The Arbor Company Senior Living Blog

This blog was updated on January 27, 2020.

Assisted living no longer means retiring to a rocking chair to watch TV and occasionally play bingo. Today’s seniors demand adventure, plenty of stimulation, and a chance to learn something new. Indeed, most assisted living residents find that they have many more opportunities for engagement than they ever had at home. Check out these great options, which you may find at your local senior living community. 

In Sum: Forty Tales From the Afterlives, author David Eagleman reminds us that there are three deaths, not one: “The first is when the body ceases to function. The second is when the body is consigned to the grave. The third is that moment, sometime in the future, when your name is spoken for the last time.” Our lives extend as far into the future as others’ memories of us. Leaving behind a legacy is important because it’s a way for seniors to know that some part of who they were will live on after they die. A legacy is a way to touch the future and to improve the lives of loved ones even long after one’s own death.

Dementia is frustrating for seniors and caregivers alike. It makes daily activities more challenging and can slowly erode communication skills, relationships and even personalities. Dementia doesn’t mean that a person loses interest in connecting with others, doing simple hobbies or mastering new skills. It just makes these tasks a little more difficult. The good news is that staying mentally active may actually slow the progression of dementia. Activities such as listening to music can also improve quality of life and reduce emotional challenges such as anxiety and depression. 

Life’s transitions can be exciting. Remember when your parents dropped you off at college or you moved into your first apartment? Change can also be intimidating. Seasoned couples often joke about the challenges of the first years of marriage, and most people know how difficult it can be to juggle expenses as you set out on your own. The transition to senior living is just like any other change. The first days and weeks can be challenging. On the other side of those challenges is a better, happier, more fulfilling life.

For 30 years, The Arbor Company has served seniors and the people who love them. Our communities across the nation offer expert care, compassionate support, and a commitment to constant improvement. We’ve formed a lifetime’s worth of special memories over the past three decades. Our experience has taught us that the expertise that comes with this experience matters. No matter where your search for a senior community ends, it’s critical to ensure that you choose a community that boasts plenty of experience. Here’s why.

Nearly 40 percent of seniors have at least one disability. Mobility issues are the most common disability for elders. This frustrating reality can make it difficult to spend enjoyable time together. Boisterous grandkids may want to run, while many seniors prefer a slower pace. Even for healthy seniors, aging can present significant limitations; they’re more vulnerable to heat-related injuries, and may be anxious about falling. Yet activities for elderly parents can be fun, meaningful, and even adventurous. Check out some of these family-friendly options:

Think healthy aging means giving up your morning cup of joe? Think again. A caffeinated jolt in the morning may help prevent many age-related maladies, including dementia and heart health problems.

In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation designating August 21 as National Senior Citizens Day. Now, every year, you can find plenty of low-key celebrations surrounding this national observance, including discounts at stores and restaurants or fun events at local senior centers. If you are looking to celebrate the senior citizens in your life (including yourself), here are a few ways to take your celebrations to the next level. Cheers to seniors everywhere!

The baby boomer generation is changing the face of aging, and teaching younger generations that growing older doesn’t have to mean growing sicker or moving slower. One way boomers are leading the charge of healthy aging is by choosing to remain active throughout retirement. While some are running marathons or lifting weights, other seniors are falling in love with the ancient practice of yoga.