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
Downsizing, decluttering, and spring cleaning can all go hand in hand. For many, it’s the first step on the journey to senior living. It can also be beneficial for all of us. Even if you aren’t ready to downsize and consider a move to senior living, decluttering and spring cleaning can help simplify your life … Continued
Are You Financially Prepared for Retirement? Are you financially prepared for retirement and the expenses that come with senior living? With Tax Day 2025 behind us, now is a great time to evaluate your financial plan. Cost of Retirement Retirement is expensive—but do you know how much it actually costs? According to many sources, the … Continued
Senior Living Community and Contract Types When it comes to senior living, there are a lot of options when it comes to the different types of community and contract options. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed trying to understand everything from care levels to communities and contracts. What is senior living? Before looking at the specifics … Continued
Careers in aging can be rewarding for both seniors and employees alike. Senior living exists for residents to live their best lives and thrive as they age – and employees who have a career in senior living can find many benefits as well. Staff who serve with compassion and commitment can make a good senior … Continued
Every March is National Social Work Month and the role of social work for older adults is extremely important. Social workers do a lot of hard jobs and they often do not receive much thanks or appreciation. March is a chance to celebrate the work social workers do and appreciate the work they do supporting … Continued
How important is happiness and senior living? Well, everyone wants to be happy. We spend our lives looking for things that bring us happiness. We want to spend as much time being happy as we can while experiencing as little of its opposite – sadness – as possible. Browsing the aisles of a bookstore or … Continued
Food is a core part of our everyday lives. It keeps us alive, but it can also impact how we feel both physically and mentally. Food can evoke memories, bring joy, and provide comfort. Smell and taste are important, but the nutrition food provides is even more important. That doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice … Continued
In life, we go through phases of being cared for or caring for others. Being a caregiver is broad—whether it’s short term or long term, it can also be infrequent, such as a couple times a week to 24/7. No matter how often or for how long care is provided, caregiving is both rewarding and … Continued
Senior independence is important for older adults. There are practical steps seniors can take to support their own independence. There are also things caregivers and family members can do to encourage their loved ones’ independence. Tips to Encourage Independence for Older Adults February is National Senior Independence Month. That makes this the perfect opportunity to … Continued
Independence is a central element of life at every stage. Toddlers are trying to learn the basics of independence, like talking, eating, and walking. Fast forward, and teenagers are fighting to get as much independence as possible. We spend our adult lives trying to do everything ourselves, frequently afraid to ask for help. Then, as … Continued
February in Ohio means we’re deep into the winter months, with the hope of spring on the horizon. Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, which means we’ve got 6 more weeks of winter to go. The winter blues as an older adult can present itself due to numerous factors. Whether it’s fewer hours of daylight, colder … Continued
The heart is an important part of our bodies’ functioning and our overall wellbeing. It’s no wonder there’s an entire month dedicated to it! February is American Heart Month, a time to celebrate the heart and learn more about how it works and when it might be in danger. Our hearts change as we age, … Continued
Assisted Living 101 Assisted living is one of the most common types of senior living—but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. That’s why we’re breaking it down for you. From what it is to how to pay for it and everything in between, our Assisted Living 101 covers what you need to know. What … Continued
Life enrichment is a core element of senior living, but it’s often misunderstood. If you look at senior living communities, you may see some advertise life enrichment while others refer to activities, events, or resident engagement. No matter what it’s called, the life enrichment department is who’s responsible for planning the activities and events residents … Continued
Our eyes play a big role in our daily lives, but it is easy to overlook them. Eye health should be a concern throughout our lives. But, as we get older, there are additional things to look for when it comes to our eye health. January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, which makes this the … Continued
New year, new resolutions! A new year brings a fresh slate and a chance to reflect on the previous year while thinking about what’s to come. Many of us set resolutions for the new year, or a list of goals we want to accomplish. The idea of new year’s resolutions isn’t new. It can be … Continued
