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Nearly a million Americans choose to have hip replacement surgery every year. In fact, hip replacements are one of the most commonly performed elective surgeries in the country, allowing 90 percent of those who undergo it to get back to the active lifestyles they previously enjoyed.

Do You Need a Hip Replacement? Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

If chronic pain in your hip has been keeping you from the activities you love, it might be time to consider hip replacement surgery. While surgery should not be the first option, it’s important to talk to your doctor about your symptoms so you can make an educated decision about your condition.

Here are a few of the signs that hip replacement surgery could improve your quality of life:

  1. Your hip is constantly feeling stiff. One common sign of stiffness in your hip is when you notice that when bending down to put on your shoes, one side is more difficult than the other. This type of ongoing stiffness in your hip joint is often a red flag that there’s something more serious going on, and it’s definitely worth mentioning to your physician.
  2. You deal with hip pain on a daily basis. Along with feeling stiff, do you have hip pain day in and day out? Is it limiting your exercise routine and even regular activities like climbing stairs, walking around the grocery store, or getting in and out of your car? If you’re feeling pain in your hip all the time, even when you’re at rest, it might be time to consider hip replacement surgery. Pain that interferes with your daily life is not normal, and it can also take a toll on your mental and emotional health.
  3. Hip pain is interrupting your sleep. If you’re feeling irritable or groggy because you’ve spent the past several nights tossing and turning, unable to get comfortable due to your hip, hip replacement surgery could improve your sleeping habits. A good night’s sleep is key to keeping you alert, refreshed and can even improve your memory and mental health.
  4. You have advanced arthritis in your hip. In advanced cases of hip arthritis, your bones begin wearing down as the synovial membrane, the tissue that surrounds the hip, becomes inflamed. This results in the cartilage in the hip getting worn away, leading to the ends of the bones rubbing together painfully. Hip replacement surgery is often necessary in these cases to stop the bones from wearing down.
  5. Other treatments haven’t been of help. Have you already tried taking over-the-counter, anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or naproxen daily? Are you getting cortisone shots, participating in physical therapy and still dealing with regular pain in your hip? If you’ve exhausted all your options and are still feeling daily hip pain, or the pain continues to increase, hip replacement surgery could greatly improve your quality of life.

Preparing for Hip Replacement Surgery

If the above symptoms are all too familiar to you and you’ve made the decision that a hip replacement is necessary to get you back to the life you enjoy, there are a few steps to take to prepare for your surgery. First, write down any questions you may have about the surgery or the recovery process to discuss with your doctor. Then, figure out what you will do for post-surgery care – will you return home and receive in-home care, or will you stay at a short-term rehabilitation center? Meet with the physical therapy team and learn what kind of exercises will be recommended to make them easier to complete after your surgery.

Additionally, the better shape you’re in physically before your surgery, the better. If you’re slightly overweight, work on losing some of those extra pounds. Building strength, increasing your flexibility and toning your muscles will allow for an easier recovery period.

Recovering from Hip Replacement Surgery at Immanuel Lutheran Communities

At Immanuel Lutheran Communities, our short-term rehabilitation program at The Retreat provides long-term contentment. While you recover from hip replacement surgery, you’ll enjoy living accommodations with a resort-like feel, unmatched hospitality and a variety of innovative therapy amenities. Contact us to learn more about short-term rehabilitation offered at our Kalispell retirement community, located in the beautiful Flathead Valley.

No matter your age, moving from a longtime home can be an emotional, stressful period in life. For older adults who are downsizing to a senior living community, there’s the extra step of making decisions about what belongings will be making the move with them. Items like extra pieces of furniture and décor may not fit in your new living space, so it’s important to take time to be as organized as possible before moving day.

That said, making the move to a retirement community is also a very freeing experience! You’ll enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle with a wide variety of services and amenities, countless opportunities to make new social connections, wellness programming to keep your mind, body and soul engaged, and a comfortable living space designed to fit your individual needs.

