Every year, on the third Sunday of June, we celebrate our fathers. This year, Father’s Day is June 16th.

The holiday was first established in 1908 by Sonora Smart Dodd, who wished to honor her father, Civic War veteran William Jackson Smart, a single parent of six children. Today, the celebration of fatherly bonds often extends to grandfathers, uncles, brothers, male friends, and other important male figures and role models.

Around the world, people celebrate Father’s Day by exchanging small gifts and greeting cards, but different countries have a wealth of different traditions. In North Germany, groups of men often go hiking with small wagons of wine and beer, and see the holiday as an opportunity to party. In Thailand, Father’s Day is also set as the king’s birthday, and people wear the royal colors to celebrate.

Whichever way you choose to celebrate, this June, remember the men who have made a difference in your life by thanking them. Happy Father’s Day from all of us at AlmaVia of San Rafael!

Arthritis: more than 50 million Americans struggle with it every day, there are over 100 different types, and it’s the leading cause of disability in America. Yet, the disease remains one of the most misunderstood conditions existing. The Arthritis Foundation aims to raise awareness about arthritis, from the basics to prevention and treatment.

Arthritis can take many forms. The most common type, osteoarthritis, is characterized by the breakdown of joint cartilage, usually due to general wear and tear. Rheumatoid arthritis, a condition marked by inflammation of the joint, is the second most common.

Arthritis can be debilitating. As the leading cause of disability in the United States, arthritis is actually a more frequent cause for limited activity than heart disease or cancer. The increase in prevalence of risk factors like obesity means that by 2030, an estimated 67 million Americans will have arthritis.

Arthritis is treatable. The various forms of arthritis are surrounded by pervasive myths about being untreatable, but arthritis is both preventable and manageable. Lifestyle changes like weight loss and exercise work as both prevention and treatment. Arthritis pain can be treated with medication, and with alternative therapies like hot and cold treatment, vitamin supplements, and meditation.

If a senior close to you struggles with arthritis, you can help them by learning about arthritis management. From movement therapy to arthritis-friendly products, there are many ways to ease pain and increase accessibility for those with the condition. Remember, one of the quickest ways to brighten someone’s day is to spend time with them! For more information about arthritis prevention and treatment, visit arthritis.org.

At AlmaVia of San Rafael, we do everything we can to make daily living easier for our residents who suffer from disabling conditions such as arthritis. Please call 415-491-1900 or visit AlmaViaofSanRafael.org to learn more about our services.

If your loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, trying to recall memories can be frustrating. However, reminiscence therapy can be an enjoyable activity for all involved. Whether it helps improve memory or cognition is not clear, but it certainly stimulates the senses, and can sometimes spark memories. Studies show it improves quality of life and can help ease depression.

During reminiscence therapy, images, sounds, textures, tastes, and objects are introduced, and then dementia patients and their caregivers engage in conversation about their experiences. Here are some examples of reminiscence therapy “prompts” that not only get the conversation flowing—they can also bring your elderly loved one joy.

Toys
Don’t worry, you don’t have to go searching for your loved one’s long-lost blanket or doll. Any simple toy can help start the conversation. These toys aren’t used as playthings, but as objects that represent experiences in a person’s life. For instance, bring in a toy truck and all sorts of memories can be spurred—the time they helped a child play with one just like it, or the time they drove a life-sized one.

Music
Have you ever heard a tune from your teenage years and were surprised that you still knew all the lyrics? Music has deep emotional connections for us all, including those with Alzheimer’s. Hearing an old favorite song can have such a powerful effect on seniors, it’s become a form of therapy in its own right, especially for those in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s.

Images
Looking over old family photos can be difficult, especially if your senior struggles with recognizing faces. Instead, look for images that don’t have specific personal significance, but are of familiar or important places. For instance, did your loved one enjoy going on beach vacations every summer when they were younger? Share a picture book about a beach trip, and watch their face light up.

Religion
For many seniors, religion is a matter very close to their hearts. Spiritual music, religious icons, and readings from sacred texts can be incredibly fulfilling for seniors with dementia who otherwise have difficulty connecting.

Nature
From the youngest to the eldest among us, we all have the capacity to be fascinated and awed by nature. You don’t have to take the senior you care for on a hike—you can always bring nature to them, in the form of leaves, textured bark or driftwood, pebbles, feathers, and more.

These are just a few suggestions for reminiscence therapy. Looking for more ideas? Consider each of your senses and the ways in which your own memories are recalled every day. Tasting a favorite treat, smelling a favorite flower, watching an old favorite movie, or performing a task that’s set in muscle memory, like kneading dough, are all experiences that won’t just potentially spark memories—they’re also enjoyable ways to spend time with your loved ones.

For more information about reminiscence therapy and the memory care services we provide at AlmaVia of San Rafael, call 415-491-1900 or visit almaviaofsanrafael.org.

Caregiving goes beyond the hard work of the care you can actually see. The emotional tolls that caregiving can take are often overlooked, even by caregivers themselves. And when caregivers lose sight of their own limitations and forgo caring for themselves, everyone is impacted.

Caregiver burnout isn’t like having the flu or a headache—caregivers don’t always notice it, even when they’re struggling deeply. Being honest with yourself and others is paramount. Look at the following signs, and consider whether you or a caregiver you know is reaching the point where they care too much.

Caregiving has become your identity.
If you’re the primary caregiver for a loved one, others might assume that you’re the go-to for all tasks. But the entire burden of responsibility can be too much for one caregiver to handle. No matter how much you enjoy caregiving, everyone needs a support system that will pitch in.

The rest of your life has faded into the background.
When was the last time you went out with friends? Or even heard from them? If your old circle feels miles away, it might be because you’ve turned them down so often, they figured you’re not interested. Don’t let your social life suffer in the wake of your caregiving.

You can’t remember the last break you had.
Likewise, if you can’t remember your last day off, you’re overdue. It doesn’t need to be a three week island getaway. Sometimes, a day off with old friends goes a long way in rejuvenating a tired caregiver. If you think you have no time for a break, for friends, or for hobbies, consider it a red flag. Everyone needs an outlet.

You’re feeling it—emotionally and physically.
Caregiving is tough, and no one expects it to be a breeze. But if you can’t remember the last time you felt happy, or even found some simple pleasure in your work, you’re at risk for caregiver burnout. Even if we complete the day-to-day tasks of caregiving, we’re unable to provide the compassion, patience, and connection that’s at the heart of caregiving, if we don’t feel compassionate, patient, or connected with ourselves.

Caregivers often feel guilty spending time on themselves rather than on their ill or elderly loved ones. Remember that part of providing the best care possible is taking care of yourself!

For information on how to avoid caregiver burnout, including services like respite care, call AlmaVia of San Rafael at 415-491-1900 or visit almaviaofsanrafael.org.