As our parents grow older, it becomes our responsibility to ensure they receive the care and companionship they truly deserve. The challenges associated with aging can be overwhelming, but there are numerous ways we can enhance the quality of life for our loved ones. One solution is embracing life at a senior community where older adults can feel supported at all times by onsite caregivers, explore their interests and to put it simply – thrive. In this article, we will discuss different ways you can support your aging parents and delve into the benefits of community living.
Supporting aging parents requires a multifaceted approach that addresses their physical, emotional, and social well-being. Looking into community living options, such as Lester Senior Living, can significantly enhance the quality of life for aging parents. At our community, residents can enjoy a range of amenities and services, including a state-of-the-art fitness center, delicious meals in our spacious dining room, planned social activities, live entertainment and more. Providing your loved one with a supportive and engaging environment is perhaps the best chance they have to enjoy their golden years to the fullest. If you’d like more information about community life at Lester Senior Living in NJ, please contact JCHC today and visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org The original blog is posted on - https://jchcorp.org/ways-to-support-your-aging-parents/
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Valentine’s day can be difficult for anyone who has lost a loved one, but that doesnt mean the day has to be filled with sorrow. Spending Valentine’s Day with a senior who has lost a loved one is often a more special and meaningful experience. It’s a chance to remember that this holiday is more than a Hallmark card and chocolates, it’s about showing and spreading love. If you’re not sure where to start, we have a few ways to make Valentine’s Day more memorable with your senior loved one.
We understand that some health, memory and mobility concerns may prevent some seniors from leaving their assisted living community to celebrate Valentine’s Day. So, we encourage you to celebrate with your loved one at Lester Senior Living instead! Last year we celebrated by making beautiful flower arrangements and learning about the history of Hershey’s chocolate while snacking on some Hershey kisses. We also encourage you to join your loved one in our spacious dining room for breakfast, lunch or dinner – not just on Valentine’s Day but all year round. For more information on how our senior living community will be celebrating Valentine’s Day this year, please contact us today or visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org/ The original blog is posted on https://jchcorp.org/your-senior-and-valentines-day/ When first looking into senior living options, you may come across the term “supported independent living,” or “Independent Living with Assistance.” But what does that mean exactly and how does it differ from assisted living? Independent living with support is the best of both worlds for seniors who would like to continue to direct their lives, have increased socialization options, live in a secure community, with options for light assistance if needed. It is the middle ground between assisted living and just moving into an over 55 community. This type of senior living option also varies depending on the community that offers it. We think the independent living setup at Lester Senior Living in Morris County is truly unique and appealing to a wide variety of independent-minded seniors.
Benefits of Independent Living with Support at Lester Senior Living Perhaps one of the first and most important aspects of Lester Independent Senior Living is that it is truly separate living from those receiving assisted living in the community. The Margaret and Martin Heller Independent Living building is across the lobby from the Josh and Judy Weston Assisted Living Building. While these communities can come together for meals, classes, Bingo, Movies, and other recreation, the independent lifestyle of folks is respected and they are living with others who also require less assistance. But if their needs change, it is easy to scale the services you receive, we already have the staff right there. Activities and exercise programs. When you choose to live independently at Lester, you are not choosing total isolation by any means. We are a very active community through and through. If there isn’t a special event going on, you’ll still see residents and staff all over the campus – sitting on park benches in front of the building, reading in the library, having lunch in the dining room and catching up in the main lobby. We also have a monthly activities calendar that we are constantly adding to in order to satisfy the many interests of our residents. Some examples are the Lester book club, chair dancing, tabletop word games, bingo and even sing-alongs. The best part? Nobody gets left behind! These activities are available to both assisted living and independent living residents in the building. Help is available when needed. In the Lester Senior Living community, we have two wings that are on either side of the main lobby. One is the Weston assisted living apartments and the other is the Heller independent living apartments. Because assisted living and independent living residents are housed in the same building, help can be more readily available for those who live independently since assistance is essentially right next door. We have one of the best staff-to-resident ratios in the industry, plus almost every staff member on site has been with the community for over 10 years! Meaning, you won’t find a team who cares and is more than willing to help than the one here. Safety and security. As we’ve already touched on, independent living is more than just moving into a new apartment building. Everyone takes the time to get to know one another. Our