Senior care – Orland Park
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Tag: Senior care

Life Therapy and Wellness

Wednesday, January 1, 2023   

A simple accident like tripping on a rug or slipping on a wet floor can change your life. In fact, falls are responsible for 90% of injury-related ER and hospital visits for those aged 65+. Falling can lead to a broken bone, which thousands of seniors experience each year. For seniors, a broken bone can also start more serious health problems and lead to long-term disability. That’s why at Evergreen Senior Living Orland Park, we empower our residents to take control of their health, well-being, and quality of life with services like Life Therapy and Wellness .

Life Therapy and Wellness by Select Rehabilitation is a program designed to help our seniors live life to the fullest. Select Rehab includes therapists specializing in physical activities, daily occupational tasks, and speech! The therapists at Select Rehab apply a holistic approach that supports successful aging and assists individuals by incorporating the many aspects of wellness into your senior’s day-to-day life.

Life Therapy and Wellness provided by Select Rehab has also introduced VirtuSense to the ESL Orland Park community. This service uses artificial intelligence with machine vision to objectively identify deficits in the three main areas of fall risk; balance, gait, and function. Select Rehab has been a great success in helping reduce falls at ESL Orland Park. Average success statistics of seniors enrolled in VSTBalance at ESL Orland Park include:

  • Residents improving their gait speed by 57%
  • 71% of re-screened residents improved their balance
  • Re-screened residents improved their sit-to-stand times by an average of 23%
  • 94% of re-screened residents showed improvement in function, gait, or balance

Help your loved one regain their independence by developing a therapy plan that is specific to their needs. Call or email us today for additional information about the Life Therapy and Wellness services offered at Evergreen Senior Living in Orland Park. Or schedule a tour to see for yourself!

 

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Benefits of Physical Activity

Wednesday, January 1, 2023   

Most people are aware of the many benefits of physical activity, but often forget about the benefits of social activity. Although physical activity is still a critical part in your seniors’ day to day life, interacting with others is just as important to their health.

Many seniors may lose their daily social activities as they age due to various reasons such as mobility issues or family members and friends moving away. However, it’s important that a senior maintains an active social life both for their mental and physical wellbeing.

Learn more about the different ways social activity can enhance your senior’s day-to-day life!

1. Enhanced Mental Health
Interactions with friends and family can help maintain good mental health. Positive contact with other people can reduce stress and even slow down cognitive decline!

2. Improved Nutrition
Some seniors may skip meals or opt for a quick, unhealthy snack instead of cooking. Being social and enjoying meals with others can improve seniors’ chances of eating regularly and consuming nutritious foods.

3. Improved Quality of Life
Social activities can give a person a sense of belonging. When a senior is having fun, receiving, and offering support, and enjoying the company of others, they tend to have a reduced risk of depression and an increased appreciation for life!

4. Better Physical Health 
Socialization can also improve seniors’ physical health. There are a variety of activities that are fun to enjoy with another person or a group. Simple activities such as taking a walk, going to a park, or going fishing are wonderful ways your senior can stay social.

5. Longer Life Span

Seniors can increase their life span by socializing regularly, as the combination of physical and mental benefits can ultimately lead to a longer and happier life!

As a caregiver, it’s critical to incorporate social activities into your loved one’s daily routine. There are many ways a senior can get involved, such as joining a club or group, attending church services, volunteering in the community, taking an online class and learning a new skill, or reaching out to old friends for coffee.

At Evergreen Senior Living, we focus on socialization for all our residents in both our supportive living and memory care communities. Take a tour to learn more about how Evergreen Senior Living implements social activities into our seniors’ daily routine!

Assisted Living Virtual Tour

Memory Support Virtual Tour

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December Activities to do with your Loved One

Wednesday, December 12, 2022   

Wintertime is here, which means sparkling white snow, beautiful lights, and, most importantly, quality family time. We want to help you make this holiday season one your senior will remember with these meaningful holiday activities.

Pass down family recipes

Cooking and baking can be great activities to bond with your senior. Ask for their favorite family recipe. The creation of delicious snacks and meals is a great opportunity to grab those ingredients and have some children in the family learn how to cook with grandma and grandpa.


Deck the halls

Show your holiday spirit with twinkling lights, a nice Christmas tree, and stocking hanging! To make decorating a great memory, have grandchildren get creative and make their own Christmas ornament decorations for your family tree or something special for grandma and grandpa!


