Senior Living Blog by UMH | alzheimer's care

What Types of Services Can I Expect from an Assisted Living Community?

By: Elizabeth Bemis July 13th, 2022

If your loved one is showing signs that they require some help with the activities of daily living, you’ve likely been seeking out resources to help navigate the type of support they realistically need. Often, this is the time seniors and their families consider the prospect of transitioning to an assisted living community. Many offer an abundance of services that can make moving to an assisted living residence incredibly helpful and worthwhile.

8 Must-Take Steps for Touring Assisted Living Communities

By: Elizabeth Bemis June 20th, 2022

Searching for the right assisted living community for your loved one can feel like climbing a mountain, especially if you’re new to the process. It’s an important decision, and one you’re unlikely to take lightly, as the community you choose will have a major impact on your loved one’s health, happiness, and financial outlook. Deciphering what differs one community from another and making essential considerations around issues like budget and value require a well-planned approach.

Not sure what senior living and care solution is best for your loved one? Start making sense of your options.

Get the award-winning guide and subscribe to our blog.

Memory Loss with Age: What’s “Normal” for Older Adults?

By: Elizabeth Bemis May 13th, 2022

Aging is a natural process, one that comes with its fair share of changes and challenges—not the least of which include those related to memory. Plenty of older adults joke about having “senior moments” when they forget something or lose focus. And truthfully, some forgetfulness and lapses in memory are to be expected with age.

Unexpected Advantages of Pet Companionship for Seniors Living with Dementia

By: Elizabeth Bemis April 13th, 2022

Pets are those loyal companions who bring joy and meaning to the lives of those around them. From traditional pets, like dogs and cats, to other varieties including birds, rabbits, and more, there’s simply nothing quite like the feeling of bonding with an animal. It is for these obvious reasons that many seniors enjoy living with or spending time with pets. But did you know there are some unexpected benefits to pet interaction, particularly for seniors facing memory struggles such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia?

Why Quality Memory Care Programs Tap Into the Healing Power of Music

By: Elizabeth Bemis March 8th, 2022

Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia can have one of the most tragic effects on a senior’s life: stealing their precious memories. There is, however, one key brain area that goes relatively undamaged in the process, and that is musical memory. A senior’s memories linked to music may be largely preserved, even for those in highly progressed stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Alzheimer’s & Medication Management: What Every Caregiver Should Know

By: Elizabeth Bemis February 8th, 2022

One of the most prominent challenges for seniors living with Alzheimer’s is consistently remembering to take their medication—in the exact prescribed dosages and at the correct times. Depending on an individual’s specific physical and mental health needs, there’s likely to be a number of different medications to manage, with quantities and/or physician directives changing as the senior’s circumstances change. Ultimately, this process can become a highly complex one, and handling it properly is absolutely critical to a senior’s health and well-being.

How to Help Seniors with Dementia Cope with Colder Weather

By: Elizabeth Bemis January 18th, 2022

In many parts of the country, winter’s chill is forcefully gripping the air. The next few months will urge the majority of us inside to keep warm and avoid the discomforts of colder weather. For seniors, the prospect of facing a snowy, icy, or otherwise freezing climate can be a daunting one. But these conditions are even more hazardous for those living with dementia, as the bite of winter often presents a number of heightened risks to their physical and mental health.

Supporting Seniors with Depression During the Holidays

By: Elizabeth Bemis December 11th, 2019

For lots of us, the holidays are a time of immense joy and excitement. From the sounds of spirited carols to the smells and sights of longstanding holiday traditions, there’s much to celebrate during this special season.

What to Look for in a Memory Care Community

By: Elizabeth Bemis November 12th, 2019

Do you or a senior loved one need to find a memory care community? Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia have specific needs that often can’t be met when they live at home. Fortunately, memory care communities are designed specifically for those seniors’ needs in mind.

Alzheimer's Disease: 10 Early Signs and Symptoms

By: Marissa Salvesen September 24th, 2014

More than five million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease and this number is expected to skyrocket as the baby boomer generation continues to age. Alzheimer’s is now the country’s sixth-leading cause of death; every sixty-seven seconds another American develops the disease.

The Link Between Falling and Alzheimer’s Disease

By: Marissa Salvesen March 20th, 2014

While there is presently no cure for Alzheimer's disease, doctors have found effective treatments that may be useful in helping to slow the progression of this devastating disease. Pinpointing Alzheimer's disease early is one of the most important things you can do for your loved one. This allows for earlier treatment of the disease, which may help preserve cognitive abilities for a longer length of time.