Sprenger Healthcare has been providing personalized senior care with compassion and understanding since 1959. During this time, we have worked tirelessly to consistently exceed our patients’ and residents’ needs.
These concerted efforts have garnered us many positive reviews and awards regarding our services and our facilities. One such award is the U.S. News and World Report’s annual review of nursing homes across the country.
Since 2009, U.S. News has been reporting data on nursing homes from Nursing Home Compare (https://www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare), a program administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that sets and enforces standards for nursing homes. The reported ratings are scaled on a star grade of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest achievement. The stars are determined by the nursing home’s performance in three areas – state-conducted health inspections, nurse staffing and medical quality measures.
Three Sprenger Health Care facilities in Lorain County received the highest 5-star rating: Sprenger Health Care Elms Retirement Village in Wellington, Ohio; Sprenger Health Care Amherst Manor in Amherst, Ohio; and Sprenger Health Care Anchor Lodge in Lorain, Ohio. The administrators at each community are thrilled to have been recognized for their hard work and dedication. Their comments regarding the award are as follows:
“It is an honor to be acknowledged for the effort the staff at Sprenger Health Care Elms Retirement Village puts in every day. I love that our nursing home provides a comforting environment and individualized care for each of our residents.” Jenna Fawley – Administrator, Sprenger Health Care Elms Retirement Village
“It is an honor for us to receive this award from U.S. News. With so many options to choose from in our industry, we are proud to be chosen as one of the best in the area by this organization. My community has recently been updated with an addition of 30 private rooms with private baths, and new, comfortable common areas. Our state-of-the-art therapy gym now features Biodex equipment, Jintronix motion capture technology and Vital Stim with Biofeedback. In addition, we are offering the latest programs for those recovering from a stroke, backed by a well-known area neurologist and therapists who are certified in neuro-development training.” – Kristen Gollinger – Administrator, Sprenger Health Care Amherst Manor
“Sprenger Health Care Anchor Lodge offers a continuum of care with skilled nursing and rehabilitation, long-term care and assisted living all on the scenic shores of Lake Erie. This award continues to show the community that Sprenger Health Care Anchor Lodge strives for exceptional customer service and to exceed their expectations every day.” Janelle Shaw – Administrator, Sprenger Health Care Anchor Lodge
Sprenger Healthcare offers a wide variety of services for the aging. From independent living to skilled nursing care, we are here to support you at every step along your journey. If you would like to schedule a personal tour at one of our facilities, please contact us at: 800-772-1116 or visit www.sprengerhealthcare.com to explore all we offer.
Feeling stressed out? Learn ways to calm the stress in your life.
Feeling stressed out? Most Americans do.
Not all stress is bad. A certain amount of stress enables executives to perform at their peak, but too much stress can be harmful. Stress is linked to chronic conditions, such as heart disease and depression.
The trick is to manage or control stress to keep it within healthy limits. If your stress meter is soaring, learn to relax. Here are some soothing ways to handle the stress in your life.
1. Breathe
Have you heard the expression, “take a breather”? Sometimes just five minutes of deep breathing is enough to ban stress.
Most people take shallow breaths that fill only part of the lungs. Deep breathing gets more oxygen into the lungs and can help calm the brain. Try these steps:
- Sit or lie with one hand on your belly.
- Breathe in through your nose, filling your lungs. Focus on making the hand on your belly rise
- Breathe out through your mouth, trying to empty your lungs as much as you can. The hand on your belly should move in as your muscles tighten.
- Continue these deep, slow breaths – in through your nose and out through your mouth – making your belly rise and fall.
This simple, but powerful, exercise can be done almost anywhere. It can be combined with meditation or muscle relaxation.
2. Relax your muscles
Progressive muscle relaxation is another simple way to ease stress. Practicing it can help you become aware of when you are holding stress in your body. Relaxing your muscles can help your mind relax.
- Lie down in a quiet place. Take a few minutes to breathe slowly and deeply.
- When you feel relaxed, start with your right foot. Squeeze the muscles as tightly as you can. Hold while you count to 10
- Relax your right foot. Take a few deep breaths./li>
- Next, squeeze the muscles in your left foot while you count to 10
- Relax and breathe.
- Slowly work your way up your body (legs, belly, back, chest, arms, neck and face), squeezing and relaxing each group of muscles.
3. Say yes to yoga
Yoga is a system of exercises (called asanas) for gaining bodily or mental control and well-being. The philosophy is that the breath, the mind and the body are so closely linked that whatever you do to one will affect the other. In addition to easing stress, yoga can improve strength, balance and flexibility.
Yoga is a gentle form of exercise that is safe for most people when it’s practiced correctly. Consult a trained yoga teacher. Make sure you ask your doctor before you start any new activity.
