Topic: Healthy Aging

Categories
Uncategorized

Breathe In. Breathe Out. The Importance of Lung Health as We Age

Lung health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, as the lungs play a vital role in the respiratory system, allowing your body to take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. Maintaining healthy lungs is essential.  

Did you know that the maximum amount of air your lungs can hold—your total lung capacity—is about 6 liters? That is about three large soda bottles. Your lungs mature by the time you are about 20-25 years old. After age 35, it is normal for your lung function to decline gradually as you age. These measurements will likely reduce as you age, even if you are healthy and not a smoker.

How Aging Affects the Respiratory System

It’s normal to start declining lung function due to age. Several things factor into that gradual decline as you add on the years.

  1. Your diaphragm muscle can get weaker – which sometimes causes shortness of breath. Your rib bones may become thinner and can change shape, making it harder for your lungs to expand and contract. 
  2. Aging also may cause the alveoli – tiny sacs in your lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange – to become misshapen with time.
  3. Nerves in the lungs can become less sensitive, leaving the chance for particles to damage the lung tissue. 

All these things and more can cause shortness of breath as you age. They can also leave you at a higher risk of respiratory infections. If you have trouble breathing, please see your doctor to address your concerns.

Protecting Your Lungs

While a decline in lung function is average as you get older, there are some things you can do to keep your lungs as healthy as possible. 

Don’t Smoke: Smoking is the leading cause of preventable lung diseases, including lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If you smoke, quitting is the most critical step for your lung health.

Protect Against Environmental Toxins: Minimize exposure to air pollution, chemicals, and toxins in the environment, both indoors and outdoors. Use air purifiers and be mindful of workplace hazards.

Breathing Exercises: Consider practicing deep breathing exercises to improve lung capacity and efficiency. Yoga and meditation techniques can help with this.

Environmental Awareness: Be mindful of indoor air quality. Ensure good ventilation in your home and avoid exposure to indoor pollutants such as mold and dust.

Regular Check-Ups: Schedule regular health check-ups with your healthcare provider. They can assess your lung health, especially if you have a history of lung disease or risk factors.

It’s All About Prevention

If you care for your lungs, they will take care of you. The best thing you can do is keep them in good shape, so your body gets all the oxygen it needs. Lead a healthy lifestyle to keep your lungs functioning in top shape.

Remember that healthy lungs are vital for overall health and quality of life. Taking proactive steps to protect and improve your lung health can have long-term benefits and help you lead a more active and fulfilling life. Consult a healthcare professional for guidance and personalized recommendations if you have concerns about your lung health.

Categories
COVID

Fear of Going Out (FOGO)

Free at Last! But I Have FOGO

It’s finally happened. The CDC has lifted most Covid-19 restrictions just in time to celebrate summer and a better year ahead. But, after 14 months of handwashing, social distancing, self isolation and masks, going out feels kind of weird. Am I right?

While the new, relaxed guidelines apply only to those people who have been fully vaccinated – people who have received two doses of any of the qualified Covid-19 vaccines – being able to dispense with the other protocols like distancing and mask-wearing leaves many feeling kind of vulnerable. After all, most of us have weathered through this past year by shrinking our social circles and staying away from crowds. So, for some, it is going to take time and maybe some therapy to be able to venture out into the larger world. But with some common sense and an attitude of non-judgment, we will be able to venture out safely at our own pace.

Let You Be You!

Let it be said, right up front, that each individual needs to act in a way that makes them the most comfortable. And that means – no pressure to conform and no judgment of choices – as long as you are keeping yourself and those who may be more medically vulnerable safe. If a fully vaccinated people don’t want to give up mask-wearing because they are more comfortable wearing one – that’s fine. End of story. In fact, many people have found that their seasonal allergies have improved this spring because they are wearing a mask. This is one of the many additional side benefits of mask-wearing along with a very low flu season.

