Dementia is a Journey

Dementia is a progressive condition, so the needs of the individual will change. The key is to create a flexible environment that can be easily adapted. You should regularly assess the space and adjust as needed to ensure continued comfort and safety for your loved one.

By creating a safe and supportive environment for residents who suffer from dementia can make a significant difference in the well-being of those living with it. Our new community for memory care in Ann Arbor is designed for Alzheimer’s and dementia care in mind to help foster familiarity, reduce confusion, and promote a sense of calm.

Learn more about how to create a safe haven for your loved one living with dementia here.

Enrich Your Life with Memory Care in Ann Arbor

Our dementia-friendly environment promotes dignity, independence, and a sense of well-being for those living with this condition. Please call Hillside Terrace at (734) 761-4451 or contact us online today!

Building a Haven: Creating Dementia-Friendly Environments

Creating a safe and supportive environment for residents who suffer from dementia can make a significant difference in their well-being. Our new memory care building is designed for Alzheimer’s and dementia care in mind to help foster familiarity, reduce confusion, and promote a sense of calm. We’ve taken the following factors into consideration when we built our new facility, including:

1.     Use of natural light

2.     Minimize clutter and busy patterns

3.     Prioritize safety and security

4.     Incorporate familiar objects or pictures

5.     Use calming paint colors and natural textures

Learn more about how to create a safe haven for your loved one living with dementia here.

Enrich Your Life with Memory Care in Ann Arbor

Our dementia-friendly environment promotes dignity, independence, and a sense of well-being for those living with this condition.

If your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, we welcome you to contact Hillside Terrace Memory Care in Ann Arbor. We would love to meet you, hear about your needs, and see how we can help enrich your parent’s life while keeping them healthy and safe. Please call Hillside Terrace at (734) 761-4451 or contact us online today!

Best Christmas Gifts for Your Senior Relative

Not sure what to get your loved one who has everything this holiday season?

Hillside Terrace has you covered! We’ve got some ideas your loved one would love.

According to A Place for Mom, these seven innovative products for the elderly will provide entertainment, simplify chores, and enhance safety:

1. Hero digital pill dispenser – This dispenser can hold up to 10 different medications and can be customized to your loved one’s medication schedule so they never forget to take a pill.
2. GrandPad – Is a tablet that’s easy to use to play games, listen to music, and video chat with friends and family. 
3. Amazon Echo Dot – This smart compact speaker is easily portable. Includes easy to use features like chat, music streaming, news, games, set alarms to take medication, and more.

Get more gift giving ideas here!

Schedule Your Tour Today! Virtual or In-Person Tours Available

Hillside Terrace provides an “aging by choice” philosophy. We work with your family to create the best possible living situation for your senior relative. Our housing, dining, and care services will make your loved one feel at home! Let our family take care of yours.

Hillside Terrace is a facility for assisted and independent living Ann Arbor. Call us at (734) 761-4451 to schedule a visit!

7 Best Innovative Gifts for Seniors This Christmas

According to A Place for Mom, these seven innovative products for the elderly will provide entertainment, simplify chores, and enhance safety:

1. Hero digital pill dispenser 
2. GrandPad
3. Amazon Echo Dot
4. Tile Sticker
5. COWIN E7 Active Noise Canceling Headphones
6. Nest Doorbell 
7. Fitbit Versa 3 

Find out more about the 7 best innovative gifts for seniors here!

Schedule Your Tour Today! Virtual or In-Person Tours Available

Hillside Terrace provides an “aging by choice” philosophy. We work with your family to create the best possible living situation for your senior relative. Our housing, dining, and care services will make your loved one feel at home! Let our family take care of yours.

Hillside Terrace is a facility for assisted and independent living Ann Arbor. Call us at (734) 761-4451 to schedule a visit!

6 Questions to Ask When Choosing Senior Housing

Moving your loved one to senior housing is a big decision, but one that can provide you and your elderly parent with the peace of mind that they have a loving community to watch over them as they require more medical care, or a community of like-minded friends to keep them company while you’re working. How can you find the right place to call home for your elderly parent’s next stage of life? 

As you interview senior housing options, we encourage you to ask the following questions to make sure you know what your options are:

• Do you have licensed nurses on staff 24/7? In-home medical care?
• What kinds of on-site amenities do you offer?
• What are the costs of living in your facility? Does it vary by level of care?
• Can my elderly parent age in place and receive flexible care?
• How much independence is available for a resident that doesn’t need a high level of care?
• What kinds of activities are available? What is the community like? 

