The Arbor Company Senior Living Blog

Residents of three senior living communities operated by The Arbor Company starred in music videos created as part of a six-week challenge for members of the Engagement staff.

The videos feature residents at the independent living building at Arbor Terrace at Hamilton Mill:

Sunday is Grandparents Day, and celebrating the bond between generations is a little more challenging during a pandemic. Grandkids may not be able to spend the day with their grandparents as they have in previous years, but there are still ways to make the day special. 

The right senior living community can change your life, offering you a steady supply of things to do, people to see, and special events. At Arbor, we offer gourmet dining and luxury living and put you at the center of every decision we make. The result is a thriving community where seniors can live more joyful, purposeful lives. You might even live longer, thanks to nourishing and tasty meals, more activity, and relief from the health-eroding effects of isolation and loneliness.

The senior care industry is full of acronyms and phrases that you only learn as you begin to age. Maybe you heard the common phrase “aging in place” and became curious about what it meant. In general, aging in place means getting older in one location — typically the family home — by using resources and support services. Though this concept sounds lovely, it is not always the safest or best option for remaining as healthy as possible.

The global coronavirus pandemic has pushed most of us into our homes, making connecting with others a bit more difficult than it was just a few months ago. For older adults who are living at home, this time can feel especially isolating. Fortunately, technology offers plenty of ways to combat loneliness. You just have to know where to look and what to download.

Dangers of Isolation and Loneliness

Right now, the safest thing for all of us to do is to practice social distancing. Some states are also encouraging residents to shelter in place, leaving their homes only for exercise and essential travel. However, even though it is the safest thing to do, isolation can get lonely awfully fast.

Older adults are especially vulnerable to the dangers of social isolation, even before the COVID-19 pandemic arrived. Research from the National Institute on Aging has demonstrated that socially isolated seniors are at a higher risk for conditions like anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

The good news? Though you may be at home alone or with a partner, you don’t have to be socially isolated. You can continue to connect with your friends and loved ones via phone calls, text messages, video chats, and online games. Here are a few of our favorite online games you can use to play with friends, family, and strangers that will keep your mind sharp.

If you have merely thought of turning on the news or picking up a newspaper lately, 

you have undoubtedly seen tons of stories about COVID-19, the viral disease also known as the “novel coronavirus.” If you’re like me, these stories have quickly caused you to think about your family and loved ones and how this coronavirus might impact you.

For at least two decades, we’ve heard exciting promises about virtual reality. Until recently, VR technology was the exclusive domain of tech-savvy kids and a few startups making big predictions while offering little. In the past few years, virtual reality has come a long way from its humble roots. It’s not just about video games and immersive experiences anymore. A number of companies are already using virtual reality platforms to improve the lives of seniors. 

This blog was published on March 16, 2017 and updated on January 15, 2020.

Forty-nine percent of seniors are concerned that they will outlive their savings, according to the United States of Aging Survey. An additional 64 percent worry that healthcare costs will increase over the next five to 10 years. Fully 40 percent of seniors have low or moderate incomes, and many live on meager savings or fixed Social Security payments. A recent Health Affairs report found that many middle income seniors will be unable to afford long-term care. With seniors living longer than ever — and desiring more meaningful and adventurous retirements than previous generations — these figures present a serious problem. What happens to seniors in senior living communities when their money runs out?

For many seniors and their families, the most difficult aspect of transitioning to senior living is deciding when to make the move. As soon as seniors move to senior living, they’re often happier and more engaged, with more chances to socialize, and support whenever and wherever they need it.