But if you still find yourself feeling uncertain about what you can do or can’t do – err on the side of caution and limit your contacts with people you are not sure have been fully vaccinated. Practice whatever protocols work for you. But remember, fully vaccinated people have many more options for travel and social interaction in larger crowds than non-vaccinated folks. 

I’ve put together a couple of “hacks” that worked in the old days of Covid protocol and may still help you feel more comfortable venturing out in a post vaccinated world. Remember – it is about keeping ourselves and others safe, not trying to make any kind of statement.

A Trip to the Gym

A trip to the Gym shouldn’t have to feel like you are planning an undercover operation. But with a little pre-planning, your workout can feel safe and give you what you need.

  • Find out when the gym staff deep cleans the facility and plan your workout around those times.
  • Think about working out during off peak hours when there are less likely to be crowds.
  • Bring your own sanitary wipes to wipe down whatever equipment that you are using.
  • Maintain distancing protocols leaving space between machines.
  • Wear a mask that has a little structure to it so that you don’t inhale the fabric during intense exercise. Nothing makes you want to not wear a mask more than not being able to breathe!

Restaurants and Bars

Nothing says normal like dining out at your favorite restaurant with friends. But brushing up against other people might feel a little uncomfortable just now. So with these few tips, even dining out can still be safe and fun.

  • Check out the safety protocols of your dining choice. Do they have separation between tables or an occupancy limit? You decide what works best for you.
  • Are employees all wearing masks?
  • Do they disinfect “high touch” areas on a regular basis?
  • Do they provide touchless payment?
  • Avoid salad bars, drink stations, buffets and any kind of common utensil like soup ladles or serving spoons.
  • Remember, if you are missing your favorite restaurant fare because you are “just not there” yet, take-out is still a welcome option. Dress up your take-out experience with a fun drink or cocktail. And remember to tip your delivery person. They are making your life easier – and safer!

Grocery Stores and Retail Stores

Going to a grocery store no longer needs to feel like one of those trips that now requires advanced planning and some kind of negative consequence when you come home with artichoke hearts when you really needed eggs. But if you are still concerned with crowds, follow these few tips for an overall better and quicker experience.

  • Make a shopping list to minimize time in the store and avoid unnecessary time spent admiring the gourmet section.
  • Shop early or late in the day during non-peak hours
  • Avoid peak days like weekends.
  • See if your favorite local retailer or grocer has delivery options or curbside pick up.
  • If you are using a cart or basket, wipe down the handles with disinfectant wipes provided by the store or the ones you brought with you in your “go pack”.
  • Did I mention wearing a mask? It still is appropriate if it makes you comfortable.

Salon and Barber

The year 2020 will go down in history as the year that thousands of women discovered the true color of their hair. Those of us that are slightly younger found out just how to rock the 70’s look of shaggy hair and a scruffy beard. The older set already knew how. Lucky for us we now have access to our local salons and barbers. If we want to feel really secure, we can follow these few tips and also any protocols that your salon or barber has in place:

  • Wear your mask at all times. Hold it against your face when having your hair washed or cut if it gets in the way.
  • Find out if your salon has staggered appointment times
  • Avoid blow drying as the possibility for airborne transmission increases.
  • Ask about their disinfection protocols
  • Touchless payment?
  • Check and see if single use gloves are in use.
  • Be sure to wash and/or sanitize your hands after your visit

Parks and Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor recreation gives us a multitude of ways to gather safely with friends and family. The CDC has been telling us that the risk of gathering outside is small, and even smaller still if you have been fully vaccinated,  following these tips will help you plan ahead and have a great time.

  • Find out what is open. Some parks are still open on a limited basis. Make sure that restrooms and concessions are available if you need to travel far from home.
  • If you are attending a ball game or sporting event, find out how the seating will work and if you can sit with your “pod”. 
  • If you are not comfortable attending a “full capacity” event, create a “viewing event” at your home with your friends and family. It is not the same as attending in person, but you never miss a play with TIVO and you always have access to a restroom.

