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Helping an aging family make decisions is difficult – to say the least. You may be considering assisted living or home care and trying to decide which would be better for your loved one. While each situation is unique, here are some thoughts on why an assisted living facility may be better for your loved one in the long run.
Is your loved one who is living on their own eating healthy, well-balanced meals? Unfortunately, many seniors do not complete daily meal preparation and instead turn to convenience food and fast-food options. They may eat too little, too much, or not the right foods, and their health may suffer as a result.
Hiring a home health aide may not solve this problem. Home health agencies do not hire chefs. They may be able to help your loved one open a can of soup, but they won’t prepare fresh meals.
If you are worried that your loved one may be malnourished – even to the point of affecting their health, you might consider an assisted living facility. Dining programs offer meals three times daily to ensure that your loved one receives the nutrients they need – without having to go grocery shopping.
You may worry whenever your loved one gets behind the wheel to go out into the community. Another benefit of assisted living over in-home care is that most assisted living facilities offer safe, reliable transportation services. You can rest easy knowing that your loved one will still be able to get out in the community – and return home safely.
A person from a home health agency may be able to transport your family member out into the community, but transportation is not the primary service they provide. There may be issues with the vehicle and the caregiver’s driving ability.
Many wonderful in-home caregivers provide skilled health care services, companionship, and personal care. However, your older adult, until they get used to having workers in their own home, may feel uncomfortable.
In addition, it’s sometimes difficult to know how much help your loved one will need – especially if they don’t need one-on-one care. And managing caregivers can feel like a full-time job.
Your loved one may insist that they aren’t lonely and demand that they remain in their own homes. But once they move to assisted living homes, they may blossom socially. Most senior living communities offer social and religious activities and recreational activities inside and outside the community.
Social isolation can be devastating to the mental and physical health of a senior.
Home health agency workers won’t fix leaky faucets or clean leaves out of the gutter. They may help with medication management, but they don’t offer wellness programs that allow your loved one to connect with their peers. An in-home caregiver may help with activities of daily living, but they won’t coordinate programming focusing on community and family involvement.
To learn more about assisted living facilities, look at the properties offered by Retirement Unlimited, Inc. We have many beautiful senior living communities around the country – with several more being developed. Our communities provide Independent Living, Assisted Living, Inspiritás – Memory Care, and Respite Care, with a full array of life enrichment programs.
Why Senior Move Management Makes Life Transitions Easier by A Call to Order Professional OrganizersSupporting Seniors with Care, Compassion, and ClarityLife ChangesWe Help Carry the Emotional WeightEvery home holds a lifetime of memoriesbirthdays celebrated in the kitchen, quiet mornings on the porch, the smell of favorite meals cooked with love. So when its time to move, especially for a senior, its never just about boxes and furnitureits about letting go, starting again, and doing so with dignity.At A Call to Order Professional Organizer, we understand the deep emotional layers of senior relocations. Whether you're moving a parent into assisted living or helping a loved one downsize, the process can feel overwhelmingfor everyone involved. That's where Senior Move Management becomes not just helpful, but essential.Senior move managers aren't just organizers. We're listeners, planners, advocates, and compassionate companions in what is often one of life's most emotional transitions. And for families navigating this journey, having that steady, understanding hand can make all the difference.How Senior Move Management Brings Peace to the ProcessBecause no one should feel rushed, lost, or alone during a move.Relocating later in life often comes with a swirl of emotionsgrief, uncertainty, fear of change. Add to that the physical strain and countless decisions that come with moving, and its easy to see how overwhelming it becomes. But with professional senior move support, what once felt unmanageable becomes a guided, step-by-step process grounded in care.Heres how we help make life transitions easier:1. A Clear Plan Reduces OverwhelmInstead of facing an entire house full of decades-worth of belongings, we break the process down into manageable steps. From sorting and downsizing to coordinating moving logistics and setting up the new home, everything is planned and paced for comfort and clarity.2. Emotional Support Is Just as Important as the Task ListOur team doesnt just focus on what needs to go wherewe focus on how