A True Superstar Meet Jessica, Springfield Masonic Community Executive Chef! At Springfield Masonic Community, our employees are superstars. We recently sat down with Jessica and she shared her story and the success she’s had at Springfield Masonic Community. How long have you worked at Springfield Masonic Community? I have worked at SMC for 12 … Continued
In just a few short days, Christmas will be here. It’s an exciting time for families, and a wonderful time to enjoy holiday traditions with those closest to us. Traditions don’t have to always stay the same, and creating new traditions with family is a fun way to bring everyone together this holiday season. Below … Continued
Turkey Day is done, and it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Have you made your holiday shopping list and checked it twice? Now that it is time to go shopping for the special people on your list, it is also the ideal time to brush up on your shopping safety habits. The holiday … Continued
Have you ever heard the phrase “old man winter?” Those of us living in Ohio certainly know that phrase! It’s that time of year where the cold weather is beginning to roll in and we all have to prepare for the changes that come with it. Check out our winter weather safety tips to prepare … Continued
A True Superstar Meet Tabitha, Browning Masonic Community receptionist! We recently sat down with Tabitha, our receptionist, so she could share her story and the success she has had at Browning Masonic Community. How long have you worked at Browning Masonic Community? I am one of the newer employees at BMC. In April 2024, … Continued
What is Giving Tuesday? Have you ever heard of Giving Tuesday? In 2012, Giving Tuesday was created as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good and share their generosity throughout their communities. Since then, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, … Continued
Now that the kids have finished Trick or Treat, costumes are put away, and everyone has eaten way too much candy, everyone is making their holiday plans for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve. With families living all across the country, some families may not get to see each other as often as they … Continued
This year is flying by. It’s hard to believe that 2024 is nearing an end. The holiday season will be here before we know it. Many people are already planning their Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas celebration and how to ring in the New Year. Regardless of your age, you need to stay healthy so you can … Continued
Future Planning and Safety for Early Dementia Care Have you or someone you know been diagnosed with early stage dementia? Do you worry about how you or your loved one will manage to live alone with this new diagnosis? There are things you can do to help manage the changes you’re experiencing in memory and thinking … Continued
Turning the Tables: Making Care Decisions for Your Aging Parents For much of your life, you have been the son or daughter in the family dynamics, with your parents making decisions for you. Now the tables are turned, and you are needing to make decisions for your parents about their care. You will experience a … Continued
A True Superstar At Western Reserve Masonic Community, (WRMC) our employees are superstars! Meet Ann, STNA, at Western Reserve Masonic Community! As a STNA (Stated-Tested Nursing Assistant), Ann shared her story and the success she has had with us at Western Reserve Masonic Community. How long have you worked at Western Reserve Masonic Community? I … Continued
Senior Living Essentials: Understanding Long-Term Care Insurance Have you ever heard the term “long-term care insurance?”. Some people will tell you they have never heard of it. Does it have something to do with my home insurance? Others will tell you they have heard of it but thought that it was only for older people. … Continued
The Perfect Season for Family-Friendly Fall Activities Fall is a wonderful time of year. The temperatures are getting cooler and the leaves are turning beautiful shades of red and orange. The kids are excited for Halloween and before you know it, Thanksgiving and Christmas will be following close behind. The fall season brings families together … Continued
Alternative Care Paths for Older Adults A fact of life is that all people age. There are times when aging and the life changes that come along with it can be stressful. Frequently, older adults or adult children need to make decisions about care options as needs change. Should you remain at home or consider … Continued
The Paw-sitive Impact of How Pets Enrich the Lives of Older Adults Take a moment and think back to childhood and remember your first pet. You simply knew that you wanted a pet, whether it was a cat or dog. Your parents reminded you of the responsibilities of pet ownership. Don’t forget to feed your … Continued
Meet Carrie, Clinical Manager of Assisted Living at Springfield Masonic Community! At Springfield Masonic Community (SMC), our employees are superstars! Meet Carrie, Clinical Manager of Assisted Living at Springfield Masonic Community! We recently sat down with Carrie, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), so she could share her story and successes. How long have you worked … Continued
Simplifying Your Transition with a Stress-Free Move to a Retirement Community People move for many reasons. Possibly a new job, or military reassignment. Sometimes people move into a larger home when they are growing their family or as people retire they are choosing to downsize into a condo or move to a retirement community. Regardless … Continued