4. Try tai chi
Tai chi is a series of postures that flow into one another through connecting transition moves. These slow, graceful and precise body movements are said to improve body awareness and enhance strength and coordination. At the same time, they are supposed to help the practitioner achieve inner peace. Like yoga, it is designed to enhance both physical and emotional well-being.
Tai chi is a low-impact aerobic activity, so you can chill out and burn some calories at the same time. Another advantage to tai chi is its low risk of injury.
Take a tai chi class or buy a book or instructional video. Once you learn how to do tai chi, you can practice almost anywhere.
5. Meditate
Meditation is a centuries-old spiritual practice that is also a powerful stress-buster. Here, you learn to relax while focusing on a word, a sound or your own breathing. It can have a deeply calming effect.
There are many different types of meditation. One type is mindfulness meditation. You can practice mindfulness while sitting in a quiet place or while walking. The key is to keep bringing your focus back to your breathing or your steps. When distractions come into your mind, observe them without judging and let them go. The technique is simple, but achieving the desired result takes practice.
6. Get a massage
In massage therapy, the hands (or sometimes forearms, elbows and feet) are used to manipulate the soft body tissues. A good massage is not only relaxing, but it may also have some real healing benefits. Some studies have shown that the kneading and pressing of muscles slows the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, improves blood circulation, relaxes muscles and helps reduce stress levels.
If you can’t fit in or afford a visit to a spa, ask your partner or friend for a neck, back or foot rub. Trading massages can be a relaxing way to reconnect after a stressful day.
Sprenger Healthcare offers a wide variety of compassionate, senior services. From independent living to skilled nursing care, we are here to support you at every step along your journey. If you would like to schedule a customized tour at one of our facilities, please contact us at: 800-772-1116 or visit www.sprengerhealthcare.com to explore all that we have to offer.
Sprenger Health Care Towne Center Community Campus to Showcase Parkway Memory Care Assisted Living with Community Open HouseMedia Contact: Amanda Yandell, Corporate Marketing Coordinator
Sprenger Health Care Towne Center Community Campus
500 Community Drive
Avon Lake, OH 44012
(440) 930-6627 / AYandell@SprengerHealthCare.com
Location Contact: Jason Coe, LNHA, Regional Director of Operations
Sprenger Health Care Towne Center Community Campus
500 Community Drive
Avon Lake, OH 44012
(440) 930-6603 / JCoe@SprengerHealthCare.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Avon Lake, OHIO – June 13, 2017 – Sprenger Healthcare is celebrating its new Parkway Memory Care Assisted Living space at Sprenger Health Care Towne Center Community Campus with a community open house Wednesday, June 28, 2017.
The community open house will take place from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at 400 Community Drive, Avon Lake, OH 44012.
Tours will be provided throughout the event for community members to explore the new Parkway Memory Care Assisted Living space, which is designed to offer quality care for those in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or other related dementias. With safety, continuity of care, and sensory cognition in mind, Parkway is designed to optimize quality of life and encourage residents to maintain a healthy level of activity.
As the first memory care assisted living facility in Sprenger Healthcare, the unit includes 30 private studios with individual bathrooms and specialized safety features. It has its own dining room featuring chef-designed meals, a soothing salt water aquarium, a 30-foot glass clearstory to let in plenty of natural light, and a secured courtyard for residents and their loved ones to enjoy.
“The addition of a memory care assisted living facility on our campus gives us more capacity to meet the changing needs of our residents,” said Jason Coe, Regional Director of Operations for Sprenger Healthcare.
Parkway Memory Care Assisted Living provides a constructive environment to promote activity and socialization, with planned outings, weekly happy hours, in-house fitness programs, as well as art and pet therapy. Residents can also benefit from Certified Dementia Care Specialists and 24-hour staff to assist with everyday needs.
The community open house will include a ceremonial ribbon cutting, complimentary wine tasting with The Wine Room, raffle baskets, cocktails, and hearty hors d’oeuvres and desserts compliments of Chef Jim Smith.
For more information and to RSVP please contact Jasmine Naida at (440) 930-6700 or email JNaida@SprengerHealthCare.com.
About Sprenger Healthcare
Sprenger Healthcare is a leading developer, owner and operator of senior living communities in Ohio, Indiana, and South Carolina. Through our 12 communities encompassing nearly 2,000 beds, we provide exceptional health care services for the aging, including short-term post-acute rehabilitation, long-term nursing care, assisted and independent living, memory care, hospice, and respite care.
From a small family-owned nursing facility to an expansive enterprise employing 2,000 professionals, Sprenger Healthcare is actively growing and adapting to the ever-changing needs of the communities we serve. With a strong focus on innovation and quality, Sprenger’s third generation is building a legacy while maintaining the same philosophy of personalized care initially established by Grace Sprenger in 1959.
