Question: Is there something you like to think about to cheer yourself up when you’re feeling blue? Answer: “I like to think about the little ones in the family. What funny things they do! Like my great granddaughter…some of the stuff she tries to eat. She’s one and a half and has teeth, so she chewed right through a pencil and bit the eraser off the pencil, so we had to get that out of her mouth. And my great grandson is playing hockey. That’s a riot because they’re so […]

When the time comes that a parent can no longer continue to live safely at home, emotions may be running high. Medical conditions, growing fragility, loneliness, or an inability to care for oneself will force families to rethink the best living arrangement for their senior loved one. These can be intensely personal decisions. And though after the fact, transitioning to assisted living is usually considered a positive change, there can be many uncomfortable moments on the road to that outcome. For the older individual, this is a major life event, […]

Question: When you look back, what are some of the highlights of your life? Answer: “I was involved in music activities in high school in Liberty, MO and was asked to direct the school band in my senior year because our band director was drafted.” “A friend of mine was a member of a barbershop chorus and we formed a quartet. We often sang at retirement homes, one of which was Friendship Village! The highlight of my career was joining the Ambassadors of Harmony, an award-winning chorus of 160 men. […]

For the sake of discussion, let’s imagine a retired couple. They are active and in good health. They can safely manage their personal care needs now, but they know a community offering on-site care will position them well for the future. They’d like to maintain their active lifestyle and even expand their social horizons. They’re looking for independent living within a continuing care retirement community. How should they go about choosing an independent living community? What questions should they ask? What is independent living? That’s a good question to start […]

Question: Is there something you like to think of first thing in the morning? Answer: “The first thing on my mind is ‘Don’t fall.’ Honestly, every day I think that. But, seriously, I am very lucky. And every day I wake up and I feel that every single day, I’m so lucky to be here (at Friendship Village). I ask myself ‘How did I end up here?’ Me being here was totally accidental. God was doing the puppet thing.” “My husband died and four months later I was diagnosed with […]

Congratulations! You’ve decided you’re ready to rightsize from your much-too-large home into a comfortable, active senior living community. No more yardwork, home upkeep, cooking, cleaning or maintenance for you. Now all you have to do is find some helpful downsizing tips for seniors – then start downsizing, packing and moving. Sounds fun, right? Right? Ok, maybe “fun” isn’t the right word. The downsizing process, not to mention packing and moving itself, can be time-consuming and laborious, especially for an older adult. Friends and family members may offer to help with decluttering […]

About 83% of the largest not-for-profit senior living communities have some type of faith-based affiliation. Why is faith-based senior living so prevalent – and how does it benefit residents, even if they don’t ascribe to a particular belief system? Spiritual Wellness The National Wellness Institute defines spiritual wellness as “the search for meaning and purpose in human existence.” Simply put, it’s about being connected to something greater than yourself and having a set of values that guide your actions. It can mean participating in a specific religious practice, but it […]

Question: Family and raising your children have been important parts of your life. Do you have any stories from when they were younger? Answer: I have four children, seven grandchildren, and I’ve been married for 63 years, so I’d say family has been the center of my life. Frank, my husband, traveled a lot for work, so when our kids were younger and in school, that’s where a lot of my time and energy was focused. One of the more interesting stories I remember from that time was when our […]

There are a lot of senior living options in the St. Louis area – and they’re not all the same. If you’re starting to consider senior living for yourself or a loved one, here’s what you need to know about the different types of communities and what they offer. Active Adult Communities Typically restricted to people who are 55+, these senior living options offer residential living, usually in single-family homes, townhomes or condominiums, either for sale or for rent. Meals, outdoor maintenance, and other services might be included in the […]