Our House Assisted Living Blog

Our House of Central Sandy Scary Residents

Posted by nate on October 31, 2011  |  No Comments

Alex’s 100th Birthday at Our House of Orem

Posted by nate on October 31, 2011  |  No Comments

Our House of  Orem celebrating Alex’s Birthday.  Congratulations Alex

Doloris Comstock Resident Spotlight

Posted by nate on October 3, 2011  |  1 Comment

Doloris Comstock was born March 6th, 1913 in Holly Colorado.  She was married 27 years and has 4 children, 17 grandchildren, and 39 great grandchildren.  She retired from the Utah Idaho     Sugar Factory.  She enjoys traveling, gardening, and being with grandchildren, and reading books.  Her favorite foods include, stew, turkey dinners, fig newton cookies, fruit cake, and pies.  Her hobbies include, baking cooking and pies, knitting, sewing, quilting, and crochet.

Doloris has worked all her life and has and has had many life long friends.  She was very active in the LDS Church.  She worked in the Jordan Temple and was a faithful Relief Society teacher.  We asked her why she likes living at Our House and she replied, “Its very clean, the people are like family.”  She looks foward to visits with her family and friends.  She loves to listen to country music and enjoys playing the harmonica to feel young again.   When Doloris was 89 years old she would get on her roof and repair and cover her swamp cooler.  She also repaired some of her plumbing problems in the kitchen and bathrooms.

James Harris JenkinsJr. 26 March 2011 wrote the following in respect for the life and love of Doloris Comstock

Surely, one of the most beautiful of all things of this earth is a good woman of righteousness, who shines with the counteneance of true happiness in the Lord. Endowed with a greater calling of “bearing children unto the Lord,” good and chaste women delight the Lord.  As this picture of one of those valiant sould in His heavenly kingdom is depicted, our Lord Jesus Christ symbolically looks down upon her in His loving attention and care.  Her time of life nears a close to her mortality.  She has no fear of death, while only admitting to her desire to be onece again with her ‘fore gone’ family who wait anxiously for her return home to loved ones. All hearts will be ful with a joy often described as “exquisite,” and will be theirs forever. Her precious worn frame will be renewed beyond her wildest expectations.  Such will be her crown as a woman who has earned the greatest of all glories of the everlasting salvation of those most devoted in living the will or our God and Savior.  See her smile, born of the knowledge from within her clear mind, that her life has been acceptable to the Father and the Son in all ways, and in all time.  See her hands, every mark upon them speak volumes of the rigors of life, the spirit of giving to others and work performed with a charitable assist to all in need in the name of Diety.  Her exemplary life as we all witness it, will servce as her monument to all righteousness in our hearts forever.  Surely, she will be a Queen to the Most High God, to rule and reign in the House of Isreal forever.

Our House Resident Spotlight: Christie Erwin

Posted by nate on September 5, 2011  |  No Comments

Christie currently lives at Our House Assisted Living of South Jordan.  She has been living at Our House for about 11 years.  Her birthday is January 31st.  She was married for 36 years and has 3 children and 11 grandchildren.

Christie was a model in her younger years and also worked at Harmons.  She enjoys doing crafts and helping out the girl scouts.  She remembers all of the good times she had in Yellowstone with her family.  We asked her what she is looking forward to and she said, “not getting old”.  Christie also told us about a time that she was traveling in Washington State and she was pregnant at the time and couldn’t make it to the hospital so she delivered her baby in the car!

We sure enjoy Christie living at Our House.  She is always in a good mood and makes other people laugh.  She said she enjoys Our House because the workers are really good.  Thanks Christie

Spotlight on Clarence Robinson of Our House of West Sandy

Posted by nate on July 11, 2011  |  No Comments

Clarence Robinson was born July 14, 1919 in Alberta Canada.  Clarence was married for 46 years and has 5 children and 15 grandchildren.  Clarence likes driving to new places, and eating hamburgers.  Clarence likes living at Our House because everytime someone comes into his room the staff always says “Hello Clarence”.  Clarence looks forward to waking up each morning.

