Evergreen Orland Park – Orland Park
(708) 479-1082
(708) 479-1082

Tag: Evergreen Orland Park

Senior Sports Fans

Friday, June 6, 2023   

If your senior is a sports fan, you might wonder how they can still enjoy their passion. They may have fond memories of playing on teams and attending games with friends and family. Sports have the power to bring strangers and generations together, and your senior should not have to give up that part of their life. There are still plenty of ways they can experience sports! Here are some things to do:

 

Sporting Events:

A great way to help your senior enjoy a game is by visiting a local venue. Calling the location beforehand to inquire about accommodations would ease any complications or stress. Similarly, attending a local high school event can also be engaging and thrilling! Some local recommendations from minor league teams are Joliet Slammers, Schaumburg Boomers, and Windy City Thunderbolts. Additionally, sports at Carl Sandburg High School include football, baseball, soccer, softball, tennis, badminton, and more!

 

Casual Sports and Entertainment:

If your senior does not wish to travel to a stadium or arena, plenty of local spots have a sporty atmosphere. In fact, there are even restaurants with bocce ball so your senior can spectate or play. Some other restaurants have golf or bowling available. Local picks include Mama Vesuvio’s East, Pinstripes, Topgolf, or the 19th Hole.

Another way to encourage your loved one to express their competitive spirit is through sports-themed board games. Try trivia, checkers, Shuffleboard, an edition of Monopoly specific to their favorite team, etc. These games can be played from home comfortably, but teamwork and friendly rivalry will quickly form!

 

Watching Live Sports:

If an exciting game or series is coming up, you could organize a viewing party. Invite their friends or relatives for snacks and share past stories and memories from athletic experiences! For seniors that watch sports frequently and hate missing a game, consider a live-streaming app, such as Fox Sports, ESPN, or FuboTV. Technology has provided sports fans with numerous chances to support their favorite teams. Your senior will surely cherish watching an event live with some company.

 

Our residents at Evergreen Senior Living have many unique hobbies and passions, which is why our community is so joyful and compassionate. To hear more about this community, please schedule a tour! We’d love to show you around. 

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Move-in Gifts Your Senior Will Love

Monday, March 3, 2023   

.If your senior is moving soon or in the future, you might be trying to find a valuable welcome gift they will appreciate. Since moving might be stressful, gifts are great ways to brighten their mood or reassure them that they are loved. Here are some sentimental and practical ideas to warm up their home:

  • If your loved one enjoys a challenge, puzzles make great gifts, especially personalized ones. It could even be a picture of a fond memory from their old residence! Find options here.
  • For readers, a magazine or book subscription can entertain and inspire your loved one. They might be interested in AARP, Reader’s Digest, Prevention, or Woman’s Day. Additionally, Big Reads is a subscription service that delivers large-print books monthly. You choose the genre; they choose the book and ship it. You can also send your seniors an included, personalized note with each package!
  • Additionally, a comforting gift is a chair cushion or an infrared foot massager. These items are the next best thing to a massage, and your senior will love them when they’re in the mood for self-care and relaxation.
  • Another physically satisfying item is acupressure accessories that offer relief if they are affected by chronic pain. For example, the Aculief hand clip may be a good option if they have migraines or headaches. An acupressure relief mat may assist if they want to target their back!
  • An organizational gift can say welcome home as well. Daily planners or wall calendars make unique gifts so your senior can create plans, work toward achieving them, and follow a daily routine. When they write down their appointments and goals, they will have something to look forward to and are less likely to forget.
  • If you are trying to take your senior’s mind off moving for a while, gifting them tickets to a musical or local event they would enjoy also supports their move. Although they cannot hang it on their wall, they will cherish the memory forever!

If your senior is considering or planning a move to Evergreen Senior Living Orland Park, check out the floor plans here. Although the move-in process can be hectic, we assist our seniors and families in many ways. Contact us for more information.

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Journaling: How and Why to Get Started

Monday, March 3, 2023   

If your senior is looking for a new hobby, consider suggesting journaling. Not only is it self-paced, but it also provides a stream of benefits like boosted memory function and stress relief. Adopting this new pastime may help your senior with their routine and schedule; they might decide to journal every morning when they wake up. But what topics should they journal about? Well, that’s where creativity and cognitive skills come in—the sky’s the limit!

 

Benefits of Journaling

The physical action and produced result are a few positive outcomes from this pursuit, but they are not the only ones. Of course, an album of memories can be extremely valuable. It can be fun to reminisce, and future generations will surely appreciate the stories. Additionally, recalling thoughts and feelings can help keep your senior’s mind sharp, even if they are just reacting to a movie scene they watched. No matter the content or time spent, journaling has many positive impacts on the health and happiness of seniors.

