Senior Living Blog by UMH | assisted living ct (2)

National Assisted Living Week: Celebrating Community Life!

By: Marissa Salvesen September 9th, 2013

Caring Relationships. Enriching Lives. During the week of September 8th-14th, our United Methodist Homes Assisted Living Communities will be celebrating a very special week with residents, families, and staff. Established by the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) in 1995, National Assisted Living Week® provides a unique opportunity for residents, families, staff, volunteers, and the surrounding community to come together to share with our residents a variety of events and activities that show them how much we care for them.

Celebrating Grandparents Day in Assisted Living Communities!

By: Elizabeth Bemis September 6th, 2013

Grandparents are a very special part of our lives. If you have been fortunate enough to enjoy time with your own grandparents at any point in your life you know that the memories you share with them are priceless! Grandparents have a way of taking the best moments in life and making them even more memorable, whether it be a celebration dinner, a simple gift, a comforting hug, or a story shared. As we turn the pages of our calendars to celebrate National Grandparents Day on Sunday, September 8, 2013, take some time to honor, recognize, and give thanks for the grandparents in your life!

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Healthy Aging at United Methodist Homes: Live to be 120!

By: Jim Stinson August 9th, 2013

“May You Live to Be 120!” Written by Guest Blogger, Jim Stinson, Director of Spiritual Life (United Methodist Homes) “May you live to be 120!” This traditional Jewish birthday blessing comes from the book of Genesis (6:3). The Lord said, ‘My spirit shall not abide in mortals forever, for they are flesh; their days shall be one hundred and twenty years.’ There was a time when this wish was at best a metaphor and, at worst, trite and meaningless. The likelihood of living that long is still not reality for most of us, but it is increasingly more within the realm of possibility. We now have centenarians as an ever-growing segment of our population. Is this a good thing? Is it a bad thing? Would you want to live that long?

Crosby Commons Assisted Living Hosts Caregiver Education Program

By: Elizabeth Bemis August 7th, 2013

Crosby Commons Assisted and Independent Living Community, on the Wesley Village campus in Shelton, recently hosted a caregiver education program, entitled, “Preventing Compassion Fatigue and Burnout”, presented by Gerontologist and CEO, Donna B. Fedus, MA. This free program, offered specifically for social workers, administrators, and other health care professionals, was filled with valuable self-care techniques to help caregivers avoid the dangers of burnout in their mission and commitment to caring for others.

Vision Care for Seniors: Symptoms, Risks and Treatments for Cataracts

By: Elizabeth Bemis August 7th, 2013

Did you know that individuals over the age of 65 who remove cataracts from their eyes, significantly lower their risk of needing hip replacement surgery? Vision loss is a well-known risk factor for falls and fractures—and while August is Cataract Awareness Month, let’s take a look at the symptoms, risks factors and treatments for cataracts in seniors.

Protecting Seniors from Fraud: Fraud Awareness Week 2013

By: Elizabeth Bemis August 5th, 2013

In today’s world of modern technology, seniors can unfortunately become the victims of many damaging scams. Equipping seniors with the tools they need to protect themselves against scams and shady dealers can help them become savvy consumers and shine a spotlight on fraud. National Fraud Awareness Week was introduced in the United States twelve years ago with the goal of proactively preventing and detecting fraud. This important observance will fall this week, from August 4-10, 2013 , and includes an education campaign against scammers who prey on individuals and communities, particularly senior residents who are an increasingly vulnerable group.

Celebrating National Parents’ Day in Senior Living Communities

By: Elizabeth Bemis July 29th, 2013

What is National Parents’ Day? Many Americans are still unaware of this commemorative day, signed into law in 1994. Compared with the century’s old Mother’s Day or Father’s Day fanfare, Parents’ Day is but a ”baby” yet its establishment was meant to hold a similar stature of recognition, maybe even more so as it joins the two into a family unit.

Assisted Living Communities in CT are Disaster Ready, are you?

By: Elizabeth Bemis July 24th, 2013

Depending on where you call home, your assisted living community may be prone to certain natural disasters. Storms, hurricanes, tornados or flooding may occur frequently in your “neck of the woods.” Assisted living communities are required to have disaster plans in place. If you are searching for a community for yourself or a loved one, find out what steps they take to keep residents safe and communicate with families.

How Seniors Can Avoid Scams: Internet, Charities, Etc.

By: Elizabeth Bemis July 12th, 2013

A new study conducted by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College shows that senior citizens are one of the most preyed upon users of the internet. Scammers are known to routinely advertise in an effort to fleece older investors. This type of financial fraud can happen over the web, through unscrupulous advertising on the television and in the newspapers, from illegal charity outfits and right within the home.

Elder Abuse Awareness: What you Need to Know

By: Elizabeth Bemis July 5th, 2013

It is a horrible reality but elder abuse happens. Ageism (discrimination against the elderly) fuels it. And what is most disturbing is that family members are often the perpetrators. There is no one type of elder abuse; it can play out in many ways but is recognized by demeaning verbal attacks, physical violence, sexual assault, neglect and theft.

Discharge Planning Checklist: Short Term Rehab

By: Elizabeth Bemis June 21st, 2013

Your mom or dad is about to be discharged from the hospital or short term rehab, but you just don’t feel they are ready to be home, managing on their own. That’s when a discharge planning checklist becomes necessary. The checklist is your guide to getting questions answered from the medical team that will promote the highest level of after-care outcome for your mom or dad.