by Shelley | Sep 27, 2022 | Healthy Aging
Grandparents play an important role in most families. They can be a confidant to their grandchildren, a cheerleader and source of unconditional love, and a resource for learning and exploring the world. Whatever the role, the support of a grandparent is invaluable. Research shows that children with involved grandparents develop healthy attitudes about aging.
In some families, grandparents have assumed even greater roles in their grandkids’ lives. Single-parent households and families where both parents work outside the home are increasing. Grandparents often fill in when a child’s mother or father can’t be there. From helping with car pool duties to babysitting after school, grandparents help bridge the gap in care.
On Sunday, September 11th, Heritage Senior Communities and aging services organizations across the county will honor the important work of family elders by celebrating Grandparents Day. It’s a holiday that dates back to 1978 and then-President Jimmy Carter.
If you and your family would like to plan something special for Grandparents Day, we have a few ideas you might find helpful.
Honoring Senior Loved Ones on Grandparents Day
- Host a family talent show: This can be a great intergenerational family event. It doesn’t take great talent, just a willingness to have fun. Coordinate a family talent show where everyone in the family—individually or in groups—participates. Long distance family members can record their talent for you to share with your senior loved ones during the show. You can even go the extra mile and award prizes, such as Most Talented, Best Group, Most Original, and Best Sport.
- Plan a picnic in the park: Early September is a great time to plan outdoor activities in Michigan and Indiana. If you aren’t familiar with the local park system, call to see which ones take reservations for covered picnic areas and if any are accessible for adults with mobility issues, if needed. Reserve space for your family to enjoy an intergenerational picnic on Grandparents Day. Keep the menu simple and ask everyone to bring a dish or two. You could also plan a few old-fashioned group games, such as balloon toss and egg races.
- Organize a legacy project: As we grow older, most of us begin to reflect on our life, family, and contribution to the world. Legacy planning becomes important to many seniors. They might become interested in researching their family tree or documenting what they know about their family for future generations. A nice Grandparents Day activity could be for all of the family’s generations to tackle one of these projects together. This list of genealogy websites might provide you with helpful information to get started.
- Host an outdoor movie night: This is another great way to gather with several generations of the family. It can be as simple as renting or borrowing a digital projector or lightbox and showing a classic Disney movie. You can stream it against the side of the house or on a white sheet strung between two trees in the backyard. Place blankets on the lawn for the kids and camping or folding chairs for the adults. Serve favorite movie foods, like buttered popcorn, boxes of candy, and pop. Don’t forget to stock up on bug spray.
- Schedule a home maintenance day: This requires a little work from everyone in the family, but can be a great bonding experience. By tackling home repairs and maintenance projects at your senior loved one’s home, you’ll provide a meaningful gift. Help your parent create a list of things they need done around the house. Encourage them to be honest and not hold back. Then you can track down the supplies needed for the projects before the scheduled work day. Remember to take pictures!
Enjoy Life at Heritage Senior Communities
From healthy meals and maintenance-free living to a variety of enrichment activities, the benefits of senior living are numerous. If you or a loved one is considering a move, we hope you’ll keep Heritage Senior Communities in mind. Call the community nearest you to schedule a private tour today!
by Shelley | Aug 29, 2022 | Healthy Aging, Uncategorized
Assisted living is often considered an ideal solution for older adults who need a helping hand to remain independent. It’s a level of senior care that blends support with amenities in an environment that allows for resident privacy. Seniors who move to an assisted living community still feel in charge of their own life.
How does assisted living support independence? Here are a few ways these communities benefit seniors striving to maintain their independence.
Assisted Living Supports Senior Independence
- Thoughtfully designed environment: Each resident has a private apartment or suite. The layout and features are designed with the unique needs of older adults in mind. In Heritage assisted living communities, seniors will find barrier-free accessibility, grab bars in bathrooms, and emergency call systems. You’ll find more senior-friendly features throughout the community, such as handrails along hallways. It’s a thoughtful approach designed to lower the risk of falling.
