Author: hawthornseniorliving

July 24, 2020 | Assisted Living - Health & Wellness - Independent Living - Senior Lifestyles - Senior Living | by hawthornseniorliving

4 Ways Your Life Can Improve in Senior Living

As we and our loved one’s age, it’s only natural that the topic of senior living and additional care is top of mind. And while many seniors dislike the idea of leaving their homes and transitioning into an independent senior living or assisted living community, in the long run it can be a much happier and healthier environment. 

There might be subtle signs that it’s time to think about moving. Perhaps the once often used kitchen is used a lot less. Or there’s more dust collecting around the house. The once lively conversations your loved ones held with friends who live nearby has decreased.

All of these small observations might mean it’s time to bring up the conversation of senior living. Oftentimes elderly adults haven’t considered how their life might improve by making this change. Here are a few points to consider: 

Making New Friends

Socializing and connecting with others is a huge part of life and as we age it can sometimes decrease. Within a senior living community, there is a built-in network of peers and possible friends. Add in the fact that there are often many different activities to take part in and it’s a great way to meet and connect with new people.  

Increased Safety 

As a family member of a senior, it can be nerve wracking worrying about the safety of your loved one. A senior living community can provide peace of mind about the safety and wellbeing of elderly adults. 

Healthy, Delicious Meals 

Cooking can become a time-consuming hassle and oftentimes seniors turn to more convenient, but less healthy, options. At a senior living community, there is access to chef-prepared meals that are not only delicious, but also nutritious and focused on senior health needs. 

No More Maintenance 

After years of maintaining a home–cleaning, dusting, landscaping, you or your loved one can finally spend time doing things they enjoy. Read the books that never got read. Pick up painting with friends. Spend time doing some light yoga each morning. With a senior living community, most cleaning and maintenance is done for you.

July 10, 2020 | Assisted Living - Health & Medicine - Independent Living - Tips & Tricks | by hawthornseniorliving

Medication Management 101

As we and our loved one’s age, the likelihood that medications become a part of our daily life increases. According to a study in JAMA Internal Medicine, 80% of older adults take at least two prescriptions daily and 36% regularly take five or more. The number of pills and medications increases when you also incorporate over the counter medications, vitamins and supplements. Needless to say, medication management can be a very confusing, but absolutely necessary task.

Review You or Your Loved One’s Medications with a Doctor


It does not do any harm to have a regular conversation with you or your loved one’s doctor regarding different medications and possible interactions. Over time certain medications can lose their effectiveness or change due to the introduction of a new health concern. Having these conversations is vital to overall health.

Read Medication Labels


The labels are there for a reason. They often list out possible side effects and directions for taking the medication. Look for recommendations about taking the medication with or without food, without alcohol and other best practices.

Understand Possible Side Effects


Talk with your doctor, especially when you start a new medication, about possible side effects that may occur. Take note of any differences in your demeanor, weight, sleep pattern, hunger and even balance.

Consolidate You or Your Loved One’s Doctors and Pharmacists


The ideal situation would be to have one doctor that’s aware of one’s medical history and medication plan. With a more consolidated team of professionals managing medications, the less likely there will be negative interactions and side effects.

Stay Organized


There are plenty of tools and methods for keeping medications organized. Pill boxes come in a variety of sizes to help accommodate even the most complicated medication plans. However, there are also services like PillPack, that can organize you or your loved one’s medications and making it simpler and safer.

June 23, 2020 | Assisted Living - Health & Wellness - Independent Living - Senior Lifestyles | by hawthornseniorliving

Fill Your Diet With These Foods As You Age

What we eat and put into our bodies plays a huge role in our overall health and wellbeing. However, as we age, our senses dull and require more simulation to be triggered. This means that our sense of smell, which is very connected to your sense of taste, is less sensitive as you age. This can lead to a lack of appetite in seniors which can affect your overall health.

To ensure that you are getting all of the proper nutrients and vitamins that your body needs as it ages, try filling your diet with some of these foods:

Food Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are good for people of all ages. They help prevent everything from cancer and heart disease to arthritis and inflammation. There is also research that shows they can slow down the progression of macular degeneration and might reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

You can find Omega-3 fatty acids in fish, mainly sardines, tuna and salmon. They can also be found in flaxseed, soybeans and walnuts.

Foods Rich in Calcium

Calcium helps the body build and maintain healthy bones. It has even been linked to lower blood pressure. Calcium is so essential to your bones that if your diet doesn’t provide enough calcium, your body may attempt to reabsorb it from your bones making your bones brittle and prone to fractures and breaks.

