Click here to view the embedded video.

In this video, certified senior advisor Mary Alexander from Home Instead Senior Care explains Alzheimer’s and other dementia and offers specific techniques for coping with a loved one who has dementia.

Many family caregivers care for a parent or spouse who is suffering from some sort of dementia, which requires a great deal of time and patience. Caring for a dementia patient can cause great stress to the family caregiver, particularly as memory loss progresses. This video provides tips for minimizing that stress.

In addition to these tips, a professional caregiver can also help. Visit our website or call us today at 804-527-1100 to learn more.

Each week, Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond profiles one of the local senior retirement communities for our readers’ information.  This week we are profiling Gayton Terrace.

View from outside Gayton Terrace

Gayton Terrace, which is owned by Horizon Bay, is a four-story, 100-unit senior retirement community located in the upscale west end of Richmond.  Built on 10 acres, the community caters to independent, assisted living, and memory care residents and is conveniently located at 12401 Gayton Road, Richmond, VA 23238.

According to their website, Gayton Terrace offers plenty of opportunities for social interaction, physical activity and intellectual stimulation. You can join friends for a game of bingo, take part in exercise classes and scheduled activities, or go on one of our many monthly excursions.

When it’s time for relaxation, you can sit outside in the large, beautiful gazebos that grace the community grounds. Or, you can rest your mind and enjoy the fresh air with a leisurely stroll. Although self-reliance is important, it’s nice to know there’s help available if you need it.

In addition to their everyday services, some of their residents need assistance to maintain the independent lifestyle to which they’ve become accustomed. Assisted living services such as medication support, nutritional support, 24-hour trained staff, help with dressing, and emergency response provide residents with extra support. These services are available in the convenience and comfort of your own home. At Gayton Terrace,  seniors are respected as individuals and encouraged to live life more meaningfully.

The amenities available at Gayton Terrace include:

• Arts & Crafts Center
• Beauty/barber shop
• Billiard Lounge
• Computer Lab
• Diversified activity program
• Exercise Program
• Exercise room with Nu Step and Keiser Equipment
• Emergency Response System
• Floral landscaping and grounds maintenance
• Game room and TV lounge
• Health monitoring services
• Individually locked mailboxes
• Laundry facilities
• Library
• Living Room
• Maintenance Services
• Pets Permitted
• Private Dining Room for Guests
• Restaurant-Style Menu Selections
• Several meal plans to choose from
• Scheduled entertainment
• Rehab services on site
• Three Nutritious meals per day

For more information on Gayton Terrace, contact them at 804.741.1011 or visit their website.

And, for more information on how Home Instead Senior Care can help keep you or a loved one living independently at home, wherever home may be, please call us in our Richmond office at 804.527.1100. You can also take a look at our website, or view our digital brochure here: http://hisc189.digbro.com/.

Each week, Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond profiles a senior retirement community in Richmond or the Northern Neck.  Today, we highlight the Dunlop House in Colonial Heights, just south of Richmond.

Dunlop House offers residential assisted living and memory care for seniors in Colonial Heights near Richmond, VA.

Dunlop House offers both Assisted Living and specialized Alzheimer’s and memory care. Designed with seniors in mind, Dunlop House features studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans with large sunny windows overlooking beautifully landscaped grounds and gardens.

Residents can enjoy the home-like warmth of the community living room with fireplace, library, sun room and private dining room, where intimate dinners can be shared with family and friends.

Dunlop House offers floor plans ranging from a 312 square-ft assisted living studio to a 676 square-ft two-bedroom suite.  It is conveniently located at 235 Dunlop Farms Boulevard, Colonial Heights, VA 23834.

For more information on Dunlop House, visit their web site at www.dunlophouse.com, or call 804.520.0050.

And for more information on how Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond’s CareGiver services can help you or a loved one remain living independently at home, wherever home may be, call our offices today at 804.527.1100. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have.

You can also learn more about us from our website and our web brochure.

Here at Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond, we are always happy to tell you about fundraisers for great charities related to senior health and wellness.

We just found out about an upcoming weekly event in which Capital Ale House is donating a portion of Thursday food sales to the Greater Richmond Alzheimer’s Association, which funds research and outreach efforts to help in the search for a cure:

Although many people in Richmond know Capital Ale House for its wide selection of ales, Capital Ale House’s three Richmond area locations also have some interesting and delicious food. Every Thursday in August, you can enjoy that food and help a good cause at the same time. Just print out a copy of the attached coupon and bring it into any Capital Ale House location on any Thursday in August, and Capital Ale House will donate 25% of your food purchase to the Alzheimer’s Association!

