Senior Living Blog by UMH

Promoting Healthy Senior Living at our UMH Communities

By: Marissa Salvesen January 22nd, 2014

At each of our UMH communities, we are proud to offer health and wellness programs that promote independence, dignity, and choice for our residents. Healthy senior living is a goal that can be reached….our staff work hard to support and encourage residents to create and meet goals that will help them to live strong and well for as long as they possibly can.

The Secret to Selecting a Senior Living Community

By: Jim Stinson January 17th, 2014

By: Reverend Jim Stinson, Director of Spiritual Life for United Methodist Homes A Familiar Story I’ve made more friends here now than I have in years. My world was shrinking as I aged. Friends and family members were moving to be near family members.

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60-day stay trial | Aging & Caregiving | active seniors | assisted living | senior living

Practical Benefits of Our 60-Day Trial Stay

By: Marissa Salvesen January 14th, 2014

Our unique 60-day trial stay provides prospective residents with the opportunity to try out the lifestyle, services, and amenities of assisted living, with no long-term commitment! A 60-day trial stay offers your loved one the perfect chance to “try it out” before making a decision to move from their home.

Why You Should Schedule a Tour at a UMH Community

By: Marissa Salvesen January 7th, 2014

United Methodist Homes (UMH) is a local, faith-based not-for-profit organization offering assisted and independent housing and healthcare options for seniors with a mission-based, relationship-centered approach to caring.

Understanding Anxiety Surrounding the Holidays

By: Marissa Salvesen December 26th, 2013

The holiday season can be a difficult time for many older adults. The loss of loved ones, close friends, physical mobility, and independence can be a very hard thing to adjust to. For many older adults, these changes can make the holidays quite different than they once were.

Questions to Ask When Evaluating an Assisted Living Community

By: Marissa Salvesen December 24th, 2013

As you begin the search for an assisted living community for your aging loved one, you will find that these communities come in all shapes and sizes, which may or may not suit you and your loved one’s goals. Therefore, the first thing you need to consider is the needs of your loved one and how they might change in a month, three months or even a year from now. Ask each provider how he or she might accommodate these changing needs as time rolls on.

Terrible Reasons to Not Consider Assisted Living

By: Marissa Salvesen December 7th, 2013

You may have reasons you thought were smart at the time to NOT consider assisted living, but in retrospect, maybe you missed some of the simple facts about senior living communities that could help you as you search for options for your loved one. Here are seven terrible reasons from seniors and their caregivers that describe why they chose NOT to consider assisted living.

The Value of Stories

By: Jim Stinson December 5th, 2013

A Blog by Jim Stinson, Director of Spiritual Life for United Methodist Homes “Do you Remember when, Grandma…?” As my family was waiting for Thanksgiving dinner to be ready they were doing what most families do at holiday time. They were reminiscing. Since “Grandma” always lived with us she was a source of many memories, especially as she grew older and had ever-greater senility. No one was ever sure what she would say or when she would say it.

10 Inspiring Quotes about Aging

By: Marissa Salvesen November 29th, 2013

How often do you hear inspiring words about aging in our fast-paced, modern world? So much about our culture is focused on youthfulness, it would seem that we hardly stop to think about the wisdom that comes with many years lived on this earth. Here are a few witty, practical, and engaging quotes that celebrate healthy aging and provoke thought. Because, after all, “Age is only a matter of mind, and if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”

An Investigation into the Benefits of Assisted Living Vs. Hiring a Caregiver

By: Marissa Salvesen November 27th, 2013

At some point your aging loved one is probably going to need more care than you can provide as their caregiver. You may need to make a decision to hire a caregiver for your loved one or explore some senior living options together. It is important to consider the cost and benefits of both options before ruling out any of the options. Here is a quick summary to help get you started: The cost- benefits of these senior care services are detailed here:

How to Become a Better Caregiver in One Day

By: Marissa Salvesen November 21st, 2013

You become a better caregiver by making your loved one’s day a little brighter--a little lighter and a lot happier each time you care for them. And it’s the simple things that are often the most appreciated. If you can “make their day,” you often unknowingly become a better caregiver. Here are six care-giving tips that will surely help to brighten your loved one’s day: