With our lifestyles becoming more sedentary, it's hard to stay fit and healthy in today's world.  The majority of jobs are performed sitting behind a desk, while our free time is spent in front of a television.  Finding time to dedicate to physical exercise also becomes more difficult as people work longer hours and lead busier lives.  For those with disabilities, the task of staying fit is even more difficult.  In the case of seniors, chronic problems such as arthritis, can make some physical activities too painful to participate.  It can become easy for them to just "give up" on the things they used to love to do.  To help promote and create awareness for the different recreational options out there for the disabled, The National Therapeutic Recreation Society has established that the 2nd week in July be National Therapeutic Recreation Week.

The week has been celebrated across the country since 1984, with seminars, sporting events, health fairs and workshops.  With summer in full swing it is the perfect time to begin a fitness program or discover new activities to add to your regime.  Most info can be obtained form local newspapers, websites and recreation centers in your area.  Healthnet.com provides 5 easy steps to getting started:

1. ASSESS YOURSELF AND CREATE YOUR OVERALL HEALTH PLAN.  Evaluate any risk factors and physical limitations and plan accordingly.
2. PICK ONE HEALTHY-LIFESTYLE AREA TO START WITH.  You are more likely to be successful by focusing on one  goal at a time.
3. LINE UP YOUR RESOURCES AND SUPPORTERS.  Consult with doctors and therapists to find groups suited for your  lifestyle changes. Talk with friends and co-workers who may already be a part of a recreation group.
4. START WITH A FEW SMALL CHANGES AND MAKE THEM ROUTINE.  For example, make small changes in your diet, such as adding one more fruit or vegetable to your meals.
5. REWARD YOURSELF AND KEEP AT IT.  After completing each lifestyle change, celebrate and reward yourself.  This will help motivate you to continue on to the next challenge.

The physical and mental benefits of leading a healthy lifetsyle are immeasurable.  A strong body helps to promote a strong mind as does the social interaction that is provided by group activities.  There are many versions of games and activities that can be played indoors or out.  Sycamore Village utilizes many of these for group functions.  A plastic bowling set makes it easier for most residents to be able to participate, even those in wheel chairs.  Automatic putting greens are also manageable by most.  One of the most popular and varied activities are the games available on the Wii system.  Most of the games require nothing more than simple arm movements and allow for multiple players.  The social aspect alone is great for mental stimulation.  It can be difficult sometimes to bridge the generation gaps between younger family members and the older ones, but games like these are a great way for family members of all ages to come togehter.

When it comes to health care, there are numerous positions in a wide range of areas.  It could be as a personal physician, physical therapist, specialized surgeon and so on.  One of the most imporatant roles in the arena of health care is that of the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).  Their primary responsibility  is to provide direct daily care to patients/residents.  This inculdes maintaining the patient's/resident's personal hygiene as well as assisting doctors and nurses in diagnostic procedures and treatments.  Their daily interaction enables them to provide  much needed information on the progress of the individual.  Since most doctors cant see a patient/resident everyday, the CNA provides that connection. It also provides a sense of security for the patients themselves, especially residents in a senior living community, be it assisted living or a nursing home.  By having the same person care for them daily, a routine can be established and trust built up.  This can release a lot of the stress that comes from dealing with illness or even just aging.

The importance of CNAs has been recognized for the past 33 years with National Nursing Assistants Week.  This year it is from June10th-17th and nationwide, nursing assistants are being honored by their staff and patients, as well as coming together to learn and discuss ways in which to provide even better care in the future.  Sycamore Village will be recognizing all of their CNAs throughout the year, but would like to mention a couple of them during National Nursing Assistants week:

Wendy Aubuschon has been a CNA for 16 years, the last 4 have been at Sycamore Village.  She is certified not only in CPR but also as a CPR trainer.  She teaches CPR classes for both employees at Sycamore Village and in the general community.  She is a Team Leader, a superivsor and mentor to other CNAs and caregivers at Sycamore Village.  She has also completed the Alzheimer's Certification Program and attends ongoing Alzheimer's education classes. She has even been licensed to drive the Sycamore Village, wheelchair accessible bus and takes residents out for weekly day trips.

Joan Grebeck has been a CNA at Sycamore Village for more than 6 years. Prior to being a CNA, Joan lived in New York City as a fashion designer.  When it was discovered that her mother had Alzheimer's, she relocated to the area to care for her personally. While taking care of her mother, she realized that her calling was to be a caregiver to those with Alzheimer's.  Although Joan's mother, Dorothy has passed away, Joan continues to work as a CNA at Sycmore Village. Joan even submitted a video highlight of her mother's life for a contest being held.  It is viewable on the front page of the website.

