Senior Living Blog

In an email this weekend a resident remarked to me– “It is indeed unsettling how quickly and scary the world has suddenly become.  And the isolation from one another increases the distress, of course.” Those words express the feelings of many as we continue to face the COVID-19 situation, with all its uncertainty, inconvenience and economic impact. We wonder: To whom do we tell our fears? In what do we place our hopes? Where do we find refuge?

In the midst of the current public health emergency, it is important to stay educated and take precautionary measures to protect both you and those around you. Early data suggest older people are twice as likely to have serious COVID-19 illness. This may be because immune systems change with age, making it harder to fight off diseases and infection. Older adults also are more likely to have underlying health conditions that make it harder to cope with and recover from illness. Presbyterian Senior Living communities have implemented restrictions and procedures to help reduce the spread of this virus, but we realize that many seniors are living on their own. To help with your at-home preparedness and prevention, the following are precautionary guidelines for seniors published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Social isolation is a term that we talk about frequently in regards to seniors, as isolation and loneliness are threats that many seniors face every day. With the current global status, just about everyone is taking this time to practice social isolation to help control the spread of the coronavirus. During this time of staying at home, it is important to continue daily activities to keep both your brain and your body active.  The following are some ideas from crafting to exercise to virtual museum tours that can help you fill your day while you're at home.

Presbyterian Senior Living (PSL) is proud to announce that Pinnacle Quality Insight has awarded 12 PSL communities with its distinguished 2020 Customer Experience Award™. Communities that have been awarded have exceeded in qualifying categories of independent living, personal care/assisted living and skilled nursing.

One of the biggest fears many seniors face is falling without the ability to get back up. According to the National Council on Aging, one in four Americans aged 65 or older falls each year. This statistic is one that should make seniors think more intentionally about their own balance. As we age, we lose muscle strength and joint flexibility, as well as reduced vision and reaction time. The combination of these losses creates a perfect recipe for a fall. Thankfully, there are many easy things you can do in your daily life to help reduce your risk of falling.

In a previous blog post about the best technology for seniors, we said a smartphone is probably the number one piece of technology a senior can own. Smartphones can give seniors the ability to stay in contact with loved ones in a huge variety of ways, but the real reason to get a smartphone or tablet instead of a regular cell phone is the apps. With the right collection of apps, smartphones and tablets can promote major life improvements.