Lola sleeping in her handmade campus home by a fellow co-worker. My name is Lola Bunny, named after the Looney Toons character. I am a Flemish Giant Hare. I am three years old and weigh about 20 lbs. I am larger than the pet rabbits people are used to seeing. When I first arrived to campus, my standard rabbit cage was a bit too small so one of my co-workers on the maintenance team built me my own custom rabbit cage. It’s big enough for me to have my little house and blanket and hop around in. I love it! I don’t know my exact birthday so we celebrate every year on Easter since that’s when I s ..read more

It seems everything is so expensive these days – food, gas, housing, utilities and even entertainment. For seniors, it is more important than ever to know how to stretch a dollar. Here are some tips for low-cost senior independent living. Food According to a recent poll, people feel that during periods of inflation, they are most impacted by higher food prices. With supermarket prices 25% higher than in January 2020, seniors especially are feeling the pinch. One of the easiest ways to save money on food is to simply plan ahead. This will reduce expensive impulse buys and give you time to shop ..read more

“I need to get my stepdad placed ASAP. He has dementia and cannot stay at home any longer. He is 85 and mom is 84. It is deteriorating her health by caring for him.” We hear pleas like this every day, adult children urgently looking for an Alzheimer’s care facility for their aging parent. That’s why it is so important to start planning early, without the emotional stress and immediate need for dementia care. What financial and legal documents should you have in place when considering an Alzheimer’s care facility for a loved one? Preparing for long-term memory care requires many financial and l ..read more

When it comes to residents of Pennsylvania assisted living facilities and personal care communities, safety is of the utmost importance. That’s why state licensing provides the basis for protecting the health, safety and well-being of residents. The best assisted living communities and personal care homes build on this foundation with comprehensive measures that cover facility, fire and disaster safety as well as resident health and well-being. Here are a few of the safety features found in Pennsylvania assisted living residences and personal care communities: Facility safety Keeping residents ..read more

Aw, puppies! Did you know that pets can help with healthy aging? And you don’t have to own a pet to reap the benefits. For seniors in a retirement facility, visiting therapy pets spread cheer, too. Here are a few commonly asked questions about pets in a retirement facility: How do pets in a retirement facility help older adults’ mental health? According to American Humane, research has shown that pet ownership can provide important forms of social and emotional support for older adults that can reduce distress, loneliness and improve overall quality of life.” Benefits may include decreasing le ..read more

The Old Farmer’s Almanac says, “Get ready for a Winter Wonderland!” The 2023-24 winter weather forecast predicts a cold, snowy winter for Pennsylvania. With winter approaching, it is only natural for us to worry about our aging loved one, especially if they live alone at home. The season offers more challenges than summer, fall or spring. At holiday gatherings, aging is often more apparent as we compare our parents to the younger versions of themselves of our holiday memories. It can be quite unsettling. Elderly care facilities can offer peace of mind for families and aging loved ones alike. E ..read more

Whether you call it a home edit or a decluttering, getting rid of your belongings can be overwhelming. And when you are downsizing to a retirement community, there is the added anxiety of changing lifestyle in a new home. But with tips from professional organizers like The Home Edit and Marie Kondo, you can make the transition easier. Find inspiration Marie Kondo is known for her 6 rules of tidying to spark joy in your life. Kondo’s second rule is to imagine your ideal lifestyle. This is especially important when downsizing to a retirement community as you have the opportunity to make intentio ..read more

By 2030, baby boomers, all 70+ million of them, will have reached the age of 65. Sometimes called the Silver Tsunami, this will create an unprecedented demand for retirement options. So now as they approach retirement, how will their senior living transition be different from their parents’? “Today’s older adults are often active, engaged, tech-savvy and eager to learn and experience new things, according to California State University, Northridge health sciences professor Stephan Chung. In “Baby Boomers are Redefining What it Means to Be Old“, he said, “They are a testament to the fact that a ..read more

As a top retirement community in Harrisburg, we often get asked, “What does it cost to live in a retirement community?” Often, we hear from adult children concerned about their aging parents: “My mom lives alone in her home with private care but it is getting costly.” “My mother lives alone and I feel she is becoming too isolated from people and activities. She is still driving and is very independent.” “My father is unable to be left alone in his home. He cannot care for himself safely with having to go up and down steps.” While they understand the benefits of living in a retirement communi ..read more

Peace of mind is why many families of loved ones with memory issues choose dementia care homes. Keeping the person with dementia safe is often too difficult to do at home. Dementia care homes are designed to provide memory support in a safe and secure environment. Here are a few ways dementia care homes keep residents safe and give families peace of mind. Physical and technological measures Dementia care homes provide a wide range of physical and technological measures to reduce the risk of wandering, falls, confusion and other safety risks. These include controlled access (including doors and ..read more