Senior Living Blog by UMH

How Senior Living Maintains Independence, Part 1: Independent Living

By: Tracey Haughton December 13th, 2024

Independence is a hallmark of adulthood—one that, for many people, the mere thought of losing is enough to cause profound distress. As we grow older, maintaining independence becomes critical as our bodies and minds begin to reflect the wear and tear of life. A strong sense of independence is essential for seniors' physical, mental, and emotional health. For senior living communities committed to exceptional living and high-quality care, preserving older adults’ independence is at the heart of the journey every step of the way. However, the perception that senior living restricts an older adult’s ability to remain independent can cause resistance to this move, even if a senior can no longer safely live at home. In this three-part series, we will explore how a senior’s independence is honored and prioritized at each level of care: independent living, assisted living, and memory care or skilled nursing. Last month, we discussed what seniors and their loved ones can expect from independent living communities. This article will explore how independent living communities honor a senior’s sense of independence. The Pillars of Independence How an older adult defines independence can vary from person to person. For some, independence may mean being able to drive for as many years as they can. For others, it may mean being able to style their hair each morning. Senior living communities' efforts to maintain senior independence are rooted in a commitment to healthy aging. In support of that goal, we have compiled a brief list of independence “pillars” in the world of senior living.

Holiday Humbug: Combating Senior Isolation During the Holiday Season

By: Marissa Salvesen December 12th, 2024

Twinkling lights bring gaiety to quiet neighborhood streets. Decorations adorn local shops in all shades of reds and greens. The scent of frost and peppermint fills the air. For many, the holiday season is a time for joy and celebration. For others, however, the holidays come with mixed emotions. Seniors and their caregivers alike can struggle with stress during the holiday season. For caregivers already navigating a complex balance of work, life, and caring for a senior loved one, the holidays can add unnecessary frustration and unwanted pressure in the form of added responsibilities, lengthy to-do lists, and caregiver burnout. For seniors, the holidays can create or amplify feelings of anxiety, discouragement, and grief. Memories of Yuletides past can be a painful reminder of the family and friends that are no longer here and can highlight the physical challenges and changes that have come with aging. Many older adults also struggle with social isolation and loneliness, which can be intensified by the cultural emphasis on companionship during the holidays. This can especially be true of older adults who are physically and/or emotionally distant from their loved ones, live alone, lack reliable transportation, have lost a spouse or close friends, or are homebound. Combating social isolation and feelings of loneliness, especially among older seniors, cannot be overstated. In addition to affecting emotional and mental well-being, these feelings can significantly impact a person’s physical health and longevity. With the holiday season underway, we have examined a few of these health impacts and offered ways to help alleviate the isolation and loneliness an aging loved one may experience during this time of year. Read on to learn more.

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What is Independent Living?

By: Tracey Haughton November 15th, 2024

The world of senior living offers a wide assortment of living arrangements for older adults and their loved ones to consider, such as 55+ communities, independent living, assisted living, memory care, and independent living. With ever-growing options and plenty of ambiguous terms, taking the first step into your family’s senior living journey can often feel intimidating. Moving into any senior living community is a deeply personal decision, so it makes sense that families would want to carefully weigh their choices and consider what will work best for their loved one’s unique wants and needs. They may find themselves asking a lot of questions, like “What is the difference between independent living and assisted living?” or “How much will this cost?” To help older adults and their families navigate some of these questions, we are breaking down what seniors and their loved ones can expect from one of the more popular senior living options: independent living communities. Read on to learn more about what they are, what features they provide, and who benefits the most from moving into them. What is independent living? At its core, independent senior living is community living for older adults who want to minimize the stress and labor of daily tasks while still maintaining the independence and privacy of an individual home. For an inclusive monthly fee, seniors can rent an apartment, townhouse, cottage, or similar residence, with the added benefit of certain services and amenities as well as opportunities to easily socialize and engage with others. Independent living differs from other senior living options like assisted living communities and memory care. While independence is encouraged at every level of senior living, “independent living communities” are designed for seniors who are generally in good health and self-reliant. Assisted living and memory care communities are designed to meet the needs of seniors facing challenges with daily tasks or experiencing cognitive change.

