Tag: Assisted Living

A recent article in Senior Housing News reported that while many older adults see themselves remaining at home as they age, they viewed moving to an assisted living community as a better option than moving in with family members.

This was one of the key findings in a recent survey by Retirement Living Information Center. The online retirement resource website surveyed over 2,300 seniors. Thirty percent of respondents said if they became unable to live on their own, they preferred assisted living communities over living with family.

The Challenges of Multigenerational Living

“Deciding whether to stay at home or move in with an adult child or family member can be a tricky one,” says Devon Sicard, Executive Director at Waterstone at Wellesley. “Before making any decisions, it’s important to consider the emotional, financial and logistical aspects of it.”

The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) warns that seniors who move in with family members often struggle with the inevitable change in familial roles. “Adult children have to accept they may have to parent their parents while the older adult still feels authoritative despite his or her health condition,” says Devon.

Devon emphasizes the importance of having a frank discussion with the aging parents before making the arrangement. “Lay some ground rules and talk about how it’s all going to work,” Devon says. “Talk about mealtimes, bedtimes, household responsibilities, how guests will be handled and how much time should be set aside for socialization. The need for care services provided by home healthcare organizations should also be assessed.”

Families must also make sure they have the physical – and financial – means to provide a home for their loved ones. Some may have to adapt or expand their home to make it more comfortable or senior-ready.

MarketWatch points out that there are a host of legal and financial matters to sort out before a move takes place. The news source suggests figuring out whether the parent will be contributing to household costs and, if so, how much? Can the caregiver claim the parent as a dependent? In addition, families should have a will in place to protect their parents’ legal rights.

Many seniors fear losing their independence should they move in with a loved one. Retaining as much independence as possible is one of the main reasons why so many seniors think moving to an independent living community or assisted living facility may be a better choice. 

Senior living communities – whether they offer independent living, assisted living or both – are becoming the go-to for seniors who find they need a little support to live their best lives. Devon says that most residents who move to Waterstone at Wellesley need some level of support or assistance with the activities of daily living, personal care and medication reminders.

“The truth is that when seniors move into a community, they find they enjoy the active, vibrant lifestyle very much,” says Devon. “They love having access to community amenities that make such a difference in overall well-being and quality of life. Living at home doesn’t include built-in amenities like fitness and wellness centers, indoor swimming pools, gourmet dining in multiple venues, indoor and outdoor community gathering spaces, putting greens, spas and much more.”

Senior living communities can be a happy solution for seniors and their families. Below are a few reasons why seniors say they prefer a senior living community over living with their families: 

Maintenance and worry-free living – The everyday chores that come with owning a home are all completely taken care of. 

Live social – Senior living communities offer countless daily activities, entertainment and social opportunities. There’s never a dull moment (unless you want there to be), and there are always new friends and neighbors around to ensure you are never alone (unless you want to be).

Good nutrition and great food – In assisted living or other senior living communities, there is no shortage of healthy, delicious foods. Families can rest assured that their loved ones have well-balanced meals that provide the right nutritional support.

One monthly payment – One monthly payment includes everything residents need to thrive. You don’t have to worry about paying utility bills, taxes, phone, etc. It’s all included in your monthly bill.

Transportation – Forget navigating traffic and icy roads during the winter months! Communities like Waterstone offer complimentary transportation to and from doctor appointments, errands and more.

Confidence of care – Adult children enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing their loved ones are enjoying a full life and that support and assistance are available if they’re needed. 

Beautiful Riverfront Community

Located on the banks of the Charles River, Waterstone is Wellesley’s only senior living community, offering premier independent and assisted living. But that’s only the first of many differences that sets Waterstone above and beyond other communities.

Celebrating Dynamic Living

Here, our residents live independently in their own private, spacious apartments – but without any worries or concerns about homeownership or living alone. All meals are expertly prepared. There aren’t any chores to be concerned with. No home maintenance or repairs to worry about. Just opportunities around every corner and time to spend as they choose – in the company of new friends.

Our vibrant community encourages residents to engage in a variety of recreational, cultural and social programs and activities. Enjoy a fitness class. Swim in the sunny indoor pool. Take a stroll on a walking path. Partake in a favorite hobby or pastime. Discover a new interest. With Waterstone at Wellesley, there’s a world of opportunity waiting right outside our residents’ doors.