There are many more CNAs who deserve to be recognized. Sycamore Village gives out a big "thank you" to those hard working, but most importantly, care giving individuals who spend their days making sure someone else is happy and comfortable.

It is estimated that 46 million Americans are suffering from arthritis.  With over 100 medical conditions associated with arthritis, the cost of medical care and the indirect expenses (lost wages, loss of productivity) is more than $124 billion a year. (www.arthritis.org)   Since May is Arthritis Awareness Month, it is the perfect time to address this condition and how it affects seniors.

Arthritis, in it's basic form, is the inflammation of joints.  The area where 2 bones meet become damaged do to wear and tear (osteoarthritis) or a result of the body's immune syustem attacing the area (rheumatoid arthritis). Though osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and usaully only strikes people over 60, both types have similar symptoms and cause pain for the afflicted.  The common symptoms are:
*PAIN
*STIFFNESS
*SWELLING
*REDNESS
*DECREASED RANGE OF MOTION

While other types of arthritis can cause such problems as:          
*FEVER
*FATIGUE
*RASH
*WEIGHT LOSS
*BREATHING PROBLEMS
*DRY EYES/MOUTH
*NIGHT SWEATS

It is agreed in the health care community that exercise is very important in the treatment of arthritis.  A select group of low-impact exercises have been designed. Their purpose is to increase the range of motion in the joints and to strengthen the muscle tissue surrounding the joint.  Both of which help to alleviate and stiffness.  It is also suggested that warming the joints before exercising and icing them down afterward, also prevents the swelling and additional pain that occur from use.  The Arthritis Foundation has a program where caregivers, such as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), can become certified in "arthtritis helpful" exercises.  They are trained to guide patients/residents, who are afflicted with arthritis, through a series of workouts to increase the range of motion of their joints and to build the surrounding muscles to prevent any further damage or pain.  It can become easy for someone with arthritis to slow down and avoid movements that cause them pain.  For example, someone has arthritis in their knees so they become sedentary and only walk when they absolutely have to.  This will make the knees become stiff and sore.  It also allows the muscle tissue to weaken to the point where it can no longer support the bones in the joint.  This causes even more pain and discomfort.  Therefore it is important to maintain a regular exercise routine. Of course, it is awlays important that everyone consults their physician or caregiver before attempting any new exercises.
Sycamore Village has two Arthritis Foundation certified staff members.  One of these is Paula Sronce, a CNA and a team leader.  She has been trained and certified as an Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program Leader. Sycamore Village holds daily classes to help keep the residents fit.  This helps to proivde a more independent lifestyle.  The Arthritis Foundatin certified program leaders also provide classes to the general public.  If you or your group are interested in these helpful programs, contact Sycamore Village at 618-222-2571 to set up a class.

Last week we highlighted the Return the Love program implemented by the management staff here at Sycamore Village Assisted Living.  The importance of building strong relationships between staff/caregivers and the residents was stressed thoughout the article.  A few examples were given of how the program works.  Another feature, though not discussed in the last article, is the role of "team leader".

Each neighborhood in the community has a team of staff that provide care on a daily basis and each team is assigned a leader.  It is the leader's responsibilty to promote teamwork and problem solving within their group.  By providing morale and improving overall communication, it has proven to decrease employee turnover, resulting in stronger relationships between the staff and the residents.  The staff members get a chance to know the likes and dislikes of each of their residents which allows for more pesonliazed care.  In turn, this allows the residents, and even their families, to build a level of trust and security with the caregivers.
The staff leaders also meet with management once a week to dicuss what is happening in their neighborhoods.  Here they can offer ideas that thier teams have come up with to solve any problems or just suggestions to providing better care overall.

Recently, the management assigned a new team leader, Alphansa Kodianthara, CNA. Alphansa has worked for Sycamore Village for over 7 years and has received two  "hearts" from management for Return the Love. One heart is for her approach with the residents and the other for her efforts in getting to really know those  she cares for.  She loves talking and singing for the residents and though in her native India is considered quite the comedien, she professes that she isnt as funny here due to the language barrier.  Regardless, the residents love her company as much as the daily care she provides them. 

Other team leaders at Sycamore Village include; Wendy Aubuschon, Keesha Blanchard, Ariana Carmin, Tisha Kaiser, Sabrina Molton, and Paula Sronce.