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May is mental health awareness month. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, affecting how we think, feel, and act. As our loved ones age, they often need to navigate hard and uncomfortable situations. Their needs change. They begin losing their independence. Things become uncertain. Now, maybe more than ever before, they may need additional emotional support along their journey.

FamilyAssets and ElderLife Financial recently published resources that you can share with families on topics from talking with a parent about senior living communities to choosing the right one and transitioning to life after a move-in. Showing your support from the beginning of their senior care journey will allow families to trust in your community or service and know the support will continue once they or mom or dad move in.

As the holiday season ends and a new year begins, the search for senior care tends to increase. For many families, the holiday season comes with the realization that mom or dad may need more care in the near future. The new year is a time where families begin researching next steps in their search for senior care options for their loved ones. However, with so many care options to choose from, senior living communities have the unique opportunity to provide guidance, education, and informational resources that ultimately help families make the best long-term care decision.

The holiday season is often a joyous time. In senior living communities, we recognize that some residents may experience some difficulties during this time, however. Some may not get to see their family, or this is their first holiday season out of their home, and they miss the traditions they have maintained for years. Senior living communities have the unique opportunity to keep the spirit of the holidays alive and support their residents’ mental well-being. FamilyAssets recently published an article on tips for boosting a seniors mental health, which is crucial to making residents feel valued, loved, and at home during the holidays. One of the tips focuses around the importance of seniors staying socially connected, boosting their morale and overall mental health.  

As Veterans Day approaches, we honor all who have served in the military and recognize the great sacrifices Veterans and their families have made. As a senior living community, did you know there may be current Veteran residents who qualify for the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefit and do not know it? This is a valuable, but complex, benefit for current and prospective Veterans in your community to help pay for senior care. 

August 21st was National Senior Citizens Day, a holiday instituted in the 1980s to celebrate older adults and their contributions to society. As senior living occupancy rates increased steadily over the last four quarters (reaching 81.4% in Q2 of 2022), communities have an incredible opportunity to support a growing number of residents, not just on Senior Citizens Day, but every day.

As Independence Day approaches and celebrating our nation is even closer to the forefront, senior living communities and home care agencies have a unique opportunity to help show older adult veterans the support they deserve by educating about VA benefits that are available to them, ultimately easing the financial burden of their senior care expenses.