Future Peace of Mind

The hallmark of Waterstone assisted living is the peace of mind we provide both our residents and their families. Knowing that care and support are available right on site instills a sense of confidence and calm one can’t find living alone.

For prospective residents or their families interested in residing at Waterstone at Wellesley, please contact us at ​781.591.7113.

If you or someone you know is considering moving into assisted living, one of the first questions you may have is, “what does a typical day look like?”

“Care communities may once have been boring and uninspiring places, but that’s simply not the case anymore,” says Devon Sicard, Executive Director of Waterstone at Wellesley.“Today, communities that offer personal care or other kinds of long-term care have all sorts of services included that make life enjoyable, fulfilling and enriching.”

Devon says that these types of facilities are focused on providing medical care, personal care and opportunities to present choice and convenience for older adults. “Just because an older adult may require additional assistance in order to live an independent lifestyle doesn’t mean that they should have to give up a lifestyle that they enjoy,” she explains. “Today, assisted living communities offer peace of mind alongside so much else: delicious dining, a carefree lifestyle, activities and events, upscale services, a maintenance-free existence and much more. Seniors really can have it all, whether they’re independent living or assisted living.”

A Typical Day In Assisted Living

As you might imagine, there really is no “typical” day because there is no “typical” assisted living resident. Depending on interests, care levels and goals, two residents at the same community can have vastly different experiences from each other. If you’re more active and social, your day might be filled with classes, activities and gatherings with friends. You may enjoy being out and about, mingling with the team members and other residents, and learning new things that are being offered on the community’s events calendar. If you’re wanting a more leisurely, pensive day, you may want to spend time outside enjoying the fresh air or head to the library to read a good book.

Every day in assisted living can look exactly the way you want it. In general, though, here are some of the things that you can expect and enjoy:

Delicious meals three times a day. Gone are the days of institutionalized, bland food. Today, assisted living residents enjoy chef-prepared meals made from fresh ingredients, locally sourced produce and inspired recipes. You don’t have to deal with grocery shopping, cooking or cleaning up. You also don’t have to deal with managing your nutritional needs yourself. An on-staff nutritionist works in tandem with the dining services team to make sure offerings are nutritionally balanced and tailored to meet each individual’s needs and preferences.

Fun and engaging activities. Since you no longer have to worry about things like cleaning, cooking, home maintenance and other chores, your time is now yours to do with as you wish. And you’ll find plenty of things to do at an assisted living community. Lifelong learning, book clubs, fitness classes, art classes … and that’s just for starters. Communities are designed to make life enjoyable, and offering programs, activities and opportunities helps residents stay engaged, fulfilled and happy.

Health and wellness opportunities. Aging well means staying healthy. Assisted living communities are designed from the ground up to provide overall wellness in mind, body and soul. From exercise classes to healthy eating to stimulating activities and socialization opportunities, many assisted living residents find themselves becoming healthier and more independent than they were before moving to the community.

Carefree enjoyment every day. Ultimately, a typical day in assisted living means doing just what you want when you want. It’s a carefree lifestyle filled with enjoyment, friendships and possibility. What could be better than that?

Beautiful Riverfront Community

Located on the banks of the Charles River, Waterstone is Wellesley’s only senior living community, offering premier independent and assisted living. But that’s only the first of many differences that sets Waterstone above and beyond other communities.

Celebrating Dynamic Living

Here, our residents live independently in their own private, spacious apartments – but without any worries or concerns about homeownership or living alone. All meals are expertly prepared. There aren’t any chores to be concerned with. No home maintenance or repairs to worry about. Just opportunities around every corner and time to spend as they choose – in the company of new friends.

Our vibrant community encourages residents to engage in a variety of recreational, cultural and social programs and activities. Enjoy a fitness class. Swim in the sunny indoor pool. Take a stroll on a walking path. Partake in a favorite hobby or pastime. Discover a new interest. With Waterstone at Wellesley, there’s a world of opportunity waiting right outside our residents’ doors.

Confidence of Care

The hallmark of Waterstone assisted living is the peace of mind we provide both our residents and their families. Knowing that care and support are available right on site instills a sense of confidence and calm one can’t find living alone.

