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Health & Fitness

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Tai Chi Repetition Is the Key to Having Fun with Tai Chi Evidence-based studies have shown that practicing tai chi increases balance and reduces fall risk. One of the elements of tai chi that makes it enjoyable is the exercises are sequences of movements that are learned like dance steps. This short sequence can be used to complement this Tai Chi Balance video offered exclusively on Activity Connection by our partners Spiro100. World Tai Chi Day is celebrated on the last Saturday in April, so this is the perfect month to add tai chi to your exercise program. Tai-Chi Warm-Up Sequence: “Bless a Drink for Your Neighbor” 1. Place your hands on your knees and lean forward from the waist with your chin slightly outstretched as if you’re trying to bring it out over your knees. 2. Slowly lift back up. 3. Bring your hands to your sternum with the back of the hands touching and palms facing out like a reverse prayer position. Your elbows should be jutting out to the sides. 4. Lift your arms up,
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Thinking about Going Plant-Based

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What’s the Difference Between a Plant-Based Diet and a Vegan Diet? The  vegan diet  is often referred to as a plant-based diet, which can make things a bit confusing. There are similarities between a plant based diet and a vegan diet, but there are also a few key differences. On both the plant based diet and vegan diet, you eliminate any food or drink made with animals or animal by-products, including meat, milk, cheese and eggs. However, the plant-based diet eliminates more than the vegan diet does outside of animal products. The plant based diet is a whole food diet that also eliminates processed foods like oil, white flour, and refined sugar. It’s a way of eating based on unprocessed or minimally processed whole foods including veggies, fruits, legumes, beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Benefits of the Whole Food Plant Based Diet The whole food plant based diet has been adopted by many individuals to upgrade their health or alleviate health symptoms. The plant based diet can help
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The Importance of Wellness for Seniors

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The Importance of Wellness for Healthy Seniors As the population of older adults has grown so has the body of geriatric knowledge, improving upon the care provided to older adults. To that end, wellness has become relevant and mandatory factor in the delivery of geriatric care across the spectrum of health disciplines and has developed exponentially over a very short period of time. Today, we have come to recognize and realize a remarkable increase in the state of senior wellness through “person centered” programs in Long Term Care Facilities. Those “essential workers” that work diligently each day to ensure that each and every resident wakes up each morning with something to look forward to- a day that is individualized rather than institutionalized- a day that is meaningful and purposeful to the resident population regardless of their continued age progression. Achieving wellness is a common sense goal for anyone. But how does the concept of wellness benefits our aging population? A
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Be The Change

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Turmoil has certainly visited the world over the last year and it has thrown systems that have been in place for years wide open and exposed areas that are working and areas that are in need of massive social change. One of these areas is in the care of our elderly. Activity Directors have been shifted into the forefront of this pandemic within the walls of your facilities. Your importance in maintaining peace and stability in the lives of those you serve has never been more evident as you are each being called upon to perform tasks that you would have never thought possible only a few months ago. The flip side to upheaval is the renewed ability to put the pieces back together in a better way. I am sure you have thought of many areas over the years that could be improved upon or had many ideas of things that could be introduced that would be game changers. I think now is the time for us to all come together as a profession and start working towards some of these changes for the betterm
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Self Care & COVID-19

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Self-Care for Those Giving Care Indisputably, COVID-19 has increased the level of stress and anxiety across all walks of life. This frightening and highly contagious adversary is particularly weighing heavily on our front line healthcare professionals and they are feeling the conflicting hardship of helping those they care for while at the same time ensuring their own safety. But you need to know that you’re not alone and there are some things you can do to help mitigate the negative effects on your overall well-being. American Psychological Association (APA) notes that managing stress early on can prevent long-term mental health troubles. “If you start to feel an acute increase in anxiety, depression, or other condition, consider seeking professional help sooner rather than later, if possible.” The following are some strategies and preventative measures to help you take action to integrate self care while giving care to others. The Art of Self Support Self
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