- Caregivers available 24/7: One challenge families face when a senior loved one tries to age in place in their private home is the unpredictably of needs. For example, family members may not be available overnight to help an older adult to and from the bathroom. It is also difficult for working adults to remind their senior parents to take their medications throughout the day and night. In an assisted living community, caregivers are on-site around the clock to support resident needs.
- Transportation services for residents: Another struggle older adults often encounter is transportation. Some may continue driving despite no longer feeling safe doing so simply because they don’t feel they have other options. Seniors may also feel like they are burdening their adult children with continued transportation requests. That’s why the transportation services provided by assisted living communities are so popular. In addition to regularly scheduled group outings to local restaurants and shopping malls, staff can arrange transportation for residents’ doctor’s appointments and other errands.
- Maintenance-free lifestyle: Another convenience that promotes independence is having household chores and maintenance tasks covered. Everything from snow removal to appliance repair is handled by the community’s staff. In most communities, housekeeping and laundry services are included in the monthly fee or available as an add-on service. No more worries for seniors about asking adult children or grandchildren for help or trying to track down a contractor.
- Wellness made easy: When a senior is struggling at home, their diet often suffers. It becomes easier to rely on convenience meals and processed foods. However, most are high in sodium and fat. That can lead to poor nutrition, which puts older adults at higher risk for illness and falls. In an assisted living community, well-balanced meals and healthy snacks are standard. Most dining services teams can also accommodate special diets, such as low-sodium or gluten-free. With Heritage Hospitality, residents have a choice of menus at every meal.
- Medication management: Finally, the caregivers at an assisted living community help residents stay on track with their medicine. It’s another area that can be difficult as health needs require older adults to take multiple over-the-counter and prescription medications. Depending upon the community and state regulations, staff can help by providing reminders or even assisting seniors in taking their medication.
Schedule a Tour of a Heritage Community Today
The best way to learn about assisted living and its benefits is to tour a community in person. If your search includes Michigan or Indiana, we invite you to consider Heritage. View our list of communities and schedule a visit to a location that interests you!
by Shelley | Aug 8, 2022 | Healthy Aging
Dear Donna:
We are preparing to move my parents to an assisted living community. They’ve lived in their current home for decades. It’s a large house with several outdoor buildings. We are a bit daunted at the idea of making all of this happen. The downsizing alone seems overwhelming.
My siblings and I are researching different aspects of the move to create a plan. One step we’ll likely need to take is hosting an estate sale. Do you have any tips to make hosting a sale at our parents’ home easier?
Sincerely,
Lisa in Ann Arbor, MI
Organizing an Estate Sale for a Senior
Dear Lisa:
Families often put off a move because of the reasons you stated. We’ve found, however, that the most difficult aspect of downsizing is getting started. It sounds like splitting up responsibilities is a good way to go!
Estate sales are fairly common when older adults are transitioning to senior living. Here are some tips to help you plan an estate sale:
- Identify items to keep: First, decide what furniture and belongings will go with your parents and what will need to find a new home. Your parents will likely have much less space than they currently do. Keep that in mind as you work through this process.
- Time the sale well: Families often wonder which months of the year are best to host an estate sale. While spring and summer tend to be popular for garage sales, estate sales generally do well all year long. Shoppers will still come in the winter, largely because estate sales are held indoors. Weather generally doesn’t play a factor.
- Research prices online: Pricing the items for sale can be tricky. Sentimental items might be the most difficult. Other items might be worth more than you think. A good way to get started is to review estate sales and auctions in your area online. If you have any doubts, pay for an appraisal.
- Consider selling valuables elsewhere: Some high value items that appeal to a small audience might be better off sold through an auction house or specialty website. For example, rare art or vintage jewelry. By contrast, other items shouldn’t be part of an estate sale. Those might include cheap electronics, exercise equipment, and food. Visit a few estate sales in your community to get a better idea about what does and doesn’t sell.
- Shop by room: One nice thing about an estate sale is you can leave almost everything in place. It actually helps shoppers as they make their way through the house. Just make sure everything is easily accessible.
- Keep high value items in sight: An exception to leaving things in place is valuable items. Set up a table for these near your checkout table, preferably away from the door. That lets you or your helpers keep an eye on them.