Clarence moved to Utah when he was a small boy and bought a home with a large piece of property.  There was an orchard, barn, garages, horses, pigs, cows, chickens.  Clarence had 5 brothers (3 still living) and 2 sisters, still living.  His parents both died in the 60′s.  Their land was eventually sold off in once acre lots.  What use to be an orchard is now filled with homes.  His home that he grew up in is still standing.  It has been remodeled and was recently on the market.  Clarence married Genevieve Johnson.  Clarence was in the navy.  They had  2 boys and 3 girls all still living and living in the Salt Lake Valley.  Clarence was a carpenter by trade.  He was building a house when a piece of steel was lodged in his right eye.  This was in 1946.  The doctors were afraid to remove if for fear of him losing his eye.  So he has been blind in his right eye since 1946.  The piece of steel is still in his eye.  It was difficult adjustment for him.  He never returned to being a carpenter.  A friend gave him a job driving a truck at Clyde and Revely.  He worked for them until he retired in the 80′s.  He received awards for safety and perfect driving record.  Clarence could see more with his one eye than most people see with two.  He could still read the daily newspaper until the last 3 years.  When Clarence was young he belonged to the Mount Riders Club and rode in parades and did horse shows.  Clarence and Genevive were married in 1940.  Genevive died in 1986.  They were married in the Temple and did a lot of Temple work together.  Clarence remarred in 1988 to Afton Holliday.  They were married in the Temple and continued to work in it.  Clarence’s health started to decline in 2000 and he moved in with his daughter Clair and her family.

He traveled with them to Colorado in 2002 for the wedding of his granddaughter.  His daughter Clair was the only child who left Utah.  So he traveled to New York, New Jersey, Florida, Colorado to visit them.  Clair and family returned to Utah in 1999.  Clarence went to almost all of his grandsons baseball games (Michael) Clair’s son.  Clarence and Clair would be the only one’s sitting there in the rain and cold watching baseball.  All the guy’s knew dad and would come over to say hello.  He was using a walker at that time, we would have quite a hike sometimes, but he still went.  One summer, I think 2002 we were playing at West High field- it was a young mens adult league.  We had a double header, it turned out to be the hottest day of the hear 101 degrees.  Clarence sat there and watched both games.  The guy’s came and got him and put him in there dug out where they had a mist system.  He seemed to really love it.  Clair had to put Clarence in Our House of West Sandy in November 2007.  He was no longer safe to be in her home, due to stairs.

Clarence seems very happy at Our House.  He even still has a few days when he will laugh with some of the staff. Then there are some days he will give some of them a hard time.  Nate and Our House provides a nice and “at home place”. For this I am very grateful.

Clarence is a kind and gentle man.  Before his dementia he could tell you anything about any place.  When I would bring my children to SLC to visit, they use to say to Grandpa “you should get paid by the Chamber of Commerce” you know something about everything.  And he did.

May we all be blessed with the patience and compassion for those we love who no longer remember anything.  And remember to treat them with dignity.

Our House of Orem II Press Release

Posted by nate on June 15, 2011  |  No Comments

New Assisted Living Facility Opens in Orem on June 22

Grand opening celebration will include Wii bowling competition with elderly residents, 94.1 KODJ entertainment and medical vendors on-site

Orem, UTAH – June 15, 2011 – Our House of Orem, Utah Valley’s most affordable assisted living, is celebrating the grand opening of its newest addition, a Type II assisted living facility, at 410 South Main Street in Orem on Wednesday, June 22, from 4 – 6 p.m.

To celebrate the opening, activities will be held including a Wii bowling competition with elderly residents living at Our House of Orem. In addition, entertainment and prizes from 94.1 KODJ, free refreshments and medical-related vendors will be on site. To thank the community for welcoming its newest assisted living facility, the first 50 visitors will receive two complimentary movie tickets to the local movie theater.

“We’re pleased to open the newest and most affordable assisted living facility in Utah Valley to offer more living options for our local elderly and provide them with the best care,” said Andrea Morris, administrator of Our House of Orem. “We invite those who want to mingle with others their age and those looking for a new residence for themselves or loved ones to visit during our grand opening. This is a great opportunity to tour the new facility, meet our residents and learn about local medical providers.”

The new 16-bedroom Type II facility is located next door to Our House of Orem’s current Type I facility. Type I residents have stable health and are provided assistance with some activities of daily living. Type II residents receive full assistance with activities of daily living and may require the assistance of one person for transfers. A free iPad or 36” flat screen is currently offered as a move-in special for those who choose to move in the Type II facility.

For more information, call the office at 801-226-4343 or visit www.ourhouseassistedliving.com.

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About Our House of Orem

Our House of Orem features two assisted living centers – Type I and Type II facilities. Both buildings each house 16 private bedrooms for elderly residents in a home-like environment. Caregivers are on site for 24-hour assistance with activities of daily living including dressing, grooming and bathing. Three home-cooked meals are provided every day along with scheduled daily social activities, religious and recreational programs for residents.