it feels. We understand that parting with familiar items and leaving a long-time home can be heart-wrenching. We honor those feelings, allow space for them, and help families navigate them with kindness.3. We Make the New Space Feel Like HomeIts not just about moving thingsits about creating a safe, welcoming, and familiar environment in the new home. We recreate setups where possible, hang favorite artwork, place treasured items in view, and make sure the first day in the new space feels comforting and reassuring.Tips for Families Navigating a Senior MoveCompassion is the most important box to pack.Whether you're local or coordinating from afar, here are a few gentle ways to support a senior loved one through a move:1. Start Early and Go SlowGive the process time. Beginning conversations early allows room for thoughtful decision-making and minimizes last-minute stress. Rushing can lead to regret. Early planning is one of the most powerful tools for reducing anxiety.2. Honor Their StoryWhen sorting through belongings, listen to the stories behind the items. You might be surprised how healing it can be to reminisce. Ask questions like, Tell me about this photo or Who gave you this? Sometimes, being heard is just as important as being helped.3. Bring in a Neutral, Professional PartnerAs much as family means well, emotions can run high. A Senior Move Manager acts as a neutral guide, keeping the process organized and respectful while reducing tension between family members. We help keep the focus on what mattersa peaceful, positive transition.4. Focus on Whats Being GainedInstead of focusing only on whats being left behind, talk about whats ahead: a simpler space, closer community, more safety, or better access to care. Reframing the move as a new chapter helps ease the emotional weight.A Move with MeaningAt A Call to Order Professional Organizer, we know that a move is never just a move. Its a moment of transformation, one that deserves tenderness, understanding, and a team who truly cares.Thats why Senior Move Management is more than a serviceits a lifeline. We take on the physical burden, yes, but more importantly, we walk beside seniors and their families with warmth and respect, ensuring that no one ever has to face change alone.If you or a loved one is approaching a move and feeling overwhelmed, please know this: help is here, and it comes with a heart. Call us at 719-231-5425 or visit www.acalltoorderco.com to schedule a free consultation.Because making life transitions easierthats what were here for.FOLLOW US and stay inspired as you simplify and transition with love: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acalltoorderco/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ACalltoOrder Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acalltoorderco/
As we grow older, many daily activities that were once simple can become more difficult, including preparing healthy meals. For seniors, proper nutrition is essential to maintain energy, supporting the immune system, managing chronic conditions, and staying independent. Thats why meal preparation isnt just a convenience, its a lifeline.Key Benefits of Meal Preparation for Seniors1. Ensures Balanced, Nutritious MealsHaving meals prepared in advance ensures that seniors are eating regularly and get the essential nutrients their bodies need. It prevents reliance on unhealthy processed foods or skipping meals altogether.2. Supports Chronic Condition ManagementMany seniors live with conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. Proper meal planning allows for dietary restrictions to be met, helping control symptoms and reduce complications.3. Reduces the Risk of MalnutritionMalnutrition is a silent threat among older adults, especially those living alone. Meal preparation helps safeguard against this by promoting consistent, nourishing eating habits.4. Promotes Independence and DignitySeniors who struggle with cooking may feel frustrated or dependent. Having meals planned and readywhether through caregiver support or meal delivery servicesallows them to eat well without feeling like a burden.5. Encourages Social EngagementWhen meal prep includes shared cooking or mealtimes, it creates opportunities for connection. Eating with a companion improves mood, reduces loneliness, and often encourages better eating habits.6. Saves Energy and Prevents AccidentsShopping, standing at the stove, lifting pots, or cutting ingredients can be physically taxing and even dangerous. Meal preparation helps minimize fatigue and reduces the risk of falls or burns in the kitchen. Meal Preparation OptionsThere are several ways to incorporate meal prep into a seniors routine: Family or caregiver assistance for shopping, cooking, and portioning meals Meal delivery services that offer senior-friendly, diet-conscious options Community programs such as Meals on Wheels Group cooking sessions at senior centers that combine nutrition with social interaction Freezer meal prepping once a week or month to ensure ready-made meals are always available Meal preparation is about more than just food, its about health, safety, and quality of life. For seniors, having access to nutritious, well-planned meals means more energy, better health, fewer hospital visits, and the ability to stay independent longer.
