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!

Memory loss and confusion: dementia? Or something else?

Many people associate the onset of mental illness with adolescence of young adulthood. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder: all of these disorders tend to be diagnosed before age thirty. The exception is dementia. Dementia typically affects seniors, and its symptoms may be more readily recognized in older patients.

Early stages of dementia and early stages of other mental illness may bear similar symptoms. Depression, anxiety, dementia, and even bipolar disorder can present the same early symptoms: memory loss, confusion, and unpredictable behavior. It’s important to always seek professional help when dealing with potential psychiatric illness, but it is doubly important to insure a correct diagnosis. 

At Hillside Terrace in Ann Arbor, we advocate for our residents and work with their families to make sure any health concerns are addressed. Every senior resident has case management that includes regular, ongoing communication with family members. We offer social activities and interaction to help stave off feelings of loneliness and isolation as well as round-the-clock security, nurse, and staff support. If you have questions about assisted living or have noticed changes in your loved one, please give us a call at 734-761-4451 or visit our website at www.hillsideterrace.net.

Make the Most of Every Minute with Loved Ones

Do you have a loved one living in assisted living in Ann Arbor?

Is your loved one struggling with the transition?

Are you looking for ways to make each visit a special moment?

You can make the most of every minute when you visit your loved one if you keep this in mind:

• Just by being there you’re helping
• Bring a gift
• Check the schedule
• Be Creative

Learn more here!

Best Assisted Living in Ann Arbor: Schedule a Tour Today!

For more information about assisted living 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!

Make Every Moment Count While Visiting Your Loved One

Are you looking for ways to make each visit a special moment?

Tired of doing the same old stuff?

Need a few ideas?

You can make the most of every minute when you visit your loved one if you keep this in mind:

• Just by being there you’re helping. – Your visits can help make your loved one not feel so lonely. Isolation can be harmful for many seniors physical and cognitive health. Having a friendly face around can help ease some of their fear and anxiety about living somewhere new.
• Bring a gift – Your loved one’s shopping trips are likely limited, so bring them something they enjoy like their favorite magazine, CD, artwork or a card.  

Best Assisted Living in Ann Arbor: Schedule a Tour Today!

For more information about assisted living 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!

Choosing Assisted Living by Asking the Right Questions

Are you thinking about assisted living?

Is it the right choice for you?

What questions should you ask?

We can help you ensure your research is complete by making sure you know to ask potential communities for assisted living in Ann Arbor questions you may not have thought of, including:

1. Do you have apartments available now?
2. What types of apartments do you have available currently?
3. What services are included in my monthly fees?

Read more questions here!

For floorplan information and availability for assisted living in Ann Arbor, please contact us today at (734) 761-4451. For a virtual tour, visit The Gardens community page.

Benefits of Being Socially Active in Assisted Living Communities

Do you or a loved one feel isolated in assisted living?

Do you make it a point to interact with others?

Do you sometimes feel depressed and lethargic?

There are important benefits connected with being socially active:

1. A greater sense of belonging – In many cases, your loved one simply needs to feel loved and wanted. They can do it by getting socially active in a local senior living community.
2. Improved physical health – How you feel emotionally is directly related to how you feel physically. When someone is socially active and feels needed, wanted and accepted, they’re more apt to be mobile and alert. 

To learn more, read “Positive Effects of Socialization by Living in a Senior Community.”

Best Assisted Living in Ann Arbor: Schedule a Tour Today!

After raising a family together, you may decide that keeping up a home is too much for you. And that’s okay! There are many communities for assisted living in Ann Arbor that will allow you the flexibility to create a retirement lifestyle that is perfect for you!

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!” Schedule a tour today! 

Tax Credit for the Elderly or Disabled: What You Need to Know

Want to know if you qualify for a tax credit for the elderly disabled? Interested in finding out more about a tax credit for people over 65? Looking for details on getting more from your tax return?

