Kansas/Missouri - Kansas City

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.Promote a Familiar Daily Schedule:Encourage seniors to maintain some elements of their familiar daily routine. This might include keeping a regular wake-up time, mealtimes, and bedtime, which can provide a sense of stability and comfort in a new environment.Explore Available Activities:Senior living communities offer a wide range of activities and programs. Help seniors explore the options available, such as fitness classes, arts and crafts, book clubs, or gardening. Encourage them to participate in activities that align with their interests and hobbies.Participate Together:Offer to accompany your loved one to activities, especially during the initial adjustment period. This can make the transition less intimidating and help build a sense of community.Connect with Peers:Encourage socialization by fostering connections with fellow residents. Suggest attending group activities, such as bingo nights, game afternoons, or communal meals, where seniors can meet and interact with their peers.Stay Informed:Keep up-to-date with the senior living communitys event calendar and programs. Share this information with your loved one and help them plan which activities theyd like to attend.Create a Personal Calendar:Assist in creating a personalized calendar that outlines daily and weekly activities. This can help seniors feel more organized and in control of their time.Embrace Technology:If your loved one is tech-savvy, introduce them to virtual events, online communities, and video calls with family and friends. Technology can be a valuable tool for staying connected and engaged.Encourage Hobbies and Interests:Support seniors in pursuing their hobbies and interests within the senior living community. Whether its playing a musical instrument, painting, or gardening, these activities can provide a sense of purpose.Stay Active and Healthy:Promote physical activity and wellness. Encouraging regular activity promotes mental health and physical health. Physical activity is also important in pain management, maintaining strength and balance. Senior living communities often offer a range of exercise options, from low-impact classes to more vigorous activities, catering to a variety of fitness levels and preferences.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.

Thanksgiving is more than just a day for feasting; its a cherished occasion that invites us to reflect on gratitude, connection, and warmth. For seniors, participating in or creating meaningful traditions can foster a sense of belonging and joy. At A Call to Order Professional Organizers, we believe that keeping traditions alive plays a vital role in enhancing the lives of our loved ones. Lets explore some heartwarming ideas and tips to help you create special Thanksgiving traditions that seniors can treasure for years to come.Setting the Stage: Create a Warm and Inviting AtmosphereCreating the perfect Thanksgiving atmosphere begins long before the main event. Its about making your space welcoming and cozy so that everyone, especially seniors, feels at home. Decorate Thoughtfully: Choose decorations that evoke fond memories. Consider using family photos from past Thanksgivings to create a nostalgic display. Handmade crafts by grandchildren, or traditional decorations like pumpkins and autumn leaves, can add a personal touch.Reflection Zone: Set up a special area where seniors can sit comfortably and reflect on their favorite memories or share stories. Create a gratitude tree where family members can hang notes of what they are thankful for.Involve Them in Planning: Ask seniors for their input on the Thanksgiving menu or activities. Involving them in the planning process not only respects their preferences but also empowers them. Its a beautiful way for seniors to feel a connection to the holiday.Comfortable Seating: Ensure that there are comfortable seating arrangements. Invest in cushions or blankets for added warmth. Consider the mobility needs of seniors by arranging the seating to minimize any inconvenience in movement.By creating an inviting atmosphere filled with familiar sights and sounds, you can foster a sense of warmth and comfort, allowing seniors to feel part of a loving, connected family.Cherishing Traditions: Activities to Foster ConnectionThanksgiving is the perfect time to create lasting traditions that will help seniors feel included while allowing them to share some of their cherished experiences.Cooking Together: Invite seniors to share their favorite recipes and cook together. This not only creates a delicious meal but also provides an opportunity for storytelling and bonding. Encourage them to share tales of how they celebrated Thanksgiving when they were younger.Thanksgiving Memory sharing: Prior to the gathering, ask each family member to prepare a story about their favorite Thanksgiving memory or what they appreciate most about the seniors present. When everyone shares, it creates a beautiful tapestry of traditions and experiences, deepening family connections.Gratitude Circle: After your meal, gather everyone for a gratitude circle. Each person can voice what they are thankful for or a favorite memory from the past. This can be a touching moment for seniors, reinforcing their importance in the family and leaving them feeling cherished.Creating a Memory Book: Start a family Thanksgiving memory book where everyone can contribute their thoughts, photos, and drawings each year. Involving seniors in this activity ensures they feel vital and valued within the family legacy. Crafting: Create holiday crafts together, like making festive table centerpieces or card decorations. This activity can ignite creativity and ensure everyone feels included in the holiday preparations.Thanksgiving is a time to reflect, celebrate, and create unforgettable memories together. By focusing on traditions that foster connectedness and joy, you can create a Thanksgiving experience that speaks to the heart of what the holiday truly represents.At A Call to Order Professional Organizers, we understand the importance of environment and connection in enhancing the lives of our loved ones. This Thanksgiving, lets join together to create cherished moments that warm the heart and build lasting memories for seniors, transforming the holiday into a loving celebration. May your Thanksgiving be filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments that you and your family will remember for years to come. Happy Thanksgiving!

