Category: News

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.

With the changing of the clocks (one hour forward) this spring, we all plod through the first couple of weeks as our circadian rhythm, the sleep-wake cycle, tries to catch up. For many people living with dementia, this sleep-wake cycle can be interrupted daily in a condition called Sundowning Syndrome. This symptom of dementia causes individuals to face increased confusion, agitation, anxiety and sometimes aggression in late afternoon or early evening.

For families supporting a loved one living with dementia, it can be quite distressing to try and manage this condition, which can manifest in confusion and disorientation, pacing, irritability and mood swings, wandering at night and worse, paranoia.

Doctors say Sundowning is believed to be caused by a combination of factors, including disruptions in the body’s internal clock, fatigue, reduced lighting, sensory overload, changes in brain function, or sometimes the side effects of medicine or dehydration.

How can families help when Sundowning occurs?

To reduce the stress on families and the individual experiencing Sundowning symptoms, families can take several steps to help a loved one. The first step is establishing a consistent routine, such as regular times for waking up, meals and bedtime. If possible, limit naps to encourage more sound night sleep, and plan activities for earlier in the day to reduce evening overstimulation.

Healthy sleeping habits are critical as well. You can support this by exposing your loved one to natural daylight to help regulate the individual’s body clock. You can also limit caffeine, sugar or large late-day meals, and create a calming routine near bedtime. Also, encourage light exercise during the day. A simple walk or a routine of stretching or yoga can reduce restlessness later in the day.

Next, consider adjusting your home environment. You can do this by keeping the home well-lit, especially as night falls. This will help reduce shadows and potential confusion. In addition, reduce noise and distractions, such as loud TV or radio, and limit late-day visitors. Consider blackout curtains as well.

If your loved one experiences Sundowning symptoms, reassure them calmly. You can do this by speaking softly or offering a gentle physical touch if they enjoy this. You can also try to redirect the negative behavior by shifting attention to a relaxing activity like listening to familiar music, folding laundry or doing an easy puzzle.

Keeping a journal on what triggers symptoms – or periods of calm – will help you learn important factors that will benefit your loved one. Monitor for foods, activities, lighting, sounds, and anything else that might provide clues for how you can adjust how you support your loved one.

Finally, if Sundowning symptoms become too much for you to handle at home, consult with your doctor. They can help assess if your loved one is being affected by medications or other conditions such as an infection that might be causing discomfort. If symptoms persist and become too complex to handle at home, they may have recommendations for where you can get help.

Caring for someone with sundowning can be challenging, but by creating a structured, calming environment and providing reassurance, families can help ease symptoms and improve their loved one’s well-being.

As part of its continuum of living options for seniors, Jackson Creek Senior Living offers specialized memory support care in addition to assisted living and independent living. In our memory support neighborhood and Creekside Retreat, team members have been trained to support residents experiencing Sundowner’s syndrome and other side effects of Alzheimer’s and related dementia conditions. Give us a call at 719-259-1331 if you have any questions. We’re here to help.

The Creekside Retreat is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. MT on weekdays with full- and half-day options. Call 719-259-1331 to learn more or schedule an assessment.

Caring for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s and related dementia is challenging. Increasingly, families are turning to day retreat programs that support seniors during the weekdays. When a caregiver is busy with work, running errands, or just needing some personal time to relax and focus on their health and well-being, a day program ensures their loved one or patient is safe, well-cared for, and enjoying their time away from home.

Jackson Creek Senior Living’s Creekside Retreat Day Program is for individuals who need assisted living or dementia-care services during the day. Located in our Creekside memory support community, participants spend time with peers with similar interests and enjoy chef-prepared meals and snacks with access to supportive services and exceptional amenities. Day Retreat members participate in community events, wellness programs, and activities and get to know residents and team members in a safe and engaging environment. The Creekside Retreat is also a great way for older adults and families to get to know our senior lifestyle community before considering a temporary short-term respite stay or more or becoming a permanent resident.

Benefits of Jackson Creek’s Creekside Retreat Program for Seniors

Socialization

Loneliness and isolation are common issues many seniors struggle with as they cope with memory loss and decreased mobility. Day programs allow older adults to participate in social activities, games, music, and opportunities for growth and learning alongside friends in a safe and supported environment with specially trained caregivers nearby to assist as needed.

Independence

Getting out of the house and having choices when it comes to what activities they are involved in, whom they spend time with, and even what to order for lunch promotes independence and confidence in seniors. The freedom to have more say in their daytime activities can also boost their mental and physical health and overall well-being.

Quality Care

Older adults enrolled in a day program are surrounded by dementia-care professionals who offer supportive services like medication and incontinence management and assistance with activities of daily living. They are also adept at handling unusual or aggressive behaviors that can be associated with memory loss and ensuring that program participants are safe and comfortable at all times.

Benefits of Day Programs for Caregivers

Peace of Mind

When it isn’t possible to be with a loved one, day programs offer caregivers peace of mind knowing their loved one is engaged in fun activities with peers while being looked after by specially trained professionals in a safe and supportive environment.

Better Care

Caregiving for a loved one living with memory loss requires time and energy. That’s why it’s essential for caregivers to learn how to cope with daily challenges and avoid burnout. Utilizing a day program like Jackson Creek’s Creekside Retreat can provide a much-needed break for caregivers to focus on their own health, relax, and rejuvenate so they can continue to manage the demands of caregiving.