Senior Living News to Use

The Greatest Generation is great at saving money because they had to be. They grew up in a time of economic turmoil in America. They were raised in the Great Depression, where every penny counted and you had to carefully budget for your family’s well-being. Then they had to deal with World War II where most funds were shoveled towards the war. The Greatest Generation dealt with all this and were still able to survive becoming amazing senior citizens. If your older loved ones were able to save and have made it to this same point, it could be time where you may have to manage or assist them with their finances. Once you know the various factors that go into it, you need to budget their finances like they did. So, how did they end up saving money?

Did you know reducing your risk of Alzheimer’s Disease could be as simple as 1, 2, 3, 4? If you have a parent currently facing or at risk of developing the disease, it can be worrisome. The good news is you do not have to sit around and wait for it to consume them. You can actively work on slowing the progression or even reducing the risk altogether. You just need to help your loved one follow these Alzheimer’s prevention tips. It is also an excellent idea for you to be proactive in reducing the risk for yourself as well!

It is essential to keep in mind that all exercise is beneficial to your overall health. If you or someone close to you have mobility limitations it can make regular exercise routines challenging and discouraging. It is important to push through the negative feelings to reach the main goal of being healthier. One of the best ways to push past negative connotations with exercising, even if you are in a wheelchair, is to do it with a close friend or relative for support. If either you or your friend are not confined to a wheelchair, a regular chair can be sued to exercise together. Here at Franklin Park we offer workout activities, so be sure to check with our Activities Directors for independent senior living to see if there are any programs already available. If you would like more privacy then you and a friend can follow this guide for exercising with mobility restrictions. No matter what your physical limitations or situation is, just grab a pal and get moving! 

Every adult son wants a stress-free life transition for his elderly parent, whether it is into assisted living in San Antonio or memory care in Austin. At Franklin Park, we encourage all adult children to help ease their parents into this transition, address all their concerns, and be sure to make them as comfortable as possible. We have staff that is highly trained for senior transitioning, but there are also steps that you can do for your loved one as well. The following are the five steps to guide you and your parent into a smooth and stress-free transition.

There has been a debate around the senior living industry regarding whether the primary goal is to sell hospitality or sell care. According to Senior Housing News, the industry has been making huge mistakes in the way they position themselves in the public eye. For Franklin Park, we always keep in mind how we can best serve our residents first, and then focus on implementing care needs, both of which are essential factors. If you take a look at independent living communities for seniors, the target goal should always be the engagement for the residents living there. We focus on ways to assuage the resident mentally and ensure medical needs are served. 

When the weather starts to warm up, the flowers are blooming, and the sun starts to peak longer through the day, it is the perfect time to get outside and get some fresh air. Franklin Park  has independent living for seniors and wants to encourage family members to engage in outdoor activities with their loved ones this spring. Usually, during the winter months, seniors stay cooped up inside due to the cold weather and in some regions to avoid ice or snow. Getting mom or dad to go outside and get some sun is a healthy way to brighten their day and lift their mood. According to the National Institute of Health, sunlight exposure can cause a chemical reaction that improves cognitive function and can help with improving negative thoughts associated with depression. So, there is no excuse to not spend some time outside with your loved one this spring. Need some springtime ideas? Check out these 10 Spring Break activities for seniors!

Making sure aging loved ones stay engaged and active is a crucial part of their happiness. At Franklin Park we firmly believe in providing a warm and delightful environment for our residents, especially those with who are in need of memory care. That is why we offer the Franklin Park® Refreshing Waters© Memory Care. If your loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s, you know firsthand how even daily activities can be a challenge. Dementia can result in loved ones pulling away from social activities and relationships. To help them stay active and connected, try these activities.

Your immune system and its ability to respond reduces as you age. When this happens, you can become more vulnerable to infections and even certain cancers. Franklin Park takes measures to reduce the spreading of germs within our communities, and also encourages you to take your own actions to prevent sickness and disease. If you are similar to our residents, your medication regimen may already be stringent, which is why we have created this list of natural immune boosters. 

Creating memories and spending time with loved ones is always a sentimental part of the winter months. Whether it is baking cookies with your grandmother or cooking dinner with mother, there is still a warm dish to be made with family. Preparing meals together not only creates bonds but also can be a relaxing activity. Following a recipe is a great way to clear one’s mind from all the distractions of a busy schedule, to converse and stay at ease by focusing on one simple task. There are so many recipes available that it can be tedious to search for the perfect one. We wanted to find recipes that were somewhat healthy, unique and easy to make with your loved ones. We have provided a sophisticated supper, a lovely lunch, an easy-bake breakfast and a tempting dessert. Next time you attempt one of these recipes with your loved one you are bound to create not only a delicious meal but also create memories to cherish.

Today’s Seniors Are Redefining Retirement. Our idea of retirement used to include images of late afternoon naps on the porch sitting in the rocker with little thought of the outside world. There is certainly a change in lifestyle that retirement brings to mind. Words like slower, winding down, relaxing, and disengaging were once a part of the vocabulary that we used to describe this season of life. The freedom found in retirement used to be directed towards disconnecting and unplugging.