104 Years Old!

Happy Birthday. Erma!

Medicare 101

We will be hosting a workshop designed to help participants understand everything they need to know about different Medicare plans.  The talk will be led by Michael Spignor of United Healthcare and will include discussion of Medicare plans A, B. and C.

This program will be held on May 6^th at 10:00 AM and is free and open to the public.

Sun Valley Lodge's Committment to Parkinson's Care

In an effort to provide the very best care to those who suffer from Parkinson’s disease, Sun Valley Lodge has made a commitment to provide a trained staff and dedicated special services to those living with the disease.  Earlier this year we partnered with the Muhammed Ali Parkinson’s Institute to train key members of our staff in a comprehensive education and certification program for Parkinson’s care. Employees serving our independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing residents all received specialized training.  Nurses, nursing assistants, caregivers, dietary personnel, and even administrative staff underwent a comprehensive five week training program with the Ali Institute in order to understand and be able to best serve those in need of Parkinson’s care.

In addition to a trained staff, the Lodge is also dedicating six rooms in our Health Care Center to Parkinson’s patients.  Residents staying in these rooms will have access to a trained staff sensitive to their needs, specialized therapy, and a dedicated workout area specially designed for those with Parkinson’s.  Follow our progress as we continue to develop innovative ways to take care of our residents.

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that results from degeneration of neurons in a region of the brain that controls movement. Parkinson's disease (PD) belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders, which are the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells.

 

The primary symptoms of Parkinson's disease are:

• Tremors or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face
• Rigidity, or stiffness of the limbs and trunk
• Bradykinesia, or slowness of movement
• Inability to move (akinesia)
• Postural instability
• Impaired balance and coordination
• Slow movement (bradykinesia)
• A shuffling gait
• Stooped posture
• Foot pain and toe curling
• Difficulty swallowing or chewing

As these symptoms become more pronounced, patients may have difficulty walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks. Parkinson’s disease usually affects people over the age of 50. Early symptoms of PD are subtle and occur gradually. In some people the disease progresses more quickly than in others.

As the disease progresses, the shaking, or tremor, which affects the majority of people with Parkinson’s may begin to interfere with daily activities. Other problems associated with Parkinson’s include:

• Depression and other emotional changes
• Difficulty in swallowing, chewing, and speaking
• Urinary problems or constipation
• Skin problems
• Sleep disruptions

There are currently no blood or laboratory tests that have been proven to help in diagnosing sporadic PD. Therefore the diagnosis is based on medical history and a neurological examination. The disease can be difficult to diagnose accurately. Doctors may sometimes request brain scans or laboratory tests in order to rule out other diseases.