Category: News

At Sopris Lodge at Carbondale Senior Living, family visits often increase as the holidays approach. For those visiting a loved one in our Sanctuary’s memory care neighborhood, the experience can be challenging, as dementia can affect memory, temperament and communication patterns.

Understanding Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are progressive conditions in which toxic proteins build up in areas of the brain, beginning in regions responsible for forming new memories. Over time, this buildup affects comprehension, language and mood, making everyday communication more difficult.

Visiting a parent or spouse living in The Sanctuary memory care community can be both rewarding and emotional. Because your loved one may have less control over how they behave or react, it helps to prepare. Here are some ways to make your visit more comfortable and positive for everyone.

Tips for a Positive Visit

1. Choose the best time of day. Many people living with dementia are calmer and more alert in the morning or early afternoon, especially if they experience Sundowning Syndrome. At Sopris Lodge at Carbondale Senior Living, families are welcome to visit their loved ones 24/7 and whenever it works best for them.
2. Bring familiar items. Photos, small mementos and music can spark comfort and conversation. Consider creating a short playlist of music to enjoy together. McGill University neuroscientist and musician Daniel Levitin says music is usually associated with time and place and can help relax and reduce anxiety.
3. Keep expectations realistic. Your presence alone can make for a good visit. You don’t need to stay long or fill the time with conversation. Simply being together can bring peace and reassurance.
4. Approach gently. Smile, make eye contact and move slowly so your loved one feels safe and not startled.
5. Speak simply and calmly. Use short sentences, allow time for responses and avoid correcting or challenging what your loved one says.
6. Follow their lead. Let your loved one guide the pace. If they seem restless, try changing locations, perhaps a short walk in the courtyard, a stop by the greenhouse or a quiet moment in the new sensory room.
7. Focus on feelings, not facts. If dad or mom says they want to “go home,” gently redirect the conversation with warmth and reassurance. Emotional comfort is far more important than correcting someone living with memory loss.

Meaningful Activities to Share

During your visit, simple activities often work best, such as doing a puzzle, looking through a photo album, sharing a snack or listening to music. A photo hanging in your loved one’s apartment may spark a positive memory or conversation, too. Sensory experiences, like smelling flowers or feeling soft fabrics, can be especially soothing. Weather permitting, families also enjoy visiting the outdoor spaces at and around Sopris Lodge, where natural surroundings like the gardens and Rio Grande Trail can inspire relaxed conversation and connection.

Helpful Conversation Starters

Depending on the stage of dementia, conversation may not always be possible. When it is, it’s important to remember to focus on open-ended or observational comments rather than memory-testing questions.

For example

• Instead of “where did you get that sweater?” try “that sweater is such a beautiful color.”
• Instead of “who is that in the photo?” try “he looks so happy in that picture.”

Reassuring statements like “I’m happy to visit with you today” or “I love spending time with you” can help your loved one feel grounded and cared for. If your loved one is expressing discomfort or angst, acknowledge their feelings by saying, “I understand, that must be hard,” and try to gently redirect.

Bring Comforting Touches

When you visit a loved one in memory care, consider bringing along small comfort items, like lotion, a soft blanket, essential oils, or photos that evoke warmth. If your loved one enjoyed animals or hobbies, bring along pictures or tokens related to those memories that will help them reminisce. Printed photos or larger screens, like a tablet or laptop, are often easier for older adults to see than smartphones.

The Heart of Connection

Ultimately, don’t worry about “finishing” an activity or maintaining a conversation. What matters most is the shared moment. Even five minutes spent folding napkins together, humming along to a familiar tune, or simply holding hands can bring joy and comfort.

Planning a visit to Sopris Lodge at Carbondale Senior Living? Our team of dementia-care experts is here to help you make the most of your time with your loved one. Call 970-678-0057 or visit us online to learn more about the Sanctuary memory care neighborhood and how we support seniors living with Alzheimer’s and related dementia.

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an unusual advisory focused on the epidemic of isolation and loneliness. In the report, he emphasized that social connection and community are not just “feel-good” factors, but vital for avoiding the harmful consequences of a disconnected society.

While we might assume this issue primarily affects teens and young adults, loneliness is also a growing concern for seniors. As people age, their social circles often shrink. Siblings, friends and spouses may pass, children might move away from home as they establish their careers and build their own families, or a senior might stop driving for safety reasons and end up staying home more often.

As a result, many seniors become homebound, especially during the dog days of summer when it’s uncomfortable to be outside or during winter, when ice and cold make heading outside risky – no one wants to risk a fall that could lead to injury or hospitalization.

If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that being alone for long periods of time can be difficult. In fact, physicians say loneliness can lead to depression, while opportunities to socialize can improve mood, cognition and even physical health.

Several recent studies reinforce this point, including one from Colorado’s Anschutz Medical campus. The Anschutz study followed a group of more than 600 seniors from 2011 through 2019. The researchers observed the seniors before and after moving into a senior living community. They found marked improvement among senior living residents, who were more likely to do five things:

• Visit with family or friends
• Go out for enjoyment
• Attend religious services
• Participate in clubs or activities
• Volunteer

These five activities, along with daily interactions such as chatting with a neighbor in the hallway or sharing a meal, help reduce the loneliness that often builds when living alone.

Many senior living communities also offer opportunities to learn new skills. Whether listening to an educational talk, working on a craft, or trying a new language, these challenges not only benefit overall health but also foster social connection through shared experiences.

A recently released University of California Riverside study reinforced this insight. The researchers, while tracking seniors during the pandemic, found that seniors who engaged in new and sometimes challenging activities during COVID times – as awful as they were – gained new resilient traits. “Learning new skills is frustrating at first, especially if you haven’t done it in a while,” the study’s author said. “But if we only do what feels good in the moment, we might be giving up the ability to adapt when life throws something big at us.”

