 If your aging parent or a loved one has been living independently and enjoying an active lifestyle, they might not be willing to admit that their mental and/or physical abilities are not what they used to be.
Not wanting to be a burden, they may be hesitant to reach out for assistance — that’s why it is important to know when it’s time to offer help. Signs that indicate your loved one may need help include:
Unless the situation is critical, experts recommend involving your parent or loved one as much as possible in the decision-making process when planning for care. This can help ease their fears of losing control, and it shows that you have their best interests at heart. Taking on Caregiving Responsibilities Becoming a family caregiver is one of the most rewarding and stressful jobs you’ll undertake. Because you’re likely juggling many responsibilities, taking care of your physical health and emotional well-being are key to avoid caregiver stress. According to the American Psychological Association, caregiving strain is often more significant when caregivers don’t have enough resources (information, skills, social support, respite and community services) and feel overwhelmed. Being aware of caregiver stress can help you take action. Signs and symptoms include:
Navigating family caregiving tasks There’s no reason to feel like you have to go it alone. Asking for help with caregiving responsibilities can help you avoid caregiver stress. Family members and friends are often ready and willing to help, but they may be unaware of your feelings or how they can help. Starting the conversation and sharing information can help everyone understand the situation and feel involved. Be specific about the type of help you need and make a list of important tasks. Look for ways to divide caregiving responsibilities, such as running errands or buying groceries; managing bills and other financial duties; taking care of your loved one’s medications and doctor appointments; or researching additional resources for support. If you or a loved one needs support navigating senior living option or is seeking tools and resources available in the community, do not hesitate to call the Martin Luther Campus. We are glad to share community resources, support groups, adult day program options and conversation to support you. Contact Amy today at 952-948-5167 or ajames6@fairview.org
0 Comments
 The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a wrench in most people’s plans for 2020. If you were thinking of a move to a senior living community like Martin Luther Campus prior to the pandemic, you might be trying to decide if it’s still a good idea. Since the beginning of the year, we’ve learned a lot about infection prevention and protocols to reduce the risk for older adults living in our communities. We’re seeing an infection rate that is lower than our state’s average. And, we’re hearing from our new residents the reasons why they’ve decided to make a move (and the reasons they feel good about their decision).
Contact Amy for details. 952-948-5167 or ajames6@fairview.org  Honorary Family: To my Meadow Woods residents...
by Ninah, Home Health Aide at Meadow Woods Assisted Living ~The reasons I awake before the cock crows or the sunrise, ~Learning something new each day from the experienced and wise ~Never a dull moment; each one keeps me on my toes ~The smiles, thank you’s, treats, stories and more, I greatly appreciate all of those. ~It’s the little things that matter and they play such a big part ~Whether we are near or far, together or not, you all will always hold a special place in my heart! Thank you for allowing me to take care of you. About Ninah: Ninah is a Home Health Aide at Meadow Woods Assisted Living. When we learned she had a secret love for writing poetry, we asked her to consider sharing a sample of her work. She graciously agreed to share this poem with us, and you. We could not think of a better example of her talent and her kind heart. Thank you, Ninah, for being such a special member of the Meadow Woods Family.  Every day, no matter your age, you should make drinking the recommended amount of water a priority. Staying hydrated is crucial for your overall health and is an important part of your daily routine. Your body is made up of approximately 60% water and even slight dehydration can have an impact on your quality of life and overall well-being.