Worship

When your whole purpose is to gather in fellowship and sing your heart out, the easing of restrictions on congregant settings is very welcome news. While many congregations who have been conducting video services and archiving  sermons and programming that congregants can access at their convenience are still doing so, feel that the underpinning of worship is the proximity to others and the ability to lift up their voices in celebration. If that is important to you and your place of worship has returned to in person services, you might want to ask if these options are available.

  • Find out if there is a limit on the size of the gathering and if social distancing is in effect.
  • With the warmer weather, outdoor services may be available. Find out if they are an option and if social distancing will be in effect.
  • Avoid touching hymnals or prayer books. If you do, make sure you use hand sanitizer when you are finished.
  • If there is an after service gathering, make sure that you use single use items like spoons and cups and pre-packaged food.

This is What the Homestretch Can Look Like

Spring and summer of 2021 looks like it will be a brand new world.  But It is up to us to see how things will play out. Recommendations from the CDC may change based on the status of infections at any given time as well as your personal vaccination status. 

Be safe, be smart and follow the guidelines, get vaccinated if you are eligible and enjoy the summer of 2021. While this summer will be “different”, it will be better than last summer and next summer will be even better still!

Find Out More about Chandler Hall

Chandler Hall has many living options for seniors, from independent living in our cottages and loft apartments, to residential living in Llenroc, Personal Care and Memory Care residences, and even skilled nursing care.


Categories
Blog Caregiving Caregiving, Complementary Medicine

The Benefits of Yoga

If the idea of yoga for seniors sounds a little too “cruchy granola” for you, it is time to rethink that idea. Yoga, especially restorative yoga, can also offer a wide array of health benefits—working physical and psychological wonders. Seniors, who often struggle with pain, joint stress, imbalance, osteoarthritis, and other physical limitations, can benefit from incorporating a yoga practice into their daily routine. In other words, yoga – in whatever form is appropriate for your goals, offers a myriad of health benefits ranging from increased mobility and strength to peace of mind. Let’s explore some of these benefits.

Yoga Improves Balance and Stability

As we age, our body’s change. Things that we were once able to do with relative ease become a little more challenging. Balance and stability  – in other words risks for falls and tripping become a little more top of mind as we continue to climb ladders, hop over mud puddles and reach out to grab a falling object without falling ourselves. Yoga improves core strength while helping us connect mindful movement to deliberate action.

Yoga Improves Joint Flexibility

Tightening hamstrings, a sore back and “widow’s hump” are not necessarily in your future. If you’re looking for a gentle exercise that increases flexibility and improves posture, yoga is a great option. Flexibility exercises such as yoga are great if your joints tend to be achy or stiff. In a study that looked at the effectiveness of yoga as an exercise to manage osteoarthritis in elderly women, researchers found that it provided therapeutic benefits.

Yoga Improves Respiration

Like any muscle group, our lungs need a good workout to stay healthy. Sadly as we age our tolerance for physical exercise decreases. Yet a good supply of oxygen is critical for healthy living. . Recent studies have shown that a 12-week yoga program significantly improved respiratory function in elderly women.

Consider this – you can go days without eating but only a few minutes without breathing. Breath is the foundation of life. Shouldn’t we do everything in our power to see that we keep our ability to take in oxygen is in tip top shape?

Yoga Reduces High Blood Pressure

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can lead to cardiovascular disease and is the second leading cause of kidney disease. Recent studies have found that yoga reduces oxidative stress in the elderly. Oxidative stress is one of the underlying causes of high blood pressure and, especially for seniors, is a strong risk factor for heart attacks.

Yoga Helps Anxiety

Yoga focuses on the integration of mind and body. Through mindful movement and breathing yoga calms the parasympathetic nervous system that fuels that fight or flight response that can sometimes overtake us in times of stress. Yoga helps to reduce the triggers that fuel anxiety.

