Category: News

At Jackson Creek Senior Living, family visits often increase as the holidays approach. For those visiting a loved one in our Creekside memory support neighborhood, the experience can be deeply meaningful—but it may also bring emotional challenges, as dementia can affect memory, temperament and communication patterns.

Understanding Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are progressive conditions in which toxic proteins build up in areas of the brain, beginning in regions responsible for forming new memories. Over time, this buildup affects comprehension, language and mood, making everyday communication more difficult.

Visiting a parent or spouse living in memory support can be both rewarding and emotional. Because your loved one may have less control over how they behave or react, it helps to prepare. Here are some ways to make your visit more comfortable and positive for both you and your loved one.

Tips for a Positive Visit

1. Choose the best time of day. Many people living with dementia are calmer and more alert in the morning or early afternoon, especially if they experience Sundowning Syndrome. At Jackson Creek Senior Living, families are welcome to visit their loved ones 24/7 and whenever it works best for them.
2. Bring familiar items. Photos, small mementos and music can spark comfort and conversation. Consider creating a short playlist of music to enjoy together. McGill University neuroscientist and musician Daniel Levitin says music is usually associated with time and place and can help relax and reduce anxiety.
3. Keep expectations realistic. Your presence alone can make for a good visit. You don’t need to stay long or fill the time with conversation. Simply being together can bring peace and reassurance.
4. Approach gently. Smile, make eye contact and move slowly so your loved one feels safe and not startled.
5. Speak simply and calmly. Use short sentences, allow time for responses and avoid correcting or challenging what your loved one says.
6. Follow their lead. Let your loved one guide the pace. If they seem restless, try changing locations, perhaps a short walk to the garden, a stop by the gazebo or a quiet moment in the sensory room.
7. Focus on feelings, not facts. If dad or mom says they want to “go home,” gently redirect the conversation with warmth and reassurance. Emotional comfort is far more important than correcting someone living with memory loss.

Meaningful Activities to Share

During your visit, simple activities often work best, such as doing a puzzle, looking through a photo album, sharing a snack or listening to music. A photo hanging in your loved one’s apartment may spark a positive memory or conversation, too. Sensory experiences, like smelling flowers or feeling soft fabrics, can be especially soothing. Weather permitting, families also enjoy visiting the outdoor spaces at Jackson Creek Senior Living, where natural surroundings and bird watching inspire relaxed conversation and connection.

Helpful Conversation Starters

Depending on the stage of dementia, conversation may not always be possible. When it is, it’s important to remember to focus on open-ended or observational comments rather than memory-testing questions.

For example

• Instead of “where did you get that sweater?” try “that sweater is such a beautiful color.”
• Instead of “who is that in the photo?” try “he looks so happy in that picture.”

Reassuring statements like “I’m happy to visit with you today” or “I love spending time with you” can help your loved one feel grounded and cared for. If your loved one is expressing discomfort or angst, acknowledge their feelings by saying, “I understand, that must be hard,” and try to gently redirect.

Bring Comforting Touches

When you visit a loved one in memory support, consider bringing along small comfort items, like lotion, a soft blanket, essential oils, or photos that evoke warmth. If your loved one enjoyed animals or hobbies, bring along pictures or tokens related to those memories that will help them reminisce. Printed photos or larger screens, like a tablet or laptop, are often easier for older adults to see than smartphones.

The Heart of Connection

Ultimately, don’t worry about “finishing” an activity or maintaining a conversation. What matters most is the shared moment. Even five minutes spent folding napkins together, humming along to a familiar tune, or simply holding hands can bring joy and comfort.

Planning a visit to Jackson Creek Senior Living? Our team is here to help you make the most of your time with your loved one in Creekside’s memory support neighborhood.  Call 719-259-1331or visit us online to learn more about how we support seniors living with Alzheimer’s and related dementia.

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an unusual advisory focused on the epidemic of isolation and loneliness. In the report, he emphasized that social connection and community are not just “feel-good” factors, but vital for avoiding the harmful consequences of a disconnected society.

While we might assume this issue primarily affects teens and young adults, loneliness is also a growing concern for seniors. As people age, their social circles often shrink. Siblings, friends and spouses may pass, children might move away from home as they establish their careers and build their own families, or a senior might stop driving for safety reasons and end up staying home more often.

As a result, many seniors become homebound, especially during the dog days of summer when it’s uncomfortable to be outside or during winter, when ice and cold make heading outside risky – no one wants to risk a fall that could lead to injury or hospitalization.

If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that being alone for long periods of time can be difficult. In fact, physicians say loneliness can lead to depression, while opportunities to socialize can improve mood, cognition and even physical health.

