Have you recently concluded that your aging loved one may benefit from some sort of senior living option? If so, you may be overwhelmed by the abundance of available choices. Two of the options most often confused with one another are independent and assisted living. Many people view these terms as interchangeable; others may assume they both fall under the category of “nursing home.” Both of these notions are inaccurate. The word “nursing” generally pertains to skilled nursing, a level of care that provides a high level of medical supervision.

Retirement is a liberating time in a person’s life. It allows them to pursue life’s pleasures however they see fit, whether that is through travel, learning new skills, pursuing their favorite hobbies, relaxing or any combination thereof. Despite this wonderful opportunity for freedom, many aging people reach a point at which they cannot continue enjoying the best possible quality of life without some degree of external support. For some, this may come from a spouse or child working as a family caregiver; however, for many, this is not a viable option. Oftentimes, as much as family members would like to support their aging loved one, they may not have all the training, necessary skills, or even the time to act as their caregiver. Fortunately, these families can depend on assisted living.

There are so many senior living options available – which is the right one for your situation? To become better informed, you must learn more about these different options. For example, assisted living and senior housing/senior rentals are common results during this research process. They can both be valuable resources, but the things they provide are quite different.

Reaching advanced age is a gift that allows someone to reflect on a life full of experiences while enjoying new ones. The free time of retirement and the wisdom of a life well lived create the perfect opportunity for self-discovery, learning new skills and getting the most out of every day. However, aging also presents unfavorable changes in physical ability, mobility and mental acuity. Watching your aging parent or loved one experience these changes can be upsetting or even frightening. Fortunately, the right assisted living community can help them manage their changing needs so that they can enjoy their golden years in the way they deserve…

While providing everything our residents and their loved ones should expect in a Long Term Care Facility, WinnPrairie has the added benefit of being managed by a management company rooted in hospitality.  Recently, we were able to leverage this benefit to improve our communication system, based on Evolve Hospitality’s experience with Relay at one of their hotels.

 Read more on how leveraging our connection to the Hotel Industry has positively impacted WinnPrairie.

Our Montessori care begins the day you arrive.  We like to spend several hours with our new residents and their family members getting to know each individual, about their family, what job they may have had before joining us, what hobbies they enjoy, trips they’ve taken, music they like to listen to, foods they like and dislike to eat, pets that have impacted their lives, schools they have attended, and many other details that have shaped the people that they are today. 

Every now and again, we receive heartfelt words of praise from the family members of our residents. Maybe it’s a nice online review or a little card saying that we made a difference. In this case, a family took the time to share with us a letter of appreciation for all that we did for their loved one.

Memory loss can be a challenging journey, not just for those experiencing it but also for their loved ones. Read more to discover some strategies and tips for talking to your loved ones who are experiencing memory loss, ensuring that your interactions are meaningful, respectful and supportive.

Retirement should be a time for enjoying the freedom one has earned after a lifetime of hard work. Days should be lived on one’s own terms, whether that means socializing with friends, picking up a new hobby or just relaxing with a good book. However, as retirement progresses, the challenges of aging can get in the way of this freedom. Everyday activities such as mowing the lawn, getting around town or managing medication can become increasingly difficult.

If you have a loved one struggling with dementia, you are familiar with how challenging its symptoms can be – and you are not alone. As of 2020, nearly 6 million Americans were living with Alzheimer’s disease, and this number does not include other forms of dementia such as vascular and frontotemporal. Looking after someone with dementia can be a demanding and overwhelming task. As the condition progresses through its various stages, the number of symptoms tends to increase, and each can become more severe.

As people age, they often find that their needs gradually begin to change. Perhaps mobility becomes more challenging or maintaining personal hygiene habits becomes less manageable. Tasks like these are often categorized as activities of daily living (ADLs); fortunately, there is a simple and accessible solution to this common problem: assisted living. This level of care provides older adults with support in these ADLs so that they can remain independent and continue to fully enjoy their retirement and other areas of life.

There is much more to senior living than meets the eye. For millions of Americans, the transition to a retirement home has made life more vibrant, convenient and comfortable.

You want the best for the elders in your life. They deserve to enjoy a comfortable and independent retirement on their terms. If your aging loved one is in need of additional support, it is important for you to learn more about senior living options.

If you or your aging loved one are reaching the point where assisted living may be on the table, it is important to find the ideal community. One of the best ways to do this is by learning more about the amenities they offer.

If you have ever known someone with dementia, then you understand just how challenging it can be. For the affected person, it can make life difficult, scary, or confusing. It can also affect the people around them who may not be equipped, prepared, or educated to handle the way dementia can affect interpersonal relationships.

Oftentimes, an adult child or family member feels obligated to look after their aging counterpart. This can lead to feelings of pressure, uncertainty, or inadequacy. For example, if the older person begins to experience challenges with everyday life, such as with eating, bathing, grooming, or managing their medication, the younger may feel a personal responsibility to help in these areas. Learn how to navigate finding a senior living option.

Making the move to assisted living can be a liberating and empowering decision for your aging loved one. There, they will be embraced by a welcoming community and given the support they need to continue enjoying a happy and healthy retirement. There are plenty of ways to ease the demands of the move ahead of time.

For many people, retirement is one of life’s most momentous milestones. It signifies hard work, dedication, and planning – all while providing an opportunity to live life on their terms. Relocating to a new living environment such as a retirement home is a popular choice for many.