Encourages Mindfulness

Much has been made about the connection between yoga and mindfulness. So much so that we fail to recognize what mindfulness is. Mindfulness is a state of awareness of our body, our environment and our emotions and how they – and by extension you – interplay with the world around us. Mindfulness allows us to feel greater empathy for ourselves and others and to play harder and live our best lives.


Categories
Blog Caregiving Wellness

The Healing Power of Reiki

What is Reiki?

Reiki pronounced ( Ray-Key) is an alternative healing practice that originated in Japan and is now practiced worldwide. The word “Reiki” comes from the Japanese words “rei” (universal life ) and “ki” (life energy). Reiki is a type of energy healing.

Energy healing targets the energy fields around the body also known as “chakras”.

According to practitioners, energy can stagnate in the body where there has been physical injury or possibly emotional pain. In time, these energy blocks can cause illness.

Energy healing targets the flow of energy and removes blocks in a similar way to acupuncture or acupressure. Improving the flow of energy in and around the body, say practitioners, can enable relaxation, reduce pain, speed healing, and reduce other symptoms of illness.

Reiki has been around for thousands of years. Its current form was first developed in 1922 by a Japanese Buddhist called Mikao Usui, who reportedly taught 2,000 people the Reiki method during his lifetime. His tradition and methods were passed through several grandmasters of Reiki. Today, Reiki takes many forms, however, the Usui System of Natural Healing is still the form most widely practiced. The practice spread to the U.S. through Hawaii in the 1940s, and then to Europe in the 1980s.

It is commonly referred to as palm healing or hands-on healing.

What Happens in a Reiki Session

Reiki sessions typically happen in person although reiki can be done remotely. The receiver of the reiki wears comfortable clothing while the reiki practitioner(s) hovers their hands above the recipient’s body or places their hands lightly on an area of attention.

The practitioner places their hands lightly on or over specific areas of the head, limbs, and torso using different hand shapes, for between 2 and 5 minutes. The hands can be placed over 20 different areas of the body.

If there is a particular injury, such as a burn, the hands may be held just above the wound.

While the practitioner holds their hands lightly on or over the body, the transfer of energy takes place. During this time, the practitioner’s hands may be warm and tingling. Each hand position is held until the practitioner senses that the energy has stopped flowing.

When the practitioner feels that the heat, or energy, in their hands has abated, they will remove their hands and may place them over a different area of the body.

Health Benefits of Reiki

According to practitioners, the healing effects are mediated by channeling the universal energy known as qi, pronounced “chi.” In India, this is known as “prana.” This is the same energy involved in tai chi exercise. It is the life force energy that some believe surrounds all of us.

This energy is said to permeate the body. Reiki experts point out that, while this energy is not measurable by modern scientific techniques, it can be felt by many who tune in to it.

Reiki recipients report feelings of increased relaxation. Reiki assists in the body’s natural healing processes, and provides feelings of emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Reiki has also been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety in recipients. In a recent study of breast cancer patients anxiety was significantly reduced after Reiki treatment. Recipients expressed feelings of relaxation throughout the 30-minute treatment, often using the words “peaceful” and “calm.” Participants expressed having paradoxical feelings during the treatment, such as heaviness and weightlessness or sinking and floating, and sometimes experiencing opposite qualities simultaneously. Furthermore, participants described their Reiki treatments as a “pleasant” experience providing them with a sense of calm and peacefulness. 

While research continues to be done as to the efficacy of Reiki, many major medical centers offer reiki as a complementary therapy for cancer treatments for its anxiety reduction capabilities. 

Reiki is now one of the top three complementary in-patient therapies in U.S. hospitals, according to an AHA survey. Massage therapy takes first place, with 37% of hospital patients requesting it. Number two is music and art therapy at 25%, and a very close third is “healing touch therapies” at 25%, which included Reiki and Therapeutic Touch.

