at St. Louis Hills.

Pictures (left to right): Jesse, Alex and Alfredo Carrillo stand in front of the wall of fame at St. Cecilia's Academy in St. Louis. The brothers benefited from the non-profit program ACCESS Academies, (http://www.accessacademies.com/) which helps middle schoolers get into a college prep high school and then college.

Read their story on STLTODAY.com