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How to Celebrate the Holidays with a Senior in Assisted Living

The holidays are right around the corner, and you might be wondering how to make them special for your loved one. If you know someone in assisted living in Winter Park, Florida, you can bring the holiday cheer right to their front door. Plan some of these easy, fun activities to keep your loved one (and yourself) in the holiday spirit this year!

Bake Tasty Holiday Treats 

Almost everyone loves a yummy holiday dessert — why not bring your baking skills to your loved one in assisted living? 

Ask your loved one what kinds of treats they enjoy. If they have dietary restrictions, you can still bake with them. Plenty of gluten-free, diabetic-friendly, and vegan recipes online will taste delicious. 

Baking is a wonderful bonding opportunity for you and your loved one in assisted living. You can spend this time completing the steps of the recipe, which also gives your loved one a sense of independence and active participation. Then, you can enjoy the treats you made together with some good conversation. 

Decorate Their Home

Assisted living in Winter Park is supposed to feel like home — because it is. Your loved one gets to enjoy all of the same perks of living alone while getting some extra help. What better way to make their space comfortable and inviting than by doing some holiday decorating?

You will have to contact the facility to see what kinds of rules are in place regarding decorations. Most assisted living facilities allow things like wreaths, banners, and antiques inside residents’ homes. 

Avoid the following types of holiday decorations:

  • Candles
  • Flammable materials
  • Snowglobes and other glass decorations
  • Electronic decorations with cords 
  • Plug-in lights or diffusers
  • Decorations with sharp edges

These decorations could be a safety hazard to your loved one. Avoid anything that could pose a tripping, fire, or glass hazard inside their home. Many of these decorations are against assisted living facilities’ policies. 

Decorating for the holidays is a great way to bring joy, festivity, and quality time back into your loved one’s life. Spend this time chatting, catching up, and admiring your home decor skills this season. 

Go to a Festive Event

Many assisted living facilities host community events. These vary depending on the season, and there are bound to be festive activities around the holidays. You can attend these events with your loved one and get to know their friends from the community. This is a good way to show that you are interested in their life and support them in this season of their adulthood. 

Stay Festive in Assisted Living in Winter Park

Assisted living helps aging adults maintain their independence and dignity. If you want to bring some holiday cheer to your loved one’s life, visit their home this season and spend some quality time with them. No matter what activities you do together, you will grow closer and enjoy this season to the fullest. 

How to Simplify Life for Seniors Struggling with Vision Loss

Dealing with the realities of vision loss is difficult for seniors. Sometimes, it can be frustrating, and other times, it can be downright terrifying. 

While millions of people live with visual impairment every day, it can be a difficult experience after living with relatively good sight. Here’s what you can do to help seniors with vision loss live comfortably.

Invest in Good Lighting

Well-lit rooms will be easier for seniors who are losing their sight to maneuver around. Just avoid creating a glare, which could have the opposite effect. Task lighting, or more direct light sources, are excellent for reading, while nightlights are necessary to reduce the chances of them tripping or falling at night.

Keep an Organized Space

If the senior is staying in Winter Park assisted living, you should get more information about the layout of each room. You may have to move some things around, even furniture, to make a room safer for an older adult. 

Use organization tools like bowls or baskets that they can drop items like keys or wallets in for easy retrieval, rather than searching all over the house for them. Color coding parts of the home or certain items could also help them recognize things that need to be differentiated, like food or medication.

Zoom In

Many items that help your senior stay organized, like calendars, watches, or appointment books, all come in large print options. See if they need assistance with changing the settings on their phone. Magnifying glasses can be helpful for more meticulous tasks like distributing pills or filling an insulin syringe.

Moral Support

People with vision loss could withdraw and experience depression, anxiety, and inactivity. These issues can snowball into new problems and worsen their quality of life. 

Show them they can still cope with their new circumstances and that this doesn’t mean the end of independence for them. It’s an unimaginably challenging time for many older adults, and sometimes, the best thing you can do is be there for them.

Winter Park Assisted Living Can Help

There may come a point when vision loss prevents an older adult from getting around their home safely. 

A search for “assisted living in Winter Park, Florida” will show you fantastic options for your loved one that will help them through this difficult time by providing resources and caregivers that can encourage them to live their lives to the fullest.

Stay Active and Entertained: A List of Healthy Hobby Ideas for Seniors

Retirement is a wonderful time to explore new interests and dedicate more time to hobbies. The later years in life provide an opportunity to learn, get more involved in the community, and discover new passions.

Here is a list of healthy hobby ideas for seniors.

Yoga

Yoga is one of the best forms of physical exercise for seniors. It caters to seniors of all mobility levels and is a progressive practice that can be developed slowly over time. Yoga increases strength, reduces stress, and is a great way to stay active.