staff members are very passionate about senior care, and develop relationships with each resident. Which means you won’t be left to your own devices for too long – there is always someone checking in! On top of this, there are security personnel on site 24/7, as well as safety measures in place to ensure each resident can live more comfortably. From easy-to-navigate apartments, with smoke detectors and medical alert systems to on-site home health services, seniors can relax knowing that support and security is right there when they need it. Scalable Senior Living Options in Morris County At Lester Senior Living, our aim is to ensure each of our residents maintain their quality of life and independence. Our activity and exercise programs encourage residents to get involved with the community at a level they are comfortable with. The services we offer can also be scaled to the resident. We understand that someone in independent living may not prefer the same care level as someone in assisted living with mobility issues. As we mentioned before, we really take the time to get to know each resident to ensure they get the proper support required to live a full and happy life here. For more information about supported independent living in Morris County, please contact our community today or visit our website to discover our other senior communities in NJ: https://jchcorp.org/ The original blog is posted on: https://jchcorp.org/what-does-supported-independent-living-mean-for-seniors/ Have you or your senior loved one considered community-style living? It’s never an easy choice to make, but there comes a time when it’s the smartest and safest choice for everyone involved in the family dynamic. Luckily, senior living has come a long way in terms of the choices available and the varying levels of care offered at each facility. With that being said, you may be wondering which is the more appropriate choice: assisted living or independent living? We’ve highlighted the main advantages of both options at Lester Senior Living to give you or your loved one better insight on what we have to offer at our senior community in Morris County, NJ.
Independent living at Lester Independent living communities are for seniors who require very little to no assistance. They are often “empty-nesters” who realize they want to be around people their own age more, who also share the same interests. These older adults have also realized they no longer want to deal with the stresses that come with owning a big home. Seniors who opt for independent living usually have access to light support services and social and dining programs. The (Heller) independent living apartments at JCHC’s Lester are part of a larger senior campus that includes another building dedicated to assisted living apartments (Weston). These two buildings are interconnected by a lobby and dining room, and all the residents of Lester Senior Living come together to enjoy activities like Zumba, gardening, mahjong, university-level classes and more! You can take advantage of as many of these activities as you like, but it’s always your independent choice to make. And if someday you require more support that is available through assisted living, you would only need to move across the lobby! Assisted living at Lester Assisted living communities provide many support services for seniors, like medication management, bathing, dressing, cleaning and more. These support services are usually scaled to the individual, which means you can opt for the care that makes sense to your unique situation. Undoubtedly, assisted living is the best option for seniors with limited mobility or a chronic health condition that requires monitoring. At our Weston assisted living apartments, you will be part of a warm community that believes in living life to the fullest! Having caregivers on-site around the clock, ensures you can get the extra help you need, when you need it – in order to give you more independence to pursue the things you love to do. Not to mention, our facility has one of the best ratios of staff to residents in the industry, which means we never fall short on care. Our staff members can assist with getting dressed for the day, keeping your apartment tidy, managing your medication list, and more, all in the comfort and privacy of your apartment. Plus, you have access to all of the monthly social activities that are shared with our independent living residents across the way. Narrowing it down… In order to decide which senior living option is the best for you or your loved one, answering the following questions can help you narrow in on a decision:
Adjust senior care accordingly at Lester Senior Living, NJ At Lester Senior Living, you can easily adjust your living situation as your care needs change. Perhaps you’ll start off in our independent living building, and then after a few years you’ll feel that assisted living in the Weston building is more appropriate for your personal care needs. As we mentioned before, going from independent to assisted living is only a quick move across the lobby. Which means you don’t have to uproot your life and start over again. You can keep the same friends, activities and lifestyle at Lester Senior Living – no matter what. If you have any questions about independent living or assisted living in morris county, please call us today or visit our website to learn more: https://jchcorp.org/ The original blog is posted at: https://jchcorp.org/assisted-living-or-independent-living/ Many seniors may argue that moving into a senior living community relinquishes independence, but we’re here to tell you why the opposite is true. Living in a senior community marks the beginning of independence by letting go of household chores and other mundane daily tasks and making more room for the things you actually enjoy! If you’re debating whether or not community living is a good choice for you, here are some signs that you’re ready for this new chapter in your life.