The Best Moving Tips for Seniors

After researching and making an informed decision about the best retirement community that will meet your needs, it’s time to start planning your move. Experts recommend that you start your preparations as soon as you’ve made the decision to downsize. Begin sorting through your belongings and figure out what you’re going to sell, give to family members, or discard. This way, as your moving date approaches you’ll be well-prepared to start packing and completing other important tasks.

Here’s a senior moving guide and some moving tips you can reference to stay organized and ready to enjoy your new, enriching lifestyle at your senior living community:

12 Weeks Before the Move

8 Weeks Before the Move

4-6 Weeks Before the Move

2-3 Weeks Before the Move

1 Week Before the Move

2-3 Days Before the Move

Moving Day!

Downsize and Enjoy Life at Immanuel Lutheran Communities

At Immanuel Lutheran Communities, you can downsize and enjoy life on your terms. You’ll find an enriching lifestyle where you can socialize, learn, relax and grow.  Contact us to learn more about the living options offered at our Kalispell retirement community located in the beautiful Flathead Valley.

Though heart disease risks increase with age, it doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of getting older. The right lifestyle habits and a heart-healthy diet can help protect the hardest-working muscle in your body, so it’s vital that you take the proper steps to keep it in the best condition possible as you age.

Just like the rest of the body, aging can bring changes to how well your heart functions. Even the healthiest individual may experience heart-related issues such as slower or irregular heart rate, heart walls thickening, less-efficient pumping of the blood, or overall weakening of the muscle. Over time, if your heart is not able to pump blood as it should or the heart grows weaker, you become more at risk for heart disease.

The Facts about Heart Disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. In fact, according to the CDC, every year over 610,000 people die of heart disease; that’s one in four people. In the U.S., the most common form of heart disease is coronary artery disease, which can lead to a heart attack.

Heart disease can strike anyone, no matter your background. However, certain individuals may be more at risk than others. For example, those who are overweight, have high blood pressure or diabetes, and smokers.

Common Symptoms of Heart Disease

While the symptoms of heart disease depend on which form you have, there are some common warning signs. Being able to recognize these symptoms ensures you’ll receive a prompt diagnosis and medical treatment. The most common symptoms of heart disease include:

5 Tips for Better Heart Health

By making healthy lifestyle adjustments, it’s possible to prevent or treat many forms of heart disease. Additionally, you should be aware of the risk factors for heart disease, which include family history, sex, and ethnicity.

Here are five tips to improve your heart health this American Heart Month and beyond:

  1. Make a healthy lifestyle your top priority. It’s time to get physical! Even if you haven’t been the most active person lately, it’s important to add some daily exercise into your routine. Experts recommend getting your heart rate up for 30 minutes every day. Additionally, cut out sugary, processed foods and reach for fruits, veggies and whole grains.
  2. Cut out bad habits. It’s also time to ditch unhealthy habits like smoking or excessive consumption of alcohol. Studies show that after just one year of quitting smoking your risk for heart disease is cut in half, so talk to your physician about the cessation options available.
  3. Take the proper medications as needed. Taking any medications your physician prescribed for conditions like high cholesterol or high blood pressure is key to improving your heart health and decreasing your risk for heart disease. Just be sure to mention if you’re noticing any side effects, and schedule regular follow-up appointments to keep your heart properly monitored.
  4. Manage your stress levels. Find ways to relax and let go of the day’s stresses, whether you take a walk, go to a yoga class or settle in with a good book in the evening. It’s important to lower your stress levels as much as possible, as stress increases adrenaline in your body which can overwork your heart.
  5. Enjoy quality sleep. Sleep is essential to all aspects of a vibrant lifestyle, including a healthy heart! Your body has a chance to shut down and recover while you sleep, and experts recommend you get seven to nine hours of quality sleep every night. Need another incentive to get a good night’s sleep? Research shows that people who don’t get enough sleep are more than twice as likely as those who do to die of heart disease.

