October

Madison at The Range Newsletter

Resident´s Birthdays

James Jackson (5th)
Charles Baker (8th)
Dorothy Baker (9th)
Louisa Robinson (9th)
Brenda Damron (15th)
Colene Webster (17th)
Shirley Bray (23rd)
Victoria Gonia (28th)
Carolyn Clark (30th)

Month's Celebration

National Dessert Day- 14th
National Pumpkin Day- 26th
Halloween- 31st

Events Spotlight

Grand Tetons National Park

Tips for Keeping Minds Active

Keeping the mind active is crucial for cognitive health, especially as people age. Here are some effective tips to keep the brain sharp and engaged:
1.Engage in Puzzles and Brain Games
– Crosswords, Sudoku, or word searches: These challenge memory and problem-solving skills.
– Jigsaw puzzles: They improve visual-spatial reasoning and concentration.
-Board games: Games like chess, checkers, or Scrabble encourage strategic thinking and language use.
2. Lifelong Learning
– Take a class: Enroll in local community center classes or online courses to learn new skills.
– Read daily: Reading books, newspapers, or articles keeps the mind engaged and builds vocabulary and knowledge.
– Documentaries and podcasts: These are great for learning about new topics or staying updated on interests.
3. Stay Socially Active
– Join clubs or groups: Whether it’s a book club, walking group, or hobby club, social interactions stimulate cognitive functions.
– Volunteer: Volunteering not only helps others but also keeps you mentally and socially engaged.
– Regular family and friend interactions: Meaningful conversations boost brain activity.
4. Play Musical Instruments or Learn Music
– Learning a new instrument: It challenges the brain by engaging motor skills, memory, and creativity.
– Singing or listening to music: These activities stimulate emotions and memories, promoting brain activity.
5.Practice Mindfulness and Meditation
-Mindfulness exercises: These help improve focus, memory, and cognitive flexibility.
-Meditation: Studies show that meditation reduces stress and enhances brain plasticity, improving mental clarity.
6. Physical Exercise
– Exercise regularly: Physical activities, especially those that include coordination (like dancing or yoga), boost brain health.
– Walks in nature: These improve mood, reduce anxiety, and boost creativity.
7. Learn a New Language
– Language learning: It strengthens cognitive reserves and enhances memory, attention, and problem-solving.
– Practice regularly: Even learning a few new words or phrases daily has a positive impact. 8. Creative Hobbies
– Painting, drawing, or crafts: These activities engage the creative side of the brain, fostering problem-solving and coordination.
– Writing: Whether journaling, storytelling, or poetry, writing exercises memory and creativity.
9. Engage in Strategy Games
– Card games like bridge or solitaire: These require attention and planning.
– Strategy video games: Certain video games can improve cognitive function by requiring quick thinking and planning.
10. Challenge the Brain with New Experiences
– Change routines: Take a different route to a familiar place or try new recipes to keep the brain adaptable.
– Travel or explore: Visiting new places (even locally) exposes the brain to fresh stimuli and enhances problem-solving.
11. Get Plenty of Sleep
– Adequate rest: Sleep is essential for memory consolidation and cognitive function. Maintaining a healthy sleep schedule is key to brain health.
12.Healthy Diet for Brain Health
– Eat brain-boosting foods: Incorporate foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (like fish), antioxidants (berries, nuts), and leafy greens. A healthy diet supports cognitive function.
13. Teach or Mentor Others
– Sharing knowledge: Teaching a skill or mentoring someone challenges the brain and reinforces learning.
14. Stay Curious
– Cultivate a mindset of curiosity by asking questions, exploring new ideas, and engaging in problem-solving daily. This helps build cognitive resilience.
15. Practice Mental Math
– Solve problems in your head rather than using a calculator. Simple tasks like calculating a tip, multiplying numbers, or adding up prices keep your mind sharp. These activities help keep the mind agile, improve memory, and build cognitive reserves, which can reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

Planning for Retirement

1.Set Clear Goals
– Retirement Age: Decide when you want to retire. The earlier you retire, the longer your savings need to last.
– Desired Lifestyle: Determine what lifestyle you want in retirement (e.g., travel, hobbies, etc.), which will affect your spending needs.
2. Estimate Retirement Expenses:
– Basic Needs: Housing, healthcare, utilities, food, transportation.
– Discretionary Spending: Travel, entertainment, hobbies.
– Healthcare Costs: Plan for increased medical expenses as you age, including long-term care if necessary.
3. Determine Your Income Sources:
– Social Security: Find out when you’re eligible and how much you can expect based on your earnings history.
– Pension: If you have a pension plan, understand its payout options and rules.
– Retirement Accounts: Regularly contribute to accounts like 401(k), IRA, or Roth IRA. Know the rules on withdrawals and taxation.
– Investments: Consider dividends, interest from bonds, and other investment income.
4. Maximize Contributions to Retirement Accounts:
– Employer-Sponsored Plans: Contribute at least enough to get the employer match on a 401(k) or similar plan.
– Traditional or Roth IRA: Consider contributing to an IRA if you’re eligible. Roth IRAs grow tax-free, while traditional IRAs provide tax benefits upfront.
– Catch-up Contributions: If you’re over 50, take advantage of catch-up contributions to increase your retirement savings.
5. Diversify Your Investments:
– Asset Allocation: Balance between stocks, bonds, and other assets based on your risk tolerance and time horizon.
– Rebalancing: Periodically review and adjust your portfolio to ensure it remains aligned with your goals.
– Risk Management: As you near retirement, shift towards less risky assets like bonds to protect your savings.
6. Plan for Inflation:
– Account for Rising Costs: Your purchasing power may decrease over time due to inflation, so ensure your savings and investments grow enough to outpace inflation.
7. Create a Withdrawal Strategy:
– Safe Withdrawal Rate: A common guideline is the “4% rule,” which suggests withdrawing 4% of your retirement savings annually.
– Tax-Efficient Withdrawals: Withdraw from taxable accounts first, then tax-deferred accounts like a 401(k), and finally from tax-free accounts like Roth IRAs to minimize taxes.
8. Minimize Debt Before Retirement:
– Pay Off High-Interest Debt: Eliminate credit card debt and high-interest loans before retirement.
– Consider Downsizing: If your home is too large or expensive, downsizing can free up funds and reduce maintenance costs.
9. Review Your Estate Plan:
– Wills and Trusts: Ensure you have a current will or trust in place.
– Beneficiary Designations: Regularly update beneficiaries on your retirement accounts and insurance policies.
– Power of Attorney and Healthcare Proxy: Assign someone you trust to manage your finances and healthcare decisions if you’re unable to do so.
10.Consult a Financial Planner:
– A financial planner can help you refine your strategy, ensure you’re on track, and adjust as needed to meet your retirement goals. Tailor your plan based on your individual situation, including your income, retirement timeline, and lifestyle expectations.

