June Davis, Director Aviv Centers for Living Adult Day Health

As people age, many are concerned about the subtle changes they notice within themselves and wonder if these changes are precursors to a more serious type of memory loss such as Alzheimer’s disease. There are real changes that take place as we age that can affect our memory. To comprehend the changes, one must first have an understanding of memory. The two words frequently used to describe memory; short term and long term are often misunderstood. Long term memory is not just our memory from long ago. It consists of the information we store in our brain for later recall. It could be as simple as remembering what ingredients we need for a recipe when we go shopping. The storage capacity of our long term memory is endless.

Short term memory refers to information that we retain in our conscious thought for short periods of time. If the information does not get transferred to our long term memory it will be forgotten. Severe cognitive impairment occurs when the ability to transfer information from short term to long term memory is lost.

With normal aging, there are several changes that should be expected. First, it becomes more difficult to retrieve information from our long term memory. As we age there is more information stored in our long term memory so it becomes more difficult to find it. Second, as we age it becomes more difficult to pay attention to several things simultaneously. Our capacity to learn new information does not change as we age, it just takes more effort.

There are some real physical and psychological factors that can also affect memory including: medications, stress, nutrition, depression and negative expectations. Once it is understood that real changes do occur to our memory as we age, solutions can formulated to keep the mind active and healthy. Memory loss is not inevitable. As we accept the physical changes that occur in our body as we age, we need to understand what occurs in the brain. Each one of us can draw comfort from knowing that we are not alone.

Patrice Cahill - Fitness Director at Aviv’s Center for Living’s Woodbridge Assisted Living

RUNNING: “Taps” as I call them: Sit in a sturdy/comfy chair. Put feet flat on floor with shoes/sneakers on your feet. Lift your heels up so that the toe portion of your foot is on the floor. Alternate lifting one toe off the floor and then the other, simulating running in place. Start by doing this for 10 seconds and work up to a minute. Trust me these are harder than they sound! When you get the hang of these, voila! You are “running” in place!

SWIMMING: Seated in that sturdy/comfy chair, place your arms straight out in front of you. Simulate “swimming” by taking your right hand and pushing the “water” back and then do the same with the left arm. The swimming style is called free style swim. Do these for 10 repetitions, 3 sets. Once you have mastered this – add the legs! Lift both legs off the floor straight in front, with your toe pointing forward, “flap” your legs alternating to simulate kicking the “water” with your toes. Once you have mastered that portion, add the arms and you are “swimming!”

These exercises will not only keep you flexible and limber; they are primarily targeting circulation by involving your heart and lungs as well as your muscles. Important especially if you don’t get out much nor can you increase your heart rate easily or safely. As you can see, with a little education, ingenuity and motivation to exercise, not to mention a good sense of humor about looking a bit silly to the rest of the world, you can get benefits of exercise pretty much anywhere indoors regardless of the weather outside!!! Keep healthy and warm from Aviv Centers for Living!

Kimberly McBrine Private Duty HomeCare Director Aviv HomeCare

In order to be eligible, the veteran must have served 90 days with at least 1 of those days during a period of war. The applicant must need the assistance of a caregiver to assist with activities of daily living. An example of such a veteran is one who does not drive and needs assistance with showering, dressing and medication management. He currently lives at home with his wife and has a homecare company help him with his activities of daily living in the mornings, manages his medications and escorts him to medical appointments. This veteran can possibly qualify for $1,703.00 per month.

Of course there are financial requirements as well, but 75% of assisted living cost and 100% of homecare cost is considered non-reimbursed medical expenses and is deducted from a veteran’s income. Also keep in mind that there are partial pension payments as well so if a veteran’s assets are high, he or she may still qualify for a partial payment.

For more information call Aviv’s HomeCare office at 978-854-1860.

Lynne Nieman, Director of Resident Life at Woodbridge Assisted Living

When I was a child growing up in Swampscott, fun and games were number one on my agenda. The same holds true today. As Director of Resident Life at Woodbridge Assisted Living, it’s my responsibility to make sure that we create a sense of delight each day. Joy may be found in trivia games, word games, arts & crafts, musical entertainment, or sing-a-longs. Shopping trips, lunch out, and mystery rides are planned on a regular basis to keep life interesting and fun.

I know how important it is to incorporate fun into each day. An active mind is a happy mind. Laughter truly is the best medicine. I notice a difference between the residents who participate in fun activities and those who don’t. The ones who do are so much happier and always have a smile on their faces. They are positive and full of energy. There is definitely a difference and the activity staff is so wonderful at engaging the residents.

Joy also comes from simple pleasures like watering flowers in a garden, reading a book from the library, a morning exercise session or a simple cup of tea and a chat with a friend in the cafe.

This month we have planned movie nights, a hot chocolate social, exercise classes, sing-a-longs,entertainment, ceramics, comedians, story-telling and study groups. Seeing our residents enjoying activities is the best part of my job.

Although I don’t play hide and seek anymore and I don’t have to come in when the street lights come on…I remember those days fondly and I am so grateful to be able to bring fun into other’s lives on a daily basis. It truly does make a difference.

