North Crest Resident's Celebrate Valentine's Day with Pacelli Students

Valentine hearts beat more passionately than everyday hearts.  ~Anonymous

A dance on Valentine's Day at North Crest thanks to the caring students attending Pacelli High School.

A grandmother and granddaughter dance: grandmother is a resident, her granddaughter a student at Pacelli High School.

Our dear resident Angie, still dancing at 99-years young, with Pacelli students.

Immune Response Changes In Seniors Place Them At Risk

Seniors can be affected with a variety of different types of infections that hit hard and hang on. As we get older our immune response changes and one of the most prevalent infections impacting seniors is a urinary tract infection (UTI). Sometimes our loved ones can’t tell us what the problem is, where the pain is or when something doesn’t feel right. UTI’s can be very dangerous when not treated quickly. Symptoms in seniors can be different than in younger people. 

Sometimes the only symptom of a UTI in the elderly is acute confusion. If an older person becomes suddenly confused or have behavioral issues, some people may think that their loved one must be developing Dementia / Alzheimer’s disease. Others may mistakenly assume that confusion is normal for all older people. You may find your loved one feeling restless and anxious.  Some seniors will have overall discomfort and weakness, including falls or unsteady gait. There may be loss of appetite or dizziness. Seniors will be unable to do activities of everyday living they always perform. A person with Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, or other dementia may become temporarily worse. 

Physical UTI symptoms that might present themselves include:  foul, strong smelling urine, more frequent trips to the bathroom especially at night, inability to empty the bladder fully leaving a feeling that your loved one needs to go when they just went, pressure or mild pain when urinating, night sweats, shaking or chills, lower back pain, general discomfort, a feeling of being over-tired, blood in the urine, incontinence, nausea, vomiting, coughing, shortness of breath and abdominal pain. Woman may have pain above the pubic bone. Men sometimes have a feeling of fullness in the rectum. Back and side pain can indicate the infection has reached the kidneys. However, a person would probably not have all these signs; and perhaps none. If left untreated, the infection can spread and develop into far more serious conditions. Seniors will rarely get a fever, but if an older patient has one it is considered an emergency. It should not be taken lightly. UTI’s for instance, are a leading cause of sepsis, a potentially life-threatening infection of the bloodstream.

UTI’s can be prevented by keeping the area clean after using the restroom with front to back wiping and if wearing adult briefs, they should be changed regularly. Take a shower instead of a bath. Making sure your loved one is getting enough fluids especially including cranberry juice. Limit caffeine containing beverages which might irritate your bladder.

If your loved one’s symptoms are consistent with a bladder infection it’s recommended that their healthcare provider be called for an appointment.  The most common treatment for a UTI is antibiotics.

Lori Schuler is Marketing and Activity Director for Pioneer Place supportive Apartments

and North Haven Assisted Living Homes

Senior Gems: A Precious Way of Looking at the Different Stages of Dementia/Alzheimer's

Dementia/Alzheimer Education Training is the key to success when understanding and working with your loved one affected by this disease.  It is my passion to educate and train caregivers, people with dementia, families, and to speak at conferences in Wisconsin and the surrounding states. I aspire to be a positive part of the ongoing journey through education training ‘Teepa Snow Style’.  Teepa Snow is an occupational therapist working as an expert dementia education specialist with 30 years of experience in geriatrics. 

After working with Teepa in conferences I have learned to go in and out of character as a typical person with Dementia/Alzheimer’s to demonstrate common issues and problems. A great way to learn new ways of thinking, first hand understanding with hands on opportunity, for better outcome and results in understanding and dealing with Dementia/Alzheimer’s in a safe and fun environment.

The ‘Senior Gems’ is a precious and prize winning way of looking at the different stages of Dementia/Alzheimer’s that will affect your loved one. 

‘Sapphire’ is true blue with normal aging changes-no Dementia; slowing down, slower to learn, slower to changes, slower reactions and processing thoughts.

‘Diamond’ is clear, rigid, hard, many facets, sharp, cuts metal and glass, and a diamond can really shine. We are still clear but we repeat, we like routine, we are territorial, we have lost our filter we say what we think even if it hurts the ones we love, rules are for everyone else, I see errors in everyone, and everyone is wrong but me.

‘Emerald’ is green and has a flaw in it.  We are on the go, we think we are fine, get emotional quickly, make mistakes and don’t realize it, do things over and over or skip a step completely, we ask “What? Where? When?, limited awareness of ‘real needs’ (hunger, thirst, voiding, bathing, grooming), we like choices, get lost in our past life, and we need help and don’t know it or like it.

‘Amber’ is a yellow soft mineral.  We are cautious and caught in the moment of time, we are all about sensation, and are explorers, we get into stuff, we either have sensory tolerance or sensory need, no safety awareness, no ability to understand, repetition of sounds, words, actions, we do what we like and avoid what we do not.  We do not like being helped, touched, handled, showers or baths.

‘Ruby’ is red.  Our fine motor skills have stopped, we have repetitive actions or motions (rocking), limited visual awareness and words, major sensory changes, looses all depth perception, and we startle easily, we can’t figure out details but can copy others, we are either on the go or at a full stop.

‘Pearl’ is layered and hidden in a shell, still and quiet, we are unable to actively move or respond with limited awareness of our world around us, we have problems swallowing, and we have multiple systems failing.  The end of my journey is here.  

Lori Schuler is Marketing and Activity Director for Pioneer Place supportive Apartments

and North Haven Assisted Living Homes

Students Brighten Christmas Season for Residents at Central Wisconsin Senior Living

"Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our

childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport

the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!"  ~ Charles Dickens

We love the holiday season and not just because our cooks are the best at recreating the special holiday treats our residents remember from their Christmas past. Among the sounds of the Christmas music and the merry chatter of family members spending time with the residents is the sound of children and young adults helping to make our season bright.

Pre-Kindergarten students from Bannach School singing Christmas carols following a visit with the residents. 

The talented Pacelli High School Choir performed for the residents on Christmas Eve Day. These wonderful singers amazed everyone with their artistry.

Several Pacelli High School students working at North Crest with Chef Teri Lepak for the day. They helped with activities, dancing with the residents, entertaining in the afternoon.