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Perry Lutheran Homes has been named one of the best facilities for memory care in the Des Moines area in 2020 by MemoryCare.com. MemoryCare.com, is a comprehensive resource for caregivers and older adults living with memory impairment.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, one out of every ten adults over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s. In Des Moines, the number of senior deaths related to Alzheimer’s increased by 36 percent between 2013 and 2018. As the population continues to age, the demand for high quality Memory Care Communities will also increase.

“Caregiving

With visitor restrictions in place at most senior care communities, families have to get creative to find new ways to keep connected with loved ones in meaningful ways.

Here are eight ways to help you connect with your loved one living in a care community:

1. Technology
Use technology to video chat, send emails, or use social media to stay in touch!

2. Pen & Paper
Write and send cards, notes and letters. Include return envelopes and extra stamps to make it easy to write back. Staff can also help your loved one respond back

Caring for a loved one with health issues in “normal times” can be emotionally and physically taxing and stressful; add to that the concerns and circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic and the danger of caregiver burnout mounts exponentially.

A helpful perspective can be found in information cited in a recent publication of www.mccleanhospital.org, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, Navigating the Stresses of Caring for a Loved One During a Pandemic”,

The unprecedented circumstances are challenging for everyone, but they may be especially difficult for caregivers. Whether they are supporting older adults, children, or

“Project Deliver the LOVE” is postponed to an unknown future date when it is safe to gather and enter into Perry Lutheran Homes facilities. This event was originally scheduled for Friday, May 1, and was then postponed to June 3. However, with the continued pandemic, the future date will depend on how things progress. We are now aiming for Spring 2021.

“Project Deliver the LOVE” is an event designed to celebrate, honor and engage with the elder citizens in our community. Two hundred volunteers will be needed to pack and assemble

Perry Lutheran Homes’ St. Luke’s Private Suites are set to open in May 2020, and will accommodate individuals in need of short or long-term skilled care and rehabilitative therapy stays. With the transition and remodel from assisted living apartments to that of private suites, Perry Lutheran Homes is now able to offer more focused and specialized care and social programs at each campus.

St. Luke’s Private Suites have en suite bathrooms with shower, walk-in closet, large picture window, and an open living area. The suites feature a spacious studio layout and

Social distancing doesn’t have to mean isolation or loneliness. We need to keep older adults safe, but also keep in mind that social isolation can have a negative impact on older people’s immunity and mental health…

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults are among the most vulnerable. To protect themselves from exposure, more will need to stay at home and self-isolate. However, the issue of food can make it difficult to do so. Perry Lutheran Homes Meals on Wheels is ready to StepUp and serve additional home-bound elders who are staying at home by delivering meals to their doorstep.

“We want to do everything we can to make sure that all elders in the community are safe and healthy, not just those that live with us in

In compliance with government healthcare agency directives regarding COVID-19 and visitors, Perry Lutheran Homes is issuing the following public notice:

Public Notice: Absolutely no visitors may enter Perry Lutheran Homes – Spring Valley Campus or Willis Campus unless you are essential medical personnel.

Visiting regarding end-of-life matters will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Thank you for your help to keep our residents safe, and we still encourage you to reach out to your loved ones by phone, email, social media or mail! If your loved one does not have a personal email address

Government health agencies are now urging senior care communities to restrict visitors for the protection of residents against COVID-19. Now that COVID-19, or the Novel Coronavirus 2019, has come to Iowa, Perry Lutheran Homes is following proactive, preventative protocol and restricting visitors to essential visitors only at both Spring Valley Retirement Community Campus and Willis Campus in Perry to keep residents safe and healthy.

Older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease are the most vulnerable to COVID-19. The Centers for Disease

Elder loneliness is a silent epidemic affecting the health and well-being of our “invisible elders” living at home and in senior care communities right here in Perry. Studies have shown that more than forty percent of those age 65 and over regularly experience loneliness. These feelings of separation, disconnection and isolation lead to serious health problems such as depression and dementia, as well as an increased likelihood of death.

“Project Deliver the LOVE” is a fun way for the community to StepUp together with Perry Lutheran Homes to celebrate, serve, and