How to Age Healthfully

by Flynn Wright | Jul 16, 2024 | Wellness

Aging is a natural part of life. And as we age, it’s important to be cognizant of our habits and practices to ensure we’re aging as healthily as possible. “Healthy aging” will look different for everyone; Heritage Pointe is here to support you on your individual aging journey.

Our residents enjoy a wide array of amenities and personalized services to keep them active and independent — such as a full-service dining room; fitness center with group classes, personal training and on-site physical therapy; swimming pool; community room; creative arts studio; music room and more.

What is Healthy Aging?

As people age, risks of chronic disease, mental decline and health emergencies increase. Some of these risks are uncontrollable. Consciously maintaining a healthy lifestyle is foundational to aging well.

This blog will explore three key areas of healthy aging and how they play a role in staying healthy as you age. We’ll discuss:

Physical health
Mental or social emotional health
Cognitive health

How to Maintain Physical Health While Aging

The importance of physical health to aging cannot be understated. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), physical health helps seniors prevent chronic disease, maintain functional abilities and supports positive mental health. Your physical health also impacts your heart health, making it even more crucial.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends 150 minutes of physical activity per week — or just over 20 minutes a day — with specific recommendations for strength activities, balance exercises and aerobic activity that gets your heart beat up.

Even small sessions of physical activity have health benefits. Not sure where to start? Here are physical activity ideas for seniors:

Take walks
Try a low-impact exercise class
Swim or practice water aerobics
Take a yoga class or try a yoga video at home
Dance along to a video or attend a dance class
Ride a bike
Visit a fitness center
Play tennis or pickleball
Go golfing (or miniature golfing!)
Go for a low-incline hike

Your diet is an equally important aspect of maintaining physical health. The National Institute on Aging has simple tips to eat healthfully, such as eating enough protein, adding fruits and vegetables to your plate, reducing sodium intake and drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

How to Maintain Mental and Social Emotional Health While Aging

Mental health and social emotional wellness is important at every age, especially as we age. As you experience changes in your life it’s normal to feel grief, social isolation and loneliness. But, experiencing these emotions persistently can lead to mental illness, such as depression or anxiety. These are not normal parts of aging, and they should not be challenges you face alone. If you feel persistent emotions of depression or anxiety, see your health care provider for specific care.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends social connection activities to combat social isolation and loneliness to improve mental health, life satisfaction and quality of life.

To stay connected, try:

Visting with friends or family
Joining volunteer groups
Finding local support groups
Attending community events

How to keep a healthy brain

Preventing cognitive disease and disfunctions is of high importance to many seniors to prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia. As mentioned previously, age, genetics and family history can’t be altered, but actions can be taken to keep your cognitive abilities sharp.

The CDC draws benefits between physical health and brain health — they emphasize staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, maintaining a healthy blood pressure level, getting enough sleep, managing blood sugar and refraining from smoking as beneficial practices.

Your brain is like a muscle and exercising it is important. The beautiful thing about a healthy brain is any new or mentally demanding activity is exercise. Spend time trying something new, such as reading about a new topic, trying a new instrument, learning a new crafting technique or card game is key to keeping your mind engaged.

Heritage Pointe is proud to assist our residents on their aging journey. Whether it’s healthy food or group activities, we’re ready to provide the best care. To learn more about life at Heritage Pointe, contact our team today.

5 Signs Your Loved One May Need Memory Care

by Flynn Wright | Jun 5, 2024 | Memory Care

Deciding to move a loved one from their home or assisted living community into memory care is a difficult one. Having a transition plan for Alzheimer’s and dementia care can make the process smooth, efficient, and less scary for everyone, including the person suffering. Part of this transition plan is knowing the signs of these cognitive conditions worsening, and deciding at what point symptoms can no longer be managed without specialized care. But how do you know when it’s time for memory care?

What is Memory Care?

Memory care for seniors is specialized care designed for older adults suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Dementia is not a specific disease, but a general term to describe a wide range of symptoms severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disease and the most common cause of dementia. According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), to be eligible for memory care, “(an) older adults must have a diagnosis of dementia and a need for around-the-clock supervision.”

What is the Difference Between Memory Care and Assisted Living?

While similar to assisted living communities, memory care communities offer additional services and safety precautions, such as secured outdoor areas and locked doors to prevent residents from wandering away. Like assisted living, memory care usually includes amenities like regular housekeeping, three nutritious meals a day, assistance with activities of daily living, also known as ADLS, like grooming or bathing, and some form of nursing care.

