We spend up to a third of our lives sleeping. So it’s not surprising that lack of sleep can negatively impact our physical, mental and emotional health. 

While it’s true that seniors don’t need as many hours of sleep as they did when they were younger, it’s also true that sleep offers benefits that are especially important for older adults. 

Here’s why quality sleep is so important for seniors. 

Deep Sleep Improves Memory

Aging can bring natural declines in memory and cognition. While these changes are typically normal and cause no serious issues, many seniors still want to improve their memory and mental agility as they age. 

One of the best ways to keep memory and concentration sharp is getting plenty of sleep. 

Studies have shown that slow-wave sleep (deep sleep) is instrumental in memory consolidation, the process of transferring recently learned information into long-term memories.  

For seniors who are concerned with lapses in memory, getting uninterrupted, quality sleep can help. 

Quality Sleep Helps Maintain Metabolism

As we age, we naturally lose muscle mass and experience hormonal changes. We also tend to become more sedentary than when we were when we were younger. 

Loss of muscle mass is a key contributor to weight gain as we age. Muscle burns more calories than fat, so as you lose muscle and acquire fat, your body needs fewer calories to maintain your weight. Eating the same amount of calories each day leads to gradual weight gain if you aren’t weight training to maintain muscle. Because of health conditions and sedentary jobs, many adults aren’t able to maintain muscle mass into their senior years.

As a result, middle-aged adults gain an average of 1 to 2 pounds per year. As we enter our senior years, those extra pounds can hang around and become harder to lose–even with concerted effort. In fact, according to the CDC, 42.8% of adults aged 60 and over are considered obese. 

Seniors who don’t sleep well may also face issues with maintaining their metabolism and controlling their appetite. 

Quality sleep helps regulate the metabolism so that our bodies can efficiently convert food into energy. It also helps regulate our appetites. Lack of sleep can cause cravings for sugar and unhealthy snacks, and may cause us to overeat.

Quality Sleeps Helps Regulate Mood and Mental Health

Studies have shown that quality of sleep has a direct effect on a person’s mood the next day. 

According to the National Institute on Aging, lack of quality sleep can cause increased irritability, lack of motivation and anxiety. According to the National Sleep Foundation, chronic poor sleep can exacerbate symptoms of depression. 

Older people are already at an increased risk for depression because of chronic health conditions, loneliness and life changes. It’s important for seniors to not only pay attention to their sleeping patterns, but to monitor the quality of their sleep. 

It is vital for seniors who are experiencing sleep disturbances or symptoms of insomnia to talk to their doctors. Lack of sleep can contribute to mental and physical health problems for seniors, especially those who already have chronic health conditions. 

Have more questions about senior health and happiness?

Read the Brookfield Senior Living blog.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us all to socially distance, many of us have had to stop visiting our senior loved ones in person to keep them safe from the threat of the virus. As the holidays approach, social distancing is more important than ever. This is especially true for seniors, who are especially vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19. 

As a result, many seniors are facing a holiday season without visits from family and friends. Many will spend the holiday season completely alone. 

If you’re concerned about a senior loved one this holiday season, here are a few ways you can help. 

Send Special Holiday Meals

The holidays are synonymous with festive meals and dishes. For many of us, the food is our favorite part of the season. 

If your senior loved one is spending the holidays alone this year, you can make their season a little brighter by sending them a favorite holiday dish.

Contact your loved one to find out which holiday meals or dishes they love most, and ask for recipes for preparing the dish like they remember it. 

If your loved one lives in an assisted living facility or nursing home, you can deliver it yourself while following the facility’s COVID-19 protocols. If the meal is being prepared by a favorite restaurant, you can organize delivery through the restaurant itself. Include a sweet card wishing your loved one a happy holiday season, and let them know you’re thinking of them. 

Record a Holiday Video With Family and Friends

One of the hardest parts of the holidays this year is not being able to gather with extended family and friends. Huge holiday gatherings are often a cherished part of the holidays, especially for seniors who have children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and close friends. 

An easy way to bring holiday cheer to a senior facing the holidays alone is to make a video that features family members and friends. 

