Survival Tips for Alzheimer's Patients and Families During the Holidays

Survival Tips for Alzheimer's Patients and Families During the Holidays

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year. Sleigh bells are ringing, Jack Frost is nipping at your nose, and it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Yes everyone, tis the season to be merry! The time of countless family gatherings, gift buying, wonderful meals, and endless holiday cheer.

But with the many joys and special memories that are created during the month of December, there can be as many stressful and painful experiences as well, particularly when a loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s.

Why not give the gift of preparation and calm this season not only to your loved one, but to yourself. Take advice from your friendly experts at the Scottish Home , and listen to these three quick survival tips for you and Alzheimer’s patients.

Plan Carefully

It’s often hardest on Alzheimer’s patients and their family members when they are not prepared for the challenges they could encounter in their holiday plans. We highly recommend you consider your social and emotional expectations and discussing your holiday plans with relatives and close friends as far in advance as possible. It may even be advisable to celebrate the holiday a day or two early!

Take Good Care of Yourself

The holidays are special time to not only spend quality time with the people you love, but also, for you to relax and enjoy yourself! Asking for assistance for you and your loved one is a great day to maintain a positive attitude during the holidays. You can also arrange for in-home care when the holiday rush dies down to take an afternoon for yourself!

Make Sure Your Loved One is Prepared for the Holiday

Making sure your loved one is prepared for holiday events allows everyone to get the most out of the holiday season. Schedule naps and family and visit times to make sure everyone is well rested and enjoying their time together. We also recommend you play familiar music and reserve a quiet room for necessary breaks when planning an event.

From all of us at The Scottish Home, may you have a happy and blessed Holiday season!

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

Every 3seconds a new case of dementia is diagnosed. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. This is not a normal part of aging, there is no method of prevention and there is no proven cure. November is Alzheimer’s awareness month. Do what you can: donate, educate someone, educate yourself, wear purple, throw an event, pledge your birthday, share your story, share the message. Together, we can educate the population and decrease the stigma placed on Alzheimer’s. We can educate the young population that will one day be doctors, researchers, and caregivers. We can light the fire inside their hearts. Such an awful disease can only be fought, defeated, treated, cured if we fight together.  

What is Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia and is currently the 6^th leading cause of death. Currently, there are 46.8 billion people worldwide fighting dementia. This means that 1in every 3 senior citizens die with some form of dementia. This number will increase to around 74.7 million in the next 44 years. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease; this means that the symptoms will worsen over time. Per the Alzheimer’s Association, here are ten early warning signs of Alzheimer’s:

   1.      Memory loss in daily life

   2.      Challenges problem solving

   3.      Difficulty with familiar tasks

   4.      Confusion with time/place

   5.      Trouble with visual images

   6.      Problems with speaking & writing

   7.      Frequently misplacing items

   8.      Poor judgment

   9.      Changes in personality and mood

   10.  Withdrawal for social activities

To formally diagnosis Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, visit your doctor.  Your doctor will perform memory tests that involve problem solving, counting, and language followed by brain scans; CT scans and PET scans. 

If diagnosed, there are some wonderful facilities that provide caregivers specifically for dementia and Alzheimer’s. The Scottish Home recently added The Caledonian House to their facilities. This new location specializes in best in class memory care. Our memory support program understands the challenges, changes, and difficulties associated with conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia. The program focuses on emotional and physical health of your loved ones.

The Scottish Home provides loving care, friendship, and enriching activities. Because of our small size, the environment is very intimate; this makes our residents and staff feel like a family! In addition to the new memory care facility, The Scottish Home also offers assisted living and nursing home care facilities. Schedule a Tour of our facilities located at 2800 Des Plaines Avenue in North Riverside Illinois. For more information, visit our website or give us a call at (708) 447-5092!

The Differences Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s: What You Need to Know

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are often thought of as the same thing. Although the symptoms of both conditions can appear similar, their underlying causes and treatment methods can be quite different. Alzheimer’s patients often exhibit dementia, but not all people who deal with dementia have Alzheimer’s disease.

