Senior Living Blog by UMH | independent living

Safe Summertime Activities for Seniors Who Are Social Distancing

By: Elizabeth Bemis June 19th, 2020

As seniors look forward to summertime after the long, dreary months of winter’s chill, the idea of having to continue social distancing may feel incredibly disappointing. In the midst of a global pandemic, safety remains a primary concern for older adults who face increased risk in contracting the virus. But the cancellation of community gatherings and in-person events doesn’t have to be devastating. There is still a host of fun and energizing summertime activities for seniors to enjoy even as they remain safely socially distant. It’s more important than ever for older adults to stay physically and mentally healthy. The change of season is a perfect time to capitalize on the socially distant activities—both indoors and out—that put a swing back in your step, or that of an aging loved one.

The Difference Between Assisted & Independent Living

By: Elizabeth Bemis June 22nd, 2017

For an older adult, the choice between assisted living and independent living usually depends on how well an individual can manage daily activities without extra assistance. Examples of daily activities include, but are not limited to: preparing meals, personal hygiene, managing medications, completing household chores, driving/coordinating transportation, and maintaining personal finances. Someone who has difficulty with any of these daily "independent" activities may want to consider the maintenance-free lifestyle of an assisted living community.

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Caring for Aging Parents: Discussing Change

By: Elizabeth Bemis June 3rd, 2017

Change is inevitable. As your parents age, you often become their strongest support system. But for many adult children, this may be the one challenge you’re not quite ready for! When caring for aging parents, it usually becomes necessary to have a talk with your loved ones regarding matters of change, such as senior living and long-term care options, legal documentation, and financial decisions. Before any adult child can have this talk, it is important to come to terms with the health changes of your loved and evaluate how these changes will affect the rest of the family.

7 Bad Excuses for Not Taking Advantage of UMH's 60-Day Trial Stay!

By: Marissa Salvesen November 13th, 2013

It is important that you feel at home in any one of United Methodist Homes’ (UMH) communities. Whether it be our Middlewoods Assisted and Independent Living Communities in Farmington and Newington, our Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community and our Wesley Heights Independent Living Cottages in Shelton, or perhaps our Foxbridge Assisted Living and Memory Care Community in Memphis, TN, we have your comfort in mind. We invite you to try out, with no commitment, maintenance-free living with our unique 60 day trial stay. Surprisingly, there are quite a lot of “bad” excuses that we hear from people who are just not sure if they are ready to “take the leap”……..when in reality, the trial stay is the best way to “try on” assisted living without having to “take the leap.”

The Difference Between Age and Maturity

By: Jim Stinson September 30th, 2013

And The Mountains Echoed is a fascinating and disturbing novel by Khalem Hosseni, author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns. In heart wrenching detail, he tells the story of a family from Afghanistan over a sixty-year period, each one of who continue to be affected by decisions made in earlier generations. It is a sometimes-grim reminder that, while we are free to alter our responses to the events of our lives, thus changing ourselves in some real way, we are always to some extent the product of our past.

Senior Living Options for Couples

By: Elizabeth Bemis September 2nd, 2013

One of the most frequently asked questions about senior living is whether communities cater to couples who have opposing senior care needs; the answer is yes, most do!

Aging Seniors and Their Children: Knowing When to Let Go

By: Elizabeth Bemis July 26th, 2013

Imagine you walked into your mom’s assisted living community and noticed she bought a new outfit from a catalog. Has your first response ever sounded anything like this: “Stop wasting your money, Mom; haven’t I asked you to stop buying things you don’t need?”

Senior Retirement - "Not so!"

By: Jim Stinson July 11th, 2013

I had the privilege of attending a retirement event for a friend recently. He is, by normal standards, an older person. And with that standard comes certain societal assumptions. With it comes the attitude that he ‘should’ retire, he ‘should’ not be in the work place. Presumably these assumptions are made purely on the basis of aging.

Global Forgiveness Day – What it Means to Seniors and their Families

By: Elizabeth Bemis July 7th, 2013

Global Forgiveness Day, July 7, began with a Canadian based philanthropic organization, CECA, whose mission is to address local, national and global needs for forgiveness and whose mission can be applied to most people on a personal level. The organization has its own mediation center, where disparate groups meet to hear each other and to come together even when they disagree. Behind the philosophy of mediation is the recognition that disagreements often lead to name-calling and other hurtful and excluding behaviors.

Men’s Health Week: Prostate Health Tips For Aging Men

By: Elizabeth Bemis June 10th, 2013

A man’s prostate ages along with him. By the time he reaches his 70’s, he and his prostate would have journeyed through life at a similar rate of change. Because of where this doughnut-shaped gland is located (underneath the bladder), changes are likely to cause mild bladder irritations to severe urinary problems in over 90 per cent of elderly men. This means a caregiver’s dad is almost certain to develop a prostate-related problem, now or in the near future.

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.