Several recent studies reinforce this point, including one from Colorado’s Anschutz Medical campus. The Anschutz study followed a group of more than 600 seniors from 2011 through 2019. The researchers observed the seniors before and after moving into a senior living community. They found marked improvement among senior living residents, who were more likely to do five things:

• Visit with family or friends
• Go out for enjoyment
• Attend religious services
• Participate in clubs or activities
• Volunteer

These five activities, along with daily interactions such as chatting with a neighbor in the hallway or sharing a meal, help reduce the loneliness that often builds when living alone.

Many senior living communities also offer opportunities to learn new skills. Whether listening to an educational talk, working on a craft, or trying a new language, these challenges not only benefit overall health but also foster social connection through shared experiences.

A recently released University of California Riverside study reinforced this insight. The researchers, while tracking seniors during the pandemic, found that seniors who engaged in new and sometimes challenging activities during COVID times – as awful as they were – gained new resilient traits. “Learning new skills is frustrating at first, especially if you haven’t done it in a while,” the study’s author said. “But if we only do what feels good in the moment, we might be giving up the ability to adapt when life throws something big at us.”

At Jackson Creek Senior Living, we support our residents’ interests and well-being in so many ways. From restaurant-style dining and a relaxed pub setting to clubs, group activities, entertainment and weekly outings, there are always opportunities to connect, learn and grow. Our wellness and fitness programs, including those for individuals living with Parkinson’s, volunteer opportunities and intergenerational activities, create even more points of contact.

To learn more about Jackson Creek Senior Living’s wellness programs and activities that help keep loneliness at bay, call us at 719-259-1331 or visit us online at jacksoncreekseniorliving.com. Our Facebook page is also another great place to sample what life at our senior lifestyle community is all about.

There is a growing trend in senior living for older adults needing some daily assistance to live temporarily in an assisted living or memory support community. These short-term visits are often referred to as respite stays. A respite stay in senior living typically lasts from a few weeks to a month, and sometimes longer.

In a recent Tri-Lakes Tribune guest column, Elizabeth Girling, Vice President of Operations for WellAge Senior Living, explains what a respite stay is and highlights the benefits for both seniors and caregivers.

Girling notes that as part of the respite stay, an individual moves from their home residence to the assisted living or memory support community and receives a fully furnished apartment. The goal is to provide the individual with support with activities of daily living while offering all-inclusive services such as meals, housekeeping and laundry, personal care assistance, transportation and access to amenities and other supportive services available to the community’s residents.

The individual typically has access to nursing and medical support, as well as outside services like home health, hospice and physical therapy, to assist with medications, mobility and other health-related needs. While staying at the community and receiving the essential support they need, they can also participate in daily life at the community—socializing with other residents, joining wellness programs and taking part in educational or entertainment activities.

Common reasons for a respite stay include the need to be in a setting where an individual recovering from an injury or surgery can get support. Additionally, respite stays are ideal for caregivers who may need time to address their own medical issues, go on vacation or simply take a break to recharge from full-time care duties for a loved one.

Respite stays offer a flexible, supportive option for both seniors and caregivers, providing peace of mind and high-quality care on a short-term basis. During the stay, families know their loved one is in a safe, supervised environment receiving professional care, social engagement and wellness opportunities they may not experience living at home.

It’s common for a senior to join a community such as Jackson Creek Senior Living for a temporary respite stay or as a long-term resident, and for families to comment that their loved one seems much more vibrant after the move. This is often due to balanced, nutritious meals, structured activities and the connection to others, compared to the isolation they may have felt at home.

Even if a senior is hesitant at first, a respite stay can open the door to a better understanding of what senior living is really like—and that can be a turning point for both them and their family.

If you would like to learn more about a respite stay, contact the Jackson Creek Senior Living team at 719-259-1331 or visit us online at jacksoncreekseniorliving.com. Our team is here to answer your questions and help you explore options that fit your needs.

Taking simple precautions to avoid overheating or becoming dehydrated is especially important for older adults. As we age, our sense of thirst diminishes and our bodies naturally hold less water. Follow these sun safety and hydration tips to help stay cool this summer.

Tip #1

The best times of the day for outdoor activities in the summer are early morning and evening. Avoid being outdoors during the hottest part of the day, usually noon until the sun sets. If you are outdoors when temperatures soar, be sure to wear sunscreen on exposed skin, a wide-brimmed hat to shade your eyes and neck and try to stay in the shade as much as possible.

Tip #2

Taking frequent breaks to replenish fluids is important for avoiding dehydration and overheating in the hottest months of the year. Don’t rely on your thirst to alert you to take a drink, try to get in the habit of doing so a few times every hour, especially when you‘re active outdoors.