Organize a family-wide video recording, and ask participants to send their recordings to you via email. You can splice the videos together using free video editing software like OpenShot, iMovie for iPhone, or video editing apps for Android.

You can send the video via email as a file attachment. If your loved one isn’t versed with technology, you can call them and walk them through downloading and watching it. 

Schedule a Window Visit

A window visit is a safe way to see your elderly loved one during the holidays. If they live in an assisted living facility or nursing home, you can coordinate your window visit with the facility staff. 

If your loved one lives alone, make sure they know when you’ll be arriving. If your loved one has physical limitations and has home care providers to help them, coordinate your visit with a caregiver. This will allow your loved one to enjoy the window visit without the stress of getting dressed and walking to the window by themselves. 

To get the most out of your window visit, you can call your loved one on the phone and talk during the visit. Bring a photo album, game or memento that reminds them of joyful holidays in the past. Reminiscing about great holidays can help your loved one feel connected and combat loneliness and social isolation they may feel.

Organize a Socially-Distanced Caroling Event

Holiday carols are a favorite part of the holidays for many seniors. Unfortunately, caroling concerts that many seniors enjoyed at their churches or senior communities for years have been canceled. 

Family members and friends can re-invent this classic holiday tradition by hosting a caroling event of their own, using COVID-19 safety protocols. 

You can organize a caroling event on Zoom with additional family members and friends, and invite your aging loved one to watch or participate. If your loved one doesn’t know how to use video chatting software, you can schedule a time to show them beforehand.

The holidays this year may be a lonely time for many older adults. Fortunately, family and friends can make small gestures to let these seniors know they are loved and cherished, even if it’s from afar. 

Learn more about helping seniors feel socially connected during COVID-19 by reading Brookfield Senior Living’s blog. 

Exceptional Retirement Living in Bella Vista, Ar

Brookfield Senior Living is proud to offer an exceptional retirement community in beautiful Bella Vista at Highlands Crossing. Our community is a Level I assisted living facility that caters to independent seniors who may need occasional assistance with the activities of daily living or household chores. We are the only fully licensed assisted living facility in Bella Vista, Arkansas.

Our Community Emphasizes Independent Living 

At Brookfield Senior Living in Bella Vista, we understand the importance of allowing residents to maintain their independence and individuality. However, we also know how important it is to provide support and assistance to residents when they need it. 

Our emphasis on vibrant, independent living begins with our community’s residential suites.

Our apartments emphasize comfort, privacy and dignity. Each suite offers a kitchenette, refrigerator, freezer and microwave, as well as a private bathroom. Our community is ground level and handicap accessible, making it easier for residents to explore, socialize and enjoy themselves on their own schedule. 

Additionally, Brookfield Senior Living residents have access to a well-rounded array of common areas, recreational activities, and social events. With assistance from our care teams, our residents have all the tools they need to lead active, healthy, engaged and independent lives.

Our Dining Program Emphasizes Nutrition and Individual Needs

Our dining program is designed to accommodate special dietary needs while also maintaining a high standard of nutrition and taste for each resident. We offer three meals per day and unlimited access to our juice and snack bar. 

Our dining program is able to accommodate special requests at holidays and can work with residents’ families and medical recommendations to create special dietary plans. 

Our Payment Options Are Flexible

Brookfield Senior Living in Bella Vista accepts self-pay, Veteran’s Administration payments, and long-term care insurance. We work with each resident and their family to find the best payment method for them. 

Our Care Team is Exceptional

Brookfield Senior Living’s care team consists of experienced administrators, registered nurses and care providers. Our team’s approach to resident care is centered on compassion, dignity and peace of mind. 

In addition to improving our residents’ lives through quality of care, our team emphasizes resident health and encourages an active, engaged lifestyle. Our care team works with each resident to create a care plan that meets their needs while still allowing them to live full, stimulating lives. 

Our Care Services Are Individualized

We understand that not every resident needs daily assistance or support. Some residents prefer limited help, while others may require assistance with the activities of daily living or have short-term care needs during an illness. 

