senior assisted living blog

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