4 Dietary Recommendations for Older Adults

One of the most important factors for a healthy lifestyle is keeping up with your body’s dietary requirements. Our nutritional needs change as we age, and what may have been a good enough snack at 20 may have detrimental consequences at 50. This is why it’s even more important for older adults to be very careful about what they eat, and maintain the intake of the right nutrients.

Calcium

Calcium is essential for bone health, and older individuals need it even more intensively to prevent fractures and dislocated joints. As we age, our bones and joints become more fragile and are prone to breakage even after slight movements. Hence, having a calcium-rich diet is imperative to keep the bone tissue nourished and strengthened.

This can be done by incorporating dark green and leafy vegetables, fruit juices, fortified cereals, canned fish, and milk in your meals. Additionally, calcium supplements can also be taken each day.

Vitamin B12

Aging also reduces the body’s vitamin B12 absorption ability. This is why older adults often end up not getting sufficient amounts of B12 that’s typically bound to proteins in different types of foods.

It’s recommended that individuals over the age of 50 incorporate B12 fortified foods regularly to meet the vitamin B12 requirements. Including lean meat, seafood, and fortified cereals in your meals a few times a week is a great way to do this.

Fiber

Fiber has an important role in keeping the digestive tract functioning smoothly. It helps prevent constipation and other bowel system issues by promoting regularity and enabling peristalsis to occur frequently.

In older individuals, digestive complications are more common, often triggered by the effects of medication. Fiber is needed to prevent these ailments, and also reduce the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Cereals, beans, and whole-grain breads are an excellent way to maintain fiber intake.

Potassium

Potassium not only counters the negative effects of sodium, but also enables individuals to perform physically well. Potassium-rich foods, when taken in moderation, can help your heart health and lower the risks of hyperventilation.

Older individuals should incorporate vegetables such as potatoes, turnips, spinach, kale, beans, and beet in their diet. Fruits such as cantaloupes, avocados, and squash should also be included.

At AvantGarde Senior Living & Memory Care, we take special care of the dietary needs of your senior loved ones. Our independent living and assisted living services for older adults are geared to provide a safe and comfortable environment for them, with particular regard for their dietary requirements and restrictions.

Call us at (818) 881-0055 to get in touch with our team in Calabasas!


Eating Healthy: A Caregiver’s Guide

When it comes to dietary planning, there’s no standard rule that applies to all individuals. Everybody has their own nutritional needs, and it’s important for caregivers to understand these before they can proceed with designing meal plans.

Moreover, eating healthy entails more than just cooking the right set of ingredients. Here’re a few tips for caregivers to implement a healthy eating lifestyle for their senior attendees.

Be Observant During Mealtimes

Mealtimes are a chance for you to obtain valuable insight into your senior attendee’s eating habits and food preferences. By simply observing their eating patterns during breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you can pick up a lot about what they like and dislike, as well as their eating concerns.

Take for instance your elderly loved one’s behavior when they’re given porridge for breakfast, as opposed to eggs and toast. Do they seem to prefer one over the other? Do they always refuse a certain item in meals? Do they find it easier to drink milk through a straw instead of directly from the glass?

Being observant during mealtimes also helps you detect any danger signs of them having trouble swallowing or chewing their food. In case they develop a severe and sudden coughing fit or start to choke, you can swiftly help them out in that scenario. Keeping an alert eye out for any possible eating mishaps can help prevent them and make mealtimes easier for your senior loved one.

Make Mealtimes Enjoyable

Mealtimes don’t have to be dull and monotonous! Just because your elderly loved one needs to have their meals at a specific time of the day, due to either personal preferences or medical requirements, doesn’t mean they can’t have fun with their food. In fact, if they enjoy their food, they’re likely to be in a better mood as well and actually look forward to their meals.

To avoid mealtimes becoming a boring and mechanical affair, try mixing up the routine a bit. Have meals together as a family, and don’t hold back from experimenting with new flavors and dishes. Make meal preparation fun for yourself too, so that you may enjoy it as well. You can even involve your loved one in this activity, having them assist you with sorting out the vegetables or peeling the fruits, as long as it doesn’t tire them.

Be Wary of Dietary Restrictions

Know your senior loved one’s dietary needs before you begin meal planning and preparing. If they suffer from a chronic illness or a medical condition that requires them to be extra careful if what they eat, make sure you’re aware of the restrictions and recommendations.