Sign #1. You’re ready to throw in the dish towel. We’re sure at this point in your life, you are no longer cooking for an army of children. It may be just you, or you and your spouse you have to worry about. After years and years of preparing meals, we think you’ve paid your dues! When someone else cooks for you it eliminates the pent-up stress of going to the store, finding the right ingredients, and following an intricate recipe. Not to mention, you’re also eliminating the nightly debate of who is going to wash the dishes. At a senior living community like JCHC’s Lester, staff can cook each meal for you and clean up afterwards on a daily basis. We also offer community dining in an elegant and spacious dining room where other residents and your family and friends can easily accompany you for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Our culinary-trained chefs love to mix it up in the kitchen and are fully prepared to modify any meals to adhere to any dietary restrictions or kosher needs. Sign #2. Owning a home has become too stressful. With your children now living in their own homes with their respective families, you’ve probably come to realize that your home is way too big now. Your kids also aren’t around as often to take on household chores, which means you have a lot less help to maintain your big house. Owning a home requires a lot of recurring maintenance which becomes even tougher if it’s all on you to take care of. Things like dusting counters and shelves, doing dishes, cleaning the bathrooms all need to be done on a close to daily basis. On top of that, there are always unexpected issues that pop up from time to time like shoveling snow off the driveway, unclogging a toilet, and repairing a faulty appliance. Home ownership stress is just another big sign to consider senior community living. You probably can’t wait to leave household chores and monthly bills behind. All senior living apartments at Lester are maintained daily, and if something unexpected pops up – one of our staff members will handle it immediately. Sign #3. You need more excitement in your life! A lot of older adults are under the impression that living in a senior community means letting go of your independence. However, it is just the opposite! Letting go of home ownership issues will actually give you more independence and time to do what you want. Not to mention, senior community living offers so much in terms of socialization and activities. If you’re looking for more excitement in your life, consider taking up a new hobby you’ve always dreamed of doing. Have you ever wanted to take Zumba classes? Or learn mahjong with a group? Or even learn about a new culture? With daily tasks taken care of by our reliable staff members, you can now do all of the fun activities above! Better yet, you can take part in all these activities with other residents, who you can one day call your friends. Independent Living and Assisted Living for Seniors in NJ At JCHC’s Lester Senior Living, we offer a wide range of tailored support services for older adults in an environment that prioritizes quality care, independence and socialization. Designed to enhance resident connection, our lively activities program is updated monthly with a variety of classes to suit each resident’s individual interests. Some of our most popular on-site activities include Sit & Be Fit, Movie Matinees, Bingo, Trivia Nights, and JCHC University Classes. For more information about assisted living and independent living options for seniors in NJ, call us today or visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org The original blog is posted at: https://jchcorp.org/signs-youre-ready-for-senior-community-living/ Selecting a senior living community for your loved one can be a challenging process. After all, it’s an important decision that places the care of mom or dad in the hands of people you do not know. Aside from ensuring the quality of care, you also need to ensure that mom or dad will like the feel of the community. Are the people nice? Is there a variety of activities and clubs to take part in? Are there open spaces to gather? Is the floor plan and decor of the community up to date? Is there a high-tech medical wing available in case mom or dad develops a health condition down the line? While we certainly have the people and activities covered – soon enough, JCHC will be able to provide a resounding yes to all of these questions, as we have major exciting renovations planned for Lester Senior Living! Here’s a sneak peek of what’s to come, and why JCHC just keeps getting better.