Part 2: Seeing the Doctor With Concerns of Alzheimer’s

Posted by nate on May 11, 2011  |  No Comments

For a first appointment, you can start with your loved one’s primary care provider. Or you might go right to a specialist, like a psychiatrist or a neurologist. Over time, you may have a number of experts involved in your loved one’s care.
Unfortunately, there’s no definitive test for Alzheimer’s disease. So doctors can use a number of different techniques to come up with a diagnosis. In addition to a typical physical exam and blood and urine tests, these could include:

• Mental status tests. The doctor may ask a series of questions that assess a person’s mental function. They test a person’s short-term memory, ability to follow instructions, and problem-solving skills. Specific tests include the mini-mental state exam (MMSE) and the “mini-cog.”
• Neurological exams. In checking for signs of Alzheimer’s, doctor will also check your loved one’s neurological function, including speech, balance, coordination, and reflexes.
• Imaging tests. CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans can help rule out other causes for the symptoms – like tumors or strokes.

Make sure to do your part. The doctor will need some basic information from you, so go in prepared with details about:

• The Alzheimer’s symptoms you’ve noticed and when they began.
• Other health conditions your loved one has.
• The daily medications she uses, including supplements and alternative treatments.
• Your loved one’s diet and alcohol use.Any important changes in your loved one’s life — like retirement, a recent move, or the death of a spouse.

Because Alzheimer’s warning signs may be confused with changes that can come with old age, its diagnosis may not be clear-cut.

If you’re not satisfied with the doctor’s assessment, get a second opinion. Alzheimer’s disease can go on a long time, and during those years you’ll need to work closely with a doctor. It’s key that you find a caring, sympathetic healthcare professional you trust.

Don’t Ignore Alzheimer’s Warning Signs:
Of course, you might not want to see a doctor yet. You might want to wait and see if things get worse. Many people put off consulting an expert for years – long after they’ve noticed obvious symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Why?

• People worry that their loved ones will be offended or angry if they mention their memory problems.
• Considering that Alzheimer’s disease has no cure, people might assume that there’s no point in rushing off to get the bad news.
• Deep down, people don’t want to admit to themselves that something might be wrong.

These are all very understandable, very human reasons to put off seeing an expert. But if you suspect your loved one might have Alzheimer’s, you need to see a doctor soon. Here’s why.

• Your loved one may not have Alzheimer’s disease. Don’t assume the worst. Even if your love one has dementia, it might not be Alzheimer’s. Other conditions can cause dementia or similar symptoms. They include vitamin deficiencies,thyroid problems, depression, drug interactions, and alcohol abuse. Many of these conditions are treatable. Putting off a trip to the doctor could leave your loved one suffering pointlessly.
• The sooner Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed, the sooner you can get treatment. Alzheimer’s disease isn’t curable, but it is treatable. Drugs can help slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s symptoms for a limited time. Your loved one may also be eligible for clinical trials, in which new, cutting-edge Alzheimer’s treatments are available.
• The sooner Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed, the sooner you can plan for it. Accepting that a loved one has Alzheimer’s is terribly difficult. But the sooner you do, the better off you are. The earlier you catch it, the more time you’ll have to learn about the condition and prepare for what’s ahead.

For your loved one’s sake — and for your own — don’t ignore the possible warnings signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Don’t wait until there’s a crisis before you see a doctor. If you have any concerns about your loved one’s memory or behavior, schedule an evaluation now.

Early Warning Signs: When to Call the Doctor About Alzheimer’s

Posted by nate on May 9, 2011  |  No Comments

Are you worried about an older loved one’s memory or behavior? Has your mom been getting lost while running errands? Has your dad started to ask the same questions, over and over?  Signs of the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease aren’t always clear-cut — after all, it can be hard to distinguish them from age-related memory changes.

To help guide you, here are the Alzheimer’s warning signs to watch for, along with advice about seeing a doctor and getting a diagnosis.