Hospitals are responding, discovering for themselves the many benefits Reiki can offer. “As our healthcare system challenges institutions to offer high-quality but cost-effective service, Reiki is being recognized as an important tool to maximize patient care and minimize recovery time,” according to Libby Barnett and Maggie Babb, co-authors of Reiki Energy Medicine: Bringing Healing Touch into Home, Hospital and Hospice.

What Reiki Provides

Some of the benefits of reiki are:

  • Overall sense of Peace
  • Boosts immune system
  • Promotes Quality of Sleep
  • Reduces Anxiety and Stress
  • Overall Feeling of Calm
  • Balances Mind, Body and Spirit

Chandler Hall is pleased to offer part two of our three part wellness series, The Healing Power of Complementary Medicine. In this second session we will cover the complementary modality of Reiki. The sessions are free of charge but advanced registration is required so that we may provide the log in information. 

Register for our free upcoming event to Learn More about Reiki

Chandler Hall is pleased to offer part two of our three part wellness series, The Healing Power of Complementary Medicine. In this second session we will cover the complementary modality of Reiki. The sessions are free of charge but advanced registration is required so that we may provide the log in information.

 Reiki Master Gwynn White Walker will share her gifts and knowledge with us. Ms. White Walker holds 4 Reiki Master Certificates in Usui, Karuna and Holy Fire II disciplines of Reiki. She has been conducting reiki sessions since 2012 to all age groups including children. If you plan on attending, wear comfortable clothing as Gwynn will be providing a 5 to 10 minute guided meditation and remote reiki session!

Saturday, March 27 2021 at 10:30 am – 12:00 pm via Zoom

Categories
Blog Caregiving

Finding a Sense of Calm Through Complementary Medicine

Anxiety is on the rise in the U.S., with baby boomers leading the hand-wringing charge. A 2018 national poll conducted by the American Psychiatric Association found that Americans’ anxiety score jumped five points on a zero-to-100 scale from the same poll taken in 2017 — with a seven-point leap among boomers.

If the year 2020 has taught us anything, it’s taught us that we have an enormous capacity to “roll with the punches” or simply just carry on. Between the covid-19 pandemic and our own personal struggles, it can frequently feel like we have had enough and that the only help is an extra glass of wine and a subscription to Netflix.

But we’ve got many more resources than that, and much healthier ones than bingeing. We have access to an impressive array of complementary medical therapies designed to help us reduce stress and feelings of anxiety, that can help anyone at any age.

What is Complementary Medicine?

Complementary medicine or complementary therapies are modalities that are used alongside traditional medicine – or as a complement to traditional medicine. Complementary medicine is not a substitute for any kind of traditional medicine. Complementary medicine is a supplement. It is intended to provide or enhance feelings of well being and stress reduction which can lead to reduced anxiety and pain reduction.

There are many practices which are included in the body of complementary medicine. Most of these are accessible to everyone and can be adapted for a variety of abilities. But some of these therapies are particularly helpful to individuals suffering from forms of dementia or receiving treatment for advanced disease processes.

Complementary modalities provide stress relief

Chandler Hall has been on the forefront of providing innovative, compassionate care for over 40 years. Our mission has been to meet our community where they are with person centered care. We know that undergoing medical treatment for serious issues, developing dementia, and other aspects of aging can be accompanied by serious anxiety and stress. We develop each care plan to ease suffering and address a patient’s needs as they arise in an ever changing environment. We also try to ensure to the extent possible, we help reduce stress and anxiety for our residents with non-medical interventions whenever possible. As part of that mission, we offer the following complementary medicine modalities:

  • Aromatherapy
  • Reiki
  • Mindful breathing
  • Mindfulness meditation

Each of these modalities has been shown to enhance feelings of wellbeing and reduce stress. 

What is Aromatherapy? 

