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Staff Spotlight: Jean Fields

2/4/2021

 
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When you have a really great team member at your community, you have to shout it from the rooftops! Which is what we are doing with our Staff Spotlight. 

Meet Jean!  Jean has been working as a caregiver in the nursing department for 4 years at Aurora on France - but has been working even longer for Ebenezer!

Jean is reliable and enthusiastic, and very thorough in her work. She goes the extra mile when caring for residents, making sure they've got everything they need and the help she's provided has been to their satisfaction. 

What her boss says:
Jean is great about communicating residents' concerns --she keeps the care team updated on how the residents she is working with are doing and what they need to do even better. Her observations and attention to the people she is caring for makes a difference. She works collaboratively with the nurses to provide the best care. 

What her team members say:
Jean is conscientious and cares about the residents, and their families.

What our family members say:
Jean is dependable and keeps me up to date about my mom. I feel comforted and confident when Jean is taking care of her. I know my mom is in great hands.

We are so thankful to have Jean as a part of our team at Aurora on France Senior Living and Care. We can't say enough about the hard work she does, and the kindness and thoughtfulness with which she does it. She embodies Ebenezer's core values of Dignity, Integrity, Service and Compassion - and for that we thank you, Jean!

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rates Aurora on France 5-Stars

1/30/2021

 
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​The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released this week, updated Five-Star quality ratings for care centers. Aurora on France has been rated 5-stars on CMS’s Care Compare – a nursing home five-star quality rating system. Care Compare is a public reporting site – the primary goal of which is to provide residents and their families with an easy way to understand assessment on nursing home quality, making meaningful distinctions between high and low performing nursing homes.

The Overall rating is based on a nursing homes performance on 3 sources – health inspections, staffing, and the quality of resident care measures.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, certain survey activity was suspended in March 2020. While CMS continued to publicly post survey findings during this time, they weren’t used to recalculate the nursing home inspection ratings. However, CMS updated the nursing home inspection ratings on January 27, 2021.

Medicare.gov explains, “Star ratings can give you important information and help you compare nursing homes, but aren't a substitute for visiting the nursing home.”

If you need award-winning short-term rehabilitation after a hospital stay, or are looking for long term nursing care, Aurora on France invites you to visit our 5-star community to see for yourself! Click here to learn more about our Transitional Care, contact us or call 952-848-8888 to set up a tour.

Use your visit, the star rating, and a few other Medicare.gov resources to help you make your decision.
​Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home 
Nursing Home Checklist 

U.S. News & World Report Names Aurora on France Senior Living and Care a 2020-21 Best Nursing Home

1/28/2021

 
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Aurora on France Senior Living and Care is among the 21% of U.S. skilled nursing facilities that have been recognized as a Best Nursing Home for 2020-21 by U.S. News & World Report.
 
The community earned Best Nursing Homes status by achieving a rating of “High Performing,” the highest possible rating, for Short-Term Rehabilitation. U.S. News gives the designation of Best Nursing Home only to those homes that satisfy U.S. News’s assessment of the appropriate use of key services and consistent performance in quality measures.
 
“This past year has been a challenging one for all, but especially for those caring for older adults,” said Garrett Bothun, Aurora on France’s Campus Administrator. “For our Transitional Care Unit to be named one of the best by U.S. News & World Report during this time just reiterates that our hard work is paying off and we’re making a difference in the lives of the people we serve.”
 
Now in its 11th year, the U.S. News Best Nursing Homes ratings and profiles offer comprehensive information about care, safety, health inspections, staffing and more for nearly all of the nation’s 15,000-plus nursing homes. The Best Nursing Homes ratings reflect U.S. News’ exclusive analysis of publicly available data using a methodology defined by U.S. News that evaluates factors that it has determined most greatly impact patient and resident care, safety, and outcomes. This year, to accompany the new ratings, nursing home profile pages were updated to include a patient safety summary that reflects COVID-19 data alongside other measurements of safety and related advice on choosing a home or facility amidst the pandemic.
 
