The Arbor Company Senior Living Blog

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, one in three seniors dies with some type of dementia. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, and is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Both Alzheimer's and dementia remain somewhat mysterious. Doctors don’t fully understand what causes dementia, and people who don’t know someone with dementia may have little understanding of how dementia progresses. Some people mistakenly believe Alzheimer’s is the only type of dementia.

Memory loss, personality changes, depression, and confusion in a loved one can be frightening. Prompt treatment for signs of dementia can help your family develop a plan for supporting your loved one.

Aging is inevitable, but much about how you age is within your control. Researchers increasingly find that healthy living, a fulfilling life, and lots of social support offer a path to slower, better aging. The right senior living community makes it easier to remain active, happy, and in control, potentially helping seniors remain independent longer.

Seniors across the country are living more active lifestyles than the generations that came before them. Retirement years are now the years for you to pursue new hobbies, make new friends, and learn new things. Thanks, in part, to longer lifespans and increased financial security, today’s seniors are finding new ways to connect with one another and stay engaged with the communities around them.

As your parents have aged, have you noticed a change in their activity or recreation pursuits? It is common for older adults to adapt their social calendars and physical exercise routines to meet the needs of their bodies. Chronic pain or other conditions can make once active adults become less active in their senior years. However, if your loved one is struggling to keep up with an active and engaged lifestyle, there are still plenty of ways they can move their body, connect with friends, and live a healthy life.

Scams targeting the elderly are nothing new, but in recent years, they seem to have become more insidious—and more costly. True Link Financial estimates that elder financial abuse results in $36.5 billion lost annually. No one deserves to be conned out of their money and possessions, and the fact seniors are preyed upon is even more distressing.

Many times, medical concerns and complications happen more frequently as seniors age. Many seniors require the assistance of prescription or over-the-counter medications to combat symptoms of illness or pain. Even the healthiest of seniors can find themselves at the doctor’s office with an infection that requires antibiotics. However, with the addition of medication to a senior’s daily routine, some can end up taking medicines incorrectly.

You know that your mom would benefit from some assistance and socialization at a senior living community. However, you aren’t quite sure which would be best for her. Between learning about the different types of senior housing available in your town or community, you also must weigh your mom’s medical needs and preferences when making a decision that will keep her healthy and happy.

Caring for elderly parents requires a delicate balance: Adult children have to meet their parents’ care needs while navigating difficult emotions that result from role reversal, life changes, and loss of independence.

The emotional fallout of role reversal can lead to elderly parents resisting care or guidance—and it can lead to adult children feeling rejected or underappreciated. Ultimately, elderly parents “want to be cared about, but fear being cared for,” writes Claire Berman, the author of Caring for Yourself While Caring for Your Aging Parents.