Senior Living Blog by UMH | Aging & Caregiving (37)

Senior Living Tips: 5 Super Foods for Seniors

By: Elizabeth Bemis June 17th, 2013

Super foods are nutrient-packed powerhouses, yet, even without any solid medical definition, it is common knowledge that people who eat super foods are healthier than others. When you think of super foods, sweet potatoes, blueberries and avocadoes come to mind but there may be as many as 50 or more of these powerful foods around. But let’s focus on five specific groups of super foods recommended for a senior citizen’s diet, primarily to reduce inflammation—the single biggest cause of fatigue and autoimmune disease which overwhelms the body as we age.

How Father’s Day is Celebrated in Assisted Living Communities

By: Elizabeth Bemis June 16th, 2013

Father’s Day is observed every year on the third Sunday in June. How you choose to celebrate your father’s influence on your life may be based on family traditions and culture. This year, financial planners predict an estimated $13.3 billion will be spent in tribute to dads in the USA; no doubt you’ll find a personalized way to show respect and love-- and for caregivers with aging fathers—that may involve taking a trip over to an assisted living community, perhaps with a carload of family members from various generations to pay tribute.

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What World Blood Donor Day Means for Seniors

By: Elizabeth Bemis June 14th, 2013

Every year in the United States more than 20 million units of red blood cells, platelets and plasma are transfused to treat conditions primarily in the area of: anemia, leukemia and sickle cell disease. Blood saves lives; it cannot be manufactured in a lab that’s why blood donors all over the world are given honorable mention.

National Nurse’s Assistant Week: What to Expect from a Skilled Nurse

By: Elizabeth Bemis June 12th, 2013

As National Nurse’s Assistant Week kicks off June 13 – June 23, in recognition of those dedicated to ensuring the well being of our loved ones, we use this opportunity to shine a light on what seniors can expect when in the capable hands of a nurse’s assistant.

Men’s Health Week: Prostate Health Tips For Aging Men

By: Elizabeth Bemis June 10th, 2013

A man’s prostate ages along with him. By the time he reaches his 70’s, he and his prostate would have journeyed through life at a similar rate of change. Because of where this doughnut-shaped gland is located (underneath the bladder), changes are likely to cause mild bladder irritations to severe urinary problems in over 90 per cent of elderly men. This means a caregiver’s dad is almost certain to develop a prostate-related problem, now or in the near future.

Choosing the Right Senior Living Community for Aging Parents

By: Elizabeth Bemis June 7th, 2013

For caregivers it’s crunch time. You now realize it is time to hand over your caregiving role to the professionals; so how to you know which senior living community is right for your aging parents? This should be a straightforward process; all you need to do is match your parents’ needs with the community providing the requisite services, right? Yes, however, as this decision will affect all parties as you tread on new emotional and financial grounds, the more prepared you are, the more satisfied you’ll be that you’ve made the right decision.

Assisted Living Communities Celebrate World Environment Day

By: Elizabeth Bemis June 5th, 2013

Tis the season to support your local farmer’s market! This is one easy way to celebrate the environment on World Environment Day, June 5th. Awareness of your habits is key to making a difference every day. Do you find yourself throwing out rotting food from the refrigerator? “Think Before You Eat and Help Save the Environment” is this year’s insightful theme to honor World Environment Day.Think about what you eat and manage portion sizes for your health and for the environment. Many assisted living communities do this every day! They take the lead from their residents who become involved in the selection of menu items, grow fruits, vegetables and spices that are used by the chef, and sometimes the residents even get involved in food preparation!

The Many Senior Housing Options:Assisted living, Nursing Homes & More

By: Elizabeth Bemis May 27th, 2013

Yes, there are many senior housing options to choose from and no simple answer to the question of which one is right for you. But, here’s the upside of having so many choices: you stand a better chance of finding onethat matches well with your long-term goals, so let’s get to it!

The Benefits of a Snoezelen Room for Alzheimer’s Care

By: Elizabeth Bemis May 22nd, 2013

If you’ve never heard of the Dutch term Snoezelen (pronounced “snuzelen”), formed by the words “sniff and doze,” you’re probably not alone! Snoezelen is a type of therapy originally founded in Holland for individuals with cognitive and developmental disabilities. A Snoezelen Room is a therapeutic environment created for the express purpose of delivering high levels of stimuli to patients with dementia. A private room displays optical illusions with combined lighting effects, aromas, colors, textures and sounds to stimulate a person’s olfactory, auditory and gustatory systems.

Nursing Homes in CT Celebrate Nursing Home Week

By: Elizabeth Bemis May 17th, 2013

In honor “National Nursing Home Week”, United Methodist Homes will continue to provide important information about nursing homes as well as share some of the things our Bishop Wicke Heath and Rehab Center in Shelton, CT is doing in honor of this week.

Assisted Living Provides the Facts about Monitoring Blood Pressure

By: Elizabeth Bemis May 13th, 2013

As one ages it becomes increasingly important to maintain proper exercise and eating habits. By developing a healthy diet and exercising regularly you can reduce the risk for health complications. However, it is also important to have regular doctors appointments to make sure you are continuously in good health. One simple thing to pay attention to is monitoring your blood pressure. While this may not always be the first thing on people's minds to check it is incredibly important to do so. Many assisted living communities provide free blood pressure checks or on site doctors that can quickly check and monitor your blood pressure for you.