Walking Clubs

Walking clubs are a great activity for both physical and mental health. Walking is a tried and true form of exercise, and walking as part of a club gives the added benefit of social interaction, which is critical for mental health.

Volunteering

There are many ways to get involved in your local community through volunteering. From food pantries to animal shelters to veterans organizations, volunteering helps seniors stay active while giving back.

Photography

Photography is a good option for a new hobby because it is easy to pick up and immediately gives you tangible photographs to hang on to. Outdoor photography has the added benefit of providing fresh air and exercise while you create beautiful photos and make memories.

Cooking

Whether you are a skilled cook or new to the kitchen, retirement is the perfect time to experiment with new, healthy recipes. Eating healthy is easier when you experiment with new foods and share a meal with friends and family.

Gardening

Gardening as a hobby has many benefits, including physical exercise, fresh air, vitamin D from the sun, and the satisfying feeling of growing and caring for something. 

Bird Watching

Most people are surprised to learn how many bird species are native to their community. Bird watching is a good way to learn about nature, get outdoors, and get a little exercise. 

Swimming

Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise because it strengthens the heart and muscles and is low impact. Spending time in the water can be relaxing and is an easy way to stay active.

Discover New Hobbies at Winter Park Assisted Living

For seniors looking for a little more time to enjoy hobbies, Winter Park assisted living can be a good option. Before changing your exercise routine, it is important to talk to a trusted physician. 

Assisted living in Winter Park, Florida, can offer support so that seniors can spend more time on things they enjoy and less time on everyday activities like cooking and cleaning. 

3 Tips for Picking the Perfect Home for Your Retirement Years

Picking a home for retirement can be an exciting time. You’ve worked hard to get to this stage in your life, and your home should enable you to enjoy retirement the way you want to. Whether you are looking for a single-family home or exploring Winter Park assisted living, here are three tips for picking the perfect home for your retirement years.

1. Plan for Your Financial Future

As with buying a home at any stage of life, finances should be a significant consideration as you make your decision. In earlier life stages, you may have had more flexibility to refinance, sell your home, or become a landlord down the road. Later years in life don’t necessarily offer these same opportunities. 

Consider your current financial situation, but also plan for the unexpected. If your situation changes, or there is a change in family dynamics, you’ll want to make sure you are still in a comfortable financial position. 

2. Pick an Accessible Home 

Even if you are in excellent health now, you never know how your situation could change later on. It’s best to stay away from homes with things like steep driveways, lots of stairs, high cabinets, or unconventional utilities. 

You want to ensure your home is future-proof so that no matter what happens in the future, your home will still be a place you can be comfortable. You should also consider the maintenance that is required on the home and consider whether the upkeep is feasible for the long term.

3. Consider Winter Park Assisted Living

Staying at home is certainly an attractive option for many seniors who want to retire in the privacy of their own space. However, assisted living in Winter Park, Florida, offers some of the best accommodations in the country. 

In assisted living, you’ll enjoy a true sense of community and feel just as comfortable as you would at home. In addition, you’ll enjoy a variety of services and amenities, including:

  • Fitness center
  • Pool 
  • Lounge 
  • Housekeeping services
  • On-site security
  • On-site dining
  • Library
  • Scheduled transportation

Assisted living also ensures that you can receive the services you may need in the future as your situation changes. While there are still many myths about assisted living, it is worth your time to schedule a tour and envision what your life could look like in the community.

Selecting a home for retirement isn’t an easy decision. Take your time, consider all of your options, and lean on the advice from experts, friends, and family. 

Moving to Assisted Living? 3 Helpful Tips for Making Friends in the Community

As you enjoy your retirement it’s important to stay active and social. Making sure that you get ample social interaction is critical to your health and can help improve your mood and mindset. If you’re considering assisted living facilities in Winter Park, FL, you’re in the right place to make new friends.

Here are 3 helpful tips for making friends in the community.

1. Join a Book Club

Becoming a member of a book club has several benefits. Book clubs help you discover new reading material and topical interests, give structure to your schedule, and can help you make new friends.

Book clubs mean that you’ll already have something in common with everyone in the club, so fostering new relationships is easy. 

2. Take a Class

If you’re looking for social situations to make new friends, signing up for a class is a perfect solution. Whether it’s an art class, dance class, or even a real estate or finance class, you’re bound to meet like-minded individuals.

If you are living in an assisted living community, you can often take classes right on campus. You can also use transportation assistance if you want to take an off-site class. 

3. Volunteer

Volunteering is one of the best ways to help your community, and it’s also a great way to make friends. The volunteer community is a group of strong, kind-hearted people, and volunteering alongside someone who shares your values is a great way to foster a new friendship. 

