October 2014

October Brings Fun
 
As temperatures cool and the season changes, it's time to spice up your life with a little fun. We understand that caregivers need to have fun too. So, this issue of the newsletter is all about fun. You'll learn:
  • Join us for activities at ActivCare at Bressi Ranch in October
  • Fun activities to do with a loved one with dementia
  • Our next Town Hall Forum is on Oct. 23 at the Hilton on Mission Bay
  • 7 ways to boost your happiness
  • Safety tips for caring for a loved one at home
  • Tips for putting a little more fun in life
  • About our next Caregiver Support Group
Read on.
October Activities Are Bewitching
ActivCare at Bressi Ranch's Activity Director, Michelle Aguirre, has planned a month of fun, fall-themed events in October. Look forward to the regular visits from the students at Pacific Ridge School during the month. Join us for a visit to the San Marcos Pumpkin Patch & Animal Farm on Oct. 24. Plus, we all look forward to the Trick-or-Treaters that visit on Halloween.

In addition, we have these exciting events:

Oct. 1 - Patriotic Piano Music with Janet 
Oct. 8 - Ladies' Lunch Bunch 
Oct. 9 - Cooking for the Senses with Chef Art 
Oct. 16 - Men's Lunch Bunch 
Oct. 23 - Making Fall Foliage Wreaths  
Oct. 31 - Name That Candy Bar Trivia Game

You are invited to take part in our activities, so stop on by and enjoy the fun. For the full schedule, click on the link below. 
October Activity Calendar 
Activities for Those with Dementia 
The Alzheimer's Association has put together a laundry list of ideas for families, kids or teens to do with their loved one with Alzheimer's or related dementia. Don't let the disease impede your chance to share a moment or a smile. 
 
Sometimes it's the little things shared together that make the biggest impact on our lives. If you're looking for an idea of what to do together, this list should help.
 
 
Town Hall Forum - Oct. 23
 
Join us for the next Town Hall Forum entitled, Stimulation, Structure and Routine: Creating Successful Caregiving Strategies for Those with Dementia.
 
You'll gain a greater understanding of how structure and routine aid in the caring of a loved one. In addition, you'll learn some tips about creating the right environment for those with memory loss.
 
When:
Thursday, October 23, 2014 
9 am to 11 am 
Continental Breakfast at 8:30 am.

Where:Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa on Mission Bay
1755 E. Mission Bay Drive
San Diego, CA  92109

RSVP:Call 1-888-636-5677 or register online here.
 
 There is no cost to attend, but reservations are requested.
Ways to Boost Happiness 
Are you happy? Would you like to be happier? We came across this great article on CNN citing seven ways to improve your happiness. We thought that we would pass it along.
 
Home Safety Tips for Caregivers 
 Taking care of a loved one with dementia at home? The Mayo Clinic has published some guidelines to prepare your home for someone with Alzheimer's or dementia and keep harmful items out of the way.
 
A quick check to ensure that your home is safe for someone with memory loss will lead to a better caregiving experience.
 

From our years of designing communities and providing care, ActivCare has prepared some helpful tips for creating a successful living environment for those with Alzheimer's or dementia. These ideas are easily implemented and can provide a more conducive caregiving setting. Click on the link below to learn more.

 

Caregiver Support Group

 

Sometimes you just need to talk. We're here for you. ActivCare at Bressi Ranch offers a support group for family caregivers of those with Alzheimer's and dementia. The meetings are held once a month and are free and open to the public. 

 

Plan to join our next Caregiver Support Group meeting on Tuesday, October 14 at 10 am. Call (800) 425-2091 to reserve your spot today.


In This Issue
October Activities Are Bewitching
Activities for Those with Dementia
Town Hall Forum - Oct. 23
7 Ways to Boost Happiness
Home Safety Tips
Caregiver Support Group
Laugh a Little

  

ActivCare Memory Care Activity Tip

Get Crafty

 

Prepare a holiday craft together and open a whole world of creativity. Be sure to set your loved one up for success by breaking down the craft into easy steps. Choose a seasonal decoration craft and benefit two ways: Get great decor and engage a loved one. 

 

Therapists report that selecting colors and organizing pieces exercise the mind. So awaken your creativity and help boost your
brain power.

 

Guidelines for Choosing Activities 

 



FORGOT HOW TO 
HAVE FUN?
 
1. Go easy
Let yourself enjoy  
different things.

2. Integrate 
Try to make the things you have to do more fun too.
 
3. Educate 
Learning can be fun.

4. Misbehave 
Break some little rules.

5. Get Creative 
Unleash your creativity on whatever you can get your hands on.



LAUGH A LITTLE

Thank goodness for Halloween. All of a sudden cobwebs in my house are decorations! 


 I ate a gluten-free, lactose-free, low-carb pizza for dinner last tonight. (It was a raw tomato.) 


Before LinkedIn, I didn't know any strangers. 


Give a man a fish, and he'll Instagram it; teach a man to fish, and he'll still Instagram it. 


Clones are
people two. 


Out of my mind.
Back in five minutes.


Jokes from Reader's Digest (rd.com)


ActivCare at Bressi Ranch's specially designed environment, engaging activity program and compassionate caregivers provide the perfect combination for residents with memory loss to thrive.

We invite you to take a tour and see for yourself. Please call me at (800) 425-2091. 
  
Regards,

 

Melissa Koch

ActivCare at Bressi Ranch 

 

P.S. Be sure to Like us on Facebook.  and follow us on Twitter.

 

 

 

6255 Nygaard Street

 

Carlsbad, CA  92009

 

activcareliving.com