A Wonderful Alternative
Adults 65 years of age and older and adults 22 to 64 with physical disabilities who need some help to maintain their independence may qualify for the Illinois Supportive Living Program.
The program provides a wonderful residential alternative to a nursing home or to struggling alone at home. It benefits individuals of virtually all incomes, including those on or who would qualify for Medicaid.
Gardant manages 44 communities that participate in the Illinois Supportive Living Program. The communities are located in northern, central and southern Illinois, including the City of Chicago and surrounding suburbs, the St. Louis Metro East area and the Quad Cities.
Napping and Your Brain
New research shows that taking a daily
hour- 
long
afternoon
nap may help older adults improve their memory and think more clearly.
A HealthDay report posted on the Medline Plus website indicates that the results of the study were published recently in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Sedentary Life and Aging
A report posted on the Medical News Today website suggests that low levels of physical activity accelerates aging among older adults. The study showed an 8-year biological aging gap between older adult women who exercised at least 30 minutes a day and those that did not.
Exercise at Gardant Communities
Older adults can join residents of Gardant communities for exercise programs. Here are a few examples:
designed
for seniors.
Volleyball.
class.
class.
Oral Health and Older Adults
Losing teeth and getting dentures are not an almost-always inevitable part of aging, Lisa Esposito points out in her blog that was posted on the U.S. News and World Report WELLNESS website. Included in her blog is information about "nifty devices and affordable resources for seniors and caregivers to help keep teeth healthy."
Dialing for Your Dollars
Older adults are the #1 target for 
telephone scammers, said Detective Henry Cunningham during an informational program at the Heritage Woods affordable assisted living community that Gardant manages in Bolingbrook, Illinois. He talked about the most common types of scams and what older adults can do to avoid becoming a victim.
With Stroke, Think FAST
When it comes to a stroke, the Mayo Clinic reminds us that it is important to know the signs and to think FAST.
Information about the causes, symptoms and signs and what to do if you think you or someone else is having a stroke can be found on the Mayo Clinic's website.
Stages of Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting an estimated more than five million people.
A story posted on the Medical News Today website indicates that the disease is progressive, involving a "gradual loss of memory and changes in behavior, thinking and language skills."
The story looks at how the disease progresses as well as the stages of Alzheimer's.
Multiple Health Problems: What Older Adults Should Know
Information on the HealthinAging.org website indicates that more than half of those 65 and older in the United States have three or more chronic medical conditions.
The website has posted tips for older adults who have multiple health problems on working with their health care providers to manage their care.
Legislative Visits
Illinois State Senator Sue Rezin is scheduled to visit the Heritage Woods of Ottawa affordable assisted living community at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31.
Illinois State Senator Neil Anderson is scheduled to visit the Heritage Woods of Sterling affordable assisted living community at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 3.
Illinois State Senator Steve Andersson visited the Heritage Woods of South Elgin affordable assisted living and memory care community in December.
The Benefits of Working Longer
An NBC Today report looks at the benefits of not slowing down, but working into your retirement years. The benefits include lowering the chance of dying and keeping you healthier and mentally sharp.
Brain Games and Alzheimer's
Computerized brain training programs might cut the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease among normal, healthy older adults, says a Reuters report that was posted on the NBC News website.
Many of the assisted living communities managed by Gardant offer residents the opportunity to benefit from a clinically proven computerized brain fitness program.
