Senior Living News & Articles

Now more than ever, Americans are delaying—or working into—retirement. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, adults past the traditional retirement age of 60-70 will soon be the fastest-growing segment of the workforce. Whether these adults choose to continue their long-time career or start over with something new after retirement, it’s clear that people are continuing to work later in life.

The goal of retirement is to step away from actively working while maintaining your lifestyle. To be able to use your time to enjoy hobbies, visit with friends and family, or simply to relax. However, if you are a homeowner, you may find that you are spending more of your time mowing the lawn, fixing the sink, or trying to uphold the value of your house.

Technology is advancing, and that includes the technology used in the realm of senior care. While you may not think of a senior living community as a tech-savvy space, you may be surprised to discover the amount of technology used today in communities, such as Franklin Park Senior Living. Franklin Park operations are evolving and adapting to new technology as it is pushed out and properly tested.

Senior living communities have a wide array of options available to residents that are looking to move-in. Independent living communities are one of the most popular options for seniors that are looking to make the transition. With so many options available to choose from, it can be confusing to decide which experience is best for your lifestyle. 

Because the world of senior living is so vast and full of ever-expanding options, it can be difficult to discern one community from another. Franklin Park would like to dive further into independent living and what each resident receives in their experience with a quality senior living community.

Exploration is a natural instinct that many adults crave. Just because you have an older loved one residing in independent senior living, it does not mean they have given up their thirst for adventure! In fact, the senior aged population is traveling now more than ever! This means that planning a family trip should include the whole family, not just your children!

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! 

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.

As you get older, you may find that you need extra support with everyday activities or you may no longer want to deal with home maintenance and upkeep. While you do not need nursing or medical care, you could use help with transportation, laundry, meal preparation, and other essentials of living. Alternatively, perhaps you could use more companionship or would like to make new friends. Independent living communities, like Franklin Park Senior Living, can provide a new living environment that fulfills these needs. When the time comes that new care is needed, Franklin Park Senior Living also offers assisted living and memory care services.

While you may find the idea of an independent living community attractive, how do you pay for it? Let us discuss several ways to pay for independent living that you might not have previously considered.

It is a common misconception that the time to move into senior living is the time when you have no other choice. The thought is that being a healthy and active retired adult means you have to wait to take advantage of all the benefits of communal living. However, these adults soon realized that they could enjoy all the benefits of a senior living community, even before needing any assistive help. So then, why should an active adult consider the idea of independent living?