Share holiday traditions

It is always a fun time sharing and remembering past holidays. Sharing traditions will truly help make this season more enjoyable for your senior. For example, on Christmas eve, pick someone special to represent St Nick, and let everyone open one gift that Santa passes out. It’s a great laugh for the grownups and a moment of magic for the little ones.


Cookie decorating competition

Winter is the best season for cookie decorating! And a great time to have a little friendly competition. Purchase different sprinkles, food coloring for the frosting, and any other fun item you can find! Cover the distance by inviting far-away family members to see the finished cookies and vote via a video call!


Scrapbooking

Nowadays, everyone takes photos on their phones. It is easy to print off those photos and make a meaningful scrapbook with your senior. Not only will these photos bring back memories, but it is also a great way to share with future generations all those lovely stories.


At Evergreen Senior Living, we want to help keep your senior in the Christmas spirit! We also plan multiple great activities to help keep your senior engaged, creative, and in a festive mood. Contact us today to see how we do the holidays at Evergreen Place Assisted Living and the Legacy: Memory Support in Orland Park!

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Should Your Senior Be Behind the Wheel

Wednesday, November 11, 2022   

Talking to your senior about their driving can be a tough conversation. There may come a time in anyone’s life when you question if it is still safe for them and others on the road for them to be behind the wheel.


As we age, some physical and mental abilities decline, causing difficulty driving. Being aware of warning signs of unsafe driving can help keep your senior and those around them protected. Safe driving requires cognitive capabilities, skills that can decline over time. You should monitor these proficiencies to gauge whether your senior should be driving.

Warning signs of unsafe driving include:

• Delayed response
• Easily distracted
• Driving too fast or driving too slow
• Reduced confidence in driving
• Difficulty moving into another lane of traffic
• Becoming unfamiliar with the area that they drive-in
• Confused by traffic signals
• Stopping at traffic lights when the light is green
• Not stopping completely at red lights or stop signs

If you are unsure about your senior’s abilities to drive, there are physical therapy centers able to measure reaction time and test vision. If you notice your loved one is showing any of these signs while driving, it would be good to talk with them. Driving is often one of the last ties seniors have to their independence. Your senior might have strong feelings about losing that piece of their freedom.
At Evergreen Senior Living in Orland Park, we offer our residents the best and safest transportation whenever we go on outings, trips, and community events. Learn more about the safe transportation we offer here by scheduling a tour today!

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Brain Functions that Improve with Age

Wednesday, October 10, 2022   

When it comes to cognitive functions and their correlation with age, people often focus on declines. But a new study challenges these preconceptions and suggests that certain operations in our brain improve over time!

Cognitive functioning includes thinking, memory, and self-control. Many researchers agree there comes an age when these mental faculties start to decline. While it’s true some seniors show deterioration; others may show an increase and improvement. Dr. Ullman, a professor in the Department of Neuroscience and director of Georgetown University Medical Center’s Brain and Language Lab in Washington, D.C., conducted a study with 702 participants ages 58 to 98, testing in three areas:

Orienting Function– Shifting attention to an unexpected movement

Alerting Function – Increased preparedness

Executive Function – Inhibiting distractions so you can stay focused

This test showed how these participants responded to the target stimulus. This recent study revealed that only the alerting function declined. Past studies indicated a decline in all three functions. In this case, the orientation and executive function improved! The hypothesis is that these operations are part of our everyday lives and are regularly practiced. And although these functions seem to improve as we age, many activities can further improve cognitive abilities, such as

  • Social interaction
  • Trivia games
  • Puzzles
  • Board games
  • Arts and crafts

At Evergreen Senior Living in Orland Park, we are dedicated to maintaining the cognitive health of our residents. All our games and activities are designed strategically to ensure that your senior continues to live their best life. Contact us to learn more about our assisted living and memory support communities, or schedule your tour online today!

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When Is the Right Time for Assisted Living?

Wednesday, September 9, 2022   

As we get older, some of the day-to-day tasks that we once did can become challenging for us. There may come a time when your loved one can no longer live independently. It may be difficult to watch someone who used to take care of you not able to care for themselves. As much as you would love to be their caregiver, it’s not always possible. Evergreen Senior Living in Orland Park is a perfect middle ground. Our caring team ensures your loved one is in a positive, safe, and reliable environment while you can rest assured they are in great hands.

