How to Tell the Difference Between Normal Forgetfulness & Dementia!

Aging is a part of life, there’s no doubt about it! But, is forgetfulness normal?

Is it normal to forget the little things as we age? Whether you forget an appointment, forget to pay a bill, or walk into a room and forget why you’re there, is that normal?

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a person has problems with memory or another core brain function. These problems are severe enough to be noticeable to other people and show up on tests of mental function, but not serious enough to interfere with daily life.

People with MCI have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in the near future, especially when their main problem involves memory. However, not everyone diagnosed with MCI progresses to Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is not a disease. It’s a general term that describes a set of symptoms that may be caused by a number of different brain disorders. These symptoms involve mental decline severe enough to disrupt daily life that affects more than one of the following core brain functions:

• Recent memory (the ability to learn and recall information)
• Language (the ability to write or speak, or to understand written or spoken words)
• Visuospatial Function (the ability to understand and use symbols, maps, etc. and the ability to correctly judge where objects are)
• Executive function (the ability to plan, reason, solve problems and focus on a task)”

You may ask yourself: Will I get dementia? Is my forgetfulness a sign that I’ll be diagnosed with dementia when I’m older?

No, not necessarily. There are certain factors that increase your risks as you age. If you’re aware of those things and make some lifestyle changes, you should be well on your way to living a long and happy life!

Get Started Today: Schedule a Tour!

Our memory care facility is available for those who suffer from the following memory illnesses: long-term memory loss, short-term memory loss, Huntington’s disease, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and even those who suffer from a traumatic brain injury.

We can help your family create peace of mind. When you’re at home you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We warmly invite you to see the difference we can make when your family shares life with our family. Schedule a tour of Hillside Terrace today– a facility for memory care in Ann Arbor.

Contact us for more information about memory care offered at Hillside Terrace.

What is "The Longest Day”?

The Longest Day on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, is all about bringing people together to support a common goal: the fight against Alzheimer’s. It’s the celebration of the year!

We help raise funds and awareness for research while doing activities you can enjoy. You can honor a caregiver, someone living with Alzheimer's, or someone you’ve lost by selecting his or her favorite hobby and doing it from sunrise to sunset.

Do you know someone fighting the disease?

Are you at risk?

Are you noticing symptoms?

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “The Longest Day is all about love. Love for all those affected by Alzheimer's disease. On the summer solstice, team up with the Alzheimer’s Association and select any activity you love — or an activity loved by those affected — to help end Alzheimer’s. Together, we will raise funds and awareness for care and support while advancing research toward the first survivor of Alzheimer’s.”

Thousands contribute to The Longest Day activities on the longest night December 21, and the longest day, June 21. Last year, over 10,000 people from nine countries participated in 3,200 Longest Day tributes and $3.8 million was raised for the Alzheimer’s Association. That’s incredible!

“What motivates us year to year is the fact that the Alzheimer's disease is now more than ever not just an "Old Person" disease. People of all ages are being affected by Alzheimer's. There is still no prevention, no cure, and not enough funds and research to provide us with a possible cure. We live and breathe this disease everyday here at Hillside Terrace. Our mission this year is to raise as much awareness as possible at our "Longest Day" to the youth and to the community,” says Trey Litz, Director of Community Relations.

This year we’re partnering with Bumpin' Bubbles and giving people and businesses in the area a chance to sponsor an hour of team building skills while playing Bubble Soccer. The orchard will be set up like a real soccer field with bleachers for fans, food & drinks, silent auctions, live DJ, Cardio Drumming, NuStepping, Zumba, Yoga, and even Jon Falk from the UM Athletic Department will be there handing out and signing his books!

For more information on how you can donate to the Hillside Terrace team visit The Alzheimer's Association's The Longest Day page.

All donations help provide care and support to all those facing Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Association also helps drive new research studies toward new treatment, prevention and ultimately, a cure. Donate today!  

To learn more about how you can get involved in Hillside Terrace Senior Living's Longest Day, contact us today! (734) 761-4451

The Benefits of Art Therapy For Seniors!

Does your parent love art?

Do they do any kind of creative activity?

Do they live in a retirement community that provides the opportunity for seniors to be creative?
Gene Cohen, MD, PhD, director of the Center on Aging, Health & Humanities at George Washington University in Washington, DC, and the first researcher to conduct a national study on the quality of life, found that the arts have a positive effect on health and illness as we age. His research found that art therapy benefits seniors by:

• helping individuals relax;
• providing a sense of control;
• reducing depression and anxiety;
• assisting in socialization;
• encouraging playfulness and a sense of humor;
• improving cognition;
• offering sensory stimulation;
• fostering a stronger sense of identity;
• increasing self-esteem;
• nurturing spirituality; and
• reducing boredom.

At Hillside Terrace, we believe art is very beneficial to the health and well-being of seniors. We make it a priority to offer activities that will help stimulate the mind, body, and spirit! Our monthly activities try to appeal to everyone’s likes including:

• Arts & Crafts
• 3D Painting
• Manicures
• Baking
• Ring Toss
• Bocce Ball
• Bridge
• Meditation
• Bingo
• Volleyball
• and more!

Best Memory Care in Ann Arbor: Schedule a Tour Today!

Is your parent prepared for their end of life care? Discussing moving your parent into assisted living can be a scary thing for any adult to face. However, it’s the scary reality of so many in this country. We can help your family create peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands!

For more information about memory care in Ann Arbor and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” Schedule a tour today!