There are few tax credits out there that are truly simple. Sometimes it even seems that the more complicated the credit is, the more you really need it. Well, if you’re feeling unsure or overwhelmed looking at the tax credit for the elderly or disabled, we've put together a simple but comprehensive look at the credit to help you through it!

Form to Use: 1040 or 1040A

Qualifiers:

• Age and Disability: You or your spouse must be over 65 or have a permanent disability.
• Income: Must be less than $17,500 (single), $20,000 (married filing jointly, one spouse qualifies), $25,000 (married filing jointly, both qualify).
• Non-taxable Income: from social security, pensions, etc. must be less $5,000 (single, married filing jointly and only one spouse qualifies), $7,500 (married filing jointly and both qualify).

Calculating Your Credit: Use a Schedule R to figure out your credit. The instructions for Schedule R also include information on how to have the IRS calculate the credit for you. 

Other Sources: The IRS has published sources to assist seniors with this tax credit and taxes in general. These are IRS publication 524 and 554 respectively. 

With our simple guide to the elderly and disabled tax credit, you can feel confident that you’re more likely to get the return you really deserve! Although our guide should be useful, because taxes can be complicated and unique to your situation, it’s recommended that you seek the advice or services of a professional before filling.  If you have more questions about taxes or respite care in Ann Arbor, give us a call today. At Hillside Terrace, our family shares life with yours.

Tax Credits: What You Need to Know as a Senior Taxpayer

Want to be sure you’re getting every penny of the tax credits you’re eligible for? Need a rundown of the tax credits available to senior taxpayers? Curious if you could be getting more out of your tax return as a senior taxpayer?

Tax credits can be tricky! Nobody is combing through your return at the IRS looking to get you more money. So, it’s time to take matters into your own hands and make sure you’re getting the biggest return possible. Now that you may be entering a new age bracket, or have different circumstances to consider, take a look at our guide to tax credits for the senior taxpayer and be confident you’ll get what you deserve! 

Credit for the Elderly or Disabled

Taxpayers over the age of 65 may be eligible for this tax credit. Similarly, if you’re under 65 but are retired with a permanent disability and receive disability benefits, you may be eligible for a tax credit.

Credits for Dependent Care Expenses

For those with a qualifying dependent who needs care outside of your home, the expenses for that care may qualify you for a tax credit. 

Premium Tax Credit

If you or a family member are enrolled in a health plan through HealthCare.gov or a state marketplace and get assistance to pay for the premiums, you may be eligible for this credit.

Earned Income Credit

Taxpayers over 65 with a child dependent who are working and earning less than $53,505 may qualify for this credit. 

With our simple guide to tax credits for seniors, you can feel confident that you’re more likely to get the return you really deserve! Although our guide should be useful, because taxes can be complicated and unique to your situation, it is recommended that you seek the advice or services of a professional before filling.  If you have more questions about taxes or respite care in Ann Arbor, give us a call today. At Hillside Terrace, our family shares life with yours. 

How to Downsize Your Parents' Home!

Are you looking to downsize your parents’ home?

Is their home too much work to keep up?

Are you having a hard time deciding what to keep and what to get rid of?

At Hillside Terrace, we know everything there is to know about moving into an assisted living community in Ann Arbor and want to help you downsize. Find out the things you should consider when you’re moving, here.

Get Started Today: Schedule a Tour! 

Our "Aging by Choice" philosophy allows a flexibility of options for our residents and their families; you choose what is best for you, and we make it possible. We’re confident in our ability to provide the best quality of care, the security, and the family atmosphere that you’re seeking! We warmly invite you to see the difference we can make when your family shares life with our family. 

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. Schedule a tour of Hillside Terrace today– a facility for assisted living in Ann Arbor.

For more information about hospice care offered at Hillside Terrace, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here!

What You Need to Know About Downsizing to Move Into Assisted Living!

Letting go can be hard, especially because the older you are, the more memories you have to treasure. However, when someone moves into an assisted living community, you must downsize. You won’t have room for everything you used to have in your home. With less space comes less room to keep mementos.

How do you decide what to keep? What do you throw away? We’re here to help you figure it all out. Read more here!

