Are you or your loved one considering moving to a senior living community? Senior living communities offer many benefits for senior citizens. They provide convenience, a sense of safety and community, and fun activities. Senior living communities also make your life easier, as they handle your utilities, home and lawn care and maintenance, and can provide medical care as needed. They even have dining halls and lots of opportunities to socialize. But while senior living comes with a lot of benefits, it can be hard to know if its the right choice or the right time for you. Here are 8 things to consider if youre thinking about senior living communities. 1. Level of CareSenior living communities offer several different levels of care. Usually, levels of care include:Independent LivingAssisted LivingMemory CareSkilled NursingCheck out this post to see what level of care is right for you. When choosing a community, think about how much care you or your loved one needs. Your options range from just a little help in an independent living community (but staff available 24/7 in an emergency), to full-time medical care in a skilled nursing community.   2. Your Age When considering senior living, think about you or your loved ones age. Most people start moving to senior living between the ages of 65 and 85. If youre totally independent, enjoy living in a single family home, and dont have any medical needs, you could wait a few years to consider senior living. Some communities have a minimum age for residents, so make sure to keep that in mind. Even independent seniors might really benefit from considering a senior living community. 3. Your Physical HealthMany people choose assisted living communities because they need help with some daily activities, like bathing, dressing, or food preparation. If you have health problems or medical needs, senior living would likely be a good choice for you. You can get whatever level of help you need, and that staff are always available to you. For older people with serious medical conditions, senior living communities may be essential to keeping you or your loved one healthy and well cared for. 4. Your Mental HealthAging can be difficult for anyones mental health. Loneliness and depression are common in retired people, even if youve never struggled with this before. Alzheimers, dementia, and memory loss disorders are also very prevalent in older people. In America, about 1 in 10 people over the age of 65 suffer from dementia (1). These types of mental health issues can be very serious and even dangerous. In these cases, its very important to consider moving to a senior living community. Memory care communities are designed specifically for people with memory loss disorders and can be extremely helpful or even necessary. Even if you dont suffer from memory loss or a diagnosed mental illness, loneliness alone can be extremely detrimental to your health. Senior living provides you with a community of others in your same stage of life and can promote new friendships and prevent loneliness.  5. Your Level of MobilityAging joints, osteoporosis, and arthritis are just a few of the mobility challenges many seniors face. These conditions can make many single-family homes difficult to navigate. For example, older people may find stairs difficult to contend with on a daily basis. Things like vacuuming, unloading a dishwasher, and doing laundry can be difficult for anyone with back pain. Seniors who need to use a cane, walker, or wheelchair could find their current living situation challenging. Seniors are at a higher risk for falls, which are also more dangerous for older people. Senior living communities are specifically designed to be accessible for walkers and wheelchairs, and easy to navigate for anyone with mobility challenges. 6. Your Family SituationMany older people choose to live with their children at some point in their lives. For some families, this arrangement works well. But for most people, it can become more difficult. Most people, particularly seniors, value having their own space, and that can be difficult in a shared home. If you or your senior has medical needs, they may require more help than you can give. Handling the medical needs of a loved one is very difficult, especially if you have a full-time job, children, or other responsibilities. It can also cause strain in relationships. For many people, senior living is a better option. Senior living provides ample independence and personal space, while still providing as much care as you need. If you dont have children you choose to live with, but need help with daily activities, an assisted living community can provide invaluable resources.  7. LocationSenior living communities are available throughout the United States. Location is one thing to consider when thinking about about senior living communities. If you currently live far from family or friends, choosing a senior living community that is closer to them might be very helpful for you. If you have a strong support system where you currently live, you can find a community near you today. 8. Your TimeNone of us is blessed with unlimited time. Senior living communities might help you make the best use of your retirement years. In a senior living community, you dont have to worry about things like bills, home maintenance, yard care, laundry, food preparation, and more. You can spend more time focusing on family, friends, your hobbies, and the things that are truly important to you in life. If youre no longer enjoying handling all of your adult responsibilities, it might be time to consider senior living. There are many things to consider about senior living communities. If you think its time for your parents or loved one to move to senior living, you might want to read this post on talking to your parents about senior living. If you decide senior living is the right choice, make sure you choose a quality community! Stellar Living offers many top-of-the-line communities with all levels of care and locations. Tour a community near you now!

