Assisted Living News

The link between chronic loneliness and mental and/or physical health problems is not new — being lonely increases a person’s mortality risk while also reducing their cognitive and mobility skills. The companionship offered in senior living communities can protect against loneliness and its side effects, however. In fact, a new poll has revealed just how powerful companionship is for seniors. Learn more about the poll and the benefits of companionship for seniors in senior living. The Effects of Lone...

Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated its report on assisted living communities to give families, senior care providers and other stakeholders more information about assisted living communities, residents and the care they receive in the United States. Read more about the report, which goes into significant detail not only about assisted living communities and residents, but also adult day services, nursing homes and more. Here are some of the pertinent pieces of informatio...

Last Updated: April 11, 2019 There are many reasons that someone can end up at assisted living — from needing medical assistance to more specialized care. Read some interesting statistics about the average assisted living resident that you may not know about. Facts About the Average Assisted Living Resident According to the “Overview of Assisted Living,” report published by Leading Age, formerly the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, the average assisted living resi...

A move to assisted living can cause feelings of trepidation. It’s an adjustment for everyone, but for some seniors, it can be more difficult than others. Your support during this process is important to reduce feelings of abandonment, anxiety and loneliness and help ease your parent’s overall adjustment. It’s important to encourage your senior loved one to keep up the hobbies and lifestyle that they enjoy, so they don’t experience a drop in their activity levels or quality of life after a move to ass...

When a parent or senior loved one first moves to an assisted living community, it’s natural to worry about their adjustment and whether or not they are getting superior care. Read our tips on how you can assess their level of care in assisted living and what to look for if you’re too far for an in-person visit. Listening to Your Loved One in Assisted Living When you visit your parent or senior loved one, you can check for a few signs of superior care in assisted living. Ask them if they are com...

Do you wish you had stronger social connections with family and friends? According to Psychology Today, social connections are the most important factor in someone’s happiness. Unfortunately, some parents and senior loved ones in assisted living communities lack these enriching connections. Learn more about how we can identify loneliness in assisted living. Loneliness in Seniors Seniors who are lonely are more likely to be anxious, depressed, unmotivated and withdrawn. These physiological woes increa...

As you prepare for a move to assisted living,  you’re probably hearing a lot about how much you have to get rid of. A room in an assisted living community has limited space, and for most seniors, that means you’ll have to downsize before moving. But you want to be careful not to go too far in the opposite direction and get rid of items you actually need to bring with you. Assisted living communities will provide a lot of what you need, but they don’t provide everything. If you get rid of certain esse...

Even those who have communicative and open relationships with their parents can find it hard to start conversations about their parent’s ability to take care of themselves. You and your parent may both know they would benefit from moving into assisted living, but the thought is often so full of emotion and stress, it can be a difficult conversation to start. Learn more about how to have an assisted living conversation with your parents, using these five conversation starters. 5 Tips for Having an Ass...

Our current healthcare system in the United States if often overcrowded and under-supported, with most hospitals and short-stay facilities focused on one primary goal: to move patients along as quickly as possible. While our current systems may focus on efficiency, they lack success when it comes to patient satisfaction, readmission rates and staffing resources. These models are also not meeting the needs of the most vulnerable users, many of whom are seniors. Age-Friendly Health Systems are differen...

Moving into assisted living can be both emotionally and financially draining for seniors and their families. Having a strategic financial plan in place is important for not only your financial peace of mind but also your wallet. Here are five ways to make assisted living more affordable. Top 5 Ways to Make Assisted Living More Affordable According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University in a report they did for AARP, the biggest expenses for seniors are healthcare and housing. T...

Last Updated: December 20, 2018 A move to an assisted living community is a major financial decision. Learn how to make your assisted living budget go further by focusing your search on nearby cities with the most affordable options. Stretch Your Assisted Living Budget With the Senior Living Cost Index Typical assisted living costs range nationally from $2,225 to 6,307 per month. That’s $26,701-75,682 per year. The cost depends in part on the level of amenities you desire, but more than anythin...

Many Americans count on Social Security as a major source of their retirement income, yet they are unclear on how the benefit works or are unaware of all the benefits available. Learn whether your Social Security retirement planning is on track and if you are maximizing your payout to help with your assisted living costs. Benefits to Use for Assisted Living Costs Assisted living and healthcare costs are the most expensive costs of retirement. Social Security benefits are a major source of income to h...

For many of us, the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year with family gatherings and festive events to look forward to. However, for seniors in assisted living or those in isolation, the holidays may not be as enjoyable. Learn more about how to bring holiday cheer to your parents and senior loved ones in assisted living this season. Helping Seniors in Assisted Living Avoid Isolation During the Holidays Isolation is difficult to detect in seniors and not a topic that is openly discusse...

If you are researching assisted living for yourself, a parent or senior loved one, the single most important step of that research is to visit a senior living community. No amount of viewing floor plans, photos or reviews can substitute for an in-person visit to an assisted living community. Reasons to Tour Assisted Living Communities During the Holidays Even if you’re not sure if a senior living community is in your near future, it’s prudent to see the communities in your area in case an unexpected ...

Being prepared for end-of-life costs is an important piece of retirement planning as assisted living and long-term care account for the majority of expenses in our later years. Learn more about assisted living costs and read our tips for becoming more fiscally fit for longevity in assisted living. How to Be Fiscally Fit for Longevity in Assisted Living According to the Genworth 2018 Cost of Care Survey, assisted living communities cost $45,000, while semi-private nursing homes cost $85,775 and privat...