Alzheimer’s Awareness Month: Prevention

The number of individuals with Cognitive issue like Alzheimer’s is staggering. Nearly 6 million people in the US have dementia and if we don’t start taking prevention more seriously, that number is expected to grow exponentially.

Diet and Nutrition
Eating a healthy diet such as the Mediterranean or Dash diet has been proven to increase cognitive function. These diets include a large emphasis on cold-water fish, vegetables, berries, nuts, olive oil and antioxidants, phytonutrients, other healthy fats. Eating a colorful plate of vegetables like purple cabbage, broccoli, leafy greens, carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and blueberries paired with healthy fats like olives, walnuts and fatty fish like salmon or mackerel, will feed your body and brain with what it needs to thrive.

Exercise
Exercise is critical for brain health. Just a few minutes a day shows marked increases in oxygen uptake in the brain as well as increasing blood flow. As we age, we should continue to exercise and increase our cardiovascular endurance. Getting help from a trainer, physical therapist, and also checking in with your physician is important.

Sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep is critical for optimal health. The side effects and Complications Associated with sleep disorders are irritability, fatigue, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disorders, chronic disease, diabetes, depression, behavioral issues, stroke, and brain function impairment. Getting 6 to 9 hours of good quality sleep is critical.

Socialization and Community
It’s important to have a strong social network of people to enjoy life with you. Our personal communities should be our safe haven, where we engage, and support one another. If you don’t have a strong social network, it helps to join a club, yoga class, art class, attend town meetings or volunteer. Zoom and facetime, or even a phone call are great ways to incorporate socialization if you can’t meet face to face.

Aston Gardens Provides Multiple Living Options
Aston Gardens is among the Tampa Bay area’s most sought-after communities. That’s due in large part to its commitment to enriching the lives of each resident senior and their family by providing personalized care, welcoming living spaces, and superior amenities. There are also three, distinct living options, which include Active Independent Living, Assisted Living and the exclusive SHINE® Memory Care program.

Active Independent Living
This lifestyle delivers the best of active senior living and includes some extended services such as restaurant-style dining, robust health and fitness programming, and a full calendar of activities and social events.

At Aston Gardens, spacious, well-appointed apartment homes and a limited number of for-sale villas come complete with full-size kitchens, in-unit laundry and many designer upgrades. There are also world-class amenities located throughout the Grande Clubhouse and elsewhere across the community. Those include multiple, casual and upscale dining venues; a heated, resort pool; bar and lounge; high-tech senior fitness center and more. Taken together, it’s all part of a more flexible, choice-driven way of life; one that empowers seniors to lead an independent lifestyle on their own, unique terms.

Assisted Living
This more care-focused living option was designed for seniors who enjoy living independently, but who need or could benefit from having some regular assistance with daily living activities such as bathing, ambulation, medication and/or insulin management and more. It also comes with a host of all-inclusive features and lifestyle services, things like daily, chef-prepared meals, personal laundry service, chauffeured transportation and specialized care plans designed to suit each, individual resident’s needs and preferences.

Assisted Living provides 24-hour care and service from dedicated health and wellness professionals. Plus, at Aston Gardens, Assisted Living is all-inclusive, with residents paying just one price for full community access, amenities, and care and services.

SHINE® Memory Care
Built upon a single foundational principle—personalization—SHINE® utilizes six (6) individual points of focus to create a holistic memory care plan that’s made to fit each person’s unique needs and capabilities. Those include:

1) Superior Communication
2) Team Member Training & Certification
3) My Story, a Personalized, Biographical Journey
4) Specialized Dining Programs
5) Life Enhancement Experiences
6) Safety-Minded Neighborhood Design

For utilizing the latest, scientific evidence and industry best practices, the SHINE® program curriculum in 2020 received a National Certificate of Recognition from the Alzheimer’s Association®. The honor is a testament to the quality of the SHINE®,and shows that its person-centered approach is at the leading edge of the dementia care universe.

In all, the SHINE® program ensures the finest-quality memory care available anywhere, and Aston Gardens communities are among the fewer than 50 communities in the nation that have it!

Why Aston Gardens?
Want to know why so many people choose to live at Aston Gardens? It’s the resort-style life, the caring staff, friendly community, and attention to detail that makes Aston Gardens surpass expectations.

Aston Gardens At Tampa Bay is a luxury senior living community offering the best combinations of active-adult lifestyles and personalized care services. Wake up inspired each morning with a wealth of amenities, activities, and support at your doorstep. Explore the stylish Grande Clubhouse and indulge in our unique lifestyle services: Sensations Dining, Celebrations Activities and Dimensions Wellness. Let dedicated team members handle transportation, maintenance, housekeeping, concierge services and more. Plus, Aston Gardens At Tampa Bay also offers one of the area’s best values in senior living, with transparent pricing, three-year rent lock protection and no hidden fees.

Now is the time to schedule your personalized tour! Come see why so many people want to call Aston Gardens their home!

Call 813-343-4673 today or visit astongardens.com.

Aston Gardens At Tampa Bay utilizes a nationally recognized curriculum within its SHINE® Memory Care neighborhood.