As we age, our bodies and minds go through a variety of changes, many of which can increase the likelihood of falling. For older adults, falls are not just a minor mishap; they can lead to serious injuries, loss of independence, and a lower quality of life. Understanding why seniors are more vulnerable to falls is the first step in creating safer environments and developing effective prevention strategies.The Aging Body and Increased Fall RiskSeveral age-related factors contribute to an increased risk of falls among seniors. These include physical, sensory, and cognitive changes that often occur gradually but can have a significant impact.1. Decreased Muscle Strength and FlexibilityWith age, muscles naturally weaken, and joints may become stiffer. This can reduce balance, coordination, and reaction time, making it harder to prevent a fall when tripping or slipping.2. Poor Balance and Gait ChangesChanges in the way a person walksoften due to arthritis, neurological conditions, or previous injuriescan lead to an unsteady gait. Seniors may shuffle their feet, walk slower, or have trouble lifting their legs, all of which increase fall risk.3. Vision DeclineVision plays a critical role in balance and spatial awareness. Conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration make it difficult to judge distances, see steps clearly, or identify hazards in dim lighting.4. Hearing LossHearing is connected to balance. Inner ear problems or age-related hearing loss can lead to vertigo or dizziness, making it harder for seniors to stay upright.5. Chronic Health ConditionsMany seniors live with chronic diseases such as: Diabetes (which can cause nerve damage and numbness in the feet) Heart disease (leading to dizziness or fatigue) Parkinsons disease or Alzheimers (affecting movement, memory, and decision-making) These conditions can impair coordination and increase confusion, both of which heighten fall risk.6. Medication Side EffectsOlder adults often take multiple medications, which can interact and cause side effects such as dizziness, low blood pressure, drowsiness, or blurred visionall potential contributors to falls.7. Cognitive ImpairmentSeniors with dementia or other cognitive disorders may have poor judgment, forget to use walkers or canes, or become disoriented, all of which increase their chances of falling.8. Low Physical Activity LevelsWhen seniors become less active, muscles weaken and balance deteriorates. A sedentary lifestyle can quickly lead to frailty, making even routine movements more hazardous. What Can Be Done?Awareness is the first step. By understanding why seniors are more prone to falls, families, caregivers, and seniors themselves can take proactive steps such as: Regular balance and strength exercises Home safety modifications Routine vision and hearing checks Medication reviews with a doctor Use of mobility aids as needed Falling doesnt have to be a normal part of aging. By recognizing the reasons behind increased fall risk in seniors, we can create supportive environments that promote confidence, mobility, and independence. With the right strategies in place, seniors can continue living full, active, and safe.
The Barclay at Sarasota invites vibrancy into the lives of our residents. There are so many ways to experience a fully supported, comfortable lifestyle filled with joy at The Barclay at Sarasota. With a variety of amenities, activities, events, and services, our community ensures that our residents feel cared for and respected in our home-like environment. This isnt just any senior living community in Sarasota, Florida this is a home that breathes fresh energy into your loved ones life with a kind team of caregivers, appealing amenities, and a cozy living suite.The Barclay at Sarasota is a charming, well-supported place to live for older adults. Activity rooms, a hair salon, transportation services, exciting events that include family members, and so much more. This is where meaningful moments happen.Our Community Has:Restaurant-Style Dining Room & Grand Piano Featuring Live Music Chef-Prepared Meals Served 3 Times Per Day Beauty & Hair Salon Regularly Scheduled Transportation Enriching & Exciting Activities Routine Events w/ Opportunities To Include Family Members Balanced Variety of Programs & Services Beautifully Landscaped Courtyards Team of Trustworthy, Compassionate Caregivers & Staff Members Ready to learn more about Independent Living, Assisted Living or Memory Care living options for your loved one? We cant wait for your loved one to enjoy all our beautiful community has to offer. Reach out to us today to ask questions or schedule a tour to see more of our inviting community.
It's Never Too Soon To Look Into Assisted LivingFind the Right Home & Live HappilyIndividual care paired with high-end amenities make for an amazing Assisted Living experience. We seek to create whole-body wellness with comprehensive care, nutrition-focused dining, and an enriching social life. And thats just the start.The Support You Need, The Lifestyle You Want, Including:Restaurant-style dining that perfectly balances flavor with nutrition in a warm and welcoming atmosphere Fitness center A full life-enrichment calendar Library, theater, billiards room, card room, TV lounge rooms, and a multipurpose room Outdoor pool with lounge seating Transportation services Weekly housekeeping On-site nurses & personal care staff