Are you looking for the best gifts for senior citizens this holiday season? It can be hard to buy gifts for senior citizens, especially if they live in a senior living community, where most of their needs are already met. However, there are still many meaningful holiday gifts for senior citizens out there! While your senior loved one may have everything they need, your gifts will be special simply because they came from you. Whenever your senior citizen looks at or uses their gift, theyll think of you, and feel your love for them. So, lets explore the 55 best gifts for senior citizens this holiday season.  Homemade Holiday Gifts Decorated mug. You could visit a pottery studio to decorate a premade ceramic mug. Use decorations inspired by your favorite memories of your senior. If you dont have a pottery studio near you, you can also purchase an inexpensive ceramic mug and decorate it with oil-based markers. Plain mugs are often available at bargain and discount stores, or big box stores. You can also buy inexpensive ones online.Drawing or painting. If you have any artistic abilities, use them to create something for your loved one! If they live in a senior living apartment, senior citizens often enjoy unique decorations to personalize their space. All you need is a blank canvas and your medium of choicepaints, paint pens, markers, watercolors, whatever youd like.Christmas tree ornament. There are lots of fun and easy ways to make a DIY Christmas ornament. Buy a clear ornament or two and place a picture of you with your grandparents or another family photo inside. You can also write or draw on the ornament with paint pens. Whether they have a mini tree inside their apartment or an extra-large one in their home, your ornament will have a treasured place on their tree. Experience Presents for SeniorsMaybe the best things in life arent things at all. Experience holiday gifts for senior citizens create lifelong memories and strengthen the bond between you and your senior loved one.Take them shopping. Bring your senior loved one to the mall, share a soft pretzel, and browse together. This can be done in any weather and most locations and will create lots of opportunities to get to know your loved one better.Visit a museum. Check out local art, science, or history together with a visit to a museum.Spa visit. Grandma deserves a day at the spa! Pamper her with a special spa visit. For even more fun, go together!Short-term senior living stay. Give them the gift of testing out senior living! Most senior living communities offer short-term stays. This can also be a great and accessible way for seniors to travel comfortably.  Personal Holiday Gifts for SeniorsGrandparent journal. This is as much a gift for grandchildren as it is for the grandparents! Your senior citizen can record memories of their life to be passed down to future generations. Its a fun walk down memory lane for any grandparent and will be a special thing for children and grandchildren to inherit, too. Many options are available online. Check out this grandmothers journal or grandfathers journal.Photo books. Hard copies of photographs have a special place in any senior citizens heart. Share the love with a book of photo memories. Chatbooks are a great option. Its simple to upload photos, and you can personalize the book to suit a variety of budgets. Digital photo frames. While hard copies of photos have their place, nothing beats the immediacy of a digital photo frame! These frames allow family members all over the world to share their special momentswith their senior loved ones. This is an especially great option if your senior isnt particularly tech-savvy or present on social media. What I Love About Grandma (or Grandpa). This fill-in-the-blank book will thrill grandparents with sweet notes from grandchildren.Amazon Echo Show. Make video calling easier with a smart display that can be voice-operated, like the Amazon Echo Show.DNA ancestry kit. Help your senior get in touch with their roots with a DNA ancestry kit. 23andMe and Ancestry.com both have great options for finding out their ancestry.Custom cookbook. Preserve their favorite recipes with a special custom cookbook just for your favorite senior citizen. Shutterfly makes it both easy and beautiful.Custom artwork. If youre not artistic yourself, but want to give your senior a special piece of decor, try custom art. Something like this family tree wood slice is both beautiful and meaningful.Personalized journal. If your loved one likes to journal, treat them to a high-quality personalized notebook. Plum Paper has many different personalization options to ensure the perfect senior gift.Non slip socks.  Non slip socks are a great choice for seniors with mobility challenges. These ones can even be personalized with their favorite pets face!Monogrammed ceramic pitcher. Display floral arrangements with style in this beautiful personalized pitcher.Map throw pillow. Remind your senior loved one of their loved ones, even those far away, with a handmade map throw pillow. Special Holiday Visits for Senior CitizensSurprise party. Get everyone together and arrange a special event for your special senior citizen. Give them the gift of togetherness with a surprise party. Or make it low-key, and just surprise them with dinner at a restaurantwhich happens to contain all of their grandchildren. Just visit. Perhaps the best gift you can give a senior citizen in the holiday season isyourself. Many people find the holidays an especially lonely time of year. Simply visit your senior loved one and spend some time with them, maybe with a plate of cookies or their favorite candy