Blog

When your parents are of an age that you begin to think an assisted living community may be in their best interests, it’s time to have a serious talk. It’s not unusual for aging parents to buck the idea of moving out of their homes and into a “center,” simply because they have a misconception of what assisted living really is.

Your parents, and maybe even you, will have a picture of a sterile hospital setting with lonely seniors lining the halls. This is nothing like what assisted living communities are like today. Think of these living centers as a way for your parents to maintain as much independence as they can while having people nearby who can provide the care they need.

If your parents are considering an assisted living community, or if you believe it is time … Read more...

Are you considering assisted living for your aging parents? For many older adults, making the move to an assisted living community is a stressful transition. Because of this, making the decision can be an emotional one for adult children.

Many people have visions of lonely people in wheelchairs lining the halls of a sterile facility when they begin to think about assisted living. The truth is that modern assisted living communities are nothing like what you may be picturing.

If you and your parents have made this decision together, there are ways that you can help to ease the stress of the transition. Any move can be difficult, but it can be made easier. Here are some tips.

Download/Print PDF

1. Continue Routines

One of the most stressful things about moving into an assisted living community is a disruption … Read more...

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and it’s for everyone! From children to seniors, people love showing love. If you are residing in an assisted living community, there are some great options for spending the day with those you are closest to. Here are some ideas for you.

1. Decorate

Nothing says Valentine’s Day like pink and red hearts. Cut out hearts from thick paper and hang them up in hallways and on doors. Make a chain garland out of colored paper and string it in doorways. Let your imagination run wild.

2. Invite Family and Friends

The holiday isn’t just for couples. Why not invite your children and grandchildren to spend a bit of time with you? Ask staff about organizing a social for anyone who wants to participate. You can make cards, buy small gifts or spend … Read more...

Ugly Christmas sweaters are all the rage. People have parties and encourage dressing in a way that you would never on any other day of the year. Ugly sweaters aside, receiving an unexpected or unwanted gift can be a bit disappointing. Your thoughts immediately turn to your ability to regift or return the item without hurting the giver’s feelings. You don’t want to ask for a receipt so that you can exchange the gift, but you don’t want to be stuck with something you’ll never use. Problem solved. Here are several ways you can exchange that gift without having to ask your loved one for the receipt.

1. Check Policies

Different stores have different policies regarding the return or exchange of an item without a receipt, so always check the store’s policy first. For example, Walmart will return an item … Read more...

It’s that wonderful time of year: Annual cookie baking and exchanges. Desserts lining tables. Treats at every turn. If you are diabetic, you may be dreading this time of year. We always want what we can’t have, and that’s never truer when you are tempted constantly. The good news for you is that you don’t have to deny yourself if you have the right tips in mind.

1. Eating Right

Try to stick to your normal eating schedule throughout the season to keep your blood sugar levels steady. If you are invited to someone’s house and dinner will be served later than you are used to, eat a small snack before you leave and then eat a bit less than usual at dinner. If you decide that you want to indulge in a sweet treat, eat fewer carbs with dinner. … Read more...

This year, as you begin to shop for your loved ones, looking for just the right gift, keep in mind that changes to technology can bring about issues with safety. While you may not be prone to slips and falls and other types of physical dangers when you shop from the comfort of your couch or recliner, you are putting your safety at risk. How? Because nefarious criminals are just waiting behind their own keyboards for you to make one wrong move.

If you don’t keep Internet shopping safety in mind this holiday season, you could very well find your identity stolen. Perhaps worse, you could wake up to find your bank accounts drained and your credit cards charged to their maximum limits. Here are some tips to stay safe this holiday season.

1. Look at the URL

When … Read more...

If you have a loved one in assisted living, you may be struggling to come up with a great gift for them this holiday season. It can be challenging finding just the right gift for anyone, but what do you choose for someone who doesn’t necessarily need anything and won’t necessarily tell you what they want? We’ve put together a great list that you can use as a starting point when you are creating your gift-giving list.

1. Time

The best thing about time is that it’s free. The next best thing is that most people don’t feel as if they get enough of it from the people they love. Giving the gift of your time to someone can be an absolutely amazing gift. Give it freely this holiday season.

2. Activity Books

If your loved one has grandchildren, … Read more...

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, you may be wondering how you will spend the day. As a senior, you may be expecting a houseful of loved ones or cooking a simple meal for two. No matter how many guests you will have, there are ways you can safely enjoy the day. Here are a few ideas for Thanksgiving activities you are sure to enjoy.

1. Football Bingo

Football bingo is a hoot! Get on your computer and create a bingo card and a list of words commonly used by football game announcers. Give each guest a blank card and the word list. Have them place the words, one each, in the boxes on their card. As you are watching football, you get one mark when an announcer says the word or phrase on bingo board. The game ends … Read more...

Whether you are a senior facing the prospect of moving into an assisted living community or a person considering moving a loved one into such a community, there is certainly stress involved. For a senior, the words “assisted living” bring to mind a complete lack of independence. Assisted living means being told when to eat, when to go to bed, and even when to shower. Right?

Not so fast. While the old days of nursing homes didn’t do much to dispel these myths, today’s communities have a vast number of resources at their disposal. There are centers that cater to older adults who don’t have family nearby and would prefer to live in a social community rather than their own home, and there are centers that care for those in hospice. And there are centers for everyone in between.

Assisted … Read more...

Halloween used to be a holiday that was considered to be one for children. Today, Halloween and the activities that come with it rival Christmas in popularity. Whether you run an assisted living community, have an elderly loved one or are a senior yourself, here are some of the best Halloween activities for older adults.

1. Jack O’Lanterns

Decorating pumpkins is a tradition that is well loved. If you aren’t sure whether handling a knife is altogether safe, consider painting the pumpkin or using permanent markers to create a fabulous design. There are tons of ideas on the Internet for those who would rather design a pumpkin without sharp implements involved.

2. Movie Marathon

Scary movies are a Halloween staple. Whether your favorite are old black-and-white flicks or newer “slasher” movies, consider having a scary movie marathon on Halloween … Read more...