Keep Your Heart Healthy at Immanuel Lutheran Communities

At Immanuel Lutheran Communities, improving and maintaining all aspects of your health is top priority. Residents have access to a variety of wellness opportunities designed to improve your health in all six dimensions. For your physical health, you’ll enjoy a variety of fitness options that appeal to all interests, from strength and balance fitness classes to a relaxing yoga class. Contact us to learn more about the independent living options offered at our Kalispell retirement community located in the beautiful Flathead Valley.

 

People are naturally curious about their family’s past. Maybe your grandfather was a star in silent movies, or maybe your mother moved to the United States from Europe with only the clothes on her back. Perhaps you’ve always been told how much you look like your mother’s favorite cousin, or maybe you stumbled upon some old photos and would like to know more about the family members in them.

Why Learn about Your Family History?

Whatever the reason for your curiosity, knowing your family history does more than just preserve that information for generations to come. It can also be an eye-opening experience that allows you to learn where your ancestors came from, discover more about your hometown and preserve those special traditions or cultures, keeping them alive for the younger ones in the family. Additionally, you might find ways to connect or reconnect with family members you’ve lost touch with over the years. You may even discover you have nearby family you didn’t even know about!

However, one of the most important reasons to dig into your family’s story is to learn more about their health and medical history. Your family health history can have a major impact on your own health and wellness. Why is this? Well, your genes not only determine factors like your hair and eye color or the shape of your nose, but certain health conditions can also be passed down through the generations. For instance, if your aunt had breast cancer or your father had heart disease, you could be at an increased risk for these types of conditions, too.

How to Research Your Family Health History

Learning about your family’s medical history is one of the most important reasons to start digging into the past. While you should keep in mind that just because your family members may have had certain health conditions, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have them, too. However, being armed with the information allows you to take the right steps to reduce your risk levels. You’ll know what types of factors you should be screened for, how often to get checkups and how to make the right preventive lifestyle changes.

Here’s how you can go about compiling information about your family medical history:

Have conversations with loved ones. The first step to discovering your family health history is to have some important discussions with your family members. Find out what conditions they have that you should be aware of and ask about their lifestyle habits. Just let your loved ones know what your end goal is: to create a detailed family medical history for yourself and the younger generations.

Pay attention to your own health. Upon learning the conditions you could be genetically at risk for, take note of your own overall health. This means recognizing when you’re displaying symptoms that seem out of the ordinary and maintaining your annual physicals or making appointments to see your doctor when any symptoms worsen.

Document your research. Keep a log of your family health history to make it easily shareable with others. You should include details like family members’ ages, the medical conditions they may have and the age at which they were diagnosed.

Create copies for your doctors. Along with documenting your research for yourself and your family, create copies for your primary care physician and any other health specialists who may need it. This way, healthcare professionals will have easy access to the information, can assess your risk for any conditions and recommend treatment or lifestyle changes to implement right away.

Undergo regular health screenings. Your doctor may also recommend you schedule annual screenings or tests for early detection of the conditions you could be at a higher risk for. These tests can help ensure you stay as healthy as possible, and if you do develop any conditions or illnesses, you can start the necessary treatment plans right away.

A Healthy Lifestyle at Immanuel Lutheran Communities

At Immanuel Lutheran Communities, you can make yourself right at home, enjoying an engaging, vibrant lifestyle with more time to do the things you find most important. We make wellness a priority for residents, offering plenty of opportunities to improve your physical, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual health. Contact us to learn more about the living options offered at our Kalispell retirement community located in the beautiful Flathead Valley.

When the weather outside is frightful, it’s difficult to find the motivation needed to do daily activities, like head out to the grocery store or pick up the dry cleaning. Staying inside where it’s warm and cozy, where you can hunker down on the couch under thick blankets sounds much more appealing, doesn’t it?

If completing weekly tasks is hard throughout the winter months at times, so is maintaining the right level of physical fitness. If you can’t get outside for your daily walks or bike rides because of frigid temperatures or icy sidewalks, what can you do to ensure you’re getting the exercise you need to keep you healthy and strong? Let’s find out together!

