Senior Living Blog by UMH | assisted living (5)

Festive Senior-Friendly Activities for a Jolly Holiday Season

By: Marissa Salvesen December 14th, 2022

Bells are ringing, children are singing and Santa’s on his way! It’s that time of year when the air is alive with joy and excitement for the Christmas holiday and other seasonal celebrations. For some seniors, this holiday may look a bit different from years past. There may be emerging health issues, a change in environment, a loss of a loved one, or any other challenge that makes it difficult to feel as merry as one might like. For others, there may be gleeful anticipation for embracing all the season has to offer. Whatever you or the senior in your life is feeling this month, we want to help infuse some cheer—with the following senior-friendly activities that are sure to engage the mind and soul.

8 Common Fears Quelled by the Benefits of a Senior Living Community

By: Elizabeth Bemis December 14th, 2022

The senior stage of life can be an absolutely beautiful one, and it can also come with its fair share of worries. So many older adults cherish their family home and desire to age in place there, but changes in physical, mental, emotional, and logistical realities may eventually make this option a challenging and worrisome one — for both the seniors living there and their caregivers or loved ones. At some point, it may no longer be the best choice for a senior’s ability to age well and thrive in their golden years and beyond.

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Understanding the Assisted Living Experience

By: Tracey Haughton December 6th, 2022

Honest Insights for Seniors and Caregivers As seniors navigate the nuances of older adulthood, there may come a time when certain challenges of physical, mental and emotional health become increasingly difficult to manage. And while the prospect of making the transition to an assisted living community can feel scary or overwhelming—for both seniors and their caregivers—the truth is that this option may actually support a greater quality of life for you or your aging loved one.

How to Spice Up Your Thanksgiving Table with Health-Minded Dishes for Seniors

By: Marissa Salvesen November 17th, 2022

The Thanksgiving table is a central focus for Americans who celebrate this holiday of gratitude with family, friends and loved ones. It is often filled with traditional staples and creative additions alike, presenting an assortment of savory and sweet dishes. For many seniors, particularly those who must observe special dietary needs and restrictions, it’s important to integrate options that both satisfy the palate and support their individual health requirements. To help you or the senior in your life get the most out of this year’s Thanksgiving feast without compromising nutritional goals, we’re sharing some of the most delectably healthy dishes, including recipes for use among your holiday spread.

Recognizing the Unexpected Impacts of the Holidays on Aging Adults

By: Elizabeth Bemis November 17th, 2022

As November ushers in chillier weather and Thanksgiving preparations, many of us embrace the beginning of the holiday season. For so many, this is an exciting, joyful time of year, but for others, it can have unexpected impacts on their state of mind and physical health. Even amidst the exuberance of the holidays, plenty of older adults find themselves feeling lonely, overwhelmed, stressed, or even depressed, all of which can jeopardize physical health.

Aging Well Series: Living One’s Unique Purpose through Community

By: Marissa Salvesen October 19th, 2022

As we close out our enlightening series on Aging Well, we end on a topic that centers around the very heart of senior well-being: cultivating a strong sense of purpose. Over the years of one’s life, there’s a pattern of filling various roles that cultivate a sense of purpose or meaning. They are the very motivators to embrace each day and connect with those around us. For many seniors, however, this sense of purpose can diminish as they begin to experience isolation, a loss of independence, or a decline in health. But overall well-being at this stage of life is predicated on the very foundation of staying connected to one’s unique purpose.

Aging Well Series: The 5-Layered Approach to Prolonging Independence

By: Marissa Salvesen September 16th, 2022

It could be said that independence is the ultimate goal for aging adults. In this context, independence means so much more than simply living on your own without extra assistance. It’s about thriving in such a way that supports a sense of freedom in one’s life. So, what does it take to achieve that level of independence and maintain it throughout the aging process?

Aging Well Series: Education, Games, Puzzles & Challenges for the Brain

By: Marissa Salvesen August 24th, 2022

Our Aging Well series has delved into the areas of nutrition, physical activity, play, and human connection. In the same way that it’s important for seniors to exercise these critical areas of overall well-being, so is prioritizing cognition and brain health. So, what’s one of the best ways to improve or sustain memory functions and other cognitive abilities? Practice using the brain.

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.

Aging Well Series: 5 Ways Human Connection Impacts Senior Health

By: Marissa Salvesen July 13th, 2022

As we move further along in our Aging Well series, we continue the discussion with a focus on socialization and human connection. Studies have shown time and again that social connection is vital to human health throughout a person’s life. Research has begun to shed a brighter light on this topic over the last few decades because of its major role in overall well-being. Here, we’re breaking down five critical insights on the incredible impact of socialization and human connection on the aging process.

Aging Well Series: Embracing a Playful Approach to Life

By: Marissa Salvesen June 20th, 2022

Next up in our Aging Well Series is a topic many older adults easily overlook, as it’s not typically a top-of-mind area related to health and well-being. Yes, nutrition and exercise are critical to the equation, but just as important is a focus on play. Aging well is, in large part, about maximizing one’s quality of life—and what level of quality can there be if you’re not actually enjoying it?