Senior Living Blog by UMH | Aging & Caregiving (40)

Aging & Caregiving | Independent Living Community | assisted living | assisted living communities | senior living communities

What the Assisted Living Boom Means to You

By: Elizabeth Bemis March 15th, 2013

In the period immediately following World War II, the United States experienced an increase in its birth rate. This period came to be known as the "baby boom," with those born during that time being known as "baby boomers." While this was a prosperous period in American history, we are beginning to face one of the unintended consequences of the baby boom… a large aging population. As baby boomers are getting older, many will be facing the decision to move into assisted living or other kinds of senior housing.

10 Useful Apps For Seniors in Assisted and Independent Living

By: Elizabeth Bemis March 13th, 2013

Apps for Tech-Savvy Seniors (And for Those Who Aren't) When picturing tech-savvy smartphone and tablet users, people often think of hip youngsters-largely thanks to the influence of media and marketing. However, thanks to mobile devices' user-friendly interfaces and versatility, senior citizens and their families constitute a quickly growing demographic for functional apps that can improve their quality of life. Listed below are our top 10 picks for senior apps that can benefit those in assisted living facilities or independent living facilities. Many of these programs also apply to nearly anyone who wishes to remain in good health.

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The Importance of Socialization at Senior Living Communities

By: Elizabeth Bemis March 11th, 2013

Socializing: It's for Kids, Ages 2 to 102. Most people understand the importance of encouraging young children to socialize, but it's easy to overlook the importance of socialization for older adults. Human nature leads us to crave fulfilling relationships with other people. As we age however, life circumstances may push us toward loneliness and isolation unless we take proactive steps to cultivate new relationships. This applies regardless of whether someone lives alone or in an assisted living community. Consider some of the benefits of socialization for your aging loved one…

6 Sleep Tips for Seniors

By: Elizabeth Bemis March 6th, 2013

Are you getting your ZZZZs? Sleep is important for everyone's health! A good night's rest can lower stress, help maintain a healthy weight, and overall increase happiness. Even with all of these wonderful benefits of sleep, the average American gets less than 7 hours a night, which is less than the recommended amount of 7-9 hours a night.

Wesley Village Gives Thanks to the Hands that Care for Us

By: Elizabeth Bemis March 1st, 2013

Pet Therapy At Middlewoods of Farmington

By: Elizabeth Bemis February 27th, 2013

When we think about pet therapy, we often think of our four-legged, furry friends. But what about the joy many derive from birds? A number of our residents have their own birds or enjoy caring for the “community” birds. At Wesley Heights, checking up on the zebra finches is a popular activity! They hop around in the cage, responding to residents. Residents and staff alike take responsibility for caring for the birds. It is nice for residents to have something to care for; to be needed.

Senior Living 26 Acts of Kindness

By: Elizabeth Bemis February 25th, 2013

With so many tragedies happening in the world, it is important to take a step back and remember the good things people do. The tragic event at Sandy Hook Elementary School has led to the creation of the “26 Acts of Kindness”. These acts were created to honor the twenty-six lives that were lost and to spread the importance of being kind to others. The acts began with giving sweet notes of encouragement to strangers, giving cookies to first responders, and donating to “Toys for Tots”. The “26 Acts of Kindness” can be as simple as saying thank you, or purchasing someone’s coffee for them in the morning. By passing on kindness, the world is reminded of the good in people and not just the tragedy in our world.

Tips for Transitioning to an Assisted Living Community

By: Elizabeth Bemis February 20th, 2013

Moving your loved one into an assisted living community can be a challenging time for any family. This is especially true for the person who will be making the move. A new place, new neighbors and new caretakers can be a lot for someone of an advanced age to think about. Here are some tips on how to make an assisted living transition a little bit easier on your loved one.

Friendship at Assisted Living Communities

By: Elizabeth Bemis February 18th, 2013

As people age, it's a sad fact of life that some of their friends and family members will move away or die. Someone who might've had many familial and friendship ties is suddenly left with a sense of loss and loneliness; coupled with the fact that older people may have trouble accomplishing tasks that were previously easy for them; one can see how quite quickly this can lead to a state of sadness that is hard to break. So how do you help a loved one? Encouraging them to develop new friendships is one way. When your loved one moves into an assisted living facility, they will hopefully find a wealth of new potential friendships that can really help boost their spirits. Here's a look at the benefits of your loved one forming new friendships.

Valentines Day at Assisted Living Communities

By: Elizabeth Bemis February 14th, 2013

While many may view Valentine’s Day as a day of flowers, chocolates, cards and teddy bears, it is much more than that. Valentine’s Day is truly a time to celebrate the importance of relationships; with our parents, children, family, friends and significant other. It is a time to tell those you care about and those who have made a difference your life how much they mean to you.

Bishop Wicke Health Center Renovation!

By: Elizabeth Bemis February 8th, 2013

In keeping with the UMH value of “Excellence; improving quality by empowering our associates to continually improve our outcomes of service, encouraging innovation by seeking, listening, and responding to new ideas”, our Bishop Wicke Health Center is embarking on a $1 million renovation project!