Best Assisted Living in Ann Arbor: Schedule a Tour Today!

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. Discussing moving your parent into assisted living can be a scary thing for any adult to face. However, it’s the reality of so many in this country. 

For more information about assisted living 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!

How to Manage Hoarding Behavior in a Person with Dementia

Has your loved one’s “waste not, want not” attitude gone a little too far? Are you dealing with the combination of hoarding behavior and dementia in an older family member? Need more help tackling this tough combo? 

The tendency towards collecting can be a normal and natural part of aging. Whether for nostalgic or practical reasons, the behavior might help the collector feel more comfortable and secure about aging. If a memory issue like dementia or Alzheimer’s takes hold, however, the collecting behavior can intensify and become a serious problem, interfering with the ability to live comfortably. 

Dementia on its own is already a lot to handle; adding hoarding to the mix might seem overwhelming. But there are actually a few easy tips caregivers can follow to help manage hoarding in a person with dementia. 

1. Be Kind

Address the issue with calmness and kindness. Hoarding isn’t something the person is doing intentionally, so punishment or anger will only hinder the process. Consider involving other people in the management of the problem or in a clean up so everyone has support in the process.

2. Use Incentives

If you need to go through and get rid of a significant amount of material, offer the person incentives to deal with the challenge. These could include donating items to charity, giving things to their church, or passing down to other family members. Personal rewards for hard work can be effective, too. 

3. Provide Distractions

Whether a major cleanup is necessary or not, to keep things under control moving forward, keep the person busy with active tasks. Activity will lessen the compulsion toward collecting and hoarding. Organization tasks, like sorting and labeling, can be particularly helpful. 

4. Know the Hiding Spots

Don’t try to eliminate collecting completely. Manage it by making sure you know the special places used for hiding so you can occasionally take a look and keep track of the behavior. You can even encourage collecting and storage in certain places, like a unique box or chest, to help control the behavior. 

5. Seek Advice

Make sure necessary doctors are aware of the behavior and ask for advice. This is especially important if you feel the behavior is out of control. Social workers and psychologists can also be a great help with a difficult cleanup or managing hoarding behavior. 

You can help a person for whom you’re providing care manage their hoarding, even when added complications like dementia make it seem impossible. These tips are simple to use and really work!

If you have questions about your options for a loved one in need of memory care in Ann Arbor, give us a call today. At Hillside Terrace Senior Living, our family shares life with your family.  

De-Clutter: How to Create Space That Matters!

Want to create space in your home that matters but not sure where to start? Feeling the urge to purge and looking for tips? Need motivation before you begin the de-cluttering process?

The longer we live, the more we tend to collect! There are lots of good reasons to hang on to objects and mementos from knick-knacks, to furniture, to documents, and etc. But there can be equally compelling reasons to let things go!

To help you start the process, consider our top three reasons why you might want to de-clutter and three techniques to help you do it.  

Reasons to De-Clutter:

1. Access to what you need: de-cluttering your rooms and storage spaces will give you better access to the things you need and use every day and more space to enjoy them. 
2. Space and safety at home: letting go of a few things will lead to a better flow in your house, which will keep you safer as your mobility changes with age. 
3. Prepare to downsize: reducing your clutter and possessions can help you downsize to a more manageable home or make your current house more comfortable with space for things that matter, like visitors and guests!

Techniques to De-Clutter

1. Don’t save it, scan it: Living with stacks of paperwork you might not need, but may end up needing it a week later? Solve your problem by scanning documents and saving them on a computer. Only hang on to originals of what you really need, like birth certificates. Don’t be afraid to ask your kids or grandkids to help with technology if you need it!
2. Getting over nostalgia: Are you hanging onto things only for the memories they’re tied to? A good technique to get past this is to keep a file of photos of nostalgic items and let the physical item go. Keeping the image will keep the ties to memories, but make more space in your home. 
3. Three box technique: Need a clear process to get you through a room-to-room de-clutter? Try labeling three boxes as keep, sell/donate, and trash. Then start tackling one area at a time. In each area, make sure you consider every item separately and place it in one of the boxes. It’s OK to move slowly and take your time! At the end of the process, you’ll have more space in your home for things that really matter!

