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Improving Your Emotional Health and Wellness for Senior Adults

December 14th 2022

Emotional wellness has been an important topic for the past few years. You may be wondering, what is emotional wellness? Similar to physical wellness, emotional wellness takes work. Emotional well-being requires positive lifestyle choices, coping skills, and a strong support network. As a senior adult, it can become challenging to continue to care for and improve emotional health and well-being, similar to physical health and well-being.

How do you begin improving your emotional wellness as a senior adult? You can take a couple of easy steps to begin this journey.

Stay connected to your community. Social interaction and staying connected to the community around you is one of the best ways to help improve and maintain your emotional health. Isolation and the feeling of loneliness often lead to depression and can cause other health issues as well. Being intentional about staying connected to your community and maintaining relationships positively impacts your emotional health and wellness.

Keep on moving. Regular exercise and physical activity are closely linked to emotional health in senior adults, and physical activity has been proven to help reduce feelings of depression and stress. Furthermore, regular physical activity may help with chronic pain. There are many ways senior adults can work on increasing physical activity that is safe and enjoyable. Many of our communities at Grace Management, Inc. work with partners to help nurture a healthy and active lifestyle.

Begin learning coping skills that work for you. Learning coping skills that help you manage feelings of stress and improve your resiliency during difficult times is an important part of emotional health and wellness. Take time to learn what works best for you, or even consider talking to a professional such as a therapist or spiritual advisor.

Keep a consistent routine. Sticking to a routine isn’t something everyone does. However, for many senior adults, sticking to a routine can increase activity and motivation, positively impacting your emotional health and wellness. Having a consistent routine throughout each day helps create structure. Try creating a morning and evening routine to help start and end your days. A consistent routine will also help develop good habits, including a sleep schedule which also has a positive impact on your emotional health.

Did you know living in a senior living community can be beneficial to your emotional health and wellness? Learn more about these benefits by visiting www.whereyoulivematters.org, a resource hosted by ASHA – the American Senior Housing Association.

Interested in learning more about how our communities can be beneficial to your emotional health? Find a community near you and give them a call today!

It’s not like home. It is home. ™

The Best Gifts for The Seniors in Your Life

December 7th 2022

The perfect gift for your older loved ones can stump many shoppers when preparing for the holidays, thinking about the birthday of a loved one, or approaching a special occasion. Finding a gift for your older loved ones is often difficult, especially if they don’t want a large amount of ‘stuff’ around. In this blog, we want to give you some gifts to consider for your loved ones.

Personalized Gifts – There are many options for meaningful, personalized gifts you can give the senior adults in your life. Take time to put together a photo album of memories for them. Create a personalized keychain with photos of their kids and grandkids or frame the latest family photos for them.

Comfort Gifts – Small comforts are some of the best gifts. A pair of slippers, fuzzy grippy socks, blankets, or a robe to keep your loved one cozy are always great ideas. You could also buy them a set of nice matching pajamas. Little gifts that make your loved ones life more comfortable and cozy are always great ideas.

Make Memories – Give your loved one the gift of making memories. Instead of gifting a physical object, give an experience you can do together or as an entire family. Consider planning an outing with your loved one, whether to the zoo, ticket to a concert, sporting event, favorite musical, or something like a picnic together. Your loved one will really appreciate the thought put into this gift and the ability to make new memories with you.

Hobby Gifts – If your loved one has a hobby they really enjoy, get them something related to that hobby. Hobbies often vary and can be anything from arts and crafts to puzzles to gardening. If you know what hobbies your loved one enjoys, this gift is sure to make them smile!

Giving meaningful gifts to the senior adults in your life is a great way to make them feel special. The time and effort you put into these gifts are really worth it.

Are you interested in learning more about Grace Management, Inc. communities near you? Head over to the communities section on our website to learn more.

Myths about Senior Living

November 30th 2022

If you are looking into a senior living community for independent living, assisted living, or memory care, it can be hard to understand what these options are. Many of us have our own ideas of what a senior living community looks like that may not necessarily be true. In this blog, we are going to discuss common misconceptions about senior living communities.

Senior Living Communities Feel Institutionalized

Many people picture senior living communities as a place with long white hallways and bright fluorescent lights – similar to a hospital. In reality, the majority of senior living communities offer apartments and amenities that remind people of home. At Grace Management, Inc., it’s not like home. It is home.™

Our associates in our communities want to welcome you home – our mission is to help our residents Live Gracefully – it’s a way of life.

I’ll Lose my Independence

Life at a senior living community can be as independent as you want it to be. Residents aren’t limited to where they can go and what they can do or where they can go. Many seniors find that letting go of the responsibilities of home ownership gives them more independence than they had before. At Grace Management, Inc., our communities have plenty of activities and amenities for you to enjoy.