You’ll want to tour the facilities you’re considering for your elderly parent with them, if possible, so you both get a sense of whether it’s a good fit. Your elderly parent might surprise you with their feelings both positive or negative about what’s going to work for them in the next stage of their life. Keep the lines of communication open, and remember not to feel guilty that you can’t do it all yourself. You’re doing your best, and there’s support for your family.

We wish you all the best in making the important decision of which senior housing facility to trust with your loved one’s care. You can learn more about Hillside Terrace’s flexible senior living amenities and senior daily activities. If you’d like to tour Hillside Terrace and meet our caring staff, please call (734)761-4451 to make an appointment.

What is Elderly Abuse?

Worried about elder abuse in your loved one’s home? Is your loved one not being properly cared for? Do you know what signs of elder abuse you should be looking out for?

The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) recognizes seven main types of senior abuse. Some neglect or emotional abuse, may be more difficult to notice or prove than physical abuse.

1. Physical abuse – is the use of physical force that may result in bodily injury, physical pain, or impairment.
2. Sexual Abuse - any type of nonconsensual sexual action toward a senior. 
3. Emotional Abuse - the infliction of anguish, pain, or distress through verbal or nonverbal acts.
4. Financial or material exploitation- is when an abuser steals or mismanages a senior’s money or possessions.
5. Neglect - the refusal to provide a dependent senior with necessities like food, water, appropriate shelter, hygiene, and medicine.
6. Abandonment - is a more extreme version of neglect, in which a caregiver who’s assumed responsibility for someone deserts them. 
7. Self-Neglect - is when a senior engages in behaviors that are harmful to their health or safety, like refusing to eat, drink, take prescribed medicine, or perform regular hygiene. 

Learn more here!

Make Hillside Terrace Senior Living Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about assisted living and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!

Tell-Tale Signs You Should Look for When It Comes to Elder Abuse

If you’re worried about your loved ones getting abused or taken advantage of in their care, you may need to educate yourself with things that could be a red flag. Examples include: bruising, confusion, depression, bedsores, unexpected negative reaction to touch, unexplained venereal diseases, unwillingness to speak. 

If you notice any of these signs, take note! This could come in handy if you need to report elder abuse to keep your loved one safe.

Learn more here!

Make Hillside Terrace Senior Living Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about assisted living and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!

How Does Assisted Living Support Seniors?

Need assistance with daily tasks?

Want to stay engaged with people your own age?

Do you want to maintain independence while also receiving the care you need?

Assisted living at Hillside Terrace may be the right place for you to call home.

Learn more here!

Make Hillside Terrace Senior Living Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about assisted living services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!

Unique Ways to Keep Yourself Entertained During a Pandemic

Have you or a senior loved one been exposed to the Coronavirus or another illness?

Are you wondering what activities you can do at home during isolation to help pass the time?

There’s plenty to do! But, sometimes in isolation you need to get a little creative.

According to A Place for Mom, there are “some unique ways assisted living communities are keeping seniors entertained” during a pandemic and you can too at home.” Learn more here.

Make Hillside Terrace Senior Living Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about assisted living services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!

What to Look Out For During Your Tour!

During a pandemic, it can be a challenge to get a tour scheduled in person. However, the senior communities you’re considering should be able to offer a virtual tour if that makes you feel safer and more at ease.

According to A Place for Mom, “No matter which touring method you choose, these tips can empower your family to transition to senior living with confidence.”

1. Observe community layout and tone 
2. Prioritize safety and security 
3. Assess staff friendliness, training and qualification 
4. Get to know the community’s social offerings 
5. Consider next steps if care needs progress 
6. Let your instinct lead you 

Learn more here!

Make Hillside Terrace Senior Living Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about assisted living services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!

Avoid Burnout While Creating a Senior Care Plan

Realizing that it’s time for your senior relative to get some extra help in their day-to-day life is tough. You may not know where to begin figuring out how to help them, and you may face the additional challenge of a stubborn or obstinate senior. Here are a few tips to ease your burden while also maximizing efficiency in your effort:

• Work together. Before going forward with any plan, reach a consensus with other family members. There are a wide variety of assisted living resources and facilities - make sure you all agree on what is best.
• Divide and conquer. Split up tasks among family members so you don’t bear the weight of the task alone. Allow one person to tour facilities while another person goes through financial documents to assess assets and income.
• Seek professional help. Consider hiring an attorney who specializes in elder law. They’re skilled in navigating health insurance bureaucracy and can help with the complex task of estate planning. 

Make Hillside Terrace Senior Living Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about elderly care services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!

Does Your Senior Relative Need Some Help?