It can be a lot to consider, and feel overwhelming to get started, but if you dig in, the process and the result can be rewarding. 

If you’re interested in de-cluttering for downsizing purposes, give us a call today to learn your options. As experts in senior living and memory care in Ann Arbor, we’re here to answer all your questions. At Hillside Terrace our family shares life with your family.

Understanding How Doctors Diagnose Dementia

Does your memory loss interfere with everyday activities?

Are you having a problem with visual perception?

Are you able to communicate well with others?

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “while symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, at least two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia:

• Memory 
• Communication and language 
• Ability to focus and pay attention 
• Reasoning and judgment 
• Visual perception

People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of their neighborhood.

Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don't ignore them.” You should make an appointment with a doctors as soon as possible to determine the cause of these type of symptoms.

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.

Couples Are Welcome at Hillside Terrace!

Couples that live together, stay together! All couples are welcome at Hillside Terrace Senior Living in Ann Arbor.

Often, when we age, our health can decline and one spouse is left to take care of the other. However, it can be an extremely hard job for one person to handle. Why not live the rest of your life stress free and have help on hand when you need it most?

Your later years will be more enjoyable without having to worry about mowing the lawn, shoveling snow, cooking meals, or even washing your laundry. At Hillside Terrace, you can do all the activities you enjoy without the annoyances of every day chores. Leave them to us!

We have couples needs in mind, whether you need hospice care, assisted living or memory care. You’ll appreciate the many dining options available, as well as the opportunity to learn and live a healthy life. We’ll also help you stay engaged with many activities throughout the month including bingo, shopping trips, book club, baking club and more!  

Best Independent Living in Ann Arbor: Schedule a Tour Today!

After raising a family together, you may decide that keeping up a home is too much for you. And that’s okay! There are many communities for independent living in Ann Arbor that will allow you the flexibility to create a retirement lifestyle that is perfect for you!

For more information about independent 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!” Schedule a tour today! 

The Power of Laughter for Senior Health

Looking for an easy way to boost your health and happiness during the senior years of your life? Caring for a senior family member or friend who has been a little less than perky lately?

You’ve heard it before and we’ll say it again: laughter is the best medicine! Well, as far as non-medicine medicines go. There’s no replacing blood pressure prescriptions if that’s something your doctor has assessed you need, but the powerful medicine of laughter can do wonders for our health.

Read a list of the amazing benefits of laughter!

1. Studies show that taking a break to laugh can improve your short-term memory performance by 40%. That’s a big deal as we start to get older.
2. Laughing significantly reduces levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, which is linked to cardiovascular disease.
3. A good laugh relaxes the entire body and can alleviate muscle tension and stress.
4. Laughter releases endorphins, the body’s natural pain killer lessening the aches and pains common with old age for up to two hours.
5. A healthy chuckle reduces blood pressure and improves circulation and oxygenation.
6. Laughing regularly boosts the immune system and the body’s ability to fight disease and infection.
7. Laughter reduces stress, anxiety, and depression while increasing levels of dopamine in the body.
8. Laughing exercises the muscles of the core which are crucial for breathing, posture, and mobility.

Each of these benefits happen immediately and as a direct result of laughing. The long-term and greater psychological benefits of laughing and humor are far too many to count here!

To add some laughter into your day, choose comedies over dramas, get everyone to tell a joke or funny story at dinner, or subscribe to a joke of the day email and share it with friends.

If you have questions about the power of laughter or providing elderly care in Ann Arbor, please give us a call. We’re confident you’ll see the difference in quality of care when our family shares life with yours. Schedule a tour of our facilities today. 

Why Seniors Should Join a Knitting Club

Retired and looking for a way to spend your new found free time? Interested in finding a rewarding activity for older parents or a friend?