The main difference between these two common conditions is that dementia is a group of symptoms, whereas Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease with a formal diagnosis. By contrast, dementia is a syndrome, meaning it is not a formal disease, but rather a set of symptoms that point to an underlying, separate cause.

Some of the symptoms of dementia include:

• Impaired language and communication
• Memory loss
• Foggy thinking

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s can include the symptoms of dementia listed above, as well as:

• Behavioral changes
• Short-term memory loss (inability to recall what was just said)
• Disorientation
• Depression and apathy
• Progressive decline in ability to walk, speak, or care for oneself

Alzheimer’s is one of the biggest causes of dementia, but people affected by Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, stroke and vascular diseases, nutritional and metabolic disorders, or drug interactions may also exhibit dementia without having Alzheimer’s. Whereas Alzheimer’s causes a specific form of dementia, there are many types of dementia, caused by other forms of damage to different areas of the brain.

It is important to understand the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s because treatment methods and the prognoses for the two conditions can vary. For cases of dementia, identifying the root cause determines the plan of treatment. Some forms of dementia can be alleviated by treating the root cause of the problem, especially in cases of metabolic disorders and drug effects. In cases of vascular disorders, prevention of further damage, such as future strokes, may prevent an escalation of dementia symptoms.

If the underlying cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, the focus becomes management of symptoms. Some treatment strategies include boosting brain function, using sleep and depression medications, and treating memory loss with pharmaceuticals. Those dealing with dementia and/or Alzheimer’s disease can benefit from supportive services and memory care.   

Located in North Riverside, Illinois, we at The Scottish Home understand the challenges and difficulties of memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. For over 100 years, we have been providing personalized care to seniors. Our services include residential and respite care, as well as “Best in Class” memory support care at our brand-new Caledonia House. The Scottish Home is where friends become family. Contact us or visit our website to learn more about what makes our family of staff, residents, relatives, and community members so special.  

#MemoryCare Wednesday Brunch Series: Debt Collection and Consumer Rights

Debt collectors used to hound individuals until they received payment. Today, there are certain guidelines set in place to prevent consumers from being harassed, deceived and abused. Shannon Geier from Geier Law LLC recently spoke at The Scottish Home and was able to give advice on debt collections and consumer rights. Here’s what we learned.

Consumers have legal rights when faced with unfair debt collection practices. To a certain degree, they are even protected. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits debt collectors from being abusive, unfair, or using deceptive practices when attempting to collect debt. How do you know if a debt collector is violating consumer rights? Some general provisions that the FDCPA prohibits include harassing, oppressing, abusing, deceiving or misleading representation, and unfair practices. If you are being harassed by a debt collector, write down important details including the name and number of who called you and what was discussed on the phone.

Unfair debt collection including nursing home debt collection is subject to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. For more information, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website at this link.

The Wednesday Brunch Series takes place the first Wednesday of every month at 9 am in The Caledonian House. On October 5^th, we will be welcoming Bright Star Cheri as she presents “Learning to Speak Dementia”. The following month (November 2^nd) Eleanore Webber will be presenting "Retired or Thinking of Retirement (age 50+), Understand Medicare and Long-Term Care Funding – Immediate and Future!"

RSVP your spot today by giving us a call at 708-447-5092.

If you would like to learn more about the Wednesday Brunch Series taking place at The Caledonian House every Wednesday from 9 to 11 am, please follow The Scottish Home on Facebook!

7 Signs of Alzheimer’s and How The Caledonian House Can Help

Alzheimer’s is a form of severe dementia that progresses over time, with a gradual increase in symptoms such as forgetfulness, disorientation, and disruptive behavior. Alzheimer’s is a fatal disease that attacks the brain, and although there is no cure yet, early detection and treatment can slow its progress and extend quality of life for both patients and caregivers.

Most people wait far too long to recognize or seek treatment for Alzheimer’s, by which point, damaging lesions have already spread through the brain, and it is too late to maximize the benefits of treatment strategies. A timely diagnosis, specialized memory care, healthy diet, physical and cognitive exercise, social stimulation, and even medication can help stave off the progression of Alzheimer’s.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, here are some early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease:

• Forgetting recently learned information
• Poor judgment and decision making
• Difficulty concentrating or completing familiar tasks
• Trouble speaking or holding a conversation
• Frequently misplacing or losing items
• Withdrawal from social activities with friends and family
• Changes in mood and personality

If your loved one is exhibiting these symptoms, see their physician as soon as possible.

