Senior Living Blog by UMH

Elizabeth Bemis

In 1998, I drove past an assisted living community construction site, learned that it was part of United Methodist Homes and realized the next stop on my professional journey was to work for a mission driven organization. Soon after, I joined the team as Executive Director of our Middlewoods of Farmington community and later served as Regional Manager for the Middlewoods properties before accepting my current role as Vice President of Marketing, Promotions, and Assisted Living Operations. I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking, reading, walking, and love working alongside our staff, residents, and families to build strong communities that reflect the mission, vision, and values of United Methodist Homes.

10 Tips for Men Managing the Demands of Senior Caregiving

By: Elizabeth Bemis March 14th, 2023

No matter your gender, caring for an aging spouse, parent, family member or friend is no small or easy task. It presents a variety of demands that can impact a caregiver’s physical, mental, and emotional health. All of these can make it easy to get caught up in self-defeating habits. For the rising population of male caregivers, in particular, there are some unique challenges that can quickly erode overall well-being. Therefore, it’s crucial for men who find themselves taking on such a role to understand and manage the responsibility in a healthy way.

Revealing Facts About Male Caregivers & the Challenges They Face

By: Elizabeth Bemis February 7th, 2023

It’s true: The role of family caregiver has traditionally been a female one, and the majority of today’s caregivers are, in fact, women. However, data has shown a significant upward trend in the number of men that exist among today’s family caregiving population. Although husbands, brothers, sons, and other male loved ones may not typically be recognized for their emerging presence within this dynamic, they are increasingly challenged to perform ongoing caregiving tasks—whether by choice or out of sheer necessity. In this article, we’re highlighting some of the current data on caregiving as it pertains to gender, and spotlighting the issues male caregivers may face as they take on this role in their loved one’s life.

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New Year, New Perspective: What’s Really Best for Your Aging Loved One?

By: Elizabeth Bemis January 12th, 2023

As a society, we have adopted the belief that moving an older person into an independent or assisted living community (or especially a nursing home), is just about the worst thing a loved one could ever do. This type of decision has been known to bring on overwhelming feelings of guilt and uncertainty about what’s really best for the person we love. If you’ve ever felt this way, know that you are NOT a bad child, caregiver, or person. You’re actually just like thousands of other individuals in the same situation, who are exhausted, frustrated, and worried about how to best care for the senior in their life.

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.

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.

8 Hallmarks of a Top-Notch Independent Living Community for Seniors

By: Elizabeth Bemis October 19th, 2022

As seniors think about the kind of lifestyle best suited to their needs, and what they require to truly thrive in this stage of life, there’s typically a focus on independence—and the added support necessary to cultivate that independence. One of the most fundamental aspects of embracing this vision is choosing an environment that’s well-equipped for it.

Two Truths and a Lie About Independent Living Communities for Seniors

By: Elizabeth Bemis September 16th, 2022

There’s an entertaining game often used for ice-breaking purposes in a social setting, and it’s commonly referred to as “Two Truths and a Lie.” In this game, each individual takes a turn telling the group two truths and one lie about themselves, and the group must guess which one is the lie. In the name of fun, we’re going to play a quick round of this game—only here, we’re applying the two truths and a lie to independent living communities for seniors.

5 Recommendations for Broaching the Assisted Living Conversation

By: Elizabeth Bemis August 24th, 2022

There are some conversations that can feel daunting and overwhelming. A talk with your loved one about the possibility of moving to an assisted living community is certainly one of them. With age-related realities and family dynamics stirring up all kinds of emotions, the subject may be a challenging one to broach with the senior in your life. To help ease any dread you may have and plan for a productive discussion, we’re highlighting some valuable advice on how to approach this conversation.

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.

8 Must-Take Steps for Touring Assisted Living Communities

By: Elizabeth Bemis June 20th, 2022

Searching for the right assisted living community for your loved one can feel like climbing a mountain, especially if you’re new to the process. It’s an important decision, and one you’re unlikely to take lightly, as the community you choose will have a major impact on your loved one’s health, happiness, and financial outlook. Deciphering what differs one community from another and making essential considerations around issues like budget and value require a well-planned approach.

Memory Loss with Age: What’s “Normal” for Older Adults?

By: Elizabeth Bemis May 13th, 2022

Aging is a natural process, one that comes with its fair share of changes and challenges—not the least of which include those related to memory. Plenty of older adults joke about having “senior moments” when they forget something or lose focus. And truthfully, some forgetfulness and lapses in memory are to be expected with age.