While assisted living communities offer nursing assistance, nurses caring for individuals with dementia are required to undergo regular training on abuse prevention and proper care. Special activities are also incorporated into the daily routine of those in memory care, including cognitive games and reminiscence therapy.

Now that we know the differences between these two care types, when is it time to move our loved ones from assisted living to memory care?

Signs it’s Time to Move Your Loved One to Memory Care

#1 Poor Hygienic Habits

Declining hygiene can be the first and most important sign of cognitive decline in seniors with memory issues. From bathing to clothing to the condition of their home, an inability to take care of basic hygienic tasks may mean more care is needed. But this, coupled with other declines, may mean it’s time to transition to skilled nursing care and housekeeping that comes with memory care.

#2 Safety is a Concern

This can include safety to oneself and to others. Self-destructive behaviors usually seen with dementia include difficulty with or forgetting to eat and drink, a lack of sleep, weight loss and/or gain or general confusion that causes wandering and can lead to injury. According to Frontiers in Neurology, cognitive decline associated with dementia can also lead to behavioral and psychological symptoms like “agitation, aberrant motor behavior, anxiety, elation, irritability, depression, apathy, disinhibition, delusions, hallucinations, and sleep or appetite changes.” These symptoms also correlate with greater caregiver burden, known to reduce caregiver quality of life. Enrolling your loved one in memory care ensures a safe environment with around-the-clock care that allows loved ones to return to their role as a loved one instead of a caretaker.

#3 Difficulty Socializing

Seniors suffering from dementia may withdraw over time or communicate less as they find it more difficult to do. This withdrawal can lead to depression or apathy. Many memory care communities offer planned social engagement and physical exercise, which many studies indicate lower the risk of or slow cognitive decline.

#4 They Lose Track of the Passage of Time

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, approximately 40% of individuals over 65 deal with age-associated memory loss. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 5% to 8% of people over the age of 60 will live with dementia at some point. There is a difference, however, between the two. Those experiencing age-associated memory loss are still able to care for themselves, complete tasks and learn new things. People with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia lose track of dates, seasons, the passage of time and often forget where they are. If memory loss becomes this severe, memory care may be necessary for your loved one’s well-being.

#5 Loss of Interest in Activities

Depression and apathy are common conditions associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia, which can stem from any number of things – depression over the diagnoses, social isolation, side effects from certain medications and general confusion being leading factors. Commonly, people suffering from these illnesses experience hopelessness or a loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy. Memory care communities can help treat these issues through many different methods, including psychology or “talking therapy”.

At Heritage Pointe, we provide the uplifting, engaging lifestyle and around-the-clock care your loved one needs and you want. With us, days are filled with joyful moments to ensure Residents still have opportunities to lead enriching lives, filled with the happiness — and smiles — simple pleasures can bring. Learn more about our memory care by visiting our website.

What is Independent Living for Seniors?

by Flynn Wright | May 30, 2024 | Independent Living

Moving to an independent living community can be a concept people often associate with the loss of home and routine due to declining health. Senior adults have options when it comes to selecting the type of community and care they can receive when they elect to make the move.

While independent and assisted living communities each serve an important purpose to senior adults, there are many discrepancies separating the two – health status, activity level, services provided and available, as well as cost and amenities, just to name a few. In this blog, we’ll delve into those differences and break down the costs associated with independent living.

What is the Difference Between Assisted Living and Independent Living?

The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) defines assisted living as “a long-term care option preferred by many individuals who typically need help with everyday activities and some health care services but typically do not require 24-hour skilled nursing care services for extended periods of time.” Services provided for those living in assisted living communities usually include regular housekeeping, three meals a day, assistance with activities of daily living, also known as ADLs, like grooming or bathing, and some form of nursing care.

Independent living, however, is a residential community exclusively for older adults, usually 55 or older, geared towards active senior adults in relatively good health who no longer want the burden of homeownership.

Life in an independent living community is comparable to living in an apartment complex or at an all-inclusive resort — it’s just like living at home with the added benefit of optional planned social activities, on-site amenities — like fitness centers and beauty salons — and more. Independent living communities typically do not have any form of care provided and, essentially, come with no lifestyle change for those who choose to live in them.

What is the Average Cost of Senior Independent Living?

Independent living costs vary depending on the location and amenities provided by the community you select. According to SeniorLiving.org, the median monthly cost for independent living communities in the United States is $3,065. In most cases, this monthly cost is an all-inclusive fee including rent, utilities, and community amenities. In luxury independent senior living communities, this can include extras like full meal plans, light housekeeping, personal trainers or group fitness classes, swimming pools, movie theaters and transportation.