At The Scottish Home, we are pleased and excited to feature our enhanced memory care facility, The Caledonian House. We know that memory loss is never easy but we hope to make the transition to assisted living as smooth as possible for all involved. This new facility is our response to the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Each of the Caledonian House’s two floors will be home to 10 residents in which they can enjoy private bedrooms, full bathrooms and a community space for lounging, cooking and dining. In addition to a home-like setting, the Caledonian House also provides the best care possible for residents in need of skilled nursing and memory care.

The Scottish Home is currently accepting new residents at The Caledonian House! If you are interested in learning more about our facility, set up a tour with our team by calling 708-447- 5092.

Summer Events at The Scottish Home

Summer is a wonderful time of year for everyone, especially our residents at The Scottish Home. Our ongoing Wednesday Brunch Series continues throughout the season, and August boasts our 100th annual Scottish Home picnic! Read on to learn more about these great summer events at The Scottish Home.

The Caledonian House Wednesday Brunch Series

The Caledonian House Brunch Series takes place every Wednesday morning from 9:00 am to 11:00 am in our effort to redefine memory care. We host guest speakers who talk about memory care and health issues affecting the elderly, while the attendees enjoy brunch! Admission is FREE, but we do ask that you RSVP by calling 708-447-5092. Here are the upcoming topics and guest speakers for the remainder of the series:

●       July 20 — Downsizing.  Presenter: Meredith Morris

●       July 27 — No brunch program today

●       August 3 — Woohoo!  Presenter: Jim Boyle, Administrator of The Scottish Home

●       August 10 — The History of the Saint Andrew Society.  Presenter: Gus Nobel, President Saint Andrew Society

●       August 17 — Having a Say in Your Future.  Presenter: Helen Mesoloras, Dutton & Casey P.C., Attorneys at Law

●       August 24 — Virtual Dementia.  Presenter: Gloria Harrington, Right at Home

The 100th Annual Scottish Home Picnic

The 100th Annual Scottish Home Picnic will be held on Saturday, August 6th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Admission is free, and the whole family is welcome! There will be live music, food vendors, a horse-drawn trolley, raffles, Highland dancers, bagpipers, and games for the kids. In the past, picnic attendees have enjoyed all the fun activities we have to offer, and noshed on delicious Scottish food as well as traditional picnic fare. Since this year is the 100th anniversary, it’s the one you won’t want to miss! The picnic will be held at The Scottish Home grounds. If you need directions, click here.

We have so many great events scheduled for the remainder of the summer, you won’t want to skip a single one. From all of us at The Scottish Home: we look forward to seeing you!

The Caledonian House Grand Opening on July 13th

The Caledonian House is officially open and we can’t wait for the community to benefit from what we have to offer.  The Grand Opening is Wednesday, July 13th from 3pm - 7pm. As the new model of memory care, The Caledonian House will provide the same great care you would find at The Scottish Home but with an emphasis on advanced memory care.

Now that construction is done and The Caledonian House is officially open, this is a great opportunity for us to focus on the care that you or your loved one will receive in this facility.  Keep in mind – we are currently accepting admission applications but space is limited!

A Culture of Caring

From The Scottish Home to The Caledonian House, we take pride in the fact that our culture is very different than other senior living facilities.  If you or a loved one is in need of specialized memory care, know that The Caledonian House has a uniquely compassionate culture dedicated to building strong bonds and providing skilled nursing service.

Welcoming Environment

Moving to an assisted living facility is never easy.  At The Caledonian House, we try to make our residents feel at home in every way.  With private bedrooms, full bathrooms and large areas for group activities, we hope that you and your loved ones will find this transition smooth and comforting.  After all, we are the only model like this in the Chicagoland area!

Best-In-Class Memory Care

Caregivers at The Caledonian House are cross-trained in personal care, nutrition, meaningful engagement and housekeeping.  Constant interactions give residents and caregivers the opportunity to build familiarity, trust and overall well-being.  This is the ideal setting for someone that is in need of additional care for activities of daily living, medication reminders, meals, housekeeping, laundry and socialization. 