 

For example, one study found that journaling thoughts about the future, such as the following day’s to-do list, leads to better sleep. This is because journaling is proven to decrease mental distress! Writing or typing about situations encountered or resurfaced memories can help seniors process their inner emotions, allowing for relaxation.

 

Examples of Journaling Prompts

Unlike a card game, this activity has no rules! Your senior can creatively make up a fictional story, reflect on their day, or write notes to their friends. Here are a few ideas to get them established as a new author:

  • Day-to-day thoughts and activities: Your senior might want to express gratitude, document spiritual thoughts and revelations, or review a book they recently finished reading.
  • Reactions to movies and music: Sometimes, we just wish we could watch a movie for the first time again to relive that bliss!
  • Memories and advice to pass along: Noting lessons and tips in a journal is a great way to preserve and spread words of wisdom.
  • Dreams: Your senior might have brilliant visions at night, so reinventing the dream may help them express their creativity and imagination.
  • Food and Fitness: Tracking physical activity and food intake can help your senior gain better health awareness and stick to a routine.
  • If your senior feels more comfortable journaling on their laptop or tablet, a speak-to-text option can further assist. There are even options for personalized journals that your senior might appreciate! Check out some options here.

Our residents at Evergreen Senior Living in Orland Park enjoy numerous activities that promote artistic inspiration and exercise brain function. To learn more, schedule a tour to see for yourself. Call (708) 479-1082.

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How to Manage your Senior’s Seasonal Allergies

Tuesday, February 2, 2023   

 Allergy season can be frustrating for our loved ones but helping them manage these symptoms should not be. The potential inconsistency of allergies can make it challenging to determine the best actions to take. As spring rolls around this year, here are some steps to ensure our seniors stay happy and healthy.

 

More than 50 million people in America experience allergy symptoms each year. It’s not surprising that our seniors are not excluded. These allergies may develop as our seniors age because they have increased exposure to environmental allergens, so look for any indicators that your senior may have recently developed an allergy. Watch for sneezing, itchy and runny noses, itchy and watering eyes, or congestion. Whether new or old, if your loved one is affected, there are a few ways to avoid flare-ups:

 

  • Reduce their exposure to allergens. Although this might be tricky, stay current with the local pollen count and mold spore level reports to know when your senior should catch some fresh air. While walking outside is excellent for physical activity, it might be counterproductive if triggers are present. Additionally, keep these details in mind when opening windows.
  • If your loved one is outside when allergen levels are high, help them shower and change clothes when they arrive home. Of course, clean hands will reduce the risk of allergens spreading rampantly, so family members and friends should also be mindful. Wearing sunglasses is more than a fashion statement; they keep pollen out of the sensitive eye area!
  • For allergy relief, your senior can try using nasal sprays. An indoor air purifier or dehumidifier might make a great gift! Your senior’s doctor can better assess the condition and identify specific triggers, so always convey these concerns to them.
 

At Evergreen Senior Living Orland Park, we have everything needed to maintain your senior’s health. Even if they need to stay inside due to allergen levels occasionally, our senior Flex fitness center is available to keep your senior active. Schedule a tour to see our amenities now!

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6 Indoor Activities to Do with Your Senior

Tuesday, January 1, 2023   

We all long for some fresh outdoor air around this time, and our seniors are no different. When the chilly temperatures confine us indoors, the days seem long and tedious if we are not strategic with our plans. Get rid of cabin fever with indoor activities you and your senior can do together!


Puzzles are bound to bring out your senior’s focus and determination, and numerous options exist. Between jigsaw puzzles, 3D puzzles, logic puzzles like word searches and sudoku, and crossword puzzles, you are sure to find something to interest and challenge your senior while having a blast teaming up together!


Crafts are another way to kick boredom and let your senior’s creativity shine. One of the most fun parts about crafting is making something useful out of a few materials. Set out some paper towels or old magazines for easy cleanup to catch any excess mess.


If your senior is a candle lover, try making your own with empty jars or vases. Collect a natural candle wick, unscented soy wax, a double boiler, and scissors. Add the wick to the jar and cut it to match the size. Then, melt the soy wax with a double boiler and pour it into the jar. You can add scented oil or herbs to the wax if preferred. Wait for it to solidify and enjoy the gentle flame.


For avid readers, suggest crafting a personal bookmark! Some material recommendations are scrapbook paper or cardstock, book or magazine pages, scissors, craft punches, a hole punch, a glue stick, and ribbon. However, this idea is customizable and could even be made from a brown paper bag!


With some of the same materials, try to put together a scrapbook to show off to family and friends! Just find an album, cardstock, favorite photos, adhesive, decorative embellishments, markers or pens to write captions, stickers, and scissors. Of course, these crafts are about the quality time spent together, not the product.