Senior Living is Expensive

When you begin looking at senior living communities, the pricing can often be shocking. While cost varies depending on the apartment size and the level of care needed – the cost is often comparable to the cost of homeownership, even if you have paid off your mortgage. Consider the cost of taxes, repairs, upkeep, utilities, insurance, and even emergency expenses. At a senior living community, everything is included at one convenient rate – and this often includes amenities beyond a living space, including dining, entertainment, social events, housekeeping, and more!

There Won’t be any Privacy

Residents have the ability to choose how much time they want to spend out of their private apartments each day. Residents’ privacy is respected, and you can enjoy a space to call your own.

The Food Isn’t Good

Almost every senior living community offers a variety of delicious and nutritious dining options. Here at Grace Management, Inc., we offer our residents the Graceful Dining Experience. Dining is an important part of life, and we strive to provide our residents with a dining experience that satisfies them in settings that feel like home.

Your senior living community should feel like home. Interested in finding a Grace Management, Inc. community near you? Head over to our communities page to learn more.

Five Things We Are Thankful For

November 16th 2022

This is the time of year when we focus on what we are thankful for. As we age, it can be easy to lose sight of things we are thankful for. Having a reminder of things you can be thankful for, no matter how small, can lift your spirits and help you live a more purpose-driven life as a senior adult.

Life Experiences – each year brings new experiences and memories, including life-changing events, accomplishments, or just new experiences. Be thankful for all your life experiences, the good and bad, because they are what made you who you are today.

Family – throughout your life, you have family by your side. Whether that be your spouse, siblings, children, or grandchildren, being thankful for your loved ones and the time spent with them is something that only grows as you age. Although family may not always be nearby with today’s technology, they are only a phone call away.

Community – the community you are in is easy to be thankful for. Your friends and home are all a part of the community you are in. Our Grace Management, Inc. communities really are HOME for the senior adults that live there. Taking a moment to be thankful for the community you are in and the joy it brings in your daily life is especially important for senior adults.

Hobbies – the hobbies you participate in bring joy to your life, and that is something to be thankful for. Hobbies are a great way to relax and enjoy your time. Your hobbies can be anything from crafting and gardening, to fishing, to spending time in the great outdoors. These hobbies bring so much joy to your life and are something to be thankful for each and every day.

Pets – pets are a joy to have in our lives. Many of us have a canine or feline companion in our lives that brings us constant joy. Our pets offer us unconditional love, and we are grateful to have them in our lives. All of our Grace Management, Inc. communities are pet friendly, so you can have the constant companionship that you desire.

This holiday season, what are you thankful for?

Tips for Moving and Downsizing for Senior Adults

November 9th 2022

Transitioning your loved ones into a senior living community is often an emotional experience. Adding the stress of downsizing and moving can often be a lot; it takes planning, hard work, and time. Many of us have experienced the stress of decluttering and moving. The process of downsizing in order to move into a senior living community requires a similar effort that is often much more emotional. The process of moving into a new home is understandably an overwhelming process for senior adults. Many do not feel ready yet – others look forward to the transition. What can we do to help with this often overwhelming process?

Find The Right Fit

The most important place to begin is finding a community that is right for your loved one. Do they need special accommodations? What does social life look like? Does the community have the apartment size and floor plan I am looking for? What does the apartment include?

Finding the answer to these questions and others will help you decide what you need when moving to a senior living community. If the apartment includes appliances such as a microwave refrigerator, your loved one won’t need to bring those with them. Knowing the square footage and the dimensions of the apartment will help your loved one prioritize what furniture they are keeping based on what will fit best in their new space.

Take the time to ensure that whatever furniture your loved one is able to bring, their new apartment will feel like home.

Follow The “One Year” Rule

For decluttering, one thing to consider is following the “One Year” rule. If something hasn’t been used in the past year, your loved one probably doesn’t need to keep it. Note that this applies only to commonly used items such as clothing, kitchenware, or a CD player, not a keepsake that can hold sentimental value.

Keep Your Outlook Positive

Keeping a positive outlook during the process of decluttering is important. Focus on what is ahead of your loved one, and keep in mind the many benefits of moving to a senior living community. Stay focused on everything your loved one will gain while going through the downsizing process.

Start The Process Early

When a move-in date is set, it is essential to start the downsizing process as early as possible. Giving you and your loved one plenty of time for this process helps prevent added stress on top of everything else they may be feeling. Take your time and enjoy the process of downsizing to the best of your ability.

Consider Sentimental Value and Memories

Consider what your loved one wants to keep. Keep the important memories and things that hold sentimental value. These may not be what your loved one feels obligated to keep. Encourage your loved one to keep what makes them happy – not what they feel like they should keep.