There are several reasons why you should make drinking plenty of water throughout the day a priority. Regardless of whether you are young and in college or residing in an assisted living community in Bloomington, here are several reasons why you should make increasing your daily water intake a priority. It Improves Your Skin Your skin deserves a lot of love and attention. It receives a lot of wear and without proper care, you can easily damage it. When you are fully hydrated, the water will boost your skin health. Proper hydration diminishes wrinkles and potential skin disorders. It also is important to reduce swelling and puffiness, which can occur from a rough night of sleep or from high-stress levels. Water Keeps Your Joints Healthy Water is essential for your joints. It helps to lubricate the joints, making it easier to move and reduces the risk of injuries and joint pain. As you move your body, your joints can experience a lot of shock. This is evident in all types of exercises from walking and running to strength training. Water is one way to protect your body and to help you stay fit. It Keeps Your Digestive System Working Hard Your digestive system works hard each day. For it to function properly, water is needed. When you are dehydrated, your body can experience constipation and stomach pain. You may also increase your risk of heartburn. When you stay well hydrated, your digestive system has the fuel it needs to properly work and to ensure everything is moving throughout your body as it should. You will not only feel better but all major functions of your body will move well. Water Improves Your Kidney Health The job of your kidneys is to regulate fluid in your body and filter out the toxins from your insides. When you do not have sufficient water for your kidneys to function, it can cause a variety of serious health conditions including kidney stones and other diseases. Additionally, water is needed for essential vitamins and minerals to travel throughout your body and reach your kidneys. This will keep these vital organs healthy and working and its best. How to Increase Your Daily Water Intake Even if you are not receiving dementia care in Bloomington, remembering to drink the recommended amount of water each day can be a major challenge. There are many beverages that may be more tempting such as coffee, soda, and alcohol. If you struggle to drink the recommended amount of water each day, here are a few tips to assist. Set a Timer: Many individuals do not drink enough water because they tend to forget throughout the day. To prevent this from happening, turn on a timer. Every hour, set the timer and once the timer goes off, drink 8 ounces of water. When you do this for at least eight hours a day, you will have drank 64 ounces of water, greatly increasing your water intake. Drink One Glass of Water Before Each Meal: Before you sit down for each meal, drink at least one full cup of water. This will not only help you increase your water intake throughout the day, but it is a terrific way to prevent overeating. This cup of water will make you feel full faster, reducing the amount of food you consume during each meal. Eat Water-Rich Foods: There are many fruits, vegetables, and other healthy food items that contain high levels of water. By eating these foods regularly, you will increase your daily water intake without even realizing it. Many of these water-rich foods you can incorporate into a variety of meals and when residing in a senior living community in Bloomington, these foods will be available on a regular basis. Several water-rich foods you may consider including in each of your meals include:
Carry a Water Bottle Throughout the Day: As you walk to each of your activities throughout the day, bring a water bottle with you. You may find that you will sip on the water throughout the day, increasing your water intake. Consider a large water bottle, such as one that is 32 ounces or larger, as you will not need to fill up the water bottle often. Make it a goal to refill your water bottle at least twice each day. Add Some Flavor: It can be hard to drink plenty of water if you do not like the boring and bland taste. If you want something with a little more flavor, there are many ways to spice it up. For example, add fruit or herbs such as mint to your cup of water. This will give your water a little more flavor and you may reap a few additional health benefits as well. Water should be an important part of your life no matter if you are a young child or receiving memory care in Bloomington. For those receiving senior care in Bloomington, talk to your doctor for recommendations on how much water you should consume each day and a few additional tips to help you increase your daily intake. assisted living Bloomington, dementia care Bloomington, memory care Bloomington, senior care Bloomington, senior living Bloomington  We are delighted to share that Martin Luther Campus has started offering outdoor visits to residents and their families.
Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic has meant we are closely monitoring the physical health of residents and putting all recommended infection control protocols in place to ensure their safety. While our commitment to health and safety continues, we are also incredibly cognizant of the need to support the emotional and social health of our residents. Outdoor visits are a direct and impactful activity to nurture and support the social needs of residents. Visits began on Campus the week of June 29 and are going very well. Outdoor family visits are truly energizing and have brought so much joy to our residents and staff already. We've hosted reunions for spouses, parents/children, siblings, grandparents/grandkids/granddogs...and they have all been so meaningful! There have even been birthday and wedding anniversary mini-celebrations! You can view a few photos from recent visits on our Facebook page at: https://bit.ly/38jWOrL and https://bit.ly/3eSDfZY While we are enjoying and celebrating this time, we are also following the visiting guidelines put forth by the Minnesota Department of Health closely. In fact, here is a framework of these guidelines as recently shared with residents and families: Outdoor Visits Process Outdoor visits are available:
What to expect:
If you are interested in exploring an outdoor visit or have additional questions, please contact the following staff members:
 Martin Luther Campus recently added 'Love Thy Neighbor' signs to our campus grounds. At the time of our order, the company generously doubled the quantity of our order to allow us to pass this message of equality onto others. We would like to make these additional signs available to folks who might be interested in a sign for their yard, window, etc. Please register below for a chance to have your name selected in a drawing - we have two available. We will contact those chosen after Wednesday, June 24. Thank you. *Special thanks to Prints of Love for their generosity. printsoflove.com  It's no secret that older adults have a lot of valuable life experience and perspective. We are delighted to share this sweet and smart list of advice directly from seniors of Martin Luther Campus. There are many years of combined wisdom in these words...
