Senior Housing and Assisted Living

Conventional wisdom has held the belief that healthy older brains are substantially smaller than younger brains may stem from studies that did not screen out people whose undetected, slowly developing brain disease was killing off cells in key areas, according to new research. As a result, previous findings may have overestimated shrinkage and underestimated normal size for the older brain.

TA recent study tested participants in Holland’s long-term Maastricht Aging Study who were free of neurological problems such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease or stroke. The health participants were given several tests, measuring brain and psychological function, including a screening test for dementia, at baseline and every three years afterward for nine years.

According to the report in the September, 2009 Neuropsychology, published by the American Psychological Association, participants were also given MRI scans at Year 3 to measure seven different parts of the brain, including the memory-laden hippocampus, the areas around it, and the frontal and cingulated areas of the cognitively critical cortex.

After examining behavioral data collected from 1994 to 2005 (with scans taken between 1997 and 1999 depending on when people entered the study), the researchers divided participants into two groups: one group with 35 cognitively healthy people who stayed free of dementia (average starting age 69.1 years), and the other group with 30 people who showed substantial decline of cognitive function but were still dementia-free (average starting age 69.2 years).

That cognitive decline was measured by drops of at least 30 percent on two or more of six core tests of verbal learning and fluency, recall, processing speed, and complex information processing, and/or drops of 3 or more points, or scores of 24 or lower (raising suspicion for cognitive impairment), on the Mini-Mental State Examination screening tool for dementia.

In comparison to the 35 healthy people, the 30 people who experienced cognitive decline over the course of nine years showed a significant effect for age in the hippocampus and parahippocampal areas, and in the frontal and cingulate cortices. In short, among the people whose cognition got worse, older participants had smaller brain areas than younger participants.

So the apparent age-related shrinking in gray matter more likely reflected pathological changes in the brain that underlie significant cognitive decline than aging itself, the authors wrote. As long as people stay cognitively healthy, the researchers believe that the gray matter of areas supporting cognition might not shrink much at all. “If future longitudinal studies find similar results, our conception of ‘normal’ brain aging may become more optimistic,” said lead author Saartje Burgmans.

The findings should caution scientists about drawing conclusions from brain studies that don’t screen participants over time, using precise and objective definitions, the authors added.

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The Center for Retirement Research(CRR) at Boston College released a new survey that showed more than 60 percent of households are “at risk” of being financially unprepared for retirement.  The latest analysis of the National Retirement Risk Index (NRRI) examines how not taking full advantage of housing equity affects the share of U.S. households ‘at risk’ of being un-able to maintain their pre-retirement standard of living in retirement.

According to the brief, not tapping home equity through a reverse mortgage increases the percent of those ‘at risk’ by about 10 percentage points, raising the NRRI in 2009 from 51 percent to 61 percent said the CRR.

Chart Courtesy Center for Retirement Research

The study says that “Financial services firms need to acknowledge that existing reverse mortgages are often complicated and expensive and that the industry needs to develop innovative approaches to ensure that retirees have easy and efficient access to their equity.” 

“Even after the bursting of the housing bubble, our research shows that home equity remains a major financial asset and can significantly impact retirement security,” said Center Director Alicia H. Munnell. “The impact of home equity on the percent of households ‘at risk’ is greater than that of the recent stock market crash. How baby boomers and future generations decide to use their home equity could determine how well many fare in retirement.”

Fact Sheet: “The NRRI and the House”

Beneficial Communities announced that it is celebrating the grand opening of Banyan Senior Apartments in Port Richey, Florida this May.  The community’s 94 one- and two-bedroom energy-efficient units feature a private balcony or solarium, fully equipped designer kitchen, washer/dryer connections, central air conditioning, 9-foot ceilings, walk-in closet and ceramic tile bathroom flooring.  The community is already more than 50 percent occupied since the community’s soft launch in December.  Banyan Senior Apartments is the first of several Tampa-area development projects between Sarasota’s Beneficial Communities and CORE Construction.

Prospective tenants at Pasco County’s Banyan Senior Apartments must be at least 55 years of age and meet certain income requirements. The monthly rental fee starts at $561 and includes water, trash and sewer. The fee also includes limited access to the senior community’s two guest suites and unlimited access to all amenities, daily activities such as water aerobics, resident activities such as holiday parties, periodic health and nutrition classes, quarterly financial counseling, and bi-annual life and safety training. Plus, management is on-call 24 hours a day, and a list of qualified service providers is available to residents who need assistance with light housekeeping, grocery shopping and laundry.

“Pasco County has historically had very little to offer in the way of affordable senior housing for independent seniors who want to stay active. Banyan Senior Apartments now offers them an affordable yet amenity rich, high quality, and thriving community that really feels like home,” said Karen McGinnis-Weeks, Director of Asset Management for Beneficial Communities.

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Sarah Thorne Davis Joins Somerby at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen

Sarah Thorne Davis has joined Somerby at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen as Masterpiece Living coordinator for the active retirement community in suburban Birmingham.  A registered dietitian, Ms Davis will implement the individualized Masterpiece Living physical, social, intellectual and spiritual program for each resident. 

She earned a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in family and consumer sciences and an emphasis in dietetics and nutrition from The University of Mississippi. She completed a dietetic internship in nutrition therapy and food systems management at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.              She has had more than four years experience in nutrition and wellness programs. In addition to being a registered dietitian, she is a certified personal trainer and a wellness fitness coach.  Ms. Davis is a member of American Dietetic Association and the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

The Cascades Verdae Appoints Karen Nichols as Executive Director

Karen Nichols, former administrator of The Cottages at Brushy Creek, has been named the new executive director of The Cascades Verdae.  Prior to her time at The Cottages at Brushy Creek, Nichols oversaw operations at Roger Huntington Nursing Center during the community’s transition to Brushy Creek.  She has also participated in several coalitions with the Association of Households International and the South Carolina Eden Alternative Coalition to champion culture change throughout the nation.

“I’m so excited about leading the charge at The Cascades because I have a perfect combination of exceptional facilities, talented team members and award-winning programming at my disposal which supports my desire to help all our members live longer, healthier and happier lives.”

Skilled Healthcare Announces Promotion of Matt Moore to Executive Vice President of Inpatient Operations

Skilled Healthcare Group, Inc. (NYSE:SKH) announced the appointment of Matt Moore to Executive Vice President of Inpatient Operations for Skilled Healthcare, LLC. He previously served as the Area President for Skilled Healthcare, LLC’s Midwest Area. Mr. Moore will continue to report to Jose Lynch, President and Chief Operating Officer of Skilled Healthcare, LLC, and will be responsible for the oversight and support of the Company’s Long Term Care business.

Mr. Moore has over 17 years of experience in skilled nursing and assisted living operations throughout his career. Since 1993, Mr. Moore has held various positions, including Administrator, Vice President of Operations, Senior Vice President of Operations and Area President. Mr. Moore has been employed with a Skilled Healthcare Group predecessor and subsidiaries since 1997 and also serves as the chair of the governing body and chief executive officer for each of Skilled Healthcare Group’s skilled nursing and assisted living companies in the Midwest. During his tenure with Skilled Healthcare, Mr. Moore has successfully integrated the acquisitions of 18 facilities, the construction and start-up of two facilities and the expansion of three others. He received his bachelor’s degree from Baylor University in 1991. The Company expects that Mr. Moore and his family will relocate to California.