Author: thevirginian1

If there is one goal we all aspire to, it would be to live a long, healthy, and happy life. And while there may not be a road map or an instruction manual that will get us there, a recent article in Authority Magazine has at least given us a list of the five things we can aim towards to accomplish that goal, courtesy of The Virginian’s own Fitness and Wellness Manager Maria Lenor Malca.

In the article by Sergio P. Clemente, Maria is interviewed in depth on her extensive background in health and fitness and the many influences that helped to steer her on her path to self-discovery and her unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of the older adults she works with at The Virginian.

In fact, it was the people that she works with at The Virginian that inspired her to recently become certified in PWR!Move (Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery), a cutting-edge Parkinson’s disease-specific exercise program that has shown great promise in helping to slow disease progression, improve symptoms, restore function, and increase longevity and quality of life.

Along with telling Maria’s story and promoting the importance of fitness in all our lives,the article explains in some detail what we can all do to live a longer, healthier, and happier life. It is a very informative and hopefully life-changing read. And we invite you to read here.

Downsizing and decluttering for senior living can be an overwhelming and emotional process. Letting go of personal possessions and preparing to transition to a smaller space can be challenging. However, with careful planning and a strategic approach, the downsizing journey can be smooth and manageable.

Evaluate Current Needs vs Future Needs

First and foremost, seniors should begin by assessing their current needs and future lifestyle. This self-reflection will help them determine the ideal living arrangements and the amount of space required. Researching different senior living options can provide valuable insights into the available amenities and support services.

Begin the Decluttering Process

Once seniors have chosen their new living situation, they can start decluttering their current home. It’s essential to break this process into manageable steps, working room by room or area at a time. They should sort their belongings into categories such as keep, donate, sell, or discard. Family members and friends can help make decisions about family heirlooms and sentimental items.

To make the downsizing process less overwhelming, seniors can set a timeline and create a detailed plan. Breaking tasks into smaller, achievable goals will make the process more manageable and less stressful. Hiring professional organizers or senior move managers can provide valuable assistance and expertise throughout the journey.

Make Plans for Unwanted Items

Additionally, seniors should explore options for selling or donating items they no longer need. Online marketplaces, consignment shops, estate sales, or charitable organizations can help find new homes for belongings. Selling or donating items lightens the load and offers a sense of fulfillment and purpose.

Never Too Early to Start Downsizing

Even if senior living isn’t in the immediate future, it’s never too early to begin planning for the move. Allowing plenty of time for the process is crucial to avoiding feeling pressured. The smoother the process, the easier the senior move will be.

To help seniors downsize, create a plan broken down into tasks. By evaluating needs, decluttering, and organizing belongings, seniors can transition to a smaller living space with ease. The downsizing process can be an opportunity for seniors to embrace a simpler lifestyle. Surrounded by the possessions that truly matter, they can happily embark on a new chapter of their lives.

To learn more about senior living and life plan communities, contact The Virginian. Reach out online or call (703) 385-9229 to schedule a consultation and tour. We will happily show you how we can help make your golden years the best yet.

Understanding Options for Senior Living

We are lucky to be living in a time when there are so many options for senior living. However, it can be difficult to understand how they differ from one another. What distinguishes independent living from assisted living? And what exactly is memory care?

Independent Living

These communities are designed specifically for older, active seniors. People who reside here are typically in good health, active, and looking to get the absolute most out of life.

Independent living communities offer a wide range of fun events, classes, programs, social and recreational activities, as well as opulent amenities. They also give residents the freedom to live their lives without being tied down by housing and maintenance chores.

Assisted Living Communities

Seniors who need some help with daily tasks but are still active do well in assisted living facilities. Caregivers are available to assist with bathing, grooming, medication management, and other activities of daily living (ADLs).

Assisted living typically includes care services such as housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, and transportation. These communities provide a home-like environment where residents have access to help whenever needed. They also provide a variety of activities to encourage socialization and physical activity with other residents.

Memory Care

These long-term residential communities offer specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Memory care facilities create a secure, safe environment with daily schedules. This stability helps minimize stress for residents with memory issues.

