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.

The Top Used Apps & Technology in Senior Living Communities

By: Elizabeth Bemis September 12th, 2023

In recent years, technology has made significant strides in improving the quality of life for older adults in senior living communities. From enhancing communication to providing health monitoring solutions, various apps and technologies have become integral parts of daily life. These innovations not only increase convenience, but also promote independence and safety for elderly residents. In this article, we will explore some of the top used apps and technologies in senior living communities.

How Senior Living Communities Are Adapting to Boomers’ Relationship with Technology

By: Elizabeth Bemis August 16th, 2023

Our increasingly connected world driven by digital advancement, in combination with an imminent influx of the baby boomer generation into senior living communities, has prompted a significant shift in how these communities approach technology. As boomers—who have witnessed and contributed to the evolution of technology—enter their golden years, senior living communities are adapting to meet their unique technological needs and preferences. Communities that place a strong emphasis on resident-centered care understand how to leverage technology to help people lead enriched, connected, and engaged lives in their later years. They are taking a comprehensive approach to technology integration, revolutionizing the way they operate and enhancing the overall experience for their residents.

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Silver Surfers: Seniors' Growing Expectations & Demands for Technology

By: Elizabeth Bemis July 17th, 2023

In today's digitally driven environment, technology is no longer limited to younger generations—despite some lingering stereotypes surrounding the topic. In fact, there’s an entire population of people affectionately known as "silver surfers," who are increasingly embracing technology and recognizing its potential to enhance their lives. As a result, this age group’s expectations and demands from technology have grown as well. Join us as we delve into the evolving relationship between seniors and technology, exploring the factors that drive evolving expectations and the specific demands many seniors now have as empowered users.

Top Ways You Didn't Know You Could Benefit from Moving to a Senior Living Community

By: Elizabeth Bemis June 8th, 2023

As the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age, the concept of senior living communities has evolved significantly. In many cases, communities are no longer simply residences for older adults to receive care and assistance; they have transformed into vibrant, engaging environments that offer a multitude of benefits.

Guidance for Male Caregivers of Spouses Living with Alzheimer’s

By: Elizabeth Bemis May 9th, 2023

Women are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s disease, as nearly two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer's are female. And although the majority of caregivers for this population is made up of women, an increasing number of men find themselves caring for spouses living with the disease. While men are equally capable of providing compassionate care to a spouse experiencing cognitive decline, they do face some unique societal challenges. Often, male caregivers may be less inclined to seek the resources and support needed to navigate this journey in a physically and mentally healthy way. They may try to shoulder the burden alone, which can impact both their own well-being and that of their loved one. To support male caregivers of spouses facing Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, following are some helpful insights and information.

Recognizing the Mental & Emotional Struggle for Male Caregivers

By: Elizabeth Bemis April 10th, 2023

The number of Americans aged 65 and older is projected to nearly double from 52 million in 2018 to 95 million by 2060, and the 65-and-older age group’s share of the total population will rise from 16 percent to 23 percent. The current growth of this population, driven largely by the baby boom generation, is unprecedented in U.S. history. What does this mean for the increasing numbers of seniors who require caregiving? For one, it means that the gender stereotypes once dominating caregiving responsibilities have begun to shift. More men are needed to embrace the role of caregiver for aging loved ones than ever before, and the latest research shows that male caregiving numbers are rising. 40 percent of family caregivers, amounting to roughly 16 million people in the United States, are men. Out of these 16 million male caregivers, about half are doing so by choice, 63% identify as primary caregivers, 49% are assisting an aging parent or in-law, and 13% are supporting a spouse.

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.

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.