by Linda Melbardis | Jan 1, 2020 | Senior Assisted Living
ALL ABOARD! At Country Home Assisted Living in Parker, Co. all the gals love their activities and outings with the Outback Express. Every Tuesday of the month Outback Express comes to take them into Parker and the surrounding areas for lunch and a trip to Walmart or stores of their choice. The Outback Express is a large bus with white and blue stripes and clearly marked “Outback Express.” There is a lift for handicap and less mobile residents. The bus is a division of the East Central Council of local governments (ECCOG) and serves the plains of Colorado in the counties of Elbert, Cheyenne, Kit Carson and Lincoln. A fare system has been established, based on 11 cents per mile. The system is funded with the Federal Transit Administration through the Colorado Department of Transportation and with local government support. Kay and husband Jim have been the drivers for Country Home Assisted Living and provide a fun and safe trip each week. One of the most enjoyable trips has been to Cracker Barrel in Colorado Springs. Our residents love the hour drive and the scenic route taken, and of course the great food at Cracker Barrel. At Country Home Assisted Living in Parker Colorado we always have fun things to do here. We love to go to plays at the Pace Center in Parker, lunch at the Senior Center, or just out for ice cream! So come on over and visit us and find out more. ...
by Linda Melbardis | Mar 23, 2019 | Senior Assisted Living
Wow. Snow in March in Colorado isn’t unusual, but the blizzard that battered us in mid-March was one for the records. I was grateful for the safety and security Country Home Assisted Living was able to provide our eight residents. Because our country setting is quite open, with a few trees not close to the house, the howling wind swayed the otherwise sturdy ponderosas and created drifts four and five feet high. We were safe and sound during the storm, but we do have an emergency plan in case of a natural disaster or even a terrorist attack. The state requires it. Our backup generator will provide heat, lights and water should we lose power in a storm (we didn’t). And if we must evacuate, we have a home in the mountains that can accommodate more residents than our current household. Each of our residents has a personal emergency kit containing medical records, medications list, family contacts, and physician contact information. I also keep the information on one sheet, which I use in case I need to call 911. It comprises individuals’ information plus the pharmacy, DNR documentation, and the Medicaid and Medicare numbers. In short, we’re prepared. And, even though we’re in a lovely country setting, Country Home Assisted Living is still within easy reach of first responders, should we ever need them. We can always use the moisture spring snow provides, but the next snowfall, hopefully speaking, will lead to early spring...
by Linda Melbardis | Oct 18, 2018 | Senior Assisted Living, Uncategorized
Calcium. Potassium. Sodium. Vitamin D. Vitamin B12. Dietary fiber. Sound boring? It doesn’t have to be. No matter our age, we all need the basics of a healthy diet. But older adults have dietary needs to mitigate the risks of deficiencies that come with age. At Country Home assisted living in Elbert County, my aim is to see that my residents are well nourished so they can feel their best and enjoy a good quality of life. A few basics about that list of nutrients: As we age, we’re more susceptible to bone loss, which can lead to fractures – a risk from falling. Calcium is vital to bone health. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, so the two go hand in hand. Good sources of calcium aren’t just dairy products, though, so if you can’t or don’t want to eat dairy, opt for green vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and okra. Nuts are also sources of calcium. Even fish such as sardines contain calcium, but they must include the bones—and you need to eat them. Potassium is a partner with sodium, in that it counterbalances some of sodium’s harmful effects (such as high blood pressure). Foods that contain potassium include fruits, vegetables and fish–such as bananas, sweet potatoes, winter squash, spinach, and tuna and cod, just to name a few foods. Also on the list are prune and orange juices, canned white beans, lima beans and yogurt. Among vitamins, vitamin B-12 is important for cell formation, cell metabolism, nerve function and bone health. A deficiency of vitamin B-12 can be associated with tingling or prickly feelings in...
by Linda Melbardis | Feb 23, 2018 | Senior Assisted Living
One of the senior care services in Castle Rock, CO that we offer is weekly music therapy. While this may seem like an enjoyable pastime to some, music therapy actually offers many scientific benefits for the aging brain. Humans have been using music since the earliest recorded history for its therapeutic powers – and modern use of music as therapy dates back to the first World War. So what it is about music that can help senior citizens? Here’s what you need to know. Music Engages the Entire Brain As we age, diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s can make it difficult for all parts of the brain to be used and engaged on a regular basis. But because of the way that music engages us physically, mentally, and emotionally, listening to it and making it actually engages every part of the brain. Motor skills and movement, either from dance or playing music, mean that the motor areas of the brain are engaged. The limbic system, which controls our emotional reactions and decision making, is engaged due to the way we associate music with feeling. And finally, the auditory cortex, which is part of the rational frontal cortex of the brain, is engaged because we are hearing the music. Music Helps Relieve Pain Another way that music can help seniors is by helping to increase pain tolerance. Listening to pleasing sounds causes endorphins to be released in our brains, which gives us a physical sense of pleasure. That in turn helps to reduce feelings of pain, or at least make them more tolerable. This can help relieve stress and...
by Linda Melbardis | Jan 19, 2018 | Senior Assisted Living
New faces join us as we begin a New Year at Country Home Assisted Living in Parker. Unfortunately, we said goodbye to some real sweethearts in 2017, including June Weil, who died Oct. 30 after six years at Country Home; one of our caregivers, who provided great care to our residents for two years; and, of course, Romeo, my beloved Bichon Frise, who left us in June after giving all his love and energy to our residents for 13 years. In their place, we have added a new caregiver and one new resident, 86-year-old LaVon Parke. We hope they will enjoy the wonderful country atmosphere and friendly residents found at Country Home. And, of course, there’s Mr. Poppers, a Bichon Frise who joined us at our Elbert County assisted living facility in November. So, we look forward to the New Year and what it will bring. At the same time, we always enjoy looking back at the previous year and the activities and events that were held at Country Home Assisted Living. In 2017, we once again enjoyed the performance of Steven St. James, a professional entertainer who performed our Christmas party. Several months earlier, some amazing Halloween decorations brightened our days as we looked forward to that haunting holiday. Spring and summer were filled with activity as we decorated Easter eggs, planted a flower victory garden, watched three loose cows roam onto our property and held an Appreciation Day. In between all of these events, we had our normal birthday celebrations, lunch outings and art projects, including the creation of...
by Linda Melbardis | Dec 10, 2017 | Senior Assisted Living
Senior assisted living options in Parker, Colorado and the nearby area are vast. If you are thinking about checking out a few senior assisted living residences, you can get a clearer picture of what each facility offers, what the pricing structure is, and get an opportunity to ask questions pertinent to your situation or the situation of a loved one who is considering this option for their home. There are many benefits of senior assisted living, including the following. Living with A Degree of Independence Many who opt for assisted living don’t have the ability to live entirely without assistance. And they either don’t want to move in with loved ones or don’t have that option. Assisted living gives you your own living quarters with the ability to get assistance as and when you need it. It’s often described as a stage between independent living and a nursing home. You Don’t Need to Struggle with Things that have become Difficult Senior assisted living offers a variety of services to those who might want or need them. These services include: Medical assistance – medication administration, help with catheters, blood sugar testing, blood pressure checks, etc. Help with hygiene – As much or as little help as is needed, including showering, haircuts, trimming of nails, shaving, etc. Meals – Prepared meals, clean-up. Housekeeping – Your living quarters are maintained by regular cleanings. This also means you don’t have to worry about exterior maintenance (landscaping, shoveling snow, etc.) Help on-site for emergencies, around the clock, including slip and fall accidents or medical emergencies. Social Activities In addition to daily tasks that seniors...