bar. It might end up being their favorite gift of all. Classic Gifts for SeniorsThrow blanket. Everyone loves a good cozy blanket. Senior citizens, who are often cold, will particularly love this gift. Cozy slippers. Cold mornings call for warm tootsies! Check out these slippers for women, or these for a more masculine option.Puzzles. While puzzles could seem like a boring or expected gift, theres nothing boring about these unique gradient puzzles. The finished product is a modern work of art!Weather station. This little weather station might be a fun gift for your senior citizen.Luxury bathrobe. Add a little luxury to grandmas life with a luxury bathrobe from L.L. Bean.Portable fan. If your senior citizen often finds themself overheated, a sleekand quiet portable fan is a great gift. Check out this one that comes in 4 fun colors.Fun doormat. A cheeky doormat can be a great gift, especially for someone in a senior living apartment.Kindle. The Kindle features a light-up display and adjustable text sizes, which are essential for the senior who loves to read. Chocolates. A classic for a reason. Go with an old-fashioned favorite like Sees, or a gourmet basket. They deliver!Great sheets. Upgrade your senior loved ones sleep with some beautiful, luxurious sheets. Stainless steel water bottle. Help grandpa or grandma stay hydrated with this fabulous Contigo water bottle. It keeps water cold (or hot) for hours, can be used one-handed, and automatically seals to prevent spills.Comfy, supportive shoes. Vionic shoes are podiatrist-recommended and offer excellent arch support. Theyre great for aging knees, plantar fasciitis, and anyone who just wants to be comfy!Chess set. Theyll make friends and learn new skills with a classic chess set. This one is magnetic to help with shaky hands.Canvas tote. This classic canvas tote is great for everything from knitting supplies to card games.  Unexpected Senior Holiday GiftsSubscription service. Everyone loves getting fun mail! Subscription services offer monthly boxes with fun surprises. Whatever your senior citizen likes, theres a subscription service for. Some monthly subscription ideas include cookie dough, candy, coffee, tea, beauty products, perfume, historical documents, or books.SodaStream. If your senior citizen loves soda or sparkling water, they may have a lot of fun making their own creations with a SodaStream. This model is compact enough for a senior living apartment, even without a full kitchen.Mini watering can. Senior indoor plant aficionados will appreciate a lightweight watering option. Check out this cute (and inexpensive!) half gallon can.Bird feeder. Avid bird watchers will love this classy bird feeder that can be hung outside any window.Snack box. A fun snack box is a great choice for your favorite senior citizen. Check out this healthier option if your senior loved one is more health-minded.Streaming device. Introduce grandma or grandpa to the beauty of streaming. If your senior citizen doesnt have a smart TV, you can easily add a streaming device to any TV with a USB port. The Amazon FireTV stick is a budget-friendly option. The Roku Express and Apple TV are also good choices.Smart mug warmer. For the senior citizen who has everything, check out this temperature-controlled mug warmer. Itll keep their coffee or tea at the perfect temperature, all day long.Apple AirTags. If your loved one is a little forgetful and has an iPhone or other Apple products, these AirTags will be a welcome gift. They will never lose their keys, headphones, water bottle, or wallet again!Funny hat. Your grandpa will appreciate this tongue-in-cheek baseball cap. It will keep the sun off his face, and also features embroidered lettering that says, Im not old, Im classic! Arthritis-friendly bottle openers. Arthritis can make removing lids difficult. Help senior citizens with these arthritis-friendly bottle openers.Friendship lamp set. With these friendship lamps, you keep one and give the other to your loved one. When youre thinking of them, touch your lamp. Your senior loved ones lamp will glow too, reminding them that they are loved and remembered, even if youre far apart.Grilled cheese toaster. For the senior who has everything, check out this grilled cheese toaster. Its cute and fun, and who doesnt like a great grilled cheese sandwich? Even More Holiday Gifts for SeniorsSleep machine. Insomnia is common in seniors, and lack of sleep can be very damaging. Give your senior a sleep machine to help them catch those zzzs. Sun hat. You can still get sunburned in the winter! Protect grandmas skin and keep her looking stylish with a sun hat.Electric kettle. If your favorite senior citizen loves a good cup of tea, they deserve a beautiful and functional electric kettle. Check out this one that comes in 6 stylish colors.Page magnifier. Help them read the newspaper, labels, and whatever else with an easy-to-use page magnifier.Password logbook. Remembering all those passwords gets harder as you get older. So, your senior citizen will appreciate this password logbook to help them keep track.Sofa armrest organizer. This sofa armrest organizer keeps remotes, cell phones, papers and more in one handy, easy-to-remember place.Digital tape measure. Everyone needs a good tape measure. Harmonica. Harmonicas dont require a lot of finger dexterity, and are arthritis-friendly. Its always fun to learn a new instrument, and it even helps fight dementia and cognitive decline.Noise canceling headphones. Seniors who live in apartments might appreciate noise-canceling headphones. They can listen to music, but also drown out neighbors noise and take those well-deserved naps!

