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Moving into senior living, and even starting a senior living search, is something people find easy to put off. But is this a good idea? No. The sooner you start your search, the easier it will be on you, your family, and your future health and happiness. In fact, the earlier you begin looking at and comparing Life Plan Communities, the more control you’ll have over your next living situation. Let’s consider some of the reasons why.   Why wait for freedom and security?   Once you’re out from under the […]

Moving may not be everyone’s favorite activity, but eventually we all change our address. What does this mean for seniors selling their home? Initially it might mean stressing over details and logistics, but if you approach your home sale with patience and common sense, you can simplify the process and move on to a more rewarding lifestyle in a less stressful environment like a senior living community. These six home seller tips will help you break down the elements of a successful home sale.   Tip 1. Get a realistic […]

Unless you’re an attorney practicing contract law, it’s not surprising to find the language and detail of senior living contracts to be a bit confusing and maybe even intimidating. So it’s always a good idea to have your lawyer and financial advisor review and clarify any residency agreement before you sign it. Not only are there several types of senior living contracts, but they can differ significantly depending on a number of variables — whether or not the community you choose offers a continuum of care, where it’s located geographically, […]

Having a pet as a companion can be a wonderful way to add engagement to life. Spending time with a cat or dog brings comfort and wards off feelings of loneliness. Pet ownership is also connected with better overall health and wellness. The University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging found a variety of pet therapy benefits for seniors ages 50+. Their study showed owning a pet helps older adults enjoy life and feel loved. It also helped reduce stress and stick to a routine. Owning a dog was […]

Conversations with parents about health care can be tough. No one likes to admit they need help with the activities of daily living, and many view moving to a senior living community as surrendering their independence. You may be putting off talking to parents about assisted living because you’re not sure how to broach the topic or are worried about how they’ll react. It’s common for families to postpone the subject of assisted living until an accident or medical crisis forces a decision under stress. First, do your homework. Prepare […]

The forecast for winter weather this year in St. Louis is warmer and wetter. Experts at NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) forecast that much of the Midwest can expect a warmer winter, and more precipitation. The forecast is driven by a La Nina weather pattern that will impact our winter climate. (If you’d like to learn more about La Nina, click here.) While it hasn’t snowed heavily in St. Louis the past couple of years, the NOAA prediction hints at a combination of snow, ice and rain coming our […]

You know the old truism, “If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen ’em all”? That’s definitely not true when it comes to senior living communities. Why is that? Consider these examples: Some senior living communities offer a full continuum of care with multiple levels of care; some offer only independent living.  One retirement community may provide long-term skilled nursing care, while another only provides care for short-term stays.  A Continuing Care Retirement Community, or CCRC, is also the same thing as a Life Plan Community — both can be either for-profit […]

Think about a song you knew when you were younger but haven’t heard in years. The song comes on and suddenly you remember the words and the melody. You may also be flooded with snippets of memories — a particular person, moment, or period in your life — you hadn’t thought about until you heard the song again. According to studies, listening to music engages broad neural networks in the brain, including brain regions responsible for motor actions, emotions and creativity. That may help explain why music can offer numerous benefits […]

You know that expression in the car-buying business about kicking the tires before you buy? This idiom serves as a reminder to inspect something to make sure it meets your expected standards before you commit to buying. Take senior living communities, for example. No matter how lovely the website or how engaging the brochure, you definitely want to kick the tires of each community, so to speak, before you make your decision. So as you start setting up your in-person visits, here are 10 tips for touring senior living communities […]