Remember: bring in the coupon to Capital Ale House on Thursdays in August, so that the Alzheimer’s Association will get some of your food proceeds! Thanks for supporting the Alzheimer’s Association.

NOTE:  You can print out this blog post for the coupon or click this link:  Capital Ale House Alzheimer’s Coupon.

And for more information on how Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond can provide care and companionship to help aging loved ones in the Richmond, VA area remain living independently in their homes, please give us a call at our Richmond (804.527.1100) or Tappahannock (804.443.4883) offices any time, or view our digital brochure at http://hisc189.digbro.com/. 

Here at Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond, we are always on the lookout for events in the Richmond community that relate to senior health and wellness. Here is a great event sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association:

On Tuesday, July 20th, there will be a free special screening of the HBO documentary “The Alzheimer’s Project” at the historic Byrd Theater. This documentary provides a personal look at the country’s second most feared disease through the voices of Alzheimer’s patients, caregivers, family members, and the scientists who are working every day to look for a cure.

At this special screening, you will also get the chance to hear from Mary Ann Johnson — program director for the Alzheimer’s Association, and author/ former caregiver Robert B. Schaefer.  Caregivers, friends and family of Alzheimer’s patients, and supporters of Alzheimer’s disease research are encouraged to attend. The event is open to the public and free, so bring your friends, questions, and personal experiences.

Where:  The Byrd Theatre, 2908 West Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23221

When: Tuesday, July 20, 2010, 5:30-7:30 PM

REMEMBER! Wear something purple to the event to show your support, and be entered to win a door prize!

Also, here are some links for more information on:

• “The Alzheimer’s Project” – an interactive site where you can watch the films, learn about the disease, and get help from organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association or the National Institutes of Health.
• The Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Richmond Chapter
• The Byrd Theatre

And as always, for more information on how our Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond can provide Alzheimer’s care and companionship to help you or a loved one remain living independently, call us in our Richmond home care office at 804.527.1100 today.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Greater Richmond Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association posted this video to their YouTube channel yestersday.  It is a PSA that Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell recorded to promote the Alzheimer’s Association and the need to support family caregivers in particular.

Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond is very involved in promoting the activities that raise awareness for Alzheimer’s disease, including this year’s Memory Walk.  If you’d like to participate, please call our Richmond home care office at 804.527.1100.

Safety of loved ones is a top concern for caregivers, especially those caring for persons with Alzheimer’s disease. 

Memory loss and confusion can set in without warning.  For example, a loved one might set out on a walk or errand alone, wander off and not be able to return home safely.

Currently scheduled for retail sale this summer, the Aetrex Ambulator® GPS Shoe by GTX Corp will provide millions of caregivers the means to help easily find those afflicted with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia who wander and become lost.

How does it work?

A miniaturized GPS chip and cellular device is embedded in the shoe. The shoe then continuously tracks the location and movement history of its wearer, relaying the information to a monitoring center through cellular networks.

Authorized parties are able to instantly log-on, or receive alerts, via a secure Internet portal and pinpoint the current location of the targeted user on an interactive map.

How much will it cost?

GTX Corp is projecting the cost will be around $200 to $300. The company is anticipating availability for purchase in the spring of 2010 through the Aetrex-owned website www.gpsshoe.com and a select group of assisted living facilities.

If you would like more information on these shoes, visit GTX Corp’s site at www.gpsshoe.com.

For information on how Home Instead Senior Care’s CAREGivers can provide companionship and services that nourish the mind, body, and spirit, and help seniors remain living independently longer in their homes, please contact our Richmond home care office at 804.527.1100 or our Tappahannock home care office at 804.443.4885.

Whether making breakfast, tea or other meals, don't forget the spice!

A recent article in AARP Magazine suggests that new scientific research has shown that certain spices can improve brain function, prevent Alzheimer ’s disease, improve depression and migraine headaches, improve reaction times, and fight brain cancer.

In addition to these health benefits, they can jazz up your cooking repertoire as well.