When considering making the jump from life at home to an independent living community, some have a difficult time justifying the cost. What many don’t realize is just how expensive everyday life is. Moving into an independent living community can potentially save you money on:

Rent or mortgage
Utilities
Transportation
Groceries
Lawncare
Restaurants
Additional entertainment

If you or someone in your life is looking to make the transition to independent living, be sure to ask about the cost breakdown for any communities of interest, including:

Are all your amenities included in my rent?
What additional monthly costs might I expect from your community?
Are there annual rent increases, and if so, what percentage should I expect?
Is this a pet-friendly community? If so, is there a pet deposit and/or additional pet rent?

Does Medicaid Pay for Independent Living?

Medicare and Medicaid will not pay for independent living. However, there are still a few options to consider to offset the cost. Long-term care insurance, depending on the policy, can help pay for specific types of senior living, including parts of independent living if you need additional care. According to Josh Hodges, National Council on Aging Chief Customer Officer, you should, “Keep in mind every long-term care insurer has its own rules and requirements for providing benefits. That’s why it’s essential to read the fine print. Review the terms of your current or potential policy to find out the ‘who, where, what, and when’ of its coverage.”

If long-term care insurance is not an option, life insurance might be. Many senior policyholders utilize their life insurance policy to fund independent living by selling the policy, surrendering it in exchange for its cash value, or setting up a living benefit program, which allows seniors to use some life insurance funds while preserving the rest for family members at the time of their death. Contact your insurance company to understand specific regulations and details of utilizing your life insurance policy in this way.

If neither of these methods is an option, like most, paying for independent living comes down to personal finances. This can include utilizing pensions, retirement accounts, and investments. Some senior adults sell their homes to fund the transition. Whatever you may decide, independent living communities offer a fulfilling living experience while also allowing you to retain full autonomy over your life.

Independent living is coming to Heritage Pointe soon. Nestled in the heart of beautiful Mission Viejo, Heritage Pointe is southern California’s most sought out senior living community. Get in touch with us to learn more about the vibrant community you could be part of.

Mandlebrot Magic

by Flynn Wright | Sep 1, 2023 | Dining

Mandel bread, also called mandelbrot, is a type of cookie similar to the Italian biscotti and popular in Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine. The cookies were popular throughout the 19th century among Eastern European Jews. They grew in popularity, known to be a dessert that kept well and traveled easily.

According to Gil Marks, author of the “Encyclopedia of Jewish Food,” mandel bread is thought to have originated in Germany and traveled eastward, like many other Jewish baked goods. In the early Middle Ages, Italians created the original biscotti by partially baking the dough, cutting it into slices and then returning the pieces to a cooler oven to crisp. The second time in the oven extracts the moisture and lengthens the shelf life of the cookie. This easy preparation and longer shelf life made it ideal for a Shabbat treat. During Passover, it was common to make mandel bread with matzah meal instead of flour. The Yiddish word “mandlbroyt” translates to “almond bread,” as the baked good often included almonds. Among the Ukrainian Jewish community, mandelbrot is known as kamishbrot. By the 1940s, mandel bread had made its mark in plenty of Jewish cookbooks.

National Grandparents Day is celebrated this year on Sunday, September 10. To help celebrate, Heritage Pointe residents and their families and friends are invited to a Mandlebrot baking contest! Friends and families of Heritage Pointe residents are encouraged to enter and compete for fame, glory and bragging rights. Bring three or more pieces of home-made mandlebrot to Heritage Pointe on Sunday, September 10. Drop off between 10:00-10:30am. Please call 949-868-6915 if you have questions about the contest.

This mandelbrot recipe is the Jewish equivalent to biscotti, and American-ized by adding chocolate! The cookies are twice baked, first in logs and then in slices. Store this in an airtight container, and the cookies will keep for about two weeks. Makes about 36 pieces.

Ingredients

3 eggs
¾ cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup coarsely chopped almonds

Directions

– Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a cookie sheet.

– Beat together eggs, oil, sugar, and vanilla extract until well blended. Sift together flour, salt, and baking powder; and stir into egg mixture until well mixed. Fold in chocolate chips and almonds. Form two logs, 3 inches in diameter, and place onto the baking sheets.

– Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, then remove from the oven and cut into 1-inch diagonal slices. Lay slices on their sides on the cookie sheet and return to the oven for 10 minutes. Remove to cool on a wire rack.

Credit to Chef Susan Yale

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