While there's nothing wrong with the tried-and-true jewelry, candy and flowers to show that you love your special senior someone, many elders have plenty of necklaces, are on special diets and may have few places to display large flower arrangements. With a bit of creativity, you can still demonstrate your love in unique ways that will please all through the month of February and beyond.

• Send warm wishes with a soft pink sweater or a bold red sweatshirt. Fleece is easily washable and lightweight, perfect for your senior loved one to have nearby and grab when the room gets a bit chilly. During times of isolation, you might not be able to embrace the resident of senior housing, but something warm to wrap around their shoulders will remind them of your hugs.

 

• Choose a heart-shaped container (gift boxes, baskets and tins are all available in this classic shape) and fill it with individually-wrapped goodies. Don't forget their dietary needs: choose sugar-free or low-sodium treats. If they can't enjoy the treats themselves, they will still get pleasure from having something to offer to the aides and others who visit.

 

• Many senior-living facilities have barber and beauty shops, where residents can get their hair or nails done. Contact the residence and pay in advance for a special makeover for the one you love, which can lift their mood, even when you can't be together. The bonus surprise will be when the attendant says, "No charge!"

 

• Buy a few heart-shaped frames and fill them with the latest pictures of the grandchildren and nieces and nephews. If you're crafty, you can add the names of the youngsters to the frames with paint or stickers so that Granddad or Aunt Joan can proudly show off their descendants. Pocket-sized photo albums are an alternative for those who don't have much wall or shelf space.

 

• Cut out colored-paper hearts in the traditional shape of candy conversation hearts. Instead of the standard slogans, write your loved one's nickname or special phrases that have meaning to you and your family. Consider fun ideas like "Lovely Linda" or "Best Papa" or "Groovy Gran." String them together with yarn or ribbon to make a banner or door sign for your senior's apartment.

 
Whether you can celebrate Valentine's Day up close to your senior friend or relative or have to wait for another time to be together, there are many sweet ways to show them that they are always in your heart.
 
Kim Rayas
Residence 600
kim@residence600.com
www.residence600.com
600 E. Elm
Salina KS 67401
(785) 822-1300

 
Are you losing your car keys more often? Forgetting an appointment or having trouble finding the right word? For any serious worries, you should consult a health-care professional, but there are some simple things that can be done to boost your brain power on a daily basis.
 

• Eat healthy. Dark-colored vegetables and fruits and oily fish are known to improve the mind's ability to work. Think dark berries, grapes, spinach, kale, sardines and ocean tuna. Eating less sugar and refined carbohydrates (white bread, cookies, boxed cereals) will help keep your brain healthy, too.

 

• Drink plenty of fluids. Being dehydrated can cause confusion and fatigue. Your brain and body work best when fully-hydrated.

 

• Supplements are often touted to improve the mind or delay dementia, but, until there is more testing, there are no guarantees that any of the supplements will help boost your brain. Helpful possibilities include Omega-3 fatty acid and Ginkgo biloba. Vitamin E has also shown some promise, but, as with any medication or supplement, you should check with your doctor before adding anything to your daily regimen.

 

• Exercise. Even if you've been a couch potato all of your life, starting exercise in older age can help delay memory decline or even reverse changes that have started to happen. Active walking has been shown to help build important parts of the brain.

 

• Take a nap. Napping between 6 and 45 minutes has been proven to help cognitive activity. Even if you have trouble sleeping long hours as you age, a quick nap in the afternoon can improve how you think.

 

• Keep learning. If you already read a lot, trying finding some mathematical puzzles to stir up your figuring skills. Check out a continuing education class, learn a new card game or get lessons in a musical instrument. Above all, get your brain fully-engaged in something that really tests your brain power.

 

• Meditate, pray or just relax. Whatever method you choose, the value of being quiet, focusing and letting go of worries cannot be overestimated. Your brain will thank you.

