Senior care – Page 2 – Orland Park
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Tag: Senior care

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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Best Diets for Seniors to Stay Healthy!

Wednesday, February 2, 2022   

Proper diet and a healthy life go hand in hand, especially for adults over 65. According to reports by World Health Organization (WHO), most of the diseases that older people suffer are a result of a lack of proper diet. For example, bad fat in food is linked to prostate cancer, colon cancer, and pancreas cancer. We want to help our seniors and those in our community stay on a healthy diet!

Foods High in Omega-3

Fatty acids are very important for all ages, specifically seniors. Evidence has shown that intaking fatty acids reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and even heart disease! You can find these fatty acids in fish like tuna or salmon. Omega-3 can also be found in non-seafoods like soybeans, canola oil, walnuts, and flaxseed!

Calcium

Calcium also plays a very important role in our diet. It helps keep our bones strong and lowers blood pressure. Studies show that as we get older, we consume less calcium. If your body does not receive the proper amount of calcium it needs, it begins to reabsorb calcium from the bones. When our bodies do that, that causes our bones to be brittle and fragile. Foods rich in calcium are the obvious milk, yogurt, and cheese, but calcium can also be found in leafy green vegetables!

Fiber

Fiber is great for reducing the risk of heart disease. Fiber helps proper digestion by moving food through the digestive tract. This is especially important because our digestive system slows down as we get older. Foods rich in fiber include brown rice, fruits, vegetables, and wholegrain bread/pasta!

Water

Last but certainly not least, water! All adults should be drinking eight glasses of water a day. As you get older, your body stops telling you that it is thirsty. However, you still need to drink water! One tip that helps you drink water includes putting water in a small container and refilling it often, rather than one huge jug of water. That can make one feel overwhelmed!

At Evergreen Senior Living in Orland Park, we care about the health and wellness of our residents. Check out the different dining options we provide for our seniors by scheduling a tour through our website! 

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What to Look for in a Senior Living Community

Monday, January 1, 2022   

Finding a senior living community for your loved one can sometimes be overwhelming. You might not be sure what to look for or focus on. There are many factors to consider when looking at senior living communities with your loved one. You want to know what services are offered, or what amenities, maybe even social activities! Whatever you are curious about, we have the answer for you.

Knowing what services are offered is very important when choosing a home for your senior. You want to make sure your loved one is getting the care they need. Our staff ensures that all the needs are met for each senior based on their level of independence. Caring for our seniors is what we do best, and we want to support them any way we can. 

Different services that we offer here at Evergreen Senior Living in Orland Park include:

  • Routine medication management
  • Discreet personal assistance
  • Respite care
  • Housekeeping services
  • Laundry services
  • Senior-friendly transportation
  • 24-hour nursing care is available if assistance is needed

Active, socially engaging communities help seniors retain their health and provide a general sense of purpose and fulfillment, which is why social activities are so important. We encourage our seniors to engage and participate in activities they love and help them find new hobbies they enjoy. Most importantly, we have a range of activities, so everyone can find something they love to do. Evergreen Senior Living in Orland Park includes many activities that involve being social like:

  • Sit & Be Fit – Focuses on physical health!
  • Maintain Your Brain – Games, and activities that stimulate the brain!
  • Spirituality – Connect with those with similar interests at Bible study or church service!
  • Artistic Inspiration – A new hobby that you didn’t even know you liked to do!
  • Community Events – Engaging with the community and a great way to make a new friend!
  • Social Outings – Enjoying the activities you love doing or watching with people of similar interest!

Evergreen Senior Living in Orland Park has a wide variety of amenities on our campus that include:

  • Chef-prepared meals
  • Private dining room for family gatherings
  • Renew day spa
  • Neighborhood gathering spaces for visiting and playing games
  • Family rooms and lounges that are filled with friendship and laughter
  • A community center for sharing stories and recipes
  • And many more!

Our campus is designed for seniors to do what they love; live in a safe environment and have the best care. If you have any questions about our community, please feel free to call us or contact us through our website at www.evergreenslc.com/orlandpark

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Ways To Prevent A Common Winter Injury

Monday, December 12, 2021   

As we approach winter, Evergreen Senior Living in Orland Park wants to provide our community with some helpful tips on preventing common winter injuries!

 

Slipping and falling on ice and snow is a very common injury for people of all ages, but seniors are especially at risk. In fact, according to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of injury among older Americans, and winter weather conditions only exacerbate that concern.

 

Ice can be difficult to see both at night and during the day. Seniors can easily lose their footing and take a fall that can put them in severe danger. Those who previously suffered hip injuries can especially be affected by damage to their hips or back. Seniors should be accompanied when walking outside, helped down driveways, and helped across parking lots to ensure they are stable and have the support to walk safely.

 

Below we have provided some helpful ways to keep you and your loved safe this winter:

 

  • Wear proper footwear made for icy and snowy conditions.
  • Keep your stride shorter and avoid long steps.
  • Slow things down — try not to rush or run outdoors.
  • Keep de-icer or sand on hand for when things get slippery around your house.
  • In case of injury, always have your cell phone handy.
  • If you need to do outdoor chores, take your time and don’t hurry.

 

Following safety protocols leads to a 35% reduction in the fall rate and a 62% decrease in the injury rate!

 

Here at Evergreen Senior Living in Orland Park, we care about the safety of our wonderful residents and those in our community. This winter, your loved one can experience a white Christmas in a fun and safe manner. Schedule a tour to see for yourself!

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at (708) 479-1082 or through our website!

 

Stay warm and safe this winter, and happy holidays to everyone!

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