At Sopris Lodge at Carbondale Senior Living, we support our residents’ interests and well-being in so many ways. From restaurant-style dining and a relaxed bistro setting to clubs, group activities, entertainment and weekly outings, there are always opportunities to connect, learn and grow. Our wellness and fitness programs and intergenerational activities create even more points of contact.

To learn more about Sopris Lodge at Carbondale Senior Living’s wellness programs and activities that help keep loneliness at bay, call us at 970-678-0057 or visit us online at soprislodge.com. Our Facebook page is also another great place to sample what life at our senior lifestyle community is all about.

There is a growing trend in senior living for older adults needing some daily assistance to live temporarily in an assisted living or memory care community. These short-term visits are often referred to as respite stays. A respite stay in senior living typically lasts from a few weeks to a month, and sometimes longer.

In a recent Tri-Lakes Tribune guest column, Elizabeth Girling, Vice President of Operations for WellAge Senior Living, explains what a respite stay is and highlights the benefits for both seniors and caregivers.

Girling notes that as part of the respite stay, an individual moves from their home residence to the assisted living or memory care community and receives a fully furnished apartment. The goal is to provide the individual with support with activities of daily living while offering all-inclusive services such as meals, housekeeping and laundry, personal care assistance, transportation and access to amenities and other supportive services available to the community’s residents.

The individual typically has access to caregiving and medical support, as well as outside services like home health, hospice and physical therapy, to assist with medications, mobility and other health-related needs. While staying at the community and receiving the essential support they need, they can also participate in daily life at the community—socializing with other residents, joining wellness programs and taking part in educational or entertainment activities.

Common reasons for a respite stay include the need for an individual recovering from an injury or surgery to be in a setting where they can receive support. Additionally, respite stays are ideal for caregivers who may need time to address their own medical issues, go on vacation or simply take a break to recharge from full-time care duties for a loved one.

Respite stays offer a flexible, supportive option for both seniors and caregivers, providing peace of mind and high-quality care on a short-term basis. During the stay, families know their loved one is in a safe, supervised environment receiving professional care, social engagement and wellness opportunities they may not experience living at home.

It’s common for a senior to join a retirement community such as Sopris Lodge at Carbondale Senior Living for a temporary respite stay or as a long-term resident, and for families to comment that their loved one seems much more vibrant after the move. This is often due to balanced, nutritious meals, structured activities and the connection to others, compared to the isolation they may have felt at home.

Even if a senior is hesitant at first, a respite stay can open the door to a better understanding of what senior living is really like—and that can be a turning point for both them and their family.

If you would like to learn more about a respite stay, contact the Sopris Lodge team at 970-678-0057 or visit us online at soprislodge.com. Our team is here to answer your questions and help you explore options that fit your needs.

Receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but it’s an essential step for individuals and families facing memory loss. Knowing what’s happening opens doors to treatments, resources and support — helping those living with the condition lead meaningful, engaged lives.

Many people hesitate to seek a diagnosis due to fear or uncertainty. But knowing – and understanding – the cause of symptoms allows families to plan ahead and gives individuals the chance to participate in decisions about their care, finances and living arrangements while they can still express their wishes.

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Access to treatment: While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, treatments are typically most effective when beginning early and can help slow cognitive decline. Medications and alternative therapies may also help manage symptoms for a limited time.

Opportunities to join clinical trials: Early diagnosis may make individuals eligible for groundbreaking research studies, potentially providing personal benefits while advancing Alzheimer’s science.

Time to plan for the future: Families can make informed decisions about legal, financial and care matters while their loved one is still able to participate.

Prioritize what matters most: An early diagnosis allows individuals to set new goals, decide when to stop working and allow more time to share meaningful moments together.

Emotional and social benefits: Knowing the cause of symptoms can ease uncertainty, help families prepare emotionally and strengthen connections with loved ones. Understanding the diagnosis also helps friends and family provide more effective support and adapt to changes in relationships.

Connection to support networks: Early diagnosis gives individuals and families access to support groups, educational programs and community resources, helping them build skills, share strategies and feel less alone.

Reducing stigma: Sharing personal experiences can encourage others to seek help and reduce misconceptions about dementia.

How Sopris Lodge at Carbondale Supports Memory Loss

Sopris Lodge Senior Living in Carbondale, Colorado, provides dedicated memory care through its specialized Sopris Sanctuary dementia-care neighborhood. The community also offers temporary respite care services, and the Day Retreat at the Lodge program for individuals living with cognitive impairment who need part- or full-time care during weekdays. Sopris Lodge’s specially trained team works closely with families to help them navigate the Alzheimer’s journey with confidence and peace of mind. The community also hosts a monthly caregiver support group in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association. This free in-person support group helps spouses, families and caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other cognitive impairment understand dementia while developing coping strategies and hands-on skills.

Beyond care services, Sopris Lodge offers education and support for seniors in the Roaring Fork Valley. The community also proudly supports national events like The Longest Day and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Rocky Mountain, which raise funds for care, support programs and critical research aimed at finding a cure.

If you notice any of the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s in yourself or a loved one, don’t wait – talk to your doctor. Early diagnosis provides medical, emotional and practical benefits for everyone involved. Taking proactive steps now can lead to a healthier, more fulfilling quality of life.

Sopris Lodge at Carbondale Senior Living offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, respite and day retreat services for adults 55+. Call 970-678-0057 or visit soprislodge.com to learn more about our programming and schedule a tour.