Brickmont Assisted Living Blog

In the world of caregiving, it can sometimes feel like there is no rest for the weary. While the strength and care of most caregivers are often not celebrated enough, it is also imperative that we recognize that everyone needs the opportunity to recharge and renew their energy. Brickmont Assisted Living realizes that trusting someone else with the care of a loved one can also be stressful, but using respite care can support and benefit everyone. It’s imperative that you keep in mind that seeking help does not make you a failure as a caregiver. While there are many reasons to pay for respite care, here are three that we want to highlight for you.

Have you ever heard the term of “Solo Agers”? The term was coined by Sara Zeff Geber, Ph.D. and is discussed in her book, Essential Retirement Planning for Solo Agers: A Retirement and Aging Roadmap for Single and Childless Adults. We soon came to realize we have residents at Brickmont who fit into this category! So, what exactly is a Solo Ager, and are you one of them?

In general, there are several health benefits to staying positive, but when it comes to taking care of someone else’s life, it can be essential and even more of a challenge. If you have ever been an independent caregiver for mom or dad, you know that it can be tiresome to= dedicate so much of your time to ensure their safety. But when you do not take time to pep yourself up, you can even experience caregiver burnout. This needs to be considered whether you are taking care of your elderly parents full-time or if they are being cared for at an assisted living community. Whoever is taken care of your older loved one needs to seek ways to stay positive for their health and your loved one’s health.

While social media may seem like the younger generation only uses it, that’s simply not the case. According to a 2016 study, 62% of adults 65 and older use Facebook, and that percentage continues to rise. Social wellness is an integral part of a person’s overall health, especially for seniors. Social media can help fulfill a person’s need for community and social engagement. Let’s take a look at five ways it can positively impact the lives of seniors. 

Cognitive impairments are becoming more and more common in today’s society. If you have older parents that may be affected by these disease, you can become easily frightened and jump to conclusions. The reality is that there is a vast spectrum of cognitive impairments. Here at Brickmont, we know how important it is to remain vigilant and educated in order to take action and slow the progress of any debilitation such as Alzheimer’s. If you are aware of the signs of Alzheimer’s disease, you can catch symptoms early and take preventative action.

At Brickmont Assisted Living, we are proud to be a value provider for seniors in our community. By offering high-quality amenities, affordable senior housing, and meeting the needs of all our residents, we are the answer to your parent’s living needs. We understand it can be intimidating when deciding what type of community is best suited for mom or dad. That is why we are proud to offer a fantastic community with value and quality.

Consistently across all cultures – food is probably the most present in traditions. It plays an inextricable role in each of our daily lives, ingrained from a young age on. A simple taste or smell can bring up a loving pang of nostalgia and bring us a source of comfort, security, and pleasure.

Do you find yourself getting sick more and more often? When you age, your immune system can get weaker, making you more vulnerable to infections. At Brickmont, we take precautions to make sure seniors like you know how to protect their bodies as best as they can from getting sick.  We all know to wash our hands frequently, get plenty of sleep and drink plenty of water, but are there other ways to protect our immune systems naturally?

 Exercise is an important part of everyone’s health, regardless of your mobility status. One of the biggest myths in exercise for seniors is that you cannot exercise if you are in a wheelchair. This is simply not true! There are regimens completely based around exercising in a chair. There is some level of safe exercise for everyone, but you may want to inquire with your doctor before starting a new exercise regimen.

Retirement community. Old folks home. Rest home. These words conjure up the image of a dingy nursing home with bad fluorescent lighting, unhappy seniors, and unappetizing cafeteria food. While this may have been a reality in decades gone past – that’s simply not the case anymore. Chances are if you’re reading this, you are part of the Baby Boomer generation, people born post World War II between 1946-1964 and you’re demanding a different type of retirement. Your generation is leading the charge in redefining retirement and what senior living providers offer in services, amenities, and accommodations.