The Best Winter Senior Workouts

Exercise offers a variety of health benefits to seniors, like strengthening muscles to increase stability and reduce the risk of a fall. Getting your heart rate up daily improves the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Additionally, exercise helps speed up the healing process and prevents some chronic conditions like osteoporosis or diabetes.

This is why it’s so important not to drop your fitness routine just because the temperatures have. The key is to find some activities that can be completed indoors until the spring thaw hits and you can get back outside.

Luckily, there are plenty of senior exercise programs that can be enjoyed inside, out of the elements. Here are a few ways you can ensure you’re staying physically active this winter:

Modify outdoor activities for the indoors. Love biking? Try a stationary bike. Do you normally take a walk around the neighborhood every afternoon? Go to a local mall or shopping center and walk a few laps around the perimeter.

Look into a gym membership. Joining a gym is a great way to stay active throughout the winter while also staying warm! You’ll have access to a variety of workout equipment, and some gyms even provide personal trainers to ensure you’re reaching your goals with individualized exercise programs. As an added bonus, you’ll have the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends along your fitness journey.

Take a senior fitness class. Looking for a specific type of workout class? Most local fitness centers offer fitness programs with the specific needs of seniors in mind such as yoga, Pilates, strength conditioning and water aerobics. Locally, you can check out fitness centers like Montana Athletic Club in Big Fork, Flathead Health and Fitness, and Rockfish Fitness, just to name a few!

Discover a new home workout. If you’re really set on staying within the comfort of your home, that’s okay, too! There are plenty of home exercises you can do right in your living room, and most don’t involve any special equipment besides a DVD player. You can try yoga or Pilates, for example, which are both low-impact workouts that strengthen your core and improve your flexibility.

Play games with the grandkids. Kids are always bustling with energy, so when all else fails, spend time interacting with your grandchildren. Ask them to teach you how to use their video game consoles, especially those like the Nintendo Wii or PlayStation Move which get you up and out of your seat, virtually playing sports games like bowling, golf or tennis.

A Focus on Senior Wellness at Immanuel Lutheran Communities

At Immanuel Lutheran Communities, we focus on all six dimensions of wellness through a variety of healthy activities for residents. For your physical health, you’ll enjoy access to daily fitness classes designed with the specific needs of seniors in mind. Improve your strength and balance, try yoga or even dance your cares away in a line dancing class. Contact us to learn more about the offered at our Kalispell retirement community located in the beautiful Flathead Valley.

Making the decision to downsize your current home and move to a retirement community is one that can take time for careful thought and deep contemplation. However, once you’ve realized all the benefits downsizing offers to fully enjoy your retirement years, you’re on your way to enjoying the active, maintenance-free lifestyle a senior living community provides. However, before you sign on any dotted lines and start packing up your home, it’s important to feel confident that you’re choosing the best community for your future.

Finding the Right Senior Living Option and Lifestyle for You

When you’re looking for senior living options near you, the community your neighbor down the street chose to move to may not be the ideal home for your own future. No two retirement communities are the same, and it’s vital that you spend an ample amount of time doing your research and finding the right fit for your needs and lifestyle. Just like when you were house-hunting for your first home, you probably didn’t choose the first one you saw. As you tour retirement communities, make sure to ask plenty of questions, including:

Question #1: What is the average age of current residents in the community, and how many residents are there?

When choosing your future home, keep in mind that the current residents will become your new neighbors. And, because building and maintaining relationships into your later years is such an important element of healthy aging, you’ll want to be sure you’ll enjoy spending time with and find some common ground with the current residents.

Additionally, consider the size of the retirement community. Are you looking for a small, close-knit community with walkable options for dining and activities? Or, would you prefer a sizable community where you get to meet new people on a regular basis?

Question #2: What type of floor plans are available?

