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.

Alzheimer’s & Medication Management: What Every Caregiver Should Know

By: Elizabeth Bemis February 8th, 2022

One of the most prominent challenges for seniors living with Alzheimer’s is consistently remembering to take their medication—in the exact prescribed dosages and at the correct times. Depending on an individual’s specific physical and mental health needs, there’s likely to be a number of different medications to manage, with quantities and/or physician directives changing as the senior’s circumstances change. Ultimately, this process can become a highly complex one, and handling it properly is absolutely critical to a senior’s health and well-being.

How to Help Seniors with Dementia Cope with Colder Weather

By: Elizabeth Bemis January 18th, 2022

In many parts of the country, winter’s chill is forcefully gripping the air. The next few months will urge the majority of us inside to keep warm and avoid the discomforts of colder weather. For seniors, the prospect of facing a snowy, icy, or otherwise freezing climate can be a daunting one. But these conditions are even more hazardous for those living with dementia, as the bite of winter often presents a number of heightened risks to their physical and mental health.

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Expert Answers to the Most Common Memory Care Questions

By: Elizabeth Bemis December 6th, 2021

The possibility that a loved one may be developing Alzheimer’s disease or another memory impairment can feel overwhelming. With age, a reduction in cognitive ability naturally occurs, but more significant declines in memory are cause for concern. And if you’re already caring for someone with a progressive neurodegenerative condition, you understand how challenging it can be. Given the physical and emotional toll such a responsibility can begin to take on a caregiver, it’s no surprise that many begin to seek out options for support.

5 Compelling Reasons to Be Thankful for Senior Living Community Caregivers

By: Elizabeth Bemis November 8th, 2021

As parents and aging loved ones transition into their senior years, there may be health and lifestyle challenges that eventually make living on their own an unsafe or impractical option. This doesn’t mean they can no longer maintain a sense of independence or live life to the fullest. It simply means that having access to a higher level of care is what makes sense at that time.

10 Ideas for Seniors to Reignite Their Sense of Play

By: Elizabeth Bemis October 13th, 2021

In a recent post, we explored The Truth About Play & Why It’s Not Just for Children, detailing how the practice of play impacts the human mind, body, and soul—and why it’s so important for seniors to engage in play regularly. From neurology to physiology and psychology, the benefits of play for seniors are clear and present, which is why this topic has become such a popular one. But as people age, they often lose their sense of play and its priority in their lives. Here, we’re exploring 10 inspiring ways to help seniors reignite their sense of play and find the fun again.

The Truth About Play & Why It’s Not Just for Children

By: Elizabeth Bemis September 13th, 2021

In childhood, play is practically a way of life. It’s how kids relate to one another, how they spend their free time, how they discover the world around them. As we age, however, play seems to become less and less of a focus in our everyday lives. Work and responsibility begin to take center stage, and play is often relegated to a tiny corner of our minds. The truth is play remains as valuable and important as ever, regardless of age. In fact, learning to reprioritize play can bring about major benefits for seniors in terms of health and wellbeing.

Why Laughter Is Sometimes the Best Medicine for Seniors

By: Elizabeth Bemis August 9th, 2021

Lately, we’ve been talking a lot about the importance of human connection in seniors’ lives. Socialization seems to be a major gateway to overall health and a longer lifespan, and curating a sense of community can have immense benefits with regard to a senior’s ability to thrive. One interesting byproduct of this human connection piece is the opportunity for laughter.

7 Fulfilling Ways for Seniors to Reconnect This Summer

By: Elizabeth Bemis July 22nd, 2021

It’s been just about a year and a half since the pandemic first reared its ugly head and began reshaping the “normal” we’d been accustomed to living. Now, with vaccine distribution in full swing, as well as declining numbers of severe illnesses from COVID, we’re seeing the beginnings of recovery from such a challenging time in our lives.

How a Sense of Community Enables Seniors to Thrive

By: Elizabeth Bemis June 14th, 2021

There’s no shortage of challenges seniors face when it comes to staying connected to the larger community. From diminished mobility and lack of transportation options to the inevitable loss of family and friends in their social circle, it can be difficult to maintain a strong base of human relationships and a wide sense of community. But these aspects of a senior’s life are critical to healthy aging and the capacity to thrive.

Why Seniors Should Care About the Booming Real Estate Market

By: Elizabeth Bemis May 12th, 2021

The housing market is booming. After a year of pandemic-style living, it seems homes are flying off real estate listings in a matter of hours—that’s if they even make it there at all. Mortgages reached historic lows, and the demand for housing is at an all-time high. In fact, the National Association of Realtors recently reported the median sales price of homes to be up over 17 percent since last year.

Relationships & Aging Well: What the Experts Say About Human Connection

By: Elizabeth Bemis April 16th, 2021

Over the last 30+ years, the field of interpersonal neurobiology has emerged as a framework for studying the effects of relationships on the human mind and body. It’s an area focused on the fundamental role of human connection in our lives. Whereas important aspects of physical and mental health, like diet and exercise, have long been recognized as leading contributors to a long and healthy life, many researchers, scientists, and medical professionals are now acknowledging interpersonal relationships as an undeniable influence on living and aging well.