Senior Living Blog

For Christmas, most families give their loved ones clothes, games, or sweets, but this Christmas, Don Walkley, a 92 year old resident of Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community, received a 5,923 piece LEGO set of the Taj Mahal. Lining the shelves of his apartment are famous buildings Don’s built from intricate LEGO sets, including the White House, Eifel Tower and the Lincoln Memorial, but none have compared in size to his new Taj Mahal display. Don’s family chipped in for Christmas and surprised him with the $300 puzzle and since December, Don has worked hours every day to complete the massive puzzle.

If you’re caring for someone with Alzheimer’s Disease, you know how challenging and delicate this stage of life can be. Although every person with Alzheimer’s has different needs, there are some steps you can take to make caring for them easier, from providing structure in their lives to changing your communication styles.

As you've most likely come to realize, the aging process is inevitable. Whether you're caring for a loved one or going through the process yourself, you've probably experienced some uncertainty and hesitation on how to handle this change. 

Are you and your family members searching for the best senior housing option for a loved one? Preparing to make this monumental decision isn’t easy. You want to ensure your loved one is happy and healthy, but you also have other important factors to consider like price and care needs.

Planning for retirement and care for one’s later life can be hard to do. With so many possible costs and unexpected events, budgeting and saving money aren’t easy tasks. You never know how much money will be needed to afford senior living costs.

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.

Are you or a loved one ready to make the move to assisted living but hesitating because the thought of downsizing is daunting? We understand! No one wants to get rid of their “stuff,” but when a move to assisted living is necessary, decluttering and downsizing is a must. In this resource, we break down helpful ways to downsize so you can successfully transition to your new home in a senior living community.

Marian Taylor, resident of Wesley Village, was born on March 26, 1922. Her father was a Methodist pastor and she moved about quite a bit as a child, living in various parsonages in parishes where her father was assigned. Marian had a happy childhood, though she was constantly changing schools and making new friends. This is the life she knew and it fit seamlessly with the role she would later assume as the wife of a Methodist pastor.

What makes a house a home? It's not the fancy furniture or shiny chandeliers, but the family who gathers there. At UMH senior living communities, our staff members are one of the main reasons why our residents feel so at home! By fostering caring relationships, staff play an essential role in helping our residents navigate the journey of aging - from the very first visit, to the day they move into our community and every day after that! Read our "Meet the Family" spotlight below to see how Gloria Bachorowski makes our residents' home such a special place....

Is it time for you or a senior loved one in your family to move into an assisted living community? There are a number of reasons it could be time to move, like healthcare needs or just the simple desire to enjoy retirement. While you may be ready to make the transition, you also want to be sure you can afford the type of senior living community you’re comfortable with.

Are you concerned about how you’re going to afford senior living for your loved one? If so, you’re not alone. Many families struggle with how to cover the costs of caring for their loved ones. Explore these five ways you can cover senior care costs for your loved one, while still ensuring they get the highest quality of care and have the most fulfilling life possible.