Whether you are looking for a way to connect with family members during visits, strengthen cognitive skills alone, or just have a little bit of fun, card games can be the ideal solution. We love that card games for seniors can be played alone or in groups, and that most games are suitable for beginners or experts. Even better, most card games can be played with a single deck of playing cards, which are inexpensive and easy to carry almost anywhere.
As you have likely seen in the news recently, the COVID-19 vaccine will be ready soon, and residents and staff in senior living communities are among the first groups being prioritized. At Arbor, this means nearly all of the communities we operate are in the “phase 1A” portion of the national rollout of the vaccine (the only communities not eligible are standalone independent living communities with no assisted living attached to them).
If you’re the sort of person who spends summer months tending a gorgeous garden, reaps the benefits of the harvest in the fall, and plans a spring vacation before the leaves have even fallen, winter can be tough. There’s less to do, and less light by which to do it. Scientists say that this can even cause depression. But that doesn’t mean you have to hide in a blanket fort all winter, waiting for warmer weather and more fun. These great indoor activities for seniors may convince you that getting cozy can be fun, too.
There’s nothing like the holiday season to inspire a bit of creativity. This year especially, many family members are looking for ideas about how to safely connect with senior loved ones. One way to share an experience, whether in person or over a video call, is to work on an arts and crafts project together. We’ve taken the time to compile some of our favorite Christmas crafts for seniors that can be enjoyed by anyone in the family.
‘Tis the season for family gatherings, favorite traditions, and comforting foods that everyone at the table enjoys. If a member of your family is a senior living community resident this year, you might be wondering how that will impact your family holiday traditions. The good news is that living in a senior community will not affect your family’s plans. In fact, it might create an opportunity for new traditions you’ll look forward to each year.
Here are a few of our tips for keeping family holiday traditions alive after your loved one retires to a senior living community.
Holiday blues are often the result of being alone around the holidays, and this year, they will be more prevalent for seniors amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Celebrations will look different for many people, and while it may be tough to forgo sacred traditions and time together, there are alternative ways to celebrate.
Visiting with family over the holiday season is typically a good time to check on the health and safety of an elderly loved one. Each year, The Arbor Company circulates a checklist to help families access a senior parent in terms of health, safety, socialization, and memory to determine if and when it is time to seek additional care. This year in the face of the pandemic, families will have to amend this process as many factors have changed.
Forty percent of seniors report regularly experiencing loneliness. Loneliness can really sting, and that pain extends well beyond your emotions. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services calls loneliness an epidemic, with far-reaching consequences for our well-being. Loneliness may even shorten your life. Retirement is your chance to finally live life on your own terms without the demands of employment and raising children. Don’t spend it alone. The right senior social clubs can help you thrive in retirement so you can enjoy the life you’ve worked so hard to earn. Check out these great options.
The holiday season is quickly approaching, and this year’s celebrations will look much different than in the past. The COVID-19 pandemic will require some adaptations of family traditions and expectations, especially for families with older adults or loved ones at higher risk for contracting the virus.