It’s best if you consult with a certified dietician for this. This’ll help you stay on the right track while shopping for ingredients and preparing meals, and ensure that your loved one is getting the healthiest options.

At AvantGarde Senior Living & Memory Care, our skilled nursing staff is very particular about each of our resident’s dietary needs, and provides a pleasant dining environment for them to have their meals at.

Call us at (818) 881-0055 to get in touch with our senior care team in Calabasas!


4 Fun Activities for Seniors with Limited Mobility

You’re never too old to have fun! Although aging may have slowed down your senior loved one’s physical activities and caused limited mobility, it doesn’t mean that they can’t participate in fun activities anymore!

Here’re a few things they can indulge in.

Table Gardening

Does your loved one enjoy nature and all it has to offer? Having a small indoor or outdoor table garden can help them stay connected with Mother Earth, without having to move around much.

Arrange for potted plants and troughs to be arranged at table-height so that they don’t have to bend down while tending to the plants. Keep a small watering can and gardening scissors next to these as well, for ease of convenience. This’ll help them look after their plants without risking a backache or lengthy trips to and from the garden.

Chair Yoga

Just because your elderly loved one needs assistance while walking short distances or has trouble standing for too long doesn’t mean they can’t participate in yoga! In fact, lots of older adults enjoy stretching in comfortable poses while remaining seated.

Chair yoga helps in keeping the muscles active, improving their strength as well as flexibility. This can even help them recover their mobility, while giving them the liberating feeling of being able to move flexibly. Breathing exercises, meditative practices, and head-and-neck and finger exercises can help them stay active and experience the calming effect of yoga.

Reading

Reading is an activity that suits individuals of all ages! It’s especially useful for older adults with limited mobility, as it doesn’t involve them moving about to do the task. Not only can they read from the comfort of their bed or favorite recliner but they can also keep their brain active and engaged while they do so.

Reading helps improve cognition, memory, as well as sleeping patterns. It also reduces stress and keeps the mind occupied and alert. The best part? You don’t even need a physical book to read! Audio-books and eBooks are excellent alternatives for individuals who don’t like turning page after page of their book.

Movie & Karaoke Night

What’s a better way to unwind than a good old karaoke night or an evening at the movie theater? If your loved one is a fan of a particular genre of movies and enjoys listening to the radio, why not arrange for a special evening every once in a while?

You don’t necessarily have to go to the cinema or a karaoke bar for them to be able to experience it. This can be arranged at home as well. They can watch their favorite movie with delicious snacks in an impromptu home cinema, and sing their heart out along instrumental versions of their favorite tunes available online. Listening to music and watching movies helps relax the mind and is a great stress relieving activity as well.

AvantGarde Senior Living & Memory Care enables residents to participate in several activities that best complement their range of motion. At our independent living and assisted living community center, they can  socialize with like-minded individuals over similar interests.

Call us at (818) 881-0055 to get in touch with our team in Calabasas!


How Pet Therapy Helps the Elderly

Pet therapy or animal-assisted therapy has been found to have several health benefits for older adults in numerous studies. From physical fitness to mental health, animals have a certain therapeutic impact on one’s health, making them excellent companions for the elderly.

Pet Therapy for Physical Fitness

Studies have shown that pet ownership can significantly reduce the number of cardiovascular problems reported each year. This is a huge finding, especially since cardiovascular disease is the biggest cause of death in the US.

According to research, people who have pets are at a lower risk of hypertension and abnormal heart behavior.  In fact, they tend to outlive individuals who don’t have pets. Older adults who experience pet therapy reportedly have a greater survival rate and lower risks of heart disease.

Apart from this, pet therapy is also a great way for older individuals to stretch their legs and get some exercise on a regular basis. Depending on their own mobility, they can take their pets out for walks or simply participate in feeding and cleaning up after them inside the house.

Spending quality time with their pets, be it dogs or birds, can help them relax and also stay active.   It stabilizes their heart rate, reduces stress, and keeps them involved with their pets even if means getting some fresh air outside or playing “fetch”.

How It Helps with Mental Health

Physical fitness isn’t the only thing pet therapy is helpful for. It also plays a huge role in improving one’s mental health.

Ask anyone about their pets, and they’ll tell you how happy their animal companions make them. For most pet owners, their pets are a part of their family, as close to them as any other family member. The simple fact is that animals make us happy, and thus, we feel a lot better when surrounded by our pets.