Patrice Cahill - Fitness Director at Aviv’s Center for Living’s Woodbridge Assisted Living

Ahhh it’s here… the turkey is done and consumed (all 5 meals), the December holidays are nearly over and that means the dreaded… New Year’s resolutions…or in other words… what you “want to get done but end up not getting done” resolutions.  New Year’s resolutions are a good idea and they give most people something to strive for, be it losing weight, quitting smoking, saving more money or even trying to be a better person.

The problem with resolutions is that over the years,  resolutions have become a somewhat of a joke.  People make them KNOWING they will break them,usually by sometime in February or worse – a week after the start of the New Year.  I recall my days at Bally’s when loads of people signed up in January for their fitness resolutions and come February, only the regulars throughout the past year showed up to work out.   In fact, there is a cute little commercial that I have heard countless times regarding fitness…a man and a woman trying to get the urge to work out and the man sings a little jingle”too tired” as he plays the piano and they never actually get to work out.

I say ENOUGH!  If you think you are going to break your resolutions – don’t make them – especially in regard to fitness!  Instead, realize that the winter is a good time to start a program to get fit because as you know, spring and summer are just around the corner!  This can be done without much ado or fanfare. There is no need to feel guilty if you haven’t made your resolution stick because it doesn’t exist.  Here’s the deal, don’t call it a resolution; call it your new lifestyle health regiment.  Tell the world that you no longer will do resolutions that will end up being broken and that you are currently involved in your own exercise/health wellness program.

Here are a few tips to launch your new lifestyle health regiment:

See a licensed nutritionist. Nutritionists are specialists in the management of dietary goals for health and well-being.  There will be a barrage of diets in the media at the start of the New Year but my best suggestion is to start with the experts.  Meet with one and have your dietary needs discussed and scheduled.

Take advantage of specials and deals that the fitness industry has to offer at this time of year. Sign up for a class or two and never feel pressured to join unless the particular gym or fitness facility has enough to keep you engaged and stimulated to workout throughout the year.

Set new goals for the spring/summer. Nothing motivates a fitness buff like realistic goals do!  Figure out what you need to get accomplished such as walking around Salem Willows, strolling along Rockport’s fabulous streets or even fitting into your new bathing suit!  Use this time to get a fitness routine started to allow you to work towards that goal or goals!

As you can see, making and not breaking New Year’s resolutions is a good start but the point of making a resolution is to get yourself to a point that you don’t even need to make any resolutions.  If you are already in a fitness/wellness program – you can tell people proudly when they ask if you have made your resolutions, that you don’t need to make any this year – all goals have been set and are just ongoing.  Happy and Healthy New Year from Aviv Centers for Living!

Janice Glick, Aviv Centers for Living Director of Social Work Services

The holiday season sets many demands on us. We are asked to give gifts, attend holiday gatherings, donate time and money to those less fortunate, and create indelible family memories. The list is infinite. As a caregiver, you are constantly giving and this time of year can create even more stress in your life. How can you begin to care for yourself? This is an excellent question to pose at the New Year to inspire you to understand the importance of caring for the caregiver.

Caregiving is a universal phenomenon. Roslyn Carter recited a fabulous quote that has been used for many years in discussions surrounding caregivers. “There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers; those who currently are caregivers; those who will be caregivers and those who need caregivers.”

Think about when you are on an airplane and the flight attendant does the routine emergency landing lesson. Reflect about the lesson surrounding the mask and the message that is reinforced. The flight attendant message is that if you are sitting next to a young child, take the mask for yourself first and then help the child. Translation: take care of yourself first in order to care for someone else.

Kick off 2012 with a renewed commitment to take care of yourself. You will be healthier, feel better about yourself and have more energy to devote to your role as a caregiver. Here are some tips to help you jump start your plan:

Eat a healthy diet full of good sources of energy.
Get enough sleep each and every day.
Carve out time to enjoy an activity you enjoy each day.
Get regular medical and dental checkups.
Watch for signs of depression and seek help if you need it.
Accept gifts of help from family and friends.
Attend a Caregivers Support Group.

Did you know that Aviv Centers for Living hosts a monthly Caregivers Support Group? Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, January 5 from 6:45 – 7:45 pm at Woodbridge Assisted Living, 240 Lynnfield Street in Peabody. I will be facilitating the group that will unite caregivers to share challenges and success stories. For more information, contact me at 781-598-5310 x. 1561 or e-mail me at jglick@avivliving.org.

Michael Hammerschmidt, Aviv Centers for Living Chief Development Officer

As a development professional, I am passionate about my belief in the gift of giving to non-profit organizations. At this time of year, mailboxes are brimming with appeals from a variety of organizations, many groups who rely on fundraising dollars to support their worthwhile missions.

Aviv Centers for Living recently sent out an appeal that quoted the Talmud as saying, “One person’s candle is a light for many.” We took a walk down memory lane recalling that when the original founders of Aviv gathered in 1945, the world was a very different place. Gasoline cost about 15 cents a gallon. Elvis Presley debuted at age 10. Harry Truman was sworn in as the 33rd President of the United States as George and Barbara Bush wed and the United Nations was formed. While the darkness of World War II clouded the universe, a group of citizens gathered in Lynn to create light for seniors and founded the Jewish Convalescent Home, fondly called “the Home.”

Well over 66 years ago, while the world was a different place, the desire for good people to galvanize for grand purposes was just as important as it is today. As you prepare for the holidays, take a moment to look in your heart and make a donation to a non-profit organization. It may be the best gift you give this holiday season.