Senior Living Blog

Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. The disease affects 43 percent of people ages 75 to 84. Over 800,000 Americans are estimated to be living with Alzheimer's, and women are more likely to develop the disease than men. Dementia is a scary topic, and a growing concern for many people. The best way to avoid experiencing the effects of dementia is to take as many steps as possible to keep your brain sharp and exercise your neural connections on a daily basis. We have compiled a comprehensive list of ways to exercise your mind and keep yourself sharp below.

Each year from May 6 to 12, the American Nurses Association celebrates National Nurses Week. This week was first brought to life in the early 1950s to recognize the honest and ethical profession of nursing. The week was officially deemed National Nurses Week by the White House in 1974 when President Nixon issued a proclamation. The week ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who is widely known as the founder of modern nursing.

For many people, there comes a time in life where you may transition from a family member or friend to a caregiver for a senior loved one. As this sometimes stressful transition begins to occur, it is a good idea to come up with a plan that allows you to be proactive rather than reactive in a crisis situation. The first steps to creating a caregiving plan can often be the hardest, but the best way to begin this process is to be informed. By making sure you are familiar with all that goes into caregiving and how to approach your senior loved one with the topic, you set yourself up for success. 

Anyone who’s ever owned a pet knows that animals offer incomparable companionship. But they offer even more than that, particularly for the elderly. There’s no better time to highlight the value of pet ownership for seniors than with the observation of National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day on April 30. Let’s take a closer look at why your aging loved one and a pet may be the perfect pair, along with tips for helping seniors find a Fido or Mittens of their own.

Spring brings the promise of warmer weather, outdoor activities, chirping birds, and longer days, but with it also comes the chores you’ve been putting off all winter. Whether it’s giving your car a deep clean or reorganizing your “junk drawer,” spring is the best time to dive into your long awaited cleaning projects and get your home feeling fresh and new. In this blog we have compiled some helpful spring cleaning tips for seniors.

My favorite story of the discovery of the complexity of relationships comes from an experience I had with my grandson, Ben when he was 5 years old.  After spending the morning fishing together at a local farm pond he asked if we could stop at the Dairy Queen for ice cream on the way home. Being a typical over indulgent grandparent, I decided it was a great idea, even though it was less than an hour before lunch.