Walking is the perfect workout for senior citizens. Its social, can be done indoors or outdoors, and is low-impact, free, and easily accessible. Sometimes, however, you might want more of a workout than just a stroll around the park. Lets explore how to create a great senior walking workout! Why Is Walking a Great Senior Workout?Walking is a low-impact exercise that can be done by most seniors. Walkers and canes can make walking even more accessible to those with mobility challenges. Walking also offers the following benefits:Can be done independently or sociallyAvailable everywhere, year-roundFree!Doesnt require a gym membership or instructorAllows you to experience the outdoors and benefits of natureFun! How Do I Create a Great Senior Walking Workout?While walking is a great activity on its own, there are ways to also make it a super-effective workout plan. The most important part of any workout plan is consistency. Make your walking workout a habit. Set aside a consistent time to take your walks every day. For example, you might decide to take a walk first thing in the morning, as soon as you wake up. Its a great way to start the day feeling productive, accomplished, and happy.  Next, decide where you will be walking. If you live in a senior living community, you might only need to step outside your door to take advantage of your communitys walking paths. You could also walk on a nearby trail, around a park, or just through your neighborhood. If its winter in a cold climate, lots of seniors enjoy walking indoors at malls and indoor tracks. Wherever you are, theres somewhere you can walk. You can also change up where you take your walks for variety and depending on weather. Just make sure to have some sort of plan in place! Accountability is another helpful tool in creating a workout plan. Many seniors enjoy walking with friends. Its a great way to catch up and make connections while you get your workout in. If you prefer walking alone, perhaps you could ask a loved one to check in with you on a regular basis and ask how your walks are going.  What to Consider in Your Walking Workout Dont forget to make your workout fun! Itll be a lot easier if its something you enjoy. Walking can be a great way to find peace and joy in the great outdoors. If you walk indoors, you could make it fun by listening to audiobooks, podcasts, or upbeat music. Finally, what level of fitness are you hoping to achieve? A leisurely stroll is great if youre just looking to maintain some mobility and strength. If youre wanting to get stronger, though, you might have to make your walks a little more difficult. Wearing a heart rate monitor can help you keep an eye on the intensity of your walks. Walking more quickly, uphill, or on more difficult terrain can strengthen your muscles, improve your balance, and improve your mobility. Keep Your Walking Workout SafeThe most important part of any senior workout is safety. Seniors are at a higher risk of falls, and falls can also be more dangerous for older people. Make sure to use your cane or walker if you need one. Choose level, well-maintained walking areas, and wear appropriate shoes to minimize your risks.Stellar Living hopes these tips help you create a great senior walking workout. Check out the amazing outdoor areas and groomed walking paths at one of Stellar Livings senior living communities today!

How do you find the best senior living community for your parents? How do you know which community is best for you? What considerations do you need to keep in mind when choosing a senior living community? We are here to help. Check out this guide to finding the best senior living community for your loved ones. Considerations in Choosing a Senior Living CommunityThere are some important things to consider when youre trying to find the right community. Price. What is your budget for senior living? Keep in mind that senior living communities are usually all-inclusive. So, the price for rent in a senior living community apartment will often also include utilities, food, activities, gym fees, travel costs, excursions, medical help, and more. When comparing your loved ones current living expenses to senior living community prices, make sure to factor in all of these costs. You might find that senior living costs are very comparable to what your parents are currently spending, or even less. It is also much easier to manage and budget for this single bill than to handle all the variable expenses you or they are currently juggling. Location. Where do your parents or loved ones want to live? Its typically best for them to live near family. This will help prevent feelings of isolation and loneliness that can happen as people get older. Moving your parents to a community near you will make it easier to visit and help look after them. If your loved ones currently live with you, moving to a community nearby may actually improve your relationship as well.Amenities. What types of amenities are you and your parents looking for in a community? If outdoor spaces, classes, or activities are important to you, make sure to check those out as you consider different communities. Ask about social groups, activities, and relationships with other businesses or groups within the community as well. More ConsiderationsMedical needs. If your parents have medical needs, or need services like physical therapy, speech therapy, or memory care, check to see if the community will be able to provide those services. Different communities offer different levels of care. Check out this post to discover which level of care is right for you.Safety. Is the community in a safe area? Do they provide 24/7 security staff? What are their procedures for screening visitors or monitoring residents? If your loved ones suffer from dementia or other memory loss disorders, safety is an especially important consideration.Overall feel. Does the community feel like a community, rather than a hospital or institution? You or your parents will probably be happiest in a neighborhood setting where they can find friends and enjoy outdoor spaces and other communal areas.  How to Find the Perfect Senior Living Community for Your ParentsNow that you know what to look for, how do you find this perfect community? Stellar Living can help. Stellar Living has many communities in different states and locations, with all levels of care available. We promise to provide a community feel and top-quality care for your loved ones.  It doesnt get easier than finding a community with Stellar. Check out one of Stellars communities near you today!

