For older adults, living alone can present a number of challenges — from getting housework and chores done to issues with mobility and transportation. Another aspect of life that can be difficult to face is loneliness, and the toll that living and being alone most of the time can take on an individual’s health. The good news is there are solutions to these challenges. For instance, assisted living communities can help improve quality of life for older adults through easy and meaningful social engagement.  Whether you or a loved one enjoys group activities, individual opportunities for community engagement, shared dining…

As we age, maintaining health and wellness is key to living our best lives. That’s why VOANS’ (Volunteers of America National Services) assisted living communities are always looking for ways to support their residents’ holistic health. From encouraging healthy eating habits to offering exercise and physical activity options, social opportunities for emotional wellness, mental health services and more, there are many programs that can help our senior residents thrive in their assisted living communities How Assisted Living Dietary Programs Create Healthy Eating Habits for Seniors No matter your age, healthy eating habits are important for your health. This is increasingly…

The transition to assisted living can be a challenge for many people, even after they have decided the change is the best choice. Coping with the emotion during the transition can be difficult, so be sure your loved one has friends, family and networks that can offer support, help them find answers to questions about assisted living or provide a reliable listening ear for their concerns. Just like having conversations with aging family members about their future, maintaining an empathetic mindset and having an open and honest dialogue is helpful when your loved one is getting ready to make the…

As our parents age, the need to discuss their future care and living needs becomes increasingly important, but also potentially more challenging. Often, the hardest part of these conversations is starting them, as bringing the subject up can feel awkward or can cause some to brace for a potential conflict that they would rather avoid. However, engaging in respectful and open conversations with your parents about their aging and future is vital to how their emotional, mental and physical needs can be met going forward. If you’re looking for actionable advice on approaching this sensitive topic, take a look at…

When the time comes for you or a loved one to make decisions about assisted living communities and skilled nursing centers, knowing all the facts is vital to making the right decision. This includes having a clear understanding of the needs of the potential resident, as well as the services that are available at each kind of community.  For example, those who are in need of higher levels of care would get the most benefit from a skilled nursing center, while others may find the greater independence and varied levels of care found at an assisted living community to be…

When someone you love is in memory care, visiting them can bring up emotional challenges or challenges that may make it difficult, but keeping that connection and visiting when you can is one of the best ways you can demonstrate your love and support. There’s no denying that it can be hard to visit a loved one who may have difficulty remembering you or your times together, and it is possible that the context of a memory care itself could bring up negative emotions. However, by understanding the value of memory care and working with caring, knowledgeable memory care professionals…

Memory care is extremely valuable for individuals with dementia, Alzheimer’s or other cognitive impairments that make it difficult for them to live safe, healthy and enjoyable lives. Memory care, and memory care communities, provide structure, support, care and peace of mind for those who need it and their families and loved ones. Although memory care is beneficial, it can still be hard to make the decision on when the right time for it is and the conversations with your loved one about memory care can be emotional and difficult. VOANS is here to help support and offer guidance throughout the…

If you have a loved one who is encountering memory loss struggles, a memory support community could be the ideal living situation, combining comprehensive care with improved quality of life and the freedom they need to live it to the fullest. Memory support communities, including VOANS communities, provide structured, specialized care designed for those living with  Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Key Advantages of Memory Support Communities for Seniors Memory support communities offer both structure and support for their residents in order to best enable them to live safe, enjoyable and full lives. These communities also offer opportunities for…

Transitions are a natural part of senior care and living situations, but it can be difficult to know when the time is right to make a change. For example, those currently in independent living communities can have trouble deciding when it is the right time to make the move to an assisted living level of care.  VOANS has both assisted and independent living communities, so we’ve put together a guide to help residents and loved ones decide when to make the change to assisted living. Understanding Independent vs. Assisted Living Knowing the differences between independent and assisted living is vital…

While it may seem difficult to help loved ones living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, there are plenty of activities and games that you can participate in together that are not only enjoyable, but also provide beneficial stimulation. Dementia — resulting from diseases like Alzheimer’s — makes memory and other types of thinking difficult for people, usually older adults, resulting in difficulty with everyday activities on their own. Friends and family can help ease the challenge of doing these daily activities alone, but they can also play a vital therapeutic role by encouraging and participating in stimulating games…