Twin Town Villa

8 Ways to Care for Elderly Parents

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In today’s busy world, and with our own families and kids to take care of, it can be challenging to make time to care for our aging parents.  Work schedules are full and distance can make it harder.  Here are some tips for caring for your aging parents and being attentive to their needs.

How to Help Your Aging Parents

    1. Caring for Elderly Parents - Twin Town VillaTeach them how to use technology – Technology such as Smartphones and computers can help to bridge the communication gap and help them feel connected. Being able to do a Facetime call and see each other makes you feel closer. They will also like seeing you, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren.
    2. Stay in-touch frequently (In-person or phone) – The COVID Pandemic has made this more of a challenge, but loneliness, isolation, and mental health can also be a concern.  If in-person visits are not feasible or safe, reach out to them via phone on a regular basis, such as over your lunch break, in the evening, or on Sundays.
    3. Bring your parents on outings – Even a simple outing together for a walk, out for lunch, or a shopping trip can be refreshing. Getting out of the house to get fresh air and a change of scenery together is a great time to connect, too.
    4. Help them with errands when needed – Especially during a pandemic and winter months,  helping your aging parents with errands such as picking up groceries or medications can be extremely helpful.  You could also help them by setting up a grocery delivery service for them.
    5. Bring them dinner (or invite them over) – A family dinner with your elderly parents is a great time to connect, lessen their burden of cooking, and provide them with a healthy meal. Here are some great foods and recipes for seniors.
    6. Teach them ways to manage stress – As our elderly parents’ needs and abilities change, it can become more stressful for them.  The pandemic, political issues, or the news can also cause them to worry. Watch for signs of anxiety in your elderly loved ones and teach them ways to reduce stress. 
    7. Be attentive to changing medical needs or memory issues – It is important to keep the communication open with your aging parents so that you understand how their health or memory may be changing. Here are some tips on identifying and caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or Dementia.
    8. Consider a caregiver or assisted living as their needs change – If your parents’  healthcare or household needs are growing, it may be time to consider hiring a caregiver or long-term care in an Assisted Living Center. Despite misconceptions, Assisted Living Centers such as Twin Town Villa, can help your loved one to thrive in a safe and welcoming community.

When it’s Time to Consider Assisted Living for your Parents, Twin Town Villa is here to Answer your Questions.

At Twin Town Villa in Breckenridge, MN, we offer Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Care Suites to match the needs of each resident. We serve the communities near Wahpeton, ND, and Fergus Falls, MN. If you have questions about Senior Living options for your loved one or would like a virtual tour of our community, please contact us online or call 218.643.9542.

FAQ’s about Memory Care

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At Twin Town Villa, we offer several different types of senior living communities including memory care. Twin Town Villa Memory Care is a special residence designed to care exclusively for residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of memory impairments. Sometimes families are unclear about what memory care means, or if their loved one is in need of memory care services.  We will try to address some FAQ’s about memory care assisted living below.

What to Know about Memory Care Services and Communities

What is memory care?

According to www.alzheimers.net,  memory care is a distinct form of long-term care designed to meet the specific needs of a person with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other memory problems.

What should I look for in a memory care community?

A sign of a great memory care community is smiles that make you feel at home.  When you are able to get a tour, watch for smiles on our staff, and how they interact with the residents.  Home-cooked meals and the independence that residents have to safely explore their environment also make Twin Town Villa feel like home.

What are some common memory care services?

Common memory care services include 24-hour supervised care, health-related services, assistance with daily living tasks, and more. Other features of living at TwinTown Villa include homecooked meals, beauty/barber salon, housekeeping, and so on.

How is memory care different than assisted living?

Memory care is part of the assisted living umbrella, however, it includes more special care dedicated to individuals wither memory loss and engaging in activities to keep the residents active physically, mentally, and socially.

What training does the staff have for memory care?

Memory Care Assisted LivingThe staff at Twin Town Villa participates in continuous training from some of the most skilled and experienced professionals providing memory care today.  We combine ongoing skilled training with compassion and a positive attitude to provide the best care for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

How do I know if my loved one needs memory care?

Since the onset of Alzheimer’s is very gradual, it can be hard to know when it’s time to get help. Getting a diagnosis from a doctor is important, as well as watching for warning signs on a daily basis such as confusion, trouble managing finances or normal daily tasks, and losing track of time.

Why is memory care unique for every person?

Each resident may have similar needs but they each have their own likes, dislikes, routines, memories, and lifestyles. Our staff works with each person as an individual to help understand them and how to help them stay as independent as possible for as long as possible.

Is it better for a person with dementia to live at home?