Make New Friends in Winter Park Assisted Living

It is a common belief that assisted living communities are lonely, but nothing could be further from the truth. Making new friends in retirement can be easy if you incorporate a variety of activities into your schedule.

Winter Park assisted living communities are some of the most vibrant and social ones around. You’ll never find a lack of activities and opportunities for socialization if you put yourself out there. 

Congratulations To Our Volunteers and Team Members Of The Year

We’re beginning our celebration of Westminster Communities of Florida’s Volunteers of the Year and Team Members of the Year! Over the next two weeks, beginning on Wednesday, we’re holding recognition banquets in Tallahassee, St. Petersburg and Orlando to celebrate these individuals. Be on the lookout for our announcements of the winners prior to each banquet, and fun photos from the event itself.

Congratulations to all the amazing people who make Westminster Communities of Florida a great place to live and work!

Volunteers of the Year

Team Members of the Year

3 Tips on Dating for Older Adults

Dating in the later years of life can be just as exciting as dating at a younger age. Older adults have a lot of life experience that they can bring to dating and a new relationship. 

Dating can also bring a sense of connection that goes a long way in promoting overall wellness. Nonetheless, dating can seem overwhelming, especially if you are out of practice. Here are three tips on dating for older adults.

1. Be Open and Honest

For seniors, it is especially critical to be open and honest at the very outset of a new relationship. Older adults know what they are looking for and what they aren’t. Honesty is the best policy, and as soon as you can align with your date on what your wants and expectations are, the better.

2. Keep an Open Mind

For seniors, it can be easy to write off dating altogether. It may seem hard to find a good match or too difficult to envision yourself starting a new relationship — particularly for seniors in assisted living in Orlando, Florida. However, if you keep an open mind, you may be surprised at what comes your way.

3. Meet Through Friends or Family

One of the best ways to find a compatible date is to meet through friends and family. People close to you know you the best, and they are in a good position to set you up with a potential match. Leave yourself open to suggestions and trust the people around you.

Dating and Assisted Living in Orlando

The idea that you can’t date while in assisted living in Orlando is just another myth about assisted living communities

Dating during retirement can be even more enjoyable than during previous phases of your life because you have more time and fewer daily stressors. If you follow these tips, you’ll find yourself having fun on a date in no time.

What to Expect When Your Move to Assisted Living Includes a Furry Friend

Having a pet is a great way to stay active during your retirement years. Pets provide companionship and are great to have around at all ages. But what happens when you move into an assisted living community? Here are a few things you should know when you bring your furry friend along.

The Community May Have Pet Rules

If you are looking for an assisted living facility in St. Petersburg, FL, you’ll find that most communities have pet rules. Since you’ll be living near other residents and staff, most communities want to ensure that pets are trained and won’t be a nuisance to other residents. 

They may want to check on whether your pet is house trained or not, how much noise it makes, and the status of its vaccinations. There may also be rules for when you can bring your pet outside and which types of visitors can come to assist you with your pet (like dog walkers or veterinarians).  

Your Furry Friend May Have Trouble Adjusting

Change can be hard, and that applies to pets as well as people. Your pet will be uprooted from a home they know and placed in a new, unfamiliar environment. 

It is not uncommon for some pets to go through a transition period that may include some behavioral issues. But rest assured, most pets get used to their new environment quickly and settle in just fine.

Making New Accommodations

If you have a pet, you probably have a routine established to take care of them, like buying food, walking them, and visiting the vet. When you transition to assisted living or independent living in St. Petersburg, you may need to make some adjustments to this routine. 

You may be located further away from the pet store or vet, and you may have to establish a new walking routine that fits your schedule. If you have a dog walker or other staff that assists you with your pet, you’ll need to check with your new community on the best way to continue to get the assistance you need.

Assisted Living Facility in St. Petersburg, FL

St. Petersburg, FL, is a wonderful place for retirees and their pets to settle in. Today, finding an assisted living facility that is right for you is easier than ever. With an abundance of online resources, including virtual tours, you have all of the information you need – right at your fingertips. 

Why Seniors Are a Prime Target for Health Fraud

Every year in the U.S., millions of seniors fall prey to scams and fraud. Healthcare fraud is one of the most common scams that disreputable businesses use to target seniors. The Federal Bureau of Investigation shares that scammers are masters at exploiting the trust of others. 

Americans who grew up between 1930 and 1950 were generally raised to be polite and trusting, making them ideal prey for scammers. Older people are also more likely to have a nest egg, which makes them even more attractive to con artists.

Seniors in assisted living in Orlando are less likely to be targeted by scammers, but that doesn’t mean they should let their guard down. Con artists are masters at figuring out how to contact people, using phone calls, mail, email, and even dating sites to get their foot in the door.

