A new music program to benefit those with dementia was recently introduced to residents at The Bridges Assisted Living & Memory Care Community in Riverview.  For the past two years Kristin Reagin, daughter of Tom and Lynn Reagin of Valrico, has volunteered every Sunday at The Bridges. As Kristin played the piano and sang with the memory care residents she realized the positive affect music had on them.

When it came time to considering a project for her Girl Scout Gold Award, Kristin knew it would involve music and individuals with dementia.
Kristin’s project “Medicine for the Soul,” is based on extensive research conducted on the effects of music on individuals with dementia. “I am extremely passionate about this topic since I know how music can help bring joy to the lives of those with dementia. I also know that music has been scientifically proven to tap into memories that had otherwise been forgotten,” Kristin noted. Kristin’s goal to utilize donated iPods and create genre specific playlists for each iPod came to fruition; she recently presented the program to residents and staff at The Bridges.

The idea was only the first part of Kristin’s project. Next came fundraising, applying for and receiving a grant and collecting used iPods through various drives. With over $750 raised, Kristin provided 9 iPods with headphones, a charging station, a housing container that can be locked, and music from iTunes. The best and most rewarding part was yet to come. “When I placed the headphones on the residents and they began to sing and smile, I saw first hand that my project was working and residents were responding positively.” Donna Steiermann, Executive Director at The Bridges, foresees many benefits for residents. “’Medicine for the Soul” will be a wonderful addition to our community and will improve the quality of our residents’ lives,” she commented.

Assisted Living Residents & Teenagers Aid the Homeless

Residents at The Bridges Assisted Living Community and teenagers with the Brandon Foundation’s Junior Angel program worked side by side recently to make 200 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to feed the homeless. The sandwiches, along with fruit snacks and chips, were bagged and delivered to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Seffner that supports the Hillsborough County Homeless Initiative. “Bringing together the assisted living residents and the Junior Angels was terrific for everyone. It was wonderful to watch them work side by side and help each other make the sandwiches while talking, laughing and getting to know each other,” states Jill Lansky, Chair of the Brandon Foundation Junior Angel Program and mom to Noah who is a Junior Angel. According to assisted living resident Margie Ploor, “Working with these kids for the purpose of feeding the homeless was so rewarding and it warmed my heart.” Both groups are committed to continuing their partnership to support those in need.

Residents & Teens Pose with 200 meals

Benefits of Chair Yoga for Assisted Living Residents

“Chair Yoga” is a popular activity with residents at The Bridges Assisted Living Community and it offers many benefits. As we age, our muscle strength begins to decline and we become less flexible. According to Nathan LeBrasseur, a researcher who directs the Muscle Performance and Physical Function Laboratory and the Healthy Aging and Independent Living Initiative at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, “Most people will lose approximately 30% of muscle mass over their lifetime, and as much as 50% by the time they reach their 80s or 90s.” Participating regularly in a chair yoga class can greatly enhance one’s flexibility and range of motion through physical poses that stretch and strengthen muscles and lubricate joints. A study, published in the May 2012 issue of the “Journal of Gerontological Nursing,” found that seniors with osteoarthritis experienced improved physical functioning and reduced stiffness after completing an eight-week chair yoga program.

In addition to the physical benefits yoga provides, there are other benefits including stress management and social interaction. Yoga of any kind includes breathing exercises, which has been shown to reduce stress and improve one’s mental clarity. Feeling calmer and less stressed gives way to more happiness and contentment. For those participating in a group setting, socialization and interaction with others leads to an overall sense of well-being.

Chair Yoga Class at The Bridges

Assisted Living Residents Benefit From Gardening

Gardening at The Bridges Assisted Living Community has become a favorite pastime for many residents who are enjoying “the fruits of their labor” in numerous ways. Their gardening efforts  reduce stress and anxiety and improve their cognitive abilities. As it turns out, gardening tends to make one happier and healthier!

For older adults, gardening can help increase flexibility, hand strength and eye-hand coordination. Donna Wang, assistant professor of social work at Long Island University published a study on the benefits of gardening for older adults in the Journal of Housing for the Elderly. According to Wang, in addition to the benefits listed above, gardening can be a new learning opportunity, which stimulates cognitive functioning.

In a community setting, such as The Bridges Assisted Living community, gardening provides the opportunity for social interaction and group participation among assisted living residents. It is well known that staying socially active can help maintain one’s physical and emotional well-being. Four handicapped-accessible raised planters, filled with herbs and plants that attract butterflies, allow our residents to actively partake in gardening. Chef Clyde gladly adds the herbs to the meals he prepares. The butterfly-attracting plants are growing and butterflies are feeding from the plants’ nectar.

Residents participate in gardening activities several times throughout the month. It is a rewarding and therapeutic experience for all ages.