Our care plans are individualized so each resident receives the level of care and support he or she needs. Each member of our community undergoes a resident care assessment, performed by a healthcare professional, so we can find the right level of support and assistance for their individual needs. 

As the care needs of residents change, our approach to care is also changed. This ensures that each resident continues to live a comfortable, active life as a member of our community.

Contact Brookfield Senior Living in Bella Vista Today

If you or your aging loved one is interested in our Bella Vista retirement community, contact us today!

Brookfield Senior Living in Fort Smith, Arkansas is proud to offer a picturesque, home-like environment for our residents to live independently, while still receiving needed support and assistance. Our assisted living facility in Fort Smith, Arkansas offers beautiful apartments, expansive common areas, a supportive and caring staff, and a variety of activities to keep your loved one engaged, stimulated and happy. 

If you have a senior loved one who is no longer comfortable or safe living at home, an assisted living facility, assisted living can be a life-changing improvement. 

Here’s what you should know about Brookfield Senior Living’s Fort Smith assisted living community.

Brookfield Senior Living in Fort Smith is a Level I Assisted Living Facility

In Arkansas, a Level I Assisted Living facility must provide the following for all residents:

• 24-hour supervision by awake staff members
• 24-hour assistance in obtaining emergency healthcare
• Assistance with the activities of daily living (ADLs): Dressing, feeding, personal hygiene, ambulating, continence, and toileting
• Laundry services
• Assistance with recreation and social activities
• Transportation assistance
• Assistance with medication

Level I ALFs are not allowed to permit residents who require a nursing home level of care or who need continuous visual monitoring. 

Residents in Level I facilities must be generally independent, able to administer their own medications and able to ambulate (move around) on their own. 

All residents seeking placement in an assisted living community must undergo a health needs assessment performed by a registered nurse. This assessment will indicate the level of daily care a potential resident requires and can determine whether or not a Level I facility can meet those needs. 

If your loved one is basically independent, but requires some assistance with housework, meals, laundry and transportation, life in a Level I senior living community may be the perfect fit. 

Brookfield Senior Living in Fort Smith Offers a Range of Services for Residents

Our assisted living community in Fort Smith offers residents a variety of services and amenities to make life comfortable and enjoyable. 

Our Fort Smith Assisted Living services include:

• Basic cable TV
• High-speed internet
• Included utilities
• Transportation to doctor’s appointments and the pharmacy
• Emergency call system with trained staff
• Daily light housekeeping
• Weekly detailed housekeeping
• Laundry services
• Basic household repairs and maintenance
• Fully furnished apartments 
• 3 daily meals, plus snacks

Our Fort Smith community is proud to offer residents various social and recreational activities throughout the month, including outings and trips. We strive to create a comfortable environment where each of our residents is socially and physically active. We take resident nutrition seriously and strive to create meals that are nutritionally balanced and delicious. 

Brookfield Senior Living in Fort Smith Offers Flexible Care

As we age, our care needs can change. Brookfield Senior Living is dedicated to adjusting our residents’ care plans based on their needs. 

We work with family members and residents’ healthcare providers to provide the assistance that every resident needs. If you feel that your loved one’s care needs have changed, our team is always available to hear your concerns and make necessary adjustments that work for everyone. 

If you’re searching for assisted living in Fort Smith, Arkansas, whether it’s for yourself or an aging loved one, Brookfield Senior Living is here to meet your needs. 

Contact us today to learn more about facility or to schedule a tour.

It can be hard to acknowledge that a senior loved one needs more care than you can provide. Fortunately, there are senior care facilities that offer a nursing-home level of care in a home-like environment. 

Brookfield Senior Living in Hot Springs is a Level II Assisted Living facility that offers the comfort and coziness of home, as well as the care and support many seniors need as they age. 

Brookfield Senior Living in Hot Springs: A Level II Assisted Living Facility

As they age, many seniors need more care than family members or friends can provide. 

Declining mobility, worsening eyesight and cognitive function, and lower energy can make the activities of daily living challenging, even impossible, for seniors who live alone. 

Over time, we may turn to facility care to ensure that our senior loved ones have access to a greater level of care and support.