“U.S. News strives to provide access to information that allows consumers to make educated decisions on all types of care,” said Ben Harder, managing editor and chief of health analysis at U.S. News. “Updating the profiles to include a patient safety summary that highlights COVID-19 data paired with other measures of care arms families, caregivers and patients with the information needed to make a decision that keeps safety at the highest priority.” 
 
The Best Nursing Home finder features ratings on both long-term and short-term care. The Long-Term Care Rating aims to provide prospective residents who need help with daily activities, and their families, with analysis and information regarding the quality of care provided by nursing homes. The rating includes data on staffing, success in preventing ER visits and pneumonia vaccination rates, among other metrics. The short-term rating incorporates measures of quality including consistency of registered nurse staffing, use of antipsychotic drugs and success in preventing falls.
 
For more information behind both U.S. News ratings please refer to the FAQ.
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For more information on Aurora on France’s Transitional Care, click here. 

Gradual Transition into Senior Living Offers Dignity and Increased Independence

1/15/2021

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At Ebenezer and Aurora on France, we believe the time to start talking about, exploring and even making the move to a senior living community is before you need it. It's true for so many reasons, but one of the most profound is one of Ebenezer's core values: dignity.
All too often, seniors end up making the move after a catastrophic event — a fall at home lands them in the hospital, a health issue suddenly becomes too much to manage, or one of numerous other events that precipitate a move into senior living. Before they know it, they move from home or the hospital right into Assisted Living, Enhanced Care or Skilled Nursing, and it can feel like their lives are turned upside down. That kind of abrupt life change isn't an ideal scenario for seniors or their loved ones. It's difficult to get acclimated to their new community because they may be dealing with health issues and may not be as active as they had been. Also, with that kind of rushed move, without any planning or discussion beforehand, it doesn't feel like their choice. It takes away their dignity.
Another factor that contributes to an abrupt move into a senior living community is fear. Sometimes, older adults stay living in their homes longer than they should because of outmoded assumptions of what senior living is like. They wonder if they'll be alone. Maybe they won't like their new surroundings. Or maybe they're resistant to leaving their home.
But, we find that along with all of the physical benefits of safety and care our residents receive in senior living, life in our communities takes away other stressors as well. Not having to manage their bills, home maintenance, yard work, snow removal and everything else that comes with owning a home is a huge weight off seniors' shoulders. Oftentimes, they don't realize or won't admit that those things have been putting stress on their lives. They don't want to complain or bother people with their troubles. So, they stay at home much longer than they should, experience an inevitable fall or other catastrophic event, and they end up in a senior community.
A much better option is moving to Independent Living while seniors are young and active enough to enjoy all that these communities have to offer. Our independent senior living is designed to create a lifestyle of convenience and support for seniors as well as providing social activities and opportunities for interaction with other residents. Depending on the community, on-site medical staff may be available, as are services such as a beautician/barber and a convenience store or gift shop.
Even if you're not interested in our full calendar of events, reading the daily paper in a fireside lounge community space, saying hi to the staff as they come and go or grabbing some coffee in the lobby is a great way to see a friendly face every day. Seniors living on their own don't get that kind of interaction. Moving into independent living as a younger, more active older adult gives you more of an opportunity to adapt and help you age in place with dignity, keeping you as independent as you are able. Then, when you need care, you're already in the right place. You have 24/7 staff that keep watch of you, notice changes in your condition and give peace of mind to your family. This helps you age in place with grace.
Ebenezer has a wide of living options from active 55+ apartment homes, to patio townhomes, to cooperatives for seniors to age in place. To find out more about our vibrant community at Aurora on France, please contact us.

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Vaccination Administration Has Begun at Ebenezer Communities

1/13/2021

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We are pleased that federal and state officials have prioritized long-term care residents and their caregivers for early COVID-19 vaccinations. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is one of the best ways to protect those living in and receiving care in our communities. The news of a vaccine gives us hope for the next chapter in our fight against this virus.

Ebenezer communities have been among the first to receive the recently approved COVID-19 vaccine.

