Benefits of Assisted Living at United Methodist Homes

Aging is inevitable but it doesn’t have to be unenjoyable! There is a substantial difference between existing, just getting by and REALLY living.  In an assisted living community such as United Methodist Homes you can maintain your independence and start to really live again.

An assisted living community, as the name implies helps residents in their daily activities and medical care support in a comfortable and private residential setting. Here seniors are provided with many recreational and social opportunities, transportation, apartment maintenance and housekeeping services.

Perhaps the number one reason that seniors transition from their own homes to an assisted living community is the freedom gained, relieving of the responsibilities and costs of maintaining a home, its contents and grounds. It also eliminates the utility and maintenance costs, and ongoing taxes with home ownership. In addition, assisted living minimizes personal works, maximizing the time to pursue other long-delayed desires.

UMHNJ assisted living is apartment or condo style living. The overall assisted living experience at UMHNJ is one where an individual has more options to rediscover their life and can confidently do more of the things they’ve always wanted to do.  All in an environment that enhances a person’s security, dignity, and independence. Visit www.umh-nj.org today and start living again.

Is Assisted Living Right For You?

Assisted living is a senior living option for those who need help with their basic daily activities including administering medications, cooking meals, getting to the bathroom in the middle of the night or housekeeping chores. Here are a few questions to ask yourself to help determine if assisted living is right for you:

•    Do you have feelings of loneliness or isolation?

•    Are you worried for your safety?

•    Are you finding it increasingly difficult to maintain your home?

•    Do you need support that family and friends aren’t able to provide?

If you’re concerned about what might happen if you fall down, get injured or experience any other problem when you are alone at home, then assisted living is the right choice. It provides security of 24 hour support and monitoring. Moreover, assisted living provides a home-like environment, without the burden and stress of home maintenance.

If the activities of daily living have grown stressful and the support from family and friends is still not enough to bridge the gap then assisted living may be right for you. An active life leads to a healthy and happy living. And that’s what an assisted living offers you. It provides opportunity to make new friends and live life to the fullest.

Constructive Discussions about Your Assisted Living Decision

Moving to an assisted living is a very important decision so make sure to include your family or close friends in the discussion. Here are some tips for ensuring construction discussions:

•    Initiate discussions when you and your family are well rested.

•    Provide your loved ones with research and information.

•    Allow your family to be part of the decision-making process. Answer their questions and listen to their concerns.

At United Methodist Homes in NJ our communities provide the safety and security of around the clock support and monitoring all while maximizing your dignity and independence. To learn more about our communities and assisted living services visit http://www.umh-nj.org/.

If You Don’t Use It, You Lose It

Are you worried you or your elderly loved one is not aging as well as they could be? Staying active mentally, physically and socially is crucial to maintaining quality of life especially at an advanced age.  Here are some ways to ensure healthy aging:

Mind

Our brain is stimulated by regular activities such as reading, writing and puzzle solving. Keeping the mind challenged and sharp slows the onset of cognitive impairment such as memory loss. You may consider these activities as granted but as we age it becomes even more vital to maintain that regular brain stimulation.

Here are few suggested mind stimulation activities by us:

•    Learn to play a musical instrument or learn a new language

•    Sustainable hobbies: quilting, photography, reading, writing letters or journal entries, painting, or playing word games

•    Tap into spirituality, including meditation, stress reduction, prayer or contemplation activities

Body

Keeping your brain and body sharp involves a lifestyle of wellness and well-being. This includes eating a healthy and well-balanced diet while also staying active. As we age it can be harder to engage in basic activities such as walking, sitting down or standing up without assistance. One way to minimize the need for assistance or to prevent the need for assistance as long as possible is to participate in physical activity every day such as:

•    Yoga

•    Stretching

•    Walking

•    Swimming

Social Activity

Social interaction is a great way to keep your body and mind active. So, it is advised to get engaged in life through community involvement, opportunities and interacting with others to find purposefulness in life. We also suggest the following:

• Joining a book club

• Volunteering

• Joining a fitness class

• Choosing hobbies that are not always solitary

At United Methodist Homes, all of our communities maintain a wide variety of optional programs dedicated to keeping seniors active and strong. To find out more about healthy senior assisted living at United Methodist Homes visit http://www.umh-nj.org