Aromatherapy uses scents, generally from essential oils from plants, to benefit your state of mind. The theory is that inhaling certain compounds can affect the same parts of your brain as anti-anxiety drugs, but without the worrisome side effects. Some popularly used essential oils for anxiety include lavender, rose, ylang-ylang, chamomile, jasmine, basil, clary sage and bergamot orange.

The simplest way to practice aromatherapy is to breathe while these essential oils are sprinkled on your pillow or a cotton ball, spritzing them into the air, or using a diffuser that disperses the fragrance into the air. You also can apply them to your skin via lotions or in a bath, but they can be irritating if not properly diluted.

Potential Health Benefits: Dozens of small studies indicate that various essential oils may help reduce anxiety and stress, especially when used in hospital settings and other stressful situations.

“Scent has a connection to the brain, and there are certain scents, like lavender, that trigger a relaxing response,” says mental health counselor S Katharina Star “Some people really do find it effective.” l

What are Mindful Breathing Exercises?

Breathing exercises are used almost everywhere.  Anyone who has ever been to or even heard about Lamaze birthing classes knows about the breathing patterns designed to help a mother through the strenuous process.  At the heart of every piece of advice you’ve ever gotten about stress is: “Just take a deep breath.” 

According to the American Institute of Stress, the goal is to use abdominal — or deep belly — breathing to stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes a sense of calm. 

Deep breathing is similar to meditation, says Michael Ziffra, a psychiatrist with the Northwestern Medical Group in Chicago. “When you’re anxious, you have fast, shallow breathing, which can lead to hyperventilating, which triggers anxiety,” he says. “Deep breathing focuses on the inward and outward movements of the breath, getting your mind and body to a calmer place.”

Though practicing is as simple as taking deep breaths, there are specific methods you can use, including pranayamic breathing, where you inhale, hold, and exhale your breath for a certain number of seconds.

Potential Health Benefits: A 2017 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that volunteers who participated in eight weeks of deep breathing training (20 sessions in all) showed levels of the stress hormone cortisol significantly lower than in people who didn’t do breathing training. Other research has found deep breathing can lower anxiety and increase feelings of well-being.

By giving our residents simple tools, they can learn to use breathing on their own or with our staff support to calm anxiety. Many smartphone apps, including Breathing Zone and Breathe+, can coach anyone through deep, even breathing.

What is Reiki?

The word “Reiki” means “universal life energy.” It comes from the Japanese words “rei” (universal) and “ki” (life energy). Reiki is a type of energy healing. Energy healing targets the energy fields around the body. According to practitioners, energy can be blocked in the body where there is spiritual, physical, mental or emotional pain. 

Energy medicine aims to help the flow of energy and remove blocks in a similar way to acupuncture or acupressure. Improving the flow of energy in and around the body, say practitioners, can enable relaxation, reduce pain, speed healing, and reduce or eliminate other symptoms of illness. 

Reiki has been around for thousands of years. Its current form was first developed in 1922 by a Japanese Buddhist called Sensei Mikao Usui, who taught 2,000 people the Reiki method during his lifetime. The practice spread to the U.S. through Hawaii by Mrs.or Sensei Takata in the 1940s, and then to Europe in the 1980s. 

Potential Health Benefits: According to practitioners, the healing effects are mediated by channeling the universal energy known as qi, pronounced “chi.” In India, this is known as “prana.” This is the same energy involved in tai chi exercise. It is the life force energy that some believe surrounds all of us.This energy is said to permeate the body. Reiki experts point out that, while this energy is not measurable by modern scientific techniques, it can be felt by many who tune in to it. Reiki is alleged to aid relaxation, assist in the body’s natural healing processes, and develop emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. It is also said to induce deep relaxation, help people cope with difficulties, relieve emotional stress, and improve overall well being.

People who receive Reiki describe it as “intensely relaxing.” While scientific proof of Reiki’s efficacy is still being gathered, patients have reported feelings of well being and healing.

What is Mindfulness meditation?