By: Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging (WRAAA)
Mosquitoes are more than just summertime pests – many carry viruses and bacteria that can cause serious illness. Older adults are no more likely than younger people to be bitten by mosquitoes, but they are at higher risk for complications from mosquito-borne illnesses. You can minimize your risk by protecting yourself from mosquito bites and taking steps to control mosquitoes outside and inside your home.
Protect yourself from mosquito bites:
- Minimize time outdoors during peak time for mosquitoes (from dawn until dusk), and be mindful that mosquitoes can bite at any time of the day or night.
- While outdoors, use an insect repellent with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol.
- Follow insect repellent product label instructions and reapply as directed.
- Apply sunscreen first if you are also using sunscreen with insect repellent.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants outdoors, if possible, during peak mosquito times.
Control mosquitoes outside your home:
- Eliminate breeding sites. Mosquitoes breed in water. Look for any items around your home that can hold rain water (e.g., buckets, rain barrels, bird baths, tires, planters and puddles);
- If possible, remove these from your property, cover them or move them to where they won’t catch water.
- If removal is not possible, empty any water at least once a week and scrub the sides of the containers to remove potential mosquito egg deposits.
- Use larvicides to treat large containers of water that will not be used for drinking and cannot be covered or dumped out.
- Use an outdoor flying insect spray in dark humid areas where mosquitoes rest, like under patio furniture, or in the carport or garage; always follow label instructions.
- Repair cracks or gaps in septic tanks and cover open vent or plumbing pipes using wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
Control mosquitoes inside your home:
- Keep doors and windows closed or covered with screens as much as possible.
- Check window and door screens and repair or replace any that are worn, torn or have mesh larger than an adult mosquito.
- Empty and clean household items that hold water (vases and flowerpot saucers) at least weekly.
- Use an indoor flying insect fogger or indoor insect spray to kill mosquitoes and treat areas where they rest; follow label instructions and reapply as directed.
No single strategy will help you avoid every mosquito bite, but a combination of the steps above will greatly reduce your risk of a bite and related illness. If you experience flu like symptoms, especially if you have been exposed to mosquitoes, talk to your doctor.
By Dr. Jim Collins
Summer is finally here and with it comes lots of fun, outdoor activities, and some of our favorite foods. The days will be longer, warmer and many of us will want to be outdoors as much as possible. While there are great times ahead, summer also brings a few dangers, especially to people over 65 years of age. Some older adults can experience heat exhaustion, dehydration and foodborne illnesses. Here are some tips to enjoy the summer and remain safe.
Protect Yourself from Heat-Related Illness
Hyperthermia refers to a group of heat-related conditions such as heat stress, heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Annually, thousands of people experience these conditions, but they could be avoided altogether. Older adults are especially vulnerable to heat-related illnesses because the aging body cannot compensate for the heat and cool itself down. Older adults run a higher risk of hyperthermia due to being overweight, having poor circulation or high blood pressure.
There are many ways to protect yourself from heat-related illnesses. Stay inside air-conditioned places during extreme heat. Limit your exposure to the sun and get rest inside cool and comfortable places. The sun is hottest between 10am and 2pm, so stay inside during these peak hours. Wear light, loose-fitting clothes, wear sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats. Always drink extra fluids during hot weather and limit the amount of caffeine and alcohol you would normally consume. Sunscreen, especially SPF 30 or higher is recommended.
Enjoy Summer Activities Safely
The summer is a great time for gardening, swimming, walking, golfing, and going on short or longer trips. Studies show that older adults who remain active have higher life satisfaction than those who do not. Remaining active is also a great way to prevent or treat depression and loneliness.
To better ensure safety during the summer, talk to your doctor to make sure you are in good shape to handle physical activities. Any physical activity is better than none, so to improve cardiovascular health, go for walks, try biking, hiking, yoga, and watch your emotional state go from good to great! Keep an eye on community programs that may be interesting such as museum exhibits, gardening clubs, farmer’s markets, or outdoor symphonies. Summer is also a great time to volunteer and help children and animals in your community. In addition, since many younger people prefer not to attend college classes in the summer, you may want to take a couple courses yourself while there are fewer people on campus and more parking spaces.
Summer Foods and Eating Wisely
Far too many people become sick annually due to eating contaminated foods that have sat out in the heat for too long. Bacteria and viruses can make us very ill and cause death. Symptoms of food poisoning can occur within 24 hours or even days or weeks later. Symptoms of food poisoning include fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and nausea.
Tips to avoid food poisoning include washing your hands before and after you handle food. Scrub your hands with soap for at least 20-30 seconds with warm, soapy water and rinse. Use a food thermometer to ensure that cooked foods reach safe temperatures. Hamburgers should be 160 degrees, steaks 145 degrees, chicken 165 degrees and fish should be cooked to 145 degrees.
