Assisted Living News

In the 1960s, the Nursing Home Standards Guide was issued, setting regulatory standards and outlining recommendations for all federally licensed facilities. Since then, senior living communities have seen many changes and trends come and go. Assisted Living Trends to Leave Behind These three assisted living trends may be best left behind: 1. Cafeteria-Style Dining Dining is a very important element in the lifestyle of assisted living residents. Alternative options to the basic buffet or cafeteria-sty...

North American seniors are living healthier, longer lives than any generation that has come before them. Why are aging adults experiencing fewer physical ailments and more disability-free years? According to a recent Harvard study, “one of the most powerful contributors is improved medical treatment, especially better cardiovascular health and vision care.” As Americans continue to shift towards healthy aging, goals for retirement and senior living have shifted as well. Seniors in North America expec...

Making the decision to move your spouse to an assisted living community can be incredibly difficult, especially if that move does not include you. Some common emotional challenges include accepting the reality that their care needs are beyond your ability to manage at home, coming to terms with your spouse’s declining health and in some cases coping with the fact that you can no longer live with the person you love. While moving your spouse into an assisted living community may feel like too much emo...

According to a recent study published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, from January-June 2017, roughly 1 in 5 adults over the age of 85 – or 21.7% – needed assistance to perform activities of daily living (ADL). This data showcases a dramatic need compared to groups of younger seniors who were studied; in comparison, less than half of seniors aged 75-84 (8.5%) needed ADL help, while less than 1 in 6 seniors aged 65-74 (3.4%) required assistance. Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Assis...

Voyage, a Silicon Valley-based startup company and The Villages, known as “Florida’s friendliest active adult community,” have announced an exciting new pilot project, resulting in the launch of an autonomous – or self-driving – taxi service available to residents within the 40 square mile bounds of the community. According to the Voyage website, “the Voyage Pilot Program involves a select group of residents who will participate in testing a self-driving taxi service within The Villages. ...

For many seniors, it can be difficult to hear amidst the bustle of an active senior living community. Even with hearing aids, participating in activities that rely on sound, like dances, movies and presentations can be frustrating. Fortunately, a new hearing device is reducing these frustrations. Eversound’s new hearing system is designed specifically to provide older adults with an enhanced listening experience compared with conventional hearing aids. It is simple to set up and use, and is int...

There is no shortage of high-end assisted living options in the United States. There are beautiful grounds, gourmet dining and spacious apartments, with a costly price tag attached. However, there are far fewer options available for older adults with less discretionary income. After two years of research on the unmet needs of the middle-income market, The Branches of North Attleboro, a new Benchmark Senior Living community in North Attleboro, Massachusetts is attempting to change this. The community ...

Artificial intelligence is far more beneficial and interesting than what is portrayed by film and television characters and actually has the potential to change the way in which we provide care in assisted living communities for the better. How AI Is Changing Assisted Living Forbes’ “How Could Artificial Intelligence Change Assisted Living Facilities?” points out that assisted living communities “face a number of challenges” that A.I. could help solve, problems like: Client accidents, inc...

A Harvard University study of over 250,000 seniors aged 65 years and older has revealed that not only are American seniors living longer, they are also leading more active and healthier lives. With more active seniors and a wave of baby boomers approaching retirement age, it’s no wonder there’s been an explosion in the development of resort-style communities. On Long Island, for example, this “niche market has ‘exploded’ for both sales and rental developments,” the New York Times reports, estimating ...

Last Updated: January 11, 2018 Assisted living communities can be pricey. An A Place for Mom Cost of Senior Care Survey recently found that the national average price for an assisted living apartment is around $3750 per month. In some regions, the cost is significantly higher. Seniors who have few assets and a low income can apply for Medicaid, but because its eligibility requirements are strict, many families are stuck in a position where their loved one is financially overqualified for Medicaid, bu...

Last Updated: December 28, 2017 The holidays are filled with family, friends and festivities — but it can be a less than cheerful time for seniors who may feel isolated in senior living. Many recognize this issue and have set apart time to bring joy to assisted living communities and their residents this holiday season. Learn more about how they’re spreading holiday cheer. Bringing Joy to Assisted Living This Holiday Season Although young, many preschool and elementary students already understa...

Last Updated: December 14, 2017 Many families searching for senior care don’t know the differences between the options available to then. Learning the distinction between different kinds of long-term care providers can help you more quickly identify the right care option for your parent or senior loved one. Learn more about which senior care option is best for you and your family, through this assisted living checklist. The Cost of Confusion in Assisted Living Most families searching for senior...

Last Updated: November 30, 2017 An ABC News poll reports that 42% of American adults have advance directives or living wills. This figure is at an all-time high, but experts aren’t satisfied. The Importance of Having a Living Will In 1990, 26-year-old Terri Schiavo, a young married woman living in St. Petersburg, Florida collapsed in her apartment complex and was found face down, unconscious, with no pulse. Schiavo’s husband called 9-1-1 and she was rushed to the hospital. Though doctors ...

Last Updated: November 16, 2017 Each year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, the U.S. observes a National Day of Listening — where families set aside time to tell stories and record them with family and friends. Learn more about celebrating this day with seniors in assisted living, and read on for tips about how to start a conversation and preserve stories with loved ones. Listening and Sharing Stories with Seniors in Assisted Living Though we should be taking as much time as we can to visit the senio...

An assisted living community for veterans — the first of its kind — focused on caring for senior veterans and their families, will be opening this year in Connecticut. Learn more about this senior living community and what it means for veterans and the future of assisted living. Assisted Living for Veterans Connecticut WTNH News reported in an article that an assisted living community for veterans will be opening in Newington, Connecticut this year. According to its website, Veterans Landing – a part...