Assisted living is a great option for many senior citizens. For seniors with health conditions that can be difficult to manage, it may even be essential. Seniors suffering from cancer, heart conditions, mental health conditions, or diabetes may benefit from assisted living. Assisted living can also be a good choice if you or your loved one is having trouble managing their home or finances. However, many people are concerned about the cost of assisted living. Can you afford to pay for assisted living for your parents? How can you make assisted living affordable? The good news is it is entirely possible to make assisted living fit into your budget! There are many ways to make assisted living affordable.  What is Assisted Living?Before you start looking into financing options for assisted living, you should first make sure assisted living is right for you or your loved one. Senior living is a great option for most seniors, because it provides a sense of community as well as safety, security, a higher quality of life, and medical help. There are 4 main types of senior living communities: independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing.  Assisted living communities offer slightly more care than independent living. People in assisted living communities live in their own apartments, but benefit from daily medical care or assistance with daily activities. They need help with things like bathing, grooming, medication management, eating or preparing food, or mobility.  Assisted living is typically not a good choice for individuals with severe cognitive impairments, people who require nursing services, or those who cant safely be left unsupervised. Seniors who are in the later stages of Alzheimers or dementia will find memory care communities to be a better fit. People who need more extensive medical services will be better served by a skilled nursing community.  How to Make Assisted Living AffordableIf youve decided you or your loved one is a good candidate for an assisted living community, you should start researching financing options. In 2019, the average monthly cost of assisted living nationwide was $4,000(1) . However, costs vary widely depending on location and amenities. Fortunately, there are many ways to make assisted living affordable. Heres where to start. Veterans ProgramsIf your senior is a veteran, they can get help with assisted living through the Aid and Attendance Benefit. Most veterans who need assisted living will qualify for this benefit. You just need to fill out an application and mail it to your local Pension Management Center or bring it to your local VA office. As of 2021, this program can provide assistance up to $1,936 / month for a single veteran and up to $2,295 / month for a married veteran (2). Ask the communities you visit if they can help you with this application. They can also refer you to financial advisors who will help.  State AssistanceMany states provide financial aid assistance to seniors who qualify. SHIP, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, can help you navigate the options available in your state. You may also want to see if your state offers PACE (Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), which may help. Senior living communities often have staff available who can help with these applications as well. Long-Term Care InsuranceIf you or your senior loved ones have a long-term care insurance plan, this plan will likely pay some of the costs for assisted living. Get Medicaid Medicaid sometimes offers financial help with assisted living communities. The amount Medicaid will pay, and whether or not you are eligible, varies by state. You can apply for Medicaid and find out more about what your state will cover here. Please note that assisted living is typically not a benefit of Medicare. Run the NumbersYou might be surprised to learn that assisted living is more affordable than you might think. When you pay for assisted living, you arent just paying for you or your loved ones apartment. Assisted living communities usually charge a monthly room and board fee. This fee typically includes all meals, transportation, activities, utilities, housekeeping, outdoor area maintenance, and more.  When you are comparing your current costs of living to assisted living costs, make sure you take all of these things into account. For example, heres how monthly living expenses for your average senior couple might look. For this example, we used average nationwide costs for people in the U.S. in 2020.  Rent or Mortgage: $2,000Food: $600Gas, Vehicle, Vehicle Insurance, and Other Travel Expenses: $500House Cleaner: $200Lawn Maintenance: $100Activities and Entertainment: $200Utilities: $200At-Home Healthcare Assistance: $300Total: $4,100 As you can see, these individual expenses can easily exceed the cost of an assisted living community. Once you run the numbers, you might find assisted living is actually a better financial option. Questions, please call La Villa Grand Care Center 970-245-1211.