The Benefits of Physical Therapy for Seniors

Oct 17, 2022

As we age, it’s not uncommon to experience more aches and pains. We may find it harder to get up from a chair or walk around the block. These are all natural side effects of aging. However, just because they’re common doesn’t mean we have to resign to living with them. Physical therapy can help seniors maintain their quality of life by keeping them mobile and pain-free.

There are many different types of physical therapy exercises that can be tailored to each individual’s needs. A physical therapist will work with you to design a plan that meets your unique needs and helps you achieve your goals.

The Benefits of Physical Therapy for Seniors

Here are the top five benefits physical therapy services can provide seniors:

Increased Strength and Endurance

As people age, they often lose muscle mass and bone density. This can lead to reduced strength and endurance, making it difficult to perform daily tasks. Physical therapy can help seniors build muscle strength and improve their endurance so they don’t have to worry about becoming overly fatigued during activities like walking or shopping.

In addition, physical therapy can also help seniors improve their cardiovascular health. This is important because cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among adults over the age of 65. By improving their cardiovascular health, seniors can reduce their risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious health conditions.

Improved Balance and Coordination

Reduced muscle mass and bone density can also lead to reduced balance and coordination. This can make it difficult for seniors to stay steady on their feet and maintain their balance when walking or standing. Physical therapy can help improve balance and coordination by strengthening the muscles that support the joints and helping patients practice tasks requiring coordination.

Increased Flexibility

Improved balance and coordination can also lead to increased flexibility. This is important because it can help seniors reduce their risk of falling. Physical therapy can help increase strength and flexibility by stretching the muscles and joints. In addition, physical therapy can also help improve range of motion, which is important for maintaining independence long term as people age.

Decreased Pain

Physical therapy also helps seniors manage pain. Seniors may experience pain due to conditions like arthritis, which is caused by the deterioration of the cartilage that cushions the joints. Physical therapy can help decrease pain by using techniques like heat, cold, massage, and electrical stimulation. In addition, physical therapy can also help improve joint function, which can reduce pain in affected areas.

Improved Mobility

Finally, physical therapy can also help improve mobility. This is important because it allows seniors to remain independent as they age. Physical therapy does this by strengthening the muscles that support the joints and helping patients practice moving differently. In addition, physical therapy can also help reduce stiffness in the joints, which makes it easier to move around.

If you’re looking for ways to stay physically fit, healthy and independent as you age, look no further than physical therapy. Physical Therapy will help you improve your strength and balance, and regain your mobility.

At Nye Health Services, our outpatient therapy program is a top choice among patients throughout Nebraska and surrounding areas that want to maintain independence and recover from a mild to moderate injury.

Nye Health Services | Independent & Assisted Living Communities

Nye Health Services is passionate about providing older adults with a wide range of wellness and health services that maximize health and well-being. If you are searching for a senior living community, explore one of our five locations in eastern Nebraska. Each campus provides award-winning health and wellness services, comfortable apartments and/or suites, and numerous amenities to help you live 2022 to the fullest!

Contact Nye Health Services to learn more about our outpatient therapy services or schedule a tour at any of our senior living communities in Fremont (Nye Legacy, Nye Square, & Nye Pointe), Norfolk (The Meadows), and Lincoln, Nebraska (Gateway Vista)!

How to Compare Assisted Living Options

Oct 17, 2022

When it comes time to find an assisted living community, it’s important to take the time to compare all of your options. The decision-making process can be complicated with so many different communities, senior care levels available, and amenities. Here is a checklist of items to compare when considering different assisted living communities to help you make the best decision for yourself or your family members.

How to Compare Assisted Living Options

Quality of Care

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing an assisted living facility is the quality of care and type of services provided.

First, find out if the assisted living facility is licensed and certified by the state and how it ensures the quality of care it provides its residents. You can find licensed and certified assisted living communities in Nebraska here.

Second, some facilities offer only essential services, such as help with bathing, dressing, and hygiene. Other assisted living facilities will provide more comprehensive care, including medication management, transportation, and rehabilitation services. It’s essential to evaluate your or your loved one’s needs and find a facility that provides the essential services they need. When touring each assisted living facility, you can get a feel for the quality of care and services.

Cost

It is important to consider cost when choosing an assisted living community. Make sure to clearly understand all monthly fees and charges associated with each community you’re considering. Be aware that not all assisted living facilities provide the same options for the same price.