Lastly, help your loved one stay warm and comfy with homemade grippy socks. Just take a pair of socks and use puffy paint to draw lines on the bottom of the sock. After the paint dries, the socks are perfectly safe to wash.

At Evergreen Senior Living in Orland Park, we love to see our residents expressing their creativity in new ways, so we regularly offer activities like these. Give us a call at 708-479-1082 to schedule a tour and check out our community.



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How Aging of the Brain Affects Thinking

Wednesday, July 7, 2022   

Think about all the cognitive functions your brain controls; decision-making, planning, remembering, organizing, categorizing, etc. These abilities not only play a huge role in our day-to-day lives, but they determine whether we can live independently. Our brain may reveal everything from minute changes to a decline in memory and cognitive abilities as we get older. But believe it or not, there are some positive cognitive changes as well.

Changes in the brain are very common as we age. Certain parts of the brain shrink, especially parts that are crucial in learning new skills. In some brain regions, communications between nerve cells may not be as effective as they used to be. In many cases, blood flow in the brain may also decrease. All these changes affect mental functions for your senior’s day-to-day tasks. On the positive side, there are cognitive super-agers, seniors in their 80s and 90s with memory performance comparable to people in their 20s! These seniors defy the common assumption that cognitive decline goes hand-in-hand with aging.

Some positive cognitive changes include an extensive collective vocabulary and more knowledge of the depth of meaning of words than younger people. Seniors have gathered a lot of information and knowledge over the years that they can share with others. As you get older, you tend to focus more on positive things, becoming better at remembering positive memories.

Although it is great that our brains can change positively as we age, it is also good to remember the different ways to help your brain remain healthy and stay in that positive state. There are many activities one can participate in that help maintain healthy cognition.

  • Read books and magazines
  • Play games
  • Take a class
  • Learn a new skill or hobby

At Evergreen Senior Living in Orland Park, we understand the different changes in the aging human brain and the brain-stimulating activities that help our residents maintain healthy cognition. Our caring team understands the correct way to care for each and every resident. Schedule a tour today and see for yourself.

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Tips to Remember when Talking to Those with Dementia

Wednesday, June 6, 2022   

Communication can be challenging when talking to a loved one with dementia. How you communicate with your loved one is very important, the goal being to confuse them as little as possible. Here are a few things to keep in mind when talking to your loved one with dementia.

Phrases to avoid

Many phrases are used frequently in our day-to-day conversations that we may not think are harmful but can be challenging for those with dementia. For example, the phrase “Do you remember…” can lead to embarrassment. Your senior doesn’t want to tell you they have forgotten a memory, especially a meaningful one. Asking a senior with dementia if they remember something will bring more sadness to their insecurity about having dementia. Instead, use the phrase “I remember when” to avoid putting pressure on your senior by not asking them a question directly about memory.

Another phrase to avoid, “As I already said…” When talking to someone with dementia, you will often repeat yourself, but you don’t want your senior to feel embarrassed, and you don’t want them to know you have repeated yourself already. Other phrases like “I already told you” only reminds your senior of their struggle. Instead of saying those phrases, kindly repeat yourself.

Be direct

You don’t want to be too vague, so it is important to be specific with your words. For example, avoid using general pronouns like he, she, or they or vague terms such as that and those. Instead, be specific and say, “Jack bought a car,” and “the spoon is under the napkin on the counter.” Dementia makes it difficult for seniors to follow conversations like they once did, so it is key to use short sentences, speak clearly, and give them your full attention.

Don’t offer too much help

Seniors want to feel independent. We understand that you want to help your loved one as much as possible. Find that even balance of helping your senior and knowing when it’s too much help. We don’t want our seniors to feel like they are no longer competent.

At The Legacy: Memory Support, our care for seniors with dementia is unmatched. Schedule a tour to learn more about all the different memory care activities we provide for our amazing residents.

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Summer Safety Tips for Seniors

Wednesday, May 5, 2022   

Summertime is such a great time of year! The sun is shining, the weather is great, and you can finally engage in some of your favorite outdoor activities! However, with higher temperatures, and extra sunshine, we want to help you and your loved ones to have a fun and safe summer!

It is important for seniors to take extra care in conducting themselves outdoors under the hot summer sun. There are very simple tips to follow to help you and your loved one enjoy these summer months without worry.

Try to stay in a cool environment. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are very common in seniors. Note that it is important not to stay out in the sun for more than two hours at a time.

Know early signs of heat-related illnesses. Take immediate action if you notice your loved one having headaches, dry skin, nausea, fever, dizziness, or excessive tiredness during or after being in the sun. Take them indoors to a cool place along with some water.