Of course, every person, situation, and family dynamics are different.  But often it is best for a person with dementia to live in a safe environment where they can get assistance with medication, daily living, and be able to remain social. Knowing they are taken care of and safe can reduce stress for the resident and their families alike.

Still have questions about memory care assisted living?

At Twin Town Villa in Breckenridge, MN, we offer Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Care Suites to match the needs of each resident.  We serve the communities near Wahpeton, ND, and Fergus Falls, MN. If you have questions about Senior Living options for your loved one or would like a tour of our community, please contact us online or call 218.643.9542.

Stress Relief for Senior Citizens

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Stress is a common part of life for people of all ages. But for seniors, stress can be even more overwhelming. Researchers have identified common health problems associated with chronic stress levels including heart diseases, diabetes, headaches, depression, gastrointestinal problems, and even Alzheimer’s Disease.  At Twin Town Villa, our staff works hard to ensure that each resident’s health needs are met – including physical, mental, and emotional health. Let’s take a closer look at stress relief for senior citizens.

Reducing Stress in Senior Citizens & Elderly

  1. stress relief for senior citizensGet Exercise and Movement: Exercise increases lung capacity, bone density, and overall longevity. Exercise looks different for everyone. For some just actions of daily living can provide benefits.  Other older adults may enjoy walking, light aerobics, or gentle yoga. For elderly people who may be sedentary most of the day, even a period of standing helps decrease the loss of bone density.stress relief for senior citizens
  2. Find a Sense of Community: When friendships and positive relationships are formed, it can lead to more happiness. Living in an assisted living community like Twin Town Villa provides a built-in community of peers and caretakers to talk to, do activities with, and enjoy life with. Senior citizens who are living alone with little interaction with others may experience higher stress levels.
  3. Eat Healthy Foods: Stress levels can be affected when we eat food that lacks proper nutrition. It is important for seniors to avoid high levels of sugar. Foods with higher levels of vitamins and minerals, and low in carbs and saturated fats will increase cognitive function for seniors and may even have other health benefits such as lowering blood pressure.
  4. Minimize News Consumption:  It is not uncommon for reading or watching the news on TV to create stress or anxiety for senior citizens or people of all ages for that matter.  If news causes stress, it may mean not watching the news, watching less, or switching to a different activity such as reading a book or talking to a friend.
  5. Getting Help:  When the time comes that your loved one needs additional help for daily living tasks, it’s important to get them the help they need. This may mean checking in on them more often, hiring a caregiver, or finding a home in an assisted living community. There are various options depending on what the individual’s level of need and assistance is. Having help with health-related services such as medications, and knowing that they are safe, relieves stress for both them and their loved ones.

Signs of Stress in Elderly Adults

There are many psychological and emotional signs of stress including anxiety, irritability, restlessness, and general mood swings.  Others may experience trouble sleeping (or sleeping too much), changes in eating habits, or lack of motivation.  If seniors have new problems with memory or concentration, that may also indicate a sign of stress.

Questions? Reach out to us!

Despite the current COVID-19 stress put on families, staff, and residents, Twin Town Villa is working hard to provide a safe and healthy environment that also provides support and activities for our residents’ mental health. We encourage positive stress relievers such as patio visits, Facetime calls, activities and hobbies, and other ways we can safely bring our Twin Town Villa community together.  If you have questions about Twin Town Villa or would like to schedule a virtual tour, please contact us online or call 218.643.9542.

Five Common Misconceptions about Assisted Living

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Many senior citizens want to remain living independently in their home as long as possible. But declining health or memory issues are often a key factor in changing an elderly loved one’s living situation. When the time comes that a person has to think about moving their parent into an assisted living facility or get more caregiving help, there are often a lot of questions and misconceptions. At Twin Town Villa, we want to make sure our families and residents understand the facts so they can make the best decision. Let’s take a closer look at some common misconceptions about assisted living.

Assisted Living Misconceptions

Misconception #1 – Seniors are Better off at Home

At Twin Town Villa, our focus is on improving every resident’s quality of life. This includes everything from making sure they healthy meals, medication help, engaging activities, social interaction, and other health-related services. Especially during the social isolation challenges of COVID, assisted living ensures that residents get interaction but also remain safe. Here are some considerations for selecting a senior living community.

Misconception #2 – Assisted Living is Too Expensive

Often times families don’t consider all the expenses incurred when their loved one is living on their own such as rent, utilities, property taxes, transportation, groceries, and more. In the long run, many people find that assisted living is not much more than their former cost of living, with many additional services included. Twin Town Villa offers a variety of payment options for families to make the transition easy.

