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Transitioning into senior living can be a significant life change for seniors, and adjusting to a new routine in this environment is crucial for their overall well-being and happiness. This blog article will provide valuable tips and guidance on helping seniors adapt to their new routine in senior living, emphasizing the importance of participation in activities, socialization, and staying engaged.
Helping seniors adapt to their new routine in senior living is a collaborative effort that involves family members, caregivers, and the senior living community itself. By emphasizing the importance of participation in activities, socialization, and staying engaged, we can ensure that our senior loved ones have a fulfilling and enriching experience in their new environment. Remember that patience and understanding play a crucial role in making this transition a positive and successful one.
Our eyes are incredibly precious, yet its easy to take our vision for granted until problems arise. Lets focus on proactive steps to maintain and improve our eye health. Here are some tips to keep your vision in top shape:Schedule Regular Eye Exams:One of the best ways to safeguard your vision is by scheduling regular eye exams. Comprehensive eye exams can detect vision problems early on, allowing for prompt treatment and prevention of further complications. Make it a priority to see your eye doctor at least once a year, even if you dont currently wear glasses or contact lenses.Protect Your Eyes from UV Rays: Just like your skin, your eyes can be damaged by the suns harmful UV rays. Whenever youre outdoors, especially on bright, sunny days, wear sunglasses that offer UV protection. Look for sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays to shield your eyes from potential damage. Give Your Eyes a Break from Screens: In todays digital age, many of us spend a significant amount of time staring at screens, whether its for work, leisure, or staying connected. Prolonged screen time can lead to digital eye strain, characterized by symptoms like dry eyes, blurred vision, and headaches. To reduce eye strain, follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away.Eat a Balanced Diet:Nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining eye health. Incorporate foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants, such as leafy greens, colorful fruits and vegetables, fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, and nuts and seeds. These nutrients can help protect against age-related vision problems like macular degeneration and cataracts.Practice Good Eye Hygiene:Proper eye hygiene is essential for preventing eye infections and irritation. Wash your hands frequently, especially before touching your eyes or handling contact lenses. Follow your eye doctors recommendations for contact lens care, including proper cleaning, disinfecting, and storage.Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can contribute to dry eyes, so be sure to drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day. Aim for at least eight glasses of water daily to keep your eyes and body hydrated.Get Plenty of Sleep:Adequate sleep is crucial for overall health, including eye health. During sleep, your eyes receive much-needed rest and replenishment. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to help reduce eye fatigue and maintain optimal visual function.By incorporating these simple yet effective tips into your daily routine, you can help protect and preserve your precious eyesight for years to come.Your eyesight is irreplaceable, so take care of your eyes today for a brighter tomorrow!
Moving to a new home can be scary and stressful, especially for older people. But don't worry! Here are some easy ways to make moving day less scary and more fun.1. Pick the Right HomeFirst, choose a new home that feels good. Think about what you like. Do you want a garden view? Do you need help with cooking? Make sure your new home has what you need to be happy.2. Make ListsWrite down everything you need to do. This helps you remember important things. Start early and take your time. Don't rush!3. Choose Special ThingsWhen you move to a smaller home, you can't take everything. Pick the things that mean the most to you. It's okay to feel sad about leaving some things behind.4. Get Help from MoversHiring people to help you move can make things much easier. They know how to pack and move your stuff safely.5. Use Good BoxesUse boxes that stack well. Plastic boxes with lids are great because they're easy to pack and unpack.6. Say Goodbye to Your Old HomeHave a party to say goodbye to your old home. Take lots of pictures to remember it. This can help you feel better about moving.7. Think Happy ThoughtsMoving can be exciting! Think about all the fun new things you'll do in your new home. You might make new friends or try new activities.8. Pack a Special BagPack a bag with things you'll need right away in your new home. Put in things like:MedicineToothbrush and toothpastePajamasSnacks and waterThis way, you won't have to search through all your boxes on the first night.9. Make a Moving Day PlanPlan out your moving day. Know when you'll leave and when you should arrive at your new home. Don't forget to plan for breaks along the way.Remember, moving can be a big change, but it can also be the start of a great new adventure in your life!
When moving to a senior living community, it's important to know what to bring and what to leave behind. This guide will help you pack smart for your new home.Before You Start PackingVisit Your New Home: Take a look at how big your new space is.Talk to Residents: Ask people who already live there about what they brought and what they wish they had.Check with Staff: Find out what furniture and items the community provides and which items are not allowed.Involve Family: Let your family pick items they might want to keep, especially heirlooms.What to BringClothes and Personal ItemsEveryday clothesToiletries like toothbrush and shampooMedicationsMobility aids, like walkers or canesSpecial ItemsPhotos and artwork that you loveSmall mementos that make you feel at homeFurniture (if there's room)A comfortable chairA small table or nightstandA bed (if not provided)Lamps for lightingOther Important ThingsBedding and blanketsKitchen items if you have a small kitchen areaTV or radio (if allowed)Pet supplies if pets are permittedWhat Not to BringExpensive jewelry or valuable items that could be lost or damagedClothes you no longer wearLarge furniture pieces that won't fitBig appliances that the community providesHeaters or air conditioners that may not be allowedLarge rugs that could be a tripping hazardRemember, your new home will be smaller, so you'll need to choose carefully what to bring. It's perfectly okay to ask for help from family or friends if packing feels overwhelming.
If you are preparing to transition a loved one from their home to a care community, Family Shepherd is here to help. Our dedicated team of experts focuses on providing assistance and guidance to seniors and their families in the Kansas City area, with the aim to alleviate stress. We know that the house is often the familys largest asset, and we are here to help free up that equity in the house quickly. We work with families to buy the house and share all our trusted local senior living resources to make the transition easier. Know that we are here to guide, protect, and serve your family. Best of all, we dont charge any fees for our services.Transitioning a loved one to a care community is an overwhelming journey. Its a path many families tread with uncertainty, unsure of where to begin. Questions like How can we afford the care Mom deserves? often weigh heavily. With each passing day, the health and well-being of Mom grows more concerning. The sooner you can afford to get her transferred, the safer she will be.This is where Family Shepherd comes in. For us, foundationally, it starts with the house. The house is generally the largest asset and resource for affording long-term care. We assist seniors, and their families, by buying the homes, freeing up immediate funding for the next stage of care. But it doesnt stop there. Ben Rao, Founder and Lead ShepherdBen Rao is the author of the Amazon best-selling book, Paying for Long-Term Care, a life-long entrepreneur, philanthropist and senior care advocate with over 20 years of experience in real estate.Ben was raised in Louisville, Kentucky by his stepfather Tom and his mother Peela, who devoted 40 years to not-for-profit senior services. Ben experienced first-hand the emotional and financial struggle that families face when he was unexpectedly confronted with the reality of transitioning Tom into senior care. He was challenged by the lack of direction and resources available for a process that nearly all of us will eventually need to go through. That experience inspired Ben to use his personal and professional experience in the long-term care industry to help families transition their loved ones into senior care. His entrepreneurial background has helped him become an excellent problem solver which has been a skill he enjoys using to help seniors and their families. After selling a nationally recognized business in Senior Living industry in June 2023, Ben has turned his energy and senior living expertise to help families in Kansas City. Ben enjoys helping other people.Ben lives with his wife, Rhonda, and their two children, Maddy and Charlie, in a renovated historic building that was once the Lees Summit Hospital and the Dayton Hotel in Downtown Lees Summit. He developed Lees Summits first entrepreneurial incubator and office space in a formerly vacant post office. He works there alongside his trusty sidekick, Charlie dog, a border collie who has gone to the office with him every day for the last 13 years.