For senior loved ones, this is even more fruitful as it helps in calming their nerves and keeping them relaxed. By reducing mental stress and relieving anxiety, it enables them to interact with their loyal friends. Being with their pet can provide emotional support and stability, especially during stressful situations. Not to mention, caring for the animals gives them a sense of self-confidence and boosts their self-esteem as they feel responsible for their pets’ needs.

Exposure to pets also helps elderly individuals enhance their socialization skills. It’s particularly beneficial for individuals who struggle with articulating their thoughts or hesitate to express their emotions. In the company of their pet, they can be expressive and share their thoughts more easily. This ultimately helps them communicate better with their family and friends as well, while giving them the assurance that they’re being heard without judgment.

AvantGarde Senior Living & Memory Care in Calabasas has a pet-friendly policy, and encourages animal-assisted therapy at their senior living community.

Call us at (818) 881-0055 to learn more about our senior living homes!


Specialist Assisted Living Communities: The Subtleties

When it comes to specialist assisted living communities, people often talk about medical and emotional support for the elderly. However, there’s much more to assisted living communities than meets the eye.

In fact, here are some of the lesser-known and talked about facts of assisted living communities.

There are Different Levels of Care Options

Unlike nursing homes that are regulated by the federal government, assisted living communities are regulated by the state they operate in. Due to the lack of a unified regulatory system, assisted living and the care provided can vary from one state to another. This can be confusing for many people because it implies that not all assisted living communities are equal.

Some are cost-effective but provide lesser care options while others provide quality care and offer a more residential approach. However, it’s important to know if the assisted living community is licensed by the state or not.

The most popular level care options are assisted living and memory care. Memory care is a more intense level of assisted living, provided to people who’re facing memory loss.

Every Community is Different

Since care levels vary in different communities that structure and environment vary too. While some communities have a more clinical and formal surrounding, there are many communities that aspire to provide a more homely and warm ambiance to their residents.

The size and plan of apartments in different communities vary as well. While some communities may have a uniform and standard floor plan, the best communities provide a multitude of floor plans that can accommodate different budgets and needs, such as apartments that come with attached bath and walk-in closets.

Assisted Living Communities are Not Nursing Home

There’s a common misconception about assisted living communities. They’re usually mistaken for nursing homes. However, the type of care provided in assisted living communities differs greatly from that of a nursing home. Where a nursing home is a hospice for the elderly, assisted living communities are a lifestyle.

Assisted living communities help older people live life the way it’s supposed to be lived. The care provided in these communities is not clinical; rather, it’s friendly and warm, which helps rejuvenate the soul and refresh the minds of your loved ones.

Assisted living communities also promote self-care in your loved ones and provide an environment that stimulates social interaction and cognitive learning.

Our assisted living community in Hollywood, CA is a licensed and quality senior living and memory care community is a prime example of a leading assisted and independent living community. To find out more, contact us today!

 


Assisted Living and Independent Living: What is the Difference?

If you’re looking of a quality senior living community for your elderly loved ones, you’ll probably be faced with the question, “Are you looking for independent senior living or assisted senior living?” Since both of these are senior care options, it’s easy to get confused between the two.

But what separates one from the other; and more importantly, which of the two is better for your loved ones?

Let’s find out:

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is a senior living option that provides for 24/7 medical and personal care for your senior loved ones. The care community helps or ‘assists’ the elderly in daily routine activities, such as bathing, changing clothes and taking medication. As we age, our bodies become weaker making certain routine tasks challenging.

At an assisted living community, people find the help that they need without feeling ashamed or stripped off their dignity. The caregivers at a premium assisted living community understand how private certain matters can be for our loved ones. Therefore, they pay extra attention to the comfort and privacy of each resident and respect their personal space at all times.

What is Independent Living?

Independent living communities are quite similar to assisted living communities. They provide for a quality living solutions for people who want to enjoy their life after retirement. An independent living community offers house cleaning and provide regular meals to individuals who want to live a carefree and chore-free life!

However, independent living is different from assisted living in the matters of the level of care provided in each of the living arrangements. While independent living offers basic life assistance and private living quarters, assisted living focuses on 24/7 medical care.

Independent living communities are ideal for individuals who desire comfort and joy in their life without compromising on their quality of life.

Which of the Two is Ideal for You?

When it comes to choosing between independent and assisted living communities, it all comes down to your needs and preferences. If you think you need assistance and medical care in your later years, looking into assisted living communities will be the right decision for you. However, if all you need is a private and comfortable living arrangement, independent living is better suited for you.