Moving and downsizing can be difficult, but here at Grace Management, Inc., we want to make it easy and exciting for you. Check out our communities and see if we have one that is the right fit for you or your loved one today.

National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

November 2nd 2022

November is Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month – with approximately 500,000 new cases of Alzheimer’s disease in the United States each year, Alzheimer’s is one of the fastest-growing epidemics in the United States.

During the month of November, National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month aims to help make the general public more aware of this disease and how it affects the population of the United States. More than 6.2 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and currently, there is no cure.

Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common type of dementia and accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases, according to the Alzheimer’s Association®. Alzheimer’s isn’t a normal part of aging; it is a disease that progresses over time.

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, there are best practices. Here at Grace Management, Inc., we are proud to offer The Village Program®, our specialized memory care program. Grace Management, Inc. communities provide our associates working within memory care with The Village Program Orientation – a program recognized by the Alzheimer’s Association for incorporating the evidenced-based Dementia Care Practice Recommendations in the following topic areas: Alzheimer’s and dementia, person-centered care, assessment, and care planning, activities of daily living, and behaviors and communication.

The Village Program is designed to: Reflect on memories and past accomplishments. Rejoice in the successes experienced every day. Renew their hope and spirits every day. The philosophy of the Village Program is to maintain the dignity of people living with dementia while supporting them to reach their fullest potential. The Village Program is resident-driven, which means that programs are based on their interests, past experiences, and current abilities as associates invite each Village Resident to have an active role in their daily lives through a variety of enrichment opportunities.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s Disease, visit the Alzheimer’s Association website at www.alz.org.

Introducing Ashlea Smalley – National Director of Memory Care and Life Enrichment

October 26th 2022

Ashlea Smalley is the National Director of Memory Care and Life Enrichment at Grace Management, Inc. Ashlea has been working with older adults in some capacity all her life. This has continued into her career for the past 15 years. She has been the National Director of Memory Care and Life Enrichment at Grace Management, Inc. since June 2021.

Ashlea’s passion for older adults is evident; she states that: “Educating others on older adults has always been something that is really important to me. I knew very early on that I wanted to work with the older adult population.”

Here at Grace Management, Inc., Ashlea oversees all of the Life Enrichment programs for The Village Program®, our memory care program, as well as our assisted and independent living Life Enrichment programs. Ashlea works to ensure that the activities in each community are meaningful and intentional for the residents that live within our communities.

The Village Program® at Grace Management, Inc. is specifically designed for people living with dementia – to help them reflect on past memories, rejoice and create new moments of joy each day, and renew hope each day. We invite residents to continue to do things for themselves in a meaningful and intentional way rather than doing everything for them. This program is designed to have a neighborhood feel where each resident has a purpose and a role that they can continue to take on each day.

Alongside everything Ashlea does at Grace Management, Inc., she also works as a part-time adjunct instructor at Northern Illinois University, where she helped design a course on dementia studies.

Currently, Ashlea is pursuing her Doctorate with a specialty in the importance of social connection for older adults and the effects of social isolation. Ashlea stated: “During the COVID-19 pandemic, in my role, I felt helpless in how to support older adults when I couldn’t come into a community.” This spurred her interest in being prepared to help older adults in times of isolation, not only in extreme conditions, such as a pandemic, but also anytime after they move into a senior living community.

Thank you, Ashlea, for all you do at Grace Management, Inc.!

Questions to Ask Memory Care Communities

October 19th 2022

There are a lot of mixed emotions once you have decided to move your loved one into a memory care community. The process of choosing the best community for your loved one can be daunting and difficult. With variations between communities in amenities, activities, staffing, and more, you may be unsure about how to find the community that fits your loved ones’ needs the best. As you begin the process of visiting memory care communities, asking the right questions can help you determine which community will suit your loved one the best.

What level of care does this community provide? This is the most important question on the list. Memory care communities often provide a certain level of assistance with daily tasks. However, ensuring that the community offers the level of assistance that meets your loved one’s needs is important.

What type of training have associates received? People who work in a memory care community support residents with cognitive impairment and should be professionally trained. You will want to ask specific questions about the training the associates receive and if there are any ongoing training requirements.

Grace Management, Inc. communities provide our associates working within memory care with The Village Program® Orientation – a program recognized by the Alzheimer’s Association® for incorporating the evidenced-based Dementia Care Practice Recommendations in the following topic areas: Alzheimer’s and dementia, person-centered care, assessment, and care planning, activities of daily living, and behaviors and communication.

What is the monthly rate for housing and care? What services does this rate include? The cost of a memory care community may vary depending on the location as well as the unique needs and preferences of your loved one. Prices fluctuate throughout the country, and it is important to explore the cost and what it includes. Other questions to consider asking include: is there an entrance fee? How will the cost be affected if my loved one needs more care in the future?