- Put secure price tags on everything: Unfortunately, people may try to switch price tags around on items. Make sure every item in the sale has a price tag securely in place.
- Discourage parents’ attendance: One final suggestion is to try to keep your parents from attending the sale. It can be difficult to watch strangers pick over a lifetime of treasures. It’s best for them to avoid being there.
I hope these tips are helpful, Lisa! Please drop me another note if there’s anything else you need.
Kind regards,
Donna
More Advice on Downsizing
Helping a senior loved one rightsize to a senior living community can be a lot of work. Read “10 Tips for Downsizing and Moving a Senior Loved One” for more advice as you begin this process!
by Shelley | Jul 27, 2022 | Alzheimer's and Dementia, Healthy Aging
Dear Donna:
We lost my dad after a long battle with cancer early last year. It’s been tough trying to process this loss and support my mom in her grief. They were married almost sixty years, and she was his very devoted caregiver for over six years.
Because my mom’s days were so focused on caring for my dad, she rarely did anything for herself. One challenge she is facing is finding purpose again. Overnight she went from never having enough time to suddenly having nothing but time.
I’d like to find ways to help my mom rebuild her own life. She’s spending far too much time alone. Do you have any suggestions?
Sincerely,
Casey in Byron Center, MI
Encouraging a Senior Loved One to Reconnect
Dear Casey:
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your father. I’m sure it’s difficult to process your own grief while also caring for your mother.
It’s great that you recognized this problem and are trying to help your mom. Going from caring for someone around the clock to having an open schedule is a big adjustment! I have a few suggestions I hope will be useful:
- Volunteer for a cause: Much like with caregiving, knowing someone is counting on you gives the days meaning. While your mom probably isn’t looking for full-time volunteer work, sharing a few hours of time each week for a cause close to her heart might help her feel needed again. Your local United Way office may be able to suggest nonprofit agencies currently seeking volunteers. If not, try a website like VolunteerMatch. They match volunteers to projects by city or zip code.
- Learn something new: Learning is good for the body, mind, and spirit. Encourage your mom to explore local classes and workshops. Has your mom always wanted to learn how to play the piano but never had time? Or does she enjoy researching family history? Encourage her to share her dreams so the two of you can work on making them a reality.
- Join a senior center: Like many caregivers, your mom’s social circle may have shrunk when she was busy taking care of your dad. Joining a local senior center is one way she can make new friends. Most have minimal membership fees and offer programming that ranges from art classes and card groups to group outings.
- Practice healthy self-care: One final suggestion is to encourage your mom to take care of herself. If she’s been neglecting her annual physical or is behind on health screenings, make those a priority. Also help her find easy ways to exercise and eat well. Lifestyle diets, such as the DASH Diet or the Mediterranean Diet, are linked to lower rates of heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and more. An exercise program that incorporates weight training, stretching, and cardiovascular activity will also help her feel better.
I hope this is helpful, Casey! Sending good thoughts to you and your mom.
Kind regards,
Donna
New Retirement Living Option in Traverse City
Heritage Senior Communities is a fourth-generation, family-owned company dedicated to meeting the retirement living needs of older adults. Plans for our newest community, The Village at LaFranier Woods in Traverse City, are now underway. Scheduled to open in early 2023, we invite older adults interested in an active lifestyle to contact us today to learn more!
by Shelley | Jun 20, 2022 | Healthy Aging
After the COVID-19 pandemic kept some families separated the last few years, many are looking forward to summer. It might be a great time to take an intergenerational vacation. With thoughtful planning, you can make it a memorable experience for everyone.
Car travel is often easiest when multiple generations are vacationing together. If the youngest generation gets restless, you can stop to have a snack or run around a roadside park. Seniors will also appreciate being able to stop and stretch their legs or use the restroom.
Depending upon where you live, a state or national park is likely within a day’s drive. Michigan residents are especially fortunate. There is a wide range of parks, campgrounds, and hiking trails throughout the Great Lake state.
Consider a Trip to a State or National Park
Both federal and state parks have accessible solutions for people with mobility challenges. They also offer a variety of intergenerational activities.