Many signs may indicate that assisted living is the right choice for the senior in your life.

Isolation is a common and serious problem in the senior population. According to the U.S. Census, more than 11 million seniors live alone, which can affect seniors’ overall health. The last thing we want is for seniors to stop participating in the activities they love or connecting with their loved ones. If your loved one stops enjoying hobbies, isn’t happy and lively like they once were, or doesn’t want to interact, it may be time for assisted living. Evergreen Senior Living provides numerous opportunities for your senior to get back to doing the hobbies and activities they once loved!

Believe it or not, living in a clean environment can also affect your senior’s mood. If your senior lacks the motivation to sweep their floors, cook healthy meals, or do laundry, they may soon stop caring for themselves. If you notice any of these changes, assisted living is a great option to discuss with your loved one. At Evergreen Senior Living in Orland Park, we do our seniors’ laundry, prepare delicious meals, and clean our residents’ apartments for them.

Together with your senior, make a decision that is best for them. Schedule a tour and see how Evergreen Senior Living in Orland Park offers the best team, community, and care for your senior.
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Dementia and Grief Support Group

Friday, August 8, 2022   

Having someone you love affected by dementia or Alzheimer’s can impact you and many others who care for your loved one. It can take a toll on your physical and emotional health. If you’ve had someone special in your life that has been affected by dementia or Alzheimer’s, Evergreen Senior Living Orland Park welcomes you to our dementia and grief support group. Our support group is designed to offer you the comfort and support you may need as you go through a difficult time. This specific support group allows you to:

Share Your Experiences: Talk through your personal experiences and feelings with a group who can relate to you or has experienced the same things you have.

Talk About the Effects: Express to others how this change has affected you and your family.

Acquire Resources – Gain community connections to be an advocate for yourself and your loved one.

Get Advice: Hear from experts about the best way to cope when times get tough.

Ask Questions: Explore various approaches to best communicate with your loved one effectively.

Have Time to Yourself: This support group is also designed to help you relax and find comfort in your neighbors.

Joining a new support group can sometimes make one nervous about sharing personal experiences with people you don’t know! Sometimes you can benefit by simply listening to others, and over time, you’ll find yourself contributing your thoughts and ideas.

Whether you want to feel less lonely, reduce stress, improve skills to cope with challenges, or talk openly about your feelings, our dementia and grief support group is here for you at no cost. Please join us on the third Thursday of each month at 6 pm in our chapel on the Evergreen Senior Living campus. This support group is led by Anna Walters, RN from Compassionate Care Hospice. For more information about our support group, please contact us at (709) 479-1092.

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Emotional Benefits of Exercise for Seniors

Tuesday, August 8, 2022   

When you think about the benefits of exercising, what do you think of? Is it becoming more limber? Is it staying in shape? Or just flat out keeping you active? Although all of these are correct and great benefits of exercising, there are many more benefits that go beyond the physical.


An essential benefit of exercise includes emotional well-being. Physical activities like walking, biking, yoga, and dancing can help your seniors reduce feelings of stress and depression because of the release of serotonin. Regular exercise is essential for seniors as it helps maintain the level of brain chemicals, decreases mood disorder symptoms, reduces stress, and gives a feeling of calmness and relaxation.


Recent studies show that inactivity increases the chances of dementia among seniors. Regular exercise increases the blood flow to the brain, which keeps the cells healthy. Exercise increases the production of brain chemicals and growth factors. This increase helps keep existing cells healthy and grow new brain cells, increasing memory.


Seniors tend to experience a lack of sleep. A great way for your senior to improve their sleep quality can be exercising! Physical activity increases the time of deep sleep, which further helps in boosting the immune system and controlling anxiety and stress. Moreover, exercise requires an output of energy, which makes you feel tired, and results in longer and more peaceful sleep.


Seniors are at a higher risk of falls than younger adults. Exercising reduces the risk of falling by building a better bone density, making bones stronger. Exercising also improves balance and coordination.


Exercising can also help your seniors feel happier overall! When you exercise, your body stimulates the hormone dopamine in our brains, releasing the feeling of being happy. Studies show that as we get older, the dopamine levels in our brains decrease. Exercising is a great way to boost that dopamine hormone!


Schedule a tour at Evergreen Senior Living in Orland Park to experience the unique ways we help our seniors exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle, a positive mindset, and a happy life.

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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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