What type of apartments are available? Are they private or semi-private? If you have a preference for what type of apartment your loved one will be in, this is a great question. Apartment availability varies by community. Some communities may offer private one-bedroom or studio apartments, while others may have the option to be paired with a roommate.

What is the move-out policy? It is an unfortunate reality that a resident may no longer be able to be cared for in some communities due to a handful of factors. The community could no longer be an appropriate fit for the resident and the level of care they need, or they may become aggressive and pose a danger to themselves and those around them. Understanding a community and its policies for moving out will help you, so you aren’t taken by surprise if moving out does become necessary.

What activities are available for residents? Activities are an essential part of any memory care community and vital to residents’ well-being. Not all activities will work for everyone, so it is important that the memory care community you choose for your loved one offers a wide variety of activities to meet each resident’s ranging cognitive levels. A variety of activities should be scheduled morning through evening, so your loved one will experience structure and a feeling or purpose.

How does the community communicate with family? Having regular communication with caregivers is important and comforting for the family. Not only does it ensure you will receive updates on your loved one, but it also will help you ensure that your loved one is getting the attention and care they need.

What do the meal options look like? Most memory care communities offer three meals a day alongside snacks. You will want to ensure the community can accommodate any dietary restrictions or needs your loved one may have.

Finding a memory care community that is right for your loved one is important. We hope these questions will help you in your search for a memory care community.

Are you interested in learning more about Grace Management, Inc. and our memory care communities? Head to our community page and select memory care to see if we have a memory care community near you!

How to Make New Friends in Your Senior Living Community

October 12th 2022

Making friends can be challenging – especially as you become an older adult. As an older adult, you may discover that making friends is not the same as in your younger years. Thankfully, senior living communities can often make finding friendships easier than you may think.

It is easy to underestimate how important friendships are. In a previous blog, we discussed social isolation and how senior living helps combat this ongoing problem for many seniors’ health and well-being. Still, moving into a senior living community can be scary – so we wanted to help by providing a few ways to make friends in your new community.

Our Community Ambassadors are here to help! The Community Ambassador program is meant to welcome and show hospitality to new neighbors. Many Grace Management, Inc. communities have these ambassadors. Community Ambassadors are residents living in our communities who are passionate about welcoming new neighbors into the community and helping them integrate into their new home.

Invite others to eat a meal with you. At our Grace Management, Inc. communities, we are proud to offer our Grace ful Dining experience. Food is often the center of a healthy social life and the building of new friendships. Enjoy a social, family-style meal that brings easy new friendships.

Participate in the scheduled Life Enrichment Activities. Our Grace Management, Inc. communities have a wide range of social activities for residents to participate in. Pay attention to the weekly activity calendar and make it a point to join in on a couple of activities each week. These activities can vary from fitness classes to club meetings to other social events!

Take walks during the day. If you are not usually a social butterfly, it may be tempting to stick to your new apartment. Getting out of your apartment is a fantastic way to get to know the community and gives you the opportunity to interact with other residents that you encounter on your walk.

It is also important to be optimistic. Attitude is everything; if you go into this new experience with a positive outlook – it is often surprising how easy it can be to meet new people. Having a cheerful outlook and outlook changes a lot about how difficult it can be to make new friends.

Are you interested in getting connected to one of our communities? Head over to our communities page!

Grace Management, Inc. Communities Celebrate Inaugural Grace Hospitality Week

October 5th 2022

Grace Management, Inc. communities celebrated the Inaugural Grace Hospitality Week from August 29th through September 2nd. This event was designed to spotlight our four Graceful Service Standards as well as to celebrate our dedicated associates. The Graceful Service Standards are part of The Graceful Experience™, the benchmark for hospitality and culture across all Grace Management, Inc. communities. The Graceful Experience™ empowers and motivates all associates to provide exceptional hospitality and senior living experiences for each unique resident.

“We were thrilled to successfully launch The Grace Hospitality Week and to honor our amazing associates!” said Sarah Moriyama, National Director of Hospitality and Engagement, Grace Management, Inc. “The energy and excitement were palpable all week. We look forward to celebrating Hospitality Week as an annual tradition at all Grace Management, Inc. communities!”

Similar to a spirit week event at a school, the Grace Hospitality Week was a weeklong celebration driven by the Director of Hospitality and Engagement and established Hospitality Champions from each community. Each day consisted of celebrating a different standard from the four Graceful Service Standards, which include: Have Compassion and Respect for All; Greet and Welcome Everyone with a Smile; Actively Listen to and Engage with Residents and Associates, and Project a Professional, Positive Image.

The Grace Hospitality Week was a fun-filled week that we are looking forward to continuing as an annual tradition here at Grace Management, Inc.

To learn more about Grace Hospitality Week, visit the news section of our website.