News
Advocating for Change: Our Mission for Better Alzheimer Care in Arizona
In the heart of Prescott, Arizona, a true champion for Alzheimer’s care is making a difference! Meet Susan Wielechowski, the passionate owner of Circle of Life Alzheimer Homes, who is not only transforming the lives of her residents but also advocating for systemic change in how we care for those with dementia. Recently featured in a KJZZ article, Susan has joined forces with other dedicated advocates to tackle the pressing issue of the pre-screening admission tool used for Alzheimer’s patients. Their mission? To urge Arizona lawmakers to revamp this tool to better serve individuals and families navigating the complexities of dementia care.
moreThe Impact of Music Therapy on Advanced Stage Dementia Patients at Circle of Life Care
Music therapy has shown remarkable benefits for advanced stage dementia patients, offering an engaging and soothing outlet for expression and connection. At Circle of Life Care, we incorporate music therapy as a cornerstone of our compassionate approach to dementia care.
moreThe Benefits Of Art Therapy For Seniors with Alzheimer's
Art therapy has emerged as a powerful tool for seniors living with Alzheimer's disease. This innovative therapeutic approach not only stimulates creativity but also fosters emotional expression, providing numerous benefits for individuals facing cognitive decline.
moreCaregiver's Guide to Supporting Someone with Parkinson's
Caring for someone with Parkinson's disease is a journey filled with both challenges and profound moments of connection. At Circle of Life Care, we understand the importance of providing compassionate support for individuals living with movement disorders. Here’s a caregiver’s guide to fostering a nurturing and supportive environment.
morePhysical Health and Exercise in the Management of Frontotemporal Disorders (FTD)
Managing temporal frontal lobe dementia requires an approach that nurtures both the mind and body. At Circle of Life Care, we believe that physical health and exercise play a vital role in enhancing the lives of those affected by frontotemporal degeneration. Here are key insights into how exercise contributes to overall well-being.
moreChoosing the Right Dementia Care Facility: Why Circle of Life Care is the Best Option
Finding the right dementia care facility for your loved one can feel overwhelming. At Circle of Life Care, we understand the emotional weight of this decision. Our mission is to uphold dignity and support individuals with dementia in a nurturing environment. Here’s why Circle of Life Care stands out among dementia homes.
moreWhat to Look For in a Memory Care Facility
Choosing the right memory care facility for a loved one is a journey that requires thoughtful consideration and compassion. At Circle of Life Care, we understand the complexity surrounding this decision, particularly for families navigating the emotional challenges of dementia. Here are key aspects to keep in mind when selecting a memory care facility that provides dignity and respect.
moreUnderstanding the Stages and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease
As experts in Alzheimer's care at Circle of Life Alzheimer's Homes in Arizona, we understand the challenges faced by Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that impacts a person's memory and cognitive abilities. Recognizing the stages and symptoms can help caregivers and family members provide better care and support for their loved ones. Here's a breakdown of what to expect:
moreHealthy Ways to Encourage Cognitive Abilities in Dementia Patients
At Circle of Life Alzheimer's Homes in Arizona, we understand the importance of providing top-notch dementia care services for our residents. We prioritize creating a supportive environment that fosters cognitive abilities and promotes overall well-being. We want to share some healthy ways to encourage cognitive abilities in dementia patients. We believe in the power of engaging activities and personalized care to enhance the quality of life for our residents.
moreWhat is Memory Care?
At Circle of Life Alzheimer's Homes in Arizona, we pride ourselves on our exceptional dementia care services. We understand the unique challenges that come with memory-related illnesses such as Alzheimer's and dementia, which is why we prioritize the well-being and comfort of our residents above all else. Our team at Circle of Life is dedicated to providing personalized and compassionate care that focuses on enhancing the quality of life for our residents.
moreWernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome vs. Alzheimer's: Key Differences
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS) and Alzheimer's disease are two distinct neurological disorders that affect memory and cognitive functions. While both conditions can lead to significant cognitive impairments, they have different causes, symptoms, and treatment approaches. Circle of Life Care blog will explore the key differences between Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome and Alzheimer's, helping you understand each condition's unique characteristics.
moreUnderstanding Lewy Body Dementia: An Overview
Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) is a complex and progressive neurological disorder characterized by abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies in the brain. These deposits affect various brain functions, leading to cognitive, motor, and behavioral changes. In this blog, Circle of Life Care will explore the symptoms, stages, and diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia to help you understand this challenging condition.
moreThe Importance of Nutrition and Mealtimes for Advanced Stage Dementia Patients at Circle of Life Care
Proper nutrition and well-planned mealtimes play a crucial role in caring for individuals with advanced dementia. At Circle of Life Alzheimer's Homes, we understand the significance of tailored meal plans for our residents. Let’s delve into the importance of proper nutrition and mealtime routines for those in advanced dementia care.