NOTE: this is only a taste of what we have planned! Keep checking our website for more updates on our 2022 renovations. Assisted living communities that encourage independence At JCHC’s Lester Senior Living, we’re all about keeping seniors as independent as possible, while supporting them with personal care services to make their lives easier. Additionally, we are able to scale these services at any point if they require a higher level of care, including professional memory support for Alzheimer’s and dementia residents in our specialized memory care and medical suites. We also offer social programs to encourage residents to get more involved with community life and make new friends along the way. Our top priorities at each JCHC community is to ensure each resident gets the help and support they need, and to provide that level of care in a beautiful space. With our new renovation plans in place, we look forward to serving residents – old and new – in a more modern environment that encourages a fun, exciting and independent lifestyle. For more information about our new renovations at our NJ senior living community, please give us a call today or visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org The original blog is posted at: https://jchcorp.org/jchc-just-keeps-getting-better/ Parents moving to an assisted living community affects the entire family. For most families, a big factor in deciding on the right senior community is the proximity between your homes and the facility. Being able to visit your parents often will help them feel more confident and secure in their decision to choose assisted living. On top of that, making each visit memorable will solidify the fact that their new assisted living community is now home. If you have a loved one who recently moved into assisted living, you might be looking for ways to make the most out of your visits to mom or dad in assisted living the most meaningful. Our experts at Lester Senior Living put a list together of a few ways to make your time together extra special in this transition period.
At Lester, an assisted living community in Morris County, we prioritize the quality of life, independence and dignity for all of our residents. With services designed to meet your loved one’s needs and a packed activity calendar, we offer seniors a chance to really build a life within our welcoming community. To learn more about community life at our assisted living community in New Jersey, contact us today or visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org The original blog is posted on: https://jchcorp.org/making-the-most-out-of-your-visit-to-mom-or-dad-in-assisted-living/ While we don’t recommend actually dancing in the street as the song suggests, we do recommend dancing every day! Engaging both the body and mind, dance is a great exercise for seniors especially because it is more gentle in nature than say High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) or running. Dance is also very malleable, practically any dance move can be modified to the dancer’s range of mobility. At the risk of sounding corny, you could quite literally dance to the beat of your own drum without getting hurt! Not to mention, a good dance session has many benefits that you might be surprised to learn. In this article, our fitness instructors at JCHC have compiled the most rewarding benefits of dancing for seniors.
If you would like to take a step towards improving your quality of life through dance, our dedicated team at Lester Senior Living is here to boogie! We have a community calendar filled each month with different dance and fitness classes to satisfy every resident’s mobility, such as “Stretch & Flex,” “Sit and Be Fit” and “Cha Cha Chair Dancing” – just to name a few. If you have mobility restrictions or are just nervous about starting dance, don’t worry! Safety is our top priority at all times, that’s why there are always instructors available to modify each dance move or assist you if needed. In addition to our dance classes and fitness programs, our communities also offer more advanced senior care services like assisted living and memory support for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. To learn more about our senior services in New Jersey, contact JCHC today or visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org The original blog is available on - https://jchcorp.org/dancing-in-the-street/ Lets face it, almost everyone wants a little more time to snooze. Getting a good night’s sleep and waking up rested are important in maintaining concentration, memory and focus, especially as we age. There’s no doubt that getting a solid seven to nine hours of sleep every night is essential, but the way you feel upon waking—and feeling well rested throughout the day—are good indicators of whether or not you’re getting the sleep you need for optimal quality of life. With that said, our caregivers at JCHC broke down sleep patterns in seniors and even put a list of tips together to help seniors get better sleep.