Misconception #3 – Memory Issues May Worsen

Our trained staff works with the residents who have memory issues in a patient and caring manner. We love to hear stories from our residents! Our Memory Care unit is dedicated to helping our residents with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of memory issues in a comfortable and fulfilling atmosphere. It is important for residents to hold that connection to their past by bringing in photos and other items from the past to help connect their past to their present and encourage memories.

Misconceptions about Assisted Living

Misconception #4 – Seniors Can Lose Independence

When seniors begin needing help with daily living such as bathing and grooming, assisted living can make a tremendous difference in maximizing their independence. Other seniors may love having their meals cooked, the benefits of regular housekeeping, and having friends nearby. Not having to worry about household chores and errands can give some seniors more time for their hobbies and interests.

Misconception #5 – It’s Not Safe During COVID

If you feel that your loved one can benefit from assisted living, don’t let the pandemic be a reason for waiting. Now more than ever, senior citizens can benefit from the companionship of our built-in community of staff and residents to reduce feelings of isolation. An assisted living community can also help protect your loved one from exposure to COVID-19 by eliminating their need to run errands or get groceries. With mental health issues being heightened by the pandemic, our staff can help identify concerns quickly.

When is the Right Time to Move into Assisted Living?

At Twin Town Villa in Breckenridge, MN, we offer Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Care Suites to match the needs of each resident. We serve the communities near Wahpeton, ND, and Fergus Falls, MN. If you have questions about Senior Living options for your loved one or would like a virtual tour of our community, please contact us online or call 218.643.9542.

Moving into Assisted Living during a Pandemic – Why Now is the Time

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The past six months have been full of challenges for all of us, as we have worked through the many curve balls that COVID-19 has thrown our way. At Twin Town Villa, we have worked diligently to keep our residents safe, while ensuring their mental and physical health needs are met.

If your family is considering moving a loved one into assisted living, please don’t wait because of the uncertainties of COVID-19.  Now is a great time to find a safe, comfortable, and welcoming home at Twin Town Villa in Breckenridge, MN.

“Is it safe to move my parent into Assisted Living during COVID-19?”

– YES, Here’s Why.

Assisted living during a pandemic

It’s easier and safer to move before the winter months.

Soon the weather will be snowy and cold.  Not only does this make for unpleasant moving conditions, but it also increases the risk of falling on the ice.  Moving your loved one into assisted living while the weather is nice and without the added risk of slippery roads and walkways just makes sense.

We can tap into mental health or memory issues going on now.

We have noticed that isolation from the pandemic can cause mental health and memory issues, like never before. For people living alone, not being able to see friends and family in-person as they could in the past, can create further mental health and memory issues if left untreated.  Our trained staff can help identify mental health issues that need attention, once they are living in our community.

Our built-in community & staff help reduce feelings of isolation.

Twin Town Villa - Assisted Living in Breckenridge MNMany senior citizens living by themselves already struggle with loneliness and the feeling of isolation.  At Twin Town Villa, we have safe activities and events planned that will help residents feel loved and part of a community. Our residents enjoy everything from outdoor music concerts to indoor crafting, and other safe gatherings that bring people together in a way that is safe but meaningful.

Your loved one may be at risk while living alone.

If your parent or loved one is leaving their home to get groceries, medications, or for other errands, they may be putting themselves at risk for COVID-19.  When they live in a senior living community, many of their needs are taken care of under one roof so they don’t have to feel like they need to leave and increase their risk.

Twin Town Villa protects and cares for its residents.

From enhanced cleaning procedures to limiting access to communal spaces, Twin Town Villa is constantly making adjustments to keep our residents safe while providing the best care and environment. We ensure that our staff only come to work if they are 100% healthy.  We know how important visitors are to our staff and right now with the nice weather we are thrilled to be able to offer outdoor patio visits, which our residents and families treasure.

If your loved one is in need of care, please don’t hesitate to consider an assisted living facility, even during the pandemic.  The staff at Twin Town Villa can help protect your family member from the risk of COVID while enhancing their mental health as they become part of our community. Moving now before the cold and cumbersome winter months hit will make the transition easier and safer.

Is Now the Right Time to Move into Assisted Living?

We welcome you to contact us with any questions or concerns you have about moving your parent into assisted living during the pandemic.  At Twin Town Villa in Breckenridge, MN, we offer Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Care Suites to match the needs of each resident.  We serve the communities near Wahpeton, ND, and Fergus Falls, MN. If you have questions about Senior Living options, how to choose a care facility, or would like a tour of our community, please contact us online or call 218.643.9542.