Gardant 2020 Shining Stars award recipients were honored during a virtual End of the Year Celebration in December.

These individuals were honored for their commitment to putting residents first and embracing our company values of Love Compassion and Dignity.

Congratulations to Megan Vincent, first place winner from Heritage Woods of Rockford; Angelia Hustedde, second place winner from Heritage Woods of Flora; and Shauna Griffin, third place winner from Hellenic Senior Living of New Albany.

Fox Valley Developers recently secured financing for a redevelopment initiative of Old Copley Hospital in Aurora, Illinois.

Once complete, the redevelopment project will boast independent, assisted living and memory care apartments to be managed by Gardant Management Solutions. Also in the complex will be an independent apartment community for those with cognitive and/or developmental disabilities.

If you would like to be on the Interest List, call Gardant’s toll-free number 1-877-882-1495.

COVID-19 has taught us about interconnectedness. “When I take care of myself, I often am also taking care of others.”

Self-care is more than just a nap or taking time for yourself. It is also about finding purpose. It is different for everyone, but it is important for everyone.

Illinois and Indiana have developed Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid-waiver programs that provide a wonderful, cost-effective alternative to a nursing home for individuals who need some help to maintain their independence.

In addition to being of benefit to individuals in need and their families, the communities benefit the federal and state governments as the cost of care for a resident on a Medicaid-waiver for assisted living is much less than the cost of nursing home care.

The programs serve as a model for providing individuals in need of assistance with an appropriate alternative to a nursing home.

It’s no surprise that portion sizes are substantial. According to Marion Nestle, PhD, MPH, and a professor of nutrition, food studies at New York University, “oversized portions are a major culprit in the ongoing obesity epidemic.”

Value marketing has people lured in with the promise of more for their money. And if that wasn’t enough, most people feel the pressure to eat everything put in front of them.

Moderation is key to a healthier lifestyle. Eating several smaller meals and snacks rather than three large meals will also make a difference in controlling appetite and portion sizes.

High blood pressure could be linked to memory and thinking skills, and it can begin to take a toll as early as middle age.

Hypertension should be prevented at any age in order to prevent its negative effect on cognitive function.

Results also show that hypertension management can help preserve cognitive function or slow the decline.

“Super Agers” are characterized as those who score highest on memory tests and who have similar brain protein profiles to healthy, younger individuals.

“Super Agers” seem to be resistant in accumulating aging-related proteins, which leads to the higher cognitive function at an advanced age.

It is likely related to lifestyle choices and genetic predisposition that may keep brain protein in check, but the exact reason is unknown.

These findings could lead to the development of Alzheimer’s treatments and other aging-related diseases.

Since 1964, the month of February has been designated American Heart Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more lives than all forms of cancer combined. The effort to encourage us to adopt a healthy lifestyle designed to reduce the risk of heart disease is even more important this year as individuals with poor cardiovascular health are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Some things you can do include getting your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels under control; maintaining a healthy weight; eating heart healthy foods; quitting smoking; being physically active; and getting enough good quality sleep. As the American Heart Association says: “Love Your Heart and Yourself.”