We here at The Scottish Home would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the completion of The Caledonian House.  If you attended our Open House, you likely received a lot of great information and a first-hand look at this memory care facility.  If you were unable to make the Open House and would like to schedule a tour of The Caledonian House, please contact Becky Drennan of The Scottish Home at 708-426-7175. 

The Caledonian House; exceptional care where friends become family. 

The Caledonian House: A New Model Of Memory

Here at the Scottish Home, we are pleased and excited to announce an update on our new facility, the Caledonian House.  We are currently in the final stages of construction and putting the finishing touches on the Caledonian House.  With completion on the horizon, tours are now available at the Caledonian House!  Call us today at 708-447-5092 to set up your appointment. Don’t forget to pick up an application - spots are filling up fast!

What is the Caledonian House?

For more than 100 years, The Scottish Home has been providing senior citizens with quality care and a warm community for residents and their families.  In an effort to provide the community with enhanced memory care, The Scottish Home is opening the Caledonian House this Summer.

This new facility is our response to the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.  Each of the Caledonian House’s two floors will be home to 10 residents in which they can enjoy private bedrooms, full bathrooms and a community space for lounging, cooking and dining.  In addition to a home-like setting, the Caledonian House also provides the best care possible for residents in need of skilled nursing and memory care.

The Scottish Home is currently accepting admission applications for The Caledonian House!  If you are interested in learning more about our facility, set up a tour with our team.  If you would like to learn more about memory care and health issues affecting the elderly, we invite you to join us for our Wednesday Brunch Series during the month of June. 

The Caledonian House Brunch Series takes place every Wednesday morning from 9 am to 11 am in our effort to redefine memory care.  Take a look at the following sessions and topics!

June 1^st: Laugh For the Health Of It, presented by Colleen Carol of Amita Health

June 8^th: Alzheimer’s, presented by Grace Catalano of Alzheimer’s Association

June 15^th: Understanding Changes in Medicare, presented by Jean Lyons of Lyon Retirement Solutions

June 22^nd: Understanding Hospice, presented by Metoda Posega of Seasons Hospice

June 29^th: Ageless Grace, Neuroplasticity and The Brain, presented by Peggy Kinst of Certified International Trainer of Ageless Grace

If you are planning on attending any of these events or would like to schedule your tour of the Caledonian House, please call 708-447-5092 or visit our website!

Open House Soon to Come for Caledonian House!

As many of you know, The Scottish Home is enhancing and adding to our senior living facility with the construction of The Caledonian House.  The Caledonian House is due to open in early summer and we are happy to announce that we are right on track with construction!  Designed as a home rather than an institution, we are hoping The Caledonian House will be a welcoming environment for those who need more than just a traditional nursing facility.

While we have not set a date for Open House yet, there is still plenty to look forward to!  We are thrilled to spread the word about the extraordinary services that will be offered at The Caledonian House and our existing nursing facilities.  Located in the heart of the forest preserve of North Riverside, we have been settled on 5 wooded acres for the past 100 years.  The Caledonian House will add to the beauty of our land with a red-shingled roof, half-timber frame and stone veneer.

In addition to our scenic setting, we offer great spaces and a continuum of care to suit the needs of our residents.  The Caledonian House is currently under construction but we presently have space available for seniors in The Highlands, our sheltered care.  Shared spaces are also available for those who enjoy entertaining family and friends.  This is an ideal setting for those seeking additional care for daily activities, medication reminders, meals, housekeeping, laundry and socialization. 

As always, we offer 24-hour intermediate and skilled healthcare for all residents.  Our staff to resident ratio will be 1-5 in the New Caledonian House and 1-8 in our other facilities.  Prices are very affordable; simply give us a call to set up a tour with The Scottish Home team. 

The Scottish Home would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the construction of The Caledonian House and we are excited for the grand opening in June.  To keep up-to-date on The Caledonian House construction and Open House dates, please like our Facebook page or contact Becky Drennan at 708-426-7175!

The Scottish Home, exceptional care where friends become family.

