Did you know that transitional care not only provides therapy and a team of health professionals, but it can also significantly lower hospital readmission rates? Check out how transitional care can speed up the recovery process.

Transitional care plays a vital part in helping patients with regaining lost motor function after an illness, surgery, fall or other medical complications by offering regular physical therapy. Those who don’t utilize physical therapy after an injury often find that over time they lose flexibility, range of motion and strength in the affected area of their body. By engaging in physical therapy during recovery, you’re less likely to have those issues moving forward. 

At the Martin Luther Campus transitional care unit, we offer physical, occupational, speech and aquatic therapy. We also have a therapy gym with up-to-date equipment and Centrex Rehab facilitates our daily group exercise program to help with maintaining the strength that residents gained in therapy.  

One of the benefits of transitional care is that patients can be guided by knowledgeable transitional care professionals, instead of having to figure out what works on their own. At the Martin Luther Campus transitional care unit, we have a committed team of social workers to process admission paperwork, answer questions during patient recovery and assist with services a patient may need to make a successful transition back to their home. We also have a great interdisciplinary team of therapists, doctors, nurses, social workers and a dietitian to address all areas of recovery. 

If your loved one goes straight home after being discharged from the hospital, he or she will probably not have a customized and unique therapy program. However, our transitional care unit provides patients with a customized program that may include extensive physical, occupational, speech or aquatic therapy. Therapy is also available as an outpatient to help with continuous improvement once they’re back home. 

Transitional care can speed up recovery through targeted programs aimed at healing. Get more information about the Martin Luther Campus transitional care unit program. 

Are you interested in the Martin Luther Transitional Care Unit or do you have a loved one that is looking for Transitional Care Unit? Call Megan at 952-885-8810 for more information.   

Taking on the responsibility of being a caretaker can be rewarding and fulfilling, but the time and dedication that it requires can become overwhelming. Follow these tips for staying away from caregiver burnout. 

Many caretakers are so focused and dedicated to taking care of their loved one that their personal health can start to go downhill. In order to have energy to take care of someone else, remember to get enough sleep, eat healthy and exercise every week. There are a number of exercises you can do with your loved one, so you both are taking care of yourselves. Many caregivers also let their own doctor visits fall behind – make sure to schedule appointments for yourself as well. 

Implementing simple and easy organizational strategies can make life easier on you and can help with keeping a consistent schedule for both you and your loved one. Take notes on your care receiver's evolving needs, create an efficient system for all aspects of medication management (a pill box is a great method!) and maintain a calendar to help with prioritizing your responsibilities.  

When you start to feel emotionally depleted and the person who you are caring for is not giving you positive reinforcement, take the time to talk to a friend or family member who is understanding and will acknowledge all that you are doing and going through. If possible, find a friend who will not only listen and care, but who has gone through a similar situation and can give helpful advice. 

You may have a lot of individual friends and family who text, call or email you asking how your loved one is doing after a surgery or doctor appointment. If you become overwhelmed by the task of informing people individually, find a way to mass communicate. For instance, you could set up a Facebook page where you post updates to followers or you could send an email to everyone. Another way to mass communicate is to set up a page on a website like Caring Bridge where you can send update messages to everyone at once.

Something that really helps with preventing caregiver burnout is to make time for doing fun activities with your loved one. While it is important to assist them in necessary daily living activities, it’s also important to bond together through enjoyable projects. Some fun activities to do with your loved one include: reminiscing, looking at old photos, listening to music, doing arts and crafts or reading together. 

An Adult Day Program is not only a helpful resource for a senior needing care, but it also allows you (as the caretaker) the opportunity to go to appointments, take care of other responsibilities, and take time to re-energize. At the Martin Luther Adult Day Program, we offer both full day or half day programs and caregivers are welcome to drop-in during the Adult Day Program activities. Some of the activities and services that we offer Adult Day Program members are exercise, snacks and meals, special outings, music, and spiritual services. If you are looking into an Adult Day Program for your loved one, call us at 952-948-5167 or schedule a tour.  

If you are already experiencing caregiver burnout and you don’t know what to do next, we are here for you. If you are looking into assisted living for your loved one, we have experience helping seniors and their families transition into assisted living. Call us at 952-948-5167 for more information or to schedule a tour – we can offer guidance and help you navigate the world of assisted living. 

References: 
https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/life-balance/info-2017/avoid-caregiver-fatigue-fd.html  
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/caregiver-stress-and-burnout.htm  
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/caregiving_n_5983252  
https://www.healthinaging.org/tools-and-tips/tips-avoiding-caregiver-burnout  
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/strategies-for-getting-and-staying-organized-while-caregiving-164830.htm  

Having dementia can make it difficult to learn new things, so implementing established routines can be calming and relaxing for a person who has dementia. We’ve put together ten helpful tips for keeping a consistent schedule for seniors with dementia.

Try to keep a consistent and reliable daily schedule for the dementia patient’s meal time, bed time, and the daily time for medication intake. Establishing these routines can help with maintaining function and reducing anxiety for the person with dementia. It’s also important to break down activities into short segments because lengthy activities can become overwhelming for someone who is dealing with dementia. At our Martin Luther Campus memory care community, we provide assistance with daily living activities such as bathing, eating and personal care. We also create care plans that are personalized for each memory care patient to develop a comfortable routine.  

