Summer Heat is Here – Hydrated Seniors are Thriving Seniors
As summer temperatures rise, staying hydrated is more important than ever for older adults. Seniors are at higher risk of dehydration because:
- Their sense of thirst decreases with age
- Common medications (like diuretics) increase fluid loss
- Chronic conditions can make dehydration more dangerous
- High heat can quickly lead to dizziness, confusion, or even heat stroke
Warning Signs of Dehydration:
- Dark urine
- Dizziness or confusion
- Unusual fatigue or weakness
6 Hydraton Tips for Summer
- Drink on a Schedule – Sip water throughout the day, not just when thirsty.
- Enjoy Water-Rich Foods – Watermelon, cucumbers, oranges, and strawberries all count.
- Mix It Up – Herbal teas, flavored water, or diluted juice make drinking more enjoyable.
- Skip Caffeine & Alcohol – They can lead to fluid loss.
- Keep Water Handy – Place cups or bottles in easy-to-reach spots.
- Check Urine Color – Light yellow is good; dark means drink more!
Hydration saves lives in summer. Drink water before you are thirsty and keep water close at hand. A few small changes can prevent serious health incidents!
Spring Picnic 2025
Another successful, fun-filled Spring Picnic is in the books for us at Riverside. This year’s theme was a 50s Sock Hop with L&B Entertainment bringing the era’s best music. Ms. Brenda, Ms. Rosemary, Ms. Monica and other staff members and residents dressed in their poodle skirts. We even had Ice Cream on Wheels bring sweet treats! A swell time was had by all!
Monica Parker: Employee of the Month – June 2025
Employee of the Month: Monica Parker
Monica is a dedicated administrative assistant at Riverside Senior Living, where her commitment to excellence has earned her the title of Employee of the Month.
A true multitasker, Monica expertly supports the community’s daily operations, leveraging her computer expertise to keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes.
Beyond her desk, she goes the extra mile—literally—by driving residents to their appointments, always with a smile and warm conversation.
Monica also supports our Activities Director and regularly helps out planning all of the activities that our residents enjoy.
Her attentiveness and genuine care ensure that every resident experiences “The Riverside Difference” in every interaction. Her professionalism, compassion, and tireless energy make her an invaluable part of the Riverside family. Thanks Monica!
Tats & Snacks at Riverside Senior Living
Another installment of “Near Forgotten” – Stories from This Side of the River
What is it about living dangerously that appeals to us all? Oh, maybe not openly appealing to everyone. But deep down in parts of us that aren’t always shared, it seems we all have a bit of a wild hair that surfaces from time to time.
As activity planners, it’s often difficult to continually provide stimulating yet engaging activities that haven’t been done a million times before. Google helps in the search for the month’s “holidays” for activity ideas. Those lesser-known holidays or national days of such & such are a go-to for the planning process. As it happened, April Fool’s Day and National Tatting Day fell on the same day. Tatting is the process of knotting lace by hand using a small shuttle. Not an entirely appropriate or appealing activity for a mixed crowd with dexterity challenges. Often, the struggle is to also find things that men and women would equally enjoy. Bingo is always a crowd favorite that never fails to bring a ruckus, good time, but it’s variety that the crowd demands.
So, with a little well-meaning alteration to the holiday in question, our first ever “Tats & Snacks” was born. There were some simple, fun snacks to enjoy while we were each “tatted up.” Those tattoos will wear off in a day or two, but the fun had while residents and staff alike allowed themselves to live a little on the wild side will be remembered well. You see, with all the moments that are nearly forgotten, it’s quite alright to create new moments for the mind to ponder.
Monica Parker
Life is Good at Riverside Senior Living
“There is always something fun going on here at Riverside Senior Living. It’s a great place to live!”
We know how to have FUN at Riverside!
Whether you enjoy afternoon’s spent socializing over a wine and cheese pairing, a morning walk in the park with a group of encouraging neighbors, or an evening game of bingo after dinner to wind down the day, there is always something to do at Riverside.
Our staff maintains a strong commitment to creating daily activity schedules that preserve independence and choice, promotes health, wellness, and most important, enjoyment!
And we love to go on excursions! A few places we visit include the Huntsville Botanical Gardens, Mary Bo Bos, and Whistle Stop.
Riverside Senior Living Careers – Apply Online
Riverside Senior Living in Decatur, Alabama, occasionally has openings in the following areas:
- Maintenance
- Housekeeping
- Evenings: Housekeeping & Resident Care
- Food Service & Kitchen
Apply online today!
Jobs in Decatur Alabama: Resident Care Assistant at Riverside Senior Living
JOB TITLE: Resident Care Assistant
JOB SUMMARY: The resident care assistant will provide personal care services, assistance, support, and supervision to residents. The resident care assistant also will provide services to residents and assist with activities and food service.
POSITION REPORTS TO: Resident Care Coordinator
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
>> Assist residents with daily grooming.
>> Assist residents with bathing.
>> Assist residents with dressing as needed.
>> Assist in the development and updating of each resident’s ADL plan.
>> Do personal laundry for residents weekly or as required.
>> Assure residents are in the dining room for mealtimes.
>> Monitor the amount of food eaten.
>> Serve residents’ meals from the kitchen.
>> Assure residents get to appointments or activities.
>> Provide one-on-one support/visitation to assigned residents.
>> Encourage and/or remind residents to participate in activities.
>> Encourage socialization among residents.
>> Communicate all pertinent information to other staff.
>> Work cooperatively with other staff.
>> Treat all residents with dignity and respect.
>> Responding to all PERS alarms within appropriate time frames (3 min)
QUALIFICATIONS: Strong team approach to working with other staff. Ability to interact courteously and tactfully with staff, residents, family members, visitors, vendors, and the general public.
EDUCATION: Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent with reading, comprehension, and writing ability at 12th-grade level or higher.
EXPERIENCE: Experience or interest in working with older adults.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Performing duties of this job requires lifting, bending, walking, and standing. Must be able to occasionally lift loads of 50 pounds without assistance and the ability to sit, talk, and hear is required. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORKING CONDITIONS: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The majority of essential job duties are performed indoors as well as in residential areas where universal precautions apply. Employees may be exposed to indoor temperature fluctuations.