For prospective residents or their families interested in residing at Waterstone at Wellesley, please contact us at ​781.591.7113.

Does Mom need assisted living? That’s a question that many adult children – and their parents – find themselves asking at a certain point in the aging journey. On one hand, you may logically realize that assisted living would be a real benefit. On the other hand, you may find yourself saying things like, Dad seems too young for assisted living. or Mom is still healthy, she just needs some help with a few things every day. Even if your loved one is healthy and active, that doesn’t mean they can’t benefit from assisted living, says Devon Sicard, Executive Director of Waterstone at Wellesley.

“Many seniors and their adult children can become resistant when they hear the words assisted living because they have a lot of assumptions that simply aren’t true,” Devon says. “Assisted living isn’t just for older adults who aren’t able to perform the activities of daily life. In fact, assisted living can be home to many active and independent seniors who simply want the peace of mind and convenience a community provides.”

Whatever the situation, when an individual decides to move into senior living, there are a lot of things at play that can be emotionally, mentally and physically taxing. “As an adult child of someone moving into senior living, you will end up playing a major role in the process,” Devon explains. “It can be relatively easy, but it can also be drawn out and difficult – a lot of it will depend on your involvement and how you help in various situations.”

If you’re an adult child of a parent or parents who have decided to move into assisted living, how can you help? What’s the best way to go about things? Here are some of our tried-and-true tips to help you assist a loved one as they prepare and move into this new phase of life.

Tour communities with your parents.
While ultimately the choice of community belongs to your Mom and Dad, it always helps to have another brain and pair of eyes to help narrow down the options and choose the best option for the individual. It’s a good idea, if your parents are amenable to it, to tour the various communities they’ve chosen with them (and maybe on your own, too). Since you won’t be living in the community, you have a different viewpoint on everything and perhaps can shed light on different aspects that your parents might miss. You can also keep track of the positives, negatives and variables at each community, which can help you and your parents sit down and weigh options against each other.

Help them work through the downsizing process.

Once a community has been decided upon, there’s yet another hurdle: downsizing and selling Mom and Dad’s current home. This is in and of itself is a huge undertaking that requires a lot of planning and work. Be a resource for your parents – let them know you’re able and willing to help, which they may need, especially if they haven’t moved in a while. When moving into assisted living, many older adults will need to let go of a significant number of personal items. Being open and available to help your parents – physically and emotionally – can help make the situation a little easier.

Give your parents time to grieve.

Even if you and your parents know that moving into assisted living is the right thing, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t sadness and uncertainty that come with the decision. In a way, moving into assisted living is the closing of one chapter and realizing that Mom and Dad are getting older. Give your parents (and even yourself) a chance to grieve and process the change. But at the same time, understand that this move is a good thing and that it means the start of a new chapter of life that can be embraced to the fullest.

Plan ahead.

It’s always easiest to make plans when there’s a deadline in place. So, the first step is to determine when exactly your parent or loved one intends to move into assisted living. Once you have a general idea, work backward from there. When should you move into the community? When should the house be put on the market to be sold? When should you have everything packed up and ready to go? Even if the move isn’t for six months or longer, it’s good to have a general idea of when your parents want to make the move – that way, you can start putting plans into place to make the transition that much smoother.

Figure out how to move.

The act of moving can be quite stressful. There’s no need to add anxiety and uncertainty to it. Some experts suggest that parents choose and move into assisted living before selling their current home because that simply helps avoid rushing for rushing’s sake. If that works for you, great! If not, work with your parents, their real estate agent and the community staff to coordinate everything in order to transition easily. You may want to see if it’s possible for Mom and Dad to find a temporary space to get the home sold before moving into assisted living. Or, can they move into assisted living and then put plans in order to sell their current home? A lot depends on the individual situation, and there’s no right or wrong answer.

Get their new home ready.

When it comes time for the physical move, adult children can be an enormous help. While there’s a level of excitement that comes with moving, there’s also a level of anxiety – and having someone to talk and work through the process can make it easier, calmer and a lot more fun. Talk with your mom and dad about their new space and how they want their belongings organized. Take measurements of their new apartment or home and work with them to figure out a floor plan that incorporates their necessary items and also cues you into things you might need to buy. Once you have a plan in place, talk with the community staff to see about getting the new home set up – earlier is always preferable.

