Archive for year: 2022

The holidays are upon us and preparing can be a bit stressful. When you think that you are through with Christmas gatherings, shopping, and gift-giving, you are suddenly reminded to make New Year’s plans. Yes, Christmas and New Year are only a week or so apart. But despite the rush, do not forget your loved ones in assisted living communities. There are plenty of activities and ideas to ring in the New Year with your loved ones.

Tips and Tricks for New Year Preparations in Assisted Living

Senior adults are not very keen on parties but would love quieter celebrations instead. Instead of loud gatherings, try these activities and tips for New Year’s Eve that everyone can participate in.

Take a break

There is nothing better than to give yourself and your loved ones the time to just relax. After all the activities from Christmas, now is the time to mellow down and spend time with them. Encourage them to share their stories and fun experiences.

Surely, they have so much to share, something that you have not heard of. These can also be sources of wisdom and life lessons that can be passed on to younger generations.

Arts and Crafts

Dedicate an entire day of arts and crafts that young and older adults will love. Set up a cozy corner in their assisted living quarters or apartment where you can paint, draw, or make simple crafts. But if your loved one is not interested in artwork, you can source coloring books and supplies that everyone can try.

Do the best in arts, best in drawing, or best in coloring awards too to add extra fun and thrill.

Cooking and Baking

Ask your loved one to share treasured family recipes by doing it together in the kitchen. This is a wonderful way to spend time while encouraging him/her to tell the story behind the recipe.

Or you may also encourage your loved one to bake some of the goodies that they always enjoy making. But if they cannot do the cooking or baking themselves, you can offer to do it while they teach you, a special time that you will treasure forever.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure to plan it ahead of time to ensure that other family members can check their schedule and be with you on your visit to assisted living. Doing so will allow you and others to prepare what they need to bring like food, gifts, and supplies for the planned activities.

Another thing is to do your New Year countdown earlier than usual. Remember that most senior adults are unable to say late until midnight.  Doing an early countdown is also recommended to not disrupt their routine.

Assisted Living Resolution Ideas For 2022

Resolutions are set for the upcoming year and the elderly are not exempted. Apart from keeping the good ones, the New Year is an opportunity for our senior loved ones to live a healthier lifestyle.

While in assisted living these resolution ideas will keep your memory, concentration, and immune system in healthy condition.

• Get enough sleep
• Eat a healthy and balanced meal every day
• Hydrate and drink enough water every day
• Stay socially engaged with family and friends
• Read, write, play word games, and explore other fun activities to keep your mind sharp
• Stay active by doing regular light exercises for weight management, better sleep, improved mood, strong bones and muscles, and decreased risks of heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure

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Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper

Nothing beats a good book. Especially if you have plenty of time after retirement and are staying in assisted living facilities. A good book can take you to places and enhance your imaginative skills in the comfort of your room.

Add a little spice to your holiday with these compiled must-reads. Curl up with these titles and forget about the world temporarily. Make your stay in assisted living facilities more relaxing and productive through reading.

Holiday Must Reads for Assisted Living Facilities

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

In Five Years is the story of Danielle Kohan, a successful Manhattan-based lawyer. She is engaged to her boyfriend and got her dream job, things that made her think that she is on the right track toward her 5-year plan.

But she wakes up in a different apartment, with a different ring, and a completely different man. In that vision, she felt love towards this new man.

When she wakes up, she is back to her normal life, 2020 while trying to shake off what happened as a strangely vivid dream. Four years and 6 months later, Danie now works at a hedge fund, her best friend Bella introduces her to Bella’s new flame who happens to be the same man from her dream.

Will Danie marry her boyfriend? What will happen to Bella and their friendship?

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaeledis – a must read for Assisted Living Facilities

The seemingly perfect life of the famous painter Alicia who is married to an in-demand fashion photographer ended up in domestic tragedy when she shoots her husband in the face one evening.

After what happened, Alicia never said a word and is hidden from the spotlight, in a secure forensic unit in North London. Completely silent through psychological treatment, Theo, her doctor is obsessed to know the truth.

Will Theo uncover Alicia’s motives for killing her husband?

