Articles

Long before she ever imagined calling The Homestead at Rochester home, spiritual outreach had already become a cherished routine for Sue Johnson. As a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, she began bringing Holy Communion to residents at the senior living community each week—quiet visits filled with gentle conversation, familiar prayers, and the kind of connection that lingers long after. When COVID arrived and businesses could not allow all visitors, Sue persevered. She came faithfully to the front door of The Homestead at Rochester every Sunday, handing communion to staff who would then take it inside for residents. Week after…

Healthy aging can be a complex process, but having a firm foundation based on advanced planning makes things easier. Providing for future care needs, outside of savings or similar resources, gives peace of mind for both seniors and their loved ones. A forward-thinking plan also helps protect assets and savings while promoting dignity and independence throughout aging. One of the best ways to plan for the future is by taking out a long-term care insurance (LTCI) policy. These policies can help pay for many different types of care, but many seniors and their families aren’t sure what LTCI is or…

The holidays are filled with family, warmth, and creating lasting memories with the people we love. But for some seniors who are living on their own, the holiday season also brings challenges. It can be difficult to make travel and transportation plans around this time of year to visit friends and family, finding and attending social events isn’t easy, and hosting is not always a possibility.  The challenges of the holiday season can make it an ideal time to transition to an assisted living or senior living community. These kinds of communities can provide the social and emotional benefits that…

Life change of any kind is a significant time for families, especially when a parent or family member requires extra support and memory care. The mix of emotional processing and figuring out logistics at the same time is challenging, which is why VOANS is dedicated to being a supportive partner during the transition.  From answers to questions about what to bring and what not to bring for the move, to thoughtfully designed studio apartment units, to suggestions about how to make the new space feel like home, our team is here to make the transition to memory care as comfortable…

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…