When you’re coming from a long-time home, it’s possible one of the reasons you chose to downsize to a senior living community is due to the fact that the home had become too large; there were rooms you no longer used, too many stairs to navigate, or too much upkeep involved. While your living space may be somewhat smaller, retirement communities still offer a variety of floor plans and housing options with everything from spacious villas to comfortable apartments. Think about the type of home that would best meet your needs and ask to tour a model within the community to get a true feel for the space.

Question #3: Are there opportunities for life enrichment?

Most older adults these days seek activities far beyond bingo, and if you’re one of them, make sure to ask about what kind of engaging opportunities the community offers for physical, social, emotional and mental wellness. Ask if you can view a sample calendar of lifestyle events or even if you can participate in one before you make the decision to move to the community.

Question #4: How many levels of care are provided, and at what cost?

Should your health needs change in the future, it’s important to have peace of mind that the retirement community can accommodate them by offering supportive services like assisted living, skilled nursing and rehabilitation or memory care. You should also ask if these services are included in your continuing care contract or if there will be an additional cost for a higher level of care.

Question #5: What services and amenities are offered as part of your monthly fee?

Some retirement communities may charge a flat monthly rate for a variety of onsite services and amenities, like transportation, dining options, home maintenance, housekeeping, and even utilities, Other communities might offer these services on an a la carte basis. Plus, many communities offer onsite amenities like hair salons or fitness centers, so find out if these options are available and at what cost to residents, if any. It’s important to consider which services and amenities are most important to you, too, and which you can live without.

Live Life on Your Terms at Immanuel Lutheran Communities

Find enriching senior living near you in Kalispell at Immanuel Lutheran Communities, where you’ll enjoy everything you need for socializing, learning, relaxing and growing. Learn more about our vibrant living options and health services by contacting us today.

 

Throughout your life you face elevated stress levels for a variety of reasons. When you’re a child, you may feel anxious on the first day of school and when making new friends. As a young adult, getting accepted into the college of your choice or acing all your exams can be stressful. Then, establishing your career while juggling schedules and managing a household become daily stressors.

As a senior, you also face situations that add stress to your life. For instance, retiring, adapting to a new lifestyle and wondering how you’re going to fill your days may cause stress and anxiety. Or, perhaps you’re coping with the loss of friends or loved ones, or worrying about your own healthy and mobility. Whatever the reason, it’s important to properly deal with the stress in your life so you can continue to thrive and enjoy your retirement to the fullest.

The Most Common Stress Symptoms

While we deal with occasional stress at any stage of life, it becomes increasingly difficult to cope with it the older you get. This is because seniors’ bodies handle stress differently than those of younger people. Certain health conditions many older adults develop like high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and a weakened immune system are all impacted by high stress levels. Additionally, in stressful situations, your brain releases potentially harmful hormones like adrenaline and cortisol to provide bursts of energy and focus, which your brain can normally shut down when they get too high. These hormones can not only have an effect on existing health conditions, but they may also be responsible for a decline in cognition and memory.

Wondering if you’re feeling stressed out? Here are a few of the most common stress symptoms you should know:

Coping with Stress: How to Reduce Stress in Your Life in 5 Steps

If you’re experiencing any of the above stress symptoms, it’s time to take note and make lifestyle changes that can help you keep your cool – and improve your quality of life. Here are some stress management tips all seniors should follow:

Find the root cause of the stress in your life. Are you contemplating downsizing your home? Have you lost a spouse? The first step in reducing stress is to identify what’s causing it to increase. Address the problem at its roots by writing it down, talking to someone or simply taking some time to reflect on what’s bothering you. Recognizing what’s causing you stress can help you find ways to get past it.

Make healthy lifestyle changes. It’s important to take good care of your mind, body and soul. Exercise is a well-known mood booster, so find an activity you enjoy and get your heart rate up for 30 minutes a day. Also, eliminate processed foods from your diet, and eat fresh, healthy foods like lean meats, fruits and vegetables. Aim for a solid eight hours of sleep every night, too, even if that means avoiding your post-lunch nap.