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

Hercule Poirot is aboard the luxurious train Orient Express for a vacation when just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the train as it travels through its destination. By the morning, an American is found dead inside his compartment prompting retired detective Poirot to solve the crime.

Will he find the murderer? Will he or she strike again?

One by One by Ruth Ware

A team of London-based tech start-ups went on a weekend trip in the French Alps to promote mindfulness and collaboration. But the meant-to-be productive retreat turned into chaos when one of the shareholders pushed a lucrative but confidential buyout. Tension starts to boil along with the one happening outside. An avalanche hits the chalet leaving the team isolated from the outside world.

What happens when you cannot trust any of these workmates? With no signs of rescue, panic mounts, and the survival instinct kicks in. Will you have the courage to go on when the group dwindles one by one?

The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse

Set in Le Sommet, an isolated gateway in the Swiss Alps where Ellin Warren, brother Isaac, and his fiancée, Laure celebrated the couple’s engagement. The morning after, Laure is missing and Ellin must trust her instinct to find Laure.

Will she find Laure and the other woman that’s missing?

Assisted Living Facilities Near You

Looking for excellent assisted living care? Click here to discover Fallbrook Assisted Living!

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Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper

With Halloween just right around the corner, everyone is busy finding the best costumes, picking pumpkins to carve, and getting ready for trick or treating. But for seniors in nursing homes, this time of the year can be a bit scary, especially since the dark and sometimes chaotic theme of Halloween could make them feel uncomfortable and unsafe.

How to Prepare Nursing Homes for Halloween

Make nursing homes bright.

The thought of Halloween can bring memories of ghost stories that make seniors scared and anxious. So, while Halloween celebrations are going on around the neighborhood, make sure to keep all the lights on, as the brightness can give these residents a sense of comfort through the night.

For those who feel extra anxious, you can ask some of your workers to keep them company until they fall asleep.

Keep decorations minimal.

Of course, Halloween isn’t just about ghosts and witches, it’s also a sign that the fall season is here. But if you choose to celebrate Halloween with decorations, try to keep them minimal and choose details that are not scary.

For instance, instead of hanging scary faces that might startle residents and cause accidents, go with pumpkins that they can carve themselves. Also, try to avoid decorations that could cause trips, falls, or affect visibility, especially on hallways or stairs.

Make Halloween more festive.

For sure, a lot of seniors in nursing homes have fond memories of when they were children going trick or treating, and you can give them that nostalgia by planning activities that will make Halloween feel more festive and less scary.

For example, instead of the usual trick-or-treat that could be unsafe for them, you can create a candy and chocolate dessert table in your common area and have them pick whatever they want for that day alone.

You can also give out little Halloween baskets with food and things that they can enjoy.

How to Celebrate Halloween in Nursing Homes

Plan ahead.

Halloween isn’t just for a night, but an entire month. So, make sure that you have a calendar of events to make residents feel excited. It could be a pumpkin carving day, a crafting day, or a Halloween dance. Give them the most exciting Halloween season yet this year.

Choose your spread wisely.

Of course, you can’t have a Halloween party without good food. But instead of going for spooky-looking ones, try to be more mindful of how seniors would feel if they see severed finger hotdogs or bloody juices on the table. Focus on fall-themed dishes instead like gingerbread cookies, pumpkin pies, or anything that would make the spread more festive.

Finally, you can ask residents what activities they’d like to do on Halloween. You’ll surely be surprised at how many great suggestions you’ll get from these residents in nursing homes, especially since they’ve had more Halloween parties in the past than most of us.

So, are you ready to get started for the Halloween season?

 

Looking for independent living in Nebraska? Click here to check out Fallbrook Assisted Living!

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Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper

People around the world take time to celebrate National Greenpeace Day to promote changes in how we treat the environment, champion environmental solutions, and promote awareness of sustainable Earth. Senior housing communities can take advantage of this yearly celebration of peaceful environmental activism by doing activities and programs, teaching, and sharing information.