Unfortunately, many facilities that offer a nursing-home level of care don’t provide the comfortable, home-like environment your loved one needs to be happy. 

Brookfield Senior Living in Hot Springs is different. 

We are a certified Level II Assisted Living Facility in Hot Springs, Arkansas that can provide a more thorough level of care than Level I facilities. However, we also offer the inviting, comfortable atmosphere of a personal home. 

What is a Nursing Home Level of Care?

Facilities designated as Level I Assisted Living aren’t allowed to accept residents who require a nursing home level of care. 

Level II facilities are permitted to accept residents who require a nursing facility level of care, as long as the individual isn’t bedridden, immobile, totally incontinent, suffering from a terminal illness, or currently violent. 

In Arkansas, a nursing home level of care is defined as:

• A formal level of care designation that makes an individual eligible for Medicaid-funded, nursing home care in an assisted living environment 

In order for a potential resident to qualify for Medicaid-funded care at a Level II facility, the patient must display a functional need for a higher level of care than is available at a Level I facility. 

People who qualify for a nursing home level of care must:

• Be unable to independently care for themselves for a sustained period of time
• Need assistance with at least two Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). ADLs include basic daily activities like grooming, toileting, personal care and hygiene, feeding oneself, and mobility/transferring. IADLs include activities that make it possible to live independently, such as paying bills, housekeeping, doing laundry and taking medication.
• Must undergo a functional needs assessment that assures that the individual’s health and safety needs can be met in a Level II Assisted Living Facility and do not require care at the institutional level (i.e., in a nursing facility). A resident’s health needs assessment must be performed by a registered nurse (RN). 

Level II facilities must offer separate living quarters for individuals requiring a nursing home level of care and those who do not. 

Additionally, Level II facilities must employ a consulting pharmacist, a full-time on-site administrator, and at least one registered nurse (RN). They must also employ or contract with licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) to assist with residents’ healthcare needs. 

Level II ALFs also require at least two staff to be on duty at all times, one of whom must be a CNA. 

How Is Assisted Living Different from Institutional Care?

Assisted living communities provide necessary medical and personal care services in a home-like setting. ALFs provide separate apartments or living quarters that are often personalized to the resident’s liking. ALFs also provide more robust community and recreational activities, including regular outings and trips. Assisted living facilities emphasize community, social interaction, personal independence and quality of life. 

This emphasis on quality of life and happiness in a social setting can make the prospect of long-term care more acceptable for seniors who can no longer live alone. 

Nursing homes or other institutional care settings are more clinical, focusing instead on the medical and personal care needs of the patient. 

Nursing homes often house a larger number of people than assisted living facilities and must offer a higher level of skilled nursing and medical care. Because of the larger number of residents and higher level of care required, most nursing homes place less emphasis on recreation, social interaction and community. 

Brookfield Senior Living: Expert Nursing Care in a Home-Like Setting

Brookfield Senior Living in Hot Springs offers both a Level II assisted living facility and a designated memory care unit for individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia. 

Contact us today to learn more about our community. 

Many people with senior loved ones find it very concerning when that loved one displays signs of forgetfulness or memory loss. Of course, this concern is understandable. Memory loss is often one of the first and main symptoms of dementias like Alzheimer’s Disease. 

Like any serious health concern, however, it’s important to know the difference between normal signs of aging and serious underlying conditions. While dementia is not a normal part of aging, some cognitive decline is. 

Today, we’re examining the main differences between normal, age-related forgetfulness and symptoms of dementia. 

Dementia Is Progressive

Dementia is a blanket term to describe a collection of diseases that cause brain cells to waste away. To be diagnosed with dementia, a person must exhibit cognitive decline in multiple areas, one of which must be memory loss. Other cognitive functions impacted by dementia include judgment, thinking, language, and motor skills. 

Alzheimer’s Disease is by far the most common form of dementia, accounting for some 60%-80% of cases. Other common types of dementia include Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia and mixed dementia. 

The progressive nature of dementia means that the condition gets worse over time. There is no available treatment that can stop or slow its progression, and there is no cure. However, there are treatments that can improve the symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease for a period of time.

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias, many people can still work, drive, and live independently. As the disease progresses to the middle and late stages, however, memory loss is typically severe and impacts almost every function of daily life. 

Normal, age-related memory loss does not typically progress into debilitating memory loss.

Dementia Interferes With a Person’s Daily Life

Dementia-related memory loss is disabling. People with dementia have severe short-term memory problems and have trouble identifying common objects. 

People with dementia often become confused and disoriented in the evening hours, have trouble navigating to familiar places, and have issues remembering family members and friends. 

While age-related memory loss can cause occasional short-term memory issues, it does not affect a person’s ability to recognize or use common household objects. It also doesn’t impact long-term memory the way dementia does.

Dementia Can Cause Personality Changes

According to the National Institute on Aging, behavioral changes are a common feature of dementia. 

As the disease progresses, a person with dementia may exhibit loss of emotional control, become paranoid or anxious and show signs of depression. Other common personality changes associated with dementia include unusual sexual behavior, becoming physically or verbally aggressive, and lack of personal hygiene. 

People with normal, age-related memory loss do not exhibit personality changes. They maintain the same level of reasoning, mood, judgment and emotional response that they’ve always had. 

Dementia and Memory Care at Brookfield Senior Living

Brookfield Senior Living and Memory Care is a premier provider of care for individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia in Arkansas.  Contact us to learn more about our memory care unit today. 

COVID-19 social distancing is an important part of reducing the spread of the coronavirus. For seniors, it’s perhaps even more important, as the elderly are more susceptible to serious health consequences if they contract the virus.  Despite the limitations on social contact, it’s important for seniors to stay active and mentally stimulated throughout the summer months. 

Check out some of our favorite (safe) summer activities for seniors during social distancing. 

Visit a Local Park

For seniors with access to transportation, a trip to the park is a great way to get exercise, breathe some fresh air and enjoy the sunshine. 

Arkansas’s State and local parks are currently open for visitors, but it’s important to make sure you observe the rules of social distancing: Wear a mask that covers your face and nose, maintain at least six feet of distance between yourself and others, and use hand sanitizer with an alcohol content of at least 60%. 

Hot Springs, Arkansas offers a number of local parks for seniors to visit and enjoy this summer:

• Entergy Park

• Desoto Park

• Hill Wheatley Park

Fort Smith, Arkansas residents can also enjoy local parks, including:

• Fort Smith Park

For those in Bella Vista, the following parks offer beautiful views and natural scenery:

• Bella Vista State Park

• Tanyard Creek Nature Trail

Even seniors with mobility issues can enjoy these parks with the help of wheelchairs and ample seating. 

Window Visits from Family Members

While close personal contact is off-limits during social distancing, there are ways for seniors to enjoy in-person interaction with family this summer. 

Window visits are a great way for seniors to see and speak to loved ones without endangering themselves or people who live near them. 

If your senior loved one’s home or senior care facility offers a space with large windows, organize a window visit where you and other loved ones can sit outside the window and visit through the glass. You can play games, catch up on family photos or simply converse.

Window visits allow seniors to stay indoors in an air conditioned space while also enjoying time with family members. For seniors who are especially vulnerable to heat and sun, window visits are a great way to stay safe, comfortable and connected during social distancing.  

Go Birdwatching

Birdwatching is favorite outdoor activity for many Arkansas natives, since the state is home to a variety of native bird species. 

Birdwatching provides tranquil, relaxing time outdoors while still offering mental stimulation. 

Arkansas offers tons of great birdwatching spots, including: 

• Lake Ouachita

• Hot Springs National Park

It’s important for seniors to carefully observe all COVID-19 safety protocols during COVID-19. Check out the CDC coronavirus portal to learn more. 

When spending time outdoors this summer, seniors should always remember to drink plenty of water, wear and reapply sunscreen, and go inside when temperatures get too high. 

Learn more about summer safety for seniors here. 

Have questions about senior care in Hot Springs, Fort Smith or Bella Vista, Arkansas? Contact Brookfield Senior Living and Memory Care today.