The year 2020 has been full of unwanted surprises. As this year comes to an end and we are closer to an approved vaccine, we are happy to say we are registered to be amongst the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

We are excited to introduce our newest community, The Lodge at Glen Cove opening in winter 2020. The Lodge at Glen Cove exclusively caters to those with independent living, assisted living, and memory care needs.

As people age, they are more likely to experience some forms of forgetfulness, but sometimes it's more than forgetfulness; it's dementia. Dementia is one of the main reasons seniors lose their independence.

As we prepare to enter a holiday season like none before, I wanted to share with you how we will keep the spirit. Rest assured, even though we won't be able to have our traditional family gatherings, we're planning for ways to continue to celebrate with our residents. Here's some of what we have planned so far.

Do any of us enjoy a physical? Most people find them to feel very invasive. Which is why I am here to tell you it doesn’t have to be. An assessment is NOT a physical. It does not require removing clothing or having to sit on a cold table. In fact, it begins simply with a review of the physician’s report (LIC 602).

Often, families ask me what I recommend they bring in when moving their loved ones into my community. They find it a bit difficult to choose from everything their loved one has collected throughout the years. I tell them while downsizing is important, it really should not be their focus. There will be plenty of time for them to work on that. Instead, I recommend bringing items that your loved one will need, which will make their transition more comfortable.

Finding not just the right foods but also foods that seniors want to eat can be challenging. Being in the senior dining industry for over twenty-five years, I have come to learn that seniors not only need what I consider five of the most indispensable foods in terms of getting the vitamins and minerals that an aging person needs, but also some foods which they like to have and enjoy.

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. It is important to note that dementia is not a part of normal aging; it is a disease. Dementia is an impairment of memory, communication, and thinking.

Finding the right senior care community is difficult and emotional, especially when you have so many options to choose from. But where do you start? There are many things to consider before making your choice.

Assisted living is not giving up independence, but rather empowering loved ones to perform daily living activities by offering an around-the-clock team to deliver support and encouragement. Some of the primary reasons families consider assisted living communities are for safety, socialization, wellness, nutrition, and daily living activities. Each of the factors influences the decision-making process; however, family dynamics can complicate discussions.

From normal forgetfulness to dementia, the memory function of seniors varies widely from person to person. Research has found that while dementia causes progressive memory loss and impairment, memory for music remains. This means that melodies can often bring back memories of names, faces, and forgotten words. In fact, data has shown that listening to music releases dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is the "feel-good" natural neurochemical responsible for feelings of pleasure and reward in our lives.

The happiness of your loved one is what matters the most. Pay attention to these five signs. Ensuring your loved one lives in a place where they are happy will also bring happiness and peace of mind to you.

Selecting a memory care community for your loved one doesn’t have to be intimidating. This can be an opportunity for you to make their advancing years as comfortable and happy as possible. When choosing a community for your loved one, keeping these things in mind will help you find the right place for your loved one and guarantee they will thrive there.

Family owned and operated for ten years, and we have been offering our services to the senior community. Calson began with family, and I am proud to say that it is still the core of our business today. More agile and receptive to resident and family member needs, we pride ourselves on making real-time decisions that help both family and residents. We aren’t just sitting in an office making decisions, we are hands-on and part of our communities, spending time with our seniors day-in and day-out.

Transition is hard, at any stage of life. So, when you start considering long-term care for your parents, there are going to be a lot of layers to the conversation. While it may not be easy to bring up the fact that your parents are coming to the stage in life where they may not be able to care for themselves, it’s reality. But how you approach the topic of senior living can help remove the anxiety and make it easier for everyone involved. Here four tips on how to have a healthy discussion about long term care

Having dementia does not increase the risk for COVID-19 but some older adults could have a higher probability of contracting COVID-19 because of increased age, dementia-related complications, and common health conditions. To limit the chances of being exposed to COVID-19, here are some things to consider when caring for a memory care resident.

Moving into assisted living can cause uncertainty for you and for your loved one, especially right now, but by being prepared, you can turn the moment into one of excitement as you start on this new adventure together. To help make the transition easier, here’s our recommendation.

As your loved one dementia progresses, you may wonder when it’s the time for a memory care community. While there’s no simple answer to this question, here are three signs to look for.

The choice to transition a loved one to a senior community can feel daunting, but by understanding your options and having the information you need, you can make a choice you feel excited about. The key is doing your research, asking the right questions, and setting aside time to do a virtual tour of your top choices.

Driven by our love and dedication, what it really comes down to is creativity and keeping a positive outlook. By thinking outside the box and making decisions with empathy and understanding, we can recreate the sense of normalcy that help our residents to thrive.