moreNavigating the Balancing Act
The Sandwich Generation's Guide to Caring for Kids and Aging Parents
more5 tips to adjust to daylight savings time for a person with dementia
Valerie Feurich, Positive Approach to Care Team Member
Santa Visits Circle of Life Care Homes
He's Making A List and Checking It Twice! One of our favorite days around our homes is when Santa comes to visit. The smiles from our residents leaves no doubt that this is a memorable day.
moreHow to Care For Loved Ones With Advanced Stages of Dementia
At Circle Of Life Care, located in Northern Arizona, we offer private care residences for patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Our mission is to provide our residents with the care they need, and our caregivers are reliable and offer a range of services. Your loved one may not be ready for a private care home yet, so here are some tips to help everyday. Learn more today!
moreAlways Be Mindful of Elder Abuse
Unfortunately, according to the Alzheimer's Association, elder abuse can occur anywhere, particularly in care settings. People with dementia are especially vulnerable since the disease may prevent them from reporting the abuse or even recognizing it as such.
moreChallenging Behavior
Teepa Snow discussing the topic of challenging behaviors.
moreLearn More About Vascular Dementia
Circle of Life Care is here for all of those suffering or starting to suffer from different forms of dementia. In this blog, we are covering vascular dementia, including what it is, the symptoms, and how to prevent it. Vascular dementia is a general term used to describe problems with essential human functions like reasoning, planning, judgment, memory, and other thought processes. This is usually caused by impaired blood flow to your brain, which damages your brain.
Factors that increase your risk of heart disease and stroke play big roles in developing vascular dementia, including:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- Symptoms
There are quite a few symptoms when it comes to vascular dementia. The symptoms vary as well because it depends on what part of the brain is not getting enough blood. It is common for vascular dementia symptoms to overlap with other types of dementia, especially Alzheimer's.
Look out for these symptoms if you or someone you know thinks they’re experiencing vascular dementia:
- Random confusion
- Reduced ability to organize thoughts or actions
- Extreme difficulty and frustration when deciding what to do next
- A decline in the ability to analyze a situation, develop an effective plan, and communicate that plan to others
- Concerning problems with memory
- Restlessness and agitation
- Depression or apathy
- Trouble paying attention and concentrating
- Uncontrollable urges to urinate
COVID-19 Protection: Small Residential Care Homes Versus Large Institutions
Circle of Life
Given that the elderly have the highest risk of adverse outcomes from COVID-19, we knew that we had to take aggressive action as the virus spread through Prescott and the country as a whole. After more than a year of fighting to protect our staff and residents from COVID-19, it’s become clear that our strategy has worked. It’s also becoming clear that as far as residential care homes are concerned, smaller private homes for patients with dementia or Alzheimer's have fared much better than large ones.
Below, you’ll find a discussion of how Circle of Life’s small and personalized approach has benefited residents over the past year. If you would like to learn more about our facilities or any of the information discussed in this post, please reach out to our office.
Caregiver-to-Resident Ratio
First and foremost, we believe that our high caregiver-to-resident ratio has been one of the primary drivers of our success. Larger institutions have many more residents to care for and, as a result, often have low caregiver-to-staff ratios. Because our facility is smaller to begin with, we’re able to provide better, more personalized care to our residents. In the context of COVID-19, this means that we’re in a better position to consistently sanitize rooms and common areas while monitoring our residents’ health.
moreHow to Cope With Loneliness During the Holidays
As we all know the COVID-19 Pandemic has changed our reality. Some more than others, but there is doubt that everybody has felt the effects of this pandemic. Some changes have been bigger than others, but for a lot of people, the lack of social interaction compared to “normal life” has been one of the most difficult changes.
You could be self-isolating because you caught the infection, trying to avoid the virus, quarantined because you were exposed to someone with the virus, are in the high-risk category, working from home, or any other reason, whatever the reason may be, you may have this hovering loom of loneliness hovering above your head. Especially now that the holidays are right around the corner. Circle of Life realizes that this may prohibit you from seeing your loved ones during this special time.
Circle of Life wants to comfort you in saying that you are not alone. In fact, with everything that is going on, this feeling is actually quite normal. In this blog, we are going to recommend several options for you to try to help you reduce this sense of loneliness and to help you get through this year’s holidays during a pandemic.
Develop and Keep to a Schedule
moreLewy Body Dementia
At Circle of Life, we provide the utmost excellent care to people who are suffering from Alzheimer’s and other neurological diseases. Another disease that doesn’t get talked about enough is Lewy Body Dementia. Circle of Life happily houses people who are suffering from not only Alzheimer’s but Lewy Body Dementia and other dementia-related illnesses. This is why we wanted to try and open people’s eyes. In this blog, we want to talk about Lewy Body Dementia and inform our clientele, as well as the rest of the public.
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