Congrats to the high school seniors who work and volunteer on our campus and to 2020 graduates everywhere! May your futures be filled with great successes. Good luck and all our best from Martin Luther Campus.  National Volunteer Appreciation Week
April 19th-25th, 2020 As we celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Week, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our Martin Luther Campus volunteers. Volunteers play a vital role in our day-to-day operations and for that, we are grateful! While our volunteer visits have been suspended at this time, our thoughts, prayers and appreciation for them carries on. As we honor our volunteers, not only this week, but all year long, our hearts are filled with gratitude and admiration for all they are, all they do and for the unique contributions they make in our community. When Giving Is All We Have One river gives its journey to the next. We give because someone gave to us. We give because nobody gave to us. We give because giving has changed us. We give because giving could have changed us. We have been better for it, We have been wounded by it. Giving has many faces: It is loud and quiet, Big, though small, diamond in wood-nails. Its story is old, the plot worn and the pages too, But we read this book, anyway, over and again: Giving is, first and every time, hand to hand, Mine to yours, yours to mine. -Alberto Rios We share this poem in honor of our volunteers. It is a poem of thanks to those who live lives of service, which (the author states) includes all of us – from the large measure to the smallest gesture, from caregiving to volunteerism. We share these words, not only as a poem, but also as a recognition to our volunteers who give for so many reasons. For those many reasons, we, at Martin Luther Campus are grateful! Interested in learning more about how to volunteer at Martin Luther Campus? Visit: https://www.martinluthercampus.com/volunteer-opportunities.html
We asked our assisted living and memory care residents what happiness means to them. See their great answers and words of wisdom too!
 A message from Chaplain Jack...
I want to wish all of our residents, their families, our staff and their families a Happy Easter Week! Easter Week starts with Easter Sunday and ends with Sunday after Easter. It is a very important time for Christians to reflect on a foundational belief in our faith. This is when we as Christians look past the Cross and the Empty Tomb and can rejoice in our Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus. Many traditions are found around Easter, and I know we can all remember Easter’s past with family and friends; the Easter Egg hunts, the Easter baskets with candy and of course the Easter meal we have shared together. But since the second century AD, the rejoicing celebration we have most cherished is gathering with our brothers and sisters in Christ to rejoice that we have a Savior who is alive, a Savior who reigns and a Savior who is ready to hear and answer our prayers! So, on this Easter Week I want to wish you a blessed and happy week in our Risen Savior. ~Chaplain Jack Stanek, Director of Spiritual Care at Martin Luther Campus |
Director of Community Relations
Hello friends, my name is Kate and I'd love to share with you ALL of the wonderful things happening at Martin Luther Campus. Be sure to check our Blog, Lifestyle page and Facebook page often to stay updated on the happenings at our community! Archives
July 2021
Categories |
RSS Feed
Martin Luther Campus is managed by Ebenezer, Minnesota’s largest senior living operator. Ebenezer is the senior housing division of Fairview Health Services and has 100 years of experience serving older adults. We have been innovators with being the first assisted living in Minnesota, and have an attached long term care, or traditionally called a "nursing home". We are proud to have been serving Bloomington for over 50 years!
Discrimination is Against the Law. We comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws. We do not discriminate against, exclude or treat people differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex or sexual orientation..
|
|
telephone |
|
DIRECTIONSimap
|
© 2021 Fairview Health Services
|
