Providence Monthly: Living a Happy Life with Dementia

Home Care Assisted Living Respite Care 415.359.9700

Greetings!

It is hard to believe that stores are already stocking supplies for the holidays, but we are quickly approaching the busy time of year. This month we feature:

-Living a Happy Life with Dementia - Why Person Centered Care Works

-Recent Alzheimer's & Dementia News

-Beauty Secrets from celebrity nutritionist Christine Avanti

If you or someone you know needs senior care, we are available 24/7 at 415-359-9700 or at info@providencecare.com.

Person Centered Memory Care - Why it Works

Person-centered memory care is the anti-thesis of the the one-size fits all approach to care. While the term "person-centered care" has gained popularity in the industry, the concept behind it was the founding principle of Providence Place over 20 years ago.

Person centered care means simply that the care is adapted to the individual rather than attempting to make people with dementia fit into pre-determined "care plans" that are likely not suitable to them. It means that as care providers, we must get to know the individual - food, music, activities likes and dislikes, favorite movies, favorite places - both current and from years ago.

Why is this important?

As dementia progresses, people lose many abilities we usually take for granted in our daily lives. By getting to know them, we can be proactive without requiring them to be able to communicate in the traditional way. So if combative behavior appears, playing their favorite childhood tune can help alleviate any stress. They may not be able to tell us at that moment that this is their favorite song, but hearing it immediately calms them down because those memories are still alive and well deep inside.

The critical role of the caregiver.

Front-line caregivers, be they family or hired, are critical in properly implementing a person centered care plan. This is why at Providence, caregivers are chosen for their patience, compassion, and love for what they do. They are empowered to get to know residents and assist them in living a high quality life.

Providence's turnover ratios of caregivers is one of the lowest in the industry because we truly strive to build the Extended Providence Family where everybody thrives.

Dementia in the News

Test of Alzheimers Drug Gets Large Federal Grant

The $33.2 million grant, and several other prevention studies awarded federal money in the last year, follow years of unsuccessful trials of treatments on people who already have dementia.

Improved outcomes for Alzheimer's patients who receive early diagnosis with neuroimaging

Patients suffering from early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease who were diagnosed sooner than usual using a brain imaging test received Alzheimer-specific medications earlier than those who did not have the brain imaging results available to their doctors or themselves. These patients also had significantly better clinical outcomes during the subsequent years they were clinically monitored, UCLA researchers have found for the first time.

Beauty Foods

Courtesy of rodalenews.com

Americans spend $88 billion a year to look younger. The real secret to fewer wrinkles, brighter skin, and silkier hair is much cheaper than a bottle of antiaging cream, though. It's about eating the right beauty foods. Celebrity nutritionist Christine Avanti, CN, author of Skinny Chicks Eat Real Food, explains how eating the right shellfish can renew and repair your skin, how a certain plant stem can alleviate puffy eyes, and how four particular fruits have the power to erase wrinkles

The problem: The solution

Wrinkles: Oranges, strawberries, kiwi, papaya

Puffy Eyes: Ginger

Sagging Skin: Olives, avocados, buckwheat

Acne, Skin irritation: Oysters, mussels

Dull Skin: Wheat germ

Dry Scalp: Wild-caught salmon, ground flaxseed

Dry, Brittle Hair: Broccoli, kale, spinach