Senior Living Blog by UMH | Aging & Caregiving (42)

10 Things to Know About Senior Physical Activity

By: Elizabeth Bemis January 14th, 2013

Physical activity consists of keeping your body healthy and active to prevent possible illnesses and diseases that may result from a lack of daily exercise. As one ages it may seem more difficult to engage in physical activity, but there are many ways to modify movements to accommodate limitations, and simple tasks such as walking more can drastically improve one’s physical health and well-being.

Veteran Benefits and Senior Care Communities

By: Elizabeth Bemis January 10th, 2013

Many Veterans and their spouses are at or are getting to the age where independent and assisted living options may need to be explored. While many Veterans already live in such communities, some may be in the process of making the decision to move into a senior care community and it is important to know what resources and veteran benefits may be available to them.

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The Importance of Therapy Dogs at Senior Care Communities

By: Elizabeth Bemis January 8th, 2013

Therapy dogs provide affection and comfort to those around them. May it be a hospital, retirement home, assisted living community or other senior care community these dogs create an overwhelmingly positive feeling for those around them. In senior care communities therapy dogs can increase the feeling of bonding and happiness while lowering stress levels. These dogs may greet those in the community, accompany residents during their daily routines (such as reading the paper) or may just want to engage in play with residents around with their own dog toys in a nice game of tug-of-war or catch.

How to Afford an Assisted Living Home

By: Elizabeth Bemis January 7th, 2013

Assisted living communities typically offer personal care and nursing services; including meals, housekeeping, laundry, transportation, medication supervision, exercise programs and social activities. When searching for an assisted living home a big factor is often the cost. Since assisted living communities offer different services, amenities and settings there are several different factors that determine the pricing of assisted living communities.

Healthy Living in Senior Care Communities

By: Elizabeth Bemis January 2nd, 2013

Healthy living is essential for everyone, especially aging individuals. As one ages it becomes increasingly necessary to take care of your health and pay attention to the food being consumed. Nutritional needs vary and some may have restricted diets. It is important to consult with physicians to stay on top of these health requirements.

Assisted Living New Year's Resolutions

By: Elizabeth Bemis December 31st, 2012

As the year comes to an end, it is a time to reflect on the all of the successes and memories of the past year. Bringing in another new year allows us the opportunity to make New Year’s resolutions for the upcoming year. It is especially important for seniors to continue to make resolutions each year. Making resolutions can create something to look forward to and a sense of confidence and excitement.

Helping Your Aging Loved One Cope with Tragedy

By: Elizabeth Bemis December 21st, 2012

An unfortunate reality of caring for aging loved ones is that we are often the ones called upon to deliver bad news and support them as they cope with it. Those that must do so often feel inadequate to the task. There is no easy way to share such information, but there are some guiding principles. When you are the one to talk to an aging loved one about something you know will upset them, even as it upsets you, where do you begin the conversation?

Alzheimer's Communication During the Holidays

By: Elizabeth Bemis December 19th, 2012

The holiday season can often be a stressful time for Alzheimer’s caregivers, families and patients. Although, this may seem like an impossible task to deal with, there are ways to cope and communicate with a person living with dementia during the holiday season. The key to dealing with this difficult season is to focus on feelings. Think about how the person living with Alzheimer’s feels. Try to use short answers and focus on nonverbal communication. The more information and words you use, the more complicated your answer is, the harder it is for the person with Alzheimer’s to understand.

Assisted Living Communities Celebrate National Bake Cookies Day

By: Elizabeth Bemis December 17th, 2012

December 18 is “National Bake Cookies Day”. With the holidays right around the corner, this could be the perfect opportunity to gather up all the cookie ingredients you can find, put on an apron and make as many delicious cookies as possible. Not only will the end product be delicious, but often the entire process of making these cookies can be a rewarding event that brings family and friends together.

Assisted Living Moving Preparation in CT

By: Elizabeth Bemis December 10th, 2012

Once a senior decides to move into an assisted living community, the next step is for them to start preparations to move. It is completely normal for both seniors and their loved ones to feel some apprehension and a sense of loss, which is common during all of life's transitions. With some preparation, as well as guidance from the staff at your assisted living of choice in CT, it is possible to make this move smoothly and without a significant degree of emotional distress.

National Hand Washing Awareness Week in Assisted Living Communities

By: Elizabeth Bemis December 3rd, 2012

National Hand Washing Awareness Week December 2 through December 8, 2012 is National Hand Washing Week. National Hand Washing Awareness Week’s main purpose is to decrease the spread of infectious diseases by empowering individuals to educate and help protect their communities. Clean hands can prevent the spread of germs from one person to another throughout an entire assisted living or independent living community. Working together can help make a difference.