In cooperation with the government’s distribution to pharmacies, we have begun administering the very first vaccines to staff and residents in our skilled care communities, and have now started to vaccinate staff and residents within Assisted Living and Memory Care communities. Right now, we are only planning to vaccinate Independent Living residents in our Assisted Living communities. Eventually we will offer the vaccinate to residents in our free-standing rental, cooperative and condominium communities.​

How we will administer the vaccine

Our Pharmacy will vaccinate residents – including Independent Living residents who reside in communities that provide Assisted Living services. Our site nurses will vaccinate staff members.

The vaccine will be administered in 2 doses. After receiving the first dose, the recipient must receive a second dose. It is important to get the SAME MANUFACTURED VACCINE as the first dose.

To ensure that we are getting the vaccine to those who need it most, we will not vaccinate staff or residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days. We will vaccinate these individuals at a later date.

We strongly encourage staff and residents to get vaccinated

At this time, we are not requiring that all staff and residents get the vaccine, however, we are strongly encouraging it. Vaccinating a significant majority of staff and residents is the only way we will be able to stop the spread of the virus.

About the vaccine

​As part of our continuing effort to provide up-to-date information, we have included the latest information from the CDC along with links to their website.
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  • There are two COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized and recommended for use in the United States, and three other vaccines are currently in large-scale clinical trials. To learn more about the different vaccines for COVID-19 and how vaccines work, click here.
  • This vaccine is safe and effective (95% effective). Both the PFIZER and MODERNA vaccine are mRNA vaccines. mRNA technology is new in vaccine production but is already being used in cancer treatment. It has been studied for more than ten years.
  • COVID-19 mRNA vaccines teach our cells how to make a piece of a protein to trigger an immune response and build immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19. mRNA does not affect or interact with a person’s DNA, and the cell breaks down and gets rid of the mRNA as soon as it is finished using these instructions. Learn about mRNA vaccines and how they work, by clicking here.
  • None of the COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized for use in the United States uses the live virus that causes COVID-19. You may have symptoms like a fever after you get a vaccine. This is normal and a sign that your immune system is learning how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Learn more about the facts behind COVID-19 vaccines, by clicking here.
 
Potential side effects

As with any vaccine, your body may react to the vaccine as those antibodies are being made.  Not everyone will experience this reaction. Below are the most common:
  • You may experience have short-term discomfort:  fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever and pain at injection site after vaccination
  • These reactions will last for 24-48 hours and are typically more pronounced after the second dose
  • Side effects mean your body is doing its job and making antibodies (IT IS A GOOD THING)
  • These are normal, common and expected
  • If your Doctor has told you it is OK, you can take Tylenol or Ibuprofen prior to receiving the vaccine as well as for the first few days following receiving to minimize such reactions.

When will I be protected? How long will I be immune?

  • Most of the vaccines are 2 doses
  • Protection occurs 1-2 weeks after the second dose

We will most likely not know how long the vaccine will be protective once we receive it.  We will know more as more time passes in the current research. It is possible we may need to have vaccine shots for COVID-19 on a regular basis (like the flu shot).

How many people need to get a COVID- 19 vaccine for herd immunity?

​Herd immunity means that enough people in a community are protected from getting a disease because they’ve already had the disease or they’ve been vaccinated. Herd immunity makes it hard for the disease to spread from person to person, and it even protects those who cannot be vaccinated, like newborns.
While experts don’t yet know what percentage of people would need to get vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, vaccination is a safer way to build protection than getting sick with COVID-19. Have a question about COVID-19 vaccines? Click here.

Will we still need to wear face masks?

Similar to other types of vaccines, a large number of people in the community will need to get vaccinated before transmission drops enough to stop the use of masks.        
                                               
Is the vaccine safe?

  • Safety is the most important priority in vaccine approval
  • Everyone receiving the vaccine will be monitored following receiving it
  • Monitoring for safety will continue as the vaccine is distributed to the public
  • To assess safety FDA typically advises that a minimum of 3,000 participants are included in the trial.  The current COVID-19 vaccine trials include 30,000 to 50,000 participants
  • The FDA is using the same strict standards that it has for decades
  • No steps are “skipped”
  • The FDA has approved the Pfizer vaccine for use

Can Ebenezer residents and staff give consent or decline the vaccine?