Exploring the Senior Living Roadmap in a Continuing Care Retirement Community Finding a retirement community that sees you as an individual is extremely important. You have unique circumstances, requirements, preferences, and desires. However, understanding the levels of care within a retirement community—and what each includes—can feel overwhelming. We’re here to help guide you through the … Continued
Breaking Down the 6 Major Types of Memory Issues With so much information about Alzheimer’s and dementia, it can feel difficult to know where to turn. Many people struggle to understand dementia and related conditions. They often assume Alzheimer’s and dementia are interchangeable—but they are notIn fact, more than 100 different conditions can lead to … Continued
Quality Senior Adult Care is Always the Goal Five-star quality is always the goal. You’ve probably experienced how hard it is to find these days. Quality is especially important when it comes to senior living. If you’ve ever looked at senior living, a nursing home, or a short-term rehabilitation, you may have been overwhelmed … Continued
Building a Strong Financial Future Starts Early What do you think when you hear the word retirement? It means many things to different people. Some may think of traveling while others may want to take new classes or spend more time at home. Maybe you want to spend time with the grandkids or do remodel … Continued
Meet Leslie, STNA, at Browning Masonic Community! At Browning Masonic Community (BMC), our employees are superstars! We recently sat down with Leslie, Stated-Tested Nursing Assistant (STN) and she shared her story and the success she’s in senior living careers. Meet Leslie, STNA, at Browning Masonic Community! How long have you worked at Browning Masonic Community? … Continued
Balancing Caregiving and Personal Well-Being Taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do as a caregiver. Caregiving is not easy — it can be challenging for the caregiver and for the person receiving care. It requires sacrifices and adjustments for everyone. Often, family caregivers juggle work and family life … Continued
Boosting Senior Adult Independence and Confidence with Assistive Devices What are assistive devices? Some common devices that might come to mind are canes or walkers, but there is so much more. Assistive devices are adaptive tools designed to help bridge the gaps in mobility and ability to perform activities of daily living , such as … Continued
Keeping Summer Vacation for Older Adults Stress-free and Safe The middle of summer is still time to take that special vacation. Whether traveling alone or with your extended family, for a weekend or longer, the excitement starts with the planning. Planning a stress-free experience requires some thoughtful preparation to ensure a trip that is both … Continued
Decoding Dementia: Understanding Behaviors Behavior is a powerful form of communication and is one of the main ways people with dementia communicate their needs and feelings as the ability to use language is lost. Some of these behavior changes can present real challenges for caregivers to understand manage. As a caregiver, it is important to … Continued
Meet Katrina with Life Enrichment for Memory Support! At Western Reserve Masonic Community (WRMC), our employees are superstars! We recently sat down with Katrina from Life Enrichment so she could share her story and the success she’s had with her career in senior living. Meet Katrina with Life Enrichment for Memory Support at Western Reserve … Continued
Let’s Go! Staying Active as a Senior Adult Are there days when you wake up, look at everything that you need to do, and wonder how exercising will fit? For your health, it is important to make exercise a priority in your life, regardless of your age. A recent study found that physical activity was … Continued
What is Medicare and Medicaid? You have probably had several different companies that provided you medical insurance. If your insurance was provided by your employer, they determined what insurance policies you had with limited options. Fast forward to your retirement years and now you have to determine what type of a plan is best for … Continued
Senior Living Communities in the Modern Age Most of us have our own ideas about what senior living communities are like. Many believe that “senior living community” is interchangeable with the term “nursing home”, but they are two very different options. While many senior living communities provide higher level healthcare services, they offer more than … Continued
A True Super Star At Springfield Masonic Community (SMC), our employees are superstars! Meet Mary, Human Resources Generalist at Springfield Masonic Community! We recently sat down with Mary so she could share her story and the success she’s had working in senior living. How long have you worked at Springfield Masonic Community? I am fairly … Continued
Staying Safe from the Heat This Summer While we all enjoy the warm weather summer brings, too much heat exposure is not safe for anyone! It is even riskier if you are older or have health problems. It is important to be cautious and get relief quickly when you are overheated. Otherwise, you might start … Continued
Ensuring Independence with Comprehensive Care Have you ever the acronym CCRC and wondered what it meant? CCRC stands for continuing care retirement community and provides older adults a community to live in one location for as long as they need. This provides families and residents with peace of mind, knowing that they will have the … Continued