The Importance of Friendships as an Older Adult Relationships are crucial for aging well as an older adult — marriage, children, grandchildren, and family are all important for our social wellness. However, as we grow older, it has been shown that relationships outside of familial connections, like friendships, can fall to the wayside. Social circles … Continued
Ohio Day Trips: The Benefits of Exploring as a Senior Adult Day trips are the perfect way to unleash your inner explorer and see things you normally wouldn’t. The mental and physical benefits of traveling are crucial for aging well as a senior. Our guide for Ohio day trips and the benefits of exploring as … Continued
Dream Flights: Helping Veterans Take Flight We recently hosted our 7th annual Dream Flights event across all three campuses. Partnering with Dream Flights, our events honor residents who are veterans with the chance to fly in a 1942 Boeing Stearman biplane. These events show our appreciation for our residents’ service and for them to experiences … Continued
Connecting Realities, our memory support programming at The Ohio Masonic Communities, is an approach that bridges the gap between our reality and the reality of those with cognitive challenges like dementia and Alzheimer’s. Our intention is to meet residents where they are presently, not where we think they should be. Through our person-centered approach, we … Continued
Summertime Activities: Staying Active as an Older Adult Warm weather is finally upon us and summertime is here! Staying active as an older adult is important year-round, but summer is a great time to take advantage of beautiful weather with new and different activities. Whether you’re enjoying the outdoors by yourself or with loved ones, … Continued
How to Navigate Downsizing as a Senior Couple As you navigate through life as a couple, lifestyles and needs shift over time through different chapters. As children grow older and retirement is on the horizon, making decisions together is crucial for a happy and cohesive lifestyle. Downsizing as a couple is an important transition in … Continued
Villa Living in Senior Communities For many older adults, downsizing doesn’t mean giving things up—it means gaining freedom, convenience, and more time to enjoy what you love. That’s exactly what villa living in senior communities offers. If you’re planning for retirement, you might be asking: What is a villa? Is it right for me? How … Continued
Senior Options for the Future We all think and dream about the future. Our dreams can include graduating, getting married, starting a family, getting a promotion, buying a home, retiring, and more. Achieving our dreams in the future requires planning today. Understanding senior options helps you prepare for the future, so you can live the … Continued
There’s no denying that everyone ages. We all experience aging differently though. Many of us want to do everything we can to stop or slow down the aging process. While we can’t stop ourselves from aging, there are things we can do to have a better aging experience. With things like Blue Zones and senior … Continued
When you think about what makes senior living what it is, the first things you think of may be the buildings or the care. Bu senior living is more than just a building. It’s the lifestyle that goes with it. Lifestyle in senior living is what creates a fulfilling, relaxing, and engaging environment for you … Continued
As your parents age, you may notice changes. It could be small things like changes with their memory or hearing difficulties. It may also be bigger changes, like challenges with mobility or taking care of themselves. At some point, you may find yourself thinking about senior living care for your parents. When you do, it’s … Continued
Aging brings many changes. It can also bring new concerns and challenges for you and your loved ones. You may notice daily activities are getting more difficult and that there are new safety risks. As a result, you may have growing concerns about yourself or your loved one living alone. When it comes to safety, … Continued
Do you have retirement goals? The new year is a great time to set new retirement goals and reevaluate any you already have. Retirement is expensive, but it’s never too early or late to start planning. Understanding your retirement options can help you create a plan so you can live the retirement of your dreams. … Continued
There are many factors that go into the decision to move to a senior living community. One of the biggest factors you may face, for yourself or your loved one, is the price. Once you know what a community costs, you probably start thinking about how you’re going to pay for it. Depending on your … Continued
The new year is a time to reflect and reset. We experience a lot of things over the course of a year, both good and bad. Naturally, at the end of the year, many of us find ourselves reflecting. Remembering the highlights of our experiences from the year. It’s also a time when many of … Continued
At some point, you may visit your loved ones and notice signs that they need more help than you had realized. Once you do, you may find yourself asking, “What now?”. It can be overwhelming to figure out what to do when your aging loved one needs more help. But there are a few tried-and-true … Continued
The holidays are special. Gathering with loved ones and friends, sharing meals, laughs, memories, and traditions. Our holiday traditions may change over time, but they always make the holidays special. You can enjoy all your favorite holiday traditions, and discover new ones you love, when you call a senior living community home. 9 Favorite Holiday … Continued
