Issue 6.10

There has been a lot of focus on the importance of eating a balanced diet, keeping your mind/body active, and reducing stress to help you make the most of your life as you age.  However, some unrealized opportunities lie in screening for chronic diseases and immunizations.  Many of the key strategies for protecting the health of older adults include broadening the use of preventative services and health assessments.  There are tremendous benefits to obtaining preventative care services and detecting problems early, when treatment is likely to be more effective.  Screening tests are tools used for early detection of potential deadly diseases including cancer, diabetes and heart disease.   

First and foremost, your doctor should complete a thorough physical exam at least once each year and design a personal health strategy specifically for you.  At that point, your doctor will recommend which screening tests are right for you & how often you should have them.  The key screenings which are commonly recommended include blood pressure checks, cholesterol checks, colorectal cancer tests, diabetes screening, mammograms, pap smears & pelvic exams, prostate cancer screening, and a bone density test for osteoporosis.

It is also important to get your eyes checked every 1-2 years as well.  Eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration increase with age.  In addition, get your hearing checked every 2 years by an audiologist; have a routine dental check-up at least once a year; and have annual skin examinations done by a dermatologist each year to check for skin cancer.

Health screening exams play a principal role in preventative health care for a wide range of common diseases and some that are not so common.  In addition, vaccinations play another key role in preventative medicine.  Common recommendations with vaccinations are yearly flu shots, a tetanus booster every 10 years and for seniors over 65 a pneumonia vaccination.  As always, talk to your doctor about which vaccinations are right for you.

And, finally, remember the old adage – “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.

At BeeHive Cottages, we focus all our resources on helping our residents to stay as healthy as possible.

Issue 2.10

Last time I focused on the definition and causes of Caregiver Burnout.  Today, I’d like to talk about the options available to help you handle it.  First and foremost, remember that you can’t be a good caregiver without taking care of yourself — maintain your physical health by eating properly and exercising regularly.  Also, take advantage of every minute when you get a break – utilize relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation.  Next, I encourage you to lean on your family, friends, and members of your church community for help.  In addition, consider joining a support group where you can share ideas with others facing similar situations. 

If you find that you need more than just the normal break from care giving consider “respite care” – short term temporary care provided to your loved one by outside resources.  Often referred to as the “gift of time”, respite enables caregivers to take a few hours off or even a couple days.  Home based services include those provided by trained volunteers and by home care businesses.  For longer respite options Adult Day Care Centers can offer a safe, supportive environment.  In addition, several Assisted Living Centers, including the BeeHive Homes, offer temporary overnight respite care.

Lastly, keep in mind that what works for you today may not be the best decision tomorrow.  Sometimes the situation may change requiring you to care for your loved one in a different way – even change where your loved one resides.  Options like the BeeHive Cottages and BeeHive Homes may actually be better for your loved one from a therapeutic perspective and less stressful than home because of the interaction with like-aged residents and the availability of group activities and fitness programs.

Whatever you decide to do, always cherish the relationship that you have with your loved one that is still very much alive.  Find your joy in the moment!

Happy New Year from our BeeHive Cottage Family!

Issue 52.09

Are you one of the millions of sons or daughters caring for an aging parent in your home?  Then chances are that you may be close to being physically, mentally or emotionally exhausted.  Especially if you are a member of the “Sandwich Generation” - caring for your elderly parent and your own children at the same time.  I know from personal experience caring for my father with Alzheimer’s the abundance of stresses you are living through.  Being a caregiver places you in a situation where you may feel physically exhausted, financially drained, emotionally depleted, seldom appreciated, or perhaps even have strong feelings of despair, grief and hopelessness.  Often the most frustrating part is that the more time and energy you devote to care giving the greater the progression of your loved ones illness.  Therefore, their health continues to decline in spite of all of your efforts.  The snowball effect of the endless demands and stresses can eventually result in “caregiver burnout”.  Simply put — caregiver burnout is the culmination of physical, mental, and emotional fatigue as a result of accumulated frustration that cannot be resolved.  Have you ever felt like just screaming?  Holiday times can be the most difficult to endure.  Understand that you are definitely not alone, and the best advice that I can give you is to recognize when you are at the point of needing help and then reach out for it.

The key to Caregiver Burnout is how you handle it — some utilize negative methods to deal with stress – using drugs or alcohol, overeating/binging, chain smoking, etc.  Others focus on positive methods to counteract their stress – eating healthy & exercising regularly, utilizing relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation, maintaining a strong spiritual life, or just spending quality time with other family members or friends. 

Next time I will focus on other options and available resources to help handle caregiver burnout.

At this time, our entire family at BeeHive Cottages wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Issue 50.09

What can you do to maintain your brain health & lower your risk of dementia?  There are several steps that you can incorporate into your daily life to delay the negative effects of aging.  While everyone is aware that eating a healthy diet and improving your cardiovascular & muscular fitness by exercising help to maintain overall health.  Are you aware that socializing and exercising your mind is equally important as we age? 