The World Health Organization recommends that adults over the age of 50 take in 1200 mg of calcium each day. That’s about 4 cups of milk, soy or almond milk, or orange juice.

Foods Rich in Fiber

With age comes a slower digestive system. Our gastrointestinal walls thicken causing slowdown and leading to constipation. Adding foods that are high in fiber are imperative to helping combat this digestive slowdown.

Adding foods like nuts, wholegrain cereals, brown rice, fruits, vegetables and whole grain pastas can all help increase your fiber intake.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration is one of the most important factors in a senior’s health. It can help prevent kidney issues, diabetes, heart issues… the list is long. Seniors should ensure they are drinking at least eight 8oz glasses of water each day. If you are having trouble getting enough water, try adding flavor enhancers or infuse your water with fruits and herbs to make it taste better.

June 11, 2020 | Assisted Living - Health & Wellness - Independent Living - Memory Care - Senior Lifestyles | by hawthornseniorliving

Craft Ideas for Seniors

Studies show that seniors need a sense of purpose and to interact with others to successfully age. Crafts and other creative activities are a great way to provide that. Here are four fun (and simple) craft ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Small succulents in pots

Upcycled Potted Plants

Living around plants can have a multitude of benefits–they can do everything from boost your mood to purify the air around you. This simple project shows you how to upcycle household items that might otherwise be labeled as trash into decorative items for your home.

Add succulents, air plants or even small indoor plants to your upcycled pots to add both color and a little life to your home.

Learn more here.

Coloring

Coloring has been proven to be an effective way to decrease anxiety and stress in everyone from small children to seniors. Mental health professionals say that coloring, along with other solo activities like journaling, can significantly improve mood and overall happiness.

In fact, a study conducted for Art Therapy concluded that, when compared to reading, coloring reduced anxiety and improved mindfulness more significantly, as measured by the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale.

Print or have someone assist you in printing these coloring pages.

Purple and pink sun catchers

(image c/o 100 Directions)

Sun Catchers

Sure to brighten any mood, these DIY suncatchers are a great way to brighten up any window. They use simple items like Mason jar lids, string and colored images to create a stained glass effect. This craft is a great way to involve grandchildren and other family members.

Learn more here.

Writing

Writing might not seem like a typical craft project but it can be very creative. As a senior you’ve experienced quite a bit and have your own unique perspective. It’s time to put pen to paper!

  • Recall your childhood friends and write about some of your favorite memories of spending time with them.
  • What traditions did you pass on to your family from how you were raised?
  • What was your favorite song as a twenty year old? What does it remind you of?
  • What was a conversation or interaction that you’ve had that inspired you?
  • Which family member are you most like?

May 29, 2020 | Health & Wellness - Independent Living - Senior Lifestyles | by hawthornseniorliving

How to Help An Aging Parent Live Their Best Life

As our parents or relatives age, it can be difficult for children to enter their new role of caregiver. It’s a natural shift but one that can sometimes be uncomfortable. One of the key roles any person can play in an aging adult’s life is to encourage them to continue living their life to its fullest. Here are a few things to keep in mind when helping an aging parent approach their later years in life. 

Encourage them to explore a new purpose

Many adults as they age find themselves faced with a lack of purpose. After spending years working in careers, building households and raising families, oftentimes elderly adults are at a loss of what to spend their time doing. 

Many seniors, without discovering a new sense of purpose, can feel that their prime years are behind them. In actuality, the later years of life are full of opportunity to explore interests they were never able to pursue before. It can be a great time to discover a new hobby and passion. 

It can be a time to hone a skill that wasn’t given much time before like watercolor or pottery. Maybe there’s time to see what all the fuss about yoga is. Or using more free time to volunteer with a charity they never had the bandwidth to devote themselves to. 

Focus on the can and not the cannots 

As we age it can be difficult to not turn all focus to the things that aging does not allow us to do anymore. Instead of focusing on physical or mental limitations that naturally come with the aging process, help them to focus on the things they can do. 

Perhaps they suffer from some physical limitations but are then mentally sharp as ever? Or if they have trouble completing their weekly crossword, help them focus on their ability to continue to go on walks with their family and friends. There is always a positive and it can be the job of loved ones and caregivers to help them find it. 