For a senior activity, you’d be hard-pressed to find something more beneficial for its members than a knitting club. With their relaxed and rewarding environment, these groups are full of opportunities to put both the hands and mind to work. Read on and discover 5 benefits seniors get from joining a knitting club.

Physical

The dexterity and fine motor skill exercised in knitting and crocheting help knitting club members maintain and improve these abilities. Being physically active is also good for both the mind and body.

Mental

Not only is learning or practicing an intricate skill good for mental health and cognitive function, but being part of a social group puts seniors in a stimulating environment. Neurons will be firing all over the place!

Social

Depression can be a common malady of the elderly, especially those living in isolation or prone to spending time alone. Involvement in a group that promotes socialization, like a knitting club, can be a simple way to help an elder family member beat their blues.

Emotional

Engagement in knitting activities can help stay the stresses and anxieties in a senior’s life. Because knitting requires moments of great focus, it’s also a perfect time for relaxation and tranquility as the mind quiets to allow the hands to work.

Purposeful

Settling into retirement after decades of working a regular job can lead seniors to a low valuation of self, missing the feeling of making a contribution to a team or effort. Being creatively active with knitting projects can provide new purpose. A plan to donate projects to hospitals or charities can lead to an even greater sense of purpose.

The importance of these 5 benefits cannot be understated! Joining a group such as a knitting club could be an act which truly saves quality of life at a senior age. If you have questions about knitting or other social clubs, or providing elderly care in Ann Arbor, please give us a call. We’re confident you’ll see the difference in quality of care when our family shares life with yours. Schedule a tour of our facilities today. 

7 Signs Elderly Parents Need Help With Finances

Does your parent need assistance paying bills each month?

Has your parent forgotten to pay an important bill?

Does your Mom or Dad have a hard time keeping track of money?

If you answered, “Yes” to any of the above questions, then your parent may be showing signs of possible memory loss that could lead to financial problems down the road. You’re not alone! It’s very common nowadays for children to have to assist their parents with finances as they get older. You may have to re-teach them what they taught you ... to be financially responsible.

According to A Place For Mom, here are some warning signs that your parent(s) may need assistance:

1. Bills and mail are piled up and unopened
2. Creditors are calling
3. They’re mishandling money and unaware of finances
4. They make sudden expensive purchases
5. They’re complaining about not having enough money
6. You suspect they’re victims of elder fraud or a financial scam
7. They seem unable mentally or physically to keep up with daily living tasks

Are you still having problems dealing with your Mom or Dad’s finances? At Hillside Terrace, we understand that it can be a challenging time and we want to help you in any way we can to make things easier. We’re focused on holistically improving and maintaining the well-being of our residents through promoting independence, a stimulating environment, and building rapport.

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 here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” Schedule a tour today!

5 Hidden Costs of Family Caregiving

Are you finding it hard to make ends meet while caring for your loved one?

Caregiving can be a big expense. After all, assisted living communities can be quite expensive, so it must be cheaper to do it yourself, right?

Wrong!

Here are a few benefits you could be missing out on by being your family’s caregiver, according to A Place for Mom:

1. Lost wages- Caregivers frequently have to give up on their own career to take care of their loved one, missing out on an average $143,000 in lost wages.
2. Decreased employability- Caregivers find that it’s difficult to find a new job when their time as a caregiver ends.
3. Increased health care costs- Caregiving can take a toll on your physical and mental health.
4. Lost savings and retirement- Out-of-pocket expenses can really add up! The National Alliance for Caregiving and Evercare found that a stunning 47% of working caregivers reported having used up all or most of their savings.
5. Reduced productivity- Caregiving not only effects the caregiver, but the economy too. MetLife found that American businesses lose an estimated $34 billion each year due to employees’ need to care for aging loved ones.

Get Started Today: Schedule a Tour!

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!” Come see the difference we can make when your family shares life with our family. Schedule a tour of Hillside Terrace today– a facility for hospice care in Ann Arbor.

For more information about hospice care offered at Hillside Terrace, visit us at HillsideTerrace.net, or contact us here!