Our residents and staff will be asked about their interest in receiving the vaccination and will be asked to sign a consent at some point prior to the vaccination being administered. If they choose to decline, they will be asked to sign a declination. The declination is not binding. Those within our community can receive the vaccine later, if they change their minds.
 
Questions?

It is important to get information from reliable sources (CDC, AMDA, medical directors, medical providers, etc.). Here are some link to information: 

CDC: Vaccines & Immunizations 
CDC: About COVID-19 Vaccines
CDC: Provider Resources for COVID-19 Vaccine Conversations with Patients and Answering Patients’ Questions
Leading Age Minnesota 
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How to Get Things in Order for the Move

1/12/2021

 
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You have made the decision to move your loved one into a senior living community. We know that was a choice that was not likely easy, especially during this time. We at Aurora on France know your parent is going to get more out of life, get the level of care he or she needs, make new friends, and enjoy the next chapter in their lives.

Now, there are several things to take care of to get things in order BEFORE the move that will make for a smooth transition for your Mom or Dad.

Make an appointment with Mom or Dad's primary doctor
Before moving in, no matter what level of care your parent needs, it's a good idea for them to see their primary physician. Ask the doctor to evaluate your parent's medication list to make sure all prescriptions are current, necessary and don't conflict with each other. Taking the proper doses of the medications they need — and only the medications they need — is vital to their quality of life.

Talk about and sign personal paperwork
Before your loved one moves, it's a good time to sit down and talk about a will, power of attorney, a health care directive, and other important issues that we all tend to put off. Get the paperwork done, signed and filed away now, and you won't have to worry about it when the time eventually comes that you'll need it.

Talk about what to do with the house
If Mom or Dad is currently living in their home, the question becomes what to do with the house when they move to their new community. If their house is paid off, there's no great rush to decide, and the topic can be difficult to broach. But now is the time to float a trial balloon to get their feelings on selling their home or keeping it. The money from the sale will go a long way toward securing their financial future.

Fill out a change of address form
Friends and relatives will want to send cards and letters to Mom or Dad in their new home. They'll want all of their personal mail delivered to them instead of piling up at the house.

Get the dimensions and floorplan of their new unit
With the exact dimensions and floorplan, you can map out which furniture to bring and how it will look in their new home. They'll also need their own linens, cookware, dishes, television and radio, personal items and anything else they'd like to make their new place feel like home.

Consider using a senior moving specialist
Deciding what items from home to bring and what to leave behind can be a difficult choice. Services like Gentle Transitions specialize in moving seniors. At Gentle Transitions, they'll give you a complimentary consultation, work with you to create a move plan based on the floorplan of Mom or Dad's new home, help you strategize what to bring and what to downsize, provide professional packing services, help you choose and supervise professional movers, and will be there to unpack when the move is complete. 

Attend some virtual events at the new community
Learn about the virtual events in their new community before they move. Also, ask the team at the new community if your mom or dad can connect virtually or via phone with some current residents to get to know and staff members. That way, they can really get a good feel for the place before they move in.

Here at Aurora on France, we want to help make the transition from home into  our senior community as seamless and enjoyable as possible. Get in touch today by calling 952-848-8888 or fill out our Contact Form.

Changes to Watch for in Mom or Dad

1/4/2021

 
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There's an old saying: If your loved one forgets where they put their keys, they're probably just distracted, stressed, overworked or all of the above. In other words, it's likely nothing to worry about. If they forget what their keys are for, however, that may be one of the signs they need a little more help - like what they could receive from our senior living, assisted living or memory care.
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While we offer many care options at Aurora on France, the signs your loved one is ready to make the move into one of our communities is rarely as cut and dried as the example of the keys. In reality, the decision to change your loved one's living arrangements is stressful, emotional and even guilt-inducing. It's difficult to know if "now" is the right time. Recognizing the fact that the time has come is vital to your loved one's care, safety and well-being.
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Of course, that process is about assessing your loved one's needs, behavioral changes and diminishing abilities. It might surprise you to know it's also about you.