Help them alter their perspective on aging 

One of the most difficult parts of aging is that it’s perceived as a negative. Aging is a natural process and it happens to everyone. Help them alter their perspective about what getting older means. For example, if they used to be an athlete, chances are they can no longer compete in marathons. But that doesn’t mean they can’t get their heart rate up and enjoy that rush that comes from being active. If your parent or loved one enjoyed taking care of children, but no longer has children or grandchildren to dote on, perhaps it’s time to volunteer in a children’s reading program. It’s all about shifting perspective. Getting older can open up new opportunities. And it can be a great opportunity to look back on some of the great experiences people have had. 

May 08, 2020 | Assisted Living - Finance & Planning - Independent Living - Senior Lifestyles - Senior Living | by hawthornseniorliving

6 Things To Look For When Moving To A Senior Living Community

If you think it might be time for you or a loved one to transition to a senior living community or assisted living community, there are many factors that you should take into account. Always visit a potential community in person to get a better understanding of the environment. Just like buying a house, you wouldn’t purchase without visiting in person first.

Activities

Staying active as you age is vitally important to your health and overall wellbeing. Find a community that has a variety of activities and experiences to offer. Ask about seeing an activity calendar. Find a facility that has fitness activities onsite, has planned offsite activities and holds special events for residents.

Location

Location is always important. You want your senior living community to be located in proximity to activities and entertainment you enjoy. In addition, depending on your medical needs, ensuring you’re in good proximity to medical services is key. Being close to family and friends may be another important factor to help maintain regular socializing.

Levels of Service

One important factor for you or your loved one when deciding which senior living community is the right one, is the levels of care they offer. While it can seem daunting to think that far in advance, it can have enormous payoffs down the road. Finding a community that offers advanced care or assisted living services should you need them in the future can be beneficial in the long run.

Quality Staff

Staff, whether that be administrative or medical staff onsite, should be friendly, knowledgeable and available. If when you visit a community, the staff seem stressed or overworked, it might not be the right fit for you or your loved one. The staff should always be adding to the community atmosphere in a positive way, not detracting from it.

Other Offerings

When looking for the perfect community, it’s important to assess what other services or benefits are included with your monthly dues. Find a community that offers transportation services and assistance with medical appointments. Choose a community that provides home cooked meals focused on your health.

First Impressions

At the end of the day, when you visit a senior living community, it’s always best to follow your gut. If you enjoy the staff, if residents seem happy, if the environment is warm and friendly… It might just be the perfect community for you!

May 01, 2020 | Health & Wellness - Independent Living - Senior Lifestyles - Tips & Tricks | by hawthornseniorliving

How To Stay Busy While Social Distancing

Across the country, people are being encouraged to self isolate themselves to prevent the spread of COVID-19, or the novel Coronavirus. As more and more states implement stay-at-home orders, we are witnessing the positive effects that social distancing can have. That being said, social distancing can be a little isolating and monotonous, so here are some ideas to help you stay busy.

What is social distancing?

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), social distancing, also referred to as “physical distancing,” means keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home. The recommendation is to follow these guidelines:

  • Stay at least 6 feet or 2 meters apart from other people
  • Do not gather in groups
  • Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings

How To Stay Busy While Social Distancing

Stay Connected

Just because you can’t be physically close to other people doesn’t mean you have to socially isolate yourself. Catch up with friends and family on the phone. Or use technology like FaceTime, Zoom, Facebook and other social media tools to stay connected to loved ones.

Stay Active

Keeping active is good for both your body and your mind. Find ways to stay active during social distancing. Go for a walk. Do some yoga or light stretching indoors. Even putting on some music and dancing for a bit can be a great way to raise your heartrate.

Stimulate Your Brain

Finding ways to keep your brain active is particularly important during times like this. It’s easy to get sucked into the 24-hour news cycle which can be both monotonous and anxiety provoking.
Find other ways to occupy your time. Read a book. Do a crossword puzzle or Sudoku. Start coloring daily–it’s been proven to be as beneficial for your mind as meditation.

April 24, 2020 | Assisted Living - Events & News - Independent Living - Senior Lifestyles | by hawthornseniorliving

Ways To Stay Connected Virtually

Stay Connected Virtually: Tools To Bridge The Gap

Now more than ever, technology is playing a huge role in how we stay connected. As a result of the COVID-19, or novel Coronavirus pandemic, technology briged the gap for older adults to maintain relationships with family and friends.

Luckily, there are a variety of products and services available to help you stay connected with your loved ones from a distance. Rather than simply making a phone call, try one of these tools to connect with those you’re missing.