Alzheimer Disease Warning Signs

• Many people confuse Alzheimer’s disease with dementia. What’s the difference? Alzheimer’s is a disease; dementia is a group of symptoms that include loss of memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. However, dementia isn’t always caused by Alzheimer’s disease; it can be result from other conditions as well.
• Although some memory changes may be age-related, memory problems that interfere with daily life are not. According to experts, common early signs of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias include:
• Memory loss. Although older memories might seem unaffected, people with dementia might forget recent experiences or important dates or events that interferes with daily life. Anyone can forget some details from a recent event or conversation or recall them later. People with dementia might forget the entire thing.
• Repetition. People with dementia may repeat stories, sometimes word for word. They may keep asking the same questions, no matter how many times they’re answered.
• Language problems. We all struggle to remember a word occasionally. People with dementia can have profound problems remembering even basic words. Their way of speaking may become contorted and hard to follow.
• Personality changes. People with dementia may have sudden mood swings. They might become emotional – upset or angry – for no particular reason. They might become withdrawn or stop doing things they usually enjoy. They could become uncharacteristically suspicious of family members — or trusting of telemarketers.
• Disorientation and confusion. People with dementia may get lost in places they know very well, like their own neighborhoods. They may have trouble completing basic and familiar tasks, like cooking dinner or shaving.
• Lack of hygiene. Sometimes this is the most obvious sign of Alzheimer’s disease. People who have dressed smartly every day of their lives might start wearing stained clothing or stop bathing.
• Odd behavior. We all misplace our keys from time to time. People with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are prone to placing objects in odd and wholly inappropriate places. They might put a toothbrush in the fridge or milk in the cabinet under the sink.

If your loved one is exhibiting any of these Alzheimer’s warning signs, don’t panic. Having these symptoms doesn’t mean that your loved one necessarily has Alzheimer’s disease. But you need to schedule an appointment with the doctor for an evaluation.

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10 Tips To Embrace Your Seniority!

Posted by nate on May 5, 2011  |  1 Comment

1. Throw out nonessential numbers including age, weight and height. Let the doctor worry about them. That is what you pay them for.

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The Grouches pull you down!

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. When you keep your mind active, you stay healthy.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is yourself. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it’s family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.Your space is your refuge.

8. Don’t take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, around the block, to another city or around the world, but NOT to where the guilt is.

9. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

10. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that takes our breath away.

Mother’s Day Newspaper Headline

Posted by nate on May 4, 2011  |  No Comments

We found this cool little Mothers Day Newspaper publishing project for the Kids and Grandkids at MarthaStewart.com .

Print this PDF FILE for the kids and have them color in a picture for Mom or for Grandma then fill in the blanks… Guaranteed to Melt Her Heart!

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Tips to Prevent Wandering!

Posted by nate on April 28, 2011  |  No Comments

First off, let your loved one go outside when at all possible, in good weather and when supervision is available. Go outside with them and let them experience new things.

Try these approaches:

- Remove from site triggers that would make them think of going out, such as coats, umbrellas, shoes, purse, etc…

- Tell them where they are and why, in a calm tone of voice. Reassure them with words like, “_____ will return in an hour to be with you” or “Your family knows where you are”.

- Don’t confront or argue with the person, walk with them and redirect to another part of the house or to an activity. Use humor if possible.

- Purchase childproof doorknob covers, or deadbolts to put on the door above eye level, slide bolts on the top or bottom of the door. These items should never be used when they are alone in the home, only when someone is with them.

-  Place warning bells above the outside doors, setup a house alarm system, monitors that go on (such as a toddler monitor) or a pressure mat alarm, so at least you know when they left the house.

- Try putting a full-length mirror on the inside of the outside door. Sometimes people don’t recognize themselves and think someone is standing there and turn around and go back.

- Try putting a black throw rug in front of the outside door. To some people, it looks like a hole in the floor and that they won’t attempt to cross it.

- You might try to hide the outside door by putting a curtain in front of it, that way it may not be seen.

- Put a big sign on the outside door saying “Stop” or “Do Not Enter” or “Danger- Do not Open”

- Sew ID labels in clothes, or get a special Medic alert bracelet.  Also, have a current picture and a piece of unwashed clothes (for tracking dogs) handy to give to the police, in case they wander out.

- If  your loved one doesn’t recognize his or her home, they may want to leave to go “Home”. They may be thinking of a home they lived in previously, such as in their childhood. Instead of telling them that this is their home, talk about the home they are thinking of.  Reminiscing about it sometimes lessens their urge to leave.

- If they still want to go “home” tell them you will walk with them, and take a walk with them or tell them that you will drive them there, and take them out for a drive. It may help if you stop to get a treat, an ice cream cone, or snack. They probably will have forgotten about the other home by the time you get back, and may even recognize where they live now as home.