What is your level of caregiver stress? According to AARP, some 16 million Americans are full- or part-time caregivers for loved ones. That role can run the gamut from caring for them in your home 24/7, to being on call to check on Mom and Dad or administer their pills as they continue to live on their own. You may be the one who wrestles those proverbial keys away from them for the last time or having the talk about wills, wishes, finances and final arrangements. None of it is easy. Caregiving can get overwhelming quickly, and your mental and physical health can suffer as a result.

One topic that gets brought up frequently is, "When is the right time to move Mom or Dad?"  We advise people who are caregivers to ask themselves several questions that serve to highlight their own state of mind, level of emotional stress and physical health, all of which can be impacted by caregiving.
  • Is the caregiving process getting increasingly difficult for you?
  • Are you emotionally drained, exhausted or depressed much of the time?
  • Are you physically able to get your loved one into the shower or to the bathroom?
  • Is your own health failing?
  • Do you feel you have nothing in your life except caregiving?
  • Have you set many "lines in the sand" in terms of things you just can't deal with on your own, like incontinence, that you deal with anyway?
If any of these feel all too familiar, it may be time to explore the alternatives we offer at Aurora on France.

Changes to watch out for in your loved one: 
Another facet of deciding when the time is right to move a loved one is the change in their behavior that you, as their caregiver, notice. 
Here are some signs we advise people to watch out for. You can also download this handy checklist of "What to check for when checking on loved ones."

Early changes and signs
  • Are they eating? Yes, you may have them signed up for daily deliveries of Meals on Wheels. Are they eating those meals or are they accumulating in the refrigerator?
  • Are they getting out to social events with friends, church or family get-togethers? Social isolation is another reason to look into senior living.
  • Are they taking care of their home? Maintenance-free living is a great advantage of senior living communities.
  • Have you taken away the car keys because of an incident or simply a lack of confidence in their safety to drive?
  • Do you trust that they can get to the bathroom on their own at night?
  • Have they fallen one or more times?
  • Are they repeating favorite stories over and over, more than usual?
  • Do they seem increasingly innocent and childlike?
  • Are they responsible to pay bills and take their meds on their own?
  • Are they keeping up with doctors' appointments?
More serious changes and signs
  • Do you believe their health and safety is at risk? Falling, missing medications, not getting to the bathroom in time, having to navigate stairs at home with increasing difficulty, not eating and more all add up. If you feel they're not safe at home, it's time to consider your options seriously.
  • Have they been "sundowning"? Sundowner syndrome is very common. It means becoming increasingly agitated, upset, confused or angry as the day winds down.
  • Do they wander? This can be extremely stressful for caregivers. You finally take a moment to go into the bathroom or to start dinner, and they are out the door.
If your loved ones are exhibiting these signs, or if you are feeling overwhelmed by caregiving, it's time to seek help. Our senior care specialists are here to help when you're facing the decision to move your loved one into our community. It gives caregivers peace of mind to know their loved one can recieve the care they need and have help available 24/7.

Contact us to learn more about how we can help you and your family with a move to Aurora on France Senior Living.

Aurora on France featured on Tuesdays with Ted

12/31/2020

 
Ted Field with Edina Realty Senior Services sits down with our very own Lynn Thoresen, for his Tuesdays with Ted video series. Lynn shares about Aurora's unique connection with Fairview Southdale, as well as the benefit of having transitional care unit in the same building as their Assisted Living and Memory Care. Hear about their fabulous chef, and the other team members who make this community a great place to call home.

Learn more about living at Aurora on France Senior Living by calling 952-848-8888 or submit a Contact Us form.

All About You: 10 Tips for Warding Off Caregiver Fatigue

12/28/2020

 
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If you are helping to care for a loved one, we at Aurora on France Senior Living fully understand how physically, emotionally, and mentally draining that role can become.