Find inner peace. Meditation and yoga offer relaxing ways to reduce stress. All you need to meditate is a quiet space with no distractions where you can practice some deep breathing until you feel a calm settle over you. Likewise, yoga can reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure and heart rate, help you breathe easier and improve sleeping habits. Find a class that’s designed specifically for older adults so you can comfortably bend and stretch your stress away.

Take a break from the norm. Sometimes, simply changing up your routine can lower your stress levels. Always wanted to learn to paint? Find a class at your local senior center. Go for a head-clearing walk (instead of taking that afternoon nap, maybe), try cooking a new recipe, volunteer your time at a pet shelter or hospital – anything you can do to get make every day exciting and new.

Enjoy a daily laugh. A good sense of humor can go a long way in reducing your stress levels. After all, laughter is the best medicine! Enjoy some belly laughs with friends or have your grandkids tell you their favorite jokes and laugh away the stress of the day.

Enjoy a Stress-Free Lifestyle at Immanuel Lutheran Communities

Residents live life on their own terms at Immanuel Lutheran Communities, where our on-campus services provide everything you need to continue growing, learning and relaxing. Plus, our unique location in the Flathead Valley offers countless opportunities for an enriching, fulfilling lifestyle. Schedule a visit and stay for lunch, or learn more about vibrant senior living in Kalispell by contacting us today.

Staying physically active into your later years offers a variety of benefits to seniors, from keeping your heart healthy and your bones strong to improving your balance and strengthening your immune system. Exercise is also a known mood-booster, perfect for letting off some steam and reducing your stress levels. It can even help you get a better night’s sleep.

However, did you know that experts agree there’s also a correlation between physical activity and better brain health? Recent research reveals that exercise may be one of the most cost-effective means of improving your brain function and memory, and possibly, preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

The Impact Exercise has on Brain Health

According to the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation, regular exercise can reduce your risk for Alzheimer’s disease by a remarkable 50 percent. When you exercise, your heart rate rises and keeps your blood flowing, pumping more oxygen into the brain. This not only helps your brain stay healthy by increasing the chemicals and hormones that protect it, but it also counters some of the natural reductions in brain connections that are part of the natural aging process. It also provides a nourishing environment for new cell growth.

A recent study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease revealed that people who did moderate intensity workouts on a regular basis were more likely to have healthy patterns of glucose metabolism in their brains, a key indicator of brain activity, compared to those who lived a sedentary lifestyle. Other studies also show that people who are physically active are less likely to experience a decline in their mental function, which in turn leads to a lower risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

Managing Alzheimer’s Symptoms with Exercise

Not only could exercise be key in preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, but it could also help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life in those already living with the condition. Because exercise produces those “feel-good” hormones in the brain like endorphins and serotonin, individuals with Alzheimer’s disease who are physically active often experience less irritability, anxiety and depression, three common Alzheimer’s symptoms.

Furthermore, regular exercise for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia may improve other symptoms as well. For instance, exercise can decrease the levels of tau, the protein associated with Alzheimer’s disease, in the brain. It also increases blood flow in the memory and processing centers in the brains of those living with Alzheimer’s. This can improve attention span, the ability to plan and organize, and establish a routine to regulate sleep patterns in those with sundowner’s syndrome.

The bottom line? What benefits the body also benefits the brain. Find an activity you enjoy, whether that’s walking, biking, yoga or swimming and get active. If you’re just beginning a fitness program, take it slow and build up your strength and endurance. Then, start reaping the benefits of an active lifestyle.

Whole-Person Senior Wellness at Immanuel Lutheran Communities

At Immanuel Lutheran Communities, we focus on all six dimensions of wellness through a variety of healthy activities for residents. Our activities calendar is full of a variety of fitness classes designed with your unique needs in mind to help make physical activity a welcome part of your daily routine. Contact us to learn more about our Kalispell retirement community located in the beautiful Flathead Valley, or view our floor plans to start planning for your future today.

As you age, you might find that you’re suddenly eating less than you used to. Due to a decrease in both the level of physical activity you partake in daily and your resting metabolic rate, loss of appetite in seniors is a fairly common occurrence.

