Thanks to a partnership with the Orlando Museum of Art, Encore at Avalon Park welcomes the Art’s the Spark program. Providing the elderly who face memory, or other neurological issues with the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful experience in which they and their healthy caregivers can partake in a safe environment focused on art and its appreciation. Involvement The program allows the elderly to thrive creatively despite any cognitive impairments they may be experiencing. Art’s the Spark provides them with a creative outlet in which they can both look at, and create their own art. Some of the activities for those participating include: Interactive discussion with professional educators Private Gallery…

Summer is approaching fast and with it comes the dreaded heat. While some may embrace the accompanying warmth, it does not mean that there are not significant risks to prolonged exposure and the risks are hightened for the elderly. Seniors should not be limited in their activities due to their age. It is important for seniors to know the safest way to approach outdoor activities to minimize any risks. The following are some helpful ways seniors can be safe while enjoying the outdoors this summer. Hydrate Constantly – Dehydration is one of the biggest concerns for both the elderly and young alike. When you get older, it becomes more difficult…

Alzheimer’s is a debilitating disease that affects those we love most. As we age, we become more susceptible to this neurodegenerative disease which only gets worse as time passes. Over 50% of dementia cases are caused by Alzheimer’s disease resulting in memory loss issues, disorientation, and difficulty with language. Unfortunately, the causes of Alzheimer’s disease are not completely understood which is what makes it so difficult to treat. That is not to say that all hope is lost, however, as research continues to make great strides in finding better treatments. Congressional Backing The Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation, a nonprofit organization which focuses on expediting Alzheimer’s clinical trials, received a substantial…

We all love our mothers and with Mother’s Day approaching it is important to explore the history of the holiday. Anna Jarvis founded Mother’s Day as a way to celebrate her social activist mother, Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis. Much of the origins of Mother’s Day isn’t widely known, so let’s take a look at how this wonderful holiday came to be. Anna Marie Reeves Jarvis Born in 1832, Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis was the inspiration that paved the way for Mother’s Day to become nationally recognized. As a peace activist, she cared for wounded soldiers on both sides of the civil war. In 1868, she created a committee to establish…

A chapter from the book “Transitions” By Encore’s Director of Environmental Services  Robert Milstid The Five-Minute Blessing   Time is moving along at a steady pace. I’ve decided to spend the next few days with a new focus on my job and the residents that I am blessed to know at Blue Lakes. I will get to the note one day soon but I feel the need to simply let it go for a few days. The clutter is not helping me go forward and I want nothing more than to get back to the clarity that this job has offered me in spite of receiving the two letters. The…

A chapter from the book “Transitions” By Encore’s Director of Environmental Services,  Robert Milstid Win a Handyman       I pulled the screws out quickly from the crate’s lid with my screw gun. As Anna opened the lid I watched her face; it was full of emotions that ranged from excited to sad. There was a maroon colored crushed velvet material that covered the contents of the crate. Anna pulled it back to reveal her dad’s treasures. She said that before her dad moved into Blue Lakes, she and her dad went through his house and gathered up a few things to pack a way. She then paid a man…

Growing old is a part of life, but it doesn’t mean that we are unable to reduce mental decline. There are many preventative measures you can take with your elderly loved ones so they stay sharp mentally and even have some fun in the process. Here are a few ways you can work with your loved ones to remain mentally strong: Learn New Skills – New skills keep the mind and body stimulated. Learning a few words in a foreign language and applying it throughout the week can do wonders. They don’t need to become a master, just maintain a decent practice to continue to stimulate their mind. Mental Challenges…

As a part of our Memory Care program here at Encore, we’ve teamed up with the Central Florida Creative Care Association to bring our wonderful residents a way to unlock memories thought to be long gone while engaging with youth in the area. The Songbird program allows us to bring students and elders affected by disability together to help bridge a generational gap with music. Our volunteers first receive comprehensive training in brain health education, empathetic activities, and compassionate communication. From there, the young adults are paired with residents living here at Encore. Throughout their school year, the young adults work to create a custom music playlist for their resident…

Nobody wants to see a loved one end up alone and isolated in assisted living or in a nursing home. Even at young ages, the mere thought is unsettling and saddening. Many folks have seen their family members lose who they are because of Alzheimer’s or dementia, and now there’s a new way to fight this affliction. Our staff of caretakers are Music & Memory certified, and are helping those who suffer from cognitive impairments find memories and parts of themselves thought to be long gone through use of personalized music playlists. Giving the Elderly Their Lives Back Through Music Our certified caretakers take a simple yet effective approach to…

An excerpt from the book “Transitions” By Encore’s Director of Environmental Services  Robert Milstid Baby Winters   My trip to the beach was just what I needed to get back in the groove and to start forward thinking again. I was feeling like my old self and relating to the residents at Blue Lakes as I did in the earlier days when I started. Thankfully I’m past the germ-a-phobic stage and can now give myself more fully to my job. I want to be more instrumental in helping the residents through their transitional stages, or at least try to understand them better so I can communicate more on their level.…