We’d also like to reassure you that you’re far from alone. The Pew Research Center reports that more than 40 million adults in North America provide unpaid care to elderly loved ones, and many of them also have significant daily responsibilities that transcend that care. More than one in 10 U.S. parents care for children as well as adults; in addition, those multigenerational caregivers spend an average 3 hours and 17 minutes a day on other work for which they’re paid.

At Aurora on France and Ebenezer, we’re here to help. With over 100 years of experience providing quality care for older adults, we’re experts in navigating the many challenges that can be part of the caregiver experience. While the role of caregiver can offer substantial rewards, it can also be demanding enough to strain the resources of even the most resilient person. And we recognize and honor the truth in the situation: If caregivers don’t take care of themselves, they'll eventually become unable to care for anyone else.

In recognition of that, here are our suggestions for helping prevent caregiver fatigue even as you carry on with your labor of love.

  1. Ask others for help. Admitting you need assistance isn’t a weakness. Communicate your needs to your siblings, spouse, children and friends and ask them to pitch in or provide care in shifts. They may be unaware of your stress. Consider support from our partners at Fairview Caregiver Assurance, which is a membership program that provides resources over the phone, in-person and online to aid caregivers in their journey.
  2. Delegate other tasks. Do you need help with errands, housework, meal prep or other daily living tasks that are going undone? People in your life want to help out, but may not be suited to caregiving responsibilities. Making a meal or doing your laundry are perfect ways to let them take some of the load off of you.
  3. Build in relaxation time. When spending time with your loved one, take frequent breaks. After hours, make sure to allot time for activities you find enjoyable and relaxing, such as massage appointments, naps, baths, walks in nature, yoga classes, salon visits and music sessions.
  4. Monitor your own health. Keep doctor and dentist appointments, and address any concerns. Work exercise into your daily routine. Eat nourishing foods. Get enough sleep so that you wake up refreshed.
  5. Acknowledge your own feelings. It’s OK to admit to yourself that you feel sad, angry, frustrated, resentful, overburdened or scared. Consider journaling about your thoughts and emotions, or perhaps incorporate them into prayer or meditation.
  6. Check into family leave benefits. Your employer may offer paid or unpaid time off that can help give you more time to spend with, and care for, your loved one.
  7. Find a support group. Talking openly to others who understand exactly what you’re going through can be an enormous relief. At Ebenezer, we offer a number of Care Partner support groups for caregivers. Some meetings are topic focused, dealing with issues that affect caregivers. Others offer safe spaces to share thoughts and emotions with other caregivers, or just listen and take it all in.
  8. Consider respite care. Several organizations can offer temporary care for your loved one when you need a break or wish to take a vacation. At Aurora on France, we provide fully furnished Stay By the Day Apartments in which individuals are invited to stay for three to 30 days. Health support and personal support are customized to the person's needs, meals are included and care attendants are on-duty 24-7.
  9. Accept that you’re not superhuman. Admit to yourself you won’t be able to make life idyllic for your loved one. No matter how hard you try, you can’t control the decisions they make, halt the aging process or cure incurable diseases. Some days will go better than others, and on many days your best efforts will have to be enough.
  10. Maintain your sense of humor. Remaining grave and serious all the time can be exhausting. Laughing with your loved one can break the tension when situations seem surreal or ridiculous.

​Taking care of your loved one may be one of the most important and rewarding tasks you’ll ever undertake, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy in any way. If you’re a caregiver, think of Aurora on France and Ebenezer as a trusted resource when it comes to senior care. Reach us at 952-848-8888 for more information.

How Residents of Memory Care In Edina Can Exercise For Pain Relief

10/13/2020

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​Aging comfortably in any setting means taking the time to support and improve your health, and in some cases, that means pain management. This applies whether elders are working with pain regularly, or just every now and again. One thing that may surprise you is a lot of people think that the best way for elders to grapple with this issue is being less active and resting. Not always.
 
Science shows that many people dealing with pain and not exercising enough can end up feeling stiff or tired. Getting active is a great practice for elders of all kinds for a variety of different reasons, and now there’s a new one to add to the list of benefits. So, even for those in an assisted living community in Edina, let’s talk about the fundamentals of a good exercise plan.
 