Tumeric

In India where people eat lots of curry, the rate of Alzheimer’s disease is ¼ that of the US population. When tested with mice, the active ingredient in Tumeric, curcumin, broke up brain plaques of amyloid beta, the protein buildup that is found in Alzheimer’s patients.  Curry anyone?

Saffron

Think about adding saffron, a spice whose medicinal qualities have been known for over 4000 years, to rice and other grains. Studies have shown that regular use can be as effective as Prozac in combating minor depression.

Ginger

Patients that were treated with a combination of Ginger and the herb feverfew were able to prevent the onset of migraine headaches, taking the pain away altogether or minimizing its effects.  Grated ginger can be steeped with tea or used in cooking stir-fries.

Garlic

Garlic has been used for its heart-healthy benefits for a long time, but recent studies have also found that garlic may help eliminate brain cancer cells.   Chopped, crushed, or powdered garlic can be added to pasta sauce or sautéed vegetables.  

Cinnamon

Cinnamon helps to regulate blood sugar levels and can keep you focused at your task, whether it be a sports activity, crossword puzzle, or gardening.  Add it to your morning oatmeal or sprinkle it on toast for breakfast.

If you need help shopping, cooking, or planning your meals, you can count on the resources at  Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond. Call us today at 804-527-1100 or visit our digital brochure.

Each week, Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond profiles senior living communities in the Greater Richmond area.

This week, we are featuring The Crossings at Bon Air, which is located conveniently off Midlothian Turnpike at North Pinetta Drive in the historic Bon Air community of Richmond.

The Crossings at Bon Air is a full-service rental and ownership senior living retirement community.  

They offer a wide range of care options, from independent living to assisted living to their secure memory care facility.

A few of the many benefits and amenities at The Crossings at Bon Air are:

• A variety of senior living options including rental independent living apartments, ownership independent living condominium units, assisted living apartments and memory care accommodations
• Fully appointed studio, one, and two bedroom/ two bathroom apartments that are more spacious than many other senior living communities
• Inclusive independent living and assisted monthly service packages
• A unique assisted living service plan offering up to 30 minutes of personal care assistance per day included in the base monthly fee
• Exceptional Amenities
• A specialized, secure memory care neighborhood
• Access to a complete continuum of care with an assisted living community and The Laurels of Bon Air skilled nursing and rehabilitation center located on-campus for temporary or longer-term needs.

For more information on the wide range of options for living at The Crossings at Bon Air, please contact them directly at 804.560.1440.

Did you know? Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond proudly sponsors activities for residents in many senior communities like The Crossings at Bon Air.

We look forward to hosting a Wii Bowling tournament at The Crossings today, June 24th!  Plus, we just hosted the Stages of Senior Care event last week.

Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond can provide home care and companionship services to help seniors remain living independently in their homes, regardless of whether that is their  long-time family home, the home of a relative, independent living apartments or assisted living communities such as those found at The Crossings at Bon Air.  For more information, please call our Richmond home care office at 804.527.1100.

Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond has formed a walking group and will participate in the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk scheduled for October. 

In the meantime, the Richmond Memory Walk Kick-off event will be held on Thursday, June 3rd, at 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at The Richmond Flying Squirrels Baseball Stadium (The Diamond).

To attend just the kick-off, RSVP at 804-967-2517.

Don’t miss a night of family fun and an opportunity to support your local Alzheimer’s Association! After the meeting, the game starts at 7:05pm.  Everyone is encouraged to wear a purple shirt to show your support in “Purple with a Purpose” (of course, you know that wearing a purple shirt isn’t too difficult for those of us a Home Instead!).  Friends of the Alzheimer’s Association will parade onto the field and throw the first pitch!

There will be fireworks after the game, too.  So come on out to the meeting and the game and support your Richmond Alzheimer’s Association by purchasing a game ticket for $6 each! To purchase your $6 tickets, come by the Alzheimer’s office located at 4600 Cox Road, Suite 130, Glen Allen, VA 23060 or call 804-967-2580.

We’ll see you there.  GOOOOOOOO SQUIRRELS!

P.S.  The Richmond Memory Walk will take place on October 2nd at 9:00 a.m. at Genworth.  Walk starts at 10:00 a.m.  Our team this year will be called the Home Instead Senior Care CareBugs and you can register to join us for the walk or you can sponsor with your donation at this link:  Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond CareBugs Memory Walk Team