Pitfalls of Pop-ups: How Seniors Can Stay Safe Online

By: Tracey Haughton October 14th, 2024

As technology continues to evolve and the baby boomer generation enters their golden years, senior living communities have faced the task of integrating technology into daily life in a way that best meets boomers’ unique needs. Among the most impactful technological advances, the internet revolutionized how we relate to ourselves, connect, and navigate the world.

5 Fun Fall Activities For Older Adults

By: Marissa Salvesen October 14th, 2024

Hillsides are dressed in shades of red, orange, and yellow. Shops are decorated with dried cornstalks and pumpkin spice everything is on every menu. Fall has officially begun. From hay rides to haunted houses, the season of fall has something for everyone, whether they are 1 or 101! With beautiful scenery and cooler days, fall is a great time to take part in seasonal activities with your aging loved ones. Read on for five of our favorite ways to welcome fall with older adults. 1. Savor the Harvest. Fall is widely associated with harvests and abundance — with good reason, as it traditionally marks the end of the growing season. Crops that were planted in the spring and carefully tended to in the summer are now ready to be picked and enjoyed (or stored for the winter months). Participate in your very own fall harvest by visiting a local orchard or pumpkin patch with your senior loved one. There’s nothing better than a crisp red apple or plump orange pumpkin that you’ve picked yourself. Apples and pumpkins are both at their peak ripeness during the fall months, though the available varieties may vary depending on the region. After you've found the perfect pick, head on over to the kitchen. You can bake your harvest into fall treats with your loved one for a great way to share some additional quality time. If pumpkin pie isn’t your thing, try carving or painting them, or using them for some festive fall decor.

Having Tough Conversations: Suicide Awareness and Prevention in Seniors

By: Tracey Haughton September 12th, 2024

Having Tough Conversations: Suicide Awareness and Prevention in Seniors September is National Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, a time to examine and break down the stigma around depression and suicide, as well as educate ourselves on how to better support loved ones who face these common but serious illnesses. While people of any age can struggle with suicidal thoughts and actions, seniors are increasingly at risk. According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), older adults accounted for 16.8% of the U.S. population but 22% of suicides in 2022. Additionally, research found that seniors tend to plan more carefully and choose more lethal methods. Per NCOA, “among people who attempt suicide, one in four older adults will succeed, compared to 1 in 200 youths.” Suicide attempts that fail are also more likely to cause severe harm to older adults, as they may have a harder time recovering than a younger person due to underlying health issues and increased frailty. It is important to remember that depression, while a common medical condition, is not a normal part of the aging process. Symptoms, such as a feeling of “emptiness” or a lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities, should be taken seriously. Not every person who experiences depression will also experience thoughts of suicide. However, depression left untreated can worsen over time. Risk Factors and Warning Signs Older adults face an assortment of risk factors that put them at higher risk of depression and suicide. One of the most widespread risk factors is loneliness. Some mental health experts assert that there is currently a “loneliness epidemic” and seniors are no exception. Being homebound, losing a spouse or other close loved ones, and lacking or being cut off from a social circle are all very real problems that can worsen feelings of loneliness for older adults. In addition to loneliness, many seniors experience grief over lost loved ones, loss of self-sufficiency, major changes in their lives, and more. Chronic illness and pain can also limit seniors’ abilities to do what they used to, which might further compound already existing loneliness or grief. Financial troubles and insurance barriers, such as providers opting out of billing Medicare, can prevent older loved ones from efficiently caring for their physical, emotional, and mental health. This can worsen previously existing mental illnesses like clinical depression and certain cognitive conditions like dementia, both of which can further increase seniors’ risk of suicide.

Get The Heart-Healthy Facts This National Cholesterol Education Month

By: Marissa Salvesen September 11th, 2024

Every year, millions of Americans face high cholesterol. In fact, the CDC estimates that as many as 10% of all US adults age 20 or older had high cholesterol levels between 2017 and 2020. While high cholesterol can impact people of all ages, experts recommend that people over 65 get their cholesterol levels tested yearly