Whether you choose independent living or assisted living, we at AvantGarde Senior Living and Memory Care offer both. In fact, our senior living community in Hollywood, CA also offers a quality memory care program for people suffering from memory loss ailments.

Take a virtual tour of our care community and get in touch with us to learn more!

 


Specialist Memory Care: What Does that Mean?

As we age, our physical and mental health deteriorates with time. The lack of intellectual stimulation in our later years can have a negative effect on our memory, resulting in conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Both of these illnesses put the patient at risk, physically, mentally and emotionally. That’s why it’s important that proper care and support be provided to someone suffering from these ailments.

Specialist memory care communities help people find the care that they need. But what are specialist memory care communities?

Let’s find out!

What is a Specialist Memory Care Community?

Unlike ordinary care homes that offer a general level of care for the elderly, specialist memory care communities focus on the needs and requirements of patients who have memory loss or degenerative ailments. These communities understand what it entails to be suffering from a challenging disease like dementia and therefore are well-equipped and trained to handle the problems that come with it.

At a specialist memory care community the staff is on duty 24/7 and has knowledge and experience in degenerative memory diseases to make life easier for the patient and their loved ones.

The Advantages of a Specialist Memory Care Community

Joining a specialist memory care community is the step in the right direction for people who have been diagnosed with dementia or any form of memory loss. That’s because not only is a memory care community appropriately equipped to provide care but they also work toward improving the cognitive health of people suffering from memory loss.

Memory care communities help individual find self-confidence and uphold their dignity in the face of adversities.

Another harsh reality of memory loss and dementia is that it can endanger the patient and the people around them. Memory care communities help keep them safe and provide for a comfortable and secure environment for them to lead happier lives.

If your loved one is also suffering from memory loss, don’t shy away from it. Talk about it, and more importantly, get them the help they need! At AvantGarde Senior Living and Memory Care, we provide quality care for memory loss patients in Hollywood, CA. We also provide independent living and assisted living solutions.


Elderly Communities Help Enable Elderly Lives: Why are Assisted Care Communities Better?

While the idea of retirement sounds nice and comforting, it’s not as euphoric as it feels. In fact, according to a retirement planning coach, people often mistake the joy of being retired with finding fulfillment in life after retirement.

Although, the initial, “I am a free spirit! No work for me anymore!” high is exuberating; it can be short-lived if elderly lives aren’t enabled the right way.

As a result, many seniors are subjected to a lack of social interaction and life purpose, which might lead them down the path of depression and despondency.

This is where assisted care communities come in!

What are Assisted Care Communities?

With over 15,800 across the U.S., assisted care communities are establishments that provide for appropriate medical and personal care for elderly people that need it.

Why are Assisted Care Communities Better?

However, many people find it difficult to comprehend how assisted care communities are different from nursing homes. While, nursing homes also provide medical care for the elderly they’re more degenerating for the residents’ social and mental health as they provide on-the-clock monitoring in isolation.

A nursing home is more like a hospice or hospital that has a more clinical feel to it. In comparison, assisted care communities, provide the same level of care but have a more homely and comforting atmosphere. This is why assisted care communities are better than nursing homes.

Not only are assisted care communities better than nursing homes but in terms of taking appropriate care of the residents, they’re also better than the residents’ actual homes! This is because at an assisted care community residents can benefit from the following.

An Active Social Life

As we age, we tend to miss out on our social life, which after retirement, can result in complete social isolation. With isolation comes loneliness which spirals into depression and a progression of chronic diseases.

Assisted care communities help people develop a social life that stimulates the joy and purpose of living in the elderly. The community also helps seniors find companionship that’s not available at nursing homes.

This is extremely important for the physical and mental well-being of the elderly as studies have shown that happier and content older people have a longer lifespan as opposed to those who suffer from depression and social abandonment.

Physical Well-being

Living in an assisted care community also helps promote fitness and provides access to physical activity as the residents are encouraged to indulge themselves in hobbies like gardening, golfing and even exercising. This greatly affects their physical and mental health because the healthier they are, the happier they are!

A Better Quality of Life

Life after retirement is about living for one’s self and on one’s own terms. In an assisted care community, that can be achieved along with medical and personal support. The residents can also benefit from the community as a learning arena as they’re exposed to lifestyles that are different and interesting!

Most importantly, an assisted care community focuses on enabling elderly lives rather than just helping them survive. So get in touch with an assisted living community today! We’re Hollywood, CA leading senior living and memory care community that offers quality independent and assisted living solutions for your loved ones!