Meditation is the practice of simply being still and focusing on your breath while you let thoughts float by — staying present without drifting into worries about the past or future.

“One beautiful benefit is that you can do it nearly anytime, anywhere,” says mindfulness meditation trainer Danesh Alam, a psychiatrist and medical director of behavioral health at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital. “If you’re going to a family event and it’s going to be a high-anxiety day, you can slip away to have a five-minute meditation every hour. Do some deep breathing, and in those five minutes you’ll lower your stress hormones and rejuvenate yourself,” Alam says.

Potential Health Benefits: Of all the self-care stress relievers, meditation is among the best-researched. A 2014 meta analysis of studies including 47 trials and 3,515 participants reported that mindfulness meditation practiced for two to six months worked as well for reducing anxiety symptoms as antidepressant medications.

Mindfulness meditation is easy, accessible and highly recommended for anxiety. Though many books, online articles and smartphone meditation apps like Headspace can guide you through the steps, Alam recommends taking a class. “Most communities have mindfulness meditation groups, some are no charge, where you can learn and ask questions. It’s a good way to start,” he says.

When should I seek out complementary therapies?

The short answer is that complementary therapies are beneficial to just about everyone! But they are especially helpful at helping to reduce stress and anxiety in populations experiencing traumatic or invasive medical treatments or those who have serious, chronic medical conditions such as forms of dementia or cancer or those suffering unpleasant side effects due to medical treatments.

The many apps on the market such as Headspace or Calm allow anyone to be able to plug into 15 minutes of peacefulness that will help to keep anxiety at bay for the rest of the day.

Complementary Medicine is not just for patients

The age old adage of “put the mask on your face first” when flying with a child holds true for caregivers as well. Caregivers have amongst the most demanding and stressful paid or unpaid jobs. If you are among the thousands of caregivers to family members, it is imperative that you seek out time for yourself to recharge and regroup. And while finding time to take time to take care of yourself may feel like you are “cheating” your loved one out of care that you should be giving them, being able to meet their needs refreshed and engaged makes a short break a true act of kindness to them and yourself.

Incorporating Complementary Medicine into Caring for Older Adults

At Chandler Hall, we are constantly seeking out ways to comfort and help our patients through Person-Centered Care. Person-centered care can be defined as treating each person as an individual as opposed to a group. It’s a way of thinking and doing things that sees people needing assistance, whether it’s for health reasons, social support, or assistance in daily activities, as equal partners in the planning, developing, and monitoring of the care to make sure it meets their needs. That means decisions about an individual’s preferences, assistance or health care are seen as a partnership with the person receiving care, rather than something that is done to them. It offers choices, and customized experiences to meet individual needs and preferences.

Our commitment to Person-centered care drives us to constantly seek out ways to actively help our patients live their best life no matter what their medical circumstances. Through the use of complementary medicine modalities we are able to offer our patients comfort through Reiki, aromatherapy and guided meditation. 

The impact of these additional therapies has been dramatic. Residents of our Hicks Memory Care residence find themselves transported to “days at the beach” or other peaceful locations through guided meditation. As a result there has been a marked decrease in reported anxiety and episodes of agitation.

Chandler Hall’s commitment to informing our community

This blog has only scratched the surface of understanding ways to help with coping. There are so many more ways to help you deal with stress and anxiety. Chandler Hall is committed to seeking them out as part of our commitment to providing exceptional care especially in these uncertain times.

Our commitment to person-centered care also extends to families and caregivers. Our Fall 2020 Speakers Series on caring for people with dementia is designed to help our community better understand those with dementia and how to make sure they get the best care, whether that’s at home, involves outside caregivers, or even residential care. Chandler Hall can help you navigate this care journey, and the presentations will also be available on our Youtube channel by clicking here.

If you are interested in learning more about how we can help you and your family with the challenges of dementia care, please contact Jeanene Reigel by email at jriegel@chandlerhall.org or call 267-291-2302 for more information.