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Happily Ever Aging
...a UMH Senior Living Blog
Everything you need to know about caring for your loved one - at home or at a senior living community.
Tucked away behind the UCONN Health Center is one of the most award-winning independent and assisted living communities in Connecticut; a place where residents live life to the fullest, where residents’ families and friends are welcomed, and where residents and families become members of the Middlewoods of Farmington family. This unique community is also a place where staff come to work knowing they are encouraged to build relationships with residents in order to provide better care and find joy in their work.
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With all the assisted living options available to you in Hartford County, why would so many people stop looking after they’ve visited Middlewoods of Newington? Perhaps it was the one-floor living that was most appealing. Maybe it was the strong sense of family they felt when they walked through the door. It might have even been the warm, welcoming interactions they had with the Middlewoods staff and residents that left them feeling at ease. Believe it or not, it is pretty common for the prospective resident and their family to realize they want to become a part of this special community even after one phone call. How can that be?
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~“You must learn to let go. Release the stress. You were never in control anyway.” ~ -Steve Maraboli. Ironically, retirement is supposed to be the time when you relax and play golf, a time when you are older and wiser and now have the answers to many of life’s questions. However, with aging comes new concerns, such as managing your health, how to fund retirement, and a general sense of “loss.”
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Terms like “BFF” and “bestie” may be new to our vocabularies, but the basic concept remains the same: Everyone needs a good friend. Having a strong social network may be even more critical for seniors, according to research indicating the paramount role of friendships in supporting quality of life during the golden years. Let’s take a closer look at why friends are so important, along with highlighting tips aimed at helping aging loved ones live better with a little help from their friends.
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An abundance of research highlights the value of relationships between pets and humans. The generation most likely to benefit from animal companionship, according to findings published in the European Journal of Medical Research? Older adults. Let’s take a closer look at why seniors and pets are a perfect fit, along with tips for helping your aging loved one choose the right pet.
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Did you know that Medicare is one of the country’s largest group health insurance plans? And while millions of Americans are eligible for this federal program, few people understand its ins and outs. Let’s take a closer look at this tricky topic, along with some things to keep in mind when evaluating your Medicare options.
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People in different stages of life have different legal concerns. Older adults, in particular, face a number of legal considerations which differ from the ones they may have faced earlier in their lives. Attorneys who focus their practices on the area of elder law, also referred to as “elder care,” offer specialized expertise and guidance for older individuals and their families. Let’s count down five ways hiring an elder law attorney makes smart sense, along with a few things to keep in mind when finding and hiring an elder law attorney.
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We often talk about the need for caregivers to take a break from the demands of caregiving. One simple way to do so? Watch a movie. And while heading to your local cineplex is one way to escape, you can also relax and recharge while watching a movie at home in the company of your loved ones. Read on for a list of five movies which are likely to delight caregivers, their kids, and aging loved ones alike.
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The number of Americans without any close friends has dramatically escalated over the past two decades, according to a report from the AARP. Unfortunately, older adults are not only particularly vulnerable to this phenomenon but are also more likely to struggle physically and emotionally due to isolation. Let’s take a closer look at why socialization (the “s” word) is so important for seniors. And find some caregiver tips for helping aging loved ones enjoy all of the benefits of spending time with others.
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If you’ve ever broached the subject of moving to a senior living community with an aging loved one, you may have been met with the some variation of the response, “No way. I want my freedom.” You’re hardly alone if you’ve encountered this form of resistance. In fact, the vast majority of seniors claim to want to “age in place.” Guiding this preference? The belief that senior living communities are a threat to independence. Let’s take a closer look at the issue, along with why it may be time to embrace a new perspective when it comes to senior living, freedom, true independence, and something even more vital: quality of life.
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We all need time to relax and recharge. For many, reading precisely fits the bill. For caregivers of loved one’s with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, reading can also provide something else: much-needed empathy and understanding. Check out these five works of fiction, each of which may offer some unique insights into living with Alzheimer's disease.
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