Clear your schedule.

On moving day, it always helps to have a helping hand – and your parents will appreciate any assistance you can give. Clear your schedule so on the actual day of moving, you can be ready and available to help assist with the moving truck, unpack at the community, clear away trash and detritus and generally help Mom and Dad settle in. Depending on your parent’s abilities and mental state, you may want to talk with the community staff to get their advice and opinions.

Give them space.

Moving your parents into assisted living may make you feel a little sad, anxious and worried – in other words, how they might have felt when you went to college or moved away from home. Although you may want to hover over your parents to see how they’re doing and help them get settled, the best thing to do is, more than likely, give them space to settle in on their own. This can be hard, but staying out of their way will give Mom and Dad the opportunity to adjust to their new lifestyle and start making a new routine.

Moving your parents into assisted living may feel a bit unnerving, especially if you’ve been spending lots of time helping care for them. It’s important to understand that moving them into assisted living isn’t an end – it’s a new beginning. Eventually, you and your parents will find your groove and allow the benefits of their new community to fully blossom … leaving you with peace of mind and the ability to enjoy each day as it comes.

Beautiful Riverfront Community

Located on the banks of the Charles River, Waterstone is Wellesley’s only senior living community, offering premier independent and assisted living. But that’s only the first of many differences that sets Waterstone above and beyond other communities.

Celebrating Dynamic Living

Here our residents live independently in their own private, spacious apartments – but without any of the worries or concerns of homeownership or living alone. All meals are expertly prepared. There aren’t any chores to be concerned with. No home maintenance or repairs to worry about. Just opportunities around every corner and time to spend as they choose – in the company of new friends.

Our vibrant community encourages residents to engage in a variety of recreational, cultural and social programs and activities. Enjoy a fitness class. Swim in the sunny indoor pool. Take a stroll on a walking path. Partake in a favorite hobby or pastime. Discover a new interest. With Waterstone at Wellesley, there’s a world of opportunity waiting right outside our residents’ doors.

Confidence of Care

The hallmark of Waterstone assisted living is the peace of mind we provide both our residents and their families. Knowing that care and support are available right on site instills a sense of confidence and calm one can’t find living alone.

For prospective residents or their families interested in residing at Waterstone at Wellesley, please contact us at ​781.591.7113.

There’s a new trend with today’s seniors taking a new path in life. You can thank the Baby Boomers for that – they’re reinventing what “retired” or “seniorhood” means just as much as they redefined society during their youth. You probably know someone – or perhaps are that someone – who’s decided to pursue a new path exploring their interests in their older years.

“These days, we’re discovering that it’s never too late to find a meaningful path for your life,” says Devon Sicard, Executive Director of Waterstone at Wellesley. “Considering how our interests and desires change throughout the course of our lives, that’s a good thing. Your path at 20 is probably a lot different than your path at 50 or your path at 70. One of the great joys of retirement is that people are discovering they can try new things. For perhaps the first time in their lives, they don’t need to worry or care for the needs of others, only themselves.”

Devon says that some older adults who want to find their “path” but require additional assistance or have health concerns, they should explore assisted living services. “Assisted living services at Waterstone at Wellesley are designed so we can help our residents find their path while also receiving the supportive, dignified care they require,” she says. “We don’t believe that needing help should keep you from discovering your purpose and finding fulfilling pursuits. It’s our goal to get to know each of our residents and discover not just their needs, but their desires, so we can help them find their path in a meaningful, healthy and supportive way.”

“To deliver the most appropriate care and to help support independence, we develop customized care plans for each resident. We provide support with activities of daily living and assistance with medication management. This degree of personalized care allows us to provide close observation of any change in support or health needs, as well as quick intervention to address those changes. At the same time, we provide amenities, activities and events that offer everything our residents need to live active, engaged lives that promote complete health, wellness and fulfillment.”

What’s Your Path?

What’s something you’ve always wanted to learn, pursue or discover? Have you always secretly or not-so-secretly wanted to learn to play guitar? Sculpt? Speak a new language? Your path can be as big and grand or as small and individualized as you want. Finding a passion and a purpose provide a wide variety of health benefits, and it doesn’t matter what your purpose is as long as you have one. Here are a few ideas of things to think about to help you discover what path sounds right and meaningful for you in your retirement years. The nice thing is that you don’t have to choose a path and stick with it forever. If you find out it’s not quite as meaningful or interesting as you thought, you can always try something different – that’s your choice!