Singing Provides Many Benefits for Elderly

Singing provides many benefits for the elderly. Ongoing research has shown that regular singing can lift your spirits, increase your immunity and provide a workout for your brain and your lungs. These benefits are significant for those experiencing mild to moderate dementia.

The Bridges Assisted Living community offers residents the opportunity to sing numerous times a month as part of their scheduled Activity Program. Residents partake in karaoke, sing-a-longs, church services, and, most recently, The Bridges Choir. Under the direction of Wellness Coordinator, Gary Lenza, residents join voices and sing music from their era. The Bridges Choir has experienced steady growth with more residents joining each month. From the smiles on their faces, it is apparent that our singers are experiencing joy as they sing.

According to a study conducted at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and published in Trends in Cognitive Science, April 2013, evidence found that the benefits of singing “significantly improved psychological health and well-being through the engagement of neurochemical systems responsible for reward, motivation, pleasure, stress/arousal, immunity and social affiliation.”

Philosopher and psychologist William James understood the benefits of singing when he said, “I don’t sing because I’m happy, I’m happy because I sing.”

The Bridges Chorus during one of their practice sessions.

Protecting the Privacy of Residents

Protecting the privacy of residents at The Bridges is not done merely out of courtesy and respect. It is the law. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services enacted the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act in 1996(“HIPAA”). The Privacy Rule, as part of “HIPAA”, addresses the use and discloser of individuals’ health information – called protected health information, as well as standards for individuals to understand and control how their health information is used.

The major goal of the Privacy Rule is to assure that individuals’ health information is properly protected while allowing the flow of health information needed to provide and promote high quality health care and to protect the public’s health and well being.

Having shared the technical components of “HIPAA”, what is most important is that we as staff, residents, and family members respect the importance of what the Privacy Rule is all about- protecting the health information of each of our residents. Although we would like to share details regarding the clinical status of a resident, unfortunately we are often unable to do so.

For more information about the Privacy Rule, visit the website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at www.hhs.gov

The Bridges Awarded Business of the Year

The Bridges Retirement Community was recently presented with the 2015 Business of the Year Award for organizations with more than 50 employees at the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce annual awards dinner. The award recognizes locally operated businesses and is based on community involvement and leadership, chamber involvement and overall success. For an overall list of award winners, visit www.riverviewchamber.com

The Bridges opened for operation in 2009 with the goal of making a positive difference in the lives of residents who we care for and serve. “We are honored to be recognized with this award and we will continue to strive to make a difference for the surrounding Riverview/ Brandon area in being a valuable community partner,” said Donna Steiermann, Executive Director at The Bridges.

Riverview Chamber of Commerce President Bryan Thatcher presents the award to Donna Steiermann and Janet Noah of The Bridges.

Signing an Assisted Living Contract: What You Need to Know

Making a major decision to move to an assisted living community can be stressful. Therefore, it is essential to have all the answers before signing the assisted living contract.

1. Levels of care.

Be certain you understand what type of care is included in each level and the price associated with the levels. Is an assessment conducted to determine the appropriate level of care? Who conducts the assessment? Will I be informed when an additional level of care is necessary? If my loved one is off campus for an extended period of time, i.e. receiving rehab, will the level of care be removed from the bill during that time?

2. Pricing and Additional Fees.

You do not want to be surprised with additional fees when the monthly invoice arrives in the mail. Therefore, familiarize yourself with the pricing structure and ask questions. What is included in the monthly price? Is housekeeping and laundry included or is it extra? Is medication management a separate fee? Some assisted living communities charge a fee, based on the number of medications. Ask about all the amenities, such as local and long distance phone service, Internet access, transportation, etc., so you know exactly what is included.

3. The Lease Contract.

Ask to review the lease in advance. If you have questions, they should be addressed prior to moving in. Most often, the term of a lease is one year. You will want to know when the rent is due and how to make the payment. Be sure to ask what happens if a resident elects to terminate the lease; is there a penalty and how much notice must be given? What happens if a resident passes away? The assisted living contract is a legal document and therefore, it is imperative that it be explained and understood.

A Brief Virtual Tour of The Bridges Assisted Living Community

When looking for an assisted living community for a loved one, you may want to begin your search with a virtual tour. By clicking on the video below, you will familiarize yourself with The Bridges community and obtain a better understanding of assisted living. Frequently, families are unsure when assisted living is appropriate for their loved one. There are numerous signs or clues that it might be time for mom or dad to transition to assisted living. Some may feel as though they are giving up their independence; however, assisted living does not mean you no longer have control. At The Bridges, we want residents to live as independently as safely possible. Our team is here to provide assistance and supervision with day to day care needs of our residents, which gives families peace of mind.