Facebook portal device

(Image from Amazon)

Facebook Portal


With the power of Facebook, Portal allows you to showcase your favorite photos, post to Facebook and even listen to music. It has Messenger and WhatsApp built-in so it’s easy to send messages and video chat with all your friends and family.

Shop here

Amazon Alexa device

(Image from Amazon)

Amazon Echo Show


Powered by Amazon, the Echo Show utilizes all of Amazon’s content and tools. With the power of Alexa built into it, you can shop via Amazon and use voice commands to access play music or audiobooks. Best of all, it can utilize communication tools to video chat with anyone in your contacts.

Shop here

Other Communication Tools


Other tools like FaceTime, Zoom, Skype and even Instagram have seen an uptick in usage since social distancing and stay-at-home orders have been put in place. FaceTime is available on all Apple devices, while apps like Zoom, Skype and Instagram can be downloaded and used within minutes.

April 15, 2020 | Independent Living - Senior Lifestyles - Senior Living | by hawthornseniorliving

4 Unexpected Perks Of An Independent Living Community

Moving from your home to an independent living community is a big decision. A senior living community can provide exactly what you’re looking for whether it be rest and relaxation or a more active lifestyle. Here are a few unexpected perks that a senior living community can offer. 

Sense of Community 


Senior living communities are a great way to surround yourself with other seniors interested in similar things. Go to yoga together. Take up painting. Enjoy the sunshine with friends. If you’ve found that you’re not as social as you once were, moving to a community might help broaden your circle. 

Multiple Amenities 


A huge benefit to moving to a senior living community is that there are tons of amenities right outside your door. Stay active and healthy in the fitness center. Take a dip in the pool. Partake in on-site entertainment and activities. If you’re interested in golfing, find a community near a golf course. 

No matter what sort of amenities are important to you, you’ll be able to find a community that fits your specific interests. 

Consolidation of Cost


Living in your home requires you to manage all of your personal costs–cost of home maintenance, food costs, utility bills, etc. However, our senior living communities include home-cooked meals three times a day and cover most utility costs in your monthly rent. This allows our residents to spend less time worrying about their finances and more time enjoying their day-to-day lives.

More Time To Do What You Love


If you think about how much time you spend on maintaining your home, the hours add up. Outside you have gardening, lawn care, maybe even shoveling snow. Inside you have dusting, scrubbing toilets and cleaning the floors. And that’s just a few! 

Moving to an independent living community means most of those chores are someone else’s responsibility. This allows you more time to spend with your friends and family or enjoying activities you love. 

March 30, 2020 | Assisted Living - Finance & Planning - Independent Living - Memory Care - Tips & Tricks | by hawthornseniorliving

5 Ways To Combat Fraud

In recent years, fraud has become one of the most expensive crimes in the country. In 2015, the financial services company, TrueLink, estimated the total loss to fraud at $36.5 billion, and AARP reports that the average loss per victim of fraud is $120,000. Adults over sixty account for millions of fraud victims each year.

There are a few reasons why elderly adults are more susceptible to fraud schemes. For one, most of them grew up in a time without technology which has made it easier than ever for criminals to fraud people. Also, many seniors grew up in periods that made them more trusting of others.

Here are some tips to help your elderly family and friends combat fraud schemes:

#1-Shred Documents

Encourage the adults over sixty in your life to shred important and financial documentation. Credit card statements, housing documents and anything that could provide bank information to a criminal should be destroyed once it’s no longer needed.

#2-Add To The “Do Not Call” List

To help cut down on the number of solicitation and potentially fraudulent calls, add senior adults to the official DO NOT CALL list. Find more info click here: https://www.donotcall.gov/.

#3-Communicate The Dangers

Most elderly grew up in a more trusting time. Nowadays, with advances in technology and rampant fraud activity, financial institutions have adopted stricter rules regarding the collection of information. For the most part, no important information regarding identity or finances is collected over the phone unless you initiate the call.

#4-Sign Up For Direct Deposit

Signing up for direct deposit for all benefits checks can help deter checks being stolen from the mail.

#5-Take Special Precautions In A Crisis

During crisis situations, like the recent COVID-19 pandemic, criminals attempt to take advantage of the elderly by launching complicated fraud scams. Oftentimes the fraudulent party pretends to be a family member or friend and requests money either via transfer or gift card purchase. Alert the elderly adults in your life of these types of schemes and set up a protocol for how they should respond.