Sleep patterns in seniors Before diving into better sleeping tips, it’s important to understand the ins and out of senior sleep patterns. Due to hormonal changes, older adults may notice changes in their sleep patterns such as waking up earlier in the morning or getting sleepy earlier in the evening. Other seniors may find themselves becoming “light sleepers.” While these changes are normal with aging and are relatively easy to adapt to, insomnia, disturbed sleep or waking up tired all the time, are not normal and can negatively affect your health. Insufficient sleep can lead to irritability, memory disorder and attention issues, and may also increase the risk of certain health problems and depression. Sleep disruptions are not a normal part of aging, so it’s important for seniors to identify the underlying causes. These may be:
Prioritizing better sleep habits at Lester Assisted Living Lester is an assisted living community dedicated to helping older adults live full, happy and healthy lives. With an active community spirit, spacious apartments, great exercise programs and support services designed to maximize independence, we’re a welcoming space for seniors to really feel at home. Our staff is also available on-site 24/7 to assist with any personal issues, such as having trouble sleeping by incorporating one of the methods above into the resident’s daily routine. For more information about our assisted living services in Whippany, NJ, please contact us today to schedule a tour or visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org The original blog is available on - https://jchcorp.org/tips-to-improve-sleep-for-seniors/ Realizing your parents need the support of assisted living services is a significant – and often upsetting step for children. After all, the most independent, capable figures in your life are aging and their current lifestyle is becoming too much for them to handle. Further, it can be difficult broaching the subject of assisted living with mom and dad. Below are some useful things to consider when speaking to your parents about moving to an assisted living community.
Be objective about your loved one’s living situation. First of all, it’s important to properly evaluate your loved one’s situation before you start this important conversation. For example, analyze exactly what it is they are struggling with. Common issues could include:
Why doesn’t your elderly loved one want to move to an assisted living community? Many seniors are resistant to change. Especially one that involves changing their address. Dealing with the source of that resistance can help make the move easier for all involved. For example, if your loved one is worried about being further away from friends or family, you can assure them that the assisted living options for consideration are all nearby. Another common reason for reluctance is the notion that assisted living communities strip seniors of their independence and do not have much entertainment to offer. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Assisted living has come a long way with services offered and fun on-site amenities like live entertainment, group fitness classes, designated activity rooms and more. Figure out the root of your loved one’s reluctance to help provide them with the most updated information, that will also assure their happiness and comfort. Get your senior parent involved in every step of the process. Many people, not just seniors, have a certain idea of what assisted living and independent living communities are all about – and they’re usually wrong. Unlike the cold, institutional facilities they’re thinking of, modern independent living communities are far more focused on the comfort, independence and quality of life of their residents. When you are researching your options, narrow down your search to a few places that offer the kind of support that would best benefit your loved one. First, visit each of these places on your own and get answers to everything you and your loved one are concerned about. Then, bring your loved one for a guided tour of the facilities you think they would best enjoy, so they can see for themselves what each community is all about and what they offer. This will not only give your loved one a new perspective on senior living, but it will also help them feel more in control of this important decision. Start slowly, don’t rush to the final decision. When it comes to a decision this big, there is no need to rush. If you’ve done a lot of research, simply informing your loved one of your desire for them to move into assisted living can be overwhelming and upsetting to them. Rather, take several months (if needed) to slowly introduce the subject and give them time to raise concerns, talk about different options and get used to the idea. Listen carefully to issues they raise and treat each of them with care and thoughtfulness. It might take some time, many visits to different communities and chats with caring professionals, but it will help you and your parents make the best move. Assisted Living for Seniors in NJ At JCHC’s Lester Senior Living campus, we offer a wide range of tailored support services for aging seniors in an environment which delivers the highest quality of life. Designed to enhance independence, our lively social program is updated monthly with a variety of activities to suit each resident’s individual hobbies. Some of our most popular activities include Movie Matinees, Trivia Nights, and JCHC University Classes. For more information about assisted living and independent living options in NJ, call us today or visit our website at: https://jchcorp.org The Original Blog is available on https://jchcorp.org/what-to-do-if-mom-and-dad-need-assisted-living/ |
AuthorWe offer seniors a range of options in terms of housing, services, amenities, location and cost, all within the Jewish tradition: independent living, assisted living, memory care, respite, affordable housing, enriching programs, and on-site services for our residents, many of whom have special needs. Archives
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