If you’re hesitating to talk with your aging parents about finances, consider that this is just one more area where you can love and care for them – and while it’s not the easiest way to provide support, it is crucially important. Here are six finance talks on how to help aging parents with finances and address everyone’s needs and concerns. 1. Money Management Anyone looking to provide financial help for seniors or any financial tips will need a thorough understanding of existing assets and debts. That means getting into the nitty-gritty with your aging parents. Take note of bank account numb ..read more

Why Wait for a Crisis? Why do people wait until a health crisis happens before moving to senior living? Unfortunately, we hear these stories far too often. “Well, mom didn’t want to leave her home, so we thought that we were helping her by keeping her home.” The sad truth is, if you allow yourself or a loved one to wait until something bad happens, you may end up in a senior living community that’s not a good fit. This can cause you or your loved one to lose their sense of independence and sacrifice their quality of life. If you were driving and heard loud noises coming from the car’s engine o ..read more

While millions of people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, no two of those people are the same. Symptoms very widely, and there is no cookie-cutter plan of care that works for everyone. That’s why person-centered care and personalized senior care services – seeing those living with dementia as whole persons – is a cornerstone of Ebenezer’s Dimensions® Memory Care program. 1. Detailed Assessments We look at each person’s abilities, preferences, and needs. We get to know their personal history in order to see the big picture before we design th ..read more

It wouldn’t be news to most of us that cardiovascular exercise – physical activity that raises the heart rate for a sustained period of time – has great health benefits. But recent research reveals there are extra reasons for seniors to get in their cardio – whether it’s a brisk jog through the park, a rousing game of pickleball, or some invigorating laps in the pool. To help get you moving, here are some of the most important ways cardio exercise benefits senior health.   Heart Health Cardiovascular exercise – cardio, for short – gets its name from the work it requires of the heart and b ..read more

Why We Care About Dehydration in Older Adults Hydration is important! Liquids help us: Digest our food Get rid of waste Absorb all the nutrients our body needs to thrive As people get older, it can be more difficult to stay hydrated. Certain medications or health conditions can cause dehydration, and let’s be honest – it’s hard to drink the recommended six to eight glasses of water every day, even if you don’t have any compounding factors to complicate things. If your loved one is having a hard time staying hydrated, it’s important to find a solution. Dehydration in older adults can cause or ..read more

It’s always a good idea to pay attention to what you eat, but as you grow older, nutrition plays an even more important role in maintaining your health and body. Knowing which foods are best for seniors’ nutrition is crucial for a senior’s diet. The Pillars Senior Living community is proud to offer a menu featuring many of the following colorful foods that bolster nutrition to ensure your loved one remains happy, healthy, and well-nourished. Whole Grains Pasta, rice, and bread made with whole grains give you more nutrients and fewer calories than the versions of those same foods made with whi ..read more

Unfortunately, we hear stories far too often about seniors and their family members prolonging their crisis plans. However, if you allow yourself or a loved one to wait until something bad happens, you’re cheating yourself of the ability to create a thought-out plan without any stress. Proper planning allows you to determine which senior living facility is best for you or your loved one and be selective in your decision–because it’s important and personal! So don’t wait until a crisis occurs to talk about living options and programs for yourself or someone else. Planning for Senior Living Bef ..read more

There are a wide variety of different techniques and methods to uplift your mood, including medications, therapy, keeping your body healthy, and maintaining regular social interactions with family and friends. One method that has rapidly gained traction in healthcare, educational, and senior living environments is pet therapy. Multiple studies and eyewitnesses report that pet therapy can help bring depressed or withdrawn older adults out of their shells and remind them of time spent with past pets. The Pillars Senior Living communities understand the importance of mental health and overall wel ..read more

Transitioning to a senior living community doesn’t mean you need to give up your independence as you age. One of the greatest benefits of a senior living community is right there in its name – a community. However, the perks of living in a senior living community go far beyond the welcoming and social aspects. Convenience, compassion, and connection are just some of the benefits you’ll enjoy when making a move, including a safe environment to remain independent as you age, with a team dedicated to helping you in areas that may become difficult or burdensome. The Pillars Senior Living has outli ..read more

Moving your loved one with dementia into Memory Care is an extremely important decision. Whether they will be calling one of our Pillars Senior Living communities home or moving into another Memory Care neighborhood, we understand how important of a decision this is, and we want to help. To assist with some of the practical stuff, we have listed out the items we suggest you bring for your loved one as they transition into Memory Care. Try to Avoid Clutter First, we recommend trying to make Memory Care feel as much like home as possible. Keep in mind that most Memory Care rooms are relatively s ..read more