Senior Living News to Use

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.

How do you know if it is time for your loved one to consider relocating to an assisted living facility? It is not always easy to understand how. At Franklin Park, we have created this guide to help you with that decision. Based on our years of experience in the industry, we have developed this resource to walk you through five general concern categories: Aging, Social, Financial, Transportation, and Home. In addition to questions for you to consider as well as signs that your loved one may need more support, we also review how you can incorporate the observations of other caregivers into your family's discernment process. At Franklin Park, we are dedicated to caring for all of our residents and their family members. That care starts now, at the beginning of your journey.     

You’ve probably already checked their blood pressure, ensured they’ve eaten breakfast and lunch and confirmed their doctor’s appointment for tomorrow. But have you drunk any water today, let alone even eaten lunch yet? Being a caregiver is one of the most rewarding jobs out there, but it can also be considered one of the most mentally and physically challenging. If things are left unchecked, it can lead to a downward spiral and that puts you at risk of experiencing what is known as caregiver burnout. If you are feeling exhausted emotionally, physically, and mentally know that you are not alone and there are ways to gain healthy control of your life again.

We're all eventually faced with a crossroads during aging where we can no longer live independently — either because we no longer want to live alone or we require more assistance that can be provided at home. If you or a loved one find yourself in this situation, you will need to decide what type of senior living is best for your situation.

Currently, Alzheimer’s disease is the 6^th leading cause of death in the United States. At this very moment 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, but by 2050 this number could rise as high as 16 million. Because there is no known cure, this number is likely to continue to rise at an astronomical rate. Organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association work diligently to invest in a world without Alzheimer’s by leading research and awareness that encourages people to get involved.