Tip #3

Staying cool and hydrated does not mean drinking gallons of water. All beverages, except alcohol, count towards your daily fluid intake. Add sparkling water to your apple juice for a refreshing zing and dress up water with a slice of lemon, cucumber, or frozen berries to be more appealing and encourage regular sipping.

Tip #4

Drink up in style by putting your iced latte or sports drink in a stylish colorful water bottle. Insulated water bottles and tumblers keep beverages cool and ice cubes intact longer so you can enjoy every drop.

Tip #5

You can eat to stay cool and hydrated too. Many fruits and vegetables have a heavy water content, like celery, lettuce, cucumbers, oranges and tomatoes. Snacking on watermelon, grapes and kiwis is a healthy and delicious way to maintain optimum hydration levels.

Keeping Cool at Jackson Creek

Healthy, hydrating fruits and vegetables are always on the menu at Jackson Creek Senior Living, and residents have a variety of refreshing beverages like iced tea, juice and milk to choose from. Our numerous community indoor spaces are comfortably cooled to relax during peak hours, there are shaded areas to safely enjoy outdoor activities and every apartment has an individually controlled cooling system.

Ready to start planning your cool new retirement lifestyle? Call us at 719-259-1331 to learn more about our independent and assisted living and memory support services for those 62+.

Receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but it’s an essential step for individuals and families facing memory loss. Knowing what’s happening opens doors to treatments, resources and support — helping those living with the condition lead meaningful, engaged lives.

Many people hesitate to seek a diagnosis due to fear or uncertainty. But knowing – and understanding – the cause of symptoms allows families to plan ahead and gives individuals the chance to participate in decisions about their care, finances and living arrangements while they can still express their wishes.

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Access to treatment: While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, treatments are typically most effective when beginning early and can help slow cognitive decline. Medications and alternative therapies may also help manage symptoms for a limited time.

Opportunities to join clinical trials: Early diagnosis may make individuals eligible for groundbreaking research studies, potentially providing personal benefits while advancing Alzheimer’s science.

Time to plan for the future: Families can make informed decisions about legal, financial and care matters while their loved one is still able to participate.

Prioritize what matters most: An early diagnosis allows individuals to set new goals, decide when to stop working and allow more time to share meaningful moments together.

Emotional and social benefits: Knowing the cause of symptoms can ease uncertainty, help families prepare emotionally and strengthen connections with loved ones. Understanding the diagnosis also helps friends and family provide more effective support and adapt to changes in relationships.

Connection to support Networks: Early diagnosis gives individuals and families access to support groups, educational programs and community resources, helping them build skills, share strategies and feel less alone.

Reducing stigma: Sharing personal experiences can encourage others to seek help and reduce misconceptions about dementia.

How Jackson Creek Supports Memory Loss

Jackson Creek Senior Living in Monument, Colorado, provides dedicated memory support through its specialized Creekside dementia-care neighborhood. The community also offers temporary respite care services, and a day retreat program for individuals living with cognitive impairment who need part- or full-time care during weekdays. Jackson Creek’s specially trained team works closely with families to help them navigate the Alzheimer’s journey with confidence and peace of mind. The community is also introducing a Montessori-based program designed to create personalized, engaging memory support interventions.

Beyond care services, Jackson Creek Senior Living offers education and support for seniors in El Paso County, including the popular Dementia Boot Camp series with dementia expert Paula Levy from Never Alone Consulting. This program helps families and caregivers better understand dementia while developing coping strategies and hands-on skills. Jackson Creek also proudly supports national Alzheimer’s Association events like The Longest Day and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, which raise funds for care, support programs and critical research aimed at finding a cure.

If you notice any of the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s in yourself or a loved one, don’t wait – talk to your doctor. Early diagnosis provides medical, emotional and practical benefits for everyone involved. Taking proactive steps now can lead to a healthier, more fulfilling quality of life.

Jackson Creek Senior Living offers independent living, assisted living, memory support, respite and day retreat services for adults 62+. Call 719-259-1331 or visit jacksoncreekseniorliving.com to learn more about our programming and schedule a tour.

As our parents age, it’s common for roles to reverse. Instead of being supported and assisted by our parents, now it’s our turn to offer support, advice, care, and even some discipline. You might check in several times a week to help with household tasks, attend doctor’s appointments, ensure they’re eating well, or confirm medications are taken as prescribed. Whether you’re stopping by in person or calling to check in, caregiving often becomes a regular part of daily life.

While caring for a parent or elderly loved one can be rewarding, it can also bring challenges, especially when balancing your own budding family or career.

Over the years, your parents’ care needs will likely intensify, and if your parent remains home – often alone – the demands and worries only increase. Without enough support, it’s easy for family caregivers to experience caregiver burnout or fatigue. It’s real. This is one of the most common reasons families begin to shop around for a retirement community like Jackson Creek Senior Living that might offer more daily support, care, and socialization than they can provide.