The little things add up, so inquire if you have to pay extra for special diets, utilities, cable and internet, laundry, housekeeping, transportation to doctor’s appointments, church services, or shopping.

In addition to the monthly rent amount, find out if and when that charge be increased and by how much.

• Does the rent go up if the resident’s level of care changes?
• What are the charges if both you and your spouse live there and the two of you require different levels of care?
• If costs do increase, does the facility offer financial help for those who might no longer be able to pay?

All of these questions will help you make the best decision for your budget.

Amenities

Another factor to consider is the amenities they offer, from on-site amenities like fitness centers to off-site excursions and activities. Be sure to ask if the facility has a recreation director. The recreation director’s job is to provide activities for the residents and review the facility’s current activity schedule to get an idea of what’s offered and whether or not it fits your needs. Ensure the community you choose has amenities that are important to you, like a chapel, crafts, or exercise classes.

Medical Care

Medical care and options can vary widely depending on the facility. Ask if you are permitted to choose your own doctor, therapist, or pharmacy. Who would be responsible for giving you your medications? Who decides if a resident needs a higher level of care or must be transferred to a different facility?

Moving into an assisted living community is a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Take the time to research and visit potential communities, so you can be sure that you’re making the best decision for your or your loved one’s needs.

Nye Health Services | Award-Winning Assisted Living Facilities

Nye Health Services is passionate about providing older adults with a wide range of wellness and health services that maximize health and well-being. If you are searching for an assisted living community, explore one of our three locations in eastern Nebraska. Each campus provides award-winning health and wellness services, comfortable apartments and/or suites, and numerous amenities to help you live life to the fullest!

Contact Nye Health Services to learn more about the assisted living amenities we offer or schedule a tour at any of our senior living communities in Fremont (Nye Legacy, Nye Square, & Nye Pointe), Norfolk (The Meadows), and Lincoln, Nebraska (Gateway Vista)!

How to Tell The Difference Between Normal Forgetfulness and Dementia

May 4, 2022

As we grow older many things change, and one of those things is our memory. This is why most people use sticky notes and calendar reminders to make sure they don’t forget certain tasks in daily life or events. When we grow older, we experience more frequent memory loss. This is completely normal when it comes to aging. Although people who suffer from dementia experience a high level of memory loss, there is a difference between normal aging forgetfulness and dementia. Before panicking and assuming you have dementia, you need to understand what the symptoms are of each.

How to Tell The Difference Between Normal Forgetfulness and Dementia

Normal Forgetfulness

While it can be frustrating, this type of forgetfulness comes with aging. Normal forgetfulness is typically not progressive and does not impact daily life. Some examples of normal forgetfulness include occasionally misplacing objects or forgetting appointments. These lapses are usually linked to two conditions:

Absentmindedness and Transience

These two conditions are a normal part of aging according to Harvard Medical School. Absentmindedness relates to the focus of your brain, which could be like forgetting an appointment because your mind is not preoccupied with the thought of it. Transience describes the brain’s process of clearing out old, unnecessary memories to make space for new ones. Both are normal and not indicative of memory loss or dementia.

Forgetfulness and Mental Issues

Memory loss can occur due to an individual’s health conditions deteriorating according to the National Institute on Aging. People who have had or continue to struggle with mental health issues like depression are sometimes mistaken for having similar symptoms to dementia.

When someone is dealing with depression, they are highly preoccupied with what has caused their sadness and their anxiety. When someone is constantly worrying and/or obsessing over a recent tragedy, it can lead to forgetting other memories or topics.

Warning Signs of Dementia

Dementia refers to a group of conditions that cause memory loss and cognitive decline, worsening over time. People with dementia experience progressive changes that significantly affect daily living. Common types of dementia include Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and mixed dementia, which involves multiple forms of dementia simultaneously. Recognizing early signs of dementia is crucial to seeking support. Warning signs of dementia include:

Personality Change

People may experience extreme changes in personality according to the Alzheimer’s Association. When seniors are in the middle stages of dementia, they will suddenly become more prone to paranoia, impulsiveness, and even aggressive behavior.

Forgetting Important Information

When someone is suffering from dementia, it is not about forgetting a thing as simple as where they have left an object or the date of an appointment that they had scheduled. Instead, this kind of memory loss can cause an individual to forget the names of their family members and friends. These types of memory problems should prompt you to take the individual to a medical professional for diagnosis.