 
Kim Rayas
Residence 600
kim@residence600.com
www.residence600.com
600 E. Elm
Salina KS 67401
(785) 822-1300

No matter where your loved one lives, they still may enjoy the simple pleasures of holiday crafts. If you are able to visit your relative or friend in a senior living facility this year, you can prepare simple art projects to do together when you visit. You can do as much preparation at home as needed for your loved one's needs, or the simple projects below can be a special way to share time together.

• Button Tree From wide tongue depressors or craft sticks, glue together a triangle (like a tree). Paint it green or silver and pass a thread or string through the top and tie. This will allow the decoration to be hung on a tree or wall. When the paint is dry, glue large buttons or stickers around the front of the "tree." An inch-wide piece of corrugated cardboard makes a trunk at the bottom. Be sure to include a star or little angel at the top. Adding your dear one's name or names of family members will personalize the craft.

 

• Felt Picture Wreath From green felt, cut round doughnut-shaped circles for wreaths, with the hole in the center about an inch or two across. Each ornament will need two identical wreaths. Place small family photographs, about the size of a child's school picture, wider than the hole cut-out, but smaller than the wreath, between the two green layers and glue the felt together, so that a smiling face peaks out through the wreath. Be sure to put a loop of yarn between the layers before gluing, as a hanger for the ornament. Sequins, buttons, yarn bows or paper decorations can be glued on the wreath to decorate. If you don't have family pictures to use, cut out appropriate pictures from old Christmas cards, the shinier the better. Multiple felt ornaments can be hung on a small tree or as a garland in your loved one's room.

 

• Flower Arrangements Even delicate hands can enjoy the pleasure of making a holiday flower arrangement. Buy a variety of holiday-colored artificial flowers-- white and red or blue and silver will make a striking display, holly and berries are fun: be imaginative! Add a simple pottery or plastic container. Let your friend or relative choose the stems they like the most and arrange them into the pot, the more the merrier. The extra joy of this craft is that it can be rearranged over and over, and it takes no special skills. The finished display will brighten up their room.

 
If you are not able to visit your family member at holiday time, prepare one craft in advance and box it with the supplies needed for a matching one. They may enjoy making their own version of the craft project. But if you are able to be together, the special treasure will be in the memories of being creative together.
 
Kim Rayas
Residence 600
kim@residence600.com
www.residence600.com
600 E. Elm
Salina KS 67401
(785) 822-1300

​During the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, we want to remember our loved ones in senior living care facilities. Here are six simple things you can do to brighten the lives of those who can't share your home celebrations this year. 
 
1. Send a holiday floral bouquet. Greenery, bright ribbons and flowers are a perfect way to remind someone that you are thinking of them even though you can't be together. (Remember to be careful of allergies, as the arrangement may be in a confined space.)
 
2. Get your household together to make a video or have a Zoom or Face Time chat with your loved one in the senior living facility. (Don't forget the family pet!) If your special person isn't computer savvy, check with a friend or neighbor. Our community, who knows how much residents need personal contact, are often willing to help with technology. 
 
3. Put together a small booklet or album with favorite pictures of holidays past. Write brief comments about ornaments, memories of holiday programs, those special hand-knit sweaters, or gifts that delighted. (Make sure the booklet is lightweight and manageable for senior hands.)
 
4. Phone at a pre-arranged time and encourage your special friend to sing a holiday song or recite a meaningful scripture or poem along with you. 
 
5. Don't forget that your loved one may be especially sad this holiday season. Not being with family and facing so much that is unknown can cause "blue" holidays. Acknowledge those sad feelings and remind your loved one that you share them.

6. Consider investigating Home Health Services. Residence 600 can assist with this. Medicare pays 100% of Home Health expenses and can help tremendously with depression, anxiety, daily exercise, failure-to-thrive situations, etc. 
 
No one knows your loved one as well as you and your family, so put your heads and hearts together to find unique ways of expressing love in these unique times. Your own holidays will be brighter as you fill someone else's life with love, light and hope.
 
Kim Rayas
Residence 600
kim@residence600.com
www.residence600.com
600 E. Elm
Salina KS 67401
(785) 822-1300