From the time we’re teenagers driving offers a sense of independence and freedom. No matter how many years or miles pass, the feeling doesn’t fade. That’s why many of us cling so tightly to our keys and avoid giving up driving. But, as we age, we have to consider safe driving for older adults. We … Continued
For someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, memory care can offer support that helps them thrive. That’s the goal of Connecting Realities, the innovative memory support programming offered by The Ohio Masonic Communities. If your loved one has Alzheimer’s or dementia, memory care can offer peace of mind. It can also be confusing and overwhelming for … Continued
You probably know Medicare as insurance for seniors. If only it were that simple! Like most insurance, it can be confusing and easily become overwhelming. Medicare has four parts, A-D, which are also known as the Medicare Alphabet. Instead of getting lost in Medicare’s alphabet soup, you can navigate your insurance options with confidence. Medicare … Continued
We all need more help as we age. It’s impossible to avoid. Whether it’s things like house upkeep and landscaping, or medication management and bathing, at some point we all need help. As you head home for the holidays, make sure you know how to spot the warning signs that older adults in your life … Continued
Veterans and their families make countless sacrifices when they choose to serve our country. Those sacrifices shouldn’t include aging well and having the retirement they choose. There are resources to support veterans in retirement, but the system can be confusing. Maximizing your VA benefits can help you afford senior living and live retirement the way … Continued
If you’re a caregiver, you probably agreed to take care of your loved one with the best of intentions. Maybe you felt naturally inclined to be a caregiver. Maybe you felt like you should take care of them because they took care of you. No matter why you chose to do it, there may come … Continued
Healthcare facilities and engineering is a long way of saying “the people who keep everything running.” Often, they’re responsible for making sure everything inside a healthcare facility is running smoothly. In doing so, they’re also responsible for creating a safe environment for everyone who goes through the front door. What Healthcare Facilities and Engineering Teams … Continued
If you or your parents are 65 or older, you’re probably no stranger to prescription medication. In fact, nearly 90% of older adults report taking prescription medication. Those numbers don’t even include over the counter medications, such as pain relievers, fever reducers, or antacids. Medication can often be lifesaving. But, it’s crucial to consider medication … Continued
If you are 65 or older, there’s a 70% chance you will need long-term care at some point in your life. Yet, only 3.3% of Americans have long-term care insurance. This leaves most older adults unprepared. With costs estimated over $100,000, long-term care should be an important part of your retirement planning. What is Long-Term … Continued
Food fuels us. At a basic level, it gives us the energy we need to survive. But it does more than just fuel our bodies. It fuels our souls with smells and tastes that evoke memories and feelings. Food can simultaneously transport us back to a moment in time and keep us rooted in the … Continued
Senior living care levels are one of the core elements of senior living. Independent living, assisted living, memory care, long-term skilled nursing care, and short-term rehab are each unique. Each has different options that can range from shared rooms all the way up to villa homes. Yet the biggest difference is in the type and … Continued
Fall is a great time of year. With the changing leaves and cooler days, it’s no wonder so many people love it. In fact, based on various reports and surveys, roughly half of all Americans say fall is their favorite season. With its official start on September 22, 2025, fall brings its own traditions and … Continued
Parents spend countless hours and years worrying about their children. Some may say it’s a worry that never goes away. But, at some point, the worry begins to shift. As your parents age, you may find that the roles become reversed. Eventually, you may worry about things like how well your parents are able to … Continued
Environmental services is a critical part of every industry and business. In some ways, it’s part of our homes, too. Senior living is no exception. In fact, environmental services plays an important role in every senior living community. Some of their roles in senior living may even surprise you. What is Environmental Services? Many healthcare … Continued
If you’ve found yourself taking on the role of a caregiving, you’ve probably felt it’s equal parts rewarding and challenging. If you haven’t been a caregiver, you’ve probably heard enough stories that you know this to be true. This can be said about caregiving at any point in life. Especially for older adults, which is … Continued
Money is an important part of life. It may even feel like much of the world revolves around it. It can be a common source of stress, frustration, and confusion. Like many things in life, a little planning and a little education can go a long way. That’s why financial planning is important. Financial planning … Continued
Senior living can be confusing and independent living is no exception. It’s one of the most common types of senior living. Yet it’s often misunderstood. What is independent living? Independent living includes a wide range of options. This is one of the reasons it can be hard to recognize. To understand things like who should … Continued
One of the most confusing parts of getting older is estate planning. Many people don’t know what estate planning entails. Not to mention how to go about planning their estate. Plus, it’s often associated with lawyers and hefty fees. But estate planning is one of the most important things you should do. It can also … Continued
Pets are known for providing social companionship and emotional support. There’s a reason they often become members of the family. From a young age, kids ask their parents to get a puppy or a kitten. The desire for a furry or feathered companion doesn’t go away as we age. In fact, there are many benefits … Continued
Technology for Older Adults: Benefits, Dangers, and Online Safety Every day new technology is developed. But the more technology-driven our world becomes, the more dangerous it can feel. Technology for older adults can be a powerful tool. Yet, you don’t have to look very far to find examples of the ways it can cause harm. … Continued
A little-known element of senior living is the waitlist. Sometimes it can feel like a lot of hurry up and wait. When you or a loved one are looking at senior living communities and decide it’s time to move, there may or may not be a waitlist. But, just because there’s a wait doesn’t mean … Continued
Is there an older adult in your life? If so, you probably worry about their physical and mental wellness. Did you know that social wellness is just as important? In fact, social wellness for older adults can even impact physical and mental wellness. What is social wellness? To understand social wellness, it’s helpful to start … Continued
Villas are one of the most common types of senior living. They’re also one of the most popular. But, they can often be one of the most misunderstood. Curious about senior living villa life? Here are answers to some of the biggest questions. From what villas are to why they’re special and more. Plus, take … Continued
Fourth of July celebrates the independence of the United States. Many of us spend the day celebrating with family and friends. Common traditions include things like swimming, cookouts, and – of course – fireworks. From newborns to those in their 100s, Independence Day can offer something for everyone. This makes it the perfect time to … Continued
Ever find yourself confused by Alzheimer’s and dementia? They can be hard to understand. And you may have a lot of questions. What is Alzheimer’s? What is dementia? How are the two related? What are the signs and symptoms? How can you keep your brain healthy? Your list of questions could go on and on. … Continued
Elder Abuse can happen to anyone, anytime. Are you prepared to recognize it and respond? Knowing what it is, how to spot it, what to do about it, and ways to prevent it can help. What is Elder Abuse? Elder abuse is any form of abuse affecting adults 60 or older. But the impact of … Continued
Many aspects of senior living are related to nursing. Whether it’s coordinating care or delivering it. Nursing is a pillar of most senior living. Nurses complete assessments, manage medications, and offer advocacy. Nursing assistants in senior living provide direct care to residents. It’s a vital part of senior living. Plus, it supports resident happiness. Who … Continued
The fountain of youth was first mentioned in 5th Century BCE. That means for nearly 2,500 years society has placed high value on youth. It’s not uncommon to be afraid of aging. Or, at the very least, dislike it. Even sayings like “young at heart” demonstrate the obsession with youth over aging. But aging doesn’t … Continued
At times it can seem like the world revolves around diet and exercise. It’s become so common that it’s often referred to as the “diet industry”. At every age and stage of life we’re inundated with things about new diets, workouts, and medications that all claim to solve our problems. But health and fitness is … Continued
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Older Americans Month. Two topics that may seem completely unrelated but share a lot in common. That makes this the perfect time to think about and understand mental wellness for older adults. More importantly, it’s an opportunity to consider the impact that social connection can have on older … Continued
Does senior living confuse or overwhelm you? You aren’t alone. There’s a lot to understand. In fact, there are different types of communities, contracts, care and more. Even the phrase “senior living” can have different meanings. Senior living care levels are a core part of senior living. They’re incredibly important but can be challenging to … Continued
It should come as no surprise that nursing is one of the career fields that offers the most versatile opportunities. Nurses can work in many different settings, with many different populations, and at many different levels of leadership. Nurses play many important roles, but the role of nurses in senior living can be especially important. … Continued
April is National Occupational Therapy Month which makes it the perfect time to learn more about the role of occupational therapists. It’s also a chance to celebrate occupational therapists and thank them for their hard work and dedication. What is occupational therapy? By definition, occupational therapy “enables people of all ages to participate in daily … Continued