Types of Health Fraud

Seniors are the focus of health fraud because they are the largest consumers of healthcare products. Con artists take advantage of the fact that older Americans are less likely to be savvy at identifying fraud and that, in general, seniors can have a difficult time saying no. Scammers often portray themselves as kind and sympathetic people who only want to help.

Some of the main types of healthcare frauds seniors need to be aware of include:

  • Medical equipment scams that offer “free” products
  • Insurance billing for services that were not performed
  • “Rolling labs” that give unnecessary tests at fitness centers, malls, and other locations where seniors congregate
  • Medicare fraud – unscrupulous medical supply companies offering free items in exchange for Medicare account information

Anyone can fall victim to fraud, especially seniors who live alone or don’t have anyone to advocate for them. Living in a Winter Park assisted living facility that provides on-site security and lifelong learning classes may decrease a senior’s chances of being contacted by fraudsters. Having knowledgeable staff on-hand for seniors to talk to also provides an extra layer of protection.

Assisted Living in Orlando: Tips for Avoiding Health Fraud

Remember that con artists know how to take advantage of your trust. They may represent themselves as helpful and empathic people who only have your best interests at heart. They may also be threatening by doing or saying things that make you feel unsafe.

The following tips can help you avoid being caught in a scam:

Protect Your Data

Protecting your personal data is the number-one way to protect yourself from scammers. Never give your personal identification number (PIN) for banking or other accounts to another person. Likewise, do not share your Social Security number or any account information with any unfamiliar people.

Flip the Script

The AARP suggests keeping a “refusal script” next to your phone. Saying no can be hard for many seniors, so being prepared with a script to read from can help. Your script may say something like, “No, thank you, I am not interested. I don’t make financial decisions without consulting my accountant or lawyer.”

Secure Your Cards

Keep your Medicare card secure. Provide only trusted health care providers with your card number. Never do business with a door-to-door vendor or telemarketer trying to sell or give away medical goods or medical services.

Check the Number

Do a reverse phone number search if you get a call from a medical provider you are unsure about. You can quickly determine where the person is calling from and if they are legitimate. When in doubt, ask for a number where you can call them back. Most scammers will not provide any call-back information.

If you suspect you have been the victim of health fraud, call your insurance company. If you are in assisted living in Orlando, report your concerns to the facility director. If you are being targeted, other members of your community may also be at risk.   

Meaningful Moments: 3 Creative Ways to Share Your Memories

Life is a journey made up of countless experiences, each one leaving a memory. No two people have had the same journey or carry the same memories, but those experiences are important and form the very core of who you are.

Memories are made to be shared, and who better to share them with than those you love? It can be overwhelming to work out how to share a lifetime of experiences in ways that are meaningful, but it doesn’t have to be. 

Creativity is key to sharing your memories in ways that are both manageable and a lot of fun.

1. Sort Those Photos and Tell a Story

Photos are the most tangible way to ignite powerful memories, but they’re not much good in a box under the bed or in albums tucked away at the top of a closet. Start by sorting the photos by people, years, or events. 

Select those that are the most meaningful and choose one or more of the following ways to share them: 

  • Stick them in a journal and write a short story about each photo
  • Use your words, your thoughts, and your handwriting
  • Scan the photos and have them made into framed pictures or a photo book 
  • Display them on your walls for every visitor to see
  • Arrange them in a beautiful photo book for your coffee table

Winter Park, FL, assisted living has a variety of beautiful apartments which provide the perfect canvas for a photo wall or well-placed photo book.   

2. Feed the Memories

Food is a great way to share memories and experiences, meals bring people together. Diet is so different between cultures, nationalities, and even time periods. With our multicultural population and lineages, many families have an eclectic mix of recipes passed down through the generations.

Here is a creative way to share your treasured recipes:

  • Buy a recipe journal and write down your most beloved recipes to share
  • Add photos and comments to the recipes
  • Describe your favorite memory of that recipe
  • Include who taught you the recipe or why you created it

Other family members can add to the journal over the years while enjoying your favorite recipes.

3. Write Letters

You don’t need to be a professional writer to share your thoughts and memories with loved ones. Everyone loves to receive a hand-written letter from someone they cherish. 

The letters need not be very long – just heartfelt. Start by writing to your children, grandchildren, or your dearest friends. Include photos and any memorabilia that you have collected to add to the experience. These letters will become treasured family heirlooms.

Making Memories in Winter Park, FL, Assisted Living 

Once settled into your beautiful apartment with 24/7 support, it’s the perfect time to start planning how you can share your memories and experiences. 

With the peace of mind and independence that comes from assisted living in Winter Park, you can start a new project that will bring so much joy to yourself and others. At the same time, you are making new memories and having new experiences to enhance the journey.

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