The Arbor Company Senior Living Blog

You’re never too old to be physically fit. Age accelerates the loss of muscle and bone mass. This can lead to weakness, play a role in osteoporosis and increase the risk of falls. Exercise can reduce this risk. Seniors who remain physically active may live longer, maintain a more independent lifestyle, have less physical pain due to joint health issues and arthritis, have a lower risk of dementia and have better mental health.

Mother’s Day is on the horizon, a time when we honor the women who shaped our personalities, encouraged us through difficult times, and celebrated achievements big and small. Your relationship with your mom may be complicated, and you may be facing a “new normal” if your mother is aging or experiencing some new medical concerns. This could be an especially challenging time for you if your mother lives in an assisted living community. You could be struggling with ways to get together this holiday. Fortunately, you can celebrate Mother’s Day in a variety of ways, and without a traditional brunch out on the town. Here are just a few ways you can make the day special for your mom, while creating memories you will both treasure.

Our relationships make us who we are. They inspire us, comfort us, and occasionally challenge us. We need our relationships more than ever as we age, yet about 40 percent of seniors report feeling lonely. Loneliness can lead to depression, sleep problems, and worsening health. One study found that the dangers of loneliness were as bad as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Strong relationships are the solution, but sustaining these relationships can be difficult—especially if your loved ones live far away or enjoy activities you’re no longer able to do.

Don’t give up. The right family activities are fun for everyone, from perennially bored kids to stressed adults. These fun activities for seniors are great for the whole family:

Valentine’s Day, in all its Cupid and candlelight glory, is not just for couples anymore. Indeed, February 14 is now an excellent excuse to shower love on the important people in your life. For seniors especially, who may feel lonely after the excitement of the winter holidays has subsided, Valentine’s Day can be a fun way to have a bit of family (and friend) attention.

Seniors are leading more active, engaged lives than ever before. From the thrill of extreme sports to the rush of new love, more and more seniors see the next chapter as a chance to hone new skills, continue growing, and pursue adventure. Activities for seniors include much more than just sitting on the porch drinking lemonade.

If you are talking about senior living options for yourself or an aging loved one, you may be wondering just how old do you have to be for senior living? After all, the term “old” means many different things to many different people, and the Boomers are showing younger generations that age is, indeed, only a number. You may be surprised to note that senior communities offer a lifestyle suitable for a wide variety of ages, from the mid-fifties and beyond.

The increasing cost of living is always among the top financial concerns that keep seniors up at night, so it can be tempting to evaluate assisted living by cost rather than by the value it offers. But there are unseen costs—emotional, physical, and financial—of choosing the cheapest senior living option instead of the option that meets individual needs both today and tomorrow.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, more than 6.5 million seniors in 2009 suffered from depression. The statistic may be eight years old but remains startling today because many people still don’t see clinical depression as a problem for aging parents.

Elder care costs are a major concern in the United States. According to the National Health Policy Forum, spending for long-term services and supports reached $219.9 billion in 2012,which translates to 9.3 percent of all health care spending in the U.S. These costs will only rise as the American population ages, especially considering the first wave of baby boomers are now older than 70.