Depending upon how long your vacation is and how far you are willing to drive, here are a few parks to consider:
- Great Smoky Mountain National Park: Located along the North Carolina and Tennessee border, this popular park offers activities ranging from hiking to bird-watching. Children between the ages of 5 and 12 can complete activities and earn a patch through the Junior Ranger program. Families will find a variety of cabins, campgrounds, and value-priced motels close to the park.
- Acadia National Park: If your family members enjoy sailing, whale watching, or kayaking, head north to the Maine coast and Acadia National Park. Nature hikes, boat cruises, and carriage tours are also popular. While there is no lodging available at the park, campgrounds and other accommodations are nearby.
- Sleeping Bear Dunes: This Michigan park has consistently won awards ranging from most beautiful beaches to Good Morning America’s Most Beautiful Place in America. Touring lighthouses, hiking trails, canoeing, sailing, and biking are just a few adventures you’ll find. Restaurants, lodges, and campgrounds are available near the park.
Explore Train Travel This Summer
Another idea for an intergenerational getaway is to travel by train.
- Grand Canyon Railway: This flexible and popular train adventure allows families to choose everything from the length of their trip to what car they travel in. There are fun onboard acts travelers of all ages will enjoy, such as staged cattle-rustling and robberies. There’s even a Wild West Shootout on the train platform before the trip begins.
- Niagara Falls Train: Families can enjoy many options for train travel from both the American and Canadian sides of the Falls. Both day trips and longer getaways are available. Great Rail Journeys also offers other rail and cruise vacations.
Wherever you decide to go, be mindful of summer safety issues that impact older adults. Review “Keeping a Senior Outdoorsman Safe in the Summer” for tips before you head off on your vacation!
New Independent Living Community Coming to Traverse City
For active seniors interested in an affordable option for independent living in northern Michigan, The Village at LaFranier Woods could be a solution. Scheduled to open in early 2023, this Traverse City community will offer one- and two-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom cottages. Contact us today to request more information on the newest Heritage Senior Community!
by Shelley | May 4, 2022 | Healthy Aging
Mother’s Day is a holiday that began in 1908 by a West Virginia daughter. Her goal was to honor her activist mother, Anna Jarvis, and her commitment to teaching women how to properly care for their children. Over the years, Mother’s Day has evolved. On the second Sunday in May each year, we celebrate mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and other women who make a difference in their families’ lives.
As the holiday approaches, we want to share some ideas to help you honor the women in your family with unique and memorable gifts.
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
- Quilt kit: Art projects are good for the mind and spirit. A senior in your family might appreciate a quilt kit she can use to create her very own masterpiece. They are available in a variety of styles, sizes, and prices. You can easily find kits for beginners. Etsy is a great resource to explore.
- Storytime video chat: When families are separated by a long distance, a tablet device can make it easier to connect. If your children or grandchildren are younger, they might enjoy showing off their reading skills for a grandmother. You can use a free platform like Skype or Zoom. If finances permit, purchase a system like GrandCare to enjoy story time across the miles. Borrow or purchase two copies of a book for the senior and the kids to read together. Experience gifts like this are priceless to older loved ones and children alike.
- Homemade coupon book: Another unique and personalized gift is to create a coupon book. A senior can trade in coupons for time with family or help with projects. Ask each family member to come up with a coupon or two. Maybe a tech-savvy grandchild can create a coupon to help their grandmother set up a new streaming service or learn how to use Alexa. Another loved one might add a coupon for a family movie night or girls’ lunch. Be creative in coming up with ideas and experiences that match the senior’s hobbies and interests.
- Handcrafted gift: While indulgence gifts like expensive jewelry are nice, don’t overlook how heartwarming handmade Mother’s Day presents can be. You can purchase craft kits at a local hobby store for yourself or the grandchildren to use. You’ll find options ranging from stained glass kits to packages with everything needed to make a garden stepping stone. These make memorable presents for a senior loved one.
Finally, creating a family cookbook is another memorable gift idea for Mother’s Day. The whole family can get involved by contributing their favorite recipes. How to Create a Family Cookbook in Honor of Mother’s Day shares advice and resources to make it easier to get started!