Many recent studies have all come to the same conclusion – that having an active social life helps to keep our minds sharp.  These studies suggest that having strong social ties through your family, friends and community can preserve your brain health.  Those individuals that stay socially active have less memory decline than those that are socially isolated.  Most experts also agree that social isolation is unhealthy for people at any age but especially our seniors.  This type of isolation is closely associated with many health related concerns including depression.

In addition to socialization, mental exercises can also assist in keeping your brain young.  There are many memory games that you can play including crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, and even the newest craze – “Sudoku”.  But you can also perform mental exercises when you do the simplest things like learning a new dance, starting a new hobby, playing a new card game, or learning to play a musical instrument. 

Many believe that living in a Retirement Community promotes the overall quality of life by increasing ones’ ability to socialize and therefore improve mental well-being.  Communities like the BeeHive Cottages provide the opportunity to socialize at all meals in addition to the ability to participate in mentally stimulating activities.

Call (435)773-7966 today to schedule a tour!

Issue 46.09

With winter approaching there are several things that Seniors can do to prepare for cold months. 

Prepare your home by reversing the spin on your ceiling fans to re-circulate the warm air down into the living area.  Experts recommend that furnaces receive a yearly maintenance check & thermostats be set no lower than 68 degrees.  Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working properly.  Have your fireplace chimney cleaned and keep the damper closed when not in use.  Make sure that any warm-air registers and radiators are clean and not blocked by furniture or curtains.  Remember to close your curtains when the sun goes down to prevent heat loss.

Seniors should keep at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food and water along with at least a seven-day supply of prescription medications in case the power goes out for any length of time.  Also, keep a supply of fresh batteries, extra flashlights and a battery-operated radio available.

When you leave your home, remember to dress properly – older adults are more susceptible to hypothermia which occurs when too much heat escapes the body.  It is important to dress warm by wearing layered, loose fitting clothing & a hat.  To avoid slips and falls, wear non-skid boots and shoes to help with traction. 

Lastly, remember to eat properly to ensure that you maintain a strong immune system and drink plenty of liquids to keep hydrated.  In addition, don’t forget to keep exercising – even in the winter you body needs to get exercise. 

Winter can still be an enjoyable season for seniors – especially if they take the necessary precautions to protect their health and safety.  It is also a great time of year to enjoy with friends – feel free to stop by, have lunch on us and meet some new friends at BeeHive Cottages!

Issue 38.09

I am a young 80 year old retired school teacher & I lost my husband last August after a long illness.  When she saw how deeply his loss affected me, the wonderful nurse from Zion’s Way Hospice suggested I check out BeeHive Cottages.

Well, I can tell you that the loving support of the staff & residents has helped me tremendously to deal with my grief & heartache.  I get out & socialize every day.  We meet at the community center for three nutritional meals a day prepared by our chef.  I am focusing more on my health and physical fitness.  I meet once a week with our Physical Therapist who developed an individual exercise program to help me strengthen my back muscles & help fight osteoporosis.   And, I go twice a week to the Summit Athletic Club for the water aerobics program.  My doctor told me that I am in the best shape in years!

Not only do I feel better, but I have a great sense of Independence.  I live in my own private 1 bedroom cottage which is a separate little home, so it’s not like living in a facility type of atmosphere.  And all the maintenance inside & outside is totally taken care of, so I don’t have to worry about any responsibilities related to my home.  Also all my transportation is provided, so I don’t need a car anymore which saves me a lot of money in maintenance, repairs & insurance.  They drive me to the health club, shopping, and all my Doctor’s appointments.

I feel like I am on a small “cruise ship on land”, and I am free to make new friends and be at peace with my life now.  BeeHive Cottages has given me the opportunity to enjoy life to its fullest, with the loving care of someone looking over me without intruding on my life.  I came here to enjoy life & celebrate it!

Are you ready for fun?  The opportunity is now……….get a new lease on life with BeeHive Cottages!  Call 634-9299 to learn about your new cottage today. (Betsy Jordan’s story.)

Issue 36.09

It has been my pleasure to talk with Seniors and their family members as they evaluate Senior Living options.  I hope that some of the issues raised in these articles assist you in making the best decision for you.

When you are evaluating a Senior Independent Living Community check its stability first.  Does the perspective residence have a track record under the same name or has it changed its name due to previous problems in the Community?  Are the owners & management companies committed to maintaining the quality of the buildings & property?  Is there clear evidence of an ongoing investment by the owners demonstrating this commitment or is the physical environment deteriorating?

Next, do owners put the safety and welfare of the residents first and foremost?  Are there smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and sprinkler systems throughout all Community buildings?  Is there an Emergency Alarm System available with an onsite response team rather than an outsourced service?  Are there Video Monitors and other security systems in place to ensure residents security?  Are all floor surfaces safe & covered with non-slip materials, and are safety grab bars installed where needed?  In addition, when evaluating a “facility type” of community with all individual living “apartments” under one roof – is the floor plan easy to learn & navigate?  Will you or your loved one be required to walk through a maze of confusing and depressing hallways?  Is there an Emergency exit plan in place?

Positive answers to each of these questions are a strong indication that the owners put the safety and welfare of their residents first.  Stability and life safety should not be overlooked concerns when evaluating Independent Senior Living Communities!