Memory care residences incorporate features like alarmed doors, enclosed outdoor spaces, and heightened security measures. This is all to protect seniors and prevent them from wandering or getting lost. Knowing that your loved ones are safe and cared for provides priceless peace of mind for you and your family.

Living Life to the Fullest

At The Virginian, our goal is to change the negative ideas associated with outdated senior communities. To learn more about our continuum of care, please visit us online or call The Virginian today.

The Search for Silver Linings
Caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is physically and mentally demanding. As a caregiver, it’s important to take care of yourself during this time to avoid fatigue.

One of the easiest ways to do this is to simply take an hour or two a week to do something you enjoy. Ask a family member or friend to come sit with your loved one so you can have a break, or contact a life plan community to learn about respite care services.

Another way to help avoid caregiver stress is to search for silver linings and bits of joy along this journey with your loved one.

The Search for Silver Linings

As you watch your loved one seemingly disappear into such a debilitating disease, it’s hard to find any semblance of positivity. For your own sanity, though, it’s essential to search.

An Example
A dutiful husband is caring for his wife, who has Alzheimer’s disease. Their adult daughter was always very close with her mom and had an emotionally distanced relationship with her father. The experience of working together to care for their loved one has brought the daughter and father closer together. This was unexpected but she’s grateful and sees this as a silver lining.

Savor Every Smile

For family members and spouses, caregiver burnout is very real, but it can be avoided. Focusing on your loved one’s happiness can bring you joy, too, so create moments of happiness for you both. Making them smile or laugh goes a long way toward healing your own heart in the process.

To learn more about caregiver burnout and respite care services, reach out online or call The Virginian today.

The Montessori Method was created for teaching students, but it’s practical application can be used for a variety of things. For those suffering from memory loss, it’s a positive approach to reinforcing individual abilities.

The Montessori Method

Created in the early 1900s by Dr. Maria Montessori, the Montessori method provided a different approach to learning. Children were taught and treated as whole people with varying abilities and tastes. They were allowed to work at their own pace without pressure. Furniture was custom-made to fit smaller bodies, and colorful teaching tools were easy to manipulate and hold with small hands.

Part of the classroom experience involved learning how to do daily tasks like cleaning, washing dishes, and sweeping the floors. These activities helped instill a sense of purpose in each child. It also promoted the idea they “can do” whatever they put their minds to.

Montessori Approach to Dementia

The same principles that Dr. Montessori applied to children can be applied to people suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The brightly colored tools for dementia patients help keep their visual attention while moving parts keep their hands busy.

Like Montessori for children, the focus is on whole-person growth. Rather than focusing on what the disease has taken from them, Montessori focuses on the things they can still do. It’s all about celebrating each person for who they are and improving their quality of life.

To learn more about the whole-person approach to memory care, reach out online or call The Virginian.

It’s common knowledge that music or song can lift the spirit and heal the soul. For patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, it can have additional benefits for both the patient and the caregiver.

• Reduces stress for both patient and caregiver.
• Calms patient when agitated.
• Can help regulate blood pressure.
• Improve behavioral issues.
• Stimulate memories.

Listening to non-rhythmic or classical music can also boost cognitive function or enhance thinking. Specific songs and music can take patients back to their childhood or special times in their lives, prompting conversation and story-sharing.

Combining Music and Technology

The Virginian incorporates the latest SingFit Technology into its Memory Care programming to get the greatest therapeutic benefit from this music therapy. This unique technology platform is designed for people with all types of dementia and cognitive decline.

It allows these individuals to derive the maximum possible benefit from their interaction with the music and their interactivity with each other, including singing, movement, and reminiscence, as it works to stimulate and engage the individual’s whole body and brain.

Music Playlist for Dementia Patients

Music therapy for dementia patients is an excellent way for family members and friends to be involved in their loved ones’ daily wellness. They are encouraged to make playlists that include favorite songs or music from special times in their loved ones’ lives. These playlists are something patients can enjoy at their leisure when alone in their room or basking in the sun.