A dementia patient may become stressed if he or she doesn't know what activities are coming next. Remind them about activities and events that are coming up and explain how much fun these activities will be! Depending on the person, something physical like a calendar or planner can be comforting. Beforehand, evaluate whether or not they will be able to do an activity, so frustration during the event can be avoided. At our Martin Luther Campus memory care community, we create all schedules with a senior’s abilities and comfort level in mind. 

Many persons who have dementia like to be in a familiar environment where they can feel in control of their surroundings. To avoid stress, ask family and friends to come visit your loved one instead of driving them to see other people. The more travelling that is done, the more likely that the person with dementia will feel nervous about being in an unfamiliar environment. At our Martin Luther Campus memory care community, we have communities that are designed to promote comfort and security so that residents will feel at home and in a familiar environment. We encourage family members to come visit their loved ones and we provide family support through education, handouts and community resources.

Once your loved one has gotten used to a consistent daily schedule and has practiced helping with some daily activities, they may be able to take on more tasks. These practiced activities can increase self-confidence and can help with maintaining as much independence as possible.  

Dementia most often impacts short-term memory, but long-term memories remain. When talking to a person experiencing a memory disorder, avoid discussion recent events or pop culture to minimize confusion. Instead, ask them stories about their life. You may be surprised at how much your loved one will have to say about a fond memory! It’s also important not to interrupt them, so they feel more confident. ​

Caring for someone with dementia often becomes frustrating. Your loved one may become more easily agitated and want to argue. Resist the urge to argue, instead cultivate compassionate responses. Acknowledge their feelings but offer a simple idea or shift the focus. “I can see why you’re upset. I would be too if that happened to me. Let’s take a break and have a cup of coffee: coffee always helps me think more clearly!” 

While it is important to create a consistent schedule, it’s also important to be flexible. There will be good days and bad days. Some days, your loved one may not be able to do everything on their schedule. They may also resist – consider alternatives. For example, if they want to wear the same outfit every day, try buying a few identical outfits.

Certain tasks like bathing or medical appointments are best done when a person is alert and refreshed. When planning your schedule, consider your loved one’s energy level throughout the day. Schedule more challenging tasks when they’re generally most active and follow up with simple activities.  ​

While engaging in activities, reduce distractions like TV, radio or cell phones. The less distractions for your loved one, the more they can focus. 

Caring for a loved one with dementia is overwhelming. At a certain point you may feel in over your head, and it’s important to know that it’s okay! You are not alone. If you need someone to talk to or feel like you need some help, our Memory Care experts at Martin Luther Campus are always here to talk and help you plan for the future. Call Amy at 952-948-5167 for more information and to schedule a tour today.  

References: ​

https://www.caregogi.com/content/the-5-best-ways-to-maintain-a-daily-routine-for-seniors-with-dementia/  
https://www.verywellhealth.com/using-routines-in-dementia-97625  
https://extendedfamilyinc.com/blog/the-importance-of-routine-for-dementia-and-alzheimers-care  
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/caregivers/in-depth/alzheimers-caregiver/art-20047577  

Do you know a Senior who still lives at home, but is suffering from isolation and boredom? An Adult Day Program is a great solution that provides these seniors with the opportunity to socialize on a daily or weekly basis and take part in stimulating group activities. There are many benefits to an adult day program. 

An Adult Day Program offers care and fun activities for seniors during the day, but allows them the opportunity to go back home at night. This is a helpful benefit for those who are still able to take care of themselves in the evening at home but may want a little care and extra socializing during the day. For seniors who are no longer able to drive, Martin Luther Campus offers door-to-door transportation. 

Many seniors who live on their own struggle from isolation and depression. One of the greatest benefits of an Adult Day Program is that these seniors get to develop new friendships and take part in social activities without having to schedule and plan these events themselves. At Martin Luther Campus, our Adult Day Program offers exercise, spiritual services, snacks and meals, music and special outings.  

Besides getting the opportunity to socialize, Martin Luther Adult Day Program members can obtain care as well. We offer services like medication management, bathing, and physical, speech or occupational therapy for a fee.  

Adult Day Programs give caregivers a healthy break from the responsibility of taking care of a loved one 24/7. This gives the caregiver time to balance other jobs and tasks and can reduce the possible stress and strain of the relationship between the caregiver and the patient. It’s also beneficial for caretakers who work full time, so they can still work while their loved one is safe at the Adult Day Program. 

Adult Day Programs usually provide members with the opportunity to take part in a variety of events and hobbies. If you have an elderly loved one who is tired of going to the same places and doing the same activities on their own, an Adult Day Program can provide a variety of different activities on a daily or weekly basis. At Martin Luther Campus, there is always a variety of fun events for our Adult Day Program members. During June 2019, the Campus Club Flew Kites, Toured the Cathedral of St. Paul, attended a Northern Clay Class and more. During the same month, our Creekside Club had a Summer Sing-a-long, a Watercolor Class and a Picnic and Yard Games at Minnehaha Falls. These varied activities keep the days from feeling stale and allow our Adult Day Club members to travel for free without having to arrange travel themselves. 

Are you interested in the Martin Luther Adult Day Program or do you have a loved one that is looking for an Adult Day Program? Call Heather at (952) 948-5154 for more information and to schedule a tour today.