“Your culture is forever” is a saying that holds more true today when looking to make the move into a senior community. A major factor for seniors when choosing between communities is whether or not they feel at home and comfortable with the staff and atmosphere.
For many seniors who are moving from ethnic communities to senior living, making the transition can bring unique challenges. Two of the biggest barriers are language and cuisine, which can easily be addressed with a diverse, multi-lingual staff and an ethnic dining menu. It seems simple, but doing it right takes dedication and a clear community plan.
‘Ilima at Leihano, a future Kisco Senior Living CCRC property located in Kapolei HI, embraces these changes with its incorporation of a Koi Pond on community grounds along with creating a dining menu that includes Japanese, Chinese, and Filipino cuisine. Also hiring the right associates is key to making the right culture fit. Associates who grew up in the area already know the culture and are far more likely to understand the significance of making the residents feel at home.
“Incorporating regional flavor into our dining makes all the difference to our residents” says Darryl Greer, Director of Wellness at Villa De San Antonio in San Antonio TX. “Our residents grew up eating Tex-Mex foods, so we make sure to offer plenty of Tex-Mex items on our dining menu”.
It is a simple concept, but to do it right you have to listen and be open to change, and at Kisco Senior Living our Residents come first! We want to provide a home for a lifetime, not just a place to live. For more information, view Kisco Senior Living’s website at: www.kiscoseniorliving.com
Valencia Terrace Blog
Friday, February 4, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Be in the top 20% in 2011!
It’s the New Year and time for those well-meant resolutions! Resolutions revolving around health top the list. As a matter of fact, nine out of every ten people set a health-related resolution every year. One of the top resolutions for 65+ adults is to stay active and eat healthy to rewind the effects of stress and aging.
Unfortunately, 80% of resolution makers never complete their goals by the end of the year. To help make your 2011 resolutions happen we’d like to share some highly effective tips (via the International Council on Active Aging):
10 Ways to Extend a Healthy Life
Active-aging expert offers “e-tips” for attaining and maintaining health in 2011
(Vancouver-December 27, 2010) What’s the difference between the day before your birthday and the day after? “Practically speaking, nothing at all,” declares Colin Milner, CEO of the International Council on Active Aging (www.icaa.cc), a membership organization that brings together professionals in the independent and assisted living, fitness, rehabilitation and wellness fields to dispel society's myths about aging..
“Whether you’re turning 30, 40, 50, 65, or 90, there’s no reason to assume you’re doomed to decline after a certain age—especially if you’re doing everything you can to stay healthy and active.”
Milner offers the following “E-tips” to help you extend a healthy life, or embark on one if you haven’t yet done so (citations available on request):
1. Expectations: If you’ve been following a healthy lifestyle up 'til now, simply keep going; if you need to make changes, anticipate succeeding, not failing—and don’t let age be a barrier. Research has shown that thinking positively about getting older can extend your life by as much as 7.5 years.
2. Enthusiasm: Few people are thrilled with every aspect of their lives, but many have at least one area—family, friends, work, avocation—they feel good about. Identify an activity or connection that sparks your enthusiasm and make it your lifeline; try to extend that enthusiasm to other areas of your life.
3. Energy: Having the energy and motivation you need to age well are hallmarks of healthy living. If you’re fatigued all the time, don’t let apathy and lethargy drag you down; get a checkup to try to determine the cause—and the solution.
4. Eating: Eating a balanced diet and attaining/maintaining a normal weight are keys to physical and mental health; if you need to lose weight or make changes in your diet, keep your expectations high—you can do it.
5. Exercise: Staying physically active fuels the body and mind. If you’re already exercising regularly, keep it up; if you’re getting started, know your skill level, set goals, progress at your own pace, and be consistent.
6. Engagement: Volunteers have higher levels of well-being and life satisfaction than those who don’t volunteer; volunteering and other forms of civic and social engagement can play an important role in maintaining good health in later life. “Get involved,” Milner urges.