As we age, so too do all our elder relatives. Almost all of us have wondered if the behavior changes we’ve witnessed in senior relatives warrant our intervention. It can be difficult to gauge what’s serious and what isn’t. Here are a few signs you should never ignore:

• Rapid weight loss. A rapid loss of weight in your senior relative should send up red flags for a few reasons. It could be a symptom of a wasting illness. It could also be a sign that your senior relative is not up to the task of shopping and cooking for themselves. Is the refrigerator empty? Are there signs of heat damage on the stove? These can all be indicators that the task of feeding herself is becoming overwhelming to your senior relative.
• Driving infractions. It could be a problem with their eyesight or a sign of cognitive decline, but either way, traffic violations indicate your senior relative may be having trouble on the road. If possible, try allowing your senior relative to drive you somewhere and gauge for yourself.
• Unpaid bills. Finding stacks of unopened mail around your senior relative’s home or receiving collections calls could indicate your relative is unable to care for their finances. It could be a matter of financial hardship, or it could be cognitive problems making the mathematics of bill-paying difficult. 

Make Hillside Terrace Senior Living Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about elderly care services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!

Are Your Aging Parents Resisting Care?

Sometime the parent can be the one who causes the family disputes over their health and well-being. Explain the benefits of senior care to them. Often, the older generation has an outdated view of what senior living is actually like. According to A Place for Mom, “After understanding the amenities and lifestyle senior living has to offer, they may be more likely to make the transition.”

Make Hillside Terrace Senior Living Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about assisted living services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!

Questions to Ask Yourself if You’re Thinking About Caregiving

Are you thinking about being the caregiver for your loved one?

It’s a lot of responsibility that can take a mental toll on you. Being prepared for the potential changes of caregiving means asking yourself these important questions:

1. Am I financially prepared for the extra costs of caregiving?
2. Am I really capable of taking care of Dad or Mom all by myself? Do I need to hire home care or consider assisted living?
3. Do I have the social support and resources I’m going to need?
4. How will caregiving affect my physical and mental health?
5. If my parent has dementia and can no longer filter their behavior, will I be able to cope with potentially hurtful words or actions?
6. Will I be able to allow myself to accept help and take breaks?
7. Will I be able to cut back on work responsibilities during those times when I need to care for my parent?
8. Will I be able to make time for myself and my family?

Make Hillside Terrace Assisted Living Your Home Away from Home! 

For more information about assisted living services and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We can help give your family peace of mind. When you’re at home, you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Schedule a tour today!

The Many Benefits of Assisted Living in Ann Arbor!

If you’re thinking of looking into a senior living facility for a loved one, you may be wrestling with the decision. There are a lot of negative connotations about senior and assisted living – no one wants to put their relative “in a home.” But modern senior living facilities offer a myriad of benefits that can help you feel better about your decision.

Community: Adults in senior living settings benefit from the presence of peers. Social relationships can be hard for older adults to maintain, especially if they live alone and are unable to travel independently. The close proximity of neighbors in senior living facilities strengthen these social bonds.

Chef-prepared meals: In addition to relieving seniors of the burden of shopping and cooking for themselves, senior living facilities provide your adult relatives with a variety of nutritious meals, including diabetes-friendly options. Proper nutrition goes a long way toward improving these seniors’ quality of life. 

Round-the-clock assistance: Basic tasks like dressing and bathing can be very difficult for some aging adults. It usually befalls family caregivers to attend to these tasks, but for many, the level of help a senior relative requires far exceeds the help their family can give. It is the primary function of assisted living facilities to help seniors with these tasks while also enabling them to be as independent as possible.

Activities: Senior living facilities are outfitted with fitness equipment, indoor recreation areas and outdoor spaces offering a multitude of activity options for older adults. In addition, senior living facilities offer daily or weekly activities like bingo, exercise classes, book clubs and outings to local stores and museums. 

Hillside Terrace is a premier facility for assisted living in Ann Arbor. Call us today at 734-761-4451 to schedule your tour and learn more about our senior apartment homes.

How Do You Pick the Right Pet?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “before adopting a new pet, make sure that it is the right one for you. Do some research beforehand about the specific needs of the animal. Ask yourself these questions before getting a pet:

• How long will this animal live?
• What does the pet eat?
• How much exercise does the pet need?
• How large will it become?
• How much will it cost for veterinary care?
• Do I have enough time to properly care for and clean up after the pet?
• What type of habitat does this pet need to be healthy?
• What type of exercise does this pet need?
• Are pets allowed in my house, apartment, or condominium?
• Are there young children, older people, or people with weak immune systems who will care for or be around the pet?”

Make Hillside Terrace Your Home Away from Home! 

