Senior Living Blog

The slogan “home is always better” is often used by senior home care companies to tout their services and dismiss the benefits of senior living communities. But the truth is, home is not always better for older adults -- despite what savvy marketers want you to think. Let’s take a closer look at four reasons why the family home may not be the better fit for your aging loved one.

It might be nearing the “right” time to move a parent into an assisted living community when health and safety needs are putting your loved one at risk in their home. If this is your concern then it’s time to have a talk with your loved one. Often there are telltale signs of something “not right” in the home that you can address quickly before things spiral out of control.

Veterans are willing to lay down their lives for their country, but many aging seniors are unaware of one aspect of the country’s attempt to give back. If your aging loved one is eligible for a VA pension, he or she may also be entitled to the Aid & Attendance Program, which offers monthly benefits to help cover assisted living care costs to veterans and their surviving spouses. About the Aid & Attendance Benefit

How can you tell when your loved one is ready for an assisted living community?  If only it were as simple as a big, red flag popping up saying “NOW IS THE TIME!” Well, you may not see the big flag but chances are there are lots of little indicators that may have gone unnoticed. If your parent or loved one is having more and more difficulty with everyday activities, such as getting around the house, running errands, showering and dressing, NOW is the time. Helping mom or dad recognize their changing needs and cope with an impending move is important. If your loved one is opposed to or reluctant to make a move, suggest a short-term, trial stay at an assisted living community. They can take a “test drive” but not commit to a permanent move.

While many seniors and caregivers embrace the idea of “aging in place” at home, assisted living communities offer a number of benefits that aren’t always available to aging adults who remain in their homes. Wondering if assisted living might be the right fit for your aging loved one?

Valentine's Day is a holiday for couples. This holiday can be very painful when a loved one doesn’t have their husband or wife by their side. For your widowed mom or dad, they could be experiencing this pain. Watching others celebrate with their spouses can trigger deep sadness, and even depression, in your aging loved one.

A staggering 87 percent of adults over the age of 65 say they want to remain in their current homes and communities as they age, according to research from AARP. Unfortunately, wants don’t always match needs -- especially in the case of seniors for whom living alone may no longer be a safe or realistic option. Many caregivers share a common dilemma when it comes to helping aging loved ones accept a move from a cherished home into senior living. Read on for three tips aimed at fostering a positive transition and best outcomes for all.

Crosby Commons at Wesley Village is an extra-ordinary Assisted and Independent Living community; not just in the services and amenities it offers but also because of the operational philosophy we practice. Being part of United Methodist Homes (UMH), a mission-based organization, the decisions we make as a community are focused on doing the right thing for our residents and staff.

Tucked away behind the UCONN Health Center is one of the most award-winning independent and assisted living communities in Connecticut; a place where residents live life to the fullest, where residents’ families and friends are welcomed, and where residents and families become members of the Middlewoods of Farmington family. This unique community is also a place where staff come to work knowing they are encouraged to build relationships with residents in order to provide better care and find joy in their work.

With all the assisted living options available to you in Hartford County, why would so many people stop looking after they’ve visited Middlewoods of Newington? Perhaps it was the one-floor living that was most appealing. Maybe it was the strong sense of family they felt when they walked through the door. It might have even been the warm, welcoming interactions they had with the Middlewoods staff and residents that left them feeling at ease. Believe it or not, it is pretty common for the prospective resident and their family to realize they want to become a part of this special community even after one phone call. How can that be?

~“You must learn to let go. Release the stress. You were never in control anyway.” ~ -Steve Maraboli. Ironically, retirement is supposed to be the time when you relax and play golf, a time when you are older and wiser and now have the answers to many of life’s questions. However, with aging comes new concerns, such as managing your health, how to fund retirement, and a general sense of “loss.”