However, it’s still important to get the essential vitamins and nutrients you need to lead an active, healthy lifestyle. While seniors may need to eat less than younger individuals, losing your appetite altogether could be a sign of a more serious medical condition.

What Causes Loss of Appetite in Seniors?

There are a variety of reasons why seniors may have decreased appetites. The non-medical causes of loss of appetite in the elderly include:

Additionally, certain health conditions can also cause loss of appetite in seniors. These include:

Ways to Increase Appetite in Seniors

It’s important to recognize when your decreased appetite is a problem that needs to be handled properly. If you’re suddenly fatigued along with having no desire to eat, never feel hungry, or have suddenly lost a significant amount of weight, dealing with the underlying issue at hand should be the first consideration.

However, there are a few things you can do to kickstart your appetite. First, consider eating every day at the same time. This includes all your meals as well as any healthy snacks. Humans are creatures of habit, and as your body gets adjusted to a schedule for eating, your appetite will be naturally boosted as mealtimes approach.

Secondly, don’t heap your plate with giant portions. A large amount of food all in one sitting can be overwhelming and may deter you from eating altogether. Instead, try smaller portions and increase the calories you’re intaking by adding healthy fats like olive oil, whole yogurt or peanut butter.

Finally, try not to get stuck in a food rut. We all have our favorite foods, but every so often, get creative and try something new. Remember, your sense of taste may be changing so you might find your favorite new dish! Keep your plate colorful with lots of fresh veggies to make it appealing to the eye, too.

Enjoy Tasteful Nutrition for Seniors at Immanuel Lutheran Communities

Leave the cooking to the talented executive chef at Immanuel Lutheran Communities! Dining options include chef-prepared foods at Buffalo Hill Terrace at The Claremont and The Café. Multiple meal options and times in the Immanuel Skilled Care Center and 24-hour meal service at The Retreat at Buffalo Hill help ensure top quality senior nutrition. Schedule a visit and stay for lunch, or learn more about vibrant senior living in Kalispell at Immanuel Lutheran Communities by contacting us today.

Forgetfulness is sometimes simply part of our daily lives. We mark appointments on our calendars, write lists of items to buy at the grocery store or set alerts on our cell phones as reminders of things to remember. As you age, both your body and your brain go through changes, making forgetfulness even more common. However, many older individuals may start worrying that their memory loss is a sign of something more serious, like Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is expected to affect more than 16 million Americans by the year 2050. As opposed to the normal memory loss that occurs as part of the aging process, memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease is severe enough to interfere with your daily life, hindering your ability to perform certain tasks and activities.

Normal Memory Loss Associated with Aging

Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of the aging process. In normal aging, when you forget something you’ll often remember what it is you’ve forgotten eventually. Seniors experience memory loss for a variety of reasons, including:

All the above can result in lapses in memory, such as:

However, by making some slight adjustments to your lifestyle, like eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, reducing your stress levels and engaging your brain with regular mental activity, you can slow down some of the normal cognitive decline associated with aging.

Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting one in five Americans. In the early stages, it can be difficult to diagnose as many of the signs resemble normal memory loss. If you’re worried you may be experiencing Alzheimer’s symptoms, it’s important to visit your doctor right away. The earlier you receive a diagnosis, the sooner treatment can begin which may slow the progression of the disease.

Some of the signs of Alzheimer’s include:

Unlike normal memory loss which can simply be frustrating or annoying, Alzheimer’s disease is a disabling form of cognitive decline that ultimately disrupts your social life, relationships, career and hobbies.

Compassionate Memory Care in Kalispell at Immanuel Lutheran Communities

For those dealing with memory impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, The Lodge at Buffalo Hill offers 24 private residences with unique, person-centered memory care programming. Our staff is specially-trained as Dementia Care Practitioners to ensure all residents are safe, comfortable and living an inspired life. Learn more about the memory care neighborhood at Immanuel Lutheran Communities by contacting us today.