We can help give your family 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!” Schedule a tour of Hillside Terrace today!

For other floorplan information and assisted living availability, please contact us today at (734) 761-4451.

Physical Health is Good for Dementia Care & Overall Health and Wellness!

Studies have shown that people diagnosed with dementia who perform physical tasks on a daily basis do better in the long run. Daily activities can improve memory, foster emotional connections, improve self-expression, lessen anxiety and irritability, and make the elderly feel happier about the life they’re living!

Learn more here!

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

We warmly invite you to see the difference we can make when your family shares life with our family. For more information about dementia care in Ann Arbor and the other services we provide, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” Schedule a tour today!

Do Something You Love Together!

It’s good to get your parent or other loved one out and about! Residents living with dementia have good days and bad days. Taking your loved one on an outing to help remind them of their past can be great medicine. Some residents have a specific time of day that’s much better for them, when they’re most active. In some situations, you may want to make sure that an in-home attendant or care provider is able to accompany you.

Learn more here!

Talk to Hillside Terrace about dementia care in Ann Arbor and early detection today. 

Know your options for early detection for a brighter future. If you have questions about dementia care or early detection, give us a call at Hillside Terrace today.

How Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Is Possible

Trying to learn more about early detection of Alzheimer’s? Does Alzheimer’s disease or dementia run in your family? Considering Alzheimer’s early detection testing for yourself or a loved one? 

Early detection of Alzheimer’s and dementia can make a huge difference in preparing for and treating later symptoms. It benefits everything from aiding developments in research, having access to treatment, and making a smart choice in dementia care in Ann Arbor. 

Because Alzheimer’s is so pervasive in the elderly population, there are new developments in detection all the time. Learn more about early detection to empower yourself and your family. 

Options for Early Detection for Alzheimer’s. 

Medical Testing for Early Detection: Alzheimer’s research is currently funded at a whopping $1.9B per year. Researchers are pursuing all reasonable avenues, which includes early detection testing. Some newly developed methods have the power to detect the potential for Alzheimer’s many years in advance of the onset of symptoms. 

Currently biomarkers in the blood, imaging tests, and certain proteins in spinal fluid offer early detection results. You can talk to your doctor about medical testing to decide if it might be a good choice for you. 

Know the 10 Warning Signs for Early Detection: because some of the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s can be similar to typical changes with age, the Alzheimer’s Association developed a list of 10 early warning signs to help tell the difference between aging and Alzheimer’s. 

1. Memory disruption.
2. Difficultly planning and problem solving.
3. Struggle completing familiar tasks.
4. Confusion with time and place.
5. Trouble recognizing familiar images including letters and reflection.
6. Problems with speaking and writing.
7. Losing things and struggling to retrace steps.
8. Poor judgement such as money and hygiene choices.
9. Social and professional withdrawal.
10. Mood and personality changes.

Check out the list in more detail, including examples, here. Knowing these warning signs can make a big difference to you and your family if dementia or Alzheimer’s is part of your future. 

Talk to Hillside Terrace about dementia care in Ann Arbor and early detection today. 

Know your options for early detection for a brighter future. If you have questions about dementia care or early detection, give us a call at Hillside Terrace today.

How Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Can Help You

Not sure if early detection of Alzheimer’s disease is important enough to worry about? Are you the kind of person who thinks you’d rather not know if Alzheimer’s or dementia are part of your future? Are you considering early detection tests for Alzheimer’s and want to know more?

Alzheimer’s is a hot topic. It affects millions, at least 10% of our population over 65, but there’s still no reliable treatment, prevention, or cure. So, why bother with early detection? Besides offering a vital data point to research of the disease, early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can help you in many ways even without a cure. 

1. Empowering: knowing the diagnosis well before symptoms take a stronghold empowers you to be a voice in the community, raising awareness and advocating for research and care. 
2. Time to Prepare: you and your family will both appreciate having the opportunity to talk about future plans, including Alzheimer’s or dementia care in Ann Arbor. 
3. Accurate Diagnosis: seeking an early diagnosis increases the chance of accurate diagnosis which leads to better treatment and care.
4. Effective Treatment: though there is a strong need for more effective treatments, evidence shows that results are better with current treatments when they start earlier. 
5. Developing Treatment: a lot of people and money are devoted to researching Alzheimer’s treatment and prevention. With a diagnosis, you will have access to the benefits of these developments as they emerge, or even clinical trials. 

Talk to Hillside Terrace about dementia care in Ann Arbor and early detection today. 

There’s no doubt you’ll benefit from knowing, maybe even more than you can imagine. If you have questions about dementia care or early detection, give us a call at Hillside Terrace today.