Weed It and Reap: A Gardening for Seniors

By: Tracey Haughton August 15th, 2024

Weed It and Reap: A Gardening Guide for Seniors Whether you have never had a green thumb or dedicated your life to a multi-acre farm, gardening has something to offer everyone, especially older adults. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the many benefits gardening offers seniors, highlight important safety tips for creating an accessible garden, and share advice for getting your own garden started. Benefits of Gardening for Seniors Gardening offers a wealth of physical and emotional health benefits for seniors. Encouraging the older adult in your life to start and maintain a garden is a great way for them to incorporate exercise into their daily routine. What could be better than exercise that feels like fun! Getting your hands dirty and soaking up the sunshine can help lower blood pressure, strengthen immunity, and improve sleep cycles. The movements associated with gardening can also help promote and maintain sensory awareness and motor skills, as well as strengthen and increase dexterity. For emotional health, gardening can provide stress relief and reduce feelings of anxiety and agitation. Tending to plants grown with their own hands can give seniors a sense of purpose, an essential part of aging well. Additionally, a garden can also help to decrease isolation among older adults. Having a hobby to bond with encourages closer friendships and stronger community ties. Research has repeatedly linked better health outcomes to human connection in seniors. While gardening can certainly be a solo activity if you prefer, inviting friends and family into your green space and enjoying it together, or working in a community garden, can add an even greater return. Safety Tips for Senior Gardening Just like everything else in life, safety in the garden is crucial. It’s often wise to consult a primary care physician before tackling anything more than light exercise in the garden. Even if you are sticking to light exercise, take the time to warm up before getting started. It’s especially important to stretch your hands, since you will be using them a lot. If you experience seasonal allergies, take any needed medication or eye drops before going outside or consider wearing a face mask if allergies are severe. Once out in the garden, remember to stay hydrated and take frequent breaks. To make it easier to hydrate, have a water bottle on hand with you outside. Keep it in a cooler or a shady area or opt for an insulated option. Take breaks more often on warmer days and avoid gardening or being outside on very hot days.

(Not) Falling into Fall: Senior Safety in Autumn

By: Marissa Salvesen August 14th, 2024

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 14 million adults aged 65 and older report experiencing a fall each year. This staggering statistic means that 1 in 4 older adults fall in the United States per year, a number that unfortunately has been on the rise. Falls can be dangerous and expensive for seniors and are considered the leading cause of injury and injury-related deaths for adults aged 65 and older. Due to physical changes and conditions that typically accompany the aging process, the risk of experiencing a serious fall also tends to increase with age. While frightening, falls do not have to be inevitable. As the weather grows brisk and leaves begin to pile up, autumn is the perfect time to review important safety tips that can help protect your aging loved one from a serious stumble. In this article, we will cover some common risk factors for falls, steps to prevent falls, and what to do if a fall occurs. Common Risk Factors for Falls Although falls can happen to anyone at any age, there are a number of risk factors associated with aging that can increase both the likelihood and the severity of a fall. For example, changes in eyesight, hearing, and muscle strength can impact a person’s ability to maintain their balance. Similarly, changes to a person’s reflexes might negatively affect their ability to catch themselves when they trip. Certain medical conditions can heighten the risk of a fall. These conditions include diabetes, heart disease, blood vessel problems, Alzheimer’s and dementia, thyroid problems, vitamin D deficiency, nerve problems, muscle weakness or loss, difficulties with standing and walking, foot pain, and foot problems. Certain medications can also increase the risk of a fall by causing dizziness, confusion, and trouble with balance. Sedatives, tranquilizers, antidepressants, and even some over-the-counter medicines are all capable of producing these side effects. Sometimes, the risk of falling comes from external sources. Uneven steps, clutter on the floor, and other tripping hazards can quickly become a safety issue in the home.

Beat The Heat! Hot Weather Safety Tips For Seniors

By: Tracey Haughton June 28th, 2024

Last year, a record number of Americans died as a result of heat-related illnesses. Heat-related illnesses and heat-related deaths are steadily on the rise as the planet warms and our population ages. Older adults are among the most vulnerable groups, with people over 65 several times more likely to develop heat-related health problems than younger adults. Hot temperatures can affect everyone, but seniors are particularly vulnerable because their bodies typically do not adjust as well to sudden temperature changes. Seniors are also more likely to have chronic medical conditions or medications that can affect how the body responds to temperature changes. It is not just important, but essential, for seniors and their caregivers to recognize and respond to signs of heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Read on to learn how you can help keep your loved one safe during the hot summer months.

6 Summer Activities For Seniors and Their Families

By: Marissa Salvesen June 26th, 2024

Did you know? July is Family Reunion Month! With the grandkids home from school, and grown children taking vacation time off from work, the months of summer are the perfect time for families to gather and visit older relatives. Read on for six great bonding opportunities for families to share with senior loved ones.