Avoid Caregiver Burnout

Fatigue, burnout, call it what you want, but when individuals are responsible for caregiving for their parents, older friends, or relatives, there is a strain that mounts that can also affect the caregivers’ well-being. Yes, people who care for seniors—whether they’re family members, friends, or professional caregivers—can, and often do, experience burnout. It’s a well-documented phenomenon.

This fatigue can be caused by watching a loved one decline, especially when facing a condition such as Alzheimer’s or related dementia. Caregiver burnout is also caused by physical demands such as bathing, dressing, or other activities of daily living that can be exhausting. Many caregivers are on their own, which only intensifies the pressure to stay on top of their loved ones’ needs. Caregivers may also face financial stress if they have to cut back on work.

If you know someone caring for a parent, watch for signs of burnout, including constant fatigue, mood swings and irritability, resentment, withdrawing from typical social events, trouble sleeping, or changes in appetite.

So, what can a caregiver do to refresh? Experts say it’s important to take breaks for yourself. If you have siblings who can help, encourage sharing the responsibilities so the duties are more of a team effort. Additionally, consider joining a support group or book club that tackles caregiving topics. Sometimes, it’s helpful to know others are facing similar challenges, and these peers may share information that helps them cope. It’s important to create boundaries, too. In some situations, you should encourage your parent or loved one to get professional help – you can’t do it all. Another tactic many health professionals recommend is tapping into local resources. For example, many regions have area councils on aging or senior centers; these can be a wealth of helpful information.

And finally, experts suggest some self-care. Whether it is taking time to meditate, take a walk, or visit a gym, having a daily and healthy routine that gives you a physical and mental break can help you balance the challenges of caregiving for others.

As we approach the summer season, another potential option is suggesting that your parent try a respite stay in a senior living community. These stays, often lasting a few weeks or a month, provide fully furnished apartments, care services, meals, and social engagement for your loved one, so you can take time off to enjoy a worry-free vacation or attend important events and appointments. Day Retreats may also be available to support families’ weekday caregiving needs.

For more information about local resources, short-term respite stays, or how to avoid caregiver burnout, please give the team at Jackson Creek Senior Living a call at 719-259-1331 or visit jacksoncreekseniorliving.com.

Many caregivers and older adults are concerned about senior living and long-term care costs. These expenses can consume a large portion of a senior’s monthly income, even for those who believed they had saved enough. How individuals pay for senior care depends on their financial situation and the types of services they need. Seniors and their families often rely on a combination of funding sources, such as personal savings, pensions or retirement accounts, investment income, or proceeds from selling a home.

Professional care in assisted living or continuing care retirement communities is typically paid out of pocket.

Each year, our nation celebrates our veterans with numerous observances to keep their service and sacrifice top of mind. But beyond remembrance, the United States is committed to supporting veterans, especially as they age and require care. For the more than 10 million war veterans living in the U.S., and their spouses, a little-known Veterans Affairs benefit called Aid and Attendance can significantly offset the cost of home care, assisted living, or nursing home care.

With many military bases located in Colorado, it’s no surprise that veterans choose to retire in the Centennial State, and as they age, many have successfully accessed this valuable benefit.

Aid and Attendance Benefit Details

The VA Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly payment added to the regular VA pension for eligible veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities due to disability, illness, or age.

The benefit extends to veterans of the Iraq Gulf War, the Korean and Vietnam wars, World War II, and even members of the American Merchant Marines who served during the 1940s. The benefit often extends to surviving spouses as well.

Monthly benefit amounts vary from approximately $1,500 for a surviving spouse needing care to about $2,800 for a veteran and spouse who require assistance. These funds can greatly help defray the cost of assisted living or home care, which averages more than $5,500 per month, according to SeniorLiving.org.

The supplemental funding of the Aid and Attendance benefit helps cover the cost of assistance with activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, eating, and toileting. It can be used for care provided at home, assisted living communities, or skilled nursing facilities.

Veterans or their families can apply for Aid and Attendance by completing VA Form 21-2680, providing the required medical documentation showing a need for assistance, and submitting this to the VA Pension Management Center. Applications can be submitted online through the VA website, in person at a VA office, or with the help of a Veterans Service Officer.

If you think you or a loved one may be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit – just like several of our proud veteran residents who have served our nation – talk to our leasing agents. They can answer questions and help guide you to the El Paso County Veterans Service Office or the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center in Colorado Springs. To contact the Jackson Creek Senior Living team, call 719-259-1331 or visit jacksoncreekseniorliving.com.

DISCLAIMER: Jackson Creek Senior Living cannot determine eligibility for veterans’ benefits; only the Veterans Administration can determine applicant eligibility.