Grace in Assisted Living
By Alexander Germanis One of the most difficult things for most humans to do is ask for help. Our pride, vanity, and egos are so very often tied up in a need to “do it on our own.” To ask for help may be bad enough, but to require it on a regular basis […]
Independence Village—New Again
By Alexander Germanis This can be a magical time of year—a time when traditions are honored, memories are made, and many things from the past are brought out to receive new life. Whether it’s through the hanging of Christmas decorations or handing down a treasured heirloom, the timeless saying “what once was old is […]
“A Quilt Is a Warm Hug”
Submitted by Lutheran Hillside Village A quilt is a warm hug,” said Annette Smith, founder of the Samaritan Quilts group and resident at Lutheran Hillside Village in Peoria, Illinois, a Lutheran Senior Services Life Plan Community. Annette, 101, has motivated and inspired others to embrace the art of quilting. Together they create lap quilts […]
Enrichment Is a Pillar of Living
By Alexander Germanis Some things in life are just not quite as good as they could be. So, we tend to find ways to add that little extra to bring them up to the level where we feel they should be. It is why we have vitamin-enriched flour for healthier baked goods or why […]
Making The Right Choice: Stand-Alone Or Embedded Memory Care?
Submitted by Sugar Creek Alzheimer’s Special Care Center There are few words in our language that strike such a visceral reaction as “dementia.” Even when couched into less intimidating terms such as “cognitive decline,” or “impaired memory” the message is the same: life as we know it is changed on a dime. Whether the diagnosis […]
A Heritage of Community Spirit at Work
Everyone seems to be busy these days, but helping others in our community is something we should all consider to make a difference in other peoples’ lives. Many people came together at Heritage Health–Therapy & Senior Care in Normal and volunteered their time to make the gardens beautiful again for the residents and their families […]
Snyder Village—Family Is Everything
By Alexander Germanis As data from the last census poured in, one statistic surfaced that can boggle the mind: More people have been leaving quiet, small-town life behind and have been migrating to big cities. While cities may provide many opportunities, anyone who has ever lived in or even just visited one knows a metropolis […]
When It’s Time to Leave Home
Submitted by Villas of Holly Brook The decision about whether your parents should move is often tricky and emotional. Each family will have its own reasons for wanting (or not wanting) to take such a step. One family may decide a move is right because the parents can no longer manage the home. For another […]
Lower Your Risk of Falling
Submitted by Villas of Holly Brook The Basics You can make small changes to help prevent falls. More than 1 in 4 older adults fall each year. Falling can lead to broken bones, trouble getting around, and other health problems – especially if you are age 65 or older. A fracture (broken bone) can cause pain and […]
Plan Ahead as Dementia Progresses
Submitted by Sugar Creek Alzheimer’s Special Care Center Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are progressive diseases, meaning that, as time goes on, the disease will likely get worse. Not everyone living with dementia will experience it in exactly the same way, and the rate at which the disease progresses varies from person to […]