Planning Your Routine
 
For older people trying to be more active, it’s important to remember that you don’t need to be an athlete in order to start seeing benefits. In fact, anyone at any age can see tangible benefits just by stepping up their activity a small amount than usual. It’s not a bad idea in these cases to try and start off with lighter exercises. This applies even for people who know that they could do more at full strength. Starting lighter gives you a few benefits if you are in the midst of a pain episode rather than just going at full bore. A minor bit of physical activity increases circulation, which can help healing and reduce achy feelings.
 
But what if you decide that you need more acute support with your pain management? There are a lot of root issues that can contribute here, so the first place you want to start is working with a personal trainer/physical therapist. Memory care in Edina is a great starting point to work with these professionals. Their advice will be invaluable when it comes to finding ways to target the muscles where you may feel soreness most often. Developing them can help a lot with these issues. Another thing to be mindful of here is making sure that you aren’t overcompensating with other parts of the body when one part is sore. Building up your balance will make you feel better and avoid overexerting yourself.
 
Some people prefer formal discipline, especially for pain relief. If you’re looking for options here, some of the best options here are T’ai Chi or yoga. Both of these disciplines combine planned stretches and movements to support flexibility and strength. Deep breathing is also combined with these. Some of these people combine the spiritual side of both practices, but deep breathing can also help reduce anxiety.
 
For those who may not be able to do conventional exercise for one reason or another, one of the best options is aquatic therapy. While this isn’t necessarily the most common option available, it’s also held in high regard. This is largely due to the fact that while submerged, you get less impact on your joints from weight and gravity. This makes it easier for you to move around and do certain routines. Along with this, the lower load also combines pain tolerance. Note that any physical routine here will be easier to do in the water, allowing you to move around in ways that you wouldn’t be able to be on a land-based routine. Something like holding to the pool’s edge and moving your legs can help increase your heart rate.
 
Alternative Options
 
Even with these points in place, some people may need to think of alternatives to fill out their exercise routines. This especially applies in areas where you may not be able to do a conventional routine. This generally applies to people at work or traveling. While some people use medication to help reduce soreness, this isn’t always applicable. Let’s talk about some of the alternatives available.
 
Some people may recommend aromatherapy for seniors when exercise isn’t possible. Your success may vary. On its own, aromatherapy can’t likely reduce soreness. However, it complements other measures well. Some people share anecdotes where scented herbs and oils help reduce muscle soreness and help with sleep. Acupuncture runs on similar principles. This helps with short-term relief by increasing blood flow to some parts of the body. Just make sure that you choose a professional you like and trust first.
 
One thing that doesn’t get talked about a lot when it comes to impact is the type of dietary choices you make. If you exercise but are still dealing with soreness, you may want to make sure that you get more vitamin D. This helps with muscle aches. How much you take depends on the recommendations of your medical professionals. Try to take your vitamin D along with your meals, and get sun exposure whenever you can.
 
But what about people feeling sore on the road and wanting relief? If you can’t exercise, consider how you are sitting. Also, any type of activity can be of benefit here. Just try and walk around, stand up, or do some basic stretches. Again, you don’t need to go full-bore to get some benefits when it comes to activity.
 
In some cases, due to issues with traveling or just the reduced amount of comfort involved, these may not be the first choices for elders wanting to get their exercise routine started. However, if you have any long-term goals with this, getting some sort of professional framework and support is essential. So, if you are a resident at senior housing in Edina, before trying something new, try to talk to the medical professionals on staff first. This will ensure that you’re safe no matter what you want to try. Exercising within your limits and practicing good dietary habits are key to improving your overall health and quality of life.
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Ebenezer Senior Living
Aurora Senior Living is managed by Ebenezer, Minnesota’s largest senior living operator. Ebenezer is the senior housing division of Fairview Health Services and has over 100 years of experience serving older adults.

Discrimination is Against the Law. We comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws. We do not discriminate against, exclude or treat people differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex or sexual orientation..

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6500 France Avenue South, Edina, MN 55435
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