Music for Seniors with Dementia

Playing musical instruments in a group setting helps improve motor skills, coordination, and dexterity. Percussion instruments are particularly good for encouraging movement like toe-tapping, head bobbing, and clapping. This movement is good for circulation and can aid in boosting mood.

Sing Along for Dementia Patients

Singing songs is an opportunity for memory care patients to express themselves and exercise their vocal cords. Certain songs can help stimulate memories, as well. It’s best to choose songs they are familiar with to avoid agitation. Writing lyrics on a chalkboard or dry-erase board can be helpful in a group dynamic.

Suggested Songs for Dementia and Alzheimer’s Patients

1.  “America the Beautiful” performed by Ray Charles
2.  “King of the Road” by Roger Miller
3.  “Moon River” by Henry Mancini
4.  “New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra
5.  “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” by Burt Bacharach
6.  “Singing in the Rain” performed by Gene Kelly
7.  “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” performed by Judy Garland
8.  “This Land is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie
9.  “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
10.  “You Are My Sunshine” by Jimmie Davis

To learn more about how music can help your loved one or to learn about the services available for memory care patients, we are here to help. Reach out online or call The Virginian to speak with our staff or schedule a tour.

As we age, it is not inevitable to experience diminished health and well being. However, it takes a bit of effort to maintain or improve physical, mental and emotional wellness, no matter how old or young one is.

The Benefits of Exercise on Mental Health

One of the easiest ways to improve all aspects of health is to engage in regular physical exercise. This is something everyone can do as long as they do not try to do more than they are physically able to do. For instance, someone who has not been exercising regularly should not try to run three miles right off the bat.

Age is less of a factor than physical activity levels, so if you are an active person, starting a regular walking program should be rather simple and easy to achieve. However, if you tend to be more sedentary, you may have to start out with shorter distances or a slower pace. Nevertheless, the sooner you start, the faster you will see improvement in not just your physical wellbeing, but your mental and emotional health as well.

You need not be a fitness guru to enjoy the health benefits of exercise. Any amount of physical activity can help, no matter your age or fitness level. Most experts recommend adults should aim for 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each week. This breaks down to approximately 20 minutes per day. Following these recommendations can help lower your blood pressure, reduce the risk of 20 chronic health conditions including some cancers, help you lose weight, sleep better, and live longer.

One study shows that in addition to improved sleep, brain health, and quality of life, physical activity also reduces the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. In fact, sedentary adults are almost twice as likely to experience cognitive decline as are active adults.

The Link Between Psychological and Physical Health

Psychological well being and physical health are closely linked, especially at older ages. In fact, the three aspects of psychological well being directly correlate to longevity and survival. These three aspects, evaluative (life satisfaction), hedonic (feelings of happiness), and eudemonic (sense of purpose and meaning in life) well being have been shown to have a protective effect on maintaining physical health. Many experts attribute this to decreased levels of stress hormones and therefore, diminished inflammation and absence of disease.

Furthermore, there is a bidirectional relationship between physical health and subjective well being. When older people suffer from chronic illness like heart or lung disease, arthritis, or diabetes, they show both increased levels of depression and anxiety as well as impaired eudemonic and hedonic well being. In other words, maintaining physical health is key to maintaining psychological health, and vice versa.

Balance Your Life with Physical, Mental, and Social Activity

As you might surmise, your overall wellness depends on a well-balanced life that includes physical activity, mental stimulation, and social interaction. One of the best ways to ensure you are able to partake in all three aspects of health maintenance is to move into an independent living community. Here at The VIrginian, you will have the opportunity to participate in any of our daily exercise classes, expand your social circle, and pursue new hobbies and interests – all without the stress of daily chores and maintenance tasks.

Why not make a long term commitment to improving your mood, your physical and mental health, and your life? Consider the mental health benefits of no longer having to cut the grass, fix the roof, or clean the gutters. When you choose to live at The Virginian, those annoying chores will be a thing of the past. For more information or to schedule a visit, please contact our friendly and helpful staff at (703) 385-9229.

Retirement communities come in all shapes and sizes, which can be confusing. It’s great to have multiple options available and knowing the differences is helpful.

Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) and life plan communities (LPCs) are the same thing. The name was changed to reflect better the lifestyle of residents, who enjoy the rich continuum of care provided.

Benefits of Life Plan Communities

Life plan communities provide lifelong care all on one campus. These include independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing care. Respite care and rehabilitation services may also be offered for those in recovery from surgery.

LPC residents can easily move to higher levels of care, so they never need to relocate. Life plan communities provide each resident with a customized care plan that meets all needs. Specialized or additional services can be added or removed as necessary.

While mission statements and philosophy of care may vary from one facility to the next, all life plan communities provide:

• Independent living
• Peace of mind regarding changes in health and needs
• Priority access to assisted living, care services, memory care, and skilled nursing
• Maintenance-free lifestyle
• Opportunities for lifelong learning, growth, and wellness

When planning how to spend your golden years, choose a home for life. You will enjoy an enriched, stress-free lifestyle in a community that grows with you.

To learn more about life plan communities, reach out to us online or call The Virginian. Schedule a tour of our campus to see firsthand the life-enriching opportunities we have for you.

Care Begins With Community

At The Virginian, we’ve always known that community and connection are key to a healthy life. So on April 13th, it was no surprise our community showed up in droves to support the health and wellness of local older adults.

Visitors and media outlets flocked to our first inaugural Health and Wellness Fair, which was held in partnership with the Virginia Hospital Center, Capital City Nurses and Inova. Open to the public and featuring over 60 vendors and local health providers, the event was a resounding success.

Empowering Health and Wellness

Attendees visited vendor stations between 10 AM and 2 PM that offered everything from blood pressure and vision tests to workshops on fall prevention and pain management. Visitors even participated in live wellness demonstrations for continued health.

Vendors included Inova House Calls & Geriatrics, Alzheimer’s Association, Virginian Rehabilitation & Wellness, Alzheimer’s Association, Virginian Rehabilitation & Wellness, and many more local health providers who were on site to provide demonstrations and resources for living healthfully.

And since physical health is only a part of overall wellness, older adults and caregivers found mental health resources as well as materials for continuing education courses from George Mason University.

The Best Plans Start Yesterday

Retirement planning was another major focus of the event. Those golden years have a way of sneaking up on even the most prepared. That’s why fair-goers were able to speak with experts in estate planning, elder law, and our team at The Virginian for some much needed peace of mind.

This event was only the first of what we plan to make an annual gathering, where our team at The Virginian can connect older adults to the trove of resources available to them. Until then, you can see scenes from the Health and Wellness Fair covered by ABC 7News.

Have questions or are ready to start planning for independent living at The Virginian? Contact us today by filling out the form below.

Senior wellness programs have proven to be beneficial for improving overall health and addressing issues such as depression, mobility, and age-related health concerns. Through these programs, older adults can take action in the pursuit of their own well-being.

Such programs are often therapeutic for seniors with chronic health issues, Alzheimer’s Disease, and other dementia-related conditions. They help prevent depression and anxiety, help seniors live longer, and provide a comprehensive focus on senior health.

Eight interdependent dimensions of wellness contribute to the personal harmony of each individual. These are:

• Physical
• Intellectual
• Emotional
• Social
• Spiritual
• Vocational
• Financial
• Environmental

These aspects do not necessarily need to be met equally but should be addressed as needed for each resident in the community through activities for seniors. Things like healthy aging and social life are a mere part of what makes a good quality of life in retirement communities.

Physical health can be addressed by providing access to fitness centers, swimming classes and programs, and team sports like bocce and pickleball. Daily exercise classes may include water aerobics, Tai Chi, yoga, or balance and strength training.

Other programming offered may include continuing education or regularly scheduled classes. Many seniors enjoy cooking classes and instructional classes to learn new hobbies. Volunteer programs are also a great way to fulfill certain needs.

Communities with well-landscaped grounds and walking paths offer casual exercise. This environment is also perfect for hobbies such as bird-watching, leaf collecting, and many other activities.

To learn more about the senior living wellness programs and the senior living communities at The Virginian, please contact us online or call to schedule a tour. We look forward to meeting you and your loved one.