Jewish Community Housing Corporation of Metropolitan NJ

Someone once said, “The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another,” – which couldn’t be more true. We have the power to take control of our stress and redirect the energy into something more positive. Stress that goes unmanaged has a detrimental effect on our well-being. Especially for older adults, it significantly increases the risk of anxiety, depression, digestive issues, sleep problems, heart disease, and even memory impairments. That’s why it’s so important to face stress head-on with methods that are proven to ease tension and promote good mental health. In this article, our independent living team at JCHC will go over the signs of stress and what seniors can do to successfully manage it. Signs of stress in seniors Indications that your senior loved one could be suffering from stress include: Changes in eating habits, including overeating or loss of appetite. An onset of memory problems, including forgetfulness, lack o...

Realizing your parents need the support of assisted living services is a significant – and often upsetting step for children. After all, the most independent, capable figures in your life are aging and their current lifestyle is becoming too much for them to handle. Further, it can be difficult broaching the subject of assisted living with mom and dad. Below are some useful things to consider when speaking to your parents about moving to an assisted living community. Be objective about your loved one’s living situation. First of all, it’s important to properly evaluate your loved one’s situation before you start this important conversation. For example, analyze exactly what it is they are struggling with. Common issues could include: ·         Forgetting to take medication or accidentally overdosing. ·         Letting home or garden maintenance pile up. ·         Forgetti...

Who says pasta salad is just for summer? Pasta salad can be a great and easy pick-me-up meal to get us through the cold winter. It can remind us all that warmer times are just around the corner! Not to mention, it’s an easy last-minute meal to prepare if you have company coming to visit. With that in mind, the chefs at our senior communities put together a simple, healthy and delicious recipe for pasta salad. One last thing, always serve it “al dente” – trust us on this one. Serves 8-10 Time: Approx. 15-20 minutes Pasta Salad Ingredients: 1 lb. of your favorite pasta – we recommend penne or orecchiette 1/4 lb. baby arugula 1/4 lb. sundried tomatoes 1/4 lb. crumbled gorgonzola cheese 1/2 pint of red wine vinaigrette (see below for more details) Red Wine Vinaigrette Ingredients: 1/2 tablespoon honey 1/2 tablespoon dijon mustard 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil Kosher salt to taste Red Wine Vinaig...

Finding the right senior living option is all about understanding your loved one’s needs and determining the types of services that best fit those needs. Two of the most popular options are independent living and assisted living. While similar, there are key differences between these two senior living options. With that being said, it’s important to weigh out every concern before making a final decision with your loved one regarding their new residence. In this article, our team will discuss each of these options to help you make an informed and appropriate choice with your senior parent.  Is Independent Living Right for Your Loved One?  Independent living is usually contrasted with  Assisted Living  and differences can be great or small depending on the community. Senior Independent Living in some cases can simply mean living independently in an apartment complex with other seniors and few services. In other cases, such as JCHC Independent living, the lifes...