Although we cannot be with every senior during this time or peoples with compromised health systems, we still want to be a resource. Our Corporate Registered Dietitian will be putting together some short video segments to provide nutrition tips and fun little recipes for people to try on their own. We are hopeful that with these precautions we will be able to move on to our “normal lives” soon.
Nutrients found in foods can help boost our immune systems and provide our bodies with extra protection. That being said, it is not guaranteed that any of the foods will actually prevent you from ever becoming sick. However, here are just a few foods that can give us a little help in staying healthy!

• Carrots, mangos, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes and sweet potatoes- all contain Beta Carotene, a naturally occurring retinol precursor that can help stimulate the release of natural killer cells, lymphocytes and monocytes while inhibiting free-radical damage to DNA.
• Citrus fruits, berries, melons, bell peppers, broccoli and tomatoes- contain Vitamin C which supports other cellular functions and has antioxidant properties. Vitamin C helps direct immune cells (neutrophils) to sites of infections.
• Fatty fish, eggs and fortified milks & juice- contain vitamin D which has anti-inflammatory properties that can counteract microbial infections in addition to inflammation.
• Beef, seafood, bean, tofu and nuts- good sources of Zinc that is critical for normal development and function of cells that can help fight infection & heal wounds. Zinc may also reduce the duration of the common cold and reduce risk of upper respiratory infections in children.
• Cultured dairy products and fermented foods- provide probiotics to promote good gut health
• Dairy products, eggs, beef, chicken, seafood, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils- great sources of protein which is crucial to build, maintain and repair body tissue. Antibodies that help fight disease are made of protein (amino-acids).

During these trying times, focus on having a healthy balance in your life including eating well, moving (as much as possible) and getting adequate sleep. Aim for 5-7 servings of fruits and veggies daily to get these immune boosting minerals, vitamins and antioxidants!
Of course, proper hand hygiene is one of the most effective way to help prevent the spread of germs. We would also like to remind everyone to properly clean utensils, glassware and other serving dishes. Refrain from sharing silverware, cups, bottles, etc… to avoid the spread of germs from on to another.
The recipe today is one that our Registered Dietitian Becca thinks we all deserve at this time because it features steak! Steak is a wonderful source of protein, zinc and iron. Pairing foods like steak with other foods containing vitamin C (strawberries) helps our bodies absorb iron more efficiently too!

Eyesight is a gift often taken for granted.  As we age, our eyesight can easily deteriorate.  There are different kinds of eye diseases. Age related macular degeneration, is one of the most common eye diseases. .  Taking precautions early is a great way to prevent disease from progressing too quickly and sometimes even from starting.
Age related macular degeneration is a common eye condition,  and leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 50.  It causes damage to the macula, the area needed for sharp, central vision which lets us see objects straight ahead.   The disease varies in how quickly it can progress and can result in loss of vision in 1 or both eyes.  Objects may appear to be less bright, or blurred in the center.
This at risk for macular degeneration include individuals who smoke, who are  Caucasian, and those who have family members who have had macular degeneration.
We can help our eye health, and slowing of macular degeneration by avoiding smoking, exercising regularly, maintaining normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well as eating a healthy diet rich in green leafy vegetables, and fish.
Research has shown a  combination of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, beta carotene, zinc, and copper have proven effective to reduce the risk of age related macular degeneration.By  adding lutein and zeaxanthin  your chances of slowing this  disease improve even more.  These vitamin mineral combinations are those found in the dark green leafy vegetables and fruits as well as in  fish.   If you are not able to consume these items regularly, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about a specific eye health supplement that may be right for you.
As with any medication, consult your own health care team to assure safety of the products for you specifically.

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What to Look for in a Memory Care Community
Few processes are more stressful than deciding upon the best place to move a loved one when it is determined that a move to memory care is the best option.  Keep in mind that when this decision needs to be made, it is often critically important, not only for the well-being of the person with dementia, but in order to maintain the health and safety of the family member who is their current care partner.
If you are in the process of making this potentially agonizing decision, here are some questions to ask yourself, and others, as you tour and consider various possibilities:
What does the environment feel like?

• Is it cozy? Is the atmosphere comfortable and homelike?   
• How’s the temperature?  Are there pleasant smells?
• Are there items of interest on the wall to attract attention and engage the residents?  
• Is television on, with no one really engaged, or is there some soothing music happening if there is not a scheduled activity going on?
• Do you see residents out and about, chatting together?
• Do you see staff interacting warmly with residents? 
• Do residents seem calm and content, overall? 
• What sorts of interventions are tried here should a resident become upset?  For example, is  Aromatherapy in use?  (see http://www.haaromatherapy.com/  to learn more)

What can you learn about the staff?

• Are staff members trained in dementia care on a computer, or do they get plenty of in-person instruction?
• How much training does the front-line staff get upon hire and yearly on different dementia topics?   
• Are staff warm and friendly towards visitors?
• Do staff members seem to take their time around residents, or are they rushing?
• If you have the opportunity, away from residents, ask a staff member, “What do you like about working with persons with dementia?”
• Ask how staff members are trained to deal with challenging situations, such as a resident pounding on the door and wanting to leave? (Encouraging answers would include “We are trained to validate the need behind whatever the resident is feeling, to comfort, to reassure, and to redirect them to something that we know is meaningful or pleasurable for them” and “When possible, we take someone who wants to leave this part of the building for a short walk in another part of the building, or (weather permitting) even outside.”
• What is the ratio of staff to residents?  Is memory care currently full now?  How many memory care residents will there be when it is full? (Does this sound like too big of a crowd for your loved one to manage well around?)  

What is the level of activity and engagement?  

• Is there an activity staff person specifically assigned to the memory care community? 
• Are activities ever scheduled after supper?  How about on the weekend?   If you get an activities schedule, look to see if the weekend schedule is as full as the weekday schedule.  
• Ask to observe an activity.  Note the level of engagement of the participants.  Is the activity being done FOR the residents, or (preferably) is there lots of interaction and participation, because the activity is being done WITH the residents?
• How often do staff engage residents during the down time they have between cares?
• How much is music a regular part of the life of the community? 
• Are there any service projects being done?
• Do Assisted Living residents and Memory Care residents ever come together and interact?   
• How would my loved one be made to feel useful in this community?

Does the well-being of residents seem to be a priority?

• Observe the relationship between front line staff and memory care residents very closely. The quality of life of your loved one will be dependent on the quality of the relationships s/he has with the staff who interact with them the most.
• Ask how consistent the staffing patterns are. Will your loved one have the same person helping them for a certain number of days in a row?  Consistent staffing patterns are a very good sign, as are caregivers who have worked at the site or in memory care for many years.   

What support is available here for family members?

• Is there a Care Partner Support Group that meets onsite or nearby?
• How often are educational presentations given about dementia or related issues? 
• How often will I be invited to attend a care conference concerning my loved one?    
• Has this site had experience with different types of dementia (such as Lewy Body, Frontotemporal, and Vascular)?   Even if your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia, you want to know if the site has experience and training on working with different types of dementia.   

This is by no mean a complete list of what you will want to ask, but it’s a start.  Two more ideas:

• Ask the person who is touring you, “What are you most excited about currently in terms of what is going in in your memory care community?”
• Think about your loved one, their personality, their habits, their interests and accomplishments, and ask specific questions to determine how all of that might be catered to at whatever sites you are considering.

Good luck in your search!
-Marysue Moses, Ebenezer Dimensions Coordinator