Helping a Senior with Dementia Remember Medicine

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For seniors in delicate health, forgetting to take medication or taking it improperly can have more dire consequences than one might think. The federal government estimates that 10% of hospital admissions are due to taking medication incorrectly, and over 125,000 people die each year as a result of this problem. Almost a quarter of nursing home admissions might be due to seniors having trouble with taking their medication. Unfortunately, this is an alarmingly common problem, with over half of all seniors taking medication incorrectly. Half of those, in turn, make the kind of mistakes that could have serious ramifications! When we consider this information in light of the challenges of seniors with dementia, it’s clear that this is a problem caregivers and family members need to be alert about. There are many devices and solutions available to help keep loved ones on track. One simple remedy is buying a pill dispenser or a similar device. Your local drug store probably carries basic versions that will both organize pills and sound some kind of alarm or another reminder. There are also more elaborate and expensive systems that might, for example, call a designated caregiver if the senior has missed a dose. There are even smartphone apps for this issue. Drug companies themselves are also trying to help, with phone calls to seniors who are taking their products. However, studies have shown that these methods don’t solve the problem. Sometimes this is because the devices are too complicated for seniors to use, or because they are not equipped to handle the typical senior’s complex medication regimen. And these systems often require input from a senior who may no longer be organized or independent enough to do what’s needed. Even if a loved one sets up the system initially, snafus like dead batteries or a malfunction could cause that effort to be useless. For this reason, the best solution is to have a family member or other caregiver help the seniors with managing their prescriptions. A human helper can also address when forgetfulness is not the issue so much as unwillingness or lack of understanding about why a particular medication is important. This can be a particular concern for dementia sufferers who are determined to hang on to control and demonstrate their independence. Ideally, there would be some kind of gadget or gizmo to make this problem go away, but this is one issue that requires a human touch.
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Combating Isolation and Loneliness in Seniors

Untreated hearing loss has been linked to loneliness and isolation according to the Johns Hopkins’ Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health. Furthermore, it is thought that older adults with hearing loss attempt to utilize different parts of their brain to perceive sounds resulting in a larger demand from one’s working memory, leading to potential memory loss. Upon thorough assessments, Raya’s Paradise customizes care plans to residents’ specific needs. Updated assessments and wellness checks facilitated by on staff nurses affords Raya’s Paradise to observe changes in hearing loss and potential for increased loneliness and isolation. Raya’s Paradise combats loneliness by addressing changes in conditions through transportation to medical appointments to treat hearing loss, and 24/7 care to assist with hearing aid use. In most of our communities, you will also find intimate common living areas and gaming rooms for social activity. The dining rooms are shared and residents enjoy family style dining. We provide a calendar of structured social activities such as movie clubs, discussion groups and live entertainment. Our residents also have the option to choose to engage in off-site chauffeured trips escorted by community staff members: walks, shopping, movies and lunches. Raya’s Paradise understands the toll loneliness and isolation can have on health and well-being; therefore, Raya’s Paradise communities makes an ongoing effort to get older adults involved in the community and come out of their shell.
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When’s the best age to move to a board and care community? 

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U.S. News & World Report recently released an article titled, “What’s the Best Age to Move into a Continuing Care Retirement Community“. We couldn’t help but ask ourselves the same question: when’s the best age to move to a board and care community? Older adults benefit from moving into a Board and Care sooner rather than later. Some older adults do not need as much assistance as they age. Raya’s Paradise Residential Care Communities cover the spectrum of senior housing options available. Residents are able to age in place without interrupting where they reside. Aging in place at Raya’s Paradise allows older adults to maintain friendships and continue receiving care from caregivers they know and trust. Moving sooner supports the thought that growing old in a familiar environment supports the well-being of senior residents. By moving at a time when care needs are less demanding, older adults have the opportunity to maintain living independently, while learning to get adjusted to a community environment. The fluidity of Raya’s care is vital to older adults and their families who do not want to worry about locating a new community due to increased care needs. Senior Home Advocates puts it best, “Large assisted living communities can be fun, exciting and resort-like…but some individuals prefer a more conventional home setting.” Raya’s Paradise Residential Care Communities are often referred to as home-like and intimate. It is a living environment older adults can age in with dignity. “The cozy personal feeling of family that only comes within an intimate setting much like the homes of our childhood.” Ultimately, moving into a Residential care community while younger is also contingent on when an older adult feels ready; however, a smaller community is often less intimidating and better supports an accustomed home-like environment without warranting a second move.  
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Golden Years: San Clemente Poised to Add Nearly 200 Rooms for Retired Living

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Published by Staff On January 10, 2019 Author: By Eric Heinz Raya’s Paradise With assistance for hospice, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and independent living care, Raya’s Paradise plans to open its doors by 2020 after years of going through planning processes. Moti Gamburd, the CEO of Raya’s Paradise, said he acquired the land about five years ago but that it’s been a long process to get the project started. They had to go through San Clemente’s planning process as well as the California Coastal Commission for permitting. Raya’s was required by the commission to remove trees to make an ocean-view corridor for residents, as well as other mandates. He got the final approvals from the Coastal Commission last year. Raya’s Paradise will be located on the 100 block of Avenida Calafia, next to the San Clemente Inn. There will be 24-hour care and an assisted-living unit, providing independent living as well as end-of-life care. Gamburd said he was inspired by his mother, who immigrated to the U.S. from Russia and Israel, to enter the assisted-living industry. “In 1991, my mom, who is a nurse, came to the United States and took care of an old lady,” Gamburd said. “Because she has experience in the geriatric work, she said if I can take care of one lady, why can’t I take care of six ladies?” In California, one home can hold up to six people at one time who are not dependents of the title holder. “At that time, while I was in school, my father got very ill, and I kind of started to help her, and I started to fall in love with this field,” Gamburd said, adding that Raya’s has added six retirement-living facilities in California. Monica Westphaln, the COO of Raya’s, was working for a competitor in 2011 when Gamburd decided to try to join forces with her. “She kind of opened my eyes and showed me how much better it would be to build in a larger community,” Gamburd said. “Eventually, we landed on (San Clemente). We hired an architect from San Clemente.”

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