The Arbor Company Senior Living Blog

The aging process can make it difficult to continue pursuing activities a person once loved. It’s normal to slow down a bit with age, but many caregivers mistakenly assume that apathy and disconnection are normal parts of aging. According to a new study published in JAMA Psychiatry, apathy is actually a significant health risk factor that doubles the risk of developing dementia.

Want to live longer? Age really might be just a number if you have a positive attitude toward aging. A new study suggests that people who have a positive attitude toward aging may be healthier and happier. Other research supports this conclusion, pointing to the benefits of feeling young at heart. So go ahead and embrace your inner youthfulness. Age is what you make it.

According to 2017 Pew Research Center data, about a third of seniors over 65 use social media. Among seniors with a college education, that figure is 56%.

Seniors report that social media helps them stay in touch with their family, learn about news in their community, communicate more effectively with loved ones, and reach out to people from their past. Many young people rely solely or primarily on social media to communicate about their lives, so seniors may have better luck chatting with grandchildren and children through social media than through more traditional methods.

Life can be stressful. Busy jobs, financial woes, family obligations, the ups and downs of married life, and so much more mean the reality is that few of us make it to old age without facing a heaping pile of stress.

There’s a common misconception that people with dementia can’t maintain meaningful relationships. But 80 percent of people with dementia can effectively communicate, and approximately one-third of them can make important decisions, one study found. The best books on dementia break down barriers and provide helpful strategies to make those types of meaningful engagements possible.  

Independent seniors looking to move into a retirement community may feel daunted in choosing someplace that is appealing, comfortable, and affordable. Often, these active seniors are more concerned with amenities and environment and less with care. After all, their move to a senior community is to facilitate and continue their full lives, not to take a giant step back.

So which factors should you consider when choosing a retirement community? There are several, but first, you must fully understand what independent senior living entails.

One reason why Alzheimer’s is so insidious is that it has no cure nor practical effective treatment. Every patient eventually succumbs to the disease. Progress toward learning more about the nuts and bolts of the disease has been slow, even as more Americans are diagnosed with the condition.

The term senior living community carries different definitions for different people. Some families might see a senior living community as a place where their loved ones enjoy retirement. Others may see it as a place that provides the necessary services to seniors who might need extra assistance in their day-to-day lives. And still others think of senior living communities strictly as nursing homes.

Have you decided that it’s time to start thinking seriously about moving to a senior living facility?

Many seniors admit that one of the main reasons they put off exploring senior living options is the price tag. However, if you know deep down that you’re ready for senior living, you should seriously consider moving and start exploring the options available to you.

Unfortunately, financial concerns lead to lengthy delays in seniors receiving the care, accommodations, and engagement that they so badly need. But there are many options and resources available to help pay for senior living—some that you might not be aware of.