Communicating through Art Therapy for Alzheimer’s Patients

Improved communication can be the most widespread and important benefit from art therapy for Alzheimer’s patients. Experts say that creative expression, especially for those who no longer have the ability to community verbally, ‘remains an important part of the human experience’.

As verbal language declines, patients can express themselves freely through art that they may not have otherwise been able to. Art therapy was found to be effective especially when treating emotional and behavioral challenges. It helps Alzheimer’s patients to express thoughts and feelings in a healthy way and let go of some negative emotions. Even if the person with Alzheimer’s cannot remember creating the art, they are creating meaning and enjoyable moments.

At Private Home Care we understand the obstacles and challenges of losing the ability to communicate for both the Alzheimer’s patient as well as for their family. We are here to educate, support, and take the best care of your loved ones. Art therapy may be a great tool to help!

National Wear Red Day!

February is American Heart Month. Heart disease and stroke accounts for 1 in 3 deaths of women every year, claiming over 500,000 lives. The American Heart Association created National Wear Red Day on the first Friday in February to raise awareness of heart disease and in women. This is because in the past heart disease and stroke have typically been associated with men, so research and treatment guidelines have been for men as well. This has been detrimental to women because the risk factors and symptoms for heart disease can manifest differently in women. Private Home Care proudly wears red today to support National Wear Red Day in honor of women’s heart health. We support this movement and hope to empower women to take charge of their heart health!

https://www.goredforwomen.org/en

Cancer Prevention Tips!

Did you know what more than 1/3 of all cancer cases are preventable?!

Top cancer institutes such as the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the World Cancer Research Fund International recommend these cancer prevention tips:

Pet Therapy

Today, February 3rd, is National Golden Retriever Day!

Pet therapy is a wonderful thing for aging populations, including those with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Pets are calming, soothing and fun. They provide companionship, ease feelings of loneliness and aggression, and promote overall well being. They help individuals feel useful and that they have a purpose – to care for their pet! Pet therapy can even improve nutrition – a 2002 study showed that when those with dementia or Alzheimer’s were exposed to pet therapy (fish, dogs, cats, and toy companions) their nutrition improved and they gained weight. Private Home Care encourages low maintenance toy companions – you get all of the benefits of a pet without any of the mess!

Post Super Bowl Detox

Private Home Care hopes that everyone enjoyed the Superbowl! We understand that we all overeat and drink sometimes, and the Super Bowl is no exception. Here are some tips to beat the bloat, clear the brain fog, and get back on track! #health #brainhealth #nutrition

1. Drink plenty of water with lemon. Flush out your system and re-hydrate!
2. Get rid of leftovers so you are not tempted to continue eating unhealthy foods.
3. Eat fiber-rich foods for breakfast like oatmeal that will help you stay feeling full. 
4. Eat lean proteins like eggs or chicken soup to help you feel re energized.
5. Antioxidants!! Consume plenty of fruits and veggies rich in antioxidants like kale, berries and tomatoes.

Puzzles Can Help Prevent or Delay Dementia or Alzheimer’s!

National Puzzle Day was January 29th! Doing puzzles is a great exercise for your brain, and scientific studies have even shown that having lifelong experience doing puzzles may help delay or prevent the onset dementia or Alzheimer’s. The study also indicated that those already with mild to severe Alzheimer’s who did puzzles twice a week showed improved scores on memory and cognition tests! They also reported having a better quality of life. Some benefits of puzzles include:

• Feeling good about accomplishing a puzzle
• Doing puzzles can a kind of meditation, where you are focusing, relaxed and breathing. Meditation has proven overall health benefits.
• Positive social interaction (teamwork!) when doing puzzles with others. Puzzles are fun for those of all ages, so it can be a whole family activity too
• Helps increase visual perception and memory
• Practice fine motor skills
• Accessible for all those with physical limitations
• You can do a puzzle any time of year, inside or outside!

January is Bath Safety Month

January is Bath Safety Month! At Private Home Care we prioritize safety and well being. We encourage and teach awareness of bath safety. Did you know:

More tips: http://www.healthmonitor.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/basics-treatment/written-article/10-top-tips-bathroom-safety

January is National Soup Month

January is National Soup Month! Who doesn’t love soup?! It is the perfect dish for cold winter weather. There are so many flavors and choices, and it is easy to eat. Most soups freeze well so you can save some for later! We love soup for lunch at Private Home Care on cold days (especially lentil soup!).

Eating soup helps you feel fuller with fewer calories, and it is a great way to consume more vegetables. Grab a spoon and dig into some soup!

http://www.eatingwell.com/gallery/2061052/delicious-soups-anti-inflammatory-boost/?slide=e1d128ba-c2af-4443-a7f6-cd221618e531#e1d128ba-c2af-4443-a7f6-cd221618e531