We invite you to evaluate BeeHive Cottages – Senior Living with Flair!  Call 773-7966 to schedule a tour.

Issue 34.09

Planned Activities – Don’t be stuck in a rut doing the same activity over & over.  There are endless new & exciting activities for you to join, and learn things that you always wanted to.  You can be as socially involved as you want to. 

Movie Night – who doesn’t love a good movie?

Neighbors – Instead of worrying about neighbors with barking dogs or screaming kids, you will live next to people who are like-minded & understand you.  These neighbors become your friends & opportunities to socialize increase exponentially.  Remember when you used to meet up with your friends in the neighborhood cul-de-sac?  Those days have returned………….

Less Work – Have home maintenance & repairs become too troublesome or expensive?  Constant upkeep of a large house and yard can be not only exhausting, but also consume all your leisure time.  Remember, you worked hard all your life to enjoy your retirement years!  You can now enjoy a well manicured lawn without all the work!  All together now – “No more chores”!!

Less Stress – Wouldn’t it be wonderful to live somewhere that is dedicated to your peace of mind, well being & happiness.  These communities can insulate you from the day-to-day stresses of the outside world.  Maybe your current neighborhood is not as safe as it used to be.  Come live where your community is secure & someone will watch over your place.

Less Worry – Especially about future health care issues.  As we age & begin to experience the initial signs of a disability or illness, the fear can be debilitating.  Maybe you can’t drive anymore & public transportation is not an option.  Independent Living Communities can provide just the right assistance to enable you to continue to live independently & maintain your privacy.  You won’t have to worry anymore…….

Come check out Senior Independent Living at its best – BeeHive Cottages!  Call 773-7966 to schedule a tour.

Issue 32.09

There is no place in St. George quite like the BeeHive Cottages.  Here you’ll find Senior Independent Living the way it was meant to be.  Our residents’ lives are enriched and stimulated by the quantity & quality of our amenities and our activities. 

It’s no secret that a healthy mind & body can contribute significantly to the anti-aging process.  Many of our seniors are proving that you will stay active & healthy as long as you continue to use your mind & body.  Spending time with others enjoying activities will also help you to build friendships and feel better about life.  At BeeHive Cottages we have a broad range of activities run by our Activities Director, Libby Swonson, who brings extensive experience and a sincere enthusiasm to her position.  All activities are listed on a monthly calendar of events distributed by Libby to each resident.

On a daily basis our Community Center buzzes with the noise of our seniors enjoying card games, dominos, board games, and Wii tournaments, along with our regular showing of Friday Night Movies.  Many of our residents take on Humanitarian projects from the local churches, and also work diligently on genealogy research.  In addition, our Activities Director also plans outings for our residents to see local plays, events, and educational seminars.  Whether it is a trip to a local art museum, or an excursion to Zion’s National Park or Mesquite – our activities are both engaging and challenging.

Studies also show that seniors who exercise regularly live a longer life.  Each of our residents receives an automatic membership to the Summit Athletic Club, where they can attend water aerobics classes which are wonderful for strengthening the muscles without causing wear & tear on the joints.  The Summit also has weight training, cardiovascular machines, yoga & Pilates classes, tennis & pickleball courts, and other aerobic classes.  In addition, the BeeHive Cottages also has exercise classes and a smaller workout facility on site.

We invite you to participate in any of our activities to experience Senior Independent Living at its’ best.  Call 773-7966 for a calendar of events.

With all our activities here at BeeHive Cottages, your forecast is sunny with a strong chance of friendships developing overnight!

Issue 30.09

With the many options out there for seniors, sometimes it can be a challenge to decide which choice is right for you.

The first question you should ask yourself is “Do I need help with daily living activities like bathing, dressing, taking medication, or eating?”  If you need this type of assistance, then Assisted Living is the better option for you.  An Assisted Living Facility offers 24 hour supervision and comprehensive assistance with personal care.  You make this decision when medical, memory or aging issues make it unsafe to stay in your own home.

Sometimes, seniors that are still healthy & self-sufficient find themselves getting overwhelmed by household responsibilities and immediately think, “I need to go to Assisted Living.”  What they don’t realize is that there is another option for them, and that option is Senior Independent Living.  These individuals can still live independently but no longer want the burden of cooking, cleaning or maintaining a home.   

What should you look for in choosing an Independent Living Community?  First, do you want to live in an apartment in a facility environment with residents at mixed levels of care?  Or, do you want a private home in a community with other similar residents’ homes nearby?  Either way, you should choose a home that is built on one floor without any stairs.  It is also important to examine the parking options – is there convenient, well lit parking?  Are safety features built in to assist your needs as you age – walk-in showers, grab bars in bathrooms, and sprinkler systems in addition to smoke detectors?  Does the community offer fine, restaurant style dining with a variety of menu options?  Is there a 24 hour emergency call system connected to an on-site response team?  Can you bring your beloved pet with you?  Do they take care of all housekeeping & maintenance issues?  Do they have an activities program that develops activities to complement their seniors’ current interests as well as help them to discover new ones?

Stop by & get some of your questions answered by checking out the BeeHive Cottages.  For information or directions call (435)773-7966.