Be Aware of These 5 Senior Scams!

Have you or a loved one fallen victim to a scam in the past?

Is your elderly parent gullible enough to believe anything they hear?

Do you have a hard time distinguishing between what is a real offer and what is a scam?

Seniors are often the target of scams. Cognitive problems can impair seniors’ judgment as they get older making them vulnerable to cons. Seniors may face scammers on a daily basis. Navigating scams can be a difficult challenge for the elder generation, since the internet is still new to them. It’s important to be aware of the scams that are out there and how to protect yourself in case you come across one!

According to A Place for Mom, some common tactics scammers use to trick seniors include:

1. The Grandparents Scam-Someone calling claiming to be your grandchild in need of money.

Your Way Out: Don’t fully commit to wiring them funds. Check the story by asking other family members first if this grandchild is in trouble and in need of financial assistance.

2. Investment schemes- Scammers like to offer ways to safeguard your money after retirement, but really they’re after your cold hard cash!

Your Way Out: Remember that if the offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be suspicious of anyone who promises massive returns on an investment and be sure to only deal with reputable and credible institutions.

3. Email Scams- Many scams spread via email. Be sure to never open emails from a sender you don’t recognize.
 
Your Way Out: Never disclose private information online except to a trusted organization. If you have questions about whether an email you received is legitimate, call that organization directly.

4. Medicare ID Card Theft Scams- If a caller is claiming to be from a government agency to tell you your card needs to be replaced this is merely a trick to get your personal information.

Your Way Out: Never give personal information like your social security number or banking information over the phone, and be suspicious of calls from people who claim to represent official agencies and then request personal information.

5. Repair Fraud- Seniors fall victim to unnecessary repairs all of the time. If you notice that they’re being charged multiple times for something, then they could be developing dementia. 

Your Way Out: If you find yourself making poor purchasing decisions, talk to a younger family member about getting help, and possibly a financial power of attorney.

Elderly Care in Ann Arbor: Make Hillside Terrace Your Home Away From Home!

The transition from living at home independently to assisted living can be one of the most difficult decisions families and their loved ones have to make. When a family member can’t take care of themselves, it can put a heavy burden on those they love. Many people aren’t up to the task of the daily care their loved one may require.

We’re confident in our ability to provide the best quality of elderly care, the security, and the family atmosphere that you’re seeking! 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! (734) 761-4451

How to Deal With Personality Changes in Seniors

Does someone you know suffer from Dementia or Alzheimer’s?

Does your loved one feel like a stranger?

Are you struggling with ways to cope with these changes in your loved ones’ personality?

According to A Place For Mom, “although this can be a difficult situation to deal with, it helps to remember that this is not something you are causing in your loved one, rather, that the behavior is the direct result of the health condition.” Please know that nothing you did made them this way.

Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) suggests that “when your loved one exhibits an undesirable behavior, your reaction may be to try to stop or change the behavior. But remember, you can't reason with or teach new skills to a person with dementia. Instead, try to decrease the intensity or frequency of the behavior. Consider these approaches:

• Remember that your loved one isn't acting this way on purpose. Try not to get angry or upset or take it personally.
• Speak calmly and softly to the person.
• If the behavior is aggressive, back away. Give your loved one space. Then calmly approach him or her. Don't argue.
• Consider the potential cause of the behavior. Is your loved one tired, hungry, in pain, frustrated, lonely, bored? Could it be a side effect of medication?
• Respond to the emotion, not the behavior. If your loved one keeps asking about a certain family member, he or she may need reassurance that this person is healthy and safe. Avoid trying to reason with the patient, this may often lead to frustration for both of you, because he or she may be unable to follow lengthy explanations.”

Are you still having problems dealing with personality changes in your loved one? At Hillside Terrace, we understand that it can be a challenging time and we want to help you in any way we can to make things easier. We’re focused on holistically improving and maintaining the well-being of our residents through promoting independence, a stimulating environment, and building rapport.

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 here! Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” Schedule a tour today!