Wear sunscreen. Many prescription medications make skin more sensitive to the sun. Applying and reapplying sunscreen with an SPF of 20 or higher will help reduce the chances of getting sunburnt.

Stay hydrated. It is a fact that seniors naturally feel less thirsty than younger people. With that being said, it is crucial that seniors drink more water than usual, especially if they are out in the sun, to avoid dehydration.

Dress appropriately. Wearing loose-fitting clothes will help your loved one stay cool this summer. Wearing fabrics like cotton helps regulate your body’s temperature.

Wear sunglasses. Since seniors are more susceptible to vision loss, it is important that they protect their eyes from UV rays and wear protective eyewear.

Keeping these summer safety tips in mind will minimize risk and help your senior have a summer full of safe and fun events. Find out how Evergreen Senior Living in Normal helps our residents have the best summer by calling or scheduling a tour today!

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Brain Stimulating Activities for Seniors

Wednesday, April 4, 2022   
As we get older, cognitive function can decline, making it hard for our brain to recall information and memories. Learning, decision-making, problem-solving, and attention all become more challenging. Losing sight of these skills can make it hard for our loved ones to go about their day-to-day routine. Luckily our brains are like muscles and can be strengthened to regain some of those skills. Here are some ways your loved ones can get back to doing the activities they love.

1. Physical Exercise
Keeping your body in shape helps your brain stay in shape! Something as simple as a nature walk can relax the mind. Going on walks also allows for socialization with others which is super beneficial.

Indoor exercises are great for the mind as well! Some indoor exercises that Evergreen Senior Living offers include dancing, yoga, and group exercise classes!

2. Socialization
As mentioned above, socialization stimulates our minds in the best way. Socializing enables people to practice their communication skills, think critically, memory recall, and many other benefits! At Evergreen in Normal, we range from concerts to volunteer opportunities for our seniors to be social!

3. Brain Games
Not only are these games fun, but they can enable your mental processes to become clearer and keep your mind focused. Games like trivia can stimulate recall skills associated with memory. Jigsaw puzzles are great for problem-solving skills! Crossword puzzles involve critical thinking and memory! Card games like rummy, bridge, and solitaire encourage social interaction while stimulating the brain! These games are also good for a friendly competition!

4. Meditation
Many studies have highlighted the positive effects of meditation on conditions like depression, anxiety, diabetes, chronic pain, and high blood pressure. Some activities such as nature walks, yoga, or stretching are great ways to relieve stress and give a sense of mindfulness.

Keeping the brain active can be done in many unique and fun ways. The care we provide here at Evergreen Senior Living Orland Park is designed to lead to a higher sense of well-being. Learn more about Evergreen Senior Living’s memory care activities by visiting our site or scheduling a tour today.

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Springtime Activities for Seniors

Monday, March 3, 2022   

Younger generations are not the only ones who get spring fever. People of all ages enjoy the fresh new flowers, sunshine, and those sweet fresh scents of growing things! Spring is a time of rejuvenation and rebirth. There are many springtime activities that are perfect for seniors. Whether your loved one prefers indoor or outsides activities, there are a range of options to choose from that fit their physical activity level.

Go for a walk. Now that winter is almost over, it is time to go outside and feel that fresh air. There are plenty of parks and trails around the Orland Park area that are easily accessible for seniors who have limited mobility. Find one that would be a great fit for your senior loved one.

Have fun with the grandkids. Spring is a great time for seniors to participate in fun activities with their grandchildren! They could fly a kite together, drawing on the sidewalk with chalk, blowing bubbles, and even making paper planes to see whose plane goes the furthest!

Spring cleaning. A clean home gives us a sense of refreshment, especially after winter! Help renew your senior’s mind with a clutter-free, clean environment! This is also a great light exercise.

Nice picnic in the park. Grab some snacks, a blanket, and find a nice green patch to sit on! Picnics are a great way for seniors to get some vitamin D (but don’t forget the sunscreen!) and enjoy a nice meal with the people they love.

Visit a local farmers market. Pick out a recipe with your senior and head to the farmer’s market! Select some fresh fruits and vegetables that complement your recipe. Make an afternoon of cooking some delicious foods and maybe even participating in some arts and crafts you may have found when wandering. Not only does a farmer’s market have great fresh produce, but it is also a great way for your senior to get some friendly interactions!

At Evergreen Senior Living in Orland Park, we encourage seniors to engage in outside and indoor activities! We have lovely outdoor spaces with fresh, comfortable seating and lovely views. And our life enrichment team plans all sorts of inside events to keep our seniors involved. Call or schedule a tour today to learn about the different activities we offer for our wonderful residents.

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