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Showing posts from January, 2022

What are the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease?

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  It’s common for many older adults to experience “senior moments.” They have memory lapses, misplace things or forget something they just witnessed. They also may forget the right word for a common object or have trouble performing everyday tasks. The normal process of aging is typically the culprit for “senior moments,” but sometimes there may be something more serious going on like Alzheimer’s disease.  Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative condition which affects the brain and its ability to function normally in areas such as memory, problem solving and language. Generally, it occurs in people over the age of 65, although in some cases, people develop it in their 40s and 50s. As one of the leading causes of dementia, it is estimated that Alzheimer’s affects around 5 million Americans – a number that is expected to increase as time goes on. In this article, our memory care team in Morris County will go over the signs of this disease, the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, a

5 Important Questions to Ask Your Assisted Living Community

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  Moving into an assisted living community is a big commitment. It’s important that your loved one feels confident, comfortable and happy with the community. Not only that, you and your extended family also need to consider the quality of mom or dad’s care and the proximity of the community to your current residences. After all, the  move to an assisted living facility  affects the entire family. That’s why it’s essential to ask all the right questions before coming to a final agreement on your loved one’s care.  Here are some helpful questions to ask when researching different options to help narrow down your search to the right community: 1.      Where is the assisted living community located?  Is it close to friends and family? Does your loved one know the area and enjoy it? These questions will help narrow down your geographic search. If your loved one likes the area and has good social and family connections in the neighborhood, then the move is likely to be an easier and more

Truffled Potato Croquettes: 5 Easy Steps

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  We’ve never met a potato we didn’t like. Boiled, fried, mashed – you name it and we’ll eat it. If you’re craving more potato varieties to add to your weekly dinners, the chefs at the JCHC senior communities have put together a simple recipe for truffled potato croquettes. Not only is this recipe delicious, but it can also be completed in just 5 easy steps!   Serves 4. Cook Time: 30 mins.  Ingredients: 4 cups cooked mashed Yukon gold potatoes, warm white pepper to taste kosher salt to taste 3 egg yolks 1 tablespoon chopped black truffle slices, drained ½ tablespoon oregano ½ tablespoon purple basil, chopped 3 cups unbleached flour 3 cups Panko breadcrumbs 4 eggs lightly beaten for egg wash Directions: 1.      In a medium mixing bowl, blend warm potatoes, salt, pepper, oregano, and purple basil together. Then mix in your egg yolks last and make sure they are blended thoroughly. (If the mixture is too loose, add more potato.)

How to Combat the “Winter Blues” in Seniors

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Is your loved one starting to feel sad after all of the holiday excitement? It’s normal to feel a little “blue” after the holidays pass, but it’s important to distinguish between a quick letdown and Seasonal Affective Disorder, commonly referred to as SAD. For those who may not be familiar, Seasonal Affective Disorder is a form of depression that occurs during the winter months when the days are shorter and there is a constant chill in the air. In this article, we will discuss how SAD develops and what you can do to help your senior loved one if they have the “winter blues.”  What causes Seasonal Affective Disorder? The exact cause of Seasonal Affective Disorder is unknown, but some mental health professionals believe it is related to the lack of sunlight during this time of year. Older adults that have restricted mobility or live alone are at increased risk for SAD due to decreased exposure to natural sunlight and time spent with others outdoors. Symptoms may include social withdrawal