Construction Underway For Caledonian House

The Scottish Home has been providing loving care and quality services for over a century.  For many years, we dreamed of enhancing our Scottish Home campus by building a new residence for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  We are pleased to share that construction of our Caledonian House is underway!  Set to open this June, the Caledonian House will offer state-of-the-art memory care whilst remaining true to the Scottish Home’s heritage of being a place where friends become family.

Designed as a home rather than an institution, the Caledonian House has been under construction since last June and will be ready for completion in just a few months.  So far, a red-shingled roof has been placed on the frame of the building.  Eventually, the framing will be sheathed in a half-timber and stone veneer that will give the building a homey, welcoming appearance! 

Inside the Caledonian House, you can expect much more than a traditional nursing facility.  This facility has been created and specifically designed for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia.  The Caledonian House is arranged like a home with an open floor setting.  Rather than resident rooms coming off of long corridors, rooms open up into a shared living area, sitting area, dining area and open kitchen. 

In addition to quality construction and an advanced floor plan, staff members of the Caledonian House will be providing best in class memory care.  Staff will be cross-trained to provide nursing, food service and housekeeping duties so they will better be able to forge personal relationships with residents. 

The Scottish Home would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the construction of the Caledonian House!  The donations and support we receive have allowed us to continue our commitment to senior citizens and continued memory care.  If you have a family member suffering from Alzheimer’s that needs quality memory care, consider the Caledonian House.  The grand opening is set for June and space is limited.  

To learn more about The Caledonian House and our construction phase, please like our Facebook page or contact Becky Drennan at 708-426-7175!

Valentine’s Day at The Scottish Home

The history of Valentine’s Day and the holiday’s namesake, Saint Valentine, is not entirely known. The holiday is thought to have began as a Christian celebration of the martyr Saint Valentine of Rome. It is believed that Valentine’s Day was created many centuries ago to be celebrated at the same time the three-day Roman pagan fertility festival, Lupercalia, was observed. Thus, Valentine’s Day fell on February 14th, right smack in the middle of Lupercalia.

According to history.com, the legend of Saint Valentine contends that he was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Legend claims an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is said that he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a heroic and romantic figure.

Today, Valentine’s Day is still a holiday of love. It is punctuated by flowers, chocolates, poetic greeting cards and paper hearts. About 150 million cards are exchanged for Valentine’s Day each year, making it the second most popular card-sending holiday next to Christmas. For many residents of The Scottish Home, though, Valentine’s Day can be a lonely one. If you have a loved one residing in a nursing home or assisted living center, take the time to pay them a visit or send them a homemade Valentine. Receiving a visit, a greeting card, or a vase of flowers will undoubtedly brighten their day. Thoughtful gestures like these can mean so much to our residents! Beyond holidays, keeping a consistent visiting schedule will help reduce loneliness. And as always, know that your loved ones are in the good hands of our staff at The Scottish Home.

Thanks For a Great Holiday Season!

Thank you to our residents, family members, volunteers and employees who participated in The Scottish Home holiday celebrations!  Even though residents were away from home, we were happy to provide our seniors with the comforts of home during the holidays.  Take a look at what made the 2015 holiday season at The Scottish Home great!

The holidays were a busy and festive time as residents and staff were hard at work creating a magical atmosphere throughout The Scottish Home.  Carolers from churches, schools and scouts filled the air with joyful holiday sounds.  The residents enjoyed the glow of Christmas lights during an evening, guided bus tour through Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo.

By far, the highlight of the season had to be the annual Resident Family Christmas Party.  Residents and their families indulged in a variety of sweets while listening to carolers.  They were even surprised with a performance by the Thistle and Heather Dancers.  The night was closed out with a visit from Santa and plenty of goodies for the residents and children at the party.

Once again, thank you to all who participated in our Holiday festivities and we look forward to a great 2016!  Even after the holidays end, we are proud to provide our residents with warm, friendly and loving care.  No matter the time of year, The Scottish Home is a place where friends become family.  To learn more about The Scottish Home, please visit our website and schedule a tour today!  We are conveniently located at 2800 Des Plaines Avenue in North Riverside, Illinois.