Retiring in Comfort: The Advantages of Living in Assisted Care Communities

Also known as, ‘residential care communities’ according to the CDC, assisted care communities for seniors are living arrangements that are tailored to fit the needs of senior loved ones so they get the support and care that they deserve and require.

Given there were almost 15,800 assisted living communities in America in the year 2015 alone, it’s safe to say that they’re a better care option that nursing homes, as assisted living communities are twice as many in number.

That’s because there are plenty of advantages of living in assisted living and care communities.

They Make it Easier to Find Friends

One of the woes of life after retirement is that many senior loved ones often have limited social life and interaction. This leads to social isolation, which has been found to have a strong connection with the progression of diseases in old age. In fact, social isolation and subsequent loneliness can have a detrimental effect on the mental health of retirees and might lead to depression. Living in an assisted care community will not only provide for the care that’s needed in old age but the communal structure also helps senior loved ones find companionship in their later years. Finding friends that are in the same boat helps people rejuvenate and help each other heal.

24/7 Professional Care Available

Quality assisted living communities are known for providing 24/7 medical care for their residents. The personnel and staff members are high-skilled and trained to provide living assistance at all times.

Residents often need help with daily routine activities, such as bathing, and medication. Assisted living communities can provide prompt assistance and care without making the residents feel exposed to incompetent. This is great for their self-esteem as well as for their health and hygiene.

Living on Your Own Terms

Just because you’ve retired, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of life!

Quite the opposite actually. Since, after retirement you have plenty of free time on your hands, you can utilize it doing things and activities that interest you! Assisted living communities are equipped to accommodate your unique lifestyles and help you live life on your own terms. Residents can live in individual apartments with attached baths and walk-in closets that offer complete privacy.

Peace of Mind

When you find a top-grade and comprehensive assisted living community in your area, you enjoy the best advantage of all; the advantage of achieving peace of mind because you’re ensured that your loved ones are in quality care and a home-like environment with people who care for them. This is a sigh of relief for friends and family of the resident and a joyful experience for the resident!

So if you’re also looking for a quality assisted community for your loved ones or even yourself, make sure you take a virtual tour of AvantGarde Senior Living and Memory Care. Our assisted living community in Hollywood, CA is a licensed and quality community for your loved ones. Get in touch with us today!

 


Questions To Ask When Deciding on an Assisted Living Community

Deciding on an assisted living community for your loved ones can be challenging. With around 15,800 assisted living communities in the country— twice as many as a nursing home—making the decision can be overwhelming. After all, you’ll be trusting someone else with caring for your senior loved one.

However, these questions can help it make it easy for you to shortlist and ultimately decide on the best assisted living community for the ones you love!

Will They Get The Care That They Deserve?

Your senior loved one deserves the best. So finding out if the assisted care community can provide the kind of care they need is really important. As we age, our needs and requirements change. While some seniors require minimum assistance, others might need 24/7 care management. That’s why you need to sign up for a senior living community that can fulfill the particular needs of your loved ones. Find out about the community’s care options; it’ll help you evaluate if the community in question is the right choice for them. The CDC terms assisted living as, “residential care community” so the community you choose should feel like home!

Is The Assisted Living Community Licensed?

We all want the best for our loved ones. We can’t compromise on quality when it comes to providing care for them. That’s why it’s crucial to find out if the assisted living community you’re looking into is licensed by the state they operate in.

This is because unlike nursing facilities that are regulated by the federal government, assisted living communities are under the jurisdiction of their specific states. So, not only is it essential for you to find out how your state regulates assisted living communities but also if the assisted living community of your choice is licensed by the concerned authorities.

Will Your Loved One Be Comfortable There?

Nobody knows your senior loved one better than you. You need to look for a community that’ll take care of them in their old age just like your senior loved one took care of you when you were younger.

So you should take a tour of the community, access if their care options and living arrangements will accommodate your loved ones and their unique needs. Their comfort and care should be your first priority. That’s why you should always ask your potential care community to lay out their care options, amenities and floor plans so you can decide if your loved one would be able to transition from the care of home to the assisted living community easily.

It’s undoubtedly one of the toughest decisions for you to make, but AvantGarde Senior Living and Memory Care make it easy for you. Our virtual tour of the community will help you take a look at our assisted living apartments so you can make your decision free of doubts. We’re a leading licensed assisted living and memory care community in Hollywood, CA.

So, if you’re looking for a second home for your loved ones, getting in touch with us is the first step in the right direction!