Disorientation

Another common symptom that those who suffer from dementia will experience is a tendency to become disorientated in new environments. This disorientation extends to both time and place according to the University of Illinois.

When an older individual is or is starting to struggle with dementia, and moves to an unfamiliar environment, the unfamiliar stimuli can start to induce the feeling of insecurity, causing panic and anxiety within the person. Elders experiencing dementia and becoming disorientated will seem extremely lost to onlookers and they can become aggressive, especially with caregivers.

When it comes to differentiating between normal forgetfulness and dementia, you need to take a closer look at the symptoms. While senior citizens have symptoms that overlap, memory loss is more intense in those who experience dementia. This is because the memories that they lose are highly important which normal forgetfulness cannot explain.

Normal forgetfulness is not progressive and should not be a cause for concern. Dementia on the other hand will develop and worsen over time. If you have tried to identify what the individual is experiencing and you still do not confidently have an answer, you should talk to a doctor near you. What could make the diagnosis a lot easier is to take the person to a doctor who already knows them. This doctor might be able to pick up on signs and symptoms much quicker.

Additional Information: 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s

The Meadows Memory Care Services

At The Meadows, we understand the unique challenges that individuals facing memory loss encounter, and our Memory Care Services are designed to provide compassionate and specialized support. As we age, it’s natural for memory to undergo changes, leading to occasional forgetfulness. However, when memory loss becomes more pronounced and starts affecting daily life, it may be a sign of a more serious condition like dementia.

Recognizing the Signs and Seeking Support

It’s essential to recognize the signs of memory loss early on and seek professional support. If you or a loved one is experiencing persistent memory challenges, consider consulting with our experienced team at The Meadows. Common signs that may warrant exploration include:

• Difficulty in Remembering Names and Faces: Memory loss that goes beyond occasional forgetfulness and involves forgetting names of family members or close friends.
• Changes in Behavior: Sudden and significant changes in personality, such as increased paranoia, impulsiveness, or aggressive behavior.
• Disorientation in New Environments: Becoming easily disoriented, especially in unfamiliar settings, leading to feelings of insecurity and anxiety.

Our commitment at The Meadows is to provide not only quality care but also a nurturing environment that promotes overall well-being. If you’re seeking specialized Memory Care Services, we invite you to explore The Meadows and discover how we can support you or your loved one on this journey.

Personalized Memory Care at The Meadows in Norfolk, NE

Our Memory Care Services at The Meadows go beyond traditional senior living. We offer personalized care that address the unique needs of people with dementia, ensuring a supportive and enriching environment. Key features of our memory care services program include:

1. Individualized Care Plans: We recognize that each individual’s journey with memory loss is unique. Our experienced team creates personalized care plans that address the specific cognitive and emotional needs of each resident.
2. Engaging Activities: Mental stimulation is crucial for individuals with memory loss. Our Memory Care program incorporates a variety of engaging activities designed to enhance cognitive function and provide a sense of purpose.
3. Safe and Secure Environment: The Meadows provides a secure environment to ensure the safety of our residents. Our facilities are designed with features that prevent wandering and promote a sense of security.
4. Compassionate Staff: Our dedicated staff members undergo specialized training in dementia care. They are committed to providing compassionate assistance, fostering a supportive atmosphere, and building meaningful connections with residents.
5. Family Involvement: We believe in the importance of family involvement. Families are encouraged to actively participate in the care process, and we provide resources and support to help them navigate the challenges associated with memory loss.

For more information about our Memory Care Services and to schedule a visit, please visit our Memory Care Services page or contact us directly. At The Meadows, we are dedicated to helping individuals live each moment to the fullest, fostering a sense of purpose and connection in their lives.

Nye Health Services | Independent & Assisted Living Communities

Nye Health Services is passionate about providing older adults with a wide range of wellness and health services that maximize health and well-being. If you are searching for a senior living community, explore one of our five locations in eastern Nebraska. Each campus provides award-winning health and wellness services, comfortable apartments and/or suites, and numerous amenities to help you live 2022 to the fullest! Contact us today to learn more about what sets Nye apart or to schedule a tour of a community near you!

For additional information about Nye Home Health Care visit us at nyehomehealthcare.com