GRand Teton
National Park

The most popular months to visit are May through September. During the busy summer season, most roads and facilities are open and a full range of programs are available to enjoy.

Tips for In-Home Senior Care

Providing in-home care for seniors involves creating a safe, supportive, and comfortable environment that addresses their physical, emotional, and social needs. Here are some essential tips:
1. Create a Safe Living Environment
-Remove hazards: Eliminate tripping hazards like loose rugs, cords, and clutter.
-Install safety equipment: Use grab bars in bathrooms, non-slip mats, and handrails on stairs.
-Ensure proper lighting: Bright, easy-to-control lighting can help prevent falls.
2.Support Their Medical Needs
-Medication management: Set up reminders, organize pills with a daily dispenser, or use apps that help track medication schedules.
-Regular check-ups: Ensure seniors attend all medical appointments and follow care plans from their healthcare providers.
-Monitor health: Keep an eye on changes in mobility, mood, appetite, or sleep patterns. 3.Encourage Independence
– Allow seniors to do as much as they can for themselves to promote independence and self-esteem.
– Adapt tasks so they can contribute, such as meal prepping or folding laundry.
4.Address Emotional and Social Needs
-Maintain social connections: Encourage family visits, phone calls, or virtual communication with loved ones.
-Engage in activities: Support hobbies like reading, gardening, or puzzles. Stimulating mental activity is essential.
-Companionship: Hire caregivers or companions if necessary to prevent loneliness and isolation.
5.Develop a Routine
– Consistency in daily schedules helps reduce stress and confusion, especially for seniors with dementia.
– Include regular meal times, medication, and activities they enjoy.
6. Personalized Care Plans
– Understand and respect their personal preferences, whether it’s the type of food they eat, daily activities, or specific routines. – Customize care to meet their physical and emotional needs, especially if they have specific conditions like dementia, arthritis, or diabetes.
7. Support Their Mobility
– Use walkers, canes, or other mobility aids as recommended by healthcare professionals.
– Ensure frequently used items are within easy reach.
8.Nutrition and Hydration
– Encourage a balanced diet rich in nutrients, especially if they have dietary restrictions.
– Stay mindful of their hydration needs, as seniors are more prone to dehydration.
9.Keep Emergency Plans Ready
– Have a clear emergency plan in place, including contact information for family members, doctors, and emergency services. – Consider wearing medical alert devices if falls or other emergencies are a concern.
10.Care for Yourself as a Caregiver
– Ensure you take breaks and seek help when needed. Burnout can affect your ability to provide quality care.
– Explore respite care services to help manage the demands of caregiving.

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Recipe Spotlight:

“Anything goes” Quiche

Ingredients:
1 refrigerated pie crust
5 eggs
1 cup half-and-half
½ teaspoon seasoning of your choice, such as mustard, dill, or rosemary
¾ cup crispy bacon, crumbled cooked sausage, or leftover ham, chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar or Swiss cheese
1 cup spinach or kale, torn or chopped
½ cup of your favorite veggie, diced (tomato, broccoli, asparagus, and peppers are good options)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 F and roll pie crust into your pie plate.
Whisk eggs, half-and-half, and seasoning in a medium bowl.
Sprinkle meat, cheese, and veggies onto the prepared pie crust evenly. Pour the egg mixture to cover.
Bake for 40-50 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes before slicing and enjoying.

Resident of the Month

Albert Bush

Albert Bush Resident of the Month

Albert is originally from the Athens, Alabama area, and he has owned and operated many businesses around the Athens area. He’s been married to his wife Ann since 1961, and they have two kids together. He often enjoys dominoes, checkers, exercise, bingo, and going to service.

Associate of the Month

Tina Pettway

Tina Pettway Associate of the Month

Tina has experience in drug and rehab, school nurse, works well in Psych, CNA for four years at different nursing homes, Phlebotomist for seven years at Crestwood, and eleven years of nursing.
She is single with three kids, Grant, Ian, and Lauren. She is very family oriented, as she prefers to stay at home when she is not working aside from the occasional get-away to Tennessee on the weekends. Her favorite place to vacation is the beach, her and her family goes every summer.
Her current goal is to go back to school to become an RN. Her future goal is to hopefully retire early and to travel overseas.
She is often described as shy, patient, kind, caring, loving, and hardworking. Her greatest motivation in life is helping others.

Grand Teton
National Park

Collaborators

Jennifer White, Executive Director | Madison at The Range
Jennifer White
Cynthia Gooch, Lifestyles Director | Madison at The Range
Cynthia Gooch

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