Never place cooked food on a plate that previously had raw foods like meat, poultry, seafood or eggs. Always use clean and sanitized utensils, plates and cookware. Don’t allow raw meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, cut fresh fruits or vegetables sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Be sure to scrub out your cooler before filling it with ice.
Although summer is full of fun, activities, and outdoor living, it can also bring many dangers that can be easily avoided. To maximize your summer, stay cool, limit direct sun exposure and wear sunscreen. Get some exercise, but be careful and consult your doctor before adding too much physical activity to your daily routine. Get out and volunteer. Eat, drink and enjoy all that summer brings, but do it carefully and safely. Have a wonderful summer!
By Sprenger Home Health Care
The summer months are a great time for outdoor activity but with it comes an increase in the incidence of heat related illnesses, especially for seniors.
Did you know that as early as age 65 our bodies are changing in how we respond to heat? As we get in that round of golf, mow the lawn, work in the garden or take a good walk we need to heed and take extra precautions to avoid heat illnesses.
As we age, we don’t tolerate, and just as importantly don’t perceive heat as we did. Because of that we may be reaching for that sweater when everyone else is comfortable in a short sleeve shirt. Take cues from those around you and think twice before adding that extra layer.
One of the most important things we can do to stay healthy is to make sure we’re well hydrated. Our ability to perceive thirst has diminished making this even more challenging. Dehydration can lead not only to heat related illnesses but to falls as well. When we’re dehydrated the chances of dizzy spells and fainting increase.
Don’t forget about sunscreen. Our skin has become thinner so sunscreen is even more important when planning outdoor activity.
Diet and nutrition play an important role as well. Eat light! Consuming foods that are easy to digest as well as smaller more frequent meals will serve you well. Be careful about food storage. Foods spoil more quickly in the heat of the summer. The Nutrition.gov website is packed with good information for senior nutrition.
Plan your outdoor activities when the air is cooler. Mow the grass and work the garden in the evening. Plan your tee time and take that brisk walk early in the morning and don’t forget your water and sunscreen!
Have a healthy and safe summer!
Sprenger was a panel member on a recent WNIT public television program Ask An Expert. This program discussed Senior Care options to provide information about the levels of care of aging adults and caregivers.
Take a look at the full program. Take a look at the full program
By: Chris Phillips, Sprenger Dining Services
It’s projected by the year 2030, 22%of the world’s population will be 65 years old or older. You probably don’t need me to tell you, but this is a large amount of people! In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the same demographic only accounted for 4% of the world’s population at the beginning of the century. Chances are, if you don’t fall into this category, you know someone who does. Someday you’ll fit this category and it’s important to know what you can do to improve not only the number of years in your life, but the quality of those years.
It’s commonly known as we age, we’re more susceptible to disease and disability. Heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and other chronic degenerative conditions all affect the elderly.
There are different techniques and care plans for each condition, but the one thing that can help with all of these conditions is proper nutrition. It will give your body the necessary nutrients to fight any chronic condition and prevent it from becoming worse.
If something like proper nutrition is so important to your health it must be hard to maintain, right? The answer is no!
Older people don’t need to ingest as many calories as younger people due to factors like a slower metabolism, but they do need to make sure they maintain a proper level of minerals and vitamins. This can be done by choosing nutrient dense foods like fruit, fat free cheese and whole wheat crackers instead of sugar filled snacks like cookies and ice cream. Choosing fish, poultry and soy protein foods like tofu will give you your necessary protein. Calcium can come from low-fat milk, calcium fortified orange juice and broccoli. Vitamin B12 can be attained by eating low-fat meat, poultry, fish and fortified cereals. Get your Vitamin D from fortified milk and milk products, and fatty fish. Be sure to include fruits and vegetables for fiber and top it off with 6-8 glasses of water a day.
When preparing food, you should bake your food instead of incorporating other techniques, such as broiling. High heat causes foods to develop toxic compounds called Advanced Glycation End (AGE) products. These AGEs can contribute to hardening of the arteries, wrinkles and stiff joints and should be avoided to achieve optimal health.
Don’t let diminished senses keep you from maintaining healthy nutrition. Add flavor to your food by using low sodium seasonings, such as lemon juice, ground pepper, curry pepper and fresh or dried herbs of all types. Diversity in color and texture of your food can make your food look more appetizing. If you’re having trouble eating, try eating small meals throughout the day instead of three big meals to increase the appetite and stimulate the senses.
One day age catches up with all of us, but it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. Adopt these techniques and you can age well while fighting whatever chronic conditions life throws at you.
Sprenger Health Care of Mishawaka was featured in Retirement Living Magazine. Find out more about senior living choices and our assisted living community near South Bend, IN.
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