Senior Living Blog by UMH

The Difference Between Age and Maturity

By: Jim Stinson September 30th, 2013

And The Mountains Echoed is a fascinating and disturbing novel by Khalem Hosseni, author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns. In heart wrenching detail, he tells the story of a family from Afghanistan over a sixty-year period, each one of who continue to be affected by decisions made in earlier generations. It is a sometimes-grim reminder that, while we are free to alter our responses to the events of our lives, thus changing ourselves in some real way, we are always to some extent the product of our past.

Evaluating the Cost of an Assisted Living Community

By: Marissa Salvesen September 13th, 2013

The final decision on a senior living community that’s right for you will come down to two closing points: 1) quality services and 2) affordable cost. To accurately evaluate an assisted living community, you must be willing to compare these services and costs with your unique needs and financial capability. Working from a cost-benefit angle will help steer you in the right direction.

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Choosing the Right Assisted Living Community for You

By: Elizabeth Bemis August 30th, 2013

As you begin your search for the right assisted living community, you probably already know what your needs are and what to expect from your soon-to-be new home. If not, start assessing your current needs, whether it’s medication management, assistance with taking a shower or help tying your shoes. A caregiver may want to know many details, such as how a change in personal care needs over time would be handled by the staff or how the community can accommodate residents with dementia needs.

Managing your Aging Parent’s Health Needs

By: Elizabeth Bemis August 28th, 2013

According to a recent poll, the number of adult children providing personal or financial assistance to their parents has tripled in the last 15 years. Becoming a caregiver is a role few people plan for. Most people are thrust into the caregiver role unexpectedly, often when a parent suddenly suffers a stroke or a chronic condition worsens. This often inevitably leads to caregiver burnout and less effective management of a senior parent’s health needs.

Is An Assisted Living Community Right For You?

By: Elizabeth Bemis August 19th, 2013

You’ll know when an assisted living community is right for you when it fits naturally into your healthcare and lifestyle needs. The first step is to know your needs; thereafter, gather as much information you can on the services and amenities offered within the community to decide whether assisted living makes a comparable fit.

When is the Right Time to Move into Assisted Living?

By: Elizabeth Bemis May 1st, 2013

Knowing when is the right time to move your loved one into assisted living is not easy. You may have seen warning signs that put you on edge, such as out-of-character behaviors and various odd incidents at home which planted the seed of alternative care in your head. The fact that you are having this mental conflict in the first place is a sign in itself to start the conversation with your loved ones.

How Assisted Living Gives Seniors More Freedom

By: Elizabeth Bemis April 29th, 2013

Assisted Living, Personal Care Homes or Board and Care Homes are different ways of saying: “don’t worry seniors, we’ll support your independence and offer assistance with your daily needs.” In an assisted living environment, routine activities that once took over an hour to accomplish, such as bathing, dressing or grooming, now take a fraction of the time because of the care and personalized attention residents receive. This means more time to pursue other interests like participating in a book club, becoming involved in community outreach, wellness and volunteer programs, just to name a few!

Tips for Transitioning to an Assisted Living Community

By: Elizabeth Bemis February 20th, 2013

Moving your loved one into an assisted living community can be a challenging time for any family. This is especially true for the person who will be making the move. A new place, new neighbors and new caretakers can be a lot for someone of an advanced age to think about. Here are some tips on how to make an assisted living transition a little bit easier on your loved one.

Friendship at Assisted Living Communities

By: Elizabeth Bemis February 18th, 2013

As people age, it's a sad fact of life that some of their friends and family members will move away or die. Someone who might've had many familial and friendship ties is suddenly left with a sense of loss and loneliness; coupled with the fact that older people may have trouble accomplishing tasks that were previously easy for them; one can see how quite quickly this can lead to a state of sadness that is hard to break. So how do you help a loved one? Encouraging them to develop new friendships is one way. When your loved one moves into an assisted living facility, they will hopefully find a wealth of new potential friendships that can really help boost their spirits. Here's a look at the benefits of your loved one forming new friendships.

Valentines Day at Assisted Living Communities

By: Elizabeth Bemis February 14th, 2013

While many may view Valentine’s Day as a day of flowers, chocolates, cards and teddy bears, it is much more than that. Valentine’s Day is truly a time to celebrate the importance of relationships; with our parents, children, family, friends and significant other. It is a time to tell those you care about and those who have made a difference your life how much they mean to you.

The Importance of Senior Caregiver Breaks

By: Elizabeth Bemis February 4th, 2013

How many of you remember the old McDonald’s ad… “You deserve a break today”? Those caring for their elderly loved-ones need to take this advice to heart! Caregivers are the overlooked victim in any disease. Everyone relies on them for just about everything and to always know what to do.