National Greenpeace Day in Senior Housing

Greenpeace Day is commemorated every September 15 since the Greenpeace Organization was founded on the 15^th of September 1971. This Earth Day-like celebration is a way of honoring the day the organization was formed as well as the call to improve and protect the environment from destructive concepts.

Greenpeace Day was created in 2011 by the mayor of Vancouver, Gregor Robertson. It is a special day to participate in conservation programs and solutions for a greener future. And with Greenpeace members in 40 different countries, the organization has helped the planet.

Greenpeace International successfully eliminated toxic products in the products of five different companies. In addition, the organization is instrumental in the preservation of the Great Bear Rainforest. It also positively impacted whaling practices that saved whales from extinction through sea protests and campaigns.

Greenpeace has done so much for the environment and the organization’s efforts should be celebrated including in senior housing facilities.

Celebrate in Senior Housing

Greenpeace Day is celebrated across the globe and this day is the perfect day to start promoting means for Earth to be a better place to live in.

Whether it is watching environmental documentaries, tree planting, workshops, and other environmental-centric activities, it is not too late for every resident, management, staff, and family to do their share for the environment.

Save the Earth

Use this day to be aware of the importance of environmental conservation. Enlighten yourself of the urgency to start even with baby steps to save the planet Earth. Senior housing facilities can use the materials available on the Greenpeace website and learn about different environmental efforts that they can share with others.

Efforts on environmental preservation

You and your family or fellow residents can organize a tree planting activity. This program will immensely improve the quality of life and natural surroundings by recharging natural sources of water supply, preventing floods, and blocking the transport of chemicals into the streams.

Trees improve the aesthetics of your community while at the same time providing shade thereby reducing the heat effect. In addition, trees contribute to quality air through the process of photosynthesis. It also absorbs dust, carbon dioxide, and other pollutants.

Volunteer

Greenpeace is always looking for passionate people to join their cause to protect and save the Earth. If you have time you can work with Greenpeace or a local environmental organization near your senior housing community. You can also encourage young family members to participate in activities or volunteer programs in protecting the environment.

Start the change with yourself

Even if it is not Greenpeace Day, make it a conscious effort to advocate for environmental protection. Contribute towards change by reducing, reusing, recycling, conserving water, and eating sustainably.

 

Looking for excellent care in Nebraska? Click here to check out Fallbrook Assisted Living!

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Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper

There comes a time in life when assisted living facilities become your best option for a healthy, happy life. Growing old is inevitable. At some point, you’ll need a place with assistance for activities that may be difficult to complete on your own.

Why assisted living is the best option

Assisted living facilities are for individuals who need help with daily activities but are still able to do most things at home. Being in assisted living, you’ll have your own apartment or room with shared common areas.

You also have the option for the types of services that you need depending on your condition. You can book housekeeping, laundry, personal care, and even help with your medications. It all depends on the type of arrangement that you want and what an assisted living facility offers in your area.

What to ask when touring assisted living facilities

As you check on your options, it’s very important to ask the right questions to help you pick the right assisted living facility for your needs:

How is your team trained?

 

The staff will play an important role in your care in assisted living, so it’s very important to ask the type of training they go through to make sure they have the skills to help you while you’re in the facility.

 

How do you welcome a new resident?

 

Although assisted living isn’t far from a typical home, entering it for the first time can be quite intimidating. A good quality assisted living facility will give you all the support you’ll need to adjust to this new environment and feel comfortable as you transition into your new home.

 

Do you have staff available 24/7?

 

You’ll never know when you’ll need assistance during your stay, so it’s very important to find a facility that has staff working day and night to ensure that all your needs are met every time.

 

How many residents do you have?

 

A good quality assisted living facility should only have enough residents with a good staff-to-patient ratio to be able to cater to all their needs well. You don’t want to be living in a facility that doesn’t have any available staff whenever you need them.

Moving to one of the assisted living facilities in your area is a huge step and will mean big changes in your routine and life in general.

That is why it’s very important to ask the right questions and make decisions based on your specific needs. The goal here is to ensure that you get to live the best quality of life by having professionals to assist your needs without taking away your freedom to do the things you want.

 

Ready to check out a great facility like Fallbrook Assisted Living? Click here!

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Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper