Senior Living Blog by UMH | assisted living ct (3)

Price vs. Value for Assisted Living

By: Elizabeth Bemis June 19th, 2013

How do you know if you are getting a good value for the price? It is not always easy to figure out, especially when it comes to choosing an assisted living community. When you go grocery shopping you can compare apples to apples but even when you compare assisted living communities by similar amenities and price, it is sometimes as clear as mud. How do you make the right decision? Seniors and caregivers have their life savings and financial security at risk. The first thing you must do is determine if you have enough to live comfortably at the community for at least three years. Keep in mind that the average length of stay for a resident is two and a half years so you will want to make sure that you can afford the lifestyle.

Senior Living Tips: 5 Super Foods for Seniors

By: Elizabeth Bemis June 17th, 2013

Super foods are nutrient-packed powerhouses, yet, even without any solid medical definition, it is common knowledge that people who eat super foods are healthier than others. When you think of super foods, sweet potatoes, blueberries and avocadoes come to mind but there may be as many as 50 or more of these powerful foods around. But let’s focus on five specific groups of super foods recommended for a senior citizen’s diet, primarily to reduce inflammation—the single biggest cause of fatigue and autoimmune disease which overwhelms the body as we age.

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How Father’s Day is Celebrated in Assisted Living Communities

By: Elizabeth Bemis June 16th, 2013

Father’s Day is observed every year on the third Sunday in June. How you choose to celebrate your father’s influence on your life may be based on family traditions and culture. This year, financial planners predict an estimated $13.3 billion will be spent in tribute to dads in the USA; no doubt you’ll find a personalized way to show respect and love-- and for caregivers with aging fathers—that may involve taking a trip over to an assisted living community, perhaps with a carload of family members from various generations to pay tribute.

What World Blood Donor Day Means for Seniors

By: Elizabeth Bemis June 14th, 2013

Every year in the United States more than 20 million units of red blood cells, platelets and plasma are transfused to treat conditions primarily in the area of: anemia, leukemia and sickle cell disease. Blood saves lives; it cannot be manufactured in a lab that’s why blood donors all over the world are given honorable mention.

Choosing the Right Senior Living Community for Aging Parents

By: Elizabeth Bemis June 7th, 2013

For caregivers it’s crunch time. You now realize it is time to hand over your caregiving role to the professionals; so how to you know which senior living community is right for your aging parents? This should be a straightforward process; all you need to do is match your parents’ needs with the community providing the requisite services, right? Yes, however, as this decision will affect all parties as you tread on new emotional and financial grounds, the more prepared you are, the more satisfied you’ll be that you’ve made the right decision.

Assisted Living Communities Celebrate World Environment Day

By: Elizabeth Bemis June 5th, 2013

Tis the season to support your local farmer’s market! This is one easy way to celebrate the environment on World Environment Day, June 5th. Awareness of your habits is key to making a difference every day. Do you find yourself throwing out rotting food from the refrigerator? “Think Before You Eat and Help Save the Environment” is this year’s insightful theme to honor World Environment Day.Think about what you eat and manage portion sizes for your health and for the environment. Many assisted living communities do this every day! They take the lead from their residents who become involved in the selection of menu items, grow fruits, vegetables and spices that are used by the chef, and sometimes the residents even get involved in food preparation!

The Many Senior Housing Options:Assisted living, Nursing Homes & More

By: Elizabeth Bemis May 27th, 2013

Yes, there are many senior housing options to choose from and no simple answer to the question of which one is right for you. But, here’s the upside of having so many choices: you stand a better chance of finding onethat matches well with your long-term goals, so let’s get to it!

Assisted Living Provides the Facts about Monitoring Blood Pressure

By: Elizabeth Bemis May 13th, 2013

As one ages it becomes increasingly important to maintain proper exercise and eating habits. By developing a healthy diet and exercising regularly you can reduce the risk for health complications. However, it is also important to have regular doctors appointments to make sure you are continuously in good health. One simple thing to pay attention to is monitoring your blood pressure. While this may not always be the first thing on people's minds to check it is incredibly important to do so. Many assisted living communities provide free blood pressure checks or on site doctors that can quickly check and monitor your blood pressure for you.

Assisted Living Communities Celebrate Mother’s Day

By: Elizabeth Bemis May 12th, 2013

In honor of Mother’s Day Assisted Living and Independent Living Communities are hosting several different events for all of the mothers within the community. Mother’s Day recognizes mothers, motherhood and in general the positive contributions they have made to their families and society.

5 Tips for Caregivers: How to Reduce Stress for Your Aging Parents

By: Elizabeth Bemis May 10th, 2013

As a caregiver and child of aging parents, one of the most difficult things you must do is confront the fact that at some point you will need to have “the talk” with your loved one about their future. This is a challenging time for you and your parents as you both begin to acknowledge and discuss their diminishing abilities. Your parents are probably aware of their physical and cognitive changes and they may be anxious and reluctant to speak with you. Here are five steps to help you make sense of the changes and work with your parents to plan for the future:

5 Spring Cleaning Safety Tips for Senior Citizens

By: Marissa Salvesen May 8th, 2013

Spring has sprung, which means it is the perfect time to dust off the drapes and clean the counters! Spring cleaning offers many people the chance to do a deep clean of their household and start the new season off right. For senior citizens, however, spring cleaning may come with an extra set of safety concerns.