Whenever you think of lifes big moments, its hard to find one without Mom and Dad. Theyve been an unwavering source of comfort, inspiration and strength. So when its time to talk to your parents about assisted living, you might find yourself overwhelmed with emotions.Youre not alone. Many adult children face the arduous task of finding a safe place for their parents to age. However, you can make the transition a lot less stressful for everyone by following these 4 steps in planning for assisted living with your parents.1. Hold a family meeting.The choice to transition into assisted living is life-changing, which is why its essential for your parents and supportive family members to be involved in the process as much as possible. The best way to get the conversation about assisted living started is by holding a family meeting.Here are some tips on how to hold a family meeting about transitioning your parents to assisted living:Include everyone who will be part of the caregiving team for your parents. This could include family members, close friends, neighbors, their minister, or a paid caregiver.Prepare an agenda to keep communication successful and the group focused on supporting your parents. Be sure to stick to a clear timetable, so you dont overwhelm those attending the meeting.Choose a comfortable setting to keep tension low and positivity high. Find a location that has adequate seating and few distractions.Make sure everyone is heard. Moving your parents into assisted living can stir up emotions for everyone involved. People are more willing to talk about the situation if they feel they have a safe place to speak.2. Evaluate their needs.An in-person visit with their primary care physician is the ideal way to accurately evaluate the needs of your aging parents. Not only will you get a comprehensive evaluation of their functional abilities, youll get an assessment of their physical health, too.In order to provide the right level of care, their doctor will evaluate how well your mom or dad perform Activities of Daily Living, or ADLs . These are activities in which your parents engage on a day-to-day basis, such as:BathingEatingDressingGroomingOral hygieneClimbing stairsWalkingUsing the toiletYou also need to evaluate how well your parents perform Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, or IADLS. Adults need to perform these activities in order to live a successful, independent life. Evaluating IADLS is also a way to measure what level of care your parents might need when they enter assisted living. Examples include:CookingDriving or using public transportationDoing houseworkKeeping track of financesDoing laundryUsing the phone and looking up numbersManaging medications3. Create a sound financial plan for assisted living.After youve determined the level of care your mom or dad might need, its time to take a deep look at what your family can afford on a monthly basis. Most families use private funds to pay for assisted living. Your parents may be able to pay for this by combining their  personal savings, Social Security payments, pension payments and retirement accounts; they may also be willing to sell their home. In some cases, adult children may contribute some of their own funds to supplement their parents resources.You may be surprised to find out the average cost of assisted living is about the same as the cost of at-home care, which is when you choose to spend retirement in your home. However, aging in place comes with a big caveat: major home renovations.To live safely at home, your parents will probably need rooms in their home, like the bathroom and kitchen, completely reworked. This could end up costing more money and stress than originally planned.Talk to your parents about their finances and discuss the difference between aging-in-place and choosing a community that offers assisted living. That way, you can be sure youre choosing the right path for your parents retirement.4. Delight in exploring the possibilities.Assisted living communities are not the dreary and sleepy halls you may remember at your grandparents nursing home. Upscale assisted living offers unsurpassed care, services, and amenities that help your mom and dad thrive through every stage of their retirement.Housekeeping and laundry services eliminate many daily concerns,  scheduled activities help your parents stay social, and state-of-the-art fitness facilities keep them active. Theyll also have convenient access to lifes little luxuries like a hair salon, restaurant-style dining, and scheduled transportation for fun-filled shopping trips.While your parents are spending their retirement in style at a luxury community offering assisted living, you can rest easy knowing their health is always in caring hands.LIVE LIFE THE SANTA MARTA WAY WITH LUXURY ASSISTED LIVING IN OLATHE, KSDiscover Tuscan-inspired views, top-of-the-line amenities, and world-class cuisine at Santa Marta. Not only will your parents  be able to enjoy the fabulous amenities and services we offer, but theyll be able to receive  uniquely tailored care as their health needs change.To schedule a tour or learn more about our assisted living neighborhood and other senior living options, contact us online, and a senior living counselor will get in touch with you as soon as possible.

Understanding the different senior living options available can be daunting, especially when trying to know the distinctions between independent living, assisted living, and memory care.  Each of these options caters to different needs and preferences, providing tailored support to senior residents at different stages of life.  Independent Living: Independent living is designed for seniors who are active, self-sufficient, and enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle. Residents in independent living communities typically live in private apartments or houses and have access to amenities such as dining options, recreational activities, and social events. These senior communities offer a sense of company and security while allowing senior residents to maintain their independence and privacy. At Trustwell Living we offer transportation services, social calendar, and a fitness program. Assisted Living: Assisted living bridges the gap between independent living and more intensive care options. It is ideal for seniors who need some assistance with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, medication management, or mobility but do not require around-the-clock nursing care. Our Assisted living communities provide personalized care plans tailored to each resident's needs, offering assistance while promoting independence. We offer different housing options, like affordable 1 bedroom apartments for seniors, where senior residents have access to amenities similar to those in independent living communities, along with additional support services. Memory Care: Memory care is specifically designed for seniors living with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or other cognitive impairments. These conditions require specialized care and support, which our memory care communities are equipped to provide. Our caring staff members are trained to address the unique needs and challenges associated with memory loss, offering structured routines, cognitive stimulation, and 24-hour supervision. Trustwell Living memory care communities are designed with safety features to prevent accidents and provide a secure environment that promotes a sense of familiarity and comfort for residents. While independent living, assisted living, and memory care serve distinct purposes, it's essential to recognize that some seniors may transition between these levels of care as their needs change over time. Our comprehensive senior living communities offer all three options, allowing residents to age in place comfortably and seamlessly transition to higher levels of care if necessary. At Trustwell Living, we understand the importance of choice, flexibility, and personalized care. Whether you're seeking the independence of independent living, the assistance of assisted living, or the specialized care of memory care, we are committed to providing a supportive environment where senior residents can thrive at every stage of life. Our dedicated team is here to assist you in finding the right level of care that meets your needs and preferences, ensuring peace of mind for you and your loved ones.