Touchmark at Mt. Bachelor Village - December 2013 Newsletter
1. EVENT{FULL}
Monthly updates from your {FULL} Life community
Memory care expert shares tips for coping
During the recent grandopening activities, noted author
Anne Hill, JD, shared personal
experience and invaluable
insights with a standing-roomonly crowd. The presentation
included Anne’s top 10 tips for
coping when facing the onset
of Alzheimer’s disease or other
dementia in a loved one. Anne’s
tips have come from her own
experience, as her mother was
diagnosed with Alzheimer’s
disease Sept. 12, 2001.
1. You have to change. Your
family member can’t change.
• The hippocampi process
everything—smells, vision,
balance, etc. With dementia,
messages aren’t delivered.
• Signs of early-stage dementia
include diminishing short-term
memory (repeating questions),
personality changes (as the
frontal lobe changes), and
isolation.
2. Learn to act (or how to react).
• Dementia is brain failure; it’s
not dissimilar to heart failure/
kidney failure/liver failure, etc.
Except, it’s your brain, which
controls everything. We don’t
scold people for having heart
failure; they can’t help it. The
same is true for people with a
dementia.
• Ninety percent of
communication is nonverbal,
so watch yours. For example,
avoid sighing or concealing your
feelings.
3. A good mood is your best ally.
• Learn how to keep it (and get it
back).
• Identify six ways to get your
loved one back to a good mood.
(It might be eating cookies,
talking about cats, the children
or grandchildren, swearing,
getting a treat at Dairy Queen
… just identify six ways: You’ll
need them.
4. Never argue!
5. Develop a thick skin.
• You’ll need a thick
(cont.)
Enjoying autumn fun
From Halloween costumes to beanbag baseball with local children, it’s been a fun, full fall.
TOUCHMARK AT MT. BACHELOR VILLAGE
Issue 12, 2013 | page 1
October 2011
2. (cont.) skin for the times your loved one yells at
Sharing the {FULL} Life!
• Never respond in kind.
It’s a great way to celebrate the season. We invite
you to visit and share the joy, friendship, and
fun—discover all that’s offered at Touchmark.
Happy holidays to you and yours!
you, “I hate you!”
6. Help your loved one role shift gracefully.
• People with dementia become less able to do
things. Find kind ways to exit a situation that
allows the person to maintain his/her dignity.
7. Build two teams:
• The first one is for your loved one. The team
could include the doctor, dentist, neighbor, social
worker, religious advisor, etc.
• The second one is for you: Your doctor, dentist,
counselor, social worker, good friend (who is a
listener and not a solver), etc.
8. Use your teams.
9. Network, so you don’t lose yourself.
• Keep up with your book clubs/music/whatever
interests you and allows you to nurture yourself.
10. Remember the good times—and know there
will always be more.
Featured: Cottage 27
Offers: river view, 1,819 square feet, three
bedrooms, two bathrooms, deck, dining room,
two-car garage, master suite, and breakfast nook
Bonus tips:
11. Treat caregivers well.
12. I tell staff when I speak with them, “Treat
family members well.”
The Cascade Business News featured
Touchmark’s new service. Read the story online:
http://www.cascadebusnews.com/news-pages/
e-headlines/4544-touchmark-unveils-memorycare-wing.
Featured: River Lodge home 325
Offers: 1,065 square feet, one bedroom, one
bathroom, den, view overlooking water feature,
award-winning River Lodge, easy river access, and
gas fireplace
TOUCHMARK AT MT. BACHELOR VILLAGE
Issue 12, 2013 | page 2
3. Preserving life stories for the future
Marge Coalman, EdD
Vice President of
Wellness & Programs
Celebrating the
possibilities
“‘Why not’ is a slogan for an
interesting life.”
– Mason Cooley, professor
and aphorist
Year’s end brings a time for
reflection and shared memories.
All of the holidays and holy
days for people of faith have
celebratory events and traditions.
Often the gifts of the spirit,
friendships, family relationships,
victories, and losses are
remembered.
Resident Mildred Rochelle wanted to pass on her life stories.
So she loved it when her two granddaughters asked her write
down the family’s history. Ever since that request, Mildred has
been working on her legacy book. She’s documenting facts,
writing down memories, and going through her mother’s and
grandmother’s old trunk looking for photos.
Then Touchmark offered a class, called Stories Connect Us,
which helped Mildred explore even deeper the topics of family
and career. “I’ve always been very family oriented,” says
Mildred, who shared some highlights from her legacy story.
Mildred had an impressive career in education and holds a
bachelor’s degree from Pepperdine University and a master’s
from the University of California Los Angeles. After living in
California and Tennessee, Mildred moved to Bend to be closer
to her daughter.
“I traded the ocean for the pine trees, and that’s not so bad.
I love Touchmark, the wonderful staff and people I have met
here.” Mildred is a firm believer that anyone can be happy
where they want to be happy, because it is all a state of mind.
As 2014 approaches, many
ponder, “What’s next?” Perhaps
the better question is, “Why not?”
Things on the bucket list might be
due for a move to the action list.
Healthy aging means nurturing
curiosity, passion, and
imagination. Lifelong learning,
community service, volunteerism,
adventures, and new beginnings
are characteristics of Touchmark
champions.
To learn more about champions
and share your individual talents,
strengths, and skills, contact a
member of the Full Life team.
Continuing to grow and succeed
in self-determined goals is the
essence of active aging.
Mildred Rochelle has been participating in Touchmark’s Stories
Connect Us class, which helps people record and pass along
memories.
TOUCHMARK AT MT. BACHELOR VILLAGE
October 2011 | page 1
Issue 12, 2013 | page 3
4. EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Contact a Full Life team member for additional details, including registration, transportation
information, and participation requirements.
First week in December
Join us for Christmas and holidays decorating. We will have the trees up and
ornaments available for decorating. Enjoy hot drinks and treats. Watch the calendar
for locations and times.
Thursday, Dec. 5, 10 am
Informational session on the Oregon Telecommunication Device Access program.
Terrace Lodge Lounge.
Friday, Dec. 6, 11 am
Jingle Bell Walk for Arthritis at Touchmark. We’re hosting an indoor, one-mile
walk through the hallways of the Terrace and Cliff Lodges. Registration is $10 for
the Touchmark walk and includes registration for the walk in downtown Bend on
Saturday, Dec. 7. Bring a nonperishable food item to donate to a local food bank.
Drop off at any lodge.
Friday, Dec. 6, 4 pm
Bells of Sunriver Performance. Terrace Lodge Forum.
Saturday, Dec. 7, 10:30 am
Join the outdoor walk on in downtown Bend, sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation.
Invite your friends and family. All are welcome.
Monday, Dec. 16, 2 pm
Armchair Traveler goes to Russia. Watch a video and sample food from Russia. Hear
from residents who have traveled to this interesting country. Terrace Lodge Forum.
Tuesday, Dec. 17, 5 pm
Brew Crew will visit Broken Top Bottle Shop.
Thursday, Dec. 19, 11 am
Touchmark Connections Support Group will meet on in the Four Seasons Private
Dining Room. Anyone who is caring for a loved one with memory issues is invited.
Thursday, Dec. 26, 5 pm
Christmas Holiday Dinner with a Russian theme.
Tuesday, Dec. 31, 7 pm
New Year’s Eve Celebration with the Alley Cats.
See the full calendar of events online:
TouchmarkBend.com/pdf/community-event-calendar.pdf.
TOUCHMARK AT MT. BACHELOR VILLAGE
Issue 12, 2013 | page 4