A new career.

If you’ve spent decades in the workforce, the idea of working again in retirement may sound like the last thing you want to do. But many retirees find themselves going back to work after several years “off” because they miss having that purpose. While some retirees choose to work on a part-time or contract basis in a similar role (maybe even for their old company), others choose to launch new businesses or start completely different careers in other fields. Maybe you were a successful lawyer in your past, but you’ve always enjoyed helping people put their taxes together. Or perhaps you were a marketing professional who deep down wanted to open a restaurant. Or maybe you want a customer-facing role in a small business. Going back into the workforce is a great way to keep your skills sharp, interact with others and use your extensive knowledge to give back in some way shape or form.

Volunteering.

There are a lot of similarities to going back into the workforce and becoming a volunteer. Many seniors end up becoming very devoted volunteers for worthy organizations because they have the time and financial resources to donate their time without worrying about making a paycheck. Most volunteers would say that this type of work is the most meaningful, as it allows them to make a difference through causes that are the most important to them. Working at an animal shelter, mentoring youth, donating time to a local food bank or Habitat for Humanity … the opportunities are endless.

Strengthening your relationships.

Perhaps you’ll find your path is a little more personal. It could be that you want to spend your golden years building and deepening your relationships with people who mean the most to you. Some seniors choose to move near adult children and grandchildren so they can spend as much time as possible helping their family and watching them grow. Others may spend this time deepening relationships with spouses and lifelong friends. And others may want to branch out and form bonds with like-minded people who share passions or hobbies. Maintaining strong and meaningful connections is one of the best ways to help you age well, stay healthy and keep you looking and feeling young.

Making art.

Creativity is something that all humans have. Deep down, we all have the desire to create beauty and express ourselves in some way. Whether you’re a musician, a creative writer, a talented chef or a great interior designer, the arts provide a sense of purpose and fulfilment that is unmatched. In your senior years, you can actually pursue these creative endeavors without worrying about having to “make it big” (or even make a paycheck). If you’ve enjoyed an artistic passion throughout your years, now is your time to really explore it. Or, if you’ve never thought of yourself as a creative person but have always wanted to learn, you can try a wide variety of hobbies and endeavors until you find the one that truly moves you.

Being a role model.

We usually think of role models as famous people who inspire us to be better. But you don’t have to be a celebrity to be a good role model. For example, you could become a paragon of health, reinventing yourself and showing the world that any age can be the healthiest age of your life. Or you could be a motivational speaker, passing on your knowledge to those who can learn from it. Or you could simply live your best life and make the world a little better place for everyone you meet.

Whatever it is that you’ve always wanted to do, your retirement is the perfect chance to explore and try it. Moving into a community like Waterstone at Wellesley provides seniors with the assistance and support to help make life carefree, along with the time, resources and opportunities for you to explore and find your new path in life.

Beautiful Riverfront Community

Located on the banks of the Charles River, Waterstone is Wellesley’s only senior living community, offering premier independent and assisted living. But that’s only the first of many differences that sets Waterstone above and beyond other communities.

Celebrating Dynamic Living

Here our residents live independently in their own private, spacious apartments – but without any of the worries or concerns of homeownership or living alone. All meals are expertly prepared. There aren’t any chores to be concerned with. No home maintenance or repairs to worry about. Just opportunities around every corner and time to spend as they choose – in the company of new friends.

Our vibrant community encourages residents to engage in a variety of recreational, cultural and social programs and activities. Enjoy a fitness class. Swim in the sunny indoor pool. Take a stroll on a walking path. Partake in a favorite hobby or pastime. Discover a new interest. With Waterstone at Wellesley, there’s a world of opportunity waiting right outside our residents’ doors.

Confidence of Care

The hallmark of Waterstone assisted living is the peace of mind we provide both our residents and their families. Knowing that care and support is available right on site instills a sense of confidence and calm one can’t find living alone.

For prospective residents or their families interested in residing at Waterstone at Wellesley, please contact us at 781.235.1614.