7. Emotions: Everyone feels down at times, but full-blown depression is a major cause of disability. If you’re feeling out of sorts for two weeks or more, talk with your doctor or take an online screening test at www.mentalhealthscreening.org/. In many instances, simply exercising and eating right can change your mood.
8. Education: Life-long learning is important to living an independent and fulfilling life. Start now to learn a new area of knowledge or physical activity. It’s good for the brain.
9. Effort: Changing expectations and embarking on new behaviors take energy and effort, but the results are well worth it.
10. Enjoyment: A healthy life generally is a joyous one. “Savor the process of being or becoming active, engaged, and truly alive,” Milner enthuses.
“The new year is a great time to take stock and ask yourself, ‘where do I want to go from here?,’” Milner says. “Emphasize the positive and don’t let your age, or anyone else, deter you.”
Unfortunately, 80% of resolution makers never complete their goals by the end of the year. To help make your 2011 resolutions happen we’d like to share some highly effective tips (via the International Council on Active Aging):
10 Ways to Extend a Healthy Life
Active-aging expert offers “e-tips” for attaining and maintaining health in 2011
(Vancouver-December 27, 2010) What’s the difference between the day before your birthday and the day after? “Practically speaking, nothing at all,” declares Colin Milner, CEO of the International Council on Active Aging (www.icaa.cc), a membership organization that brings together professionals in the independent and assisted living, fitness, rehabilitation and wellness fields to dispel society's myths about aging..
“Whether you’re turning 30, 40, 50, 65, or 90, there’s no reason to assume you’re doomed to decline after a certain age—especially if you’re doing everything you can to stay healthy and active.”
Milner offers the following “E-tips” to help you extend a healthy life, or embark on one if you haven’t yet done so (citations available on request):
1. Expectations: If you’ve been following a healthy lifestyle up 'til now, simply keep going; if you need to make changes, anticipate succeeding, not failing—and don’t let age be a barrier. Research has shown that thinking positively about getting older can extend your life by as much as 7.5 years.
2. Enthusiasm: Few people are thrilled with every aspect of their lives, but many have at least one area—family, friends, work, avocation—they feel good about. Identify an activity or connection that sparks your enthusiasm and make it your lifeline; try to extend that enthusiasm to other areas of your life.
3. Energy: Having the energy and motivation you need to age well are hallmarks of healthy living. If you’re fatigued all the time, don’t let apathy and lethargy drag you down; get a checkup to try to determine the cause—and the solution.
4. Eating: Eating a balanced diet and attaining/maintaining a normal weight are keys to physical and mental health; if you need to lose weight or make changes in your diet, keep your expectations high—you can do it.
5. Exercise: Staying physically active fuels the body and mind. If you’re already exercising regularly, keep it up; if you’re getting started, know your skill level, set goals, progress at your own pace, and be consistent.
6. Engagement: Volunteers have higher levels of well-being and life satisfaction than those who don’t volunteer; volunteering and other forms of civic and social engagement can play an important role in maintaining good health in later life. “Get involved,” Milner urges.
7. Emotions: Everyone feels down at times, but full-blown depression is a major cause of disability. If you’re feeling out of sorts for two weeks or more, talk with your doctor or take an online screening test at www.mentalhealthscreening.org/. In many instances, simply exercising and eating right can change your mood.
8. Education: Life-long learning is important to living an independent and fulfilling life. Start now to learn a new area of knowledge or physical activity. It’s good for the brain.
9. Effort: Changing expectations and embarking on new behaviors take energy and effort, but the results are well worth it.
10. Enjoyment: A healthy life generally is a joyous one. “Savor the process of being or becoming active, engaged, and truly alive,” Milner enthuses.
“The new year is a great time to take stock and ask yourself, ‘where do I want to go from here?,’” Milner says. “Emphasize the positive and don’t let your age, or anyone else, deter you.”
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