The United Health Foundation and the American Public Health Association just released their annual state-by-state public health report. Not surprisingly, Hawaii leads as the nation’s healthiest state, followed by Vermont, Massachusetts, Minnesota and New Hampshire.
What about Massachusetts? Well, there are some interesting, if not quirky, facts provided by the study. When it comes to dental health, Massachusetts seniors get high marks for going to the dentist! Who would have known? Our seniors benefit from a high rate of community-support expenditures, and a greater number of geriatricians. Massachusetts overall has a low rate of obesity and a high percentage of insured residents.
Whatever the situation in Massachusetts, here at Bridges® we take health seriously. We recognize that health statistics are important indicators, but when it comes down to it, health is an individual affair. Our core focus is the personal wellbeing of each memory-care resident.
At Bridges we believe in a well-rounded approach to prevention and wellbeing. Diet is the foundation for health at every age, and is especially important when the body is challenged with chronic illness such as dementia. Our well-appointed, cheerful dining rooms serve three chef-prepared healthy meals daily, sourced from fresh, local ingredients. Our residents may not understand the importance of nutrition as a concept, but by providing tasty, home-cooked meals, they are more likely to enjoy dining and eat well, day in and day out.
To keep minds and spirits engaged, our staff provides a good blend of activities for cognitive, physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Highlights include outings to local attractions such as concerts, parks and museums. The creative expression of music, art and storytelling therapy often allows residents to access and express parts of themselves otherwise buried by illness. And of course seated exercise, like good diet, is a staple of health maintenance. In a group setting such as ours, it’s also an opportunity for socialization and belonging. At Bridges®, we do whatever it takes to maintain residents’ quality of life for as long as possible.
When things do go wrong, memory care residents can pose special challenges for health care providers. For instance, our residents may:
- have difficulty translating thoughts into speech or writing
- be unable to track changes over time
- confuse or conflate past and present experience
- have difficulty locating and qualifying sensation in the body
- have false memories that they experience as real
Unfortunately, residents with dementia are not always reliable sources, but Bridges® memory-care professionals are here to fill that gap. Our specially-trained staff offer the tracking, observing, and responding that our residents can’t always do for themselves. Through warm and trusting relationships with residents our staff can respond appropriately, effectively, and in a timely manner to health changes. This makes all the difference, for our residents, and their loved ones. This is the Bridges® difference.