Assisted Living

November is not only the month of giving thanks and enjoying the last of fall foliage, but it’s also Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month. This month, the Country Meadows assisted living team wanted to celebrate the people who selflessly give to those closest to them. More than 40 million Americans act … Continue reading “Caregiving tips for families whose loved ones have dementia from our assisted living facility experts”

As we grow older, it is normal to experience some degree of memory loss. People naturally begin to endure a decline in brain activity after the age of 50, leading to common memory issues like the name of an acquaintance, where we left our car keys or the date or location of an important appointment. … Continue reading “7 ways photos can stimulate memories for loved ones with dementia in assisted living facilities”

Meredith Mills is COO and Senior Vice President of Country Meadows Retirement Communities, a role she was promoted to in mid-2018. Previously, she held the positions of VP of Strategic Planning, Executive Director of our Lancaster campus, Regional Marketing Manager and Marketing Director at our Hershey campus. Prior to her arrival at Country Meadows, she … Continue reading “Country Meadows observes National Assisted Living Week, Sept. 8-14”

Adults perform six primary activities of daily living, generally without assistance. If at some point they can no longer do them on their own, personal care services at a retirement community can make their lives, and their families’ lives, easier. What are the activities of daily living? The activities of daily living (ADLs) are officially … Continue reading “How personal care services support seniors with activities of daily living”

Lisa Torchia has been VP of Clinical and Support Services at Country Meadows Retirement Communities since 2017. Her 30-year nursing career includes senior leadership roles at four hospitals, most recently 11 years at Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill. With RN and MSN degrees, she has clinical experience in critical, intensive and coronary care. Why … Continue reading “Nurses in personal care and assisted living homes care for the whole person”

Managing prescription drugs can be difficult and even risky for seniors with memory issues, particularly if they live alone. Their risk for drug-related problems increases further as they age or take additional medications. Survey results released by AARP have shown that 80 percent of Americans ages 65 and older take at least two prescription drugs. … Continue reading “Assisted living or memory care services can help seniors manage their medications”

“Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays, Cause no matter how far away you roam, If you want to be happy in a million ways, For the holidays you can’t beat home sweet home!”* Most of us would agree with this sentiment so warmly expressed by Pennsylvania native son and crooner Perry Como. … Continue reading “Tough conversations at the holidays can lead to personal care decisions”

Country Meadows is observing National Assisted Living Week, Sept. 9-15, by “capturing the connection” between our assisted living/personal care residents and our caregivers who support these seniors in meeting their daily needs. At all 11 of our retirement communities, our co-workers will be taking photos depicting the special relationship between our residents and our care … Continue reading “Assisted living and personal care homes support seniors in daily activities”

As Americans, we spend more and more each year on products that promise to soothe, moisturize and rejuvenate our skin. The Global Cosmetic Industry estimates that this year we will purchase $11 billion of lotions, creams, powders, cleansers, exfoliants and oils. This may signify that we’re taking the health of our skin seriously and we’re … Continue reading “Prioritize and protect the skin as part of healthy, active senior living”

Q: What is the key factor in the happiness and comfort of seniors residing at the best retirement communities? A: The quality of the staff. Words from families about staff members at our senior communities From co-workers in health care and therapy services to those in food services and maintenance, they arrive each day with … Continue reading “Co-workers at the best retirement communities are driven by making a difference”

With Halloween just behind us and all the holiday sweets just ahead of us, now is the perfect time to discuss oral health in seniors. Oral health can change during the senior years, so with teeth, gums and other areas of the mouth at greater risk of complications, routine dental care remains as important as … Continue reading “Dental care is a vital part of assisted living and personal care services”

One in seven adults regularly experiences imbalance or dizziness, which becomes more common with increased age. Good balance is necessary for good health, because it prevents us from injuries we could suffer if we fall. Following prevention strategies and seeking medical help when needed can help balance-challenged seniors stay safe, walk on their own and … Continue reading “Maintain a sense of balance, whether at home or at a retirement community”

About one in seven older U.S. Americans has a lung disorder such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Breathing difficulties can make everyday physical activities, such as walking up a flight of stairs, difficult for some seniors. Pulmonary challenges can arise from changes in lung tissue, the nervous … Continue reading “Seniors can breathe easier with supportive, trained staff at senior communities”

Though we may tire more easily as we get older, chronic fatigue in older persons shouldn’t be accepted as a normal part of aging. Most people over 65—many of them in their 80s or even 90s—are living active, fulfilling lives in retirement. A Columbia University study of fatigue in seniors, average age 74, showed: Fatigue … Continue reading “Senior living communities help manage fatigue and improve quality of life”

Grandparents Day was declared a national celebration in 1978 by then President Jimmy Carter with the intent to “…to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.” What a better way to honor them … Continue reading “Create a memorable Grandparents Day—How to interview grandparents about their lives”

Assisted living residences and personal care homes offer seniors many of the same services as independent living communities, but with the addition of assistance with daily needs. These long-term care options provide senior community residents with personalized support for daily activities such as dressing; bathing; dental, skin and nail care; shaving; laundry; housekeeping and medication … Continue reading “Assisted living or personal care? What’s the difference in Pennsylvania?”

This week marks the beginning of the American Health Care Association’s National Nursing Home Week. So, in the spirit of celebrating the nursing home, we bring you a list of important things to consider when researching a nursing home for your loved one: Is the nursing home conveniently located? Chances are you will want to … Continue reading “Looking for a nursing home for mom? Here are five things to consider.”

The differences between assisted living housing and personal care housing are some of the things that our senior care team outlines with prospective residents and their families all the time. Up until 2011, the terms were interchangeable, but the licensing regulations in Pennsylvania have changed, causing a need for clarification between the two types of … Continue reading “What are Assisted Living Facilities? Not Personal Care, in Pennsylvania.”

Retirement in Allentown, along with Bethlehem and Easton, which make up the region known as the Lehigh Valley, is gaining in popularity among seniors in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The Lehigh Valley’s proximity to Philadelphia (just 60 miles north) and New York City (just 90 miles west) makes it a central location with plenty of … Continue reading “Retirement in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton: PA towns gaining in popularity among seniors.”

Some of the most frequently asked questions that our Senior Care Experts receive have to do with affording senior care. When people begin their research, navigating the maze of long-term care for seniors can seem daunting. We have compiled some resources to help